Literary – December 16

“Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief.” – Jane Austen, born this date in 1775. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confuses belief with reality because of a mistaken confidence in her/his abilities.

Journaling + Fiction – December 16

“Magicians are the most honest people in the world; they tell you they’re gonna fool you, and then they do it.”James Randi Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the last time you got fooled but found the humor in the experience. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist tells your protagonist that your protagonist is about to get fooled and then proceeds to...

Big Questions – December 16

How much more would you have to earn to take a job you knew you’d like less than your current occupation? 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...

Romance – December 16

“It’s discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” – Noël Coward, born this date in 1899. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to believe something that’s true.

Mystery – December 16

On this date in 1951, NBC debuted Dragnet in a special preview. Sgt. Joe Friday once said “there are over 5,000 men in this city, who know that being a policeman is an endless, glamorless, thankless job that’s gotta be done.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist explains to a doubtful observer why s/he has to do the job s/he is doing.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 16

Two pillars of science fiction were born on this date: Arthur C. Clarke in 1917 and Philip K. Dick in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a technology that was supposed to empower and liberate individuals is used against your protagonist to disempower and constrain him/her.

Secondary – December 16

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás, known as George Santayana, born on this date in 1863. Describe the best method you’ve discovered for remembering the past.

Primary – December 16

“Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.” -Ludwig van Beethoven, born on this date in 1770. Describe a time you had to admit that you made a mistake and how it made you feel.