Fandom Weekly

For some people, it’s a dream role! Beautiful dresses, jewels, a fairy-tale romance – what could be better? Other people might note that there can be a lot of work involved in the position, depending on the setting; contrary to popular opinion, there’s often a lot of responsibility, diplomatic or otherwise, wrapped up in being a potential heir to a throne. Some princesses might hate their role; others love it and would never want to do anything else; and some of them might have very mixed feelings on the topic.

Others aren’t literal royalty at all! Maybe the princess is just a role your character is playing, on a stage, in a movie, or as part of a disguise for some sort of plan. Maybe it’s just a fond nickname between friends, for someone who isn’t royalty but acts like it sometimes.

Write a story about a princess.

BONUS GOAL: All That Glitters

If your submission features gold, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

Sometimes it’s the little things that really get you. The potted plant you could have sworn was out of the cat’s reach – except apparently it wasn’t. The lunch you were definitely going to pack, until you ran out of time. Someone needs to put gas in the car, and you have a meeting all morning, and there’s a horde of alien locusts on Main Street again so you’re going to have to work around that, too. It may or may not be anybody’s fault, exactly – except the alien locusts – but it sure is inconvenient!

Write a story about inconveniences.

BONUS GOAL: Cat-astrophe

If your submission features cats (alien cat-ish things count), it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

Some things can’t be done alone. Maybe it’s a project that needs multiple pairs of hands to make it work, maybe it’s a long-term quest to save the world that’s going to require a lot of people and a lot of skillsets, or maybe it’s as simple as a cat that needs at least two people to corral her into a carrier to go to the vet; whatever it is, it’s going to need some people to work together.

How are your characters at working together? Does it come naturally to them, or do they struggle? What are they working together for?

Write a story about working together.

BONUS GOAL: “You’re not alone.”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

A midsummer festival filled with dancing and flowers? A midwinter feast decorated with colorful lights? A solemn time for contemplation as the new year begins? Whatever the holiday, it’s often traditionally spent with family.

But family can be a tricky topic, especially when it comes to traditions. Do your heroes have somewhere to go home for the holidays? Maybe there’s a childhood home they look forward to visiting – or maybe they spend their holidays with their closest friends, and the home they built for themselves.

Write a story about coming home for the holidays.

BONUS GOAL: “I’m glad you’re here.”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

n. purification or purgation of the emotions (such as pity and fear) primarily through art; a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension

Sometimes, you just need to feel things. A really good cry, a really good laugh, or a really good scream – whichever it is, it’s good for the soul. Sometimes you can get it through art, maybe a tragic play, or a comedy movie, or a romance novel; other times, you just need to confront your nemesis, or stand in the woods and scream, or laugh until you cry at something that isn’t actually funny.

How do your characters find catharsis? Do art or music work for them, or do they need something a little more concrete?

Write a story about catharsis.

BONUS GOAL: “Are you okay?”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

For some people, it’s a beloved childhood tradition, going door to door in costumes (sometimes elaborate, sometimes not) for candy. Other people take the “trick” part much more seriously, spending their Halloween playing pranks on friends, enemies, or anyone who doesn’t provide the promised treat. And many other people didn’t grow up with the tradition at all, and find the whole thing a little strange.

Did your characters trick-or-treat? Would they, if they had the opportunity? Are they in it for the candy, the tricks, or both?

Write a story about a trick – or a treat.

BONUS GOAL: Meow!

If your submission features a cat (or more than one), it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

Some forests are peaceful, beautiful places, perfect for a romantic walk or a quiet camping trip – but not this one.

Legends swirl about ghosts or monsters, ancient stories of something sinister waiting under the trees. Unknown creatures howl at night, and the shadows seem darker even at the forest’s edge. Sometimes people who go into the forest don’t come back at all – or they come back changed.

Write a story about a dark forest.

BONUS GOAL: “You’re going in there? Alone?”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

A meeting with a secret lover? A romantic date night? Or maybe it’s just been a long day, or a long week, and all our heroes have the energy for is a single exhausted kiss in the dark.

Kissing under the moonlight can be the perfect end to a lovely date: a nice dinner or a boat ride or a walk through the garden, ending under a beautiful full moon. But the moon can also be an unwanted spotlight on a rendezvous the people involved would rather keep in the dark – a forbidden relationship, a politically dangerous romance, or just a relationship everyone involved wants to keep private.

Write a story about moonlit kisses.

BONUS GOAL: “Did you hear something?”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

It wasn’t the end...but it sure was close.

For a lot of characters, close calls are pretty common – whether they’re fighting dragons, visiting aliens, or traveling through magic wastelands, they deal with a lot of dangers. But even then, actual near-death experiences are pretty rare.

What happened? Did your characters witness some kind of afterlife, or something else entirely, or nothing at all? How did they survive?

Write a story about a near-death experience.

BONUS GOAL: “Please, stay with me.”

If your submission features this line, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!

...no, wait, that’s too many battles. Put some of those back.

Some battles need to be fought – maybe for ethical or moral reasons, maybe just for practical ones. But others? Well, maybe it’d be better to let those go.

Are your characters good at picking their battles, or do they want to fight every fight, no matter how small? Do their friends encourage them to get involved, or try to convince them to hold back?

Write a story about choosing your battles.

BONUS GOAL: Seeing Red

If your submission features the color red, it will earn an extra point to be tallied in voting!