Request for prompts

[melagan]

I don't know how everyone else is doing, but I could use some help coming up with story ideas. I'm sure I'm not the only one. So...


Let's help our artists and writers by giving them some prompts for the 2026 Romancing McShep Fest!

Please comment to this post with your prompt suggestions. Prompts may be anything including, including but not limited to pictures, poetry, or song.


You may offer as many prompts for the fest as your romantic heart desires, but please number them or leave sufficient space between them so it's easy to tell they're separate prompts.


For inspiration, you can check out the prompt tag for previous years. (If there's an idea you love, feel free to post it again here.)


eta: Prompts are for fun and inspiration. There is no obligation to choose one of the prompts and no guarantee your prompt will be chosen.

Comments

[nagi_schwarz]

Based on this: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNddFKtILhq/

Fantasy fan Rodney goes to a fantasy ball and runs into John, who is the most perfect cosplayer of Rodney’s favorite character of all time. They have a whirlwind night at the ball but at the end John tries to break up with him.

Meanwhile John Sheppard, fantasy hero, unexpectedly finds himself in the real world while dealing with a magical adversary. The handsome and clever Rodney McKay helps him blend in and avoid capture.

Somehow they manage a happily-ever-after!

[nagi_schwarz]

Alternative to above reel prompt:

Rodney is dragged to a fantasy ball with Jeannie after Kaleb, who was supposed to present and receive an award at the book convention that the fantasy ball is the highlight of, fell ill.

John has been roped into cosplaying as the MC in his friend’s bestselling romantasy novel for the ball. He runs into Rodney and sparks fly, but hordes of dedicated fans are in the way.

[melagan]

I'm enchanted by the idea of Rodney being told he's being sent back to Earth in disgrace, only instead of leaving, various Pegasus cultures put up a bidding war for the privilege of keeping him. How far would John go to keep Rodney on Atlantis?

[goddess47]

AU - John and Rodney are rival college interns in a non-profit organization, where Rodney doesn't know John's family is rich and John doesn't know Rodney has money from patents he's licensed to companies. Each thinks the other is 'poor' and needs help.


Accidental baby acquisition in any form is always fun!


John is jealous of Rodney's spa tub. Will he try to get his own or use Rodney's?

Ten Prompts

[pattrose]

1. Who was your one 'that got away'>

2. Describe the most significant risk you've ever taken.

3. They found the body three days later.

4. Your favorite has to choose between the lesser of two evils.

5. A love story set in cyberspace.

6. Describe a character who Murphy's Law governs.

7. A phone call at three in the morning. Who is it?

8. Tell a story in the form of a love letter.

9. A character gets three wishes!

10. Describe a time when you pretended to be something or someone you're not.

[squidgiepdx]

Established Atlantis seems to be putting John and Rodney together, so Rodney decides the logical thing is to take John on a date.

It's a disaster.

But it's John and Rodney, so of course even though the date is the disaster, when Rodney kisses John at the end of the date, they both realize that yes, this is the right thing to do.

[squidgiepdx]

John and Rodney back on Earth for a visit, sees John's brother & family. John's brother/family just assumes he's dating Rodney by how they get along, and when they find out they're NOT together, hijinx ensue to get them together.

[squidgiepdx]

Someone coins the term "Colonel Slinky Hips" (like we all haven't said that about John at least once!) and Rodney overhears. And when he finally starts to pay attention, they click or John goes, "Well it's about time" and kisses Rodney.

[squidgiepdx]

Rodney is singled out on an away mission, and meets a magical being. They say they will grant him one wish - and Rodney does the "wish for self" thing, which the being doesn't tell him won't work. He makes his way back and says he met someone who was "supposedly magic" but nothing he wished for worked. He makes his way back and runs into Teyla where he tells her of the being, and she has heard of them. He says, "Magic isn't real. Like Sheppard hasn't dated anyone in years. I can't just say, "I wish John Sheppard would find the love of his life"

Sheppard and Ronon come back/meet up with Teyla and Rodney and John is...different. He kisses Rodney, and now Rodney is freaking out because, "That couldn't be real - was the kiss real? Or was it just 'magic'?

The kiss was real.


oh crap, this one set off something in my brain!

[melagan]

Then I guess you'd better write it ;)

[squidgiepdx]

Actually, the ficlet I'm working on has Rodney asking, "Don't take me wrong, but are you wearing underwear?" ::grin::

[melagan]

I love it!