SciFi/Fantasy – November 23

“The least important things, sometimes, my dear boy, lead to the greatest discoveries.”- The first Doctor, who appeared on this date in 1963 when BBC broadcast the first episode of Doctor Who. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers an unimportant item that will make the difference between success and failure in the climax.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 22

“You get trapped by stories.”- Terry Gilliam, born this date in 1940. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is trapped in a dangerous situation by nothing more than a story.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 21

“Have you never wanted to do anything that was dangerous? Where should we be if no one tried to find out what lies beyond? Have you never wanted to look beyond the clouds and the stars, or to know what causes the trees to bud? And what changes the darkness into light?”- Dr. Henry Frankenstein in the first film version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,...

SciFi/Fantasy – November 20

“The history of astronomy is a history of receding horizons.”- Edwin Hubble, born this date in 1889. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails at an important task because s/he cannot see as far into the past as your protagonist hopes.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 19

“No part of the highlands of Peru has been better defended by natural bulwarks—a stupendous canyon whose rim is more than a mile above the river, whose rock is granite, and whose precipices are frequently a thousand feet sheer.”- Hiram Bingham, born this date in 1875, describing the Incan city of Machu Picchu, which he is credited with discovering. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist...

SciFi/Fantasy – November 18

“The truly fearless think of themselves as normal.”- Two-time Arthur C. Clarke Award recipient Margaret Atwood, born this date in 1939. Writing prompt: Describe in your protagonist’s voice what’s “normal” in the world you’ve built that would terrify people in ours.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 17

“He had riposted with the proper metaphysical statements, yet he was disturbed.” Simeon Krug’s tower will reach a height of 500 meters on this date in Robert Silverberg’s 2218. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist responds self-destructively after being disabused of a favored notion.

SciFi/Fantasy – November 16

“It’s just that my wife won’t let me read at home. See, when I get home at night and try to pick up a newspaper, she yanks it out of my hand! And then after dinner, if I try to find a magazine, she hides them. Well, I got so desperate found myself trying to read the labels on the condiment bottles on the table. Now, she won’t even let me use the ketchup.”- Henry Bemis, portrayed by...