Literary – October 11

“If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads.” -François Mauriac, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must defend regularly rereading a particular book.

Journaling + Fiction – October 11

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.”K’ung Fu-tzu Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about the best thought in your head right now. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tried but fails to forget a wrong done to her/him by a frenemy.

Big Questions – October 11

What is your definition of psychological torture? 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...

Romance – October 11

Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton married on this date in 1975. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is asked to stand in a wedding beside a friend who is marrying someone of whom your protagonist does not approve.

Mystery – October 11

” ‘You never know what somebody might tell you,’ Chris said, ‘when they think you’re somebody else.’ ” -Elmore Leonard, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns something unexpected because s/he is mistaken for someone else.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 11

“The Walt, Wally, and Donn Show….” Apollo 7 launched on this date in 1968, the first manned mission in the US space program after a fire killed the crew of what was to have been the first manned mission. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must undertake a task that killed the last person who attempted it.

Secondary – October 11

Elmore Leonard, born on this date in 1925,  wrote five novels and 30 short stories while working as an advertising copywriter by sitting at his desk and writing on a notebook hidden inside a drawer. Write what you’d prefer to be writing in your least favorite class.

Primary – October 11

On this date in 1950, the Federal Communications Commission issued the first license to broadcast television in color. How do you think watching television only in black-and-white images would change the experience?