Literary – October 17

“The number one rule of thieves is that nothing is too small to steal.” -Jimmy Breslin, born this date in 1930. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s faith in someone s/he thought reformed is shattered over something others would consider insignificant.

Journaling + Fiction – October 17

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”de Saint-Exupéry Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether a shared perspective is essential for a loving relationship. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes a loved one does not share your protagonist’s perspective on a fundamental...

Big Questions – October 17

To what country would you move if you had to start over elsewhere? 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...

Romance – October 17

“Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda . . . and woke up with me.” -Margarita Carmen Cansino, better known as Rita Hayworth, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ensnares a partner by acting as someone your protagonist is not.

Mystery – October 17

“Integrity is something you sell the public.” -Walter Chalmers in Bullitt, which premiered on this date in 1968. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a superior orders your protagonist to violate your protag’s integrity.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 17

“Good news, everyone.”- Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth, who will on this date in 2927 begin work on robots that bend. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s leader assigns a futile and possibly suicidal task.

Secondary – October 17

“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.” -Arthur Miller, born on this date in 1915, in Death of a Salesman. Describe two examples you’ve seen or experienced in your life that demonstrates this truth.

Primary – October 17

“Let all the time you can get be spent in trying to learn to read.” -Jupiter Hammon, the first published African-American writer in the United States, who was born into slavery on this date in 1711. Describe the most important difference between someone who can’t read and someone who can.