Mystery – May 9

John Brown was born on this date in 1800. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must punish someone for doing the right thing.

Mystery – May 8

Andrew Svenson, the unnamed Stratemeyer Syndicate author behind many Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries and other young-adult adventures of earlier generations, was born on this date in 1910. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns that someone else is going to get the credit for something your protag achieved.

Mystery – May 7

Devise and write a rule your protagonist has applied to his/her life and considers inviolate. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protag breaks the rule.

Mystery – May 6

Orson Welles was born on this date in 1915. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must manage a crisis precipitated by a hoax.

Mystery – May 5

A founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, author Christopher Morley was born on this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s familiarity with a fictional story helps him/her solve a nonfictional problem.

Mystery – May 4

Robin Cook was born on this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write the scene of your protagonist’s most recent visit to the emergency room.

Mystery – May 3

The originator of the maxim that the end justifies the means, philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, was born on this date in 1469. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist reluctantly concludes the ends do not justify the means.

Mystery – May 2

“We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.” -Martha Grimes, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write the scene of the first time your protagonist is introduced to him/herself.