Mystery – March 9

“Guys like you can’t escape the city. Hell, you a got a blood contract with this place. You’re married to the old girl.”- Mickey Spillane, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view a place to which s/he has such a connection.

Mystery – March 8

“The real question is, ‘How should I conduct my life?’ rather than ‘What tools should I use?'”- Neil Postman, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which technology that’s supposed to make life easy gets in the way of achieving a goal.

Mystery – March 7

“To be brave, by definition, one has first to be afraid.”- Robert Harris, born this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers whether s/he is brave.

Mystery – March 6

“There is a sort of an unwritten code in Washington, among the underworld and the hustlers and these other guys that I am their friend.”- Marion Barry, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is put in a compromising situation because of the secret machinations of a corrupt public official.

Mystery – March 5

Maddie Hayes: Wipe that stupid grin off your face.David Addison: This is the smartest grin I know. Moonlighting premiered on this date in 1985. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must complete an important task in cooperation with an insufferable wiseass.

Mystery – March 4

“Some people don’t respond to civility.”- James Ellroy, born this date in 1948. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which someone goads your protagonist to violence.

Mystery – March 3

“I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me.”- Charles Ponzi, born this date in 1882. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must explain to someone who refuses to understand that s/he has just lost all her/his money to a con man.

Mystery – March 2

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dearAnd it shows them pearly white.- Kurt Weill, born this date in 1900. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must accuse a lovable rogue of a terrible...