Literary – August 8

On this date in 1968, Richard M. Nixon earned the Republican nomination for President of the United States. On this date in 1974, Pres. Nixon announced he would resign the office. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist achieves a perfect reversal from circumstances just a few years before.

Literary – August 7

On this date in 1934, the US Court of Appeals lifted the obscenity ban on James Joyce’s Ulysses. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist argues that something is obscene against the objections of all your protag’s close friends.

Literary – August 4

Truth as a defense against defamation was established in America on this date in 1735 when a jury acquitted New York City newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger on charges of libel. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist defames your protagonist with a completely true statement.

Literary – July 30

“Any relic of the dead is precious, if they were valued living.” -Emily Bronte, born on this date in 1818. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers a valued memento of a dead relative is missing.

Literary – July 29

“All truth is manipulated, because the universe is chaotic. What we divine from it is the superimposition of some kind of order, whether it’s religion, superstition, story and art, literature, science — all of them are an attempt to keep the wolf from the door. And that wolf is the panic of chaos.” -Ken Burns, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist...

Literary – July 9

On this date in 1918, William Faulkner joined the Royal Air Force, although World War I ended before he completed his training. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist sets out to achieve something extreme and unexpected because your protag believes her/his chance at true love has been lost forever, and fails to achieve that thing for reasons completely unrelated to your protag or the failed...

Literary – July 6

“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” -Frida Kahlo, born this date in 1907. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is confronted with a blank canvas.

Literary – June 19

“The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special exertions, but by his habitual acts.” -Blaise Pascal, born this date in 1623. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist surprises your protagonist by doing something genuinely nice for your protag.