SciFi/Fantasy – October 14

“It’s this accursed science. . . . It’s the very Devil. The medieval priests and persecutors were right and the Moderns are all wrong.” Cavorite was discovered on this date in H.G. Wells’ 1899. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers an element that seems to defy the laws of physics in the universe you’ve created.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 13

“What kind of sin could a man commit in a single lifetime to bring this upon himself?” The Amazing Colossal Man premiered on this date in 1957. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist confronts something normal that’s been transformed into something horrible.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 12

“Let me strive, every moment of my life, to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right, and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do....

SciFi/Fantasy – October 11

“The Walt, Wally, and Donn Show….” Apollo 7 launched on this date in 1968, the first manned mission in the US space program after a fire killed the crew of what was to have been the first manned mission. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must undertake a task that killed the last person who attempted it.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 10

“Repressing of fear is like trying to hold down the lid of a boiling kettle. Something’s got to give eventually.”- Superintendent Folland in Seven Days to Noon, which premiered on this date in 1950. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must prevent an inventor from using his/her invention to destroy the civilization it’s supposed to protect.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 9

“You have to believe the magic to see it.”- Guillermo del Toro, born this date in 1964. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds him/herself the antagonist in his/her favorite childhood folk tale.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 8

“What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”- Frank Herbert, born this date in 1920. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must confront a challenge by what s/he hates most.

SciFi/Fantasy – October 7

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.”- Niels Bohr, born this date in 1885. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s prediction about how an event will occur is proven disastrously and spectacularly wrong.