Literary – April 2

“If you shut up truth, and bury it underground, it will but grow.” -Émile Zola, born this date in 1840. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a lie your protagonist told, or a truth your protag buried, long ago is exposed with far greater consequences than if your protag had dealt with the issue at the time.

Journaling + Fiction – April 2

“Learn as if you were to live forever.”Mahatma Gandhi Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a topic you want to learn more about before you die. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to teach a valuable lesson to someone who doesn’t care to learn it.

Big Questions – April 2

What’s the most useful object in your home? 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 question...

Romance – April 2

“The sweetest pleasures are those which are hardest to be won.” -Giacomo Casanova, born this date in 1725. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that a romantic partner’s unacceptable behavior will not change.

Mystery – April 2

Émile Zola was born on this date in 1840. He published a front-page defense of the wrongly convicted Alfred Dreyfus, J’Accuse…!, and was himself convicted for doing so. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist risks his/her livelihood to defend a person your protag is convinced is innocent.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 2

“I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” – “Obi-Wan ‘Ben’ Kenobi,” born this date in 1914 and dead in the year 2000, miserable he would be remembered for Star Wars instead of his many other roles. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something entirely out of character for which s/he will be remembered more than anything...

Secondary – April 2

“If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.” -Émile Zola, born this date in 1840. Explain what living out loud means to you.

Primary – April 2

Hans Christian Andersen was born on this date in 1805. His birthday is commemorated as International Children’s Book Day. Explain why your favorite story is so important to you.