41+ ‘unexpected’ Writing Prompts
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Out of Character Statement
Start your novel with your protagonist saying or doing something completely out of character.
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Clandestine Caller
A strange phone call in the middle of the night leads your character down a path full of mysteries.
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Unexpected Sympathy
Introduce your antagonist in a situation where they show kindness or sympathy, conflicting with their antagonistic nature.
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Bonds Beyond Borders
Narrate an encounter with a local or a fellow traveler that left a deep impact on you.
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Midnight Realization
Pen down an instance when you experienced an unexpected revelation or insight about life.
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A Guiding Light
Reflect on a significant epiphany or turning point that has guided your life journey.
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The Compassionate Stranger
Tell the story of an act of compassion you’ve witnessed or experienced from a stranger.
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Unexpected Encounters
Write about a surprising encounter you had with a local or tourist during a trip.
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Dinner Table Confessions
Craft a scene where a family secret is revealed during a dinner conversation.
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Gateway to Creativity
Choose a writing prompt that didn’t initially appeal to you, then explore why and how it ended up inspiring a great piece of work.
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Unexpected Consequence
The choices we make often have unforeseen repercussions. Write a story where a seemingly insignificant decision turns the protagonist’s life upside down.
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Snowbound
Write about how you survive when snowed in for a week during a winter vacation with limited resources.
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Look Who’s Back
Write an encounter between two characters who have a shared history, where one of them was believed to be dead or missing but suddenly reappears.
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Hidden in Plain Sight
You notice someone hiding in a crowd. Write about the mystery that unfolds when you decide to follow them.
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Lunar Escape
Write about an unexpected malfunction on your spaceship that leaves you stranded on the moon.
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Crises of Cuisine
Write a humorous play about a first time student chef trying to prepare a five-course meal for demanding restaurant critics.
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Unexpected Hero
You’re an ordinary person who suddenly gets superhero powers. Describe your first day of being a superhero.
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Fantastical Creatures’ Convention
Imagine that all mythological and fantasy creatures from various cultures and books come together for a grand convention. Write about this event and detail the interactions.
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The Ideal Suspect
Create a chilling narrative that revolves around a perfect crime committed by an unexpected suspect.
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The Journey, Not the Destination
Write about a particularly memorable journey or transfer during your travels.
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Finding Inner Peace
Write about a moment of true peace, calm, and mindfulness you have experienced and how it impacted you.
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Dream Motivations
Write a fictional short story based on a dream you’ve had in which you explore the motivations of the dream character that is ‘you’.
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Walking Through Illness
Explore the journey of caring for a family member struggling with an illness.
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Archive of Recovery
Write about how the healing process after a family loss or illness looked for you and your family.
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Juxtaposition of Two Homes
Illustrate the stark differences and surprising similarities between your old home with your family and your new home away from them.
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Unforeseen Twists
Recall a family celebration where something unexpected happened, and how it made the celebration memorable.
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Unexpected Inheritance
Your character has just inherited a haunted mansion in an obscure European village.
