Howdy! Here we have a new list of writing prompts for your perusal, featuring fantasy-based works. And apparently most of the fantasy and sci-fi books I have hard copies of are by cis white guys… 🙁
We can make it work.
Writing Prompts – White Cis Guys Fantasy Edition
Okay. I do read fantasy and sci-fi written by people other than cis white guys, I promise, I just haven’t bought new books in a while. I don’t have easily accessible copies of the Charlaine Harris, Seanan McGuire , and Kim Harrison books that I’ve enjoyed in the last year, nor can I include Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl, having lent my copy to a friend.
Now, I’m not saying I don’t like the books that I selected from. Quite the opposite – the 7 selections here all come from books and authors I love. And one TV show. I have a massive book with all the Firefly scripts.
Although, whenever I read H.G. Wells I can pretend that I’m reading a book by a bad-ass bisexual lady, thanks Warehouse 13. And look, The Invisible Man is just a deliciously creepy book with a strangely sympathetic monster. I do love a good monster.
Anyways, as always, change things up and don’t be a plagiarist.
Actually, that’s your mission for this assignment – mix these prompts up into something new! Fantasy and sci-fi needs more diversity, and it starts with the stories being told. I can’t do it alone, friends.
Alright, so let’s delve into my unfortunately white guys heavy collection of science fiction and fantasy, and use these prompts to make it better. Honestly my brain has started writing a story already just from the prompts I’ve found. I hope they inspire you too.
7 Fantastical Writing Prompts
“Why come to me? Why not a private investigator?”
“Because you know about…” She gestured, fitfully.
“About magic,” I said.
– Storm Front, Jim Butcher
“But it gets dark.”
“So?”
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“Of what?”
“The dark.”
“Why should I be?”
– “Pillar of Fire,” Ray Bradbury
“What happens to the soul of a man who dies between the stars, far from his native world?”
– “The Haunted Space Suit,” Arthur C. Clarke
“The girl is a witch!”
“Yeah. But she’s our witch.”
Firefly Ep. 5, “Safe,” Drew Z. Greenberg
“There have been no wizards since [him], and you would never in this world have beaten him. But I tell you this – he would never in this world have beaten you.”
“I am ready then.”
– The Princess Bride, William Goldman
“I could have swore I heard a voice.”
“Of course you did.”
“It’s there again”
“Don’t be a fool. You think I’m just imagination? Just imagination?”
“What else can you be?”
– The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells
“Where is she?”
“Gone. The darkness took her.”
– Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman
