Literary – November 20

“The system was invisible, which makes it all the more impressive, all the more disquieting to deal with.” -Don DeLillo, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes for the first time that s/he exists in a system that was until that moment undetected.

Journaling + Fiction – November 20

“If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”Seth Godin Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you’ve just decided is no longer too scary to try. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an irrational fear held since childhood.

Big Questions – November 20

What’s the worst nightmare you’ve ever had? 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 answering the...

Romance – November 20

A dreary stillness broods o’er all the vale, The clouded Moon emits a feeble glare;Joyless I seek the darkling hill and dale, Where’er I wander Sorrow still is there. – Thomas Chatterton, born this date in 1752. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist first fails to pull off something s/he has been faking successfully since s/he was a child.

Mystery – November 20

“I usually start with a repulsive character and go on from there.” -Chester Gould, born on this date in 1900, who spent more than 45 years drawing the Dick Tracy comic strip until he retired in 1977. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must play nice with someone s/he considers repulsive.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 20

“The history of astronomy is a history of receding horizons.”- Edwin Hubble, born this date in 1889. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails at an important task because s/he cannot see as far into the past as your protagonist hopes.

Secondary – November 20

Nobel-prize winning novelist Nadine Gordimer was born on this date in 1923. She once said, “A child understands fear, and the hurt and hate it brings.” What childhood fear still afflicts you, and how does that fear manifest itself internally and externally?

Primary – November 20

What makes you laugh the hardest?