Mystery – May 8

“The trick in writing children’s books is to set up danger, mystery and excitement on page one. Force the kid to turn the page. I’ve written page one as many as twenty times. Then in the middle of each chapter there’s a dramatic point of excitement, and at the chapter’s end, a cliff-hanger.”- Andrew Svenson, the unnamed Stratemeyer Syndicate author behind many Hardy Boys and...

Mystery – May 7

Lilly Rush: Did she have any enemies?Scott Sawyer: Yeah! They were called employees.- The detective who re-opened the Cold Case of Amy Lind, murdered on this date in 1999. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which new questions arise after someone acquires an item that belonged to a person who died years before.

Mystery – May 6

“We had no idea how effective it would be, because about half-way through the show . . . we saw that in the control room, there were a great many policemen and every moment, more.”- Orson Welles, born this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must manage a crisis precipitated by a hoax.

Mystery – May 5

“The whole Sherlock Holmes saga is triumphant illustration of art’s supremacy over life.”- Christopher Morley, a founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, born this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s familiarity with a fictional story helps him/her solve a nonfictional problem.

Mystery – May 4

“Surgeons know nothing but do everything. Internists know everything but do nothing. Pathologists know everything and do everything but too late.”- Robin Cook, born this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write the scene of your protagonist’s most recent visit to the emergency room.

Mystery – May 3

“For although the act condemns the doer, the end may justify him.”- Niccolò Machiavelli, born this date in 1469. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist reluctantly concludes the ends do not justify the means.

Mystery – May 2

“We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.”- Martha Grimes, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write the scene of the first time your protagonist is introduced to him/herself.

Mystery – May 1

“What does a sane man do in an insane society?”- Joseph Heller, born this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist, regardless of her/his decision, will violate her/his sense of justice by failing to punish the wicked or allowing the innocent to suffer.