Writing tools
9 Family-Related Writing Prompts
Let other people be your inspiration!
Hello, and welcome to another of my weekly lists of writing prompts. You can see some of the previous ones here.
I’m a fiction author, and I find that writing prompts can really help spark new ideas. They can be good for blog posts and narrative stories, too!
As it’s nearly summer vacation time, this week’s selection focuses on family — one of life’s greatest sources of both joy and problems!
The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going. — George Carlin
Idea 1
Craft a very awkward family meal scene, where a young adult has brought their partner to meet the parents for the first time. This could be an everyday meal, or a gathering such as Thanksgiving.
Idea 2
Write a short comic scene involving identical twins that people keep mixing up. Perhaps it could be their first day of college.
Idea 3
Two family members are also very close friends, and they decide to start running a business together. It does not go well. Write a conversation between them five years later, when they discuss their regrets.
Idea 4
A teenager is being adopted or fostered (your choice) by distant relatives. Write an account of their first day with the family.
Idea 5
A character returns home after many years on the road. But when they get back, things are now very different. Describe what they find.
Idea 6
A family is moving house, and one person insists on doing the move themselves using the family car; the rest of the family have reservations but eventually agree. Write a flash fiction scene that happens on moving day, focused on one specific item of furniture.
Idea 7
Write a brief but heartwarming scene in which someone gives a heartfelt apology for what they have done and how they hurt their family member. Feel free to draw real-life inspiration.
Idea 8
A very polite and meek son or daughter unexpectedly tells their parent to “Go f*** yourself” during an evening at the family home. Why? Write the aftermath during which their resentment becomes clear.
Idea 9
What will family life be like in the future? You could write a fictional diary entry by a child in the year 2200 to show us.
I hope you found these helpful! And if you have any family time coming up, hopefully it will inspire you for positive reasons!
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