Literary – July 2

“Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.” -Hermann Hesse, born this date in 1877. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist expresses a thought that, in context, appears utterly thoughtless.

Journaling + Fiction – July 2

“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”Sir John Lubbock Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from failing to see something important because you were looking for something else. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is looking for something that everyone else clearly sees.

Big Questions – July 2

What act of mercy could you perform right now? 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...

Romance – July 2

“Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?” – Amelia Earhart, who on this date in 1937 was reported lost over the Pacific Ocean with her navigator, Frederick Noonan. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised to learn everyone assumes s/he is engaged in a sexual relationship with a person your...

Mystery – July 2

On this date in 1994, a Colombian soccer player who’d inadvertently caused his team to lose to the USA in World Cup competition by scoring a goal for the USA, was shot to death. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers an unexpectedly irrelevant motive for a murder.

SciFi/Fantasy – July 2

“Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.”- Amelia Earhart, who with her navigator disappeared somewhere in the Pacific Ocean on this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene from your protagonist’s earlier life when your protagonist chose torment instead of courage.

Literary – July 1

“Vanity is the quicksand of reason.” -George Sand, a pseudonym for Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, born this date in 1804. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s reason fails because of his/her vanity.

Journaling + Fiction – July 1

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.”Helen Keller Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a person, experience, or object you love more with your heart than with your physical senses. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist feels emotionally a contradiction with what s/he feels...