Literary – July 6

“It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.” -Hilary Mantel, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pours him/herself into a gap in his/her knowledge.

Literary – July 5

“Silence moves faster when it’s going backward.” -Jean Cocteau, born this date in 1889. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns this lesson.

Literary – July 4

“If no one ever took risks, Michaelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor.” -Neil Simon, born this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Write a scene from earlier in your protagonist’s life, when s/he had a chance to take a risk and did not — a decision that has caused regret ever since.

Literary – July 3

“I do not read advertisements. I would spend all of my time wanting things.” -Franz Kafka, born this date in 1883. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses a material possession over an important personal relationship.

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.

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.

Literary – June 30

“You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.” -Lena Horne, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a superior makes your protagonist aware of the real or perceived class differences between your protag and her/his...

Literary – June 29

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, born this date in 1900. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a person your protagonist dearly loves refuses to believe s/he and your protag are not looking the same direction.