Mystery – August 19

On this date in 1895, John Wesley Hardin — who killed at least 20 and perhaps as many as 40 men between 1868 and his death despite spending 14 of those years in prison — was murdered in El Paso, Texas. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist intercedes on behalf of a person who killed a person that needed killing.

Mystery – August 18

David F. Dodge was born on this date in 1910. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must persuade the authorities that s/he didn’t commit a crime that resembles in every detail your protag’s style.

Mystery – August 17

Steve Hockensmith was born on this date in 1968. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is dropped in the middle of an entirely different time, place, or genre.

Mystery – August 16

“[I]t made her throat ache with unhappiness to meet that look of his that rested on her face without seeing it.” -Georgette Heyer, born on this date in 1902, whose dozen novels are thought the best examples of “country house” English mysteries. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes someone s/he cares about doesn’t reciprocate the feelings.

Mystery – August 15

Harpur and Iles series author “Bill James” was born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a citizen explains to your protagonist in no uncertain terms why the police are worse than the criminals.

Mystery – August 14

“I said to him one day, ‘Doctor, don’t your conscience ever trouble you?’ ” ‘No,’ he replied, with that peculiar cough of his, ‘I coughed that up with my lungs long ago.’ ” -Col. John T. Deweese, the lawyer of Doc Holliday, who was born on this date in 1851. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes her/his colleague has no...