Literary – September 30

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” -Truman Capote, born this date on 1924. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that what s/he thought was a success is only a condiment.

Journaling + Fiction – September 30

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”Vince Lombardi Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an experience when you let perfection become the enemy of excellence. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails at an important task because s/he won’t stop until achieving perfection.

Big Questions – September 30

What confession would give you the greatest relief on your deathbed? 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 – September 30

“I’d rather have cancer than a dishonest heart.” -Truman Capote, born this date in 1924. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that a trusted friend has a dishonest heart.

Mystery – September 30

“There’s got to be something wrong with us. To do what we did.” -Truman Capote, born this date in 1924, in In Cold Blood. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts a a wrongdoer who insists something internal and inexplicable excuses the wrong.

SciFi/Fantasy – September 30

“Some stories are true that never happened.”- Elie Wiesel, born this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s mentor relates the most important true story that never happened in the world you’ve created.

Secondary – September 30

On this date in 1452, Johannes Gutenberg published the first book printed using movable type (the version of the Bible that bears his name). Describe the as-yet-uninvented technology you think will next revolutionize society.

Primary – September 30

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” -Elie Wiesel, who was born this date in 1928 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Write a story about a time you were silent when you should have spoken.