Literary – May 22

Peter Matthiessen, co-founder of The Paris Review, was born on this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that someone s/he believes is acting for purely altruistic and noble reasons also is acting for deceptive and conspiratorial reasons.

Literary – May 21

“Fools admire, but men of sense approve.” -Alexander Pope, born this date in 1688. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes her/his admiration has been misplaced.

Literary – May 20

“Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught.” -Honoré de Balzac, born this date in 1799. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is punished for doing exactly the same thing for which your antagonist is rewarded.

Literary – May 19

On this date in 1897, Oscar Wilde was released after two years of hard labor in prison, his sentence for having sex with the wrong kind of person. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s friends ostracize her from a dinner conversation because they think s/he’s with the wrong kind of person.

Literary – May 18

“A stupid man’s report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.” -Bertrand Russell, born on this date in 1872. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which something perfectly sensible and inoffensive said by your protagonist causes a considerable conflict with someone your protag cares about because it was...

Literary – May 17

Actor and comedian Bob Saget was born on this date in 1956. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that a person known for extraordinary kindness and gentle demeanor is actually a profane, manic bully.

Literary – May 16

Louis “Studs” Terkel was born on this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist unexpectedly discovers the deep human decency of someone from a significantly different socioeconomic class.

Literary – May 15

“Experience is what really happens to you in the long run; the truth that finally overtakes you.” -Katherine Anne Porter, born this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene from earlier in your protagonist’s life that seemed insignificant at the time, but which later becomes an overtaking truth.