Literary – March 3

“It’s all about replicating a kind of stodgy form that already exists.” -Ira Glass, born on this date in 1959. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is shocked to discover that s/he doesn’t need to duplicate what’s gone before.

Literary – March 2

“The surest cure for vanity is loneliness.” -Tom Wolfe, born on this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s diary or journal entry describing the moment at which s/he felt most alone.

Literary – March 1

“It is the still, small voice that the soul heeds, not the deafening blasts of doom.” -Dean of American letters William Dean Howells, born this date in 1837. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakenly heeds a deafening blast while ignoring a still, small voice.

Literary – February 28

“Good days, they come around the oddest corners.” -Colum McCann, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which rounding an unfaimilar corner launches the best day your protagonist can recall.

Literary – February 27

“In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born this date in 1807. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist transitions from one to the other.

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.