Literary – June 22

“A solitary laugh is often a laugh of superiority.” -Graham Greene, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is unable to enjoy a success s/he earned.

Literary – June 21

“One has to have the courage of one’s pessimism.” -Ian McEwan, born this date in 1948. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is confident of a bad outcome in his/her quest, and it turns out ten times worse than your protag expected.

Literary – June 20

Lillian Hellman, born on this date in 1905, earned the enmity of fellow author Mary McCarthy, who famously said of Hellman, “Every word she writes is a lie, including and and the.” Writing prompt: List five similarly insightful and devastating insults your protagonist would like to say about her/his antogonist, but lacks the bravery to do so.

Literary – June 19

“The beauty of a fragment is that it still supports the hope of brilliant completeness.” -Tobias Wolff, born this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers a piece of something that used to be an essential part of your protag’s existence.

Literary – June 18

“When you’re sure of what you’re looking at, look harder.” -Richard Powers, born this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes what s/he sees for what is.

Literary – June 17

Igor Stravinsky was born on this date in 1882. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is swept up in a dangerous riot caused by public response to a creative work.

Literary – June 16

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” -James Joyce, who is celebrated on Bloomsday, June 16th, each year. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to persuade a close friend that a devastating mistake will, in the long run, be a net positive.

Literary – June 15

A dandy Boston Brahmin, Francis Parkman, arrived at Fort Laramie — in what is now Wyoming — on this date in 1846 and spent the next six months unlearning everything he’d formerly believed about the Sioux. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is shocked to unlearn something about which s/he is absolutely confident.