Romance – August 24

“There are things that happen and leave no discernible trace, are not spoken or written of, though it would be very wrong to say that subsequent events go on indifferently, all the same, as though such things had never been.” -AS Byatt, born this date in 1936. Writing prompt: Write the scene from earlier in your protagonist’s family’s lives that caused things to be very different even though no one ever...

Romance – August 23

“We have to make mistakes, it’s how we learn compassion for others.” -Curtis Sittenfeld, born this date in 1975. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to extend compassion despite knowing s/he should.

Romance – August 22

“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” -Dorothy Parker, born this date in 1893. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes wealth for class.

Romance – August 21

“There’s something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls.” -Megan Abbott, born this date in 1971. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your teen-aged protagonist’s boredom causes her/him to undertake an activity of questionably safety that will alter the rest of your protag’s life.

Romance – August 20

Jacqueline Susann, born on this date in 1918, was during her childhood her father’s alibi for his extramarital affairs: Dad dropped young Jacqueline at the theater, then picked her up and got the plot outline from her on the way home, where he would tell his wife about the movie they’d just seen while the family shared dinner. Writing prompt: Write a scene describing the secret your protagonist helps...

Romance – August 19

“Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.” -Ogden Nash, born this date in 1902. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist answers what s/he expects will be a happy-making phone call and has her/his expectations dashed.

Romance – August 18

“There are two types of people in the world: those who prefer to be sad among others, and those who prefer to be sad alone.” -Nicole Krauss, born this date in 1974. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wants to be sad alone but is forced to be happy among others.

Romance – August 17

Lois Lane was born on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s expectation of rescue is dashed.