The past few months have been a whirlwind, keeping me away from my writing desk more often than I’d like. Family health crises, travel commitments, and a relentless heatwave conspired against my creative pursuits. However, the cooler weather and inspiring panels at BayCon have reignited my passion for the craft.

While my main projects took a backseat, I wasn’t entirely idle. I’ve penned nearly 20,000 words on a cozy mystery—a delightful side project that’s been a welcome distraction. But now, it’s time to refocus on honing my short story skills.

The writing journey is rarely smooth, and as anticipated, my latest round of submissions met with rejections. Currently, my submission queue stands empty, save for one urban fantasy piece. This noir-tinged tale of a detective uncovering the truth about vampires straddles the line between fantasy and horror, leaving me uncertain about its ideal market. Moreover, it’s not quite the genre I want to lead with, and it still needs to undergo the rigorous workshop and critique process.

Famous Science Fiction, 1967
Image copyright John Keogh, 2006. Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 2.0)

So, I find myself back at the drawing board, flexing those neglected brainstorming muscles. I’ll admit, my sci-fi idea generation muscles have grown a bit atrophied, but I’m determined to build them back up. Armed with my trusty notebook and a new Pilot “Vanishing Point” fountain pen (a birthday gift to myself which glides across the page like a dream), I’m ready to tackle this creative challenge head-on.

As I embark on this renewed journey, I’m curious: do you have any go-to sources for writing prompts, especially those tailored for science fiction? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below. Let’s spark some interstellar inspiration together!