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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A time - traveling device that malfunctions. The protagonist might end up in a completely unexpected era, facing challenges like fitting in, finding a way back, and dealing with the historical events that are happening around them.