The Scribe and the Pyramid Scroll
Write a story from the perspective of a young scribe in ancient Egypt who discovers a hidden scroll that could change the course of the construction of a new pyramid. What secrets does the scroll contain, and what risks will the scribe face to ensure the right people learn of its contents?
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.
- End with a choice that history would never record.
- Let your character believe something about their world that turned out to be wrong.
- Give the hero a rule of the era they have to break.
Writing historical fiction
Step into another time and feel what it was like.
Historical fiction is set in the past, usually at least 50 years before it was written. Real events and people often appear, but the story belongs to its characters. Readers come for the immersion: the smells, the rules, the dangers of a world that's gone.
What readers expect
- A vivid, well-researched setting
- Real events as backdrop or engine
- Characters shaped by their era
- Details that feel lived, not looked up
A tip before you start
Research deeply, show lightly. One telling detail in a scene beats a paragraph of facts.
More Ancient Egypt prompts
- The Pyramid ProphecySet during the construction of the Pyramids of Giza, follow a young apprentice architect who discovers an ancient papyrus containing prophecies.…
- The Pharaoh’s Hidden ChamberImagine a day in the life of an artisan who works on the intricate hieroglyphics inside the tombs of pharaohs. On this particular day, the artisan…
- Nefertiti's Jewelry SetYou are a master craftsman tasked with creating an elaborate jewelry set for Queen Nefertiti. Trace the process from gathering exotic materials to the…
- The Pharaoh's Power StruggleThe Pharaoh has just passed away, and the transition of power is anything but smooth. Told from the perspective of an advisor in the royal court…
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