Mystery – St. Patrick’s Day

Kurt Russell, born this date in 1951, starred in Escape from New York as Snake Plissken, to whom the movie’s universal greeting was, “I heard you were dead!” Writing prompt: Write a series of dialogues in which your protagonist must dismiss the same, obviously untrue rumor over the course of a story.

Mystery – March 16

Erik Estrada was born on this date in 1949. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must accomplish a complicated task with someone who’s always gotten ahead on looks rather than ability.

Mystery – March 15

“The thorns of the rose are hidden by the bloom.” -Lynda La Plante, best known as the writer of the British television show Prime Suspect, born on this date in 1943. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist learns something or someone beautiful is concealing a source of great pain.

Mystery – March 14

On this date in 1950, the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list made its debut. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist encounters a criminal whose life goal is to get added to the 10 Most Wanted list.

Mystery – March 13

Kitty Genovese was murdered on this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist investigates a crime witnessed by many people, all of whom watched instead of helping the victim.

Mystery – March 12

“Jimmy Lee Baylis was a wise man, and knew better than to talk back to the man who signed his paycheck.” -Carl Hiaasen, born this date in 1953. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist demonstrates her/his lack of wisdom.

Mystery – March 11

“The impossible often has a kind of integrity which the merely improbable lacks.” -Douglas Adams, born on this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to accept a solution s/he believes is impossible.

Mystery – March 10

Carlos Ray Norris — better known as Chuck — was born on this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must confront someone who is at least 50% bigger than your protag.