SciFi/Fantasy – December 10

On this date in 1984, America’s National Science Foundation announced the discovery of the first planet outside our solar system. The planet orbits a star 21 million light-years away. Writing prompt: In a dialogue between your protagonist and another character, describe how the citizens of the world you’ve created responded to a discovery that alters their perspective on their place in their...

SciFi/Fantasy – December 9

“I made this list of stuff that it’s time for me to try to do.” -Rick Moody Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s five most important life goals at each of these moments in her/his life: On your protag’s 9th birthday. When your protag graduates from high school, or on a similar rite of passage into adulthood. On your protag’s 30th birthday, or on a similar observance of a...

SciFi/Fantasy – December 8

“The remarkable position in which we find ourselves is that we don’t actually know what we actually know.” -Bill Bryson, born this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist discovers that a belief common in the world you’ve created is absolutely false.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 7

Consider the most challenging issue that you must — but do not want to — confront in your own life. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts that issue.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 6

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” -Khalil Gibran, born this date in 1883. Writing prompt: Describe the cultural assumptions about parents’ roles in their children’s lives in the world you’ve created by writing a scene featuring your protagonist and her/his...

SciFi/Fantasy – December 5

“There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.” -Maria in Metropolis by Fritz Lang, born this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s heart interrupts his/her hand in the middle of a brain-driven...