Mystery – May 12

“Ignorance is not bliss — it is oblivion. Determined ignorance is the hastiest kind of oblivion.” -Philip Gordon Wylie, born this date in 1902. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to convince a willfully ignorant superior that a suspect is about to commit another crime.

Mystery – May 11

“I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong.” -Richard Feynman, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns an answer on which s/he has relied for many years is wrong.

Mystery – May 10

British punk rocker Sid Vicious was born on this date in 1957. At the other end of his life, he left the following suicide note: WE HAD A DEATH PACT I HAVE TO KEEP MY HALF OF THE BARGAIN. PLEASE BURY ME PTO NEXT TO MY BABY. BURY ME IN MY LEATHER JACKET, JEANS AND MOTOR CYCLE BOOTS GOODBYE Writing prompt: Write the suicide note of a close friend of your protagonist that makes your protag think suicide was not the...

Mystery – May 9

John Brown was born on this date in 1800. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must punish someone for doing the right thing.

Mystery – May 8

Andrew Svenson, the unnamed Stratemeyer Syndicate author behind many Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries and other young-adult adventures of earlier generations, was born on this date in 1910. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that someone else is going to get the credit for something your protag achieved.

Mystery – May 7

Devise and write a rule your protagonist has applied to his/her life and considers inviolate. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protag breaks the rule.

Mystery – May 6

Orson Welles was born on this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must manage a crisis precipitated by a hoax.

Mystery – May 5

A founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, author Christopher Morley was born on this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s familiarity with a fictional story helps him/her solve a nonfictional problem.