Prompt Inspiration

Literary – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:07:30 +0000

Algernon died on this date.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s fate is revealed in a way that only your protag understands.

Journaling + Fiction – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:06:00 +0000

“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.”
Publilius Syrus

Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about causes and effects of the most extreme example of poor leadership you’ve experienced.

Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is at the helm when the seas unexpectedly grow rough.

Big Questions – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:06:00 +0000

What would you do if you knew you had one week left to live?

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 character you want to know more about.

_{Photo from Unsplash, the internet’s source of freely usable images.}

Romance – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:05:59 +0000

Frank Lloyd Wright was born on this date in 1867.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised to discover that s/he is not her/his partner’s only partner.

Mystery – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:04:00 +0000

“Never underestimate a man’s ability to underestimate a woman.”
– Sara Paretsky, born this date in 1947.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is denied respect by a group of peers because of his/her gender.

SciFi/Fantasy – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:03:00 +0000

“Pioneering basically amounts to finding new and more horrible ways to die.”
– John W. Campbell, born this date in 1910.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist cannot determine if her/his closest ally is real or an imposter.

Secondary – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Francis Crick, who with his colleagues James Watson and Maurice Wilkins discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, was born on this date in 1916.

Using observations of your family and friends, explain whether genetics or the environment play a greater role in a person’s development.

Primary – June 8

dbschlosser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

“Television is chewing gum for the eyes.”

-Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who was born on this date in 1867.

Explain why you agree or disagree with his opinion.

Literary – June 7

dbschlosser — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:07:00 +0000

“They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness.”

–Louise Erdrich, born this date in 1954.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to achieve a goal that s/he could have achieved easily were s/he not so stubborn.

Journaling + Fiction – June 7

dbschlosser — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:06:00 +0000

“If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?”
K’ung Fu-tzu

Journal prompt: Reflect on your previous journal entries and spend at least 20 minutes writing about what in your heart worries you.

Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which fear paralyzes your protagonist.