Category Archives: Daily Prompt

One question, countless possible answers. Daily Prompt features my responses to WordPress’s daily writing questions, covering everything from personal memories and everyday experiences to unusual hypotheticals and life’s bigger questions. Sometimes reflective, sometimes irreverent, and frequently wondering who comes up with these questions.

A World I Wouldn’t Want to Live In

Posted on October 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

From Orwell’s 1984 to The Hunger Games and Ayn Rand’s Anthem, literature offers plenty of nightmarish worlds. But one novel stands apart because its fictional society feels increasingly familiar. Continue reading →

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Two Underrated Movies That Deserve More Credit

Posted on October 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What makes a movie underrated? Sometimes it’s a forgotten masterpiece. Other times it’s a beloved film whose brilliance gets overlooked. Here’s why Hitchcock’s Rope and Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life deserve another look. Continue reading →

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The Novel I Never Thought I Could Write

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’d spent much of my life writing, but a novel seemed beyond my abilities. Then I set a deadline, finished the manuscript and handed my father a binder containing the entire book. I still wonder whether it’s any good, but nobody can take away the accomplishment of writing it. Continue reading →

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Fame, Fortune, and the Fine Print

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

If you could switch lives with a famous person for a week, who would you choose? Before I answer, I’d like to know exactly what comes with the exchange. The money and glamour sound wonderful, but what about the fine print? Continue reading →

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How Do I Manage Stress? Faith, Humor, and Mayberry

Posted on October 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some days I manage stress. Other days, stress manages me. Between writing, music, laughter, and faith, I’m learning to handle life’s challenges. And when all else fails, there’s always Mayberry. Continue reading →

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Haven’t We Had This Conversation Before? Advice to My Younger Self

Posted on October 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

If I could travel back in time, what advice would I give my younger self? It’s a good question, but WordPress keeps asking it in slightly different ways. Maybe the people writing these daily prompts could use a little advice themselves. Continue reading →

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Eighteen Months with Samantha B. Dog—A Story of Love and Compassion

Posted on October 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When my wife rescued a skinny black dog from a busy road, my first concern was the bourbon collection in the room where she’d put her. Eighteen months later, I was sobbing as we said goodbye to Samantha B. Dog. Somewhere between those two moments, Sammy taught us about compassion, responsibility, unconditional love, and what really matters in life. Continue reading →

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Online Courses: Can We Get a Different Question?

Posted on October 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

WordPress wants to know about the best online course I’ve ever taken. I’ve completed plenty of required teacher training, and I’m currently studying AI in education. But does that mean I have a favorite? Not exactly. And perhaps WordPress should rethink its questions. Continue reading →

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A Few Drams With Someone Famous

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

If you could meet any celebrity, who would you choose? For me, Mike Schmidt, Bill Murray, and the guys from Toto top the list. But I’m not interested in conducting an interview. I’d rather share a few good bourbons, enjoy the company, and see where the conversation takes us. Continue reading →

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Good People, Bad People and the Rest of Us

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve been cheated by Christians and treated with extraordinary generosity by non-Christians. Being a good person isn’t necessarily about religious identity. It’s about character, compassion, and how we treat others when nobody’s watching. Continue reading →

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