Literary – April 12

Writing prompt: Write a “lifetime of advice” letter from your protagonist to a new-born nephew or niece.

Literary – April 11

“Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is the way you can both hate and love something you are not sure you understand.” -Dorothy Allison, born this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must decide the fate of something s/he both hates and loves.

Literary – April 10

“Fiction gives us the second chances that life denies us.” -Paul Theroux, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he won’t get a second chance.

Literary – April 9

On this date in 1833, the USA’s first tax-supported public library was founded in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Writing prompt: Write a scene that allows your protagonist to contrast his/her attitude about libraries at age 6 and age 36.

Literary – April 8

“What we owe to society, what we owe to ourselves.” -Barbara Kingsolver, born this date in 1955. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist observes — and must decide how to respond to — an act of social injustice.

Literary – April 7

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” – William Wordsworth, born this date in 1770. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers a profound relationship with nature.

Literary – April 6

Raphael was born on this date in 1483. His painting The Three Graces depicts Aglaea (splendor), Euphrosyne (mirth), and Thalia (good cheer). Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a person your protagonist believes epitomizes those graces proves utterly graceless.

Literary – April 5

“All generous minds have a horror of what are commonly called ‘Facts.’ They are the brute beasts of the intellectual domain.” -Thomas Hobbes, born this date in 1588. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which facts contradict everything your protagonist wants to believe about her/his closest friend.