Mystery – June 9

“We have a really serious problem on our hands, and TV has made it so much worse. CSI is fun to watch and entertaining. But, more and more, jury members believe that police and scientists work every case with this huge bag of tricks, and if they don’t, the victim and jurors feel the case has not been adequately investigated.” -Patricia Cornwell, born on this date in 1956. Writing prompt: Write a scene in...

Mystery – June 8

Sara Paretsky was born on this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is denied respect by a group of peers because of his/her gender.

Mystery – June 7

“Violence is a confession of terrible incompetence.” -E.W. Hornung, born this date in 1866. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist resorts to violence because of frustration.

Mystery – June 6

“Opinions cannot survive if one has no chance to fight for them.” -Thomas Mann, born this date in 1875. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is shut down by a superior when advancing the correct theory of a crime.

Mystery – June 5

“Culture clash is terrific drama.” -Ken Follett, born on this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a character far down the socioeconomic ladder from your protagonist tries to get away with something by making your protag feel bad about their wealth disparity.

Mystery – June 4

“Sometimes, the only things that make you feel good are the same ones that worked when you were five.” -Val McDermid, born this date in 1955. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist behaves like a child.

Mystery – June 3

“Incompetents invariably make trouble for people other than themselves.” -Larry McMurtry, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets into a dangerous predicament because someone else is incompetent.

Mystery – June 2

“A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s the shit that happens while you’re waiting for moments that never come.” -Lester Freamon to Jimmy McNulty in The Wire, which premiered on this date in 2002. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s life passes by while s/he’s waiting for it.