Mystery – December 10

“You the new blood?” Ray asked. The boy stared up at him, a smile sneaking across his face. “You the old?” -Urban Waite, born this date in 1980. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an upstart upstages your protagonist.

Mystery – December 9

“It is inconceivable that a secret arm of the government has to comply with all the overt orders of the government.” -James Jesus Angleton, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is so far off the reservation that s/he may never see home again.

Mystery – December 8

“There are two kinds of light — the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.” -James Thurber, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confuses the two kinds of light.

Mystery – December 7

Jesse James committed his first bank robbery in Gallatin, Missouri, on this date in 1869. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts a young person over a petty crime that foreshadows a life spent in criminal pursuits and ending ugly.

Mystery – December 6

“Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being.” -Khalil Gibran, born on this date in 1883. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist has to decide whether to sacrifice him/herself to save someone else.

Mystery – December 5

“There’s nothing like rejection to make you do an inventory of yourself.” -James Lee Burke, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist inventories his/her shortcomings after a rejection.

Mystery – December 4

Cornell Woolrich, the man who wrote more noir mysteries converted to film than anyone else, was born on this date in 1903. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and another character analyze the answer to the question Rear Window’s Jeff must answer: Why would a man leave his apartment three times on a rainy night with a suitcase and come back three times?

Mystery – December 3

“The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” -Joseph Conrad, born this date in 1857. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a crime makes your protagonist question his/her faith, or lack thereof.