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...

Mystery – March 1

“Should, however, my death serve for the purpose of abolishing capital punishment—such a punishment being arrived at only by circumstantial evidence—I feel that my death has not been in vain.”- Bruno Hauptmann, executed in 1936 for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s son on this date in 1932. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must deal with a parent whose child...

Mystery – February 28

“He lied with a smile that paralyzed reason.”- Steve Martini, born this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an obviously guilty person persuades your protagonist that s/he is innocent.

Mystery – February 27

“Our inventions mirror our secret wishes.”- Lawrence Durrell, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes the impact of a thing s/he invented.