Literary – October 26

“There was a lot of bullying … I was seen as a bit of a mark among all the working-class kids. I was a bit too well dressed by my mother. I was bookish and spectacled and I was really quite glad to move to a different sort of school.” -John Arden, born this date in 1930. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s childhood in which s/he first is bullied for the same...

Literary – October 25

“People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.” -Anne Tyler, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist blames bad choices on bad luck.

Literary – October 24

“All the mistakes I ever made were when I wanted to say ‘No’ and said ‘Yes.’ ” -Moss Hart, born this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist says “yes” to a proposition s/he knows from experience to reject.

Literary – October 23

“People have a hunger to connect with other people. They’re desperate to know that you’re not lying to them or misleading them.” -Augusten Burroughs, born Christopher Robison on this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist exploits another person’s hunger to tell a lie to a third person.

Literary – October 22

“There is only one real sin and that is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best.” -Doris Lessing, born this date in 1919. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist settles.

Literary – October 21

“Our own heart, and not other men’s opinions, form our true honor.” -Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born this date in 1772. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something that appears dishonorable to remain true to her/his own heart.

Literary – October 20

“Morality is the weakness of the brain.” -Arthur Rimbaud, born this date in 1854. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist acts immorally to prove s/he is strong.

Literary – October 19

“Betrayal can only happen if you love.” -David John Moore Cornwell, better known as John le Carré, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns s/he has been betrayed.