The SST AlterNet
Explore writing-prompt responses by character, arc, theme or available text.
Browse the collection below.
Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You are a programmer, but not in the usual sense. Your job is to root through the coding of the universe and eradicate any bugs you find. Whether it e an otherworldly anomaly, or a cat that got glitched inside a wall, you've been able to fix it. But this... you weren't prepared for a hacker.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You were cursed with being able to see when and how someone dies. One day while walking you see a person's death so absurd and unrealistic that you question whether or not you have gone insane or you're reading it wrong.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Creative Emphasis
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] "So welcome to the office. That's Chuck, our accounting manager. There's Cindy, the team lead. This is Kalgor, Conqueror of Stars and Master of Black Hole Dominion, our receptionist."
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You monitor a super computer that is constantly working out PI and one morning the computer stops and a popup appears that says it has finished...
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Years have passed since you broke up with your long-time partner after they disappeared with no trace, all of their belongings gone. There's a knock at your door and you open it to see your partner, dressed in a crown and fighting leathers. "I've got a lot to explain," they say sheepishly.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Most kids imagine having superpowers, but you imagined becoming powerful through the discovery of interdimensional portal technology. As you got older, you kept the idea as a fun coping mechanism, and one night you get so bored that you actually try making a portal using those ideas. It works.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] It's a known fact that people have superpowers; not all people but a reasonable number. There's never been an explanation as to why some people have powers. Larry was just a regular, slightly below average guy until the day he wasn't...
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The police division that specializes in the capture and investigation of paranormals finally have their first serial killer they dubbed the Ripper. They are a psychic surgeon that targets prostitutes and removes their organs without breaking the skin leaving them behind as a calling card.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The hero and demon lord (both male) have been lovers the whole time, and you (the hero's squire) are the only person that knows.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] NASA has predicted that a Gamma Ray Burst would hit the solar system in one week. Since it's the end of the world, you decide to ask your crush out in a date.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The longer a dungeon world remains sealed, the more plentiful, powerful and unique Skill and Ability stones it creates. Your team, along with others, has 30 days to survive and loot as much as you can before the dungeon world seals itself for another century.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Tasked with stopping the dragon from ravaging the land, the battered knight reaches into his pouch. With armour shattered, and sword broken, he had only one, desperate hope. "Caldrana, wings of the north and scourge of ice" he drops to his knees, "will you marry me?"
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Don't let them see your hands.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Millenia ago, Zeus swore that he would never allow any mortal to impersonate him, to claim they had Zeus' godly powers. A Hollywood actor who plays Zeus in a movie about the Greek gods comes home to find a very angry Zeus in his living room.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] It's been 5,000 years since you sold your soul to the devil when you hear a familiar voice. "How's that eternal life been working out for you buddy?"
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You made a pact with the devil to give you great power but also a deadly curse. Unbeknownst to him, you were already cursed, and the same curse twice cancels each other.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Two months into the Nasa rover Perseverance's mission in Jezero crater on Mars, images are received that depict a dusty object from a mission that no one from Earth sent.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Sean grumbled thoughtfully.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Original prompt heading [CW] Smash 'Em Up Sunday: Fall / 230
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You are a warden of a virtual reality prison. Someone is trying to break out.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] I found the Fountain of Youth, but it is a curse. After 2,000 years I have lost everyone I knew, and loved. Everything about my world is gone leaving me alienated and lost. My sole purpose now is to keep the Fountain lost, and hidden, so no other may know my curse.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] A stranger walks into town and is arrested immediately. It turns out, the new mayor instituted an arrest-on-sight law after a past stranger burned their town to the ground just to chase out a small gang of bandits. To this town, there's nothing more dangerous than a wandering stranger.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] A future society controls the lower class by erasing their memory every day.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The dragon has kidnapped the princess...again. And the knight is off to rescue her... again. That is what people think is going on. In reality, the three of them are great friends just looking for an excuse to hang out together.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Ever since you met her, you had a suspicious feeling that she was a witch. As part of your investigations, you befriended and even dated and married her. After three years of marriage, you're ready to call the investigation off when something finally comes up.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] There have been a string of missing persons cases lately. A few have returned recently, telling impossible stories about their whereabouts. You are Detective Alice Lidell, and you are about to see how far this rabbit hole goes.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You were at work for a conference, and in the middle of the break, you are transported to an unknown world. After spending a few minutes inspecting your surroundings, hear a voice in your head saying, "Welcome. Choose your Skill and begin the game."
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You are sent to Hell. You are informed you aren't here to be punished-- you ARE the punishment. You sigh in relief and grin. Who will it be? One of your exes? That bully from high school? Your stomach goes cold when you see you are the eternal torment for the person you loved most in life.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] He sat at the table sipping his beer, drumming his fingers absentmindedly. This was the first time he had met her in person, and nervous wasn't the word.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] In a world where everyone is controlled to the smallest detail, you wake up to find a letter beside you. "It is your free day. You are welcome to do anything you wish. HOWEVER, you are forbidden to tell anyone about it. Have fun!'
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You wake up with a new talent every day, only lasting until you sleep that night. Yesterday you were exceptional at playing the piano, but today.... is different.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The theory of parallel universes is known by you to be true, because sometimes when you wake up, you're on a parallel Earth.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Everyone in the village said you were a nobody. A lowly peasant, even the rats above you. You were hated, spited, and ridiculed throughout the years. Little do they know how far you would go to prove them all wrong.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] "I just found out that my roommate summons demons to do her chores around the house!"
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The whole world is excited after an all original, albeit badly damaged Shakespeare play is found. As the restoration continues, we find the Bard has made a highly accurate, detailed predictions of the future. You're mentioned. A lot.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Your personal ironic hell is doing the world's worst Escape Room over and over and over again.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] There is a time loop, every day repeats itself, but instead of only 1 or 2 people being aware, the whole world is...
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Your ice cream shop is connected to every version of itself throughout the multiverse. This allows you to serve amazing flavors, for which your shop has earned quite the reputation.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] A side effect of the alien conquest of earth was the emergence of many cults dedicated to the occult. Many joined just to seek peace from their alien oppressors. You, an acolyte of one such group, attempt to summon an entity and it actually works. Now they want you to help overthrow the aliens.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You're the new Superhero in town but now your Nemesis has captured you and holds you in his lair. On his promise to treat you well and your oath not to try and escape for 2 weeks he unshackles you. Now he wants to talk. It's not what you think, he wants you to meet his daughter.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You're a doctor seeing a farmer's young son for his first visit. "This won't hurt a bit" you say as you prepare a simple blood test. You say that to everyone, but this time it's true; the needle breaks against his skin without leaving a mark.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] "Red pill or blue pill?" Severus Snape asks. Harry's eyes widen, as Snape coldly tells him the truth: the world is a computer simulation known as the Matrix, and "wizards" are simply people who have the ability to manipulate it.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] The Shopkeep sells his wares, but not for money. The problem is that no one takes his warnings seriously anymore.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You own a magic cookie jar. No matter how many cookies you eat, it's never empty.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You have moved into a new apartment and found that your neighbors all over the building are not what they show. It is like every resident in the building live in a world apart from other people.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] You discover that through a series of complicated and confusing ancient deals and marriages that you are the legal owner of Earth.
Read the moment ↗Before Stellar Tour · unassigned stories
Writing prompt [WP] Knowing they are terminally ill, a con artist pulls one last grand trick: selling their soul to various demons, fairies, witches and more, each without the others' knowledge. All that's needed afterwards is to sit back and watch the fireworks.
Read the moment ↗