Fiction

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Revenge Upon The Closet Monster

This little girl is ready for the monster who haunts her bedtime—or at least that’s what she thinks. What story can you come up with about the child-monster encounter? Digital photography artist Laure Fauvel came up with an entire series of these Terreurs, images of children fighting back against the monsters who try to terrorize…

io9 Lauren Davis Jul 17

When a Book Is Set in Your Home City, Does That Enhance the Story?

Authors sometimes set their stories in fictionalized versions of real cities. But how does a book’s setting being close to home change how you read the book? In response to this post on science fiction and fantasy version of real life cities, commenters began discussing some fictional cities — from Ursula K Le Guin’s take…

io9 Ria Misra Jul 11

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Projection Man

A crowd gathers to watch the projects of a strange being in this week’s writing prompt. You tell us: What sort of story is this person telling? And do the people believe it? The Man of Armadon is by artist Joshua Hutchinson, via r/SpecArt. As always, we invite you to come up with your own…

io9 Lauren Davis Jul 10

The Soundtracks Behind Your Favorite Books

Books have typically missed out on getting the soundtrack treatment that movies have. But more books than ever are getting their own soundtracks now, and that’s a good thing. Today, we want you to create a soundtrack to go along with a book of your choice, whether an old classic or a new favorite. You…

io9 Ria Misra Jul 7

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Superhero Whose Power Is Knitting

With a speed and dexterity unmatched by mortal knitters, this superhero can whip up anything with her needles and the right yarn. Tell us your story about this particularly crafty hero. Artist mapurl came up with the knitting superhero Life Line—and you can follow more of mapurl’s artwork and knitting on Tumblr. As always, we…

io9 Lauren Davis Jul 3

Your Short Science Fiction Stories Are Ominously Enjoyable

Whether focusing on the Star Trek crew that finally traveled right beyond the fourth wall, a hive mind divided against itself, or the low-level employees of a terraforming corporation grappling with some baffling HR directives, this collection of short stories is marvelously unsettling. Enjoy this collection of some of our favorite six-word science fiction stories,…

io9 Ria Misra Jul 1

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Shark Isle

This week’s writing prompt takes us to a mysterious floating island with very big teeth. Is it a living landscape? A supervillain’s lair? Or something else entirely? Shark Isle is the work of artist Kendrick See, via r/AlternativeArt. As always, we invite you to come up with a story inspired by this image and post…

io9 Lauren Davis Jun 26

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Kiss In The Junkyard

A girl and a robot share a tender moment around the discards of civilization. What story will you write about this small kiss? “A Sign of Love” was drawn by Pixiv user Cola, via r/SpecArt. If this illustration inspires you, write a short story about it and post it in the comments.

io9 Lauren Davis Jun 19

What Are The Best Examples of Real People Making Fictional Cameos?

The boundary between fact and fiction can be surprisingly permeable, with life sometimes imitating art and art sometimes returning the favor. Here are some of the real people who made that boundary even more fluid, by showing up in fictional settings. Image: JL8 by Yale Stewart, via commenter Bat21 In response to author Paul Cornell’s…

Books & Comics Ria Misra Jun 16

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Behemoth In The Cornfield

Fortunately, these farmers were prepared for the wormy invader. Write your own short story inspired by this scene. This illustration by Sung Choi is simply titled, “A Giant Worm.” As always, we invite you to come up with a story based on this image and post it in the comments.

io9 Lauren Davis Jun 12

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Dragon-Powered Journey

This week’s writing prompt finds us traveling by an odd conveyence: a dragon-drawn cart. What sort of fellow gets around thanks to a tatter-winged wyrm? The illustration above is “Journey” by Ivan Smirnov. As always, we invite you to come up with your own short story inspired by this image and post it in the…

io9 Lauren Davis Jun 5

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Night The Aliens Got Wasted

In this week’s writing prompt, the aliens pull up to the bar and they don’t leave until they’re good and drunk. What story will you tell about these booze-guzzling extraterrestrials? Artist Rafael Vallaperde created Ten Drunk Aliens for a CG Society challenge. If you’re curious about his process, you can watch him develop the piece…

io9 Lauren Davis May 29

Reviewing the Science of Godzilla for Plausibility and Imagination

A giant radioactive monster terrorizing a city inherently relies on a certain flexibility to the laws of physics and the nature of science. Even so, the science content between the 1954 original Godzilla and the 2014 remake contrast as starkly as the special effects. No spoilers. Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests. Image credit: US Navy…

Tech News Mika McKinnon May 21

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Great Rock Hand

A great hand of stone and moss looms over this canal. Is it stationary or in motion? And to whom does it belong? “Hand Rock” is by concept artist YONG, who has tons of amazing pieces on his website if you’re ever looking for inspiration (via r/ImaginaryLandscapes). If this particular painting inspires you, write a…

io9 Lauren Davis May 15

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Monster Problem In The Swamplands

Some folks out for a drive have gotten themselves into a very unpleasant situation. Is it made better or worse by the creature looming before them? Tell us your story inspired by this scene. “Jozin z Bazin” is by artist Sergey Kolesov and prints are available through inPRNT. As always, we invite you to come…

io9 Lauren Davis May 8

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Zombie Dinosaur!

This week’s writing prompt is simple: write about a zombie dinosaur or dinosaurs. Is it a prehistoric apocalypse? A new Jurassic Park gone wrong? You decide. This zombie T-Rex is the work of B.R.Guthrie, via r/ImaginaryDinosaurs. Guthrie has written his own bit of prose related to this image, and you can read it over on…

io9 Lauren Davis May 1

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Spider Hunter

The mighty spider hunter closes in on his wounded prey. But is all as it seems? You tell us your story about this archer and his mighty foe. “Spider hunter” is by digital artist Nikita Veprikov, via How to Carve Roast Unicorn. As always, we invite you to tell a story inspired by this image…

io9 Lauren Davis Apr 24

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Robotic Tinkerer

In a dimly lit workroom, a robotic artisan goes about its daily task of working on other robots. Tell us your tale about this tinkerer. This week’s piece is titled “The Tin Tin Maker” and it was made by artist JP Targete, via r/ImaginarySteampunk. As always, we invite you to come up with a story…

io9 Lauren Davis Apr 17

Paperback Beatmaker

Write music to accompany the typing of a work of fiction: Each Thursday at the Disquiet Junto group on SoundCloud.com a new compositional challenge is set before the group’s members, who then have just over four days to upload a track in response to the assignment. Membership in the Junto is open: just join and…

Tech News Marc Weidenbaum Apr 11

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Astronaut Of Skull And Flowers

An astronaut experiences a moment of death and life on sunny planet. What kind of story can you write inspired by this particular juxtaposition? This week’s image is “Homecoming,” by the artist Tuomas Korpi, via r/SpecArt. As always, we invite you to come up with a story based on this image and post it in…

io9 Lauren Davis Apr 10

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Revenge Upon The Closet Monster

When a Book Is Set in Your Home City, Does That Enhance the Story?

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Projection Man

The Soundtracks Behind Your Favorite Books

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Superhero Whose Power Is Knitting

Your Short Science Fiction Stories Are Ominously Enjoyable

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Shark Isle

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Kiss In The Junkyard

What Are The Best Examples of Real People Making Fictional Cameos?

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Behemoth In The Cornfield

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Dragon-Powered Journey

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Night The Aliens Got Wasted

Reviewing the Science of Godzilla for Plausibility and Imagination

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Great Rock Hand

Concept Art Writing Prompt: A Monster Problem In The Swamplands

Concept Art Writing Prompt: Zombie Dinosaur!

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Spider Hunter

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Robotic Tinkerer

Paperback Beatmaker

Concept Art Writing Prompt: The Astronaut Of Skull And Flowers

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