Historical Fiction writing prompt
The Soldier at the Wall
Write a story set during the construction of the Great Wall of China, through the eyes of a young soldier who has left his village for the first time to serve in the emperor's army.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
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Pick a sprint, start the clock and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
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Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- 1Give the hero a rule of the era they have to break.
- 2Choose one real detail of the period, like a price, a law or a song, and build a scene around it.
- 3Keep the famous event offstage and show its ripples.
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- Berlin Wall Divided FamilyWrite a story set during the construction of the Berlin Wall, focusing on a small, close-knit family divided overnight. Explore their individual journeys as they grapple with the changing political landscape and their efforts to reconnect.
- Chicago's Prohibition SpeakeasyImagine a story set during the American Prohibition era, centered around a speakeasy owner in Chicago who uses their establishment as a front for smuggling operations. Explore the complexities of their life, balancing business, family, and the ever-present threat of law enforcement.
- Letters Between Civil War SiblingsSet in the backdrop of the American Civil War, tell the tale of two siblings separated by their allegiances, who communicate solely through letters. Explore how their differing experiences shape their relationship and beliefs.
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