Mystery – December 13

“Hell lies at the bottom of the human heart.” -Kenneth Millar, better known by his pen name Ross Macdonald, born this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers what’s at the bottom of his/her own heart.

Mystery – December 12

The Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence after having been stolen two years earlier from the Louvre. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which something of inestimable public value disappears and your protagonist must consider the event’s implications.

Mystery – December 11

“Everything you add to the truth subtracts from the truth.” -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a character’s addition of details to his or her “truth” gradually reveals the character as a liar.

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.