Mystery – March 27

“If I killed my wife, I’m dangerous. If I didn’t I’m tired of running. Either way you’ll be a smart boy if you just sit there and behave yourself and don’t try anything.”- Dr. Richard Kimble as portrayed by David Janssen, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must punish someone s/he knows is innocent.

Mystery – March 26

“Good work is always done in defiance of management.”- Bob Woodward, born this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a reporter approaches your protagonist for help investigating corruption in the local police department.

Mystery – March 25

“Everything pertaining to what’s happening has never come to the surface. The world will never know the true facts of what occurred, my motives. The people who had so much to gain, and had such an ulterior motive for putting me in the position I’m in, will never let the true facts come above board to the world.”- Jack Ruby, born this date in 1911. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a...

Mystery – March 24

“Why? What you mean, ‘Why?’ Because you’re different, that’s why. You know, you’re like me. You want different things. You got somethin’ better than bein’ a waitress. You and me travelin’ together, we could cut a path clean across this state and Kansas and Missouri and Oklahoma, and everybody’d know about it. You listen to me, Miss Bonnie Parker. You listen to me.”- A movie version of Clyde Barrow, born...

Mystery – March 23

“I’ve always been intrigued by Stockholm Syndrome. Reminds me of my childhood.”- Jonathan Ames, born this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s childhood that most haunts his/her adult life.

Mystery – March 22

“When you’re right, that’s all you get to be.”- James Patterson, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which being correct about something earns your protagonist negative responses from her/his colleagues or friends.

Mystery – March 21

“Imagine living in a country where the cops are all people who’re cut out for the job.”- Michael Dibdin, born this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist accomplishes a task honestly while appearing to accomplish it corruptly.

Mystery – March 20

“That’s not the way we operate around here. We do everything by the book, according to regulations, above board.”- Hal Linden, portraying New York City police precinct captain Barney Miller, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene allowing your protagonist to make abundantly clear his/her opinion of a bureaucracy that exerts enormous influence over your protagonist’s...