Over 471 "Historical Fiction" Writing Prompts
Chronicle the journey of a Chinese immigrant who arrives in San Francisco during the 1850s Gold Rush. Explore his initial struggles, his entrepreneurial rise within a tumultuous environment, and how he impacts and is impacted by the burgeoning American society.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
United States
Write from the perspective of a young woman living in a Swahili city-state in the 12th century. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon a shipwreck off the coast, leading to an encounter with traders from faraway lands. Detail her evolving perceptions of the world, trade politics, and her role in forging a bridge between diverse cultures.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
African
During the Black Death, a traveling merchant from Venice finds himself in a secluded monastery where the monks claim to have a mysterious relic that protects them from the plague. Explore his journey as he tries to uncover the truth behind the relic and the monks’ unscathed condition.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Medieval
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, your story follows two childhood friends from a small American town— one who dodges the draft and another who volunteers. Examine their parallel journeys, the moral dilemmas they face, and how their decisions impact their relationship and their families back home.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
20th Century
Write a story from the perspective of a young Inca child during the construction of Machu Picchu. Describe their daily life, the beliefs they hold about the gods, and how they perceive the monumental efforts of their community in building the city.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Ancient Americas
Imagine a small, divided border town during the Civil War where families and friendships are torn apart by differing loyalties. Craft a story focused on two childhood friends who find themselves on opposing sides and their struggle to maintain their bond.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Civil War
Channel the voice of an aging samurai in 18th-century Japan, providing a first-person narrative of his final days. As he reflects on his life, battles fought, and the evolution of the samurai code, introduce a young relative eager to take up the way of the warrior in a changing world.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
18th Century
Imagine you are the sibling of a notorious but brilliant artist in Renaissance Italy. Tell the tale of your life overshadowed by your sibling's fame, detailing how you contributed to their art in unrecognized ways, weaving in the rich tapestry of Italian culture and politics during that era.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Biographical
Following the midnight ride of Paul Revere, imagine the tale of a lesser-known rider who also went out to warn the countryside of the approaching British. What personal risks did they face? How did their actions impact the events that followed?
Fiction
Historical Fiction
American Revolution
A Scottish soldier returns to his village after surviving the Napoleonic Wars, only to find it on the brink of industrial change. Craft a story exploring his adjustment to a new way of life, the transformation of landscape and society, and his role in an emerging workers' uprising against mill owners.
Fiction
Historical Fiction
European
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