“The poem is a little myth of man’s capacity of making life meaningful.” -Robert Penn Warren, the only person to win Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and poetry, born this date in 1905. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s point of view, write a poem about what makes your protag’s life most meaningful.
“He that loves to be flattered is worthy o’ the flatterer.” Today is the accepted birthday of William Shakespeare in 1564. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which flattery persuades your protagonist to make a decision that s/he would not have otherwise made, and for good reason.
“The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.” -Vladimir Nabokov, born this date in 1899. Writing prompt: Describe your protagonist’s thought process during a time when s/he fallaciously reasoned from a small detail to a great – and mistaken – understanding.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” -Naturalist, author, and Sierra Club co-founder John Muir, born this date in 1838. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s encounter with nature delivers an unexpected and unpleasant surprise.
Joan Miró was born on this date in 1893. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view this famous Miro work.
On this date in 1987, the first Simpsons cartoon appeared on The Tracey Ullman Show. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an all-id oaf.
“I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary notices I have read with pleasure.” -Clarence Darrow, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must conceal her/his glee at another person’s misfortune.
“The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea.” -Karen Blixen, better known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist requires and takes all three variants of Dinesen’s salt water cure.