The Rebel Dreamer's Tax
Imagine a world where dreams are taxed by a powerful government. Each person must record their dreams, and depending on the content, a tax is levied that could affect their social status and wealth dramatically. Write a story about a rebel dreamer who dreams in ways that challenge the oppressive system.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Write it as a document from the world: a letter, a field report, a warning sign.
- Make the magic or technology cost your hero something they can't get back.
- Give the villain a reason that would convince you, if you lived there.
Writing fantasy books
Magic is real, and it costs something.
Fantasy builds a world where the impossible works: dragons, spells, gods who answer back. It might be a whole invented continent or one enchanted door in an ordinary house. Either way, readers come for the wonder and stay for the people paying the price for it.
What readers expect
- Magic or the supernatural, with limits
- A world that feels lived in
- Quests, wars or a power worth fighting over
- Myths and history under the surface
A tip before you start
Give magic a cost. Readers believe in a power when they can see what it takes from the person using it.
More Science Fiction and Fantasy prompts
- The Library of Altered PastsConstruct a tale about a librarian who stumbles upon a secret section in the library that houses books affecting the reality around them. One…
- The Living Books of OrraAn ancient library is found on a distant planet, filled with books in languages no human can read. Follow the story of a linguist and a team of…
- The Library of WorldsDevelop a narrative about a mystical library where every book is a portal to a different universe. A novice librarian accidentally opens a cursed…
- The Magical EngineerEnvision a city where magic isn't just real—it's part of everyday life and industry. Follow the life of an engineer who specializes in blending…
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