Big Questions – February 8

When was the last time you yelled at another person? 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...

Romance – February 8

Kate Chopin, considered by many the earliest feminist author, was born on this date in 1850. When her husband died after 12 years of marriage, he left her at age 32 with six children and more than a...

Mystery – February 8

“Every time I read about Tom Sawyer, I’d go out and do something low-level naughty, just like him.”- John Grisham, born this date in 1955. Writing prompt: Write the scene of the first time...

SciFi/Fantasy – February 8

“Liberty is worth paying for.” -Jules Verne, born this date in 1828. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must pay dearly for some form of freedom.

Secondary – February 8

John Williams, whose written the music for films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, was born on this date in 1932. Describe how movies would be different if there were no music in...

Primary – February 8

“Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.” -Jules Verne, born on this date in 1828. Describe a...

Everything you write makes you a bet...

I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Friedman at a Writer’s Digest program; she’s since left that august publication and joined Virginia Quarterly Review. Lucky for all of us, she still offers...