Mystery – January 8

“Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service.”- Wilkie Collins, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s words create a problem by failing to rise to the occasion.

Mystery – January 7

“At times like this, I wish I was but a simple peasant.”- Inspector Jacques Clouseau, introduced to the world when The Pink Panther premiered on this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a total fool infuriates your protagonist until the fool causes your protagonist to discover an essential fact.

Mystery – January 6

“To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name.”- Dr. John H. Watson, narrating the life of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective who was born this date in 1854 on the farmstead of Mycroft, near Sigerside, in the north Riding of Yorkshire. Writing prompt: Describe your protagonist’s “the” woman or man from the point of view of your...

Mystery – January 5

Brogan-Moore: Touching isn’t it? The way he counts on his wife.Sir Wilfrid: Yes, like a drowning man clutching at a razor blade.- Harry Kurnitz, born this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must reject the assistance of someone your protagonist should be able to count on.

Mystery – January 4

“Trust is like that. You can break it for a good reason. But it still remains broken.”- Harlan Coben, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to trust a person who earlier broke trust with your protagonist.

Mystery – January 3

“The five senses are the ministers of the soul.”- Leonardo da Vinci Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers four clues using senses other than sight.

Mystery – January 2

“I was just cleaning up the place a bit.”- Peter Sutcliffe, arrested by British police this date in 1981 after they identified him as the Yorkshire Ripper. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist catches a bad guy for a minor crime unrelated to his/her more dastardly deeds.

Mystery – January 1

“It was like someone else was doing it. I remember I’m looking down at her just before I bring it down and I’m looking at her face . . . she’s so scared . . . but it’s like I had nothing to do with it. It’s like I’m a million miles away.”- Judith Rossner, who was inspired to write Looking For Mr. Goodbar by a crime that occurred on this date in 1973. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your...