Fictional Fixation

Writing Prompt:
The world didn’t end in fire or ice—it crumbled in silence. A mysterious virus swept through the population, not killing people, but erasing their memories overnight. Entire cities woke up with no recollection of who they were, where they lived, or whom they loved. Governments collapsed, societies fractured, and in the chaos, a new order emerged—one ruled by those who had somehow retained their memories.

You are one of the few who still remember everything. But with that knowledge comes danger. The new rulers, calling themselves the Architects, have begun hunting down the “Rememberers,” fearing they will expose the truth about what really happened. You have one mission: to find the last surviving scientist who may hold the key to reversing the mind-wipe before it’s too late. But as you navigate through a fractured world, you start to question—was forgetting a curse, or a mercy?

Tips for Writing This Prompt:

1. Create a Tense Atmosphere: Dystopian thrillers thrive on tension and paranoia. The protagonist should feel the weight of their isolation, never knowing whom to trust.
2. Establish a Unique Dystopian Society: Explore the impact of mass amnesia. How would people rebuild their identities? Would new cultures form? What kind of power dynamics would emerge?
3. Moral Dilemmas: Should the protagonist restore everyone’s memories, or would revealing the past bring more destruction? What if they uncover secrets that could change everything they believed?
4. A Strong Antagonist: The Architects should have a compelling reason for erasing memories. Maybe they think they’re saving humanity from an unbearable truth. Give them depth, not just cruelty.
5. Fast-Paced, High Stakes: Keep the story moving with time-sensitive obstacles. The protagonist is constantly being hunted, running out of time, and forced to make difficult choices.