Fictional Fixation

The Writing Prompt:

A brilliant but disillusioned scientist accidentally discovers a way to communicate with their future self. At first, they’re skeptical, thinking it’s a result of a glitch in their equipment or a dream. However, as they begin receiving increasingly detailed messages, they realize that these are not random thoughts or errors. The future version of themselves warns of an impending global crisis—one that only they can prevent—but with each new communication, the scientist starts to see a troubling pattern: the future self seems to be manipulating events in the present.

As the messages grow more urgent, the scientist begins to question their own role in the crisis. Are they being guided to prevent the disaster, or are they unknowingly being pushed toward causing it? In the end, the scientist must decide whether to trust the future they are communicating with, or break free of the strange influence that seems to be shaping their every move.

Tips for Writing This Prompt:

1. Play with Time Paradoxes: Time travel stories thrive on paradoxes and the tension between cause and effect. Think about how your character’s actions in the present can affect the future. How can the scientist’s decisions create unexpected consequences, or how might their knowledge of the future lead them to make choices that alter everything?
2. Create Compelling Internal Conflict: The scientist is dealing with a moral and psychological dilemma. They have knowledge of a future disaster but must grapple with the uncertainty of whether it’s their role to change it, or if they’ve already been manipulated by their future self. This internal conflict can provide emotional depth and create a gripping narrative.
3. Establish the Uncertainty of Time Travel: Since the protagonist is communicating with their future self, the truth of these messages should be ambiguous. Not everything the future self says should be straightforward, and some of the messages might contradict each other. Create doubt and confusion as the scientist tries to figure out whether they can trust what’s being said or if they’re being manipulated.
4. Flesh Out the Global Crisis: The impending disaster can be anything from environmental collapse to a political upheaval or even a technological catastrophe. Take the time to develop what the crisis looks like in the future and what the scientist needs to do to prevent it. This can ground the time travel aspect and make the stakes feel real.
5. Build Tension with the Unseen Influence: Since the scientist’s future self is manipulating events, you can add an element of suspense by showing how this influence slowly shapes the present day. How do they start to feel controlled by their future self? How do small, seemingly inconsequential events become pivotal moments in the bigger story?

This time travel writing prompt is perfect for those who love mind-bending twists and exploring the complexities of fate, choice, and free will. Your character’s journey can be filled with mystery, suspense, and the uncertainty that comes from knowing too much about the future.

Are you ready to dive into the uncertainty of time? Your next great story may just be waiting in the paradoxes of tomorrow.