Literary – March 6

“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” -Gabriel García Márquez, born this date in 1927. Writing prompt: From the point of view your protagonist, write the scene of a formative conflict in your protag’s early life at the time of the dispute. Then rewrite the scene at your protag’s current age.

Journaling + Fiction – March 6

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”Winston Churchill Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from failing at something at which you could have succeeded if you’d continued. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that succeeding is not sufficient.

Big Questions – March 6

If you could ask any person from history one question, who would you ask what? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20...

Romance – March 6

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” -Elizabeth Barrett Browning, born this date in 1806. Writing prompt: List 13 reasons your protagonist believes s/he deserves to be loved.

Mystery – March 6

“There is a sort of an unwritten code in Washington, among the underworld and the hustlers and these other guys that I am their friend.”- Marion Barry, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is put in a compromising situation because of the secret machinations of a corrupt public official.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 6

“You can’t talk about heartbreak to a kid.” -Will Eisner, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene from your protagonist’s early life in which s/he was incapable of experiencing an emotion, but which affect her/him throughout life.

Secondary – March 6

“Criticize by creating.” -Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni — better known as Michelangelo — born on this date in 1475. What would you create in response to the issue you most want to criticize?

Primary – March 6

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni — better known as Michelangelo — was born on this date in 1475. He believed that people should “criticize by creating.” What do you think he meant when he said that?