120 How to Use Story Starters to Get Kids Writing

Introduction

Definition of Historical Fiction: Historical fiction is a genre that blends fictional characters and stories with real historical events or periods, immersing readers in the past while sparking imagination. It provides a unique platform to explore human experiences against the backdrop of history.

Purpose of Writing Prompts:
Writing prompts for historical fiction serve as a creative spark for writers. They encourage exploration of different time periods, offer new perspectives on historical events, and help bridge the gap between historical accuracy and compelling storytelling.

How to Use This Guide:
This guide is designed to inspire and challenge writers of all levels. Adapt the prompts to suit your interests or experiment with genres and themes you haven’t explored before. Let the prompts push you beyond your comfort zone.

Historical Fiction Prompt Categories

A. Ancient Civilizations

Explore the mysteries, achievements, and conflicts of early human societies such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece, and the Indus Valley.

• Example: A young artisan in the court of Cleopatra is tasked with creating a gift for a Roman diplomat but discovers a plot that could change Egypt’s future.
• Example: An oracle in ancient Greece faces a crisis of faith when their visions contradict the will of the gods.

B. Medieval Era

Dive into the intrigue of knights, castles, Crusades, and the challenges of medieval life.

• Example: A scribe discovers forbidden knowledge in a monastery just before invaders attack.
• Example: A serf rises to prominence by inventing a farming tool that disrupts the local lord’s power.

C. Renaissance and Age of Exploration

Capture the spirit of art, science, and global exploration during this transformative period.

• Example: An apprentice painter overhears a scandal involving a patron that could ruin the reputation of Florence’s leading artists.
• Example: A ship’s navigator faces a mutiny while charting new lands for the Spanish crown.

D. 18th-19th Century

Cover the sweeping changes of revolutions, industrialization, and early modernity.

• Example: A sailor aboard a British naval ship in the Napoleonic Wars hides a dangerous secret.
• Example: A factory worker in Victorian England uncovers corruption in the new railroads and becomes an unlikely whistleblower.

E. 20th Century Conflicts and Social Change

Explore the turbulence of modern history, from wars to cultural revolutions.

• Example: A jazz musician in 1920s Harlem discovers a mysterious note left in their instrument case.
• Example: A World War II nurse hides a wounded enemy soldier in her home, risking her life and reputation.

F. Underrepresented Histories

Shine a light on lesser-known or marginalized groups and events.

• Example: A seamstress in 15th-century Mali becomes involved in royal intrigue while designing garments for the emperor.
• Example: A samurai’s daughter in feudal Japan takes up her father’s sword to defend her family after his untimely death.

G. Alternate History

Reimagine history with “what if” scenarios, blending the historical with speculative fiction.

• Example: What if the American Revolution had failed, and a spy in 1800 New York City uncovers a plan for a second uprising?
• Example: What if the printing press had been invented in the ancient Roman Empire? How would it change the course of history?

Character and Setting Development Prompts

Character Development:

• Write about a character born into poverty but with a unique skill that could change their destiny.
• Create a story about someone who betrays their family’s legacy to follow their passion in a historical setting.

Setting Development:

• Describe a bustling marketplace during the height of a historical empire, focusing on sights, sounds, and smells.
• Craft a scene where the protagonist witnesses the unveiling of a groundbreaking invention in a historical context.

Conflict and Plot Twist Prompts

Historical fiction thrives on tension and surprise. Use these prompts to create compelling storylines:

• A trusted ally turns out to be a spy, threatening the protagonist’s mission during a critical historical event.
• A family secret is revealed during a major historical upheaval, changing the protagonist’s perception of their role in the world.

Writing Techniques for Historical Fiction

Tips for Success:

• Research with Purpose: Study the era, culture, and events relevant to your story, but don’t let facts overwhelm the narrative. Use details to enhance authenticity without slowing down the plot.
• Balance Accuracy with Imagination: Stay true to the spirit of the historical period while allowing room for creative freedom.
• Avoid Anachronisms: Pay attention to language, technology, and cultural norms to ensure they align with the time period.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Immerse readers in history by using sensory details, dialogue, and action instead of exposition.

120 historical fiction writing prompts

Ancient Civilizations

1. A scribe in ancient Egypt uncovers a dangerous secret about the Pharaoh’s lineage.
2. A young woman in ancient Greece disguises herself to participate in a forbidden athletic competition.
3. A soldier in the Roman Empire is torn between duty to his emperor and loyalty to his family.
4. A builder on the Great Wall of China discovers a mystical artifact buried in the foundation.
5. A member of the Spartan council questions the brutal traditions of their society.
6. An enslaved gladiator in Rome plans a rebellion but faces betrayal.
7. A healer in ancient Mesopotamia must choose between following the king’s orders or curing a plague-stricken village.
8. An oracle in Delphi struggles with visions that could doom the city-state.
9. A shipbuilder in ancient Phoenicia dreams of traveling the uncharted seas.
10. A priestess in Mesoamerica becomes entangled in a deadly political conspiracy.

Medieval Era

11. A knight is haunted by the sins he committed during the Crusades.
12. A blacksmith’s apprentice in 13th-century England invents an unusual weapon.
13. A novice monk in a remote abbey discovers a forbidden manuscript.
14. A healer accused of witchcraft flees across the countryside with a dangerous secret.
15. A Viking explorer stumbles upon a mysterious land but faces a supernatural threat.
16. A princess must navigate a web of political intrigue after the king’s sudden death.
17. A troubadour carries secret messages while entertaining at royal courts.
18. A builder on a Gothic cathedral project unravels a hidden agenda among the clergy.
19. A castle servant overhears a plot to assassinate the lord of the manor.
20. A plague doctor in 14th-century Europe tries to save a town while concealing his own illness.

Renaissance and Age of Exploration

21. An artist in Renaissance Florence competes with a rival for a royal commission.
22. A sailor on Christopher Columbus’s voyage discovers his own agenda for the New World.
23. A woman disguises herself as a man to join a merchant ship bound for Asia.
24. An alchemist in 16th-century Prague creates an invention that threatens his life.
25. A court jester overhears secrets that could change the course of a kingdom.
26. A Spanish Conquistador questions the morality of his mission in the Americas.
27. A tutor to a powerful noble family becomes entangled in their dark secrets.
28. A young writer struggles to survive in Shakespeare’s London.
29. A trader in the Silk Road is drawn into a conflict between rival kingdoms.
30. A shipwreck survivor in the Caribbean must adapt to life among a new culture.

Revolutions and Empires

31. A French peasant joins the revolution but is torn by love for a royal sympathizer.
32. A British spy during the American Revolution falls in love with their target.
33. A young woman fights to protect her family during the Napoleonic Wars.
34. A child of enslaved parents in Haiti becomes an unlikely leader in the rebellion.
35. A journalist in Revolutionary Russia witnesses horrors they cannot report.
36. A blacksmith in 19th-century Ireland secretly builds weapons for a rebellion.
37. A French soldier at the Battle of Waterloo discovers an artifact from a bygone age.
38. An aristocrat in colonial India questions their loyalty to the British crown.
39. A seamstress in the American colonies hides a secret message in her embroidery.
40. A musician in Vienna struggles to protect their work during Napoleon’s invasion.

Victorian and Industrial Era

41. A detective in Victorian London uncovers a case tied to the royal family.
42. A factory worker in Manchester organizes a strike despite the risk of imprisonment.
43. A suffragette in New York City must choose between love and her cause.
44. A railroad tycoon in 19th-century America discovers an environmental calamity.
45. A child laborer in an industrial mill tries to save their sibling from the same fate.
46. An inventor in the Gilded Age battles to protect their ideas from ruthless competitors.
47. A missionary in Africa during the Scramble for Africa faces ethical dilemmas.
48. A family in Ireland during the potato famine struggles to survive and escape to America.
49. A doctor in the Crimean War confronts corruption and scandal in the army.
50. A writer in 19th-century Paris must choose between fame and personal integrity.

Early 20th Century

51. A nurse in World War I falls for an enemy soldier while treating him.
52. A jazz musician in 1920s Harlem uncovers a dark underworld in the music scene.
53. A young woman in Weimar Germany becomes involved in the rise of political extremism.
54. A child in the Dust Bowl struggles to keep their family together during the Great Depression.
55. A pilot in Amelia Earhart’s era dreams of breaking barriers but faces societal constraints.
56. A Russian aristocrat flees the Bolsheviks and starts anew in Paris.
57. A detective in Prohibition-era Chicago takes on the mob but faces betrayal.
58. A Japanese immigrant in 1920s California navigates prejudice while protecting their family.
59. A boxer in pre-World War II Germany refuses to align with the Nazi regime.
60. A journalist in the Spanish Civil War uncovers stories that challenge their beliefs.

World War II

61. A resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied France falls for a collaborator.
62. A codebreaker at Bletchley Park struggles with the weight of their work.
63. A German citizen risks everything to help a Jewish family escape the Holocaust.
64. A pilot in the Battle of Britain battles both the enemy and their own fears.
65. A spy in the Pacific theater wrestles with conflicting loyalties.
66. A child in London’s Blitz becomes an unexpected hero in their neighborhood.
67. A soldier on D-Day is haunted by visions of a loved one they left behind.
68. A Japanese-American internment camp survivor struggles to reconcile their identity.
69. A war correspondent on the frontlines makes a life-changing discovery.
70. A scientist working on the Manhattan Project questions the ethics of their work.

Post-War and Cold War

71. A Holocaust survivor in post-war Europe hunts for their missing family.
72. A spy in 1960s Berlin works both sides of the Iron Curtain.
73. A civil rights activist in 1960s America risks their life for justice.
74. A Cuban exile in Miami struggles with love and loyalty to their homeland.
75. A factory worker in 1950s Detroit uncovers corporate corruption.
76. A pilot in the Space Race discovers a secret mission that could endanger humanity.
77. A journalist in Vietnam discovers more than they bargained for during the war.
78. A musician in 1960s London gets entangled in counterculture movements.
79. A soldier in the Korean War faces ghosts from their past battles.
80. A dissident writer in Soviet Russia risks everything to publish their work.

Modern Historical Events

81. A firefighter in New York City on 9/11 makes a heroic choice.
82. A teacher in South Africa during apartheid secretly works for change.
83. A refugee fleeing the Rwandan genocide starts a new life in Europe.
84. A nurse in a hospital during the AIDS crisis faces prejudice and heartbreak.
85. A family in Berlin watches the wall come down and faces an uncertain future.
86. A scientist during the Cuban Missile Crisis uncovers a plot to accelerate the conflict.
87. A survivor of the Partition of India and Pakistan searches for lost loved ones.
88. A journalist in 1980s Beirut risks their life to report the truth.
89. A diver involved in the Chernobyl cleanup struggles with the cost of heroism.
90. A family in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War fights to stay together.

Speculative Historical Fiction

91. What if Cleopatra had survived and waged war against Rome?
92. A time traveler accidentally alters the events of the Boston Tea Party.
93. An alternate history where Napoleon conquers the world.
94. A magical artifact changes the course of the Crusades.
95. A world where the Industrial Revolution was powered by magic instead of steam.
96. What if Tesla’s inventions had been fully realized in his lifetime?
97. An alternate outcome to the American Civil War leads to an entirely different 20th century.
98. What if Alexander the Great lived to establish a longer-lasting empire?
99. A dystopian world where the Roman Empire never fell.
100. A fantasy twist to the Salem Witch Trials where magic is real.

General Historical Themes

101. A romance across enemy lines during a famous war.
102. A family divided by a major historical event.
103. A treasure hunter searching for a relic lost in a historic battle.
104. A small-town resident witnesses a world-changing historical event.
105. A community rebuilds after a natural disaster in a historical setting.
106. A friendship tested by political ideologies during a famous conflict.
107. A person of low social status rises to prominence during a revolution.
108. A secret society works behind the scenes of a historical event.
109. A child grows up witnessing the rise and fall of a great leader.
110. A person discovers their family’s role in a famous historical event.

Culture and Legends

111. A storyteller in a medieval village tries to protect their legacy.
112. A bard during the Viking Age crafts songs to influence kings.
113. A dancer in the Mughal Empire becomes a confidante to royalty.
114. A potter in Ming Dynasty China hides messages in their creations.
115. A writer in ancient Arabia crafts tales that shape the culture for centuries.
116. A warrior in feudal Japan discovers the secret behind their clan’s honor.
117. A painter in Edo-period Japan gains fame but at a great personal cost.
118. A musician in Tsarist Russia struggles with censorship.
119. A farmer in colonial Africa becomes part of a legend about rebellion.
120. A storyteller in 12th-century Korea uncovers secrets about their ancestry.

Let me know if you’d like to explore any of these in greater detail or brainstorm further!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How much research should I do before writing historical fiction?
A: Aim to understand the key events, culture, and daily life of the chosen period. However, avoid overloading your story with unnecessary facts. Balance research with creativity to keep the narrative engaging.

Q2: Can I change historical events in my story?
A: Yes, especially if you are writing alternate history or speculative fiction. Clearly signal to readers when you deviate from historical facts to maintain credibility.

Q3: How do I handle sensitive topics in historical fiction?
A: Approach sensitive topics with respect and nuance. Research perspectives from marginalized voices and avoid stereotypes or oversimplification.

Q4: What if I’m not an expert on the historical period I’m writing about?
A: You don’t need to be an expert. Start with broad research, focus on specific elements relevant to your story, and seek feedback from knowledgeable readers or historians.

Q5: Can historical fiction include fantasy or supernatural elements?
A: Absolutely! Many writers blend genres to create unique stories. Just ensure the historical context is consistent and serves as a strong foundation for your fictional elements.

Conclusion

Historical fiction offers an unparalleled way to combine imagination with real-world events, making the past come alive for readers. These prompts aim to inspire you to explore diverse time periods, cultures, and perspectives while crafting unique and engaging stories. Push your creative boundaries, honor the complexities of history, and enjoy the journey of writing! Share your work with others to refine and expand your vision.