Mystery – February 5

“The police are the public and the public are the police.”- Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police Force in London (after his names, its officers were called Peelers or — more famously — Bobbies), born this date in 1788. Writing prompt: Write a scene  demonstrating a notable divergence between the two.

Mystery – February 4

“Be someone you don’t love so much, for once.”- Stewart O’Nan, born this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which circumstances force your protagonist to be someone s/he doesn’t much love.

Mystery – February 3

I’ve seen lots of funny menSome will rob you with a six-gunAnd some with a fountain pen.- Woody Guthrie describing Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, born this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist earns the nickname s/he most hates.

Mystery – February 2

“I’ve done some dastardly things but what can I do except make amends and apologize?”- Stan Getz, born this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist expects, but does not receive, an amendment and apology for a dastardly...

Mystery – February 1

“Directing is not a mystery, it’s not an art. The main thing about directing is: photograph the people’s eyes.”- John Ford, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must gauge the truthfulness of a person’s words by observing body parts and physical behaviors.

Mystery – January 31

“Anyone can love a perfect place. Loving Baltimore takes some resilience.”- Laura Lippman, born this date in 1959 (the same day on which Homicide: Life on the Street — based on a book about Baltimore — premiered in 1993). Writing prompt: In your protagonist’s voice, describe a place s/he loves that everyone else finds a little less than perfect.

Mystery – January 30

“Memory, Agent Starling, is what I have instead of a view.”- Hannibal Lecter in the film version of The Silence of the Lambs, which premiered on this date in 1991. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must get information from a person who has not seen the sky in many years, and knows that s/he never will again.

Mystery – January 29

“Popularity is the pocket change of history. The true measure is courage.”- Tom Selleck, born this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns a disillusioning fact about someone who inspired him/her to follow in the inspiration’s footsteps.