Literary – May 1

Joseph Heller, who famously asked “What does a sane man do in an insane society?”, was born on this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is trapped in an emotional Catch-22: regardless of her/his decision, your protag will devastate her/himself or someone s/he loves.

Literary – April 30

“Experience is never at bargain price.” -Alice B. Toklas, born this date in 1877. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s mindless choice on an insignificant matter turns into a costly experience.

Literary – April 29

Duke Ellington was born on this date in 1899. Take the A Train became his band’s signature tune: Writing prompt: Write a scene in which at least three different people hear your protagonist say the same words and interpret those words...

Literary – April 28

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” -Harper Lee, born this date in 1926. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist goes along with the majority even though his/her conscience demands otherwise.

Literary – April 27

“The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.” -Edward Gibbon, born this date in 1737. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist explains a personal failing in terms that deflect responsibility.

Literary – April 26

“There are no wrong books. What’s wrong is the fear of them.” -Bernard Malamud, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that a close friend’s home has no books in it.

Literary – April 25

“Is a gesture of charity genuine or is it a kind of deep moral tax write-off?” -Padgett Powell, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s act of genuine charity is rejected because the beneficiary suspects your protag’s motives.

Literary – April 24

“The poem is a little myth of man’s capacity of making life meaningful.” -Robert Penn Warren, the only person to win Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and poetry, born this date in 1905. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s point of view, write a poem about what makes your protag’s life most meaningful.