Modest Mussorgsky, who composed the 10-movement suite Pictures at an Exhibition, was born on this date in 1839. What makes your favorite painting or photograph mean so much to you?
“It’s the choosing that’s important, isn’t it?” -Lois Lowry, born this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the act of making a choice is more important to your protagonist than the choice or its outcome.
“Vitality is radiated from exceptional art and architecture.”Arthur Erickson Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first time you remember being affected by your experience of another person’s creative expression. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that someone s/he cares about does not share your protagonist’s enthusiasm for a work...
What’s the best way to spend a few hours with someone you love? 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...
Posted by
dbschlosser on Mar 20th, 2026 in
Romance |
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Henrik Ibsen, born this date in 1828, wrote “the door slam heard around the world” as the conclusion to A Doll’s House, his play about a woman trapped in an unsatisfying marriage. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist responds to the very last straw.
Posted by
dbschlosser on Mar 20th, 2026 in
Mystery |
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“That’s not the way we operate around here. We do everything by the book, according to regulations, above board.”- Hal Linden, portraying New York City police precinct captain Barney Miller, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene allowing your protagonist to make abundantly clear his/her opinion of a bureaucracy that exerts enormous influence over your protagonist’s...
“There’s no defense against betrayal, and we all betray ourselves.” Alfred Bester’s Six Month War began on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must defeat a foe with one more sense than your protagonist possesses.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published for the first time on this date in 1852. President Lincoln famously referred to her as the author of the Civil War because of the impact her book had on society. If you could write a story that would have a similar effect, what story would you choose to tell?
