Literary – September 23

“Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” -Walter Lippmann, born this date in 1889. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is the only person willing to challenge conventional wisdom.

Journaling + Fiction – September 23

“It is not the end of the physical body that should worry us. Rather, our concern must be to live while we’re alive – to release our inner selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a facade designed to conform to external definitions of who and what we are.”Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about whether you’re truly living today. Fiction...

Big Questions – September 23

What was your most recent act of virtue? 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...

Romance – September 23

“He lives on within the souls of those who choose to listen to the music of the night.” – Gaston Leroux, whose first installment of the serialized novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra was published on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist unexpectedly meets someone who’s only been rumored to exist.

Mystery – September 23

Matlock premiered on this date in 1986. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist plays dumb to get what s/he needs.

SciFi/Fantasy – September 23

“I’m not into the whole ‘destiny — there’s only one right way’ thing.”- Abe, who with Aaron on this date in Primer’s 2003 made some money in the stock market. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist earns a chance to change one thing from earlier in her/his life.

Secondary – September 23

“Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor.” -Euripides, born on this date in 480 BC. Why both?

Primary – September 23

“Cleverness is not wisdom.” Euripides, who was born on this date in 480 BC. Describe what you think the difference is.