1231+ ‘Family’ Writing Prompts
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Sorrow of the Undead
Write about a vampire who begins to experience regret for the things he can never have – a normal life, a family, growing old.
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Dwindling Connections
Write about your relationship with the people you knew before becoming a vampire, detailing feelings of connection and disconnection.
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Cursed by the Gods
The protagonist’s ancestor offends a god or goddess, who in turn curses their entire bloodline to become vampires.
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Enchanted Bloodline
Write about a royal bloodline that carries a hidden vampire gene, only awakened every few generations.
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A Valentine for Mom and Dad
Write about the time when you decided to surprise your parents with Valentine’s day cards.
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Mystery of the Family Heirloom
Write a mystery where a treasured family heirloom hides secrets and hints at a hidden past.
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Window to the Heart
Write a letter to a loved one expressing your feelings towards them, whether it’s love, anger, or confusion.
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Possession Pandemonium
Write a narrative where a paranormal investigator is called to a house where every member of the family is possessed by a different spirit.
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Rekindling Warmth
Imagine a heartfelt December story where the cold outside contrasts with the warmth being built inside.
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Traditions Altered
Retell your family’s traditional Christmas morning but with a significant change that alters the course of the day.
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Swapped Destiny
Write about a character who discovers they were switched at birth with a prince or princess.
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A Christmas Reunion
Write about an old friend or relative who surprisingly turns up at your Christmas dinner after years of absence.
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Growth and Change in Family Dynamics
Reflect on how your perception of your family has changed from childhood to now.
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Hidden behind Photoframes
Choose a family photograph and craft a narrative around it from your younger self’s perspective.
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Favorite Family Tradition
Reflect on a favorite family tradition and how it made you feel as a child.
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Language of Love
Write about how love was communicated in your family when you were a child and how it influenced your perception of comfort.
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The Story of Your Hero
Write about who your childhood hero was and why they had such a profound impact on your life.
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Haunted House Rules
A family moving into a haunted house must negotiate certain rules with the resident ghosts.
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Lost Family Heirloom
Create a thrilling quest of a young adult searching for a long-lost family heirloom that holds a significant secret.
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Landscape of Identity
Write about the elements that constitute your identity and how they interact with one another.
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Autism in Familial Relationships
Pen a story exploring the experience of a family member whose loved one has been recently diagnosed with Autism.
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Lost and Found Heirlooms
Imagine you find out that you are the last descendant of a forgotten noble family and are told of a hidden family treasure.
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Unveiling a Family Secret
Write a story about a character who, after their grandparent’s death, discovers a shocking family secret tucked away in the attic.
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In Their Shoes
Create a fictional story based on a personal real-life experience from the perspective of someone else who was there.
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Living with Trisomy
Imagine a day in the life of a family affected by a Trisomy condition. Describe their challenges, victories, and the strength they exemplify.
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Echoes of the Past
Write a contemporary story where a protagonist discovers their lineage linked to the Trail of Tears.
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The Struggle of Loss
Depict a close-knit family affected by the forced removal and their experiences on the Trail.
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Postcard from a Foreign Land
Pretend you’re studying abroad in a country of your choice. Write a postcard to your family back home.
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Feasting on Memories
Write about a memorable November meal you’ve shared with loved ones, and how it changed or marked a transition for you.
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Family Evolution
Write about the transitions and transformations your family has undergone through different generations.
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A Letter of Appreciation
Write a letter of gratitude to someone who has played a significant role in your life.
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Festival of Dedication
Write a story about a family celebrating Hanukkah, focusing on traditions, family dynamics and their dedication to the festivities.
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Mystery of the Lost Heirloom
Write a story around a precious family heirloom that suddenly goes missing.
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The Diary of a Bully
Consider the perspective of a bully and write a diary entry filled with self-reflection.
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Tradition and Transformation
Write about a time you updated a traditional family recipe for National Empanada Day.
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Embellishing The Hearth
Describe a specific holiday decoration in your home in December and explore how it adds to the warmth of your home.
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Framing December
Create a descriptive scene capturing a moment of warmth in your home during December.
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Fireside Stories
Pen a story inspired by the image of your family gathered around the fireplace in December.
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Comfort Foods and Family Recipes
Write about a specific meal or recipe that brings a sense of comfort and warmth to your home in December.
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Pre-Winter Traditions
Recall or create a family or cultural tradition that signifies the arrival of winter.
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Voices of the Departed
Imagine you’re a ghost from the Irish Potato Famine era, narrate your journey into America.
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Disease’s Toll on Kinship
Write about a family struggling through the Irish Potato Famine, focusing on the tensions and resilience within their relationships.
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Childhood Secret
Write a story where your superhero had his/her powers from childhood and had to hide their identity.
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Lost at the Ferris Wheel
Imagine you’re a lost child at a carnival and your only hope of finding your family rests on reaching the top of the Ferris wheel.
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Sacrifice of Normalcy
Imagine a superhero who yearns for an ordinary life, but their powers and responsibilities prevent them from having it.
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Hidden Kingdoms
Write about a secret royal lineage hidden within a seemingly ordinary family. How is this extraordinary truth revealed?
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Villain’s Soft Spot
Write about the one thing that your comic villain truly cares about, and how it affects their actions.
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The People Who Shaped You
Describe the individuals who most influenced your life and reveal how their presence molded your personal narrative.
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Christmas Time Machine
Imagine you have a time machine and you can spend the Christmas day at any point in history.
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Beholding The Christmas Tree
Detail your experience of decorating a Christmas tree for the first time and how it became a tradition.
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The Christmas Feast
Recall a memorable festive meal shared with family on Christmas Day and describe how it influenced your sense of togetherness.
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Ancestral Reflections
Imagine you are a 4th generation Irish-American, tracing your roots back to Ireland.
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The Great Escape
Write about the journey an Irish family may have taken during The Great Famine (1845-1852).
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Letters from the Iron Curtain
Write a series of letters from a person living behind the Iron Curtain to a loved one in the West.
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Embracing Unfamiliar Paths
Write about the first big change in your life that you can remember from your childhood.
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Posterity’s Burden
Design a world where a character is expected to become a superhero based on their lineage, but they want to follow a different path.
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Reviving Frozen Memories
Bring back a happy winter memory from your past and analyze how it influences your current wellness perspective.
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St. Patrick’s Day Feast
Describe the culinary delights of St. Patrick’s Day, detailing your favorite traditional Irish dish.
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A Day in Green
Describe the most memorable St. Patrick’s Day parade you attended or would like to attend.
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Taste of Radiant Summer
Describe your favorite summer meal, focusing on how it perfectly encapsulates the season.
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Two-sided Life
Explore the child superhero’s struggle to balance a normal childhood with the secrets and responsibilities of their superhuman life.
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Training Trials
Write about a day in your young superhero’s rigorous training routine, as they learn to control their newfound powers.
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Historical Sandcastles
Announce a sandcastle-building competition amongst friends, family or strangers, make it historically accurate.
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Thankful Reflections
Create a diary entry for a child explaining what they’re most thankful for during the holiday season.
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Family Gathering Dynamics
Describe a Thanksgiving dinner where each family member represents a different aspect of the holiday.
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Thanksgiving Traditions
Write about a Thanksgiving tradition you’re grateful for, and why it’s important to you.
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Dealing with Differences
Detail an instance in a Thanksgiving reunion where differing opinions caused a tension.
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Inter-generational Perspective
Imagine experiencing your Thanksgiving family reunion from the perspective of someone two generations older or younger than you.
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Many Traditions, One Table
Write about the unique traditions your family has around the Thanksgiving table.
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The Thanksgiving Matriarch
Think of a beloved family matriarch present at your Thanksgiving family reunion and describe their role in your family.
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Survival Guide
Construct a humorous survival guide for getting through a family Thanksgiving gathering.
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Thanksgiving Transformation
Discuss how the dynamic of your family’s Thanksgiving has changed over your lifetime.
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Passing Down Traditions
Write about a Thanksgiving tradition unique to your family and how it’s passed down to newer generations.
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Harvest Table Tensions
Describe a Thanksgiving dinner where a heated discussion or argument broke out.
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Thankful for Each Other
Write a note of gratitude to each of your family members, explaining why you are thankful for them.