Romance – September 23

“He lives on within the souls of those who choose to listen to the music of the night.” – Gaston Leroux, whose first installment of the serialized novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra was published on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist unexpectedly meets someone who’s only been rumored to exist.

Romance – September 22

“It was good, and nothing good is truly lost. It stays part of a person, becomes part of their character. So part of you goes everywhere with me. And part of me is yours, forever.” -Rosamunde Pilcher, born this date in 1924. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must persuade a hostile former romantic partner that their relationship wasn’t entirely awful.

Romance – September 21

“I wonder how many people don’t get the one they want, but end up with the one they’re supposed to be with.” -Fannie Flagg, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist trades the one in which s/he’s supposed to be with for the one s/he wants.

Romance – September 20

“Sex appeal is fifty percent what you’ve got and fifty percent what people think you’ve got.” -Sofia Villani Scicolone, better known as Sophia Loren, born this date in 1934. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s romantic partner discovers the 50% s/he thought your protag had doesn’t exist.

Romance – September 19

“History is the study of lies, anyway, because no witness ever recalls events with total accuracy, not even eyewitnesses.” -Nancy Pickard, born this date in 1945. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist recounts an important family story to someone who tells your protag the real story.

Romance – September 18

“There are many things in your heart you can never tell to another person. They are you, your private joys and sorrows, and you can never tell them. You cheapen yourself, the inside of yourself, when you tell them.” -Greta Garbo, born this date in 1905. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tells what’s in her/his heart to someone who immediately proves unworthy of hearing...

Romance – September 17

“But I have noticed this about ambitious men, or men in power, that they fear even the slightest and least likely threat to it.” – Mary Stewart, born this date in 1916. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist poses a slight and unlikely threat to an ambitious man.

Romance – September 16

On this date in 1896, Stephen Crane interfered with police arresting his acquaintance and interview subject, Dora Clark, for prostitution. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is suspected of breaking the law while carrying on a routine, legal activity.