Fictional Fixation

The Writing Prompt:

In 1912, a ship set sail from Europe, bound for the shores of America. Onboard were hundreds of passengers, each with their own dreams and secrets. But one night, the ship sank under mysterious circumstances, disappearing without a trace. For years, it was presumed to have been lost in the icy depths of the Atlantic.

Fast forward to the present day, and a team of archaeologists working off the coast of Newfoundland discovers an unusual artifact—an old journal, its pages well-preserved despite the centuries that have passed. The journal belonged to a young woman named Emily Carter, one of the passengers aboard the ill-fated ship.

As the archaeologists begin to translate the journal, they uncover a story far darker and more complex than they could have imagined. Emily had been on a journey to escape a troubled past, but her voyage turned into a race for survival as she began to uncover a conspiracy that threatened not only her life but the lives of everyone on board.

Through her eyes, the team begins to see that the sinking of the ship might not have been an accident after all. The journal hints at a group of powerful individuals who were aboard, each with their own hidden agendas. As the archaeologists dig deeper into Emily’s story, they begin to unravel a web of deception, betrayal, and murder that spans generations. The ship’s tragic fate may have been the result of something much more sinister—something that still echoes through the years.

Now, the archaeologists are not just uncovering the past—they are uncovering a secret that someone, somewhere, will do anything to keep buried.

Tips for Writing This Prompt:

1. Create a Compelling Historical Setting:
   The setting of your story plays a significant role in the atmosphere. The early 1900s were filled with a mix of optimism and uncertainty. The contrast of the bustling world of early 20th-century society with the hidden dangers lurking below the surface adds depth to your narrative. Think about the social, cultural, and technological advances of the time, and weave these into your characters’ lives.
2. Develop Complex Characters:
   The passengers on the ill-fated ship should feel like real people, with rich backstories and personal stakes. Emily Carter could be running from a scandal, a broken engagement, or a personal tragedy. Give her motivations that make her relatable, yet her curiosity about the ship’s mysteries should keep readers invested in her journey.
3. Introduce a Mysterious Conspiracy:
   The discovery of the ship’s sinking should lead the archaeologists to uncover more than just a tragic event. The conspiracy at the heart of the story should be layered and full of twists. Who was behind the sinking, and why? Were certain individuals aboard the ship in possession of something valuable or dangerous? Make sure the answers come slowly, so the mystery intensifies.
4. Incorporate Flashbacks:
   Since the story involves an artifact from the past, you can tell the narrative through two timelines: the archaeologists’ present-day investigation and Emily’s journal from the past. Flashbacks allow readers to uncover the history piece by piece, heightening suspense and giving context to the events as they unfold.
5. Focus on the Emotional Journey:
   Beyond the historical and mystery elements, the emotional journey of the characters is key. The archaeologists may become personally invested in uncovering the truth, perhaps uncovering parts of their own pasts along the way. Likewise, Emily’s journal should evoke empathy from readers, giving them a reason to care about her survival and the discovery of the truth.
6. End with a Shocking Revelation:
   To close the story, leave your readers with a shocking twist. Perhaps the sinking of the ship wasn’t the end of the mystery, but the beginning of something far more dangerous that is still unfolding. This sets the stage for potential sequels or spinoffs and keeps the story lingering in the readers’ minds.