The Crime That Shook Town
Compose an account of a small-town crime that shook the community to its core. Interview locals, law enforcement, and family members to construct a vivid picture of the events leading up to the crime, the impact it had on the town, and how the community has moved forward.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
Writing true crime books
A real crime, investigated on the page.
True crime reconstructs real crimes and the investigations that followed. The best of it is serious journalism that asks what a crime reveals about a place, a time or a justice system.
What readers expect
- Deep reporting and research
- Suspense, even when the ending is known
- Victims treated as people
- Questions about justice
A tip before you start
The victims are real people with families who may read your book. Respect earns readers' trust and keeps you on the right side of the law.
More True Crime prompts
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- Forensics and the Search for TruthWrite an in-depth essay on the evolution of forensic technology and how it has changed the course of solving crimes. Include case studies where…
- Inside the Hacking GroupWrite a narrative exploring the thoughts and motivations of a cybersecurity expert who turns into an informant against a notorious hacking group.…
- Inside a Notorious Criminal's MindDive into the psyche of a historical figure known for their criminal activities. Explore their motivations, the societal context of their crimes, and…
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