Literary – January 4

“Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.” -Isaac Newton, born this date in 1643. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist makes an enemy by making a point.

Journaling + Fiction – January 4

“The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.”Winston Churchill Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about the subject of humility. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a valuable lesson by being proved wrong.

Big Questions – January 4

Under what conditions would you donate one of your kidneys? 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 minutes answering the...

Romance – January 4

“I wanted to star in a western opposite Robert Redford. That was my plan for my life.” – Dyan Cannon, born this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s realization that failing to achieve her/his greatest desire enabled achievements greater than s/he knew worthy of desire.

Mystery – January 4

“Trust is like that. You can break it for a good reason. But it still remains broken.”- Harlan Coben, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to trust a person who earlier broke trust with your protagonist.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 4

“I’m Death, and I make sure that everyone is equal.” -Jakob Grimm, born this date in 1785. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist first hears the childhood folk tale your protag considers most influential in his/her life.

Secondary – January 4

Louis Braille, who after being blinded in an accident at the age of 3 invented a system of fingertip reading for people without sight, was born on this date in 1809. Of your five senses, which is your favorite – and how would you compensate if you lost it?

Primary – January 4

Describe how you plan to accomplish the most challenging experience you expect to face in the next week.