Romance – October 23

“I think great romance needs great obstacles and textures.” -Ang Lee, born this date in 1954. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist rubs a potential love interest the wrong way.

Romance – October 22

“We are not all connected. We are bags of skin. We are all separate bags of thinking skin.” -AL Kennedy, born this date in 1965. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to make a connection with someone who agrees with AL Kennedy.

Romance – October 21

“Leia follows me like a vague smell.” -Carrie Fisher, born this date in 1956. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes s/he will never be free of a reputation s/he developed long before.

Romance – October 20

“You don’t notice how the days pass until nearly a lifetime is finished. Then it hits you — the thing you have been waiting for has already gone by. And it was going in the other direction.” -Monica Ali, born this date in 1967. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist resolves this will never happen.

Romance – October 19

“It was a painful thought, but the truth often is.” -Tracy Chevalier, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist refuses to acknowledge a truth that a slight acquaintance tells your protag.

Romance – October 18

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don’t have, can’t have, or won’t ever have.” -Terry McMillan, born this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist wastes an entire date because of that hang-up.

Romance – October 17

“Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda . . . and woke up with me.” -Margarita Carmen Cansino, better known as Rita Hayworth, born this date in 1918. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist ensnares a partner by acting as someone your protagonist is not.

Romance – October 16

“I never regretted what I turned down.” -Angela Lansbury, born this date in 1925. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries and fails to convince her/himself that s/he won’t regret turning down something immediately desirable.