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