Mystery – Valentine’s Da...

“Only Al Capone kills like that.” On this date in 1929, in what became known as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, gunmen believed to be working for Al Capone killed seven members of the...

SciFi/Fantasy – Valentine̵...

“Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.” – (quoted by) Robert Heinlein, in whose 1907 on this date was born George Edward Smith. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist misleads your...

Secondary – Valentine’s ...

Famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, born on this date in 1818, once said, “A man’s character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.” Explain why...

Primary – Valentine’s Da...

If you could write a Valentine’s Day card to anyone, what would you write and who would you send it to?

Words Not Pages

I frequently hear from writers who are interested in a manuscript review or editing services, or who want to pitch an agent or publisher, and they tell me their book is 200 or 425 or howevermany pages long....

Literary – February 13

On this date in 1974, the Soviet Union expelled dissident author Alexander Solzhenitsyn. He once said, “Everything you add to the truth subtracts from the truth.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in...

Journaling + Fiction – Februar...

“The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their professions.”Junius Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a situation in which you were surprised by the integrity (or...