Literary – October 19

“Betrayal can only happen if you love.” -David John Moore Cornwell, better known as John le Carré, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns s/he has been betrayed.

Literary – October 18

“I made this list of stuff that it’s time for me to try to do.” -Rick Moody, born this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s five most important life goals at each of these moments in her/his life: On your protag’s 9th birthday. When your protag graduates from high school. On your protag’s 30th birthday. On your protag’s 65th...

Literary – October 17

“The number one rule of thieves is that nothing is too small to steal.” -Jimmy Breslin, born this date in 1930. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s faith in someone s/he thought reformed is shattered over something others would consider insignificant.

Literary – October 16

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” -Oscar Wilde, born this date in 1854. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells the truth because s/he mistakenly thinks no one will find out who told it.

Literary – October 15

“It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.” -PG Wodehouse, born this date in 1881. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s apology goes disastrously wrong.

Literary – October 14

“Be of love a little more careful than of anything.” -e.e. cummings, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist first learned this lesson.

Literary – October 13

“All my humor is based upon destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I’d be standing on the breadline right in back of J. Edgar Hoover.” -Lenny Bruce, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist interprets tranquility as destruction.

Literary – October 12

“You don’t write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid’s burnt socks lying in the road.” -Richard Price, born this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view and in your protag’s voice the most life-altering image s/he has ever encountered.