Mystery – December 26

On this date in 1996, six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found slain in the basement  of her family’s house. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which the public and media involve themselves in your protagonist’s life in counterproductive ways.

Mystery – December 25

Born on this date in 1899, Humphrey Bogart portrayed the stereotypical hard-boiled private eye in many films. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a group of your protagonist’s friends debate and decide which stereotype your protagonist represents, and which actor best exemplifies that kind of role.

Mystery – December 24

42-time best-seller Mary Higgins Clark was born on this date in 1927. For a time, she worked as a Pan Am stewardess. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes working at a job no one would expect s/he one did.

Mystery – December 23

“Well, I’m all broken up over that man’s rights.” -Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry, which premiered on this date in 1971. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must choose between ignoring a person’s civil rights and preventing a crime.

Mystery – December 22

On this date in 1984, Bernard Goetz shot four men attempting to rob him on a New York City subway. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist debates his/her opinion about vigilante justice with a boss who disagrees.

Mystery – December 21

On this date in 1911, two men stole a satchel of cash being delivered to a Paris bank and made off in a stolen limousine, marking what is believed to be the first use of a getaway car. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised to find out s/he’s in the middle of an unexpected getaway.

Mystery – December 20

Self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller was born on this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist exposes an important public figure as a fraud.

Mystery – December 19

Robert Urich, star of the TV show Spenser: for Hire — based on Robert B. Parker’s Spenser novels — was born on this date in 1946. Spenser’s sidekick, Hawk, once accused Spenser of spending too much time reading: “You know more stuff that don’t make you money than anybody I know.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist proves s/he is an expert in an...