Literary – February 26

“Architecture has recorded the great ideas of the human race.” -Victor Hugo, born this date in 1802. Writing prompt: From your protagonist’s point of view, describe his/her favorite building.

Literary – February 25

“I hope that after I die, people will say of me: ‘That guy sure owed me a lot of money.’ ” -Jack Handey, born this date in 1949. No, really. Writing prompt: Write ten statements your protagonist hopes people will say after s/he dies.

Literary – February 24

One of my favorite painters, Winslow Homer, was born on this date in 1836. Writing prompt: Describe his painting The Coming Storm in the voices of your protagonist and your antagonist.

Literary – February 23

Samuel Pepys, one of history’s most noted diarists, was born on this date in 1633. Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s personal journal entry for her or his most important birthday.

Literary – February 22

“The longest absence is less perilous to love than the terrible trials of incessant proximity.” -Edna St. Vincent Millay, born this date in 1892. Writing prompt: Write a scene proving familiarity breeds contempt.

Literary – February 21

“Getting rid of the pain without addressing the deeper cause would be like shutting off a fire alarm while the fire’s still going.” -David Foster Wallace, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which everyone incorrectly believes that shutting off your protagonist’s fire alarm has extinguished the fire.

Literary – February 20

Ansel Adams was born on this date in 1902. Writing prompt: Describe this photo of his from the perspective of your protagonist but in your antagonist’s voice, and then from the perspective of your antagonist but in your protagonist’s voice.

Literary – February 19

“All men are lonely. But sometimes it seems to me that we Americans are the loneliest of all. Our hunger for foreign places and new ways has been with us almost like a national disease.” -Carson McCullers, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that s/he must cancel a long-anticipated trip to an exotic destination.