Fantasy and Science fiction writing can be difficult. You need to create an alternate reality whilst ensuring that scene, characters and plot remain convincing enough to engage the reader. I’ve loved horror and science fiction stories most of my life (this stretches into the realm of film as well) and have tried to write horror on occasion. However, the tricky part is writing something original. There have been so many stories or vampires, werewolves, alien worlds and lands of elves and strange creatures, that it is hard to develop a new concept and keep it interesting. However, that’s not to say that it is not worth the effort. By remembering that anything is possible in writing, we’re free to explore and push the envelope of creativity.

Try this, write a short and simple premise for a horror, fantasy or sci fi story. Build the frame and outline the characters and situation. Draft a world in which they live and keep it loose. Go back in a few days and re-read what you’re written. Are you interested in finding out more about this world? If so, begin fleshing out a protagonist and their conflict.

Have fun and remember that no story is too out there.

Writing Prompt: Ghosts, Ghouls, Goblins and Gremlins part 1