Mystery – January 28

S. Epatha Merkerson, one of Law & Order’s longest-serving LTs, was born on this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must convince her/his boss that s/he is doing one thing when s/he is, in fact, doing exactly the opposite.

Mystery – January 27

William Randolph Hearst, born this date in 1908, warned that “a politician will do anything to keep his job.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns how far a politician will go to avoid losing the next election.

Mystery – January 26

On this date in 1788, the first ship of British convicts arrived in that empire’s prison colony in Australia. Writing prompt: Write a scene that forces your protagonist to reveal his/her true opinions about incarcerating criminals.

Mystery – January 25

“Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it.” -William Somerset Maugham, born on this date in 1874. Writing prompt: Write a scene that forces your protagonist have something to do with it.

Mystery – January 24

Abstract artist Robert Motherwell was born on this date in 1915. Among his paintings is this untitled work from 1967, a memorial tribute to  poet and critic Frank O’Hara. Writing prompt: With no context around it to indicate its value, write a scene in which your protagonist encounters this image during the process of his/her investigation of a suspect.

Mystery – January 23

Richard Dean Anderson — better known as MacGyver — was born on this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must improvise an escape using only what s/he normally carries in her/his pockets.

Mystery – January 22

Grand master of LA crime writing (fiction and non) Joseph Wambaugh was born on this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must explore the home of a client/victim who holds diametrically opposed attitudes about class but exhibits absolutely similar tastes.

Mystery – January 21

Firearms designer John Browning was born on this date in 1855. Writing prompt: Write the scene that explains the origins of your protagonist’s preferred weapon, style of fighting, or decision to avoid any type of physical confrontation.