Ancient Americas writing prompt
The Mayan Astrologer’s Mistake
Imagine you are a Mayan astrologer tasked with predicting an important celestial event that will decide the next ruler. Describe the rituals, calculations, and political intrigue that surround your duties, and how a seemingly small mistake could change the course of history.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
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Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- 1Make the dialogue sound of its time without becoming hard to read.
- 2Tell it from someone the history books ignored.
- 3Write it as a letter that took weeks to arrive.
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