Mystery – March 25

Jack Ruby was born on this date in 1911. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a vigilante prevents your protagonist from experiencing the satisfaction of justice.

Mystery – March 24

Clyde Barrow was born on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something foolishly dangerous to impress a person s/he finds sexually interesting.

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

James Patterson was born on this date in 1947. In Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, he wrote, “when you’re right, that’s all you get to be.” 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

Michael Dibdin was born on 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

Hal Linden, who made famous the New York City police precinct captain Barney Miller, was born on 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 protag’s life.

Mystery – March 19

“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.” -US Marshal Wyatt Earp, born on this date in 1848. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s interest in speed rather than accuracy creates a real problem for your protag and her/his closest colleague.

Mystery – March 18

George Plimpton was born on this date in 1927. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to compete in a sport or event alongside its most accomplished practitioners, even though your protag has never practiced the sport before.