SciFi/Fantasy – December 10

“A necessary first step is that you show there are planets around other stars.”- Dr. Donald McCarthy, Jr., who on this date in 1984, announced through America’s National Science Foundation the discovery of the first planet outside our solar system. Writing prompt: In a dialogue between your protagonist and another character, describe how the citizens of the world you’ve created responded to...

SciFi/Fantasy – December 9

“I picked up a man the other day that certainly was a queer cuss.”- Jim Bendell, who on this date in John W. Campbell’s 1932 picked up a hitch-hiker. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist realizes that s/he will die if s/he doesn’t change.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 8

“The remarkable position in which we find ourselves is that we don’t actually know what we actually know.”- Bill Bryson, born this date in 1951. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your antagonist discovers that a belief common in the world you’ve created is absolutely false.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 7

“The TrollTrace website is set to go online in less than fifteen minutes — the world is in complete chaos!” Gerald Broflovski was exposed as Skankhunt42 on this date in South Park’s 2016. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist escapes accountability for actions on a date which will live in infamy.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 6

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.”- Khalil Gibran, born this date in 1883. Writing prompt: Describe the cultural assumptions about parents’ roles in their children’s lives in the world you’ve created by writing a scene featuring your protagonist and her/his parents.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 5

“There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.”- Maria in Metropolis by Fritz Lang, born this date in 1890. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s heart interrupts his/her hand in the middle of a brain-driven action.

SciFi/Fantasy – December 4

“A misfortune has occurred so unexpected and so horrible that my little escape of the morning dwindles into insignificance.”- J. Habakuk Jephson’s statement to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about his experiences aboard the brigantine Mary Celeste, which on this date in 1872 was found adrift off the coast of the Azores. Deserted — the captain’s table was set with an uneaten meal, and the...

SciFi/Fantasy – December 3

“It is infinitely better to transplant a heart than to bury it to be devoured by worms.”- Dr. Christiaan Barnard, who on this date in 1967 performed the first successful heart transplant. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist must use an antiquated technology or process to accomplish a task that would be easy with any contemporary technique.