Mystery – July 20

“I felt early on I wasn’t going to be a respectable citizen.” –Cormac McCarthy, born on this date in 1933. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s early life when s/he made the first conscious decision to follow the path that brought your protag to the start of your current...

Literary – July 20

“True quests aren’t measured in time or distance anyway, so much as in hope.” –Jess Walter, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes her/his commitment of time or distance with an investment that will pay off.

Romance – July 20

“I hope there’s a tinge of disgrace about me.” –Dame Diana Rigg, born this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that her/his reputation is not as lily white as s/he thinks everyone thinks it is.

SciFi/Fantasy – July 20

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” –Neil Armstrong, who on this date in 1969 became the first human to walk on non-terrestrial soil. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must cross a threshold into an entirely unknown and unknowable...

Romance – July 19

“Your body remembers, each time, every man, even if you try to forget.” –Jayne Anne Phillips, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s memory of a prior partner disrupts an intimate moment with your protag’s current partner.

SciFi/Fantasy – July 19

“The lord made men, but Sam Colt made them equal.” -Anonymous conventional wisdom about Samuel Colt, born this date in 1814. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist first used a weapon considered a great equalizer in the universe you’ve created.

Literary – July 19

The Rosetta Stone was discovered on this date in 1799. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must cooperate with someone who speaks no common language to locate a specific book in an unfamiliar location.