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.

Mystery – January 20

“We’re all like detectives in life,” said David Lynch, born on this date in 1946. “There’s something at the end of the trail that we’re all looking for.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes the process that brought her/him to this point in life.

Mystery – January 19

“The justice I have received, I shall give back.” -Patricia Highsmith, born this date in 1921. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives back.

Mystery – January 18

“We need to have a talk on the subject of what’s yours and what’s mine.” -Stieg Larsson’s Mikael Blomkvist, born on this date in 1960. Writing prompt: Write such a dialogue between your protagonist and someone who’s unclear on the matter.

Mystery – January 17

Al Capone was born on this date in 1899. His vast criminal empire was brought down by his failure to pay taxes. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist’s downfall occurs because of something relatively insignificant.

Mystery – January 16

“Artists are always good for conversation, so long as you want to talk about their art.” -Craig Johnson, born this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to have a conversation with someone who wants to talk about anything else.

Mystery – January 15

“A riot is the language of the unheard.” -Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a conversation turns violent because one person can’t understand what the other is saying.

Mystery – January 14

“The essence of fascism is to make laws forbidding everything and then enforce them selectively against your enemies.” -John Lescroart, born this date in 1948. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist manipulates the outcome of a conflict by selectively enforcing rules to favor one of the participants.