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.

Romance – February 15

Charles Tiffany was born on this date in 1812. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is surprised when s/he does not receive the extravagant gift s/he expected.

Romance – Valentine’s Day

Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote the first valentine from captivity in the Tower of London, when he wrote St. Valentine’s Day love poems to his wife during his imprisonment from 1415-1440. Writing prompt: Write a letter from your protagonist’s partner to your protagonist after they have been forcibly separated for a year or more.

Romance – February 13

Grant Wood, most famous for his painting American Gothic, was born on this date in 1891. Writing prompt: Describe what’s happening in his painting Daughters of the Revolution from the perspective of your protagonist.

Romance – February 12

Franco Zeffirelli, who became a  movie powerhouse after his version of Romeo and Juliet became an international sensation in 1968, was born on this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s stereotypes of love cause confusion and pain instead of romance.