SciFi/Fantasy – May 31

“You had evil inside you, and you indulged it. Men will always indulge it.”- John Connolly, born this date in 1968. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist fails to prevent her/his indulgence.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 30

“My attention was quickly riveted by a large red star close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it I felt a spell of overpowering fascination – it was Mars, the god of war, and for me, the fighting man, it had always held the power of irresistible enchantment. As I gazed at it on that far-gone night it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as the lodestone attracts...

SciFi/Fantasy – May 29

“It is so fatally easy to make young children believe that they are horrible.”- T.H. White, born this date in 1906. Writing prompt: Write the scene from your protagonist’s childhood in which s/he was made to feel most horrible.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 28

“Survivors always feel guilty at being alive.”- Arthur C. Clarke, in whose 2626 the first expeditions to Thalassa begin on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must earn the cooperation of a member of your protagonist’s species who always lived in an entirely separate culture.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 27

“The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.”- Harlan Ellison, born this date in 1934. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is endangered by a combination of the two most common elements in the world you’ve created.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 26

“I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things, which I dare not confess to my own soul.” Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published on this date in 1897. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must fight off a smarter, stronger antagonist who wants to convert your protagonist into the antagonist’s ideal.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 25

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . . .” Star Wars was released on this date in 1977. Writing prompt: Outline your hero’s journey based on George Lucas influencer Joseph Campbell.

SciFi/Fantasy – May 24

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”- Bob Dylan, born this date in 1941. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist decides to trade some of her/his freedom to avoid some responsibility.