SciFi/Fantasy – August 16

Hugo Gernsback was born on this date in 1884. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a powerful leader refuses to pay your protagonist for a job well done.

SciFi/Fantasy – August 15

Writing prompt: Write a scene that concludes with your protagonist telling someone, “You’re drunk — I’m not talking to you.”

SciFi/Fantasy – August 14

“This was more than just a cow — this was an entire career I was looking at.” -Gary Larson, born this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write the scene in which your protagonist is set on her/his future path in life by an odd item or event.

SciFi/Fantasy – August 13

Writing prompt: Write ten aphorisms your protagonist’s parents repeated to her/him during childhood. This prompt was inspired by an article by Jane Friedman at Virginia Quarterly Review’s website, “14 Writing Prompts + 10 Resources.”

SciFi/Fantasy – August 12

Novelist Nelson Algren had three life rules: “Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom’s. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.” Writing prompt: Write your protagonist’s three life rules.

SciFi/Fantasy – August 11

The first SOS transmitted by radio was broadcast on this date in 1909. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must beg for aid.