Literary – September 18

“Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” -Samuel Johnson, born this date in 1709. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist spends a night in anticipation of a certain reckoning.

Journaling + Fiction – September 18

“I say if it’s going to be done, let’s do it. Let’s not put it in the hands of fate. Let’s not put it in the hands of someone who doesn’t know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.”Anita Baker Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most exciting plunge you’ve ever taken. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakenly...

Big Questions – September 18

What technology do you consider indistinguishable from magic? 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...

Romance – September 18

“There are many things in your heart you can never tell to another person. They are you, your private joys and sorrows, and you can never tell them. You cheapen yourself, the inside of yourself, when you tell them.” -Greta Garbo, born this date in 1905. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells what’s in her/his heart to someone who immediately proves unworthy of hearing...

Mystery – September 18

“Missed it by that much.” -Maxwell Smart, who premiered in Get Smart on this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must explain a dramatic failure to a superior.

SciFi/Fantasy – September 18

“The phenomenon develops calmly, but it is invisible, unstoppable.”- Jean Bernard Léon Foucault, born this date in 1819. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a fundamental constant of the world you’ve created prevents your protagonist from achieving an essential goal.

Secondary – September 18

Lance Armstrong was born this date in 1971. Describe your opinion about whether a person can be an inspirational leader if the reason he or she achieved that position is because he or she took a shortcut to get there.

Primary – September 18

Samuel Johnson, who wrote the first dictionary, was born on this date in 1709. How would you start a project that requires you to do something no one has ever done before?