SciFi/Fantasy – February 4

Writing prompt: Finish this scene, started by Robert Coover (born this date in 1932) in his 2010 book Noir: “You are at the morgue. Where the light is weird. Shadowless, but like a negative, as though the light itself were shadow turned inside out.”

SciFi/Fantasy – February 3

James Michener was born on this date in 1907. When he was growing up, his mother read all of Dickens’ novels aloud to him. In his own Chesapeake, he wrote, “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist gives up but then is forced to try again.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 2

“The king is dead; long live the king!” On this date in Katherine Kurtz’s 917, King Cinhil died and was succeeded by his son. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is forced to participate in a transition of power from an effective leader to an ineffective one.

SciFi/Fantasy – February 1

“Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted.” -Willy Wonka, who at 10:00 AM on this date welcomed Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket and their chaperones at the gates of his chocolate factory. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist receives a reward only because s/he is the last person to be...

SciFi/Fantasy – January 31

“I think we shrink from the immensity of the purpose we are here for.” -Norman Mailer, born on this date in 1923. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist shrinks before the immensity of her/his purpose.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 30

“War is the unfolding of miscalculations.” -Barbara Tuchman, born this date in 1912. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which an argument over a minor issue between your protagonist and an authority figure becomes a conflagration because of mutual miscalculations.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 29

“A lie is like a pet — you have to take care of it, or it’ll turn on you and bite you in the ass.” -Matthew Stover, born this date in 1962. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which a lie told by your protagonist turns and bites her/him.

SciFi/Fantasy – January 28

“Right action is better than knowledge; but in order to do what is right, we must know what is right.” – Frankish emperor Charlemagne, assassinated on this date in Denis Dyack’s eternally dark 814 by followers of Pious Augustus. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist discovers a clue in a hidden room.