Literary – December 3

“A man’s most open actions have a secret side to them.” -Joseph Conrad, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist hides her/his motives in plain sight.

Journaling + Fiction – December 3

“Being right keeps you in place. Being wrong forces you to explore.”Steven Johnson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time in your life when being wrong turned out to be the solution. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds the right answer in the wrong place.

Big Questions – December 3

Which of your friends has the worst influence on you? 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 – December 3

“Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.” -Joseph Conrad, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a simple task is made difficult for your protagonist by the participation of a member of another gender.

Mystery – December 3

“The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” -Joseph Conrad, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a crime makes your protagonist question his/her faith, or lack thereof.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 3

“It is infinitely better to transplant a heart than to bury it to be devoured by worms.”- Dr. Christiaan Barnard, who on this date in 1967 performed the first successful heart transplant. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must use an antiquated technology or process to accomplish a task that would be easy with any contemporary technique.

Secondary – December 3

“Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality.” -Joseph Conrad, born this date in 1857. Think of the worst thing you’ve ever done, and then describe it in words that make it seem as if it’s no big deal.

Primary – December 3

On this date in 1833, Oberlin College opened in Ohio with a class that included both men and women, making it the USA’s first co-educational college. Describe how you think your classroom would be different if there were no students of the opposite gender.