Literary – October 1

“A thing may happen and be a total lie; another thing may not happen and be truer than the truth.” -Tim O’Brien, born this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a valuable truth because of what doesn’t happen.

Journaling + Fiction – October 1

“Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.”Samuel Johnson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most curious event you’ve experienced in the past week. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s passionate curiosity cools the passion of an important relationship.

Big Questions – October 1

Are we there yet? 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 character you...

Romance – October 1

“Character builds slowly, but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness.” -Faith Baldwin, born this date in 1893. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets caught doing something entirely out of character and then must justify her/his behavior.

Mystery – October 1

“A decision is what a man makes when he can’t find anybody to serve on a committee.” -Fletcher Knebel, born this date in 1911. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s superior forces your protag to make a difficult choice that the boss is too scared to make.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 1

“After sixty-six generations of breeding—thirty-three to Bay and thirty-three more—they’d come to nothing. Kaela Stewert did not want the same happening to his own line.” The ship Tesah will be attacked on this date in R.M. Meluch’s 2182. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must settle for less than s/he requires.

Secondary – October 1

“We suffer primarily not from our vices or our weaknesses, but from our illusions. We are haunted, not by reality, but by those images we have put in their place.” -Daniel Boorstin, born this date in 1914. Use at least three examples to demonstrate whether you agree with Mr. Boorstin.

Primary – October 1

“Knowledge is never used up. It increases by diffusion and grows by dispersion.” -Daniel Boorstin, born this date in 1914. Explain what one bit of information you think is most important and why you would want to share it with everyone.