Mystery – November 19

On this date in 1930, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow carried out the first of their series of bank robberies. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist observes the opposite of the adage, “No honor among thieves.”

Mystery – November 18

“All the same, murderess is a strong word to have attached to you.” -Margaret Atwood, born this date in 1939. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is labeled painfully but accurately.

Mystery – November 17

“I love studying Ancient History and seeing how empires rise and fall, sowing the seeds of their own destruction.” -Martin Scorsese, born this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist makes a choice that will later cause his/her downfall.

Mystery – November 16

“I used to ask for an easy life, now I ask to be strong.” -William Kent Krueger, born on this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write the aphorism your protagonist would use shortly before dying to describe what s/he learned during the course of her/his life.

Mystery – November 15

On this date in 1959, the Clutter family was killed in cold blood in Holcomb, Kansas. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist suffers a criminal act that occurs entirely because the criminal believes incorrectly that your protag has something your protag doesn’t have.

Mystery – November 14

“Ignorance is always afraid of change.” -Jawaharlal Nehru, born on this date in 1889. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist proves her/his ignorance by rejecting an important change.

Mystery – November 13

Vera Caspary, the author of the play she turned into the novel which was turned into the movie Laura, was born on this date in 1899. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is more attracted to someone literally unattainable than to anyone else.

Mystery – November 12

Christopher Reich was born on this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a petty crime leads your protagonist to suspect a greater financial crime is being covered up.