Good day, readers. Today is December 9th, the 344th day of the year 2024, with 21 days remaining.
“Just because you’re clean, don’t mean you don’t miss it.” — Taylor Swift
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered on television. This beloved holiday special, based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, has become a cultural touchstone, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit and the search for meaning amid commercialism.
Notable Birthdays:
John Milton, born on December 9, 1608, was an English poet and intellectual best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost. Milton’s exploration of themes like free will, temptation, and redemption has had a profound impact on literature, philosophy, and religious thought.
Today’s Readings:
From Paradise Lost by John Milton: “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On December 9th, 1886, American author Clarence Day was born. Day is best known for his memoir Life with Father, which humorously chronicles his family life in late 19th-century New York City. The memoir was adapted into a successful Broadway play and film, further cementing its place in American literary and cultural history.
Advice for Writers:
Taylor Swift’s lyrics remind us of the complexity of letting go and the lingering emotions that accompany it. In your writing today, delve into the bittersweet nature of your characters’ pasts. What do they miss, even after they’ve moved on or “cleaned” themselves of it? How do these lingering memories shape their actions and relationships? Let this exploration add emotional depth and realism to your narrative.
Wishing you a day of poignant writing and heartfelt creativity, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your words capture the intricate dance between what we leave behind and what still holds us close.