212+ ‘Complexity’ Writing Prompts
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The Reluctant Evil
Write about a villain who didn’t choose the path of evil, but had it thrust upon them.
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Judging or Understanding?
Think of someone whose actions you disagree with. Can you write a story that explores what might have led them to act that way?
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The AI Revolution
Write a story where AI technology outpaces human intelligence and attempts to take control.
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Overcoming Fears
Imagine a scenario where you’re scared of trying a new sport but decide to give it a go anyway.
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Santa Claus’ Self-Reflection
Write a journal entry as Santa Claus, contemplating the joys and challenges of his annual gift-giving duties.
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Dragon’s Heart
Write from the perspective of a fierce dragon guarding an ancient treasure, contending with its solitary existence and the constant fear of treasure hunters.
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Unseen Wonders
Write about an aspect of Earth’s natural wonder that often goes unnoticed or undervalued.
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First Love
Write about your first high school romance, capturing the moments of awkwardness, tenderness, and the rush of experiencing love for the first time.
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Secret Affections
Write a story about a love that can never be revealed due to societal pressures or norms.
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Realm of Mystic Rules
Design a fantasy world and elaborate on the distinctive, magical laws that govern it.
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Unravelling Mystery
Draft a detective story where multiple subplots intersect and influence the main narrative.
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Grendel’s Misunderstood
Write from Grendel’s point of view in the Beowulf saga about how misunderstood he feels.
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Descent Into the Abyss
Narrate the fall of a hero, as they slowly turn into the villain of their own story.
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Innocent Catalysts
Write about a villain who never intended to become one, but circumstances and personal tragedy morphed them into adversaries.
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The Architect of Annihilation
Envision a villain whose signature style is shown through their method of destruction.
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Vampire’s Requiem
Narrate a story of a vampire consumed with guilt and longing for the innocence he once possessed.
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Cupid’s New Apprentice
Write a story from the perspective of Cupid’s new apprentices on their first Valentine’s Day.
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Meeting with the Antagonist
Craft a dialogue between the protagonist and antagonist, where the protagonist gets a glimpse of the antagonist’s perspective or motive.
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Unfulfilled Desires
Delve into your villain’s unfulfilled desires or dreams and how they shape their actions.
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Villain’s Motive Mystery
Write about your villain’s motivations, describing their history and influences.
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The Birth of Villainy
Draft a backstory for a villain, describing the series of events that led to their transformation.
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Defending Opposing Views
Consider a controversial topic and argue from the viewpoint that opposes your own.
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Peeling Back the Layers
Choose a pivotal moment in a fictional story and write about the same scene from multiple characters’ perspectives.
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Alien Adoration
You’re an Alien who fell in love with Earth after observing it from afar. Write a love letter to Planet Earth.
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Spying On Love
Story of a private investigator hired to spy on a woman, only to fall in love with her himself.
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The Double-edged Crown
Write about the heavy responsibilities that come with royal power and how they affect the character’s daily life.
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The Misunderstood Antagonist
Write about a villain who believes they are actually the ‘good guy’ and justify their actions.
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A Villain’s Redemption
Write about a well-drawn villain who feels a genuine remorse for their actions and desires redemption.
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Unlikely Alliance
Devise a storyline where a superhero and supervillain are forced to work together.
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A Different Perspective
Tell the Star Wars saga from Darth Vader’s point of view, showcasing the story from his unique perspective.
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Exploring Anakin’s Transformation
Write about the transformation of Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader, focusing on the psychological factors that influence his character shift.
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Lone Victory
Write a story in which the protagonist achieves their goal but loses something essential in the process.
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Identity Swap
Write a story where two characters unknowingly trade places in life while everyone else around them is aware.
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Apple of Discord
Craft a story revolving around an object of desire that causes conflict, inspired by the golden apple in Greek mythology.
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A Villain’s Perspective
Write from the perspective of a supervillain in a fight against a superhero.
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Legacy or Loyalty
Design a situation where a superhero is forced to betray a longstanding ally or to defy their inherited moral code.
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Love Unmasked
Write a story where a superhero falls in love with their arch-enemy, but neither knows the other’s secret identity.
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A Smuggler’s Redemption
Craft a story where a hardened smuggler finds redemption in an unexpected way.
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Redemption of Vader
Dissect Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader and his ultimate redemption.
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Mystical Manuscript
Your character has discovered an ancient manuscript detailing a story of love, betrayal, and magic.
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Christmas Through Alien Eyes
Imagine extraterrestrial beings visiting earth during the Christmas season. How would they interpret this phenomenon?
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Diary of the Misunderstood
Pen a diary entry from the point of view of a popular antagonist reimagining them as a misunderstood hero.
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Easter’s Symbolic Significance
Reflect on your childhood understanding of Easter and how it has developed over time.
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Your Innocent Nemesis
Ponder on the biggest obstacle or ‘villain’ you perceived as a child. How do you understand that ‘villain’ now that you’re older?
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Emotional Whirlwind
Write down three key emotions you felt today and detail a situation where you experienced each.
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The Runestone Prophecy
Engineer a plot based on a prophecy inked on a runestone, foretelling the rise or fall of an empire or the destiny of a particular character.
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Past Shadows
Develop a narrative where a character’s old infidelity resurfaces, threatening their current peaceful life.
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Complexity of Emotion
Describe a simple activity like making tea or walking to the store, but fill it with deep emotional significance.
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Talking with Aliens
Write a poem as if you are communicating with an alien species, expressing the beauty and complexity of human life.
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Setting the Central Dilemmas
Create a moral or ethical dilemma that serves as the central plot for your drama story.
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High School Musical: Spy Edition
The cast of High School Musical has been secretly fighting off international threats between their singing and dancing.
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The Art of Prompt Crafting
Write about the essentials elements to consider while assembling an appealing 7th grade writing prompt.
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Undercover Alien in Kindergarten
An undercover alien operative is sent to Earth to learn our ways but ends up blending in a kindergarten.
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Dramatic Reunion
Write a story about two characters who were once inseparable but have been estranged for years, suddenly reuniting under unforeseen circumstances.
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Brokering Peace
Create a critical scenario where a major conflict between two powerful alliances can only be resolved by an insignificant third party.
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Pages From The Past
Choose a book that hails from a completely different era. Write about how the society, culture, and values depicted in it compare to that of the present era.
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Unreliable Narrator
Construct a story told by an unreliable narrator whose interpretations and explanations can’t be taken at face value.
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Twisted Time
Convey your story in a non-linear timeline. The events in your story must not happen in sequential order.
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Point of View Challenge
Write your story from an unconventional viewpoint, like an inanimate object or an animal.
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Doppelgänger Among Us
A woman, distraught by a sequence of murders happening around her, clings onto sanity when she begins to spot her doppelgänger at each crime scene.
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Duality of Sacrifice
Reflect on the concept of sacrifice and its dual nature – suffering and divinity.
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The Elusive Oracle
Craft a story about a cryptic oracle who gives nearly incomprehensible prophecies and the characters’ quest to understand them.
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Understanding Motives
Write about the backstory of your villain and the motivations that drive their actions.
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Creating Complexity
Write a story in which your main character is the villain, but make readers empathize with them.
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Mysterious Narrator
Write a mystery where the narrator is anonymous and is indirectly involved in the mystery.
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Galactic Giggles
Imagine an alien race that communicates through laughter. Write a story about your first encounter with them.
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Back in the Magic Era
Transport yourself back into an age where magic was ubiquitous. What are your adventures and experiences?
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Sympathetic Shadow
Write about an antagonist who has compelling reasons for their actions, making readers empathize with them.
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Two Faced Truth
Write about a detective who has been assigned to investigate a crime committed by their twin, without knowing their sibling’s involvement.
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Unpredicted Consequences
Imagine you are a character who uses a newfound superpower for the first time, but it results in unexpected aftermath.
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The Unintended Consequence
Design a scenario where the main character’s minor decision leads to massive unforeseen consequences.
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Code-name Conundrum
Write about a spy uncovering that their cherished friend is actually an enemy agent.
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Magical Realism in Detective Fiction
Write a detective story in a world that subtly integrates magical elements.
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Revolution from the Palace
Write from the perspective of a royal family member during the Russian Revolution.
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The Noble Intention
Create a character who starts with noble intentions but descends into villainy. What derails them from their initial path?
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Druidic Mysteries of Stonehenge
Write a tale showing Stonehenge as the portal to a magical realm, managed by druids living among the ancient Celts.
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Personal Ties
The villain of the story is someone with whom the hero shares a personal history. Write a climactic confrontation between the two.
