Fantasy Writing Prompts
In place of meeting on 7/23/2021 (this Friday), complete the following before we meet on Instagram Live for our 7/27/2021 session.
- Read the information on World Building and Character Development linked above.
- Watch the videos below and then choose 1-2 prompts below the videos to try out. Come to the session on 7/27/2021 prepared to share what you wrote about and why. We'll give you some feedback--if you want it--on where your might take your prompt work.
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The Prompts (more prompts to be added by 7/21)
Finding a Path:
Open a random number generator and have it pick a number between one and twenty (if you play any roll playing games, feel free to use some twenty sided dice!) Take your number and look at the table below. Write a story that follows the tenants of whatever sub-genre corresponds with your number. You will probably want to do some of your own research to get an idea of what that sub-genre looks like and how it is used. And no cheating! If you get a sub-genre you're not familiar with, that's even better writing practice than one you have already written in. Wizards Create a wizard who is complex--neither entirely good nor entirely bad. What kinds of magic are they known for? How does this magic help shape their complexity? Did they create the magic? Has it been used in ways unintended and dangerous? Has it been used for good? How do they feel about this magic? Genre Awareness Write a fantasy story that includes characters who are aware that they are in a fantasy story. Magical Realism Write a magical realism story that takes place in your neighbor. Or the neighborhood in which adults you know and love grew up. Dreamlands Write a story set in a world in which a natural or human or other being disaster has occurred. This disaster has caused the inhabitants of the the land to never know if they're awake or dreaming. Magical Average Invent a character who has an average job but needs magic to complete it. World-building:
Character Development
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Revisiting Your Fantasy Writing:
Pick a fantasy story that you have already either written or fleshed out. It can be the story from the previous activity or one you write/thought of a while ago. If nothing comes to mind, you can even pick a fantasy work by another author (there's nothing wrong with a little fanfiction!). Next, either pick a subgenre from the list above or use your random number generator again, and find a new subgenre. Rewrite the piece in that subgenre, trying to keep it as true to the original as possible while adapting the elements of the new subgenre. What has to change? What can stay the same? Think about these questions as you brain storm and write: what do subgenres accomplish? What do they change about a work? How can they make your writing more effective? How do you pick which subgenre will work best for the story, theme, or idea you want to convey? Mashing Up Sub-genres: Pick two subgenres that feel at odds with each other. Weird West Fantasy and Superhero Fantasy, for example. Try to write a story that combines these two subgenres in one! Remember that subgenres, like other aspects of writing, are a tool. You don't need to conform to their rules or expectations if it isn't going to help your story. Use subgenres however you like, and try experimenting with breaking subgenre rules or combining two or more subgenres! Not Your Medieval Fantasy Examine your cultural and familial history. Use this history to build a fantasy world. NOTE: no medieval or Victorian-era European history. Magical and Mythical:
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Take inspiration from one or more of the images below to start your own Fantasy Fiction story.