Mystery – March 15

“The thorns of the rose are hidden by the bloom.”- Lynda La Plante, born this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns something or someone beautiful is concealing a source of great pain.

Mystery – March 14

“The ‘Ten Most Wanted Fugitives’ program is a publicity program founded by the FBI in March of 1950 in conjunction with the nation’s news media. It is designed to publicize particularly dangerous fugitives who might not otherwise merit nationwide attention. The FBI recognizes the need for public assistance in tracking fugitives. One hundred and sixty-three of the ‘Ten Most Wanted...

Mystery – March 13

“For more than half an hour 38 respectable, law-abiding citizens in Queens watched a killer stalk and stab a woman in three separate attacks in Kew Gardens. Twice their chatter and the sudden glow of their bedroom lights interrupted him and frightened him off. Each time he returned, sought her out, and stabbed her again. Not one person telephoned the police during the assault; one witness called after the woman was...

Mystery – March 12

“Jimmy Lee Baylis was a wise man, and knew better than to talk back to the man who signed his paycheck.”- Carl Hiaasen, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist demonstrates her/his lack of wisdom.

Mystery – March 11

“The impossible often has a kind of integrity which the merely improbable lacks.”- Douglas Adams, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to accept a solution s/he believes is impossible.

Mystery – March 10

“There are few problems in this world that cannot be solved by a swift roundhouse kick to the face. In fact, there are none.”- Carlos Ray Norris, better known as Chuck, born this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must physically confront someone who is at least 50% bigger than your protagonist.

Mystery – March 9

“Guys like you can’t escape the city. Hell, you a got a blood contract with this place. You’re married to the old girl.”- Mickey Spillane, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view a place to which s/he has such a connection.

Mystery – March 8

“The real question is, ‘How should I conduct my life?’ rather than ‘What tools should I use?'”- Neil Postman, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which technology that’s supposed to make life easy gets in the way of achieving a goal.