Mystery – April 3

On this day in 1888, the first of 11 Whitechapel Murders occurred in London. At least five such murders were eventually attributed to Jack the Ripper. Writing prompt: Write the scene of the first in a series of unsolved crimes your protagonist desperately wants to solve.

Mystery – April 2

Émile Zola was born on this date in 1840. He published a front-page defense of the wrongly convicted Alfred Dreyfus, J’Accuse…!, and was himself convicted for doing so. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist risks his/her livelihood to defend a person your protag is convinced is innocent.

Mystery – April 1

“So much harm comes into this world when the wrong thing is said. But that’s nothing compared to the pain from what goes unsaid.” -Brad Meltzer, born this date in 1970. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist causes pain to someone s/he cares about because of something your protag didn’t tell that person.

Mystery – March 31

“A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed.” -Rene Descartes, born this date in 1596. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must slice through a tangle of many small laws with a single value.

Mystery – March 30

Eric Clapton was born on this date in 1945. Among his countless hits is this meditation on being lost: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT-SFgkVlno Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he must find a way home, either physically or metaphorically.

Mystery – March 29

“Did you know that darkness has a taste, Grandma?” -Jo Nesbø, born on this date in 1960. Writing prompt: Describe the taste of darkness from the point of view of your protagonist.

Mystery – March 28

Nelson Algren, born on this date in 1909, had three life rules: “Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom’s. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.” Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s three life rules.

Mystery – March 27

David Janssen was born on this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must punish someone s/he knows is innocent.