Romance – October 18

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don’t have, can’t have, or won’t ever have.” -Terry McMillan, born this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wastes an entire date because of that hang-up.

Romance – October 17

“Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda . . . and woke up with me.” -Margarita Carmen Cansino, better known as Rita Hayworth, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ensnares a partner by acting as someone your protagonist is not.

Romance – October 16

“I never regretted what I turned down.” -Angela Lansbury, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries and fails to convince her/himself that s/he won’t regret turning down something immediately desirable.

Romance – October 15

“Love is all the dirty little tricks you taught me that you probably got out of some book.” -Ernest Hemingway in To Have and Have Not, published this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s genuine gesture of affection is rejected as a manipulative trick.

Romance – October 14

“No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo, who on this date in 1822 married Adele Foucher even though his brother suffered a complete psychological breakdown at the wedding breakfast. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s best laid plans are disrupted by someone else’s unexpected personal crisis.

Romance – October 13

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” – Mollie Katzen, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist chooses not at all because s/he fears abandon.

Romance – October 12

“I did it because I’m a dirty dog.” -Sid Vicious, in a confession later retracted, on this date in 1978 following the discovery of Nancy Spungen’s body in their Hotel Chelsea room. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to extricate her/himself from a relationship headed towards a bad end.

Romance – October 11

Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton married on this date in 1975. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is asked to stand in a wedding beside a friend who is marrying someone of whom your protagonist does not approve.