Secrets on the Hidden Website
Imagine a high school where every student's deepest secrets are anonymously posted on a hidden website. The protagonist stumbles upon this site and decides to unravel who is behind it, uncovering unexpected alliances and enemies along the way.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
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.
- Put a first in the story: a first job, kiss, loss or lie.
- Raise the stakes until the hero's identity is on the line.
- Give your hero a secret they're keeping from their best friend.
Writing young adult books
Ages 12 to 18: firsts, identity and everything at stake.
Young adult fiction is written for teens, with protagonists usually 14 to 18. Every genre lives here, from fantasy to thrillers to romance. What makes it YA is the voice: immediate, intense and inside a teenager's head.
What readers expect
- A teen protagonist
- An immediate, close voice
- Identity and independence
- Big feelings, taken seriously
A tip before you start
Write from inside a teen's head, not from an adult looking back. That immediacy is what separates YA from an adult book with a young hero.
More YA Drama prompts
- Music After the InjuryDevelop a story about a young aspiring musician who faces a devastating injury that jeopardizes their future career. Explore their path to recovery…
- The Seniors' Farewell RitualDevelop a story about a high school where every year, the senior class performs a secret farewell ritual that no underclassman knows about. When a…
- Letters from a Secret FriendImagine a teen who starts receiving anonymous letters that contain advice to navigate difficult situations at school. As they try to uncover the…
- Beyond the Final WhistleThe lead character is a high school athlete who suffers a career-ending injury. Explore their journey of self-discovery through different forms of…
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