Literary – February 7

“People will buy anything that is ‘one to a customer.’ ” -Sinclair Lewis, the first Nobel literature laureate from the USA, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pays dearly for something s/he doesn’t need.

Literary – February 6

Christopher Marlowe, renowned playwright and celebrated influencer of Shakespeare, was born on this date in 1564. His most enduring work is Doctor Faustus. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist contemplates selling her/his soul to your antagonist in exchange for something s/he values more highly.

Literary – February 5

“Every man has inside himself a parasitic being who is acting not at all to his advantage.” -William S. Burroughs, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s parasite reveals itself to her/his detriment.

Literary – February 4

“Human love has little regard for the truth.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s love makes him/her blind to a truth everyone else clearly sees.

Literary – February 3

“If you’re not ready for everything, you’re not ready for anything.” -Paul Auster, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene proving your protagonist is unready for everything.

Literary – February 2

“My mouth is full of decayed teeth and my soul of decayed ambitions.” -James Joyce, born this date in 1882, in correspondence to his brother. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist denies an obvious physical metaphor for a metaphysical challenge.

Literary – February 1

Langston Hughes, born on this date in 1902, said, “Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.” Writing prompt: Write a scene proving he’s correct.

Literary – January 31

“There was that law of life, so cruel and so just, that one must grow or else pay more for remaining the same.” -Norman Mailer, born this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist deconstructs a moment from earlier in her/his life when s/he had a choice to grow or stay the same … and has since paid for making the wrong decision.