A flood can also make a great disaster scene. Rising waters quickly submerge streets and buildings. Survivors are clinging to rooftops or makeshift rafts, while the current sweeps away cars and debris. The sound of rushing water is deafening, and there's a sense of hopelessness as the water keeps rising.
Set the novel in Ancient Egypt. Focus on the religious beliefs and the role of the priests. A young apprentice priest discovers a heresy that challenges the established religious order. He has to decide whether to expose it or keep it hidden, which could lead to a great exploration of the rigidity of religious dogma and the power struggles within the religious elite.
One idea could be to set the novel during the Crusades. Have a fictional character, perhaps a young knight, who starts out with a very dogmatic view of the religious conflict. But as he travels and meets different people, including Muslims who are more complex and kind than he was led to believe, his views begin to change. This could explore themes of religious tolerance and the human cost of war.
A science fiction novel could be about a world where people can transfer their consciousness into different bodies or even machines. This would raise all sorts of ethical and social questions, like what it means to be human and how the law should deal with crimes committed by a transferred consciousness.
How about a story of a troubadour? He travels from castle to castle, singing songs of love and chivalry. He gets involved in the love affairs of the nobility, and through his songs, he can either make or break reputations. He could also be a spy for one of the lords, using his travels as a cover.
One idea could be to focus on a gladiator. Maybe a young man who was wrongly enslaved and forced into the gladiator games. His journey to gain freedom and seek revenge against those who wronged him would be full of action, love, and political intrigue as he might have to navigate the complex web of Roman society.
A simple idea is to write about your favorite part of the book. Maybe it was an exciting action scene, a touching moment between characters, or a really clever plot twist. For me, in 'The Great Gatsby', the scene where Gatsby shows Daisy his collection of shirts was very memorable.
For a fiction story, you might consider writing about a hidden society. For instance, there's a society deep underground that has been living there for centuries, away from the surface world. The main character could be an explorer who stumbles upon this hidden world. Another concept is to have a story centered around a magical object. Maybe it's a key that can open any door in different dimensions. Characters would be in a race to get this key. You could also write a story about a character who wakes up one day with no memories and has to figure out who they are while uncovering a conspiracy.
One idea could be to focus on the characters. Talk about their development throughout the story, like how the main character changes from being shy and timid at the start to a confident hero by the end. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', Katniss Everdeen starts as a girl trying to protect her sister and becomes a symbol of hope for the districts.
A young artist has the ability to bring his paintings to life. At first, it's just a fun little trick, but then one of his creations becomes evil and starts to cause chaos in the city. The artist has to figure out how to stop his own creation, while also dealing with the fact that the art world wants to use his power for their own gain.