50 historical fiction writing prompts

50 historical fiction writing prompts

Are you a historical fiction writer? Do you want to be? Do you just want some ideas for stories out of history? Here are 50 historical writing prompts to get you started. Bring the past to life with these 50 vivid story ideas! Historical fiction is a captivating genre that immerses readers in bygone eras. This extensive list of writing prompts covers a wide range of history, from ancient Egypt to World War II. Pick an intriguing setting, step into a fascinating role, and let your imagination unfold a lost world. Whether you want to chronicle life in medieval Europe, participate in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, or sail the high seas with Vikings, these story starters will spark your creativity. Choose a compelling historical lens to view both everyday moments and watershed events. Share profound human experiences lost to time. Let these launch points transport you on an epic journey into the past. History is filled with tales waiting to be told – get inspired to tell them!

1. Write about a young person living in ancient Egypt who gets chosen to train as a scribe. What is their daily life like as they learn to read and write hieroglyphics?
2. Imagine you are a servant in a medieval castle. Write about your daily tasks and a special event, like preparing for the arrival of an important guest.
3. You are a sailor on a voyage to the New World in the 15th century. Describe your thoughts and feelings as you first glimpse the Americas.
4. Rewrite a scene from a famous historical event from the perspective of a random background character, like a soldier at the Battle of Waterloo.
5. You are a suffragette in the early 20th century fighting for women’s right to vote. Write a diary entry describing one of your protests.
6. Write a story about two friends, one Roman and one Greek, meeting at the first Olympic games in ancient Greece.
7. You are a young person in Germany right before WWII. Write about your hopes and dreams as war looms.
8. Rewrite the story of a fairy tale or legend like King Arthur from the perspective of a secondary character.
9. Write a story about a day in the life of a lesser-known historical figure, like the personal assistant to Amelia Earhart.
10. You are a servant who witnesses a famous historic event like the beheading of a queen. Write their observations.
11. Write about two best friends, one free and one enslaved, meeting again after the Civil War.
12. You are a Viking explorer setting foot on North American soil for the first time. Write your impressions.
13. Rewrite a biblical story from a minor character’s perspective, like the boy with the loaves and fishes.
14. You are a young person in Pompeii the day Mt. Vesuvius erupts. Write your story of survival.
15. Write about a day in the life of a typical teenager living during the Industrial Revolution. What is their daily routine?
16. You are part of Lewis & Clark’s expedition exploring the western U.S. Write journal entries about your travels.
17. Rewrite a famous heist or crime from the perspective of a background character, like a bank teller.
18. You are a Chinese immigrant coming to America in the 19th century. Describe your experience arriving at port.
19. Write about two friends torn apart when the Berlin Wall goes up – one escapes east, one stays west.
20. You are an assistant to a famous inventor like Thomas Edison. Write about your work and a breakthrough discovery.
21. Write about an important historical event like landing on the moon from the perspective of an average person watching it live on TV.
22. You are a poor London child getting chosen for a job as a chimney sweep. Describe your first day.
23. Rewrite the plot of a Shakespeare play from the perspective of a minor character, like a servant or guard.
24. You are part of the first group of college women admitted to Yale in 1969. Write about your experiences.
25. Write fictional journal entries from an Arctic expedition like Shackleton’s journey, from the POV of a crew member.
26. You are a female scientist working against immense prejudice in the 19th century. Write about making a major discovery.
27. Rewrite a fairy tale like Cinderella from the perspective of a magical or mythical creature in the story.
28. You are an orphan sent West on the orphan train in the 1800s. Write your impressions of your new family.
29. Write a fictionalized account of a famous romantic affair from history, like Antony and Cleopatra.
30. You are part of the first group of black students integrating a school in the 1960s. Write about your first day.
31. Rewrite a biblical story from the antagonist’s perspective, like Eve eating the apple or Judas betraying Jesus.
32. You are a Viking child going on your first raid overseas. Write about your experiences.
33. You work in the textile mills in England during the Industrial Revolution. Describe your dangerous working conditions.
34. Write about two friends reuniting after one returns from World War I – how have their lives changed?
35. You are an Aztec witnessing the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Write your observations of them.
36. Rewrite a Greek myth from a minor character’s perspective, like Odysseus’ dog Argos waiting 20 years for him.
37. You are a surfer in Hawaii when missionaries arrive in the 1800s. Write about your culture shock.
38. Write about two friends torn apart, one who stays in Ireland during the potato famine vs. one who emigrates.
39. You are part of Napoleon’s army invading Russia. Describe the brutal conditions of that journey.
40. Rewrite a scene from Julius Caesar from the perspective of his wife Calpurnia.
41. You are a merchant on the Silk Road trading between China and Rome. Write about your travels and experiences.
42. Write about the early days of a colony like Jamestown from the perspective of a colonist or Native American.
43. You are a woman disguising yourself as a man to fight in the Civil War. Write letters home about your experiences.
44. You are a young person immortalized in a famous painting like Washington Crossing the Delaware. Describe the scene.
45. You are an early hunter-gatherer and discover how to make fire. Write about this life-changing invention.
46. You are a suffragette imprisoned for protesting for the right to vote. Write letters to your family.
47. You are Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentice. Write about your observations of him and his inventions.
48. You are a Viking child left behind with the elderly during a raid. Describe your daily life.
49. You are an early doctor fighting the Black Plague. Describe medieval medicine and superstitions.
50. You are a sailor on Columbus’ voyage. Write about your fears and expectations as you set sail.

The past is filled with captivating stories waiting to be told. Whether you want to recreate the soaring heights of pioneering triumphs or plumb the depths of everyday struggles, historical fiction offers an illuminating lens. Use these 50 varied prompts to ignite your imagination and transport readers to bygone eras. Choose an intriguing period, step into a compelling role, and bring history to life through sensory details, emotional perspectives, and dynamic characters. Build worlds both sweeping and intimate. Reveal insights lost to time. When you give voice to hidden histories, you keep the stories of the past alive. So pick a prompt that speaks to you, research to build an authentic world, and let dramatic history fuel your fiction. The human journeys of yesterday can still inspire, mystify, and teach us today – if we continue to share them. We have many more writing prompts on our site!