Literary – October 13

“All my humor is based upon destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I’d be standing on the breadline right in back of J. Edgar Hoover.” -Lenny Bruce, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist interprets tranquility as destruction.

Journaling + Fiction – October 13

“Prudence in action avails more than wisdom in conception.”Cicero Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the fallout from an experience when you acted before thinking. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s action plan falls apart in execution.

Big Questions – October 13

How do you dress to impress? 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 voice of a...

Romance – October 13

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” – Mollie Katzen, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses not at all because s/he fears abandon.

Mystery – October 13

Writing prompt: Rewrite your favorite scene from your work in progress or a recent writing exercise from the perspective of another character in the scene.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 13

“What kind of sin could a man commit in a single lifetime to bring this upon himself?” The Amazing Colossal Man premiered on this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts something normal that’s been transformed into something horrible.

Secondary – October 13

“How dare anyone, parent, schoolteacher, or merely literary critic, tell me not to act colored.” -Arna Bontemps, born on this date in 1902. Explain whether it’s appropriate to do something for someone’s own good even if it’s against their will.

Primary – October 13

Tell a story about a time you were proud of a friend.