Romance – October 6

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.” -Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre, published this date in 1847. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ditches a member of her/his family.

Romance – October 5

“Abnormal pleasures kill the taste for normal ones.” – Eduardo Sanchez in the filmed version of Anaïs Nin’s Henry & June, the first NC-17 film, which premiered on this date in 1990. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist makes him/herself the third point in a triangle involving a couple dedicated to tormenting one another.

Romance – October 4

“He forgot that love, which is a madness, and a scourge, and a fever, and a delusion, and a snare, is also a mystery, and very imperfectly understood by everyone except the individual sufferer who writhes under its tortures.” – Mary Elizabeth Braddon, born this date in 1835. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and one of her/his romantic partners simultaneously learn that your protagonist...

Romance – October 3

“All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.” -Thomas Wolfe, born this date in 1900. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist goes back to an important location from earlier in her/his life and is cruelly disappointed when s/he can’t replicate...

Romance – October 2

“The truth has never been of any real value to any human being — it is a symbol for mathematicians and philosophers to pursue. In human relations kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths.” -Graham Greene, born this date in 1904. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist mistakes kindness for truth.

Romance – October 1

“Character builds slowly, but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness.” -Faith Baldwin, born this date in 1893. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gets caught doing something entirely out of character and then must justify her/his behavior.

Romance – September 30

“I’d rather have cancer than a dishonest heart.” -Truman Capote, born this date in 1924. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that a trusted friend has a dishonest heart.

Romance – September 29

“No padlocks, bolts, or bars can secure a maiden better than her own reserve.” -Miguel de Cervantes, whose birth is observed on this date although when exactly in 1547 he was born is unknown. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist misses an opportunity because s/he lacks boldness.