Romance – February 23

“Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.” -Samuel Pepys, born this date in 1633. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a meal intended to be a reconciliation turns into a new source of conflict.

Romance – February 22

So obsessed with second bestNo rest you’ll ever find – Noël Coward in “Dance, Little Lady” from his play This Year of Grace, which premiered this date in 1928. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s obsession with being first causes more problems than the prize is worth.

Romance – February 21

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” -Anaïs Nin, born this date in 1903. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist sees a young child as no one else does.

Romance – February 20

Ansel Adams was born on this date in 1902. Writing prompt: Describe his photograph from the perspective of your antagonist, and then from the perspective of your protagonist:

Romance – February 19

“The forbidden things were a great influence on my life.” -Amy Tan, born this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist experiences crushing disappointment after obtaining a forbidden thing s/he spent years chasing.

Romance – February 18

“Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.” -Helen Gurley Brown, born this date in 1922. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist must undertake the worst job of her/his working life.

Romance – February 17

On this date in 1913, the Armory Show forever changed the world of art by forcing Americans to confront modernism. Writing prompt: Describe from your protagonist’s point of view the scene portrayed in this work from that show, Henri-Edmond Cross’ Cypresses at Cagne. Link to larger image.

Romance – February 16

Hugh Beaumont was born on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write scenes of the same routine conversation — clean your room, what do you want to be when you grow up, that sort of thing — your protagonist has with his/her father at ages 5, 15, and 25.