Literary – March 30

Vincent van Gogh was born on this date in 1853. Writing prompt: From the perspective of your antagonist, write the story contained in his 1886 painting A Pair of Shoes (click the title for a larger image).

Journaling + Fiction – March 30

“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.”Oscar Wilde Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about what you learned from getting away with something you shouldn’t have gotten away with. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers on learning that turnabout is fair play.

Big Questions – March 30

What made the worst boss you’ve ever had so awful? 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 – March 30

Tracy Chapman was born on this date in 1964. Her greatest hit is an epic love story: Writing prompt:  Write a scene in which your protagonist visualizes a transporting but impossible...

Mystery – March 30

Eric Clapton was born on this date in 1945. Among his countless group and solo hits is this Steve Winwood-penned meditation on being lost: I’m near the endAnd just ain’t got the time Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he must find a way home, either physically or...

SciFi/Fantasy – March 30

“There is such a thing as anaesthesia of pain, engendered by pain too exquisite to be borne.”- Jack London On this date in 1842, Crawford Long was the first doctor to use anesthetic in surgery. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers through the original, painful version of a relatively common experience in the world you’ve created that used to be excruciatingly unpleasant...

Secondary – March 30

“To do good work, one must eat well, be well housed, have one’s fling from time to time, smoke one’s pipe, and drink one’s coffee in peace.” -Vincent van Gogh, born this date in 1853. Describe what you need to do good work.

Primary – March 30

Black Beauty author Anna Sewell was born on this date in 1820. Write a short story from the point of view of your favorite animal.