Mystery – March 14

On this date in 1950, the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list made its debut. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist encounters a criminal whose life goal is to get added to the 10 Most Wanted list.

Mystery – March 13

Kitty Genovese was murdered on this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist investigates a crime witnessed by many people, all of whom watched instead of helping the victim.

Mystery – March 12

“Jimmy Lee Baylis was a wise man, and knew better than to talk back to the man who signed his paycheck.” -Carl Hiaasen, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist demonstrates her/his lack of wisdom.

Mystery – March 11

“The impossible often has a kind of integrity which the merely improbable lacks.” -Douglas Adams, born on this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to accept a solution s/he believes is impossible.

Mystery – March 10

Carlos Ray Norris — better known as Chuck — was born on this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must confront someone who is at least 50% bigger than your protag.

Mystery – March 9

Mickey Spillane was born on this date in 1918. His hard-boiled character Mike Hammer said in Kiss Her Goodbye, “Guys like you can’t escape the city. Hell, you a got a blood contract with this place. You’re married to the old girl.” Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view a place to which s/he has such a connection.

Mystery – March 8

Neil Postman was born on this date in 1931. Of technology, he said, “The real question is, ‘How should I conduct my life?’ rather than ‘What tools should I use?’ ” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which technology that’s supposed to make life easy gets in the way of achieving a goal.

Mystery – March 7

“To be brave, by definition, one has first to be afraid.” -Robert Harris, born on this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers whether s/he is brave.