Literary – November 18

“Never pray for justice, because you might get some.” -Margaret Atwood, born this date in 1939. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s demand for justice is satisfied in an unsatisfying manner.

Literary – November 17

Hal Incandenza rapped on the door of Ennet House on this date in the Year of the Depends Adult Undergarment. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must seek help for a problem s/he has denied having for many years.

Literary – November 16

“I looked at her and wondered what I am except appetite.” -Andrea Barrett, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s gluttony leads to an excruciating aftermath.

Literary – November 15

“I think the key image of the 20th century is the man in the motor car.” -JG Ballard, born this date in 1930. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist debates the key image of the 21st century with his/her antagonist.

Literary – November 14

Claude Monet was born on this date in 1840. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view what’s happening in this Monet painting:

Literary – November 13

“Bad company is like a nail driven into a post, which, after the first and second blow, may be drawn out with little difficulty; but being once driven up to the head, the pincers cannot take hold to draw it out, but which can only be done by the destruction of the wood.” -Augustine of Hippo, born this date in 354. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist destroys some...

Literary – November 12

“In order to go on with our lives, we are always capable of making the ominous into the merely strange.” -Tracy Kidder, born this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a portent your protagonist once ignored returns with devastating consequences.

Literary – November 11

“Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be.” -Kurt Vonnegut, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that “fake it ’til you make it” fails as a strategy.