Mystery – October 14

“The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.” -Hannah Arendt, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes the person who committed a horrible transgression has no idea why s/he did it.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 14

“It’s this accursed science. . . . It’s the very Devil. The medieval priests and persecutors were right and the Moderns are all wrong.” Cavorite was discovered on this date in H.G. Wells’ 1899. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers an element that seems to defy the laws of physics in the universe you’ve created.

Secondary – October 14

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” -US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, born on this date in 1890. Explain why Ike is wrong or right.

Primary – October 14

“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” -AA Milne, whose Winnie-the-Pooh was published on this date in 1926. Write about a time that you found out you liked something or someone you thought that you’d hate.

Literary – October 13

“All my humor is based upon destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I’d be standing on the breadline right in back of J. Edgar Hoover.” -Lenny Bruce, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist interprets tranquility as destruction.

Journaling + Fiction – October 13

“Prudence in action avails more than wisdom in conception.”Cicero Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the fallout from an experience when you acted before thinking. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s action plan falls apart in execution.

Big Questions – October 13

How do you dress to impress? 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...

Romance – October 13

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” – Mollie Katzen, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses not at all because s/he fears abandon.