Literary – January 18

“You will be better advised to watch what we do,” advised Alan Alexander Milne, born this date in 1882, “instead of what we say.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist says one thing while doing its opposite.

Literary – January 17

“Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something.” – Anton Chekhov, born this date in 1860. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a particular contempt shared by your protagonist and antagonist leads your protag to make a costly mistake.

Literary – January 16

“As photographs give people an imaginary possession of a past that is unreal, they also help people to take possession of space in which they are insecure.” -Susan Sontag, born this date in 1933. Writing prompt: Write the scene during which the photograph most important to your protagonist was taken.

Literary – January 15

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an event or object means something entirely different to your protagonist than it does to everyone else.

Literary – January 14

“I’m very comfortable with failure. I’m very comfortable being the guy who disappoints people.” -Steven Soderbergh, born this date in 1963. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must persuade everyone that s/he doesn’t care about completely failing at an important task.

Literary – January 13

“Everything becomes symbol and irony when you’ve been betrayed.” -Jay McInerney, in Bright Lights, Big City, born on this date in 1955. Writing prompt: Write a scene in whch your protagonist revisits a place or object that’s important to your protag after being betrayed by the person who made it important.

Literary – January 12

“There ain’t no journey what don’t change you some.” -David Mitchell, born this date in 1969. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes to a stranger how your protag changed as a result of her/his most memorable journey.

Literary – January 11

Alan Paton was born on this date in 1903. In his most famous work, he bemoaned the fate of South Africa’s unborn child: “For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist withholds from his/her partner that which the partner most needs because your protag fears the power such a gift would grant.