Romance – January 10

On this date in 1845, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett began corresponding after Elizabeth received the following note from Robert: “I love you.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must decide on and execute the best strategy for using her/his one chance to earn the attention of a partner who is unaware of your protag’s existence.

Romance – January 9

“If you lose your heart to something that is wrong for you, you can return it.” – Judith Krantz, born this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist loses her/his heart to something or someone that s/he can’t return.

Romance – January 8

“The people who lie the most are nearly always the clumsiest at it, and they’re easier to fool with lies than most people, too. You’d think they’d be on the look-out for lies, but they seem to be the very ones that will believe almost anything at all.” -Dashiell Hammett in The Thin Man, his last novel, published on this date in 1934. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist catches...

Romance – January 7

The Avengers (no, the original) premiered in England on this date in 1961. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must maintain a strictly professional relationship with a person your protagonist finds irresistibly sexy.

Romance – January 6

“What most people think of as history is its end product, myth.” – EL Doctorow, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Describe an event in your protagonist’s life as it actually occurred, and then as your protagonist has mythologized it.

Romance – January 5

On this date in 1643, the first recorded divorce in the American colonies was granted to Anne Clarke on the basis of adultery. Writing prompt: Write a dialogue in which your protagonist and best friend debate whether a third friend should leave a cheating partner.

Romance – January 4

“I wanted to star in a western opposite Robert Redford. That was my plan for my life.” – Dyan Cannon, born this date in 1937. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s realization that failing to achieve her/his greatest desire enabled achievements greater than s/he knew worthy of desire.

Romance – January 3

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T” – Aretha Franklin, the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on this date in 1987. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist addresses your her/his romantic partner’s lack of respect.