Prompt Quest #4

A fun fantasy and science fiction writing adventure.

Welcome travelers! You’re about to embark on a quest, an adventure to mystical lands and undiscovered planets, or underwater enclaves and cities full of futuristic technologies. These places are inhabited by monstrous beasts or characters with mysterious motives who may also control weapons of wonder. All of this fantasy and science fiction originates from your imagination. The quest is yours to choose. This is Prompt Quest!

The Rules

The rules are simple. Two prompts are provided, one fantasy and the other science fiction. Choose your genre and write a short story over the next two weeks using that genre’s prompt. We’ll host a gathering to celebrate what’s been accomplished and to highlight your stories at the end of the two weeks. You can share them on The Pitch discussion thread at the end of the month as well.

(The Gathering discussion thread will take place on Sunday, December 8, starting at 12am EST., and will run all day.)

The Prompts

Science Fiction

Write a science fiction short story about leaving the hostilities of Earth behind to explore what scientists are saying is an inhabitable planet just beyond the reaches of our solar system. Is this a second Eden — a chance for a new beginning? A short cryosleep later finds you waking up to exciting possibilities… until you discover something is not quite right with “Earth 2”. Do you survive and thrive or is the outcome disastrous?

Level Up!

(Optional) Nothing screams adventure like a dimwitted sidekick. Are you the hero or that sidekick? Either way, this trip was made for a duo.

Fantasy

Write a fantasy short story about a long-standing holiday tradition for giving thanks to the gods and honoring dead ancestors. This tradition could surely be broken or changed, but that’s not a theory anyone wants to test… until one day someone does. This may be the final celebration, leading to the extinction of an entire race, or it may lead to an unexpected, more fortunate outcome.

Level Up!

(Optional) Traditions don’t need to be bland, even if they are long-standing. Your story should include rituals that are bizarre and outlandish.

Safe travels on your quest!

If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to comment or send me a DM.