Romance – November 19

“A romantic, I think, picks the rose and is careless with the thorn.” – Gene Tierney, born this date in 1920. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that her/his romantic partner is in love with a distinctly unreal version of your protagonist.

Romance – November 18

“I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight.” – Louis Daguerre, born this date in 1789. Writing prompt: Describe your protagonist’s most valued photo (or image) in your antagonist’s voice, and your antagonist’s most valued photo in your protagonist’s voice.

Romance – November 17

“How can we be happy behind the backs of people who trust us?” -Ellen Olenska in the 1993 film version of The Age of Innocence, directed by Martin Scorsese, born this date in 1942. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers s/he can be happy only behind the back of someone who trusts her/him.

Romance – November 16

W.C. Handy, the “father of the blues,” was born on this date in 1873. He described his relationship to his trumpet beginning this way: “Setting my mind on a musical instrument was like falling in love.” He concluded by describing the feeling. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and antagonist describe what it’s like to fall in love.

Romance – November 15

“I feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore.” -Georgia O’Keeffe, born this date in 1887. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist rejects the genuine interest of a friend because of gender differences.

Romance – November 14

“You could put all the talent I had into your left eye and still not suffer from impaired vision.” -Constance Frances Marie Ockelman, better known as Veronica Lake, born on this date in 1919. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he is valued for something unrelated to what s/he wants to be valued for.

Romance – November 13

“I tried to picture him in love with somebody, but it didn’t work.” -Dick Powell, born on this date in 1904, playing Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe in the film Murder, My Sweet. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist decides her/his partner will never be able to love anyone.

Romance – November 12

“Other women looked on me as a rival. And it pained me a great deal.” -Grace Kelly, born on this date in 1929. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist accuses an innocent friend of being a rival.