Mystery – December 18

“A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanations.” -Saki (Hector Hugh Munro), born this date in 1870. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a character’s little inaccuracy explodes into something requiring a big explanation.

Mystery – December 17

“I’m not altogether sure I like cast-iron alibis. They’re the sort that sink quickest — to the bottom of the sea.” -Horace Rumpole in a 1979 broadcast of Rumpole of the Bailey, which premiered on the BBC on this date in 1975 and later spawned books based on the same character. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must sink a cast-iron alibi.

Mystery – December 16

On this date in 1951, NBC debuted Dragnet in a special preview. Sgt. Joe Friday once said “there are over 5,000 men in this city, who know that being a policeman is an endless, glamorless, thankless job that’s gotta be done.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist explains to a doubtful observer why s/he has to do the job s/he is doing.

Mystery – December 15

Writing prompt: Write the scene of your protagonist’s most self-deceptive presumption of victory.

Mystery – December 14

Amy Hempel, who starts each story with the last line and writes until she gets to it, was born on this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Outline the story that leads to this last line: “Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

Mystery – December 13

“Hell lies at the bottom of the human heart.” -Kenneth Millar, better known by his pen name Ross Macdonald, born this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers what’s at the bottom of his/her own heart.

Mystery – December 12

The Mona Lisa was recovered in Florence after having been stolen two years earlier from the Louvre. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which something of inestimable public value disappears and your protagonist must consider the event’s implications.

Mystery – December 11

“Everything you add to the truth subtracts from the truth.” -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a character’s addition of details to his or her “truth” gradually reveals the character as a liar.