Literary – December 17

“The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.” -William Safire, born this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses to do something wrong that breaks no laws or rules.

Journaling + Fiction – December 17

“The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”G.K. Chesterton Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about a time being open-minded led you to bite off more than you could chew. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which a new idea prevents your protagonist from closing his/her mind before taking the idea a step too...

Big Questions – December 17

What does your best friend have that you wouldn’t take for love or money? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20...

Romance – December 17

“Duty is what no-one else will do at the moment.” -Penelope Fitzgerald, born this date in 1916. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to do something necessary because no one else will, and as a result achieves the opposite of her/his goal.

Mystery – December 17

“I’m not altogether sure I like cast-iron alibis. They’re the sort that sink quickest — to the bottom of the sea.” -Horace Rumpole in a 1979 broadcast of Rumpole of the Bailey, which premiered on the BBC on this date in 1975 and later spawned books based on the same character. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must sink a cast-iron alibi.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 17

“If you hunch your shoulders too long against a storm your shoulders will grow bowed.” -Ford Madox Ford, born this date in 1873. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist misses an chance to achieve an important goal because prior experiences closed her/his mind to hope the opportunity ever would come.

Secondary – December 17

Ford Madox Ford was born on this date in 1873. His masterpiece The Good Soldier opens: “This is the saddest story I have ever heard.” Write the saddest story you’ve every heard.

Primary – December 17

On this date in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first successful flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Describe how it would feel if you were the first person ever to fly.