Mystery – May 19

“Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy.” -Nora Ephron, born on this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s confidence that s/he’s the only right-thinking person in the room makes her start doubting whether s/he’s anything remotely close to normal.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 19

On this date in 1588, the Spanish Armada left Lisbon for England, where it was devastated by the English navy under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake a few months later. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that a celebration in which s/he once participated has become a marker of profound tragedy.

Literary – May 19

On this date in 1897, Oscar Wilde was released after two years of hard labor in prison, his sentence for having sex with the wrong kind of person. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s friends ostracize her from a dinner conversation because they think s/he’s with the wrong kind of person.

Romance – May 19

Jodi Picoult, born on this date in 1966, once asked, “Could you really love someone who was capable of falling in love with someone else?” Writing prompt: Answer in your protagonist’s voice, and then answer in your antagonist’s voice.

Literary – May 18

“A stupid man’s report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.” -Bertrand Russell, born on this date in 1872. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which something perfectly sensible and inoffensive said by your protagonist causes a considerable conflict with someone your protag cares about because it was...

Romance – May 18

Tina Fey was born on this date in 1970. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s intent to be funny to win the attention of a romantic target dissolves into unfunny tragedy.

Mystery – May 18

“A hair divides what is false and true.” -Omar Khayyam, born this date in 1048. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must split a hair to satisfy both justice and the law.