Literary – July 24

After starting to write short stories to support his daughter while he spent three years in prison for embezzling from his bank employer, O. Henry was released on this date in 1901. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist receives a gift made irrelevant by your protag’s simultaneous gift to the gift giver.

Literary – July 23

“Chess is as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you can find outside an advertising agency.” -Raymond Chandler, born this date in 1888. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist devises an elaborate game to avoid doing something s/he must accomplish.

Literary – July 22

“To achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought.” -Tom Robbins, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene during which your protagonist refuses to think the unthinkable despite the obvious importance of doing so.

Literary – July 21

“All things truly wicked start from innocence.” -Ernest Hemingway, born this date in 1899. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s naivete draws her/him into a devastating plot against someone your protag would never want to hurt.

Literary – July 20

“True quests aren’t measured in time or distance anyway, so much as in hope.” -Jess Walter, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes her/his expenditure of time or distance with an investment that will pay off.

Literary – July 19

The Rosetta Stone was discovered on this date in 1799. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must cooperate with someone who speaks no common language to locate a specific book in an unfamiliar location.

Literary – July 18

“Make the horizon your goal; it will always be ahead of you.” -William Makepeace Thackeray, born this date in 1811. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that achieving her/his ultimate goal proves it wasn’t her/his ultimate goal.

Literary – July 17

David Hasselhoff was born on this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must ask a favor of someone famous for all the wrong reasons.