Hello, everyone! Today’s post is going to be a little different—I’ll be sharing some plot ideas with you. Whether you’re looking for subplots, plot twists, or ideas to fill a tricky chapter, I hope these suggestions will spark some inspiration. You could also use them as prompts if you’re searching for your next book idea. Who knows—one of these might just ignite your creative flame!
Before we dive in, a quick disclaimer—the first 14 ideas will lean toward the more melancholic or intense side. Let’s get started!
14 Tragic Ideas
1. Giving Up an Emotionally Significant Item
Your protagonist must part with an item of immense emotional value.
- Placement: Could be a dramatic Act Three climax or a compelling opening that unravels its significance over time.
- Twists:
- The item may hold sentimental ties to a romantic interest.
- It might be something introduced early and taken away later, or a gift from a new character, heightening the emotional stakes.
2. A Leader Abandoned by Their People
A leader is deserted by those they’ve dedicated themselves to, despite their efforts or sacrifices.
- Example: Inspired by The 100 Season Five, where Octavia is forsaken after leading her people through dark times.
- Use Case: Ideal for fantasy or dystopian settings to challenge a character’s resilience and strength.
3. A Redemption Arc That Comes Too Late
A character seeks redemption but cannot complete it.
- Scenarios:
- They sacrifice themselves in their final act of atonement.
- They’re prevented from witnessing their own redemption.
- Emotional Impact: Highlights the consequences of their earlier actions and adds a tragic edge.
4. An Unforgivable Mistake
Your character makes a blunder too severe to be forgiven.
- Conflict: Forces them to live with irreversible consequences.
- Note: Great for anti-heroes or deeply flawed protagonists, adding moral weight and tension.
5. Unrequited Love with a Childhood Best Friend
A timeless and painful trope.
- Example: A character secretly loves their best friend but can’t confess—or confesses too late.
- Twist: The loved one marries or dies, intensifying the tragedy.
6. Betrayal by Family
A sibling, parent, or child betrays the protagonist.
- Impact: More emotionally devastating than a betrayal from a romantic partner.
- Options: Use this in a high-stakes family drama or as a shocking plot twist.
7. Realizing Love Too Late
A character discovers their true feelings when it’s no longer possible to act on them.
- Scenarios:
- The person they love is marrying someone else.
- The loved one dies, leaving the protagonist with regret.
8. Not Being Believed When It Counts
The protagonist faces disbelief from those closest to them at a critical moment.
- Execution: Could involve family, friends, or romantic partners doubting their claims, leaving the character isolated.
9. Peace with a Tragic Destiny
A character resigned to their grim fate.
- Tone: Their calm acceptance can make the moment even more haunting and poignant.
10. Relapsing After Progress
A character falls back into an old addiction or destructive habit after significant improvement.
- Themes: Adds realism and depth, showing that recovery is not linear.
- Applications: Works well in longer narratives or series to depict ongoing struggles.
11. A Mistake Endangering Loved Ones
A character makes an honest mistake that results in severe consequences for those they care about.
12. Repeated Failure Despite Effort
Your character tries relentlessly but still fails to achieve results.
- Emotional Hook: Captures the perseverance and humanity of the character’s journey.
13. Watching a Loved One Suffer Powerlessly
The character is forced to witness a loved one being tortured or harmed, unable to intervene.
14. Sending Someone into Danger Unknowingly
The protagonist unknowingly sends someone they love into harm’s way.
- Twist: Perhaps they trusted the wrong person, leading to unintended consequences.
30 Normal Ideas
1 - A new family moves in next door
2 - The person in front of your character at the supermarket is holding up the line
3 - A stray cat wanders the streets in front of your characters building
4 - A pub fight breaks out nearby
5 - There’s a local fire at a spot that used to mean a lot to your character
6 - Your character is stuck in a traffic jam on the way to somewhere important
7 - A kitchen appliance keeps dying and your character uses creative ways to keep it together
8 - A local who runs the laundromat becomes a mental figure our friendly outlet for your character
9 - An earthquake hits the town
10 - A distant relative shows up asking to reconnect
11 - Your character struggles financially because of previous debts
12 - There’s a local competition your character could have an advantage in
13 - Your character’s family reaches out for help that your character can’t or doesn’t want to give
14 - Your character gets a pet to curb loneliness
15 - A good childhood friend reappears in the town but won’t talk to your character
16 - The utilities in your character’s house are shut off
17 - Someone steals your character’s parking spot
18 - The town hosts a fun fair
19 - The love interest experiences an unexpected tragedy in the family and must leave
20 - A huge storm rips through town
21 - A new mysterious person becomes the centre of attention
22 - Your character has a near-collision in traffic
23 - The neighbours tend to party too loud every other night
24 - Your character’s best friend excels at something that your character is jealous of
25 - Your character must learn a new skill to achieve their goal
26 - Your character has to attend community service
27 - Your character develops an addiction to the local takeaway, but not because of the food
28 - Your character takes on an odd job to help with the bills
29 - Your character places a drunken bet they have to win
30 - Your character catches a cold, then spreads it around to everyone they know
Char Anna
Char is the author of the writing guide ‘Finish Your First Novel’ and the founder of The Plottery. She’s been in the biz since 2021, and holds a BA in Film & Screenwriting as well as an MA in Creative Writing from Edinburgh Napier University.
Char resides in rainy Scotland with her pup Lavender (who is anything but calm, contrary to what her name suggests), and she writes darker fiction that focuses on unusual family dynamics and lots of queerness.
