Mystery – January 27

William Randolph Hearst, born this date in 1908, warned that “a politician will do anything to keep his job.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns how far a politician will go to avoid losing the next election.

Mystery – January 26

On this date in 1788, the first ship of British convicts arrived in that empire’s prison colony in Australia. Writing prompt: Write a scene that forces your protagonist to reveal his/her true opinions about incarcerating criminals.

Mystery – January 25

“Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it.” -William Somerset Maugham, born on this date in 1874. Writing prompt: Write a scene that forces your protagonist have something to do with it.

Mystery – January 24

Abstract artist Robert Motherwell was born on this date in 1915. Among his paintings is this untitled work from 1967, a memorial tribute to  poet and critic Frank O’Hara. Writing prompt: With no context around it to indicate its value, write a scene in which your protagonist encounters this image during the process of his/her investigation of a suspect.

Mystery – January 23

Richard Dean Anderson — better known as MacGyver — was born on this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must improvise an escape using only what s/he normally carries in her/his pockets.

Mystery – January 22

Grand master of LA crime writing (fiction and non) Joseph Wambaugh was born on this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must explore the home of a client/victim who holds diametrically opposed attitudes about class but exhibits absolutely similar tastes.

Mystery – January 21

Firearms designer John Browning was born on this date in 1855. Writing prompt: Write the scene that explains the origins of your protagonist’s preferred weapon, style of fighting, or decision to avoid any type of physical confrontation.

Mystery – January 20

“We’re all like detectives in life,” said David Lynch, born on this date in 1946. “There’s something at the end of the trail that we’re all looking for.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist describes the process that brought her/him to this point in life.