Romance – April 7

Eleanora Fagan, the singer we know better as Billie Holiday, was born on this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene that leaves your protagonist feeling like singing the...

Romance – April 6

On this day in 1327, Petrarch saw his ideal love for the first time. He wrote 366 poems about Laura de Noves during the next 40 years, which make up Il Canzoniere. He believed “five enemies of peace inhabit with us – avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride.” Writing prompt: Write a short scene for each of your protagonist’s inhabiting enemies that describes how they...

Romance – April 5

“From the moment I was six I felt sexy. And let me tell you it was hell, sheer hell, waiting to do something about it.” -Bette Davis, born this date in 1908. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist feels sexy but can do nothing about it.

Romance – April 4

“It was the men I deceived the most that I loved the most.” -Marguerite Duras, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist cruelly deceives a romantic partner for all the right reasons.

Romance – April 3

Richard Thompson was born on this date in 1949. He wrote one of his most unforgettable love songs, Persuasion, for the entirely forgettable film Sweet Talker: Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is frustrated despite practicing the persuasion s/he thinks her/his romantic target will find most...

Romance – April 2

“The sweetest pleasures are those which are hardest to be won.” -Giacomo Casanova, born this date in 1725. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that a romantic partner’s unacceptable behavior will not change.

Romance – April 1

“Happiness is the longing for repetition.” -Milan Kundera, born this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene demonstrating your protagonist’s drive to repeat something bad because s/he’s convinced it will make your protag happy this time.

Romance – March 31

“Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who knows he is alone.” -Octavio Paz, born this date in 1914. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is acutely aware of being alone.