100 literary fiction writing prompts

100 literary fiction writing prompts: Literary fiction is one of the most popular and enduring genres of literature. Unlike commercial fiction which often focuses on entertaining plots and happy endings, literary fiction aims to provide meaningful insights into the human condition, exploring complex themes, emotions and ideas. The best literary fiction leaves a lasting impact on the reader, prompting reflection and sparking discussions long after the final page is turned.

Some of the most famous and influential novels of all time fall into the literary fiction genre. Books like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner are just a few examples of literary masterpieces that have resonated with readers across generations. These novels tackle weighty subjects like class, race, history, morality and love with nuance, depth and lyrical prose.

Of course, you don’t need to write the next Great American Novel to craft a compelling work of literary fiction. At its core, literary fiction is about capturing authentic human experiences on the page. It’s an opportunity to dive deep into your characters’ inner lives, explore their motivations, flaws and desires, and dramatize their struggles and triumphs against a vividly imagined backdrop. The possibilities for storytelling are as endless as the human imagination itself.

If you’re an aspiring author looking to try your hand at literary fiction, writing prompts can be a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Prompts provide a jumping-off point for your story, suggesting an intriguing character, scenario, question or image to build your narrative around. You can follow the prompt closely or use it as a springboard to let your ideas run wild in unexpected directions. The key is to dig beneath the surface and find the raw, honest, human truth at the heart of your story.

To help inspire your next work of literary fiction, we’ve compiled a list of 100 thought-provoking writing prompts. These prompts span a wide range of genres, styles and subject matter, from intimate family dramas to surreal mind-benders to gripping survival tales. Whether you’re writing a short story, novella or full-length novel, these prompts are designed to spark your imagination and push your limits as a storyteller. So choose a prompt that speaks to you, and start your literary journey today!

Here are 100 literary fiction writing prompts:

1. A man wakes up one morning to find that no one can see or hear him.
2. A woman discovers a hidden room in her house that contains a mysterious object.
3. A couple’s relationship is tested when they are forced to confront a long-buried secret.
4. A person’s life is forever changed after a chance encounter with a stranger.
5. A family’s dynamics shift when the patriarch is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
6. A woman grapples with her identity after learning she was adopted.
7. A man struggles to rebuild his life after serving a prison sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.
8. A teenager runs away from home and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
9. An artist becomes obsessed with a subject and blurs the lines between art and reality.
10. A person’s memories are altered after a traumatic event, leading them to question their entire life.
11. A woman inherits a house from a relative she never knew and uncovers a dark family history.
12. A man’s life unravels when he becomes addicted to a virtual reality game.
13. A couple’s marriage is strained when they become empty nesters and must redefine their relationship.
14. A woman starts receiving mysterious letters from someone claiming to be her future self.
15. A man’s sanity is tested when he becomes convinced that his doppelganger is trying to take over his life.
16. A person’s life is turned upside down when they win the lottery.
17. A woman’s world is shattered when her husband confesses to leading a double life.
18. A man becomes a reluctant caregiver for his aging parent and confronts his own mortality.
19. A couple’s relationship is tested when they are unable to conceive a child.
20. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they befriend someone from a different cultural background.
21. A woman’s life is forever changed when she survives a natural disaster.
22. A man’s past catches up with him when an old friend resurfaces with a dangerous proposition.
23. A teenager struggles to fit in at a new school and becomes involved with the wrong crowd.
24. A person’s world is turned upside down when they discover they have a long-lost sibling.
25. A woman’s career is jeopardized when she becomes the victim of workplace harassment.
26. A man’s life is forever changed when he witnesses a crime and must decide whether to come forward.
27. A couple’s relationship is tested when they become involved in a love triangle.
28. A person’s mental health is strained when they become the primary caregiver for a sick relative.
29. A woman’s life is turned upside down when she loses her job and must start over.
30. A man’s faith is tested when he experiences a crisis of conscience.
31. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a parent.
32. A person’s world is shattered when they learn that their partner has been unfaithful.
33. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she inherits a struggling business from a relative.
34. A man’s relationship with his children is strained when he remarries after the death of their mother.
35. A person’s sense of identity is challenged when they discover they were conceived through donor insemination.
36. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the victim of identity theft.
37. A man struggles to rebuild his life after losing everything in a bankruptcy.
38. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they survive a school shooting.
39. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they fall in love with someone from a different religious background.
40. A woman’s life is turned upside down when she becomes the guardian of her sister’s children.
41. A man’s sanity is tested when he becomes convinced that his house is haunted.
42. A couple’s relationship is strained when they become involved in a multi-level marketing scheme.
43. A person’s world is shattered when they learn that their child has a rare and incurable disease.
44. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she wins a prestigious award for her work.
45. A man’s relationship with his father is strained when he learns a shocking family secret.
46. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become the victim of cyberbullying.
47. A person’s sense of purpose is challenged when they retire from a long-held career.
48. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the caregiver for her aging parents.
49. A man struggles to rebuild his life after being wrongfully convicted of a crime.
50. A couple’s relationship is tested when they become involved in a custody battle.
51. A person’s world is turned upside down when they discover they have a terminal illness.
52. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a whistleblower at her company.
53. A man’s relationship with his sibling is strained when they inherit a family business.
54. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a caregiver for a disabled parent.
55. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they have a near-death experience.
56. A woman’s life is upended when she discovers her partner’s gambling addiction.
57. A man struggles to rebuild his life after losing his home in a natural disaster.
58. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing views on having children.
59. A person’s sense of identity is challenged when they discover they were adopted.
60. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a surrogate mother.
61. A man’s relationship with his child is strained when he remarries after a divorce.
62. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become the primary caregiver for a grandparent.
63. A person’s world is shattered when they learn that their best friend has betrayed them.
64. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the victim of a scam.
65. A man struggles to rebuild his life after losing his job and becoming homeless.
66. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing political views.
67. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they join a cult.
68. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers she has a long-lost twin.
69. A man’s relationship with his mother is strained when he learns a shocking family secret.
70. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a young carer for a sibling.
71. A person’s sense of purpose is challenged when they survive a suicide attempt.
72. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the guardian of her best friend’s child.
73. A man struggles to rebuild his life after being deported from his home country.
74. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing views on religion.
75. A person’s world is turned upside down when they discover they have a rare genetic disorder.
76. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a human rights activist.
77. A man’s relationship with his partner is strained when he becomes a stay-at-home parent.
78. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a refugee.
79. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they have a spiritual awakening.
80. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the victim of revenge porn.
81. A man struggles to rebuild his life after being released from a psychiatric hospital.
82. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing views on money.
83. A person’s sense of identity is challenged when they discover they are intersex.
84. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a single mother by choice.
85. A man’s relationship with his family is strained when he comes out as gay.
86. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a young carer for a parent with dementia.
87. A person’s world is shattered when they learn that their child has died by suicide.
88. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the victim of a hate crime.
89. A man struggles to rebuild his life after being forced to retire early due to a disability.
90. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing views on infidelity.
91. A person’s beliefs are challenged when they have a crisis of faith.
92. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a foster parent.
93. A man’s relationship with his sibling is strained when they have differing views on end-of-life care for a parent.
94. A teenager’s life is forever changed when they become a young carer for a sibling with a chronic illness.
95. A person’s sense of purpose is challenged when they lose a child to a rare disease.
96. A woman’s life is upended when she becomes the victim of sexual assault.
97. A man struggles to rebuild his life after losing his partner to a terminal illness.
98. A couple’s relationship is tested when they have differing views on addiction.
99. A person’s world is turned upside down when they discover they were conceived through rape.
100. A woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a grandmother raising her grandchild.

In conclusion, writing literary fiction is a challenging but immensely rewarding endeavor. It requires a deep understanding of the human experience, a mastery of language and storytelling techniques, and a willingness to explore the darker and more complex aspects of life. But for those who are passionate about the craft, there is no greater joy than bringing a powerful, emotionally resonant story to life on the page.

If you’re feeling inspired to start your own work of literary fiction, remember that the process is just as important as the end result. Take your time to develop your characters, build a rich and immersive world, and find the heart of your story. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles, structures and perspectives, and trust your instincts as a storyteller. Writing is a deeply personal journey, and the most authentic stories come from a place of honesty and vulnerability.

As you embark on your literary fiction writing journey, make sure to seek out feedback and support from other writers, whether through workshops, writing groups, or online communities. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Surround yourself with people who share your passion for storytelling, and who can offer constructive criticism and encouragement along the way.

Above all, remember that writing literary fiction is an act of courage and creativity. It takes bravery to put your deepest thoughts and feelings onto the page, and to share them with the world. But it is also an incredible opportunity to connect with readers on a profound level, to move them, challenge them, and inspire them. Writing has the power to change lives, to shed light on the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.

So if you’re ready to take the plunge into literary fiction, trust yourself, be bold, and let your imagination run wild. The world needs your stories, and there has never been a better time to tell them. Whether you’re writing the next great American novel or a single, perfect sentence, every word you put on the page is a step towards unlocking your full potential as a writer and a human being. So pick up your pen, choose a prompt, and start writing – your story is waiting to be told.

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Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) is the founder of EveryWriter and a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry. With degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology, and Education, Richard has dedicated two decades to teaching writing and literature while championing emerging voices through EveryWriter's platform. His work focuses on making literary analysis accessible to readers at all levels while preserving the rich heritage of American literature. Connect with Richard on Twitter  Bluesky Facebook or explore opportunities to share your own work on ourSubmissions page. For monthly insights on writing and publishing, subscribe to our Newsletter.

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