Literary – November 21

“Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.” -François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, born this date in 1694. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he should have done something s/he earlier chose not to do.

Journaling + Fiction – November 21

“The capacity to care is what gives life its most deepest significance.”Pablo Casals Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the subject or object of care that gives your life its deepest significance. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he is on the verge of losing what gives her/his life its deepest significance.

Big Questions – November 21

Is a pleasant but rather thoughtless existence preferable to a deeply examined but unhappy existence during your life? 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...

Romance – November 21

“Fear is a question. What are you afraid of and why? Our fears are a treasure house of self-knowledge if we explore them.” -Marilyn French, born this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns the answer.

Mystery – November 21

Indian tracker and translator, Pinkerton agent, and vigilante killer for hire Tom Horn was born on this date in 1860. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist locates an alleged bad guy after an alleged good guy.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 21

“Have you never wanted to do anything that was dangerous? Where should we be if no one tried to find out what lies beyond? Have you never wanted to look beyond the clouds and the stars, or to know what causes the trees to bud? And what changes the darkness into light?”- Dr. Henry Frankenstein in the first film version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,...

Secondary – November 21

The French author François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, was born on this date in 1694. Explain what you think he meant when he said, “Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”

Primary – November 21

On this date in 1783, Jean de Rozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes made the first free-flight ascent in a balloon in Paris, France. What do you think the first people in history who were truly flying thought and felt about their experience?