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February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt

Pixabay image by Marianne Sopala

For visually challenged writers, this is an image of an elephant in a snowstorm next to a little house that’s resting crookedly in a tree. A handful of white mice are on the roof of the house.

**

Thank you to everyone who responded to January’s prompt. There are marvelous imaginations out there, and I loved reading and sharing your stories, poems, and artwork. Now, for something a little different! Above is February’s image. If interested, you have until February 21st to submit a response. Happy Writing!

Here’s how it works:

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, in order of receipt, I’ll reblog as many of your prompt-inspired creations as I can. 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.

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.

233 thoughts on “February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt”

  1. Trina: Trina Tells a Story – Art by Rob Goldstein says:
    August 29, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    […] This is the last entry in a series of stories that began with three prompts from D. Wallace Peach. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’m Getting Too Old for This II – The Stories People Tell says:
    February 28, 2019 at 3:50 am

    […] Some of my favourite responses to Diana’s prompt: […]

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner – This, That, and The Other says:
    February 28, 2019 at 3:16 am

    […] late, I’m late for a very important date. That date, according to February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt from Diana, at Myths of the Mirror, was February 21st. But, as I always sometimes say, better late […]

    Liked by 1 person

  4. W.D. Herstun says:
    February 27, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    I think I will be watching for next month’s prompt!!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. venkyninja1976 says:
    February 24, 2019 at 10:50 pm

    Here goes my humble take on the breathtaking prompt!
    https://blogternator.com/2019/02/25/a-melting-conscience/

    Liked by 1 person

  6. A Melting Conscience | Blogternator says:
    February 24, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    […] This is a piece of fiction piece written for D. Wallace Peach’s monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt.  […]

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Ritu says:
    February 22, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    I’m so late to this, but I saw the picture so many times a little poetic story came to mind. I hope it’s not too late, and that you like it Diana!
    https://butismileanyway.com/2019/02/22/random-elef-act-of-kind-mouse/

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Random Elef-Act of Kind-Mouse | But I Smile Anyway... says:
    February 22, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    […] Diana has a monthly prompt going on, using a picture. It is a speculative fiction prompt, so we can write whatever we want, and this photo has been popping up into my reader on such a […]

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Miriam Hurdle says:
    February 21, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Hi, Diana, I couldn’t find my story, then I remembered that it was in my iPad. And I have good news about my right arm, I just need Occupational Therapy.
    Here’s my story for the month. ❤
    https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/02/21/februarys-speculative-fiction-prompt/

    Liked by 2 people

  10. February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt | The Showers of Blessings says:
    February 21, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    […] D. Wallace Peach – February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  11. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 7 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 19, 2019 at 4:52 am

    […] This is the seventh, and final, chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The larger story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Elephant in a Snowstorm – February’s Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt – Kelvin M. Knight says:
    February 19, 2019 at 2:55 am

    […] fifty-five word story is my response to February’s speculative fiction writing prompt over on Diane Wallace-Peach’s excellent […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Elephant Limerick | Myths of the Mirror says:
    February 17, 2019 at 11:38 am

    […] first limerick in response to the prompt. This from Zina in Wonderland.  Her whole poem is published here, but I hope you’ll stop by […]

    Like

  14. The Gobi – The Stories People Tell says:
    February 17, 2019 at 8:40 am

    […] I’ve written this story in response to Diana’s photo prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  15. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 6 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 17, 2019 at 5:03 am

    […] This is the sixth chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The larger story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  16. February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt : A Very Unusual House Warming Party | M J Mallon YA/Paranormal Author says:
    February 17, 2019 at 2:00 am

    […] To join in Diana’s speculative prompt: https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/02/01/februarys-speculative-fiction-prompt/ […]

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Swiss | ~Tales of Fantasy and Adventure says:
    February 15, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    […] for sport in response to D. Wallace Peach-Myths of the Mirror, February’s Speculative Fiction […]

    Liked by 1 person

  18. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 5 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 15, 2019 at 4:20 am

    […] This is the fifth chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The larger story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Elephant and The Lord of All – Let Me Tell You the Story of… says:
    February 14, 2019 at 6:01 am

    […] was written for Diana Wallace Peach’s monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Contest for February 2019.  I feel like mythological stuff has been pretty common, and I have to admit being inspired by a […]

    Liked by 1 person

  20. The Battle – Hugh's Views & News   says:
    February 14, 2019 at 4:23 am

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

    Liked by 1 person

  21. When Friends Need Help – To Write or not to Write and What to Write says:
    February 13, 2019 at 7:18 am

    […] Response to Diane Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  22. House Proud #prompt #speculativefiction | TanGental says:
    February 13, 2019 at 5:51 am

    […] This piece was written in response to Diane Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  23. memadtwo says:
    February 12, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2019/02/12/removing-the-obstacles/
    Thanks Diana!

    Like

  24. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 4 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 12, 2019 at 4:47 am

    […] This is the third chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The larger story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Prompt: Elephant – Zina in Wonderland says:
    February 11, 2019 at 3:36 am

    […] This post is inspired on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  This is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 2 people

  26. February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt: Anjana and Trina – Art by Rob Goldstein says:
    February 11, 2019 at 12:31 am

    […] month Diana Wallace Peach issues an image as a prompt at her blog, Myths of the Mirror. This is my SOC mashup of a […]

    Liked by 1 person

  27. The Elephant in the Room #sunscribbles (Prompt: Coffee) #shortstory – The Dragonspire says:
    February 10, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    […] wrote this short story for Diana’s February image writing prompt. I wasn’t going to participate at first, because I had no idea what to do with the image, but […]

    Liked by 2 people

  28. J.R. Shull says:
    February 10, 2019 at 10:44 am

    Hello there!
    Thanks for providing this creative writing opportunity. It was the first time I’ve really followed a photo prompt, but I had a lot of fun and I really like what I came up with. 🙂 I hope you do too!
    https://jrshull.com/2019/02/10/the-stormbringer/

    Liked by 2 people

  29. The Stormbringer – J.R. Shull says:
    February 10, 2019 at 10:42 am

    […] Below is a story in response to D. Wallace Peach’s photo prompt: February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt.  […]

    Liked by 2 people

  30. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 3 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 10, 2019 at 5:13 am

    […] This is the third chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The larger story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 2 people

  31. A New Home – Anneberly Andrews says:
    February 9, 2019 at 10:58 am

    […] Wallace Peach’s hosts a monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt. February’s prompt was this cute elephant photo. It is definitely worth checking out the […]

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Atonement Ganesha | Teagan's Books says:
    February 8, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    […] Wallace Peach started a  monthly feature at her blog, Myths of the Mirror.  I caved into the temptation to play along. Click the link to learn […]

    Liked by 2 people

  33. When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House – Chapter 2 | Trent's World (the Blog) says:
    February 8, 2019 at 4:48 am

    […] This is the second chapter of the story “When the Elephant Bumps the Mouse House” based on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  The story is in response to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Who is Weak? – Emotional Shadows says:
    February 8, 2019 at 4:03 am

    […] from D. Wallace Peach’s “Monthly Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt.” Please hop over to her blog to read more and get […]

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Hélène - Willow Poetry says:
    February 7, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    Hello Diana. I have written a Nonet for this month’s prompt… the link to my post… thank you.
    https://helenevaillant.com/2019/02/07/disruption/

    Liked by 2 people

  36. Disruption | Willow Poetry says:
    February 7, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    […] Written for: D. Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt:  Photo Above […]

    Liked by 1 person

  37. lensdailydiary says:
    February 7, 2019 at 2:13 pm

    Hi: My first time trying one of your prompts. My first thought was “the elephant in the room” with political rumblings but you did say keep it family friendly….so…..he Classroom Circus http://lensdiary.blog/2019/02/07/the-classroom-circus/

    I’m still trying to get a handle on pingbacks.

    Liked by 2 people

  38. ghostmmnc says:
    February 7, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    Hi, Diana! Happy February! I’ve been enjoying reading some of the entries for the challenge so far this month. Very good!
    Here’s mine:
    https://wp.me/p3RE1e-6Nb

    Liked by 2 people

  39. The Case – Fiction Photo Prompt for February | teleportingweena says:
    February 7, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    […] February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  40. Smorgasbord Short Stories – Diana Wallace Peach – February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt – ‘The 1812 Overture’ by Sally Cronin | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine says:
    February 7, 2019 at 2:30 am

    […] break from my WIPs… and they are a lot of fun too. This is Diana Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt and here is my […]

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Julie Holmes, author says:
    February 6, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Oooh, this looks like a fun one. Can’t wait to read all the entries! (as I’m trying desperately to catch up on blog reading while prepping for my book release–uff-da!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      February 7, 2019 at 5:32 am

      The stories have been so varied, Julie. What a bunch of creative writers out here on WP. And there are so many entries that I can’t imagine that many bloggers will read them all, so don’t worry about that. Whatever you have time for. 🙂 You are in the endgame now. Let’s talk about your release soon. I can provide a review from my beta read along with the cover and blurb – prior to or on your release day (if you are interested). 🙂

      Like

  42. Himani says:
    February 6, 2019 at 11:48 am

    This one seemed tougher than before Wallace😄😄😄 But I like your prompts so much that my mind instructs me to not miss this one or else I’ll lose out some nice mind exercise 😄😄😄
    this is my Feb prompt for such a cute picture
    https://booksenstuff.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/the-kingdom-of-elephantine-februarys-writing-prompt/

    Thank you for this one. And I hope I have written something worth reading because I am surrounded by such good writers that I feel mine is always at the rock-bottom….HAHA…

    Liked by 2 people

  43. Aiming for the stars – So.B.it says:
    February 6, 2019 at 10:32 am

    […] This post is inspired on the image by Marianne Sopala that was off of Pixabay.  This is in responce to D. Wallace Peach’s February Speculative Fiction Prompt. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  44. The Magic of Whimsy – Almost Iowa says:
    February 6, 2019 at 10:22 am

    […] This story was in response to D. Wallace Peach’s wonderful monthly writing challenge:  February’s Speculative Fiction Prompt […]

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Sarah says:
    February 6, 2019 at 10:22 am

    What a fun image! I really look forward to see what people come up with!! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

  46. Teri Polen says:
    February 5, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    You find the best images, Diana.

    Liked by 1 person

  47. Frank Prem says:
    February 5, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    Thought I should have another crack at this, Diana. A mouse perspective.

    https://wp.me/p7yTr8-6Qu

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.