Romance – June 1

Norma Jean Mortenson was born on this date in 1926. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist pretends to be someone s/he is not to impress a suitor, who discovers your protag’s deception.

Romance – May 31

“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” -Walt Whitman, born this date in 1819. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s contradiction creates an intractable romantic dilemma.

Romance – May 30

“It is terrible to be an unprotected being.” -Colm Tóibín, born this date in 1955. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a close friend exploits your protagonist when your protag is unprotected.

Romance – May 29

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.” -G.K. Chesterton, born this date in 1874. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that a “love” relationship is also a “hate” relationship.

Romance – May 28

“You don’t write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid’s burnt socks lying in the road.” -Richard Price Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view and in your protag’s voice the most life-altering image s/he has ever encountered.

Romance – May 27

Nick: Don’t you think maybe a drink would help you to sleep?Nora: No, thanks.Nick: Maybe it would if I took one. Dashiell Hammett, born this date in 1894, who turned his relationship with Lillian Hellman into The Thin Man book, movies, and radio serial about Nick and Nora Charles. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist imagines that s/he and and her/his partner engage in the wittiest and most...

Romance – May 26

Writing prompt: Write a scene that concludes with your protagonist telling someone, “You’re drunk — I’m not talking to you.”

Romance – May 25

“On their way to freedom, some people find riches, some people find death.” -Jamaica Kincaid, born this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to make her/his way to freedom because s/he fears the risk of death more than s/he desires the reward of riches.