Literary – June 12

Writing prompt: Write a scene explaining what’s happening in this photo:

Literary – June 11

“Mysteriously and in ways that are totally remote from natural experience, the gray drizzle of horror induced by depression takes on the quality of physical pain.” -William Styron, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist experiences Styron’s gray drizzle.

Literary – June 10

“A fool can throw a stone in a pond that 100 wise men can not get out.” -Saul Bellow, born this date in 1913. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s goal is put irredeemably beyond reach by someone else’s foolishness.

Literary – June 9

“Decisions are made by those who show up.” -Aaron Sorkin, born this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wins an important victory because no one opposes her/him.

Literary – June 8

Algernon died on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s fate is revealed in a way that only your protag understands.

Literary – June 7

“They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness.” -Louise Erdrich, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to achieve a goal that s/he could have achieved easily were s/he not so stubborn.

Literary – June 6

Nobel laureate Thomas Mann was born on this date in 1875. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to choose between work and her/his creative passion, and makes the wrong choice.

Literary – June 5

“It was like zen, but not as subtle.” -Spalding Gray, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist performs an essential act in precisely the wrong way.