Literary – November 28

“Opposition is true friendship.” -William Blake, born this date in 1757. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a friend fails to persuade your protagonist to make a different choice than the objectively bad choice your protagonist makes.

Journaling + Fiction – November 28

“Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one’s awareness of one’s ignorance.”Anthony de Mello Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about an experience when you learned how little you knew about a subject. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds out that s/he’s ignorant about a topic s/he thought s/he knew well.

Big Questions – November 28

How would your life change if the object you most treasure vanished? 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 – November 28

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” – William Shakespeare, who on this date in 1582 bonded his marriage to Anne Hathaway. Writing prompt: Write a dialogue in which your protagonist expresses the same sentiment to her or his best friend.

Mystery – November 28

“I can never understand how authors can write books without having animals become important characters. We share the earth with other sentient creatures and they often do a better job of living full lives than we do.” -Rita Mae Brown, born this date in 1944. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an animal upstages your protagonist in the smarts department.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 28

“Anta odeli uta.” At 1517 hours tomorrow, every radio receiver in the world will receive the same transmission. Writing prompt: Write the message and describe its impact in your home.

Secondary – November 28

English author of the allegorical The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan was born on this date in 1628. He once said, “If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot.” What does this idea mean to you?

Primary – November 28

The English poet William Blake was born on this day in 1757. He once said, “It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” Explain why you agree or disagree with what Blake says.