SciFi/Fantasy – March 13

“The way out is the way through.” – L. Ron Hubbard, born this date in 1911. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist can survive only by escaping through that which is most dangerous to him/her.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 12

“Nothing’s unthinkable once somebody’s thought it.” Paul Macy was born on this date in Robert Silverberg’s 1972. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist experiences a memory that belongs to someone else.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 11

“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” – Douglas Adams, born on this date in 1952. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds him/herself imperiled by the foolishness of a close friend.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 10

“Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value: zero.”- Voltaire On this date in 1862, America’s Department of the Treasury issued paper money for the first time. The smallest denomination was $5 (today worth less than a dime);the largest, $1,000 (today worth about the cost of a large value meal at McDonald’s). Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers that...

SciFi/Fantasy – March 9

“Dr. Franklin and others mention some paralytic cases, in which electricity seemed rather to make the patient worse than better.” On this date in Fred Saberhagen’s 1783, Frankenstein’s creature met Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Writing prompt: Write a diary entry by the most terrifying monster in the world you’ve created.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 8

“This is a story from the Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, perhaps the most remarkable — certainly the most successful — book ever to come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor.” On this date in 1978, the first episode of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was broadcast on BBC radio. Writing prompt: Write a scene forcing your protagonist conclude that his/her...

SciFi/Fantasy – March 7

Piet Mondrian was born on this date in 1872. Writing prompt: Describe his painting Landscape with Farmhouse from the points of view of your protagonist and your antagonist.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 6

“You can’t talk about heartbreak to a kid.” -Will Eisner, born this date in 1917. Writing prompt: Write a scene from your protagonist’s early life in which s/he was incapable of experiencing an emotion, but which affect her/him throughout life.