Literary – March 4

“I was not much used to women except for mothers. Everything I did, they did different.” -Daniel Woodrell, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s bewilderment at the behavior of someone of a different gender sparks a conflict.

Journaling + Fiction – March 4

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”Albert Einstein Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your reflections on the first time you experienced something you considered miraculous at the time. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist denies a moment of serendipitous...

Big Questions – March 4

What obligation do you have to shield children from unpleasant reality? 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 – March 4

“Some stories don’t need telling.” -Khaled Hosseini, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s point of view, tell a story s/he believes never should be told.

Mystery – March 4

“Some people don’t respond to civility.”- James Ellroy, born this date in 1948. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which someone goads your protagonist to violence.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 4

“Traveling through space is stupifyingly monotonous.” On this date in Edgar Rice Burrough’s 1866, John Carter arrived on Barsoom for the first time. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wakes up someplace s/he couldn’t possibly be.

Secondary – March 4

What sorts of lies do your friends get away with telling their parents … and do you think their parents know the truth?

Primary – March 4

What was the last fight you had about? Since then, how has your thinking about the subject of the fight changed?