Over 24 "World War 1" Writing Prompts
The Soldier in the Barn
The main character is a young child who finds a lost soldier in their barn. Explore the friendship that develops between them and how it changes the lives of everyone in the village.
Letters Across the War
Craft a tale around two siblings who enlist together, only to be separated by their assignments. Communicate their story through letters they write to each other, revealing their fears, experiences, and changes. Culminate the story with their reunion after the war.
The Captured Soldier
Describe how she forms an unexpected bond with a soldier from the opposing side, who has been captured and brought in for treatment.
The Child and the Deserter
Create a narrative about a young child who befriends a deserter hiding in the nearby woods, and how their secret friendship changes the course of both their lives.
A French Village at War
Set your story in a quiet village in France during World War I. Show how the villagers' lives change as the front line draws closer and the young men leave.
The Photographer’s Last Year of War
Set in the final year of World War 1, write about a photographer who is commissioned to document the war. Through the camera lens, capture the harsh realities of war, the moments of humanity, and the photographer’s internal struggles with the horrors witnessed.
Soldiers Under Our Roof
Imagine a small village in France during World War I, with soldiers billeted in the villagers' homes. Write about a friendship, or a feud, between one family and the soldiers living under their roof.
The Ceasefire in the Italian Mountains
Craft a tale about a forgotten skirmish in the mountains of Italy, focusing on a single day's battle seen through the eyes of a young soldier who has never fired his rifle before. Explore his internal conflict, the landscape around him, and the unexpected friendship he forms with an enemy soldier during a ceasefire.
Ambulance Drivers at War
Chronicle the journey of a group of volunteers from different countries who join the war effort as ambulance drivers. Explore their reasons for joining, the camaraderie they develop, and the challenges they face in the war-torn landscapes.
The Ottoman Official's Peace Mission
Depict the life of an aging Ottoman Empire official who is witnessing the decline of his country as the war drains its resources and morale. Write about his secret efforts to broker peace and the consequences he faces from both his government and family.