Primary – March 16

James Madison, fourth president of the United States, was born on this date in 1751. He worried that “the great danger is that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.” Explain why you agree or disagree with President Madison.

Rube Tube

Author William Gibson has an essay on his web site in which he contemplates becoming “exactly the sort of introverted, hyper-bookish boy you’ll find in the biographies of most American science fiction writers … dreaming of one day becoming a writer myself.” It’s all interesting, even if you’re not familiar with his work, and he concludes with this compelling insight: “I...

Literary – March 15

“If truth is the main casualty in war, ambiguity is another.” -Paul Fussell, wounded by German artillery at Alsace on this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist takes an unambiguous moral from a truly ambiguous moment.

Journaling + Fiction – March 15

“It is not that we are given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it.”Seneca Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about taking the first step toward achieving the most important action or project you’re procrastinating. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist productively wastes...

Big Questions – March 15

Where did you visit with low expectations that were spectacularly exceeded? 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...

Romance – March 15

My Fair Lady opened on Broadway on this date in 1956, starring an unknown Julie Andrews with Rex Harrison. It became the longest-running show in history after more than 2,400 performances. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes her/his romantic partner wants your protag to be someone else.

Mystery – March 15

“The thorns of the rose are hidden by the bloom.”- Lynda La Plante, born this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns something or someone beautiful is concealing a source of great pain.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 15

“The individual act of obedience is the cornerstone not only of the strength of authoritarian society but also of its weakness.” Illuminatus Zweitracht begins annually on this date in Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson’s trilogy. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and a close friend fight about whether a conspiracy is real or theoretical until your protagonist is proved...