“It is so fatally easy to make young children believe that they are horrible.” -TH White, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s childhood in which s/he was made to feel most horrible.
The first expeditions to Thalassa begin on this date in Arthur C. Clarke’s 2626. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must earn the cooperation of a member of your protagonist’s species who always lived in an entirely separate culture.
“The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.” -Harlan Ellison, born this date in 1934. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is endangered by a combination of the two most common elements in the world you’ve created.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published on this date in 1897. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must fight off a smarter, stronger antagonist who wants to convert your protag into the antagonist’s ideal.
Star Wars was released on this date in 1977. Writing prompt: Outline your hero’s journey based on George Lucas influencer Joseph Campbell.
“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” -Bob Dylan, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist decides to trade some of her/his freedom to avoid some responsibility.
George Griffin leaped from a Swiss mountain on this date in John Cramer’s 2004. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist inadvertently communicates her/his presence to an opposing force your protagonist did not know existed.
The original Great Train Robbery took place in Marshfield, Indiana on this date in 1868 when members of the Reno Gang stole $98,000 (about $1.6 million in today’s dollars). Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is invited to participate in a particularly audacious and lucrative crime.