“Good days, they come around the oddest corners.” -Colum McCann, born this date in 1965, in Let the Great World Spin. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which rounding an odd corner launches what looks to your protagonist to be anything but a good day.
“In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born this date in 1807. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist transitions from one to the other.
“Architecture has recorded the great ideas of the human race.” -Victor Hugo, born on this date in 1802. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s point of view, describe his/her favorite building.
“I hope that after I die, people will say of me: ‘That guy sure owed me a lot of money.’ ” -Jack Handey, born this date in 1949. No, really. Writing prompt: Write ten statements your protagonist hopes people will say after s/he dies.
One of my favorite painters, Winslow Homer, was born on this date in 1836. Writing prompt: Describe his painting The Coming Storm in the voices of your protagonist and your antagonist.
Samuel Pepys, one of history’s most noted diarists, was born on this date in 1633. Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s diary entry for her or his most important birthday.