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[classic-starters]

starters from the 1890 story by oscar wilde, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY

“what odd chaps you painters are!”

“i know you will laugh at me.”

“you don’t understand me.”

“i have grown to love secrecy.”

“you know quite well.”

“how often do you see him?”

“you are a wonderful creation.”

“the gods have been good to you,  but what the gods give they quickly take away.”

“you will suffer horribly.”

“the only difference between a caprice and a life - long passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer.”

“how long will you like me?”

“i am in love with it.”

“i wish i could trust myself.”

“men marry because they are tired ; women,  because they are curious ; both are disappointed.”

“who are you in love with?”

“i have chosen my own life.”

“kiss me again,  my love.”

“don’t touch me!”

“can they feel,  i wonder,  those white silent people we call the dead?”

“we have each of us a secret.  let me know yours,  and i shall tell you mine.”

“i thought you would like it.”

“this is blasphemy!”

“can’t you see what i am going through?”

“it has destroyed me.”

“those words mean nothing to me now.”

“i killed him.”

“i want a man’s life.”

“i am not even singed.  my winds are untouched.”

“you mustn’t say those dreadful things!”

“i am not the same.”

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1924 novel by thomas mann, THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN

“pull yourself together and leave me out of such depraved nonsense.”

“you mean i should leave?”

“i know i am talking nonsense.”

“i hope that you have nothing against malice.”

“what our age needs,  what it demands,  what it will create for itself is terror.”

“is your summer over now?”

“you do that very well.”

“don’t freeze out there.”

“i’m afraid you’re deluding yourself.”

“my distaste for music is political.”

“it was perhaps a little too soon for it, or maybe just the wrong idea all together.”

“why,  everybody would be in tears if we let them.”

“i would suggest you consult a doctor.”

“what a disappointment.”

“what should i do?”

“well,  allow me then to offer my most heartfelt congratulations.”

“he rebelled,  that’s what.”

“he would not accept this stroke of fate,  the brutal fact of it.”

“we’re all human and have our weaknesses now and then.”

“no,  i already knew it on my own.  it’s just strange to hear it.”

“you’re in very bold and daring form today,  yourself.”

“you see,  when it comes to death,  when one speaks to the dead or about them,  latin comes into its own.”

“he is,  in fact,  more ill than he knows.”

“man can only will what already is his fate.”

“how catholic of you!”

“no,  please,  don’t go.”

“i wish to be understood.”

“illness gives you your freedom.”

“are you going to escape?”

[classic-starters]

starters from the 430 b.c.e play by aeschylus, translated by david grene, PROMETHEUS BOUND

“i am forced to do this ; do not keep urging me.”

“you can be softhearted.”

“come, why are you holding back?”

“our kinship has strange power ; that, and our life together.”

“do you not fear that more?”

“you are always pitiless, always full of ruthlessness.”

“i have no answer to this.”

“so must i bear, as lightly as i can, the destiny that fate has given me.”

“what am i saying?”

“my enemies can laugh at what i suffer.”

“this is a sickness rooted and inherent in the nature of a tyranny.”

“against these plans none stood save i: i dared.”

“is there no limit set for your pain?”

“i placed in them blind hopes.”

“let me be and have no care for me.”

“you are better at advising others than yourself.”

“his is a heart you should beware of vexing.”

“your own misfortune will be my teacher.”

“kindness that can never be requited, tell me, where is the help in that, my friend?”

“what land is this?”

“say what you are asking for: i will tell you all.”

“will you then grant me this favour?”

“tell me, who are you?”

“some have been wretched before me, but who of these suffered as i do?”

“and what was the offense of which this is the punishment?”

“i beg you, do not hide from me what i must endure.”

“i hesitate to break your spirit.”

“you would be glad to see that catastrophe, i think.”

have you no fear of uttering such words?”

“worship him, pray ; flatter whatever king is king today.”

“your words declare you mad, and mad indeed.”

“you mock me like a child!”

“i have said too much already.”

“i am the one whom he cannot kill.”

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1925 novel by dorothy scarborough, THE WIND     -  as always, feel free to change pronouns

“do you suppose i’ll love it?”

“i haven’t got anything to go back to.”

“oh that’s nothing to be afraid of!”

“why did you ever leave?”

“she was all i had left.”

“the wind is the worst thing.”

“it’s not what i’d choose, but i didn’t know what else to do.”

“you’re a funny kid.”

“why didn’t you speak up before?”

“come in quick before the wind blows you away.”

“nothing’s going to hurt you.”

“i loved him when i was a little girl.”

“it’s great to have you here.”

“you must spend the night.”

“am i not beautiful and clever and alluring?”

“here i am. look at me.”

“i don’t know that i’m wanting to do that.”

“folks don’t walk here. too far from anywheres to anywheres.”

“i don’t want to know.”

“i wanted you!”

“why can’t you say something?”

“no, don’t say anything.”

“i don’t want anybody.”

“tell me something pretty.”

“i’m afraid of storms.”

“i’ll feel better in the morning.”

“you aren’t much of a kisser, are you?”

“how did you ever get used to the wind?”

“i think you were awfully brave.”

“some devil within me drives me on, i guess.”

“i couldn’t bear to kill anything!”

“i just can’t stand it!”

“you think too damned much of what you won’t stand and not enough of what i’ve got to stand.”

“what sort of a woman are you?”

“you hate her. but by god, she’s a better woman than you are!”

“i’ll go crazy in this wind!”

“you needn’t be afraid of me.”

“you need to get away. you’ve got to think of yourself.”

“it’s wrong to commit suicide isn’t it?”

“will you sometimes watch a sunrise on the plains and think of me?”

“you’ve got no right to say such a thing!”

“can you ever forgive yourself?”

“i’m not going to have a double killing here because you’ve got no brains.”

[classic-starters]

REQUIEM  ASKS  /  WRITING  EXERCISES

introit - if your muse could revive one person from the dead, who would it be and why?

kyrie - what are your muse’s thoughts on the afterlife?

offertorium - what piece of art describes your muse?

domine jesu christe - write about the last time your muse was tempted. 

sanctus - when they wake up screaming from a nightmare, who is it that your muse calls for?

dies irae - how does your muse handle rejection?

lacrimosa - what does your muse smell like?

pie jesu - imagine someone asks your muse “what have you become?” write how they respond to that question.

tuba mirum - what does your muse look forward to most about growing old/er?

rex tremendae - what does your muse fear most about growing old/er?

benedictus - someone is selling jewelry on the side of the road. what piece catches your muse’s eye?

recordare - what is your muse’s least favourite house chore? which is their favourite?

agnus dei - does your muse attend church regularly? if so, describe the church / religion. if not, why?

lux aeterna - does your muse have any mental illnesses? if so, what are they?

libera me - write a small drabble about why your muse is awake at 2 am.

confutatis - what does your muse think about their childhood home / home life? is it a safe place? how did it impact the way they grew up? regardless of whether it is or isn’t, does your muse think it is a good place?

in paradisum - when your muse dies, how would they like to be buried?

[classic-starters]

starters from the 2011 film, THE IDES OF MARCH

“when you make a mistake, you lose the right to play.”

“you broke the only rule in politics. you can start a war, you can lie, you can cheat, you can bankrupt the country. but you can’t fuck the interns.”

“they’ll get you for that.”

“i’ll do or say anything if i believe in it.”

“society must be better than the individual.”

“i am going to go take a shit.”

“it doesn’t matter what you thought. it matters what you did. it matters what you didn’t do.”

“he’s the only one that’s actually going to make a difference in people’s lives.”

“we’re going to be fine.”

“we have to do it.”

“it’s the right thing to do and nothing bad happens when you do the right thing.”

“well, there’s exceptions to every rule.”

“there’s only one thing i value and that’s loyalty.”

“without it, you’re nothing.”

“you are working for the wrong man.”

“revenge makes people unpredictable.”

“what if i had something else?”

“he has to win.”

“that is the most valuable thing in this business. the ability to win people’s respect by making them mistake their fear for love.”

“what do you think you have?”

“how old are you?”

“i’ve been trying to fuck you for a while.”

“get out now. while you still can.”

“if you stay in this business long enough, you’re going to get jaded and cynical.”

“aren’t we friends anymore?”

“even the ones that hate you love you.”

“people are scared of you.”

“they don’t understand how you do it, and they love you for it.”

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1985 novel by bret easton ellis, LESS THAN ZERO      tw for dark themes and drug and alcohol mention

“what’s wrong?”

“how are you, babes?”

“don’t tell anyone that i’ve been there, okay?”

“you look unhappy.”

“you both stole a quarter gram of cocaine from me the last time i left my door open.”

“thanks for returning my phone call, you dick.”

“how the fuck have you been?”

“i said your champagne’s flat.”

“oh man, my mother must be freaking out.”

“i’m just so sick of dealing with people.”

“i like you and if you need anything, just come see me, okay?”

“why do you even care?”

“does it make any difference?”

“he was gorgeous.”

“i’m just tense.”

“things will be okay.”

“lie back.”

“she says that i smell like a dead animal.”

“you convinced me, you rat.”

“i’m glad you came by.”

“don’t you have any money?”

“you don’t know what’s going on.”

“i’m up, dude, i’m up.”

“i don’t want to care. if i care about things, it’ll just be worse, it’ll just be another thing to worry about. it’s less painful if i don’t care.”

“what does normal mean to you?”

“what in the hell are you talking about?”

"go ahead. i really don’t care. but i’m, not coming back, okay?”

“who i fuck is not your business.”

“that’s not what i’m talking about, that’s not really what i’m asking you, not really.”

“what about me?”

“don’t go.”

“don’t be so . . . mundane.”

“nothing makes me happy. i like nothing.”

“i try not to think about things like that.”

“anything you want, baby.”

“don’t say that.”

“i won’t be seeing you anymore, i think.”

“you want your money or not?”

“fine? that’s all?”

“you’re lying.”

“just leave me alone. i’m going home.”

“you don’t have any choice. do you understand that?”

“don’t you appreciate what i’ve done for you?”

“i can’t do it anymore.”

“i don’t think it’s right.”

“do you have any friends left?”

“this road doesn’t go anywhere.”

“what the fuck are you gonna do? just leave?”

“there’s nothing here.”

“did you ever love me?”

[classic-starters]

i just wanted to let you know that classic is misspelled in your bio thing! :D I love your blog though, all the prompts are great.

[classic-starters]

starters from the 44 bce speech by cicero, ATTACK ON AN ENEMY OF FREEDOM

“why is this my fate?”

“they have paid me graver penalties than i could have wished.”

“what happened to them ought to frighten you.”

“but you, i have never injured, even in words.”

“i think you know why you brought this matter up.”

“i do not see how you could have killed me.”

“it seemed to me less undesirable to admit my obligation to you than to let ignorant people think me ungrateful.”

“you admitted this yourself.”

“just see how unbelievably stupid he is as well.”

“i beg this of you.”

“what a disgusting, intolerable, sensualist the man is, as well as a vicious, unsavoury crook!”

“your impudence must be equal to your debauchery if you dare make that assertion in this very place.”

“heaven knows this did not suit you.”

“these are old stories.”

“do you not understand this?”

“what a fool you are, ( name ).”

“concentrate please - just for a little.”

“try to make your brain work for a moment as if you were sober.”

“you look rather worried.”

“if what i am now going to say is known to you already, then your fate is sad indeed : and sadder still if it is not.”

“well, is that a lie?”

“that would be out of the question.”

“i pity the very walls and roof of that house.”

“i feel no surprise when you disturb the peace.”

“what were you begging for?”

“what would you then have said?”

“fear made you a good citizen.”

“was i wrong?”

“we are colleagues ; no one will refuse.”

“peace and slavery are very different things.”

“if the hope of being praised cannot entice you to behave decently, is fear equally incapable of scaring you out of your repulsive behaviour?”

“to be afraid of danger from one’s own people night and day is no sort of a life.”

“you and he are not in any way comparable.”

“i shall not be intimidated by you.”

“i would gladly offer my own body, if my death could redeem the freedom of our nation.”

[classic-starters]

half the shit you post isn’t even classic literature

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1929 novel by erich maria remarque, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

“where are the others?”

“i wish he was here.”

“how goes it ( name )?”

“have you lost your senses?”

“you wait till you’re spoken to.”

“they have amputated my leg.”

“he doesn’t want to die! let him not die!”

“will you sleep now?”

“we’ll be back again soon.”

“there won’t be any peace - time.”

“you mean the war’s over?”

“you’ve got a screw loose, surely!”

“what silly questions you do ask.”

“you don’t recognise me any more, what?”

“and do you know what you are?”

“will you obey my order or not?”

“i believe we are lost.”

“why are you living then, when he is dead?”

“go and sleep, ( name ), you will catch cold here.”

“i can sleep enough later.”

“are you very much afraid?”

“i will pray for you every day, ( name ).” 

“have you any money at all?”

“are you really as stupid as that, or are you just pulling my leg?”

“then what exactly is the war for?”

“there must be some people to whom the war is useful.”

“it won’t make any difference.”

“are you wounded?”

“i won’t go through life as a cripple.”

“how far above the knee am i hit?”

“have you been dreaming?

“you haven’t any fever.”

[classic-starters]

Watership Down?

just posted (:

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1972 novel by richard adams, WATERSHIP DOWN

“all the world will be your enemy.”

“if they have to fight, they fight; and if they have to kill, they kill.”

“whenever they catch you, they will kill you.”

“be cunning and full of tricks.”

“many people say that they enjoy winter, but what they really enjoy is feeling proof against it.”

“i shall stay here.”

“there’s terrible evil in the world.”

“a thing can be true and still be desperate folly.”

“think of that, and tremble!”

“we all have to meet our match sometime or other.”

“...you know me, don’t you?”

“if you’re ready, we might go along now.”

“you needn’t worry about them.”

“when death comes closer than usual, thinking about survival leaves little room for anything else.”

“i’m sorry for you with all my heart.”

“what is, is what must be.”

“who knows why men do anything?”

“who wants to hear about brave deeds when he’s ashamed of his own, and who likes an open, honest tale from someone he’s deceiving?”

“you can’t call your life your own; and in return you have safety, if it’s worth having at the price you pay.”

“i’m sick and tired of it.”

“what is this stuff, do you know?”

“i never know anything until you tell me.”

[classic-starters]

starters from the short story by richard matheson, BUTTON, BUTTON

“may i come in?”

“it could prove to be very valuable.”

“something wrong?”

“i’m rather busy.”

“doesn’t it intrigue you?”

“let it go.”

“what are you talking about?”

“the offer is completely genuine.”

“whom do you represent?”

“aren’t you curious at all?”

“it offends me.”

“that’s natural.”

“it could be anyone.”

“i don’t understand you.”

“what does that mean?”

“all right, suppose it is!”

“are you saying what i think you are?”

“the point is, ( name ), that who you kill makes no difference.”

“it’s still murder.”

“i’d rather not discuss it anymore, if you don’t mind.”

“i wanted to do it, that’s all.”

“i think you, well, misunderstood me.”

“do you really think you knew your husband / wife / partner?”

[classic-starters]

starters from the 440 b.c.e play by euripides, translated by richmond lattimore, RHESUS

“who speaks?”

“who comes here out of night to find where i sleep? declare.”

“what troubles you so?”

“you robbed me, robbed the lion of his spoil.”

“too quick, ( name ).”

“you act before you understand.”

“i am suspicious of the whole matter.”

“i wish you could make plans as well as you fight.”

“i willingly undertake this cast of hazard.”

“you have made it twice as bright.”

“you urge me faithfully.”

“you seem content to be acted on, not to act.”

“sleep is a magic on my eyes. it comes sweetest to the lids about dawn.”

“i fear for him.”

“he is long gone.”

“your war is my war.”

“i trust you. i always believe what you say.”

“oh, you will learn soon how i shall take care of you.”

“you must not kill a friend.”

“too many have died already.”

“i mourn you, my child, dear, dearest head, i mourn you.”

“i never feared your death.”

“what would you have me do?”

“apollo’s quiver holds the shaft which means his death.”

[classic-starters]

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein starters?

posted 

[classic-starters]

starters from the 1818 novel by mary shelley, FRANKENSTEIN

“beware; for i am fearless, and therefore powerful.”

“life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and i will defend it.”

“i have love in me, the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage, the likes of which you would not believe.”

“if i cannot satisfy one, i will indulge the other.”

“if i cannot inspire love, i will cause fear!”

“there is something at work in my soul, which i do not understand.”

“man, how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom!”

“i wish to be allowed to speak.”

“make me happy, and i shall again be virtuous.”

“i was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.”

“you accuse me of murder.”

“listen to me, ( name ).”

“accursed creator!”

“learn from me”

“i am alone and miserable.”

“only someone as ugly as i am could love me.”

“i shall need no other happiness.”

“it was the secrets of heaven and earth that i desired to learn.”

“i do not understand why men who knew all about good and evil could hate and kill each other.”

“why did i not die?”

“i was doomed to live.”

“be men, or be more than men.”

“this ice is not made of such stuffs as your hearts may be.”

“i am malicious because i am miserable.”

“why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?”

“farewell.”

“my spirit will sleep in peace.”

“i looked upon the sea; it was to be my grave.”

“do you share my madness?”

“soon these burning miseries will be extinct.”

“you shall repent of the injuries you inflict.”

“devil, do you dare approach me?”

“evil thenceforth became my good.”

“my reign is not over yet.”

“follow me.”

“where can i find rest but in death?”