Mystery – September 8

“Facts, Hercule, facts! Nothing matters but the facts. Without them the science of criminal investigation is nothing more than a guessing game.” -Inspector Clouseau in A Shot in the Dark as portrayed by Peter Sellers, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers a profound truth entirely because of his/her own foolishness.

Mystery – September 7

Joe Klein was born on this date in 1946. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an anonymous “fictional” story leads your protagonist to believe a non-fictional crime has been committed.

Mystery – September 6

Alice Sebold was born on this date in 1963. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist becomes convinced s/he is hearing the voice of someone demanding justice.

Mystery – September 5

“Surrender had played out for good with me.” -Jesse James, born on this date in 1847. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts an adversary who refuses to surrender.

Mystery – September 4

Consider the most challenging issue that you must — but do not want to — confront in your own life. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts that issue.

Mystery – September 3

On this date in 1972, Richard Nixon’s “Plumbers” conducted their first break-in when they burgled the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist to find dirt that Nixon’s cronies could smear around after Ellsberg leaked The Pentagon Papers to the news media. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers one crime was committed to cover up another.

Mystery – September 2

“Son, this is a Washington, D.C. kind of lie. It’s when the other person knows you’re lying, and also knows you know he knows.” -Allen Drury, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and antagonist come to an agreement by lying to each other.

Mystery – September 1

“Judges are the weakest link in our system of justice, and they are also the most protected.” -Alan Dershowitz, born this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a judicial decision frees a person your protagonist knows to be guilty.