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New Year, New Feature: a Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt

I wish you all a wonderfully creative, happy, healthy, and safe new year, full of laughter and love.

**

After 5+ years of blogging, I thought I’d try something new… finally. How about a Monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt? Sue Vincent was the inspiration for this idea since I’ve loved participating in her weekly prompts (check out her extremely popular feature here.)

If you’re interested, here’s how it will work:

On the first of every month, I’ll post a speculative fiction prompt from Pixabay. These images are attribution free so you can use them on your blog without worrying about copyright restrictions.

Throughout the month, I’ll reblog your prompt-inspired stories, poems, reflections, writing. And on the last day of each month, I’ll share a complete round-up of all contributions with links to the original posts. Visiting the blogs of participants is a great way to meet other speculative fiction writers.

Below is January’s prompt. On or before January 24th, post your response on your own blog and link back to this post with a pingback, so I can reblog your post as well as include you in the month-end round-up. There are no word limits or style restrictions, but please keep it somewhat family friendly.

If you’re unsure of how to create a pingback, Hugh has an excellent tutorial here. If you prefer, you can copy and paste your link into the comments of this post.

Above all, have fun.

January’s #WritingPrompt

by Stefan Keller

330 thoughts on “New Year, New Feature: a Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt”

  1. Kellywalsh says:
    February 1, 2019 at 4:45 am

    Hello! Just started on this site, thanks so much for allowing us to use this wonderful imagery to awaken the imagination!

    My take is a simple story called

    Trek of the lemmings

    Oh the things that they’d know
    If just one took a moment to look left through the snow

    Liked by 2 people

  2. The Riddle of Twelfth Night – Hugh's Views & News   says:
    January 29, 2019 at 4:43 am

    […] to the Monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt, from Diana, at Myths of the Mirror. Click here for full […]

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Miriam Hurdle says:
    January 27, 2019 at 8:08 am

    Hi Diana, it’s great to find out your new monthly challenge. I came home from a family trip on January 25. I’ll look forward to your new challenge for next month.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. memadtwo says:
    January 25, 2019 at 7:53 am

    Her it is Diana! (K)
    https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2019/01/25/near/

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Near | method two madness says:
    January 25, 2019 at 7:50 am

    […] poetic response to the January prompt at Myths of the Mirror, above.  Somehow working in blues always leads me to stitching…in this case I painted two […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. ellenbest24 says:
    January 25, 2019 at 6:16 am

    Bugger fat fingers on tiny keys … but the want to return to writing is huge. New rescue pup and a recovering husband (removal of brain tumor) has taken top slot since Christmas.

    Liked by 2 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      January 25, 2019 at 6:50 am

      You’ve had your hands full with caretaking and loving, Ellen. I can’t imagine, and I do hope that your husband is doing well and the new pup is bring fun and joy to you both. Sending much healing light and hope your way. ❤

      Like

      • ellenbest24 says:
        January 25, 2019 at 7:20 am

        Better now they have dealt with it. Xx Just waiting while he heals and on histology. Rescue Pup… I think rescued me; although, best we don’t tell her as for now she believes the opposite to be true. 😃😂🤣

        Liked by 1 person

  7. ellenbest24 says:
    January 24, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    I can’t promise to be on time or to catch every one but the want

    Liked by 2 people

  8. How Writing Prompts Can Help Your Blog – Let Me Tell You the Story of… says:
    January 24, 2019 at 7:13 am

    […] Speculative Writing Challenge […]

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Sean P Carlin says:
    January 23, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    Great initiative, Diana! Any exercise that combines generosity with creativity is one worth supporting! Will be eager to see what comes of this experiment…

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Himani Kaushik says:
    January 22, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    https://booksenstuff.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/the-creator-januarys-writing-prompt/

    My first writing prompt. Was very challenging but thought to give it a try. Hope it stands somewhere amongst the fantastic prompts of others. Thanks D.Wallace Peach

    Liked by 2 people

  11. THE CREATOR- JANUARY’S #WRITING PROMPT – Books&Sstuff says:
    January 22, 2019 at 12:52 pm

    […] is in response to a writing prompt initiated by D. Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror. Thanks, D.Wallace Peach for this challenging mind […]

    Liked by 1 person

  12. The Oracle – Almost Iowa says:
    January 22, 2019 at 7:19 am

    […] Written for:D. Wallace Peach’s January Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Fall of the Ice Giant #shortstory #sunscribbles (Prompt: Go) – The Dragonspire says:
    January 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    […] It’s been ages since I’ve written a short story, and I was in a bit of a slump. Thankfully Diana came to the rescue with her new monthly picture prompt feature: […]

    Liked by 1 person

  14. BJ Sikes, author says:
    January 20, 2019 at 11:25 am

    Reblogged this on BJ Sikes, author and commented:
    Writing prompt challenges are definitely a fun way to get some words on the page! Here’s one from D. Wallace Peach that uses an image for inspiration.
    What inspires you more: a word/phrase or an image?

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Suzanne says:
    January 19, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    Here’s my response to your very creative prompt – https://beinginnatureblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/20/forgotten-stories-forgotten-voices/

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Forgotten stories, forgotten voices – Being in Nature says:
    January 19, 2019 at 10:31 pm

    […] prompt:  https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/01/01/new-feature-speculative-fiction-writing-prompt/ […]

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Of Stone and Ice – A Writing Prompt Short Story – Jessica Bakkers says:
    January 18, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    […] I’ve just discovered the very fabulous D Wallace Peach’s Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt – an opportunity for spec fic writers to get their groove on and have their stories reblogged […]

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Jessica Bakkers says:
    January 18, 2019 at 4:16 pm

    Oh my! Why has it taken me so long to look this up? Spec Fiction is my absolute favourite! And that image… well, it certainly set the imagination running. Keep an eye out for the story!

    Liked by 2 people

  19. janmalique says:
    January 17, 2019 at 11:56 am

    I’ve posted my offering now Diana. Hope it makes sense.
    https://strangegoingsonintheshed.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/shambhala-januarys-writingprompt/

    Liked by 1 person

  20. roughwighting says:
    January 17, 2019 at 11:23 am

    Thanks to you, Diana, I have ‘discovered’ another excellent writer in Kevin. HIs flash fiction is spectacularly speculative. I’m working on my own (makeshift) speculative fiction for tomorrow (Friday’s) post. Didn’t use your iceman photo, but in weird ways, it certainly inspired me, and I mention you in the end. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  21. A Missive from Dr. Stokes of Attenhold University – Let Me Tell You the Story of… says:
    January 17, 2019 at 6:28 am

    […] was written for D. Peach’s new challenge.  I read the fantastic entry Glass Mountain by Robbie Cheadle and thought the photo was a […]

    Liked by 1 person

  22. toraellis4812 says:
    January 16, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    https://tenacioustora.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/gaiana/

    Man, this was harder than I thought it would be lol.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. How to Win Friends and …Nevermind | Chelsea Ann Owens says:
    January 16, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    […] Contest. Write a limerick and share it! Also, “Directions from a Druid,” in response to D. Wallace Peach‘s picture prompt. Sunday, January 13: “Bio-Enrichment,” my flash fiction […]

    Liked by 1 person

  24. ambroseandelsie says:
    January 16, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    I saw this on michnavs blog and I just couldn’t resist. So, here’s my take:

    https://cosistories.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/the-cold-alone/

    Liked by 1 person

  25. michnavs says:
    January 16, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    https://michnavs.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/hey-etheree/

    Here’s my entry Diana..

    Liked by 2 people

  26. janmalique says:
    January 16, 2019 at 11:43 am

    A great idea Diana, I’ll post my contribution later this week.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Jane Dougherty says:
    January 16, 2019 at 6:21 am

    I only saw this prompt yesterday. It was fun! Thanks a lot.
    https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/the-third-coming/

    Liked by 2 people

  28. The Third Coming – Jane Dougherty Writes says:
    January 16, 2019 at 6:19 am

    […] Wallace Peach is running a month long writing challenge. The prompt is the picture below. Thanks for the challenge, […]

    Liked by 1 person

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