SciFi/Fantasy – April 7

“The best way to live is by not knowing what will happen to you at the end of the day.” – Donald Barthelme, born this date in 1931. Writing prompt: Write a complete short story in which your protagonist experiences an inexplicably absurd, life-changing event.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 6

“There’s some good in the world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.” – Samwise Gamgee, born this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist starts an unwinnable fight just because it’s the right thing to do.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 5

“It is obvious to the most simpleminded that Lokai is of an inferior breed.” -Frank Gorshin, born this date in 1933, as Commissioner Bele in the Star Trek episode “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is challenged by someone who believes your protagonist is inferior for cosmetic reasons.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 4

“If there is hope it lies in the proles.” – Winston Smith, who on this day in 1984 began illegally recording his thoughts in a diary. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s transgressive thought jeopardizes her/his life.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 3

“The only way to deal with a fool is to let him have his way.” – Gore Vidal, whose Age of Kalki ends on this date with the dawn of the extinction of human life on earth. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s enabler lets your protagonist have her/his way.

SciFi/Fantasy – April 2

“I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” – “Obi-Wan ‘Ben’ Kenobi,” born this date in 1914 and dead in the year 2000, miserable he would be remembered for Star Wars instead of his many other roles. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist does something entirely out of character for which s/he will be remembered more than anything...

SciFi/Fantasy – April 1

“Make no judgements where you have no compassion.” -Anne McCaffrey, born this date in 1926. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is judged without compassion by someone with great power over your protagonist.

SciFi/Fantasy – March 31

“You’re trying to divide by zero.” On this date in 1951, the Remington Rand Corporation contracted to deliver the first Universal Automatic Computer, or UNIVAC, to the US Census Bureau. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist encounters the original example of a tool or technology that later transformed the world you’re created.