Romance – December 29

“It is the bliss of childhood that we are being warped most when we know it the least.” -William Gaddis, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s childhood that will most strongly affect her/his first experience of sexual intercourse.

Mystery – December 29

“Justice? — You get justice in the next world. In this one you have the law.” -William Gaddis, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the law eliminates your protagonist’s opportunity to do justice.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 29

“I went to Poe’s funeral yesterday. There was a minister, four mourners, and a grave digger. The grave digger called me a damned nigger and chased me off.”- Mason Algiers Reynolds, who on this date in Rudy Rucker’s 1836 entered the Hollow Earth aboard the Wasp. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist undertakes an adventure with his/her favorite historical character in the world...

Literary – December 28

“This life we endure — how strange, yet how jolly.” -Chris Ware, born this date in 1967. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds humor in a tragedy.

Journaling + Fiction – December 28

“A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”Max Lucado Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the most counterintuitive leadership technique you’ve encountered. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to lead from an unexpected position.

Big Questions – December 28

What do you expect from a friend that you don’t expect from a romantic partner? 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...

Romance – December 28

Well—when I write my book, and tell the taleOf my adventures—all these little starsThat shake out of my cloak—I must save thoseTo use for asterisks! Cyrano de Bergerac in his eponymous play by Edmond Rostand, which premiered at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin on this date in 1897. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must give advice to a friend about how best to attract the romantic...

Mystery – December 28

Habitual and glamorous criminal Jacques “The Man of a Thousand Faces” Mesrine was born on this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must tangle with an outlaw more popular than the law.