Mystery – September 27

“There are things that have to be forgotten if you want to go on living.” -Jim Thompson, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write the scene describing what your protagonist cannot forget.

Mystery – September 26

On this date in 1950, Raymond Chandler was offered and took the job of scripting Strangers on a Train because of mutual curiosity: he and Alfred Hitchcock wanted to work together. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finally gets her/his wish to work with someone s/he quickly realizes she doesn’t want to work with.

Mystery – September 25

“A secret’s worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” -Carlos Ruiz Zafón, born on this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s most important secret is discovered by the person your protag most wants to keep it from.

Mystery – September 24

Three Days of the Condor, a film based on James Grady’s book Six Days of the Condor, premiered on this date in 1975. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he cannot trust anyone.

Mystery – September 23

Matlock premiered on this date in 1986. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist plays dumb to get what s/he needs.

Mystery – September 22

On this date in 1975, US President Gerald Ford survived a second assassination attempt, this one by revolutionary Sara Jane Moore after Manson Family member Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme failed to load a cartridge into her semi-automatic Colt just 17 days before. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must complete a task for someone a lot of people want to kill although several previous...

Mystery – September 21

Television premieres on this date included Perry Mason (1957), Adam-12 (1968), and NYPD Blue (1993) featuring Det. Andy Sipowicz, who once told a suspect, “You got a lot of morons in your family? ‘Cause that could be genetic.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to get information from a person who has an IQ that reminds your protag that half the people in the country are...

Mystery – September 20

Television premieres on this date include Hawaii Five-O (1968), Vega$ (1978), and Spenser: For Hire (1985). Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finally gets fed up with hearing a colleague’s stupid catch-phrase.