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.

Mystery – January 28

“I’m late for my daily spanking at One Police Plaza.”- Lt. Anita Van Buren as portrayed by S. Epatha Merkerson, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must convince her/his boss that s/he is doing one thing when s/he is, in fact, doing exactly the opposite.

Mystery – January 27

“A politician will do anything to keep his job.”- William Randolph Hearst, born this date in 1908. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns how far a politician will go to avoid losing the next election.

Mystery – January 26

“As I would not wish convicts to lay the foundation of an empire, I think they should ever remain separated from the garrison and other settlers that may come from Europe; and not be allowed to mix with them, even after the seven or fourteen years for which they are transported may be expired.”- Arthur Phillip, the British naval officer charged with leading the First Fleet of ships transporting...

Mystery – January 25

“Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it.”- William Somerset Maugham, born this date in 1874. Writing prompt: Write a scene that forces your protagonist to have something to do with it.