Romance – September 1

“Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.” -Eleanor Hibbert, who wrote as Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, and Philippa Carr, born Eleanor Burford this date sometime between 1906 and 1910. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an experience your protagonist thought would be wonderful turns out otherwise.

Romance – August 31

“The rich of the earth indeed create misery, but they cannot bear to see it.” – Bertolt Brecht in his and Kurt Weill’s Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera), which premiered in Berlin on this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist looks away from the pain s/he caused.

Romance – August 30

“And make death proud to take us.” Cleopatra committed suicide on this date in 30 BC. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist breaks up with someone who threatens to kill him/herself if your protag doesn’t reconsider.

Romance – August 29

“The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a deal longer.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., born this date in 1809. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which one person’s kiss causes your protagonist to remember another’s.

Romance – August 28

“That is the true season of love, when we believe that we alone can love, that no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will love in the same way after us.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born this date in 1749 — the same date in 1996 on which Charles and Diana divorced. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that her/his storybook couple is...

Romance – August 27

“As your lover describes you, so you are.” -Jeanette Winterson, born this date in 1959. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s lover describes your protag to the lover’s best friend.

Romance – August 26

“Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique, and not too much imagination.” -Christopher Isherwood, born this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist decides to trade less imagination for more happiness.

Romance – August 25

“The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.” -Bret Harte, born this date in 1836. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s bad luck turns good at the worst possible moment.