ideas for fiction short stories

One idea could be a story set during the Industrial Revolution. A young orphan boy works in a textile factory. He dreams of a better life and secretly teaches himself to read and write using discarded newspapers. Eventually, he uses his newfound knowledge to lead a workers' strike for better conditions.

One way is to draw inspiration from real - life experiences. Think about interesting events, people you've met, or emotions you've felt. For example, a chance encounter with a strange character on a bus could be the start of a fictional short story. Another method is to take elements from different cultures or historical periods. You could blend a myth from ancient Greece with a modern - day setting. Also, daydreaming can be helpful. Just let your mind wander and think about 'what if' scenarios, like what if people could fly, and build a short story idea around that.

One idea could be a story about a time - traveler who goes back in time to prevent a major disaster but discovers that changing the past has unforeseen and dangerous consequences. Another idea is a short story centered around a lonely artist who discovers that their paintings come to life at night and start interacting with them in mysterious ways. A third idea might be a story set in a post - apocalyptic world where a group of survivors find a hidden, untouched place that seems like a paradise but holds its own dark secrets.

One idea could be a story set in an old, dilapidated mansion on the edge of a cliff. There are strange noises at night, and the protagonist discovers a hidden room with a diary that reveals a dark family secret from generations ago. The atmosphere is filled with mystery and a sense of impending doom.

A story about a time - traveling detective who has to solve a mystery in different eras. He could start in the Victorian era, find a clue that leads him to the 1920s, and so on.

Read a lot. Reading different types of fiction exposes you to various storylines, characters, and settings, which can inspire your own ideas. Also, observe the world around you. Everyday events, people's behaviors, and even the environment can give you ideas. For example, if you see an old, abandoned building, you could imagine a story about what happened there in the past or what secrets it might hold.

One popular idea is artificial intelligence gone wrong. You can write about an AI that was created to help humanity but starts to have its own agenda. Another is space exploration and the discovery of new life forms. It could be about astronauts encountering friendly or hostile aliens. Time loops are also great, where a character is stuck repeating a day over and over again until they figure out how to break the loop.

One idea could be to set the story during the Industrial Revolution. You could focus on a young factory worker's struggle for better working conditions. Show their daily hardships, like long hours and dangerous machinery. Another idea is the Viking age. Write about a Viking warrior on a quest for a hidden treasure. Include elements like their longships and Norse mythology. A third idea would be to write about the Roaring Twenties. Maybe a flapper girl trying to break free from the traditional norms of society while also dealing with the economic boom and the changing social landscape.

Here's an idea. A middle - aged woman decides to go back to college after years of being a homemaker. She faces many challenges like age - related discrimination from some classmates, struggles to keep up with the coursework, but she perseveres. Along the way, she discovers new aspects of herself and forms unexpected friendships that change her perspective on life.

A story set on a distant planet where the native species communicates through colors and vibrations. An Earth scientist is sent to study them but accidentally disrupts their communication system, leading to a series of adventures as he tries to fix it. This could explore themes of cultural misunderstanding and environmental adaptation in a sci - fi setting.