Literary – August 1

“At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect.” -Herman Melville, born this date in 1819. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which some form of intoxication causes your protagonist to reveal her/his true nature at a particularly unfortunate time.

Literary – July 31

“Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready to believe and to act without asking questions.” -Primo Levi, born this date in 1919. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s goal is frustrated by someone who couldn’t care less whether your protag fails or succeeds.

Literary – July 30

“It is discouraging to leave the past behind only to see it coming toward you like the thunderstorm which drenched you yesterday.” -William Gass, born this date in 1924. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an event or person your protagonist thought left behind drenches your protag.

Literary – July 29

“What if loving something means you should mostly feel frustrated and thwarted? And then a little ruined, too, by the pursuit? But you keep coming back for more?” -Chang-rae Lee, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist comes back for more one time too many.

Literary – July 28

“I’m not doing it for the money, and, therefore, I can’t see any reason to compromise.” -William Vollmann, born this date in 1959. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must choose between long-term poverty and compromise.

Literary – July 27

Advising him to stop loafing and trading on his good looks, Ernest Hemingway’s mother evicted him from her home on this date in 1921. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist’s parents force her/him out of her/his childhood home.

Literary – July 26

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.” -Aldous Huxley, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist affirmatively chooses to remain ignorant of a fact s/he knows will hurt worse than ignorance.

Literary – July 25

“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.” -Jack London, who on this date in 1897 sailed for the Klondike. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the cards your protagonist is dealt make her/him decide to give up.