Rapscallion Reform. This rogue, rake, and rascal is instantly likeable despite a bevvy of antisocial habits … and under the tireless reprobations of our plucky heroine, he will be reformed by the end of the film. For this prompt, include a character who has multiple unlikeable traits. Move to the next prompt when you introduce the character.

Marriage of Convenience. Like getting stuck in quicksand after standing still too long to stare at a nondescript view. For this prompt, have a character solve a conflict—or create one—by choosing the easiest way out.

Tightening the Corset. It doesn't matter if women actually wore corsets during this era or not. Some poor lass will grip a post and be bundled into one as a symbol of female forbearance under systems of oppression. For this prompt, let a character experience something unpleasant because it is expected or unquestioned. When you begin this scene, you may open the next prompt.

Martial Arts and Crafts. The gravity-free swordplay of wuxia; two pirates dancing along a rail, swords darning the air between them; the slow count of ten paces to the duel … no matter the time period, fight scenes liven any period piece. For this prompt, a character wields a weapon. Note that "weapon" can be interpreted as broadly or metaphorically as you need to. As soon as the weapon/"weapon" is wielded, you can open the next prompt.

Technology Marches On. Remember when people sweated over basic tasks of everyday existence using an overlarge, clumsy, and arduous lump of a gizmo? For this prompt, include a primitive invention or piece of technology in your fanwork. When you decide what this will be, you can open the next prompt. (You don't have to include it in your fanwork yet!)

Biddy Buttinski. This sharp-tongued old harridan is simultaneously vexatious and wise to our hero[ine]. For this prompt, let a character pry, spy, or offer an unsolicited opinion—in other words, put their nose where it isn't wanted. When you decide who your Nosy Nellie character will be, you can open the next prompt. (You don't have to include the prompt in your fanwork yet!)

A Touch That Says So Much … In time periods where physical contact between men and women were severely circumscribed, that barest touch of fingers as he helps her from her carriage must carry the same force as a rollicking love scene in the back of a parked carriage. For this prompt, include a character action that seems on the surface small but carries a lot of emotion or meaning. Once you begin this scene, you can open the next prompt.

The Sickbed. The past is full of germs that pack a beloved character off to bed to issue dramatic deathbed confessions, require tender nurturance that turns even the most obdurate heart to affection, and yes, can even culminate in a touch that says so much. For this prompt, a character is ill, injured, or otherwise out of commission. Once you decide which character you will afflict, you can open the next prompt. (You don't have to include the prompt in your fanwork yet!)

Ahead of Her Time. Conveniently, our hero[ine] brims with modern virtues and values that would not have been valued or even realistic in his, her, or their own time. For this prompt, have a character assert an unpopular opinion. Once you begin this scene, you can open the next prompt.

Boobs Everywhere. A house of ill repute, silk-draped lamps, and recumbent women in varying degrees of undress. For this prompt, a character makes a fool of themself.

Rags to Riches. Period dramas are all about transformations: rags to riches, reprobates to providers, ugly ducklings into swans. For this prompt, decide on a character whose past looks very different than the person they are or will become. Once you decide on this character (you don't have to introduce them yet), you can open the next prompt.

Smolder into Conflagration. You know the look: the intense stare, chin slightly lowered, brows knit into a dark line one daren't cross … For this prompt, have a character flirt with danger in some way, where "danger" can be interpreted as broadly or metaphorically as you need to. When you begin this scene, you can open the next prompt.

Tiffany Problem. Chloe, Tiffany, and Travis all seem like they belong in a 2000s-era teen drama—but in fact they are hundreds of years old. For this prompt, include a character who experiences a sense of not belonging, whether that feeling is accurate or not. Once you begin this scene, you can open the next prompt.

All Manner Of. What is a period piece without rules around manners and etiquette that feel stifling and strange to our modern sensibilities? (And often to our ahead-of-their-time protagonist as well!) For this prompt, include an element that is part of a tradition. Once you introduce this element, you can open the next prompt.

Hurtling Toward Marriage.Circumstances dictate that the plucky heroine will marry a skeevy or evil (or skeevil?) fiancé on a day hurtling toward her at the pace of a meteor blazing toward impact. For this prompt, let an icky or scary (or skicky!) possibility loom in the future for one of your characters. Once the looming begins, you can open the next prompt.

Bring on the Smelling Salts. The shock … the distress … a hand flutters at her bosom … the floor rushes up to meet her … Your character doesn't actually have to faint for this prompt, but you should allow her, him, or them to escape or avoid something unpleasant through not-entirely-noble means. Once you begin this scene, you can open the final prompt.

Feather in Your Cap. The swashbuckling hero does an awful lot of acrobatic swordplay for wearing such tight pants, and the feather in his cap never bends or breaks! For this prompt, let something turn out better than expected for one of your characters. Bonus points for wearing tight clothing or feathers while owning this particular conflict.