Romance – June 20

“People change and forget to tell each other.” –Lillian Hellman, born on this date in 1905. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to achieve an important goal because s/he has changed in a way no one else realized.

Romance – June 19

“Throughout human history, the apostles of purity, those who have claimed to possess a total explanation, have wrought havoc among mere mixed-up human beings.” –Salman Rushdie, born on this date in 1947. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a confident person takes adavantage of your protagonist’s...

Romance – June 18

“Love at first sight is easy to understand; it’s when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.” –Amy Bloom, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he despises someone s/he spent a long time believing s/he...

Romance – June 17

On this date in 1631, the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan died. He was so grief-stricken by her death that he spent the next 22 years building a mausoleum commensurate with his memory of her: the Taj Mahal. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must decide how to commemorate the life of a person important to your...

Romance – June 16

“In love there are two things — bodies and words.” –Joyce Carol Oates, born on this date in 1938. Writing prompt: Write a scene of intense physicality between your protagonist and another person composed only using dialogue.

Romance – June 15

Born on this date in 1921, Erroll Garner‘s classic Misty became Johnny Mathis’ signature hit with lyrics by Johnny Burke. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that someone who makes your protag feel misty will never reciprocate your protag’s...