Literary – February 18

Chloe Anthony Wofford — better known as Toni Morrison — was born on this date in 1931. Her 2008 novel A Mercy begins, “Don’t be afraid. My telling can’t hurt you in spite of what I have done….” Writing prompt: Finish a scene that begins with your protagonist saying these words.

Journaling + Fiction – February 18

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”Martin Luther King, Jr. Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time in your life when dawn broke after it was darkest. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Big Questions – February 18

To what is it hardest for you to say, “Yes”? 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...

Romance – February 18

“Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.” -Helen Gurley Brown, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist must undertake the worst job of her/his working life.

Mystery – February 18

“If the storytellers told it true, all stories would end in death.”- George Pelecanos, born this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells an untrue story to avoid hurting a vulnerable crime victim.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 18

Wallace Stegner, the novelist who launched Stanford’s creative writing program, was born on this date in 1937. His novel The Big Rock Candy Mountain begins, “He was a strange child.” Writing prompt: Finish the scene that begins with your protagonist’s mother saying those words.

Secondary – February 18

On this date in 1884, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published. Defend your position on whether it is right or wrong to help someone who is breaking an unjust law.

Primary – February 18

Describe what you would do if you could learn to play any musical instrument.