What are some good story prompts for novels?

One good prompt could be 'The time when a family member surprised us all.' Another could be 'A family vacation that changed everything.' And 'The family heirloom and its story.'

A mysterious old house at the end of a desolate street. You can start with a character being drawn to it out of curiosity, and then strange things start to happen, like hearing unexplained noises or seeing shadowy figures.

A mysterious old house on a hilltop could be a great prompt. You can build a story around who used to live there, what secrets it holds. Maybe there are strange noises coming from it at night and a curious kid decides to investigate.

One could be 'A time traveler gets stuck in the past and has to find a way back'. It's full of potential for adventure and drama.

A character who wakes up one day with a strange power. For example, the ability to read people's thoughts. This could lead to various interesting situations, such as accidentally discovering a conspiracy.

One good prompt could be 'Examine the role of fear in maintaining the power structure in a dystopian society as depicted in a novel.'

One good prompt could be 'A mysterious door appears in the middle of a forest'. This can lead to various stories such as a magical adventure where characters enter the door to find a different world filled with strange creatures. Another prompt might be 'A letter arrives with no return address'. It could be the start of a mystery or a long - lost connection story. Also, 'A person wakes up with a strange power' can create a story about self - discovery and the use or misuse of that power.

One good prompt could be 'A mysterious letter arrives in the mail with no return address'. This can lead to a story about mystery, secrecy, and perhaps a journey to uncover the sender's identity. Another prompt is 'You wake up in a world where colors have disappeared'. It allows for a creative exploration of a dull, monochromatic world and the character's attempts to bring back color. And 'A strange noise coming from the attic at midnight' can inspire a spooky short story.

A haunted house is a classic prompt. Imagine an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town, with creaking floors and shadowy figures in the windows. Another could be a cursed object, like a mirror that shows a different, terrifying world when you look into it. And a dark forest at night, filled with strange noises and unseen threats.

Simple adventures like going on a treasure hunt or having a picnic in a magical forest can be great comic prompts for kids.