Romance – April 17

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick, born this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist loses something s/he took for granted because s/he lacked gratitude.

Romance – April 16

“Sex is a momentary itch, love never lets you go.” -Kingsley Amis, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and her/his best friend debate how to distinguish an itch from a more permanent embrace.

Romance – April 15

Leonardo da Vinci was born on this date in 1452. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist and some friends speculate on the origin of Mona Lisa’s smile.

Romance – April 14

“Happiness is the absence of suffering.” -Julie Christie, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist has an epiphany and realizes Julie is wrong.

Romance – April 13

“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.” -Eudora Welty, born this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist’s favorite photo was snapped.

Romance – April 12

Writing prompt: Write a thank-you note from your protagonist to someone s/he despises to express gratitude for bringing your protag a fully prepared, delicious meal during a time of crisis when your protag was too busy to fix her/his own dinner.

Romance – April 11

“Certainly I agree with you that women are not the equals of men, Colonel. But neither are men the equals of women. They are quite simply different creatures, thank God, and not to be compared.” -Madeleine Brent, born this date in 1920. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist intends to be the equal of a person of another gender and fails.

Romance – April 10

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.” -Anne Lamott, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist grows frustrated doing the right thing because s/he sees no indication of dawn.