Mystery – May 24

“To live outside the law, you must be honest.” -Bob Dylan, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must turn in a criminal your protag respects more than law enforcement officials.

Mystery – May 23

On this date in 1934, a police ambush in Louisiana ended the lives and two-year crime spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ends a long, notorious string of crimes.

Mystery – May 22

It’s the 1859 birthdate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist makes a series of completely ridiculous deductions based on a person’s hands.

Mystery – May 21

Jeffrey Dahmer was born on this date in 1960. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that a mild-mannered neighbor has for many years been committing unspeakable crimes without anyone noticing.

Mystery – May 20

Jimmy Stewart was born on this date in 1908. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries but fails to convince someone in authority that s/he witnessed a crime.

Mystery – May 19

“Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy.” -Nora Ephron, born on this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s confidence that s/he’s the only right-thinking person in the room makes her start doubting whether s/he’s anything remotely close to normal.

Mystery – May 18

“A hair divides what is false and true.” -Omar Khayyam, born this date in 1048. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must split a hair to satisfy both justice and the law.

Mystery – May 17

On this date in 1978, authorities recovered the corpse and coffin of Charlie Chaplin, which had been stolen and held for ransom for more than two months. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist recovers something that no one can imagine anyone would want to steal.