Literary – September 29

” ‘Tis the only comfort of the miserable to have partners in their woes.” -Miguel de Cervantes, whose birth is observed on this date although when exactly in 1547 he was born is unknown. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is pressed into reluctant service to comfort an afflicted friend.

Journaling + Fiction – September 29

“I value self-discipline, but creating systems that make it next to impossible to misbehave is more reliable than self-control.”Tim Ferriss Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your experience comparing self-control to an external system of control. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s lack of self-control is frustratingly regulated by a system s/he...

Big Questions – September 29

Would taking the less traveled fork really make all the difference? 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 29

“No padlocks, bolts, or bars can secure a maiden better than her own reserve.” -Miguel de Cervantes, whose birth is observed on this date although when exactly in 1547 he was born is unknown. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist misses an opportunity because s/he lacks boldness.

Mystery – September 29

“I just get on better when we’ve got a body — a body that died from unnatural causes. That’s all I ask. And we haven’t got a body.” -Inspector Morse in Last Seen Wearing by Colin Dexter, born on this date in 1930. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must prove a crime has actually occurred.

SciFi/Fantasy – September 29

“There is no shame in asking for help, my lord. It takes great strength to admit one’s limitations.” Alaric Morgan was born on this date in Katherine Kurtz’s 1091. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to protect a person s/he’s been sworn to defend.

Secondary – September 29

Think about the last person who made you really angry. Write the story of what happened from that person’s perspective.

Primary – September 29

If you were going to start a business, what would you do and why would people want to pay you to do it?