Literary – January 3

Marcus Tullius Cicero, born on this date in 106 BC, believed it was essential to govern one’s emotions with reason. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to achieve an essential task because his/her passion overwhelms reason.

Journaling + Fiction – January 3

“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.”Lao Tzu Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first moment you experienced this kind of love. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s senses are overwhelmed by an attack on her/his head and heart.

Big Questions – January 3

What chore do you most dread? 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 question in the voice of a...

Romance – January 3

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T” – Aretha Franklin, the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on this date in 1987. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist addresses your her/his romantic partner’s lack of respect.

Mystery – January 3

“The five senses are the ministers of the soul.”- Leonardo da Vinci Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers four clues using senses other than sight.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 3

“It’s wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.” -John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, born this date in 1892. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must persuade a group of false-hoping allies that s/he is not leading them on an irrational course.

Secondary – January 3

JRR Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings trilogy, was born on this date in 1892. Explain what you think he meant when he wrote, “Deep roots are not reached by frost.”

Primary – January 3

JRR Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was born on this date in 1892. Explain what you think he meant when he said, “Courage is found in unlikely places.”