good plot ideas for stories

One idea could be a time - travel plot. A character discovers a device or a magical portal that allows them to travel to different eras. They might have to fix historical mistakes or find a way to get back to their own time while facing challenges in the past or future, like dealing with different cultures, languages, and technologies. It can also involve a love story across time.

A time - travel plot where a character accidentally travels back to a significant moment in history and has to figure out how to return while not changing the course of events too much.

A plot about a hidden magical world within our own. Imagine a young person who stumbles upon a portal or a hidden entrance to a world full of magic. In this world, there are different factions vying for power. The protagonist gets caught in the middle of their power struggles and has to figure out how to either bring peace or escape back to their own world before the chaos consumes them.

A story of a young artist who struggles to make it in the competitive art world. One day, they come across an old, forgotten painting in an attic. As they start to study it, they realize that the painting has some sort of magical or otherworldly quality. It inspires them to create amazing works of art, but at the same time, they start to notice that the painting seems to be changing and that it might have a dark side that could consume them if they're not careful.

One plot idea could be a haunted house. A family moves into an old, dilapidated mansion. Strange noises start at night, like creaking floorboards and whispering voices. Objects move on their own, and the family members start having nightmares about a dark figure that lurks in the shadows of the house. As they try to uncover the history of the place, they find out that a murder took place there decades ago and the spirit of the killer is still trapped.

One idea could be a world where magic is powered by emotions. The protagonist is a young girl who has the rare ability to control all emotions. She must journey across different kingdoms to stop an evil sorcerer who is draining people's emotions to gain ultimate power. Along the way, she meets various characters, some who help her and some who try to use her power for their own gain.

One idea could be a small town where people start receiving anonymous threatening letters. The main character, a local journalist, decides to investigate. As they dig deeper, they find that the letters are related to a long - forgotten town secret from decades ago involving a powerful family who will do anything to keep it buried.

A time - travel plot could be interesting. A character finds an old watch that transports them back to a significant moment in history, like the signing of an important treaty. There, they face a dilemma: whether to interfere with the events or let history take its course. This creates tension and a moral quandary that can be explored within the short story.

A plot about a person who wakes up one day to find that they can hear other people's thoughts. At first, it seems like a cool ability, but soon they realize it's a burden as they hear things they don't want to. This can explore themes of privacy, empathy, and the human mind.

A story about a young artist who is struggling to find their unique style. They move to a big city full of other artists. There, they meet an old, reclusive artist who becomes their mentor. But the mentor has a dark past that starts to influence the young artist's life and work in unexpected ways. The young artist has to decide whether to follow in the mentor's footsteps or break free and find their own path.