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Literary – April 3
Richard Thompson was born on this date in 1949. He tells an epic tale of love and villainy in his classic 1952 Vincent Black Lightning: Writing prompt: Write a scene demonstrating your protagonist’s abiding love for the soul of an inanimate...
read moreBig Questions – April 3
What was the dumbest mistake you ever made in front of other people? 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 in the voice of a character you want to know more about. Photo from Unsplash, the internet’s source of freely...
read moreJournaling + Fiction – April 3
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”J.K. Rowling Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time you had to stand up to a friend or relative. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds out that an ally isn’t helping her/his quest.
read moreRomance – April 3
Richard Thompson was born on this date in 1949. He wrote one of his most unforgettable love songs, Persuasion, for the entirely forgettable film Sweet Talker: Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is frustrated despite practicing the persuasion s/he thinks her/his romantic target will find most...
read moreMystery – April 3
On this day in 1888, the first of 11 Whitechapel Murders occurred in London. At least five such murders were eventually attributed to Jack the Ripper. Writing prompt: Write the scene of the first in a series of unsolved crimes your protagonist desperately wants to solve.
read moreSciFi/Fantasy – April 3
“The only way to deal with a fool is to let him have his way.” – Gore Vidal, whose Age of Kalki ends on this date with the dawn of the extinction of human life on earth. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s enabler lets your protagonist have her/his way.
read moreSecondary – April 3
“Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.” -Washington Irving, born on this date in 1783. Explain what you think is the difference between a purpose and a wish.
read morePrimary – April 3
On this date in 1860, the Pony Express postal service started when riders left St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif., at the same time on 2,000-mile trips. The first trip west took 9 days and 23 hours, and trip east took 11 days and 12 hours. Today, when you can talk with people on the other side of the planet in real time, describe your favorite method of communication and why you prefer it.
read moreInteresting Times and Heavy Lifting
A college friend who is an avid reader and married to another college friend and avid writer sent this story to me with this note: “Interesting times ahead.” Big Six publishers decline to renew contract with Amazon over unfavorable terms He, several friends, and I engaged in some commentary on the article. Here’s an edited/condensed version of my thoughts: Isn’t that an old Chinese curse – interesting times? Regardless, you’re right. The publishers are at war with their biggest retail channel, which is increasingly competing with...
read moreLiterary – April 2
“If you shut up truth, and bury it underground, it will but grow.” -Émile Zola, born this date in 1840. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a lie your protagonist told, or a truth your protag buried, long ago is exposed with far greater consequences than if your protag had dealt with the issue at the time.
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David B. Schlosser is an author of award-winning fiction and non-fiction, and an editor of award-winning fiction and non-fiction.
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