Literary – October 3

“There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.” -Gore Vidal, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a frenemy of your protagonist achieves something amazing by doing the opposite of what your protagonist advised.

Journaling + Fiction – October 3

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”Mark Twain Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a kindness you’ve experienced that crosses all barriers. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist communicates using only a kind act towards someone who otherwise would remain isolated.

Big Questions – October 3

What’s the worst first date you’ve ever been on? 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...

Romance – October 3

“All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.” -Thomas Wolfe, born this date in 1900. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist goes back to an important location from earlier in her/his life and is cruelly disappointed when s/he can’t replicate...

Mystery – October 3

“The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.” -Sam Spade, as portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, in The Maltese Falcon, which premiered on this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene of nothing but dialogue between your protagonist and the person who committed a crime against your protag.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 3

“Yeah, that can’t be good.”- Marshall Jack Carter of Eureka, where probing a mysterious artifact on this date in 2006 disrupted the space-time continuum. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist accidentally launches a series of unfortunate events.

Secondary – October 3

“Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.” -Gore Vidal, born this date in 1925. Write about a time you envied a friend’s success so much that it caused you to make some kind of mistake.

Primary – October 3

Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage was published on this date in 1895. Write about a time you were ashamed by your behavior and what you did — or would like to do — to make up for it.