Romance – October 14

“No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo, who on this date in 1822 married Adele Foucher even though his brother suffered a complete psychological breakdown at the wedding breakfast. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s best laid plans are disrupted by someone else’s unexpected personal crisis.

Romance – October 13

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” – Mollie Katzen, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses not at all because s/he fears abandon.

Romance – October 12

“I did it because I’m a dirty dog.” -Sid Vicious, in a confession later retracted, on this date in 1978 following the discovery of Nancy Spungen’s body in their Hotel Chelsea room. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to extricate her/himself from a relationship headed towards a bad end.

Romance – October 11

Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton married on this date in 1975. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is asked to stand in a wedding beside a friend who is marrying someone of whom your protagonist does not approve.

Romance – October 10

“It’s hard to resist a bad boy who’s a good man.” -Nora Roberts, born this date in 1950 along with J.D. Robb. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s bad boy (or girl) proves to be a bad person.

Romance – October 9

“How helpless we are, like netted birds, when we are caught by desire!” -Belva Plain, born this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is rendered utterly helpless by the presence of a paramour who expects your protagonist will accomplish a specific task.

Romance – October 8

“You have to study the people and the ones that measure up are not always the ones you expect.” -Walter Lord, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which someone your protagonist has personally and publicly written off saves your protagonist’s bacon.

Romance – October 7

“As a result, the hundred little pet names he used to have for her before the stroke have been replaced with non sequiturs like ‘my little bucket of hair’ and ‘spy elf of the morning hallelujahs.'” – Diane Ackerman, born this date in 1948, describing her husband’s stroke journey back to language. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells a romantic...