Literary – May 28

“There’s nothing so inhuman as a human being.” -Patrick White, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is treated inhumanely by someone s/he cares about.

Literary – May 27

“Wisdom is the knowledge of good and evil, not the strength to choose between the two.” -John Cheever, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to act on her/his wisdom.

Literary – May 26

Miles Davis was born on this date in 1926. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts a talented friend who is squandering his/her contribution to the world because of an addiction to something...

Literary – May 25

“It ought to make us feel ashamed when we talk like we know what we’re talking about when we talk about love.” -Raymond Carver, born this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and someone s/he loves have an entire conversation about their feelings for each other while talking about something else.

Literary – May 24

“The only thing people really have in common is that they are all going to die.” -Bob Dylan, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist desperately tries to find a point of commonality with a person who resolutely defies your protag’s efforts.

Literary – May 23

On this date in 1829, Cyrill Demian received a patent for the accordion. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must sit through the excruciating music recital of a friend’s child.

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.