Literary – January 8

“The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.” -David Bowie, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakenly believes s/he is setting out on a great journey.

Journaling + Fiction – January 8

“If you can let go of passion and follow your curiosity, your curiosity just might lead you to your passion.”Elizabeth Gilbert Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you’re curious to explore more deeply. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s passion interferes with the curiosity needed to understand a situation accurately.

Big Questions – January 8

Is it worse to be early or late? 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 minutes answering the question in the voice of a...

Romance – January 8

“The people who lie the most are nearly always the clumsiest at it, and they’re easier to fool with lies than most people, too. You’d think they’d be on the look-out for lies, but they seem to be the very ones that will believe almost anything at all.” -Dashiell Hammett in The Thin Man, his last novel, published on this date in 1934. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist catches...

Mystery – January 8

“Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service.”- Wilkie Collins, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s words create a problem by failing to rise to the occasion.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 8

“God not only plays dice, He also sometimes throws the dice where they cannot be seen.” -Stephen Hawking, born on this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts something that is infinitely improbable.

Secondary – January 8

Elvis Presley was born on this date in 1935. Although one of the most successful musicians in history, Elvis never learned to read music — he knew, instead, how to mimic what he heard. Explain how you accomplish something everyone thinks you’re good at but at which you feel you’re faking your talent.

Primary – January 8

Reading teacher Evelyn Wood was born on this date in 1909. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining why it’s important for everyone to learn to read.