On this date in 1991, the Soviet Union formally ceased to exist. It was dissolved into Russia and fourteen other countries. Winston Churchill famously described the USSR as “a puzzle inside a riddle wrapped in an enigma.” What do you see in the world or your life that is such a challenging curiosity, and what would you like to know about it?
In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived at present-day Plymouth, Mass., following a 63-day voyage from England aboard the Mayflower. Their leader, William Bradford, reported that the settlers soon valued corn more than silver or money. Why do you think corn was so important?
Novelist and essayist Elizabeth Benedict, born in 1954 and author of The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Writers, says “every fiction writer knows that material is about energy, emotion and obsession.” Writing prompt: Write a scene that reveals your protagonist’s obsession to a person s/he would prefer remain ignorant of the issue.
“Good resolutions are like babies crying in church. They should be carried out immediately.”Charles M. Sheldon Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about the habit you’ll replace with a better one in the new year. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that s/he has procrastinated too long.
To what vocation would you devote yourself if you knew you’d become the best practitioner in the world? 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...
Posted by
dbschlosser on Dec 20th, 2025 in
Romance |
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“Shrinks will tell you there are only five problems: sex, money, intimacy, trust, children. No, six: add ‘parents,’ as in in-laws, Alzheimer’s, inheritance. And of course they are all related.” – Elizabeth Benedict, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist figures out that what s/he thinks is a problem is only a symptom of the real...
Posted by
dbschlosser on Dec 20th, 2025 in
Mystery |
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Self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller was born on this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist exposes an important public figure as a fraud.
“Beauty and ingenuity beat perfection hands down, every time.”- Nalo Hopkinson, born this date in 1960. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is judged the loser in a contest s/he rightfully won only because the opponent used appearances to win.
