Literary – January 9

“The word love has by no means the same sense for both sexes, and this is one cause of the serious misunderstandings that divide them.” -Simone-Lucie-Ernestine-Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir, born this date in 1908. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which different understandings of the same word cause a final falling out between your protagonist and a dear relative or friend.

Journaling + Fiction – January 9

“What is to give light must endure burning.”Viktor Frankl Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a project or subject about which you have not been sufficiently persistent. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives up too soon.

Big Questions – January 9

What do you do with your time when you eat alone at a restaurant? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20 minutes...

Romance – January 9

“If you lose your heart to something that is wrong for you, you can return it.” – Judith Krantz, born this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist loses her/his heart to something or someone that s/he can’t return.

Mystery – January 9

“Sometimes when you’re too close to something, you can’t see it clearly.”- Stuart Woods, born this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist earns a new perspective by backing up.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 9

“The custom is, sir, that those who know a situation handle it and those who don’t watch and learn, or get out of the way.” -CJ Cherryh in Downbelow Station, in which the Alliance takes Pell Station on this date in 2353. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to watch, learn, or get out of the way despite having no clue about how to handle the situation.

Secondary – January 9

Describe the most important and interesting place that you intend to travel in your life, and why you want to go there.

Primary – January 9

Write a short story about what you think will be your first job.