Everything you write makes you a better writer.

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 terrific advice to writers on her web site. I found this post particularly useful as we head into National Novel Writing Month:   3 Steps for Using Prompts to Write Better & Get Published By Gabriela...

Literary – February 7

“People will buy anything that is ‘one to a customer.’ ” -Sinclair Lewis, the first Nobel literature laureate from the USA, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pays dearly for something s/he doesn’t need.

Journaling + Fiction – February 7

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”Robert A. Heinlein Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about your feelings following an experience in which you put someone else’s happiness ahead of yours. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to realize another person is expressing love for your...

Big Questions – February 7

How will you know? 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...

Romance – February 7

“Once you begin being naughty, it is easier to go and on and on, and sooner or later something dreadful happens.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder, born this date in 1867. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a minor transgression launches a cascade of naughtiness for your protagonist that concludes at the other end of the spectrum.

Mystery – February 7

“News, if unreported, has no impact. It might as well have not happened at all.”- Gay Talese, born this date in 1932. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to persuade a reporter that an obviously newsworthy event isn’t news.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 7

“You wouldn’t abandon ship in a storm just because you couldn’t control the winds.” – Thomas More, born this date in 1478. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives up because of circumstances beyond your protagonist’s control.

Secondary – February 7

Charles Dickens was born on this date in 1812. Explain what you think he meant when he said, “Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.”