Primary – February 7

James Murray, who wrote half of the original edition of the Oxford English Dictionary before he died, was born on this date in 1837. What’s your favorite process for finding out about something you don’t know anything about?

Literary – February 6

Christopher Marlowe, renowned playwright and celebrated influencer of Shakespeare, was born on this date in 1564. His most enduring work is Doctor Faustus. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist contemplates selling her/his soul to your antagonist in exchange for something s/he values more highly.

Journaling + Fiction – February 6

“Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.”Calvin Coolidge Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a talent you believe could make you successful at something you’re not currently doing. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails despite doing the most and best s/he possibly could do.

Big Questions – February 6

What’s the worst disease you can imagine getting? 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 6

The originator of the self-help genre, Walter “Life Begins at Forty” Pitkin was born on this date in 1878. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes the self-help book s/he would write.

Mystery – February 6

Patrick Macnee, best known as The Avengers’ Mr. Steed but who also played both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (among dozens of similarly mysterious roles), was born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Finish the scene that starts with this line from John Steed: “Six bodies in an hour and twenty minutes. What do you call that?”

SciFi/Fantasy – February 6

“I’m armed with more than complete steel, / The justice of my quarrel.” -From Lust’s Dominion, originally attributed to Christopher Marlowe, reknowned playwright and celebrated influencer of Shakespeare, born on this date in 1564. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s emotions make him/her braver than justified.

Secondary – February 6

Eric Partridge, author of A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, was born on this date in 1894. Think about a slang word that was popular when you were younger, or with your parents, that has fallen out of use. Explain why that happened — and what slang that’s currently popular you think will fade from use in 10 or 15 years.