Literary – May 6

Sigmund Freud was born on this date in 1856. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s best friend tries to explain your protagonist’s behavior to your protag in terms of sexual frustration, even though the explanation is far simpler.

Journaling + Fiction – May 6

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”John Keats Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the ugliest truth you’ve ever encountered. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he mistook something beautiful for something truthful.

Romance – May 6

Gaston Leroux was born on this date in 1868. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is criticized for caring about someone everyone else considers unlovable.

Mystery – May 6

Orson Welles was born on this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must manage a crisis precipitated by a hoax.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 6

Austin Tucker refused to fight another imprisoned inmate on this date in Steven Barnes’ 1996. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to fight for survival against someone your protagonist considers a sibling.

Secondary – May 6

Orson Welles, born on this date in 1915, inadvertently perpetrated one of history’s greatest hoaxes with his 1938 “War of the Worlds” radio play. Using examples from your own experience, argue whether such a massive hoax is possible in the digital age.