Literary – January 22

On this date in 1973, the US Supreme Court invalidated state laws prohibiting abortion in its Roe v. Wade decision. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s counsel is sought by a pregnant friend desperately seeking support for a decision that runs contrary to your protag’s beliefs.

Romance – January 22

George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron — better known as the Romantic poet Lord Byron — was born on this date in 1788. His epic poem Don Juan satirized the mythical ladies’ man by revealing him as a man too easily seduced by women. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist meets someone s/he has been told is one type, but who turns out to be completely the opposite...

Mystery – January 22

Grand master of LA crime writing (fiction and non) Joseph Wambaugh was born on this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must explore the home of a client/victim who holds diametrically opposed attitudes about class but exhibits absolutely similar tastes.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 22

“Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.” -Robert E. Howard, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is treated discourteously by a person your protag believes to be much weaker.

Secondary – January 22

“A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.” -Francis Bacon, born on this date in 1561. Explain your understanding of this idea.

Primary – January 22

“Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion.” -Francis Bacon, born on this date in 1561. Explain why you think Bacon preferred to be wrong rather than to be confused.