Mystery – February 6

Patrick Macnee, best known as The Avengers’ Mr. Steed but who also played both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (among dozens of similarly mysterious roles), was born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Finish the scene that starts with this line from John Steed: “Six bodies in an hour and twenty minutes. What do you call that?”

Mystery – February 5

Robert Peel, founder of the Metropolitan Police Force in London (after his names, its officers were called Peelers or — more famously — Bobbies), was born on this date in 1788. He famously said, “The police are the public and the public are the police.” Writing prompt: Write a scene  demonstrating a notable divergence between the two.

Mystery – February 4

Stewart O’Nan, author of the murder story Snow Angels, was born on this date in 1961. In his book The Night Country, he wrote, “Be someone you don’t love so much, for once.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which circumstances force your protagonist to be someone s/he doesn’t much love.

Mystery – February 3

Notorious 1930s bank robber Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd was born on this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist earns the nickname s/he most hates.

Mystery – February 2

Stan Getz was born on this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Listen to one of his most famous recordings and write a scene in which circumstances cause your protagonist to feel that way.

Mystery – February 1

“Directing is not a mystery, it’s not an art. The main thing about directing is: photograph the people’s eyes.” -John Ford, born this date in 1894. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must gauge the truthfulness of a person’s words by observing body parts and physical behaviors.