Literary – December 22

Fyodor Dostoevsky, led to his scheduled execution on this date in 1849, was pardoned at the last moment. On this and other topics, he said, “To live without hope is to cease to live.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which events cause your protagonist to lose hope.

Journaling + Fiction – December 22

“Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men.”Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about something you’re should but are too scared to do. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist justifies his/her timidity with prudence.

Big Questions – December 22

What do you want to be when you grow up? 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 question in the...

Romance – December 22

“Words themselves are all the ghosts we need.” -Donald Harington, born this date in 1935. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the language a suitor uses to woo your protagonist prompts a traumatic memory.

Mystery – December 22

On this date in 1984, Bernard Goetz shot four men attempting to rob him on a New York City subway. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist debates his/her opinion about vigilante justice with a boss who disagrees.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 22

“Roswell was a smoke screen — we’ve had half a dozen better salvage operations.”- Deep Throat, in an effort to reveal the truth that aliens were scheduled to begin colonizing Earth on this date in 2012. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that someone s/he considered a fellow member of her/his species is something else entirely.

Secondary – December 22

What makes your generation unique from the two generations before yours? Prompt Inspiration will return on Monday, 4 January 2021.

Primary – December 22

Explain why your favorite games are those that you play with others or by yourself. Prompt Inspiration will return on Monday, 4 January 2021.