1995+ ‘Past’ Writing Prompts
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Phantom Memories
Write a tale about a zombie experiencing “phantom memories”, echoes from their past.
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Yearning for the Past
Narrate the sentiment of longing for the lost civilization through the perspective of a character.
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Last Standing Structures
Depict the known landmarks or monuments and how they still stand in your narrated post-apocalypse world.
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Haunted Past
A teen discovers that their new home is haunted by a ghost. Rather than being afraid, they become best friends.
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The Person I’ve Become
Considering the challenges and triumphs of the past year, write a descriptive piece about the person you have evolved into.
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Year in Review
Write an essay reflecting on the past school year, highlighting achievements, struggles, and self-improvement.
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Peering Through The Fear
Describe a time when you were terrified, the outcome, and how you dealt with fear afterwards.
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Unsaid Goodbye
Write a heartfelt goodbye letter to someone you never had the chance to say farewell to.
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Guardian of the Night
Craft a redemption arc for a villain who turns into a vigilante, trying to correct their past wrongs.
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Reformed Tyrant
Write a redemption story for a powerful villain who decides to use their power as a force for good.
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Unseen Motivations
In your story, explore a villain who’s motivated to be evil due to past traumas or influences.
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Fallen Leaves, Fallen Moments
Chronicle the most significant memory that comes to you under an October night.
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Weathering Emotional Storms
Describe a challenging emotional situation that you faced in the past. How did you cope with it and what did you learn from it?
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Serendipitous Love
Pen a story about two individuals who have sworn off love, unknowingly booked for the same Valentine’s Day event.
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The Golden Rule
Write a story about a time when you treated someone the way you want to be treated and the positive outcome that it brought.
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Crowning Achievement
Write about a goal you have already successfully achieved, how you did it, and how did it feel?
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Living in A Different Era
Imagine living in a past era of your culture and describe your typical day.
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Letter to Past Self
Write a letter to your younger self, offering advice, warnings, or messages of encouragement.
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Ancient Rituals Run Amok
Write a story wherein archaeologists find a site deep in the jungle where ancient rituals have accidentally been reactivated.
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Life as a Child on the Oregon Trail
What would life be like if you were a child traveling on the Oregon Trail towards the West in the 19th century?
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Time-Traveling to Ancient Egypt
Suppose you’ve been magically transported back to ancient Egypt during the reign of Pharaohs.
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The Phantom Letter
Weave a tale that revolves around a mysterious, unopened letter that shows up in your protagonist’s postbox.
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Joyous Journeys
Write about the happiest journey you’ve ever taken and why it makes you smile even today.
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The Time Travel Calendar
Imagine you have a calendar that can time travel to any date. What dates will you choose and why?
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Historical Footprints
Write a short story about a significant event in history from the perspective of a kid.
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Summer Adventure
Narrate a thrilling summer adventure you had (or wish to have) with your best friend.
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Friendship Evolutions
Recall a friendship that has significantly evolved or changed over the past year.
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Emerging Roses and Thorns
Reflect on the most significant challenges and victories you had this past year.
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Starting Over
Write a story about someone who uses the new year as a fresh start, shaking off past mistakes and moving forward.
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Resolution Evolution
Write about a previous year’s resolution that you achieved and how it changed you.
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Resolution Retrospective
Reflect on a past New Year’s resolution that had a significant impact on your life.
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Streams of Memories
Write a monologue where an elderly character is reminiscing about their past, recalling both painful and joyous moments.
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The Unspoken Apology
Compose a monologue in which your character expresses regret and seeks forgiveness for a past action, something they can’t rectify.
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The Scent of Memories
Describe a fragrance that transports you back to a specific moment in your past.
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Past and Present Perspectives
Write about a childhood memory that you view differently now as an adult.
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A Forgotten Past
Construct a character who is trying to uncover the truth about their forgotten past.
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The Curious Case of the Classroom Ghost
Churn out a story that revolves around a friendly ghost inhabiting an old classroom in a quaint school.
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Sympathetic Motivations
Craft a backstory for a villain where their evil actions stem from a sympathetic situation or event.
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Unveiling the Past
Imagine a character with a past that they are determined to leave behind, but it continues to resurface in unexpected ways.
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Dreams and Aspirations
What were your childhood dreams? Describe these aspirations and compare them to where you are now.
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Awakening after Amnesia
Narrate a character’s internal struggle as they slowly regain their memory, rediscovering forgotten parts of themselves, but not recognizing who they’ve become.
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Say Goodbye to December
Write a farewell letter to December discussing the hardships and the blessings, and express your gratitude.
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Possessed Object
Write a story where a benign everyday object becomes a source of horror for the protagonist.
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Shadows of the Past
Write about a protagonist who moves to a new house only to be haunted by shadows of the previous resident.
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A Letter Yet Unopened
Describe a character receiving an earth-shattering letter that they are yet to open.
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Love Letters to Self
On Valentine’s Day, write a love letter to yourself, focusing on your strengths and achievements.
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Ghostly Evocations
Pen a dialogue between a ghost and a human where the specter reveals pivotal moments from its past.
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Pots of Tradition
Discuss a St. Patrick’s Day tradition you observe every year and narrate your experience of keeping it alive.
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Tales of The Time Traveling Wizard
A wizard has invented a time-travelling spell. Write about his adventures across different timelines.
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The Last Warlock
Write about a world where magic has all but vanished, leaving one solitary warlock struggling to keep the ancient knowledge alive.
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The Ancient Pact
Pen a tale about an age-old pact between witches/warlocks and a powerful entity, and the implications when the pact is broken.
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An Unexpected Weather Change
Describe a day when the weather suddenly changed and altered your plans.
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The Unresolved Mystery
Write about an unsolved mystery from the previous year that gets surprisingly resolved right in the beginning of the New Year.
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The Time Capsule Surprise
Imagine opening a time capsule you buried 10 years ago on New Year’s day, and write about the unexpected items you find.
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Echoes From the Past
Conceive a narrative, wherein ancient supernatural artifacts speak to their contemporary holders.
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Kingdom in Decline
Write about a once-grand royal kingdom experiencing decline and is on the brink of collapse.
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Eve of the New Decade
Express your thoughts and feelings when the clock struck 12 on New Year’s Eve ushering a fresh decade.
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New Year’s Eve Celebration: Reflection and Revival
Write about a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration that marked a significant change in your life.
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Bridges of Trust
Write a story about two people who had a turbulent past but worked to mend their relationship in their later years.
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Mystical Cavern Civilization
Write about an exploration into a mystical underground civilization, deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
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Text Messages in a Bottle
Imagine you could send five text messages to a past or current important person in your life. What would you say?
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Unforgettable Adventures
Create a narrative about a fantastic adventure you and your friend imagined or went on.
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Echoes of Past Lifetimes
Create a narrative about two lovers who are reincarnated, destined to meet but never to be together.
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From Break-Up to Friendship
Write a story where a couples’ breakup leads them to a stronger friendship.
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Echoes of Love
Write about a breakup that occurred in the past and how it echoes into your character’s present.
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Holiday Healing
Describe a Christmas where conflict or any past bitterness was resolved, bringing peace to yourself or your family.
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Rekindled Flame
Describe a scenario where two childhood sweethearts are reunited after years of being apart.
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Nostalgia Trip
Create a narrative about a memorable trip from the past, wishfully reimagined in 2020’s context.
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The Redeemed Monster
Write about a villain who, burdened by their heinous deeds, seeks a path to redemption.
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October Ghosts
Compose a letter to a figure from your past who has significantly influenced your present.
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Relics of the Past
In your fantasy world, ancient artifacts hold the key to its history. Describe one such artifact and the truth it unravels.
