Ideas for narrative explorations centered on notable historical figures:
Stories about historical figures can be captivating to write, as they offer an opportunity to delve into various themes. Here's a collection of writing prompts for historical fiction that features prominent figures of the past.
Delving into the Royals
Research the reigning and formerly ruling monarchies around the world, find a royal figure that intrigues you, and write one of the following stories:
- Reflect on a day when Queen Elizabeth II initially believed she would never ascend to the throne.
- Imagine a world where Wallis Simpson became the queen.
- Ponder the reflections of the Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi as she considers her impact on history.
- Write a story set during the final hours of the last emperor of Japan through the eyes of a trusted companion.
- In a dream, Harald Fairhair visits the current king of Norway for counsel.
- Write a tale about the youth of Haile Selassie.
- Conjure up a letter penned by an ancient Egyptian ruler to a fellow sovereign.
- Catherine Jagiellon, a Polish princess who ended up in Finland, embarks on a journey to her new homeland.
War, Politics, and Strife
Explore notable conflicts, learn about military leaders, and fashion a story around their lives:
- Reflect on the final breath of Simo Häyhä, the deadliest sniper in history as he recounts his deeds.
- On a particularly grim day during the blitz, Winston Churchill finds the strength to carry on.
- Describe the emotional turmoil of Alexander the Great as he prepares his favorite steed for battle.
- Caroline Nightingale writes a letter from her vantage point during the Crimean War, burdened by the sight of war.
- Write a story exploring the thoughts of Genghis Khan as he contemplated his impact and legacy.
- Chronicle the events of the Battle of Waterloo from the perspective of a trusted aide following Napoleon.
Pioneering Authors and Thinkers
Delve into the lives of notable authors and philosophers throughout history:
- Examine the tribulations William Shakespeare faced when faced with painful bouts of writer's block.
- Unravel the mystery of what transpired during Mark Twain's encore performance with the comet.
- Explore what occurred when Agatha Christie went missing, filling in the gaps with your imagination.
- Craft a dialogue between the Bronte Sisters as they share their love for their childhoold stories.
- Write a tale in which Jane Austen discovers she continues to be revered in the 21st century as a ghost.
- In a unified effort, compile One Thousand and One Nights stories for posterity.
- Write a story about Flora Nwapa, an early pioneer of modern African literature, as she navigates the publishing world.
- Examine the creation of Dante's Divine Comedy, inspired by a harrowing nightmare.
Further Inspiration
Intrigued by these ideas? Delve deeper into historical fiction by exploring fascinating events, characters, and perspectives. Utilize the following enrichment techniques to find even more compelling story ideas:
- Explore key moments and turning points: Investigate less documented events in a historical figure's life, or reframe well-known events from a new angle. Dive into their personal challenges and how they impacted their public actions.
- Leverage historical research and fiction prompts: Reference lists of historical research paper topics or fiction writing prompts tailored to various eras and figures to find fresh premises.
- Merge genres and perspectives: Blend historical events with elements from other genres, such as fantasy or adventure, adding a unique twist to your story.
- Untold stories and alternate histories: Imagine "what if" scenarios involving historical figures—consider alternative destinies or explore their private lives in contrast to their public personas.
- Focus on relationships and personal growth: Write about the relationships that have shaped a historical figure's life, examining love, loyalty, and betrayal.
- Seek inspiration from visual and thematic prompts: Utilize visual sources or thematic prompts to find inspiration—for instance, court intrigue inspired by royal portraiture.
- Delving deeper into the life of Queen Elizabeth II, imagine a heartfelt journal entry chronicling the moment she overcame self-doubt, envisioning herself as the reigning monarch.
- Craft a short story featuring writing prompts that delve into the life of Genghis Khan, focusing on his introspective moments as he ponders the legacy he leaves behind.
- In the spirit of creative writing, explore what it would be like for Winston Churchill to receive writing tips from famous historical figures, such as Marcus Aurelius or Abraham Lincoln.
- Research a workbook on fiction writing and use it to craft a narrative centered around the fashionable lifestyle and political intrigue surrounding Catherine Jagiellon, the Polish princess in Finland.
- Write a thought-provoking essay examining the parallels between the education-and-self-development offered during Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and the storytelling techniques used by Agatha Christie in her mystery novels.
- Draw inspiration from the life of Flora Nwapa, an early pioneer of modern African literature, and write a short story imagining her in a high-fashion setting, showcasing her literary prowess in a fashion-and-beauty magazine feature.
- Compile a collection of creative writing prompts centered around the education-and-self-development aspects of the lives of prominent historical figures, emphasizing the importance of learning and personal growth in their stories.
