Literary – October 6

“Progress is man’s ability to complicate simplicity.” -Thor Heyerdahl, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist cannot make progress because s/he needlessly complicates a situation.

Journaling + Fiction – October 6

“One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory.”Rita Mae Brown Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an unforgivable act you should have forgotten by now. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s memory is too acute to forgive an enemy’s trespass.

Big Questions – October 6

If you could ask any fictional character one question, who would you ask what? 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...

Romance – October 6

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.” -Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre, published this date in 1847. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ditches a member of her/his family.

Mystery – October 6

The Reno brothers carried out the first of the first three train robberies in U.S. history on this date in 1866. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is called to solve the first infraction of its kind ever committed.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 6

“Creative people see Prometheus in a mirror, never Pandora.”- David Brin, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s clever solution to a fatal problem makes the problem worse.

Secondary – October 6

Explain whether you would prefer to be the best player on a losing team or the worst player on a winning team.

Primary – October 6

The first movie with sound, The Jazz Singer, premiered on this date in 1927. Explain how you could understand what’s happening if you were watching a movie with no sound.