Fiction Writing Prompts: Amnesia

Introduction to “Amnesia: Rediscovering Lost Memories” Writing Prompts

Memory is a delicate tapestry, woven with threads of experiences, emotions, and stories that define who we are. But imagine a tear in this tapestry, a void created by amnesia, leaving a character grappling with an incomplete sense of self. The theme of Amnesia dives deep into this territory, exploring moments when characters regain their lost memories, piecing together the puzzle of their past, and confronting the implications of their rediscovered histories.

The allure of the Amnesia theme lies in the duality of rediscovery. On one hand, it offers hope and wholeness as memories flood back, while on the other, it can reveal uncomfortable truths, old wounds, and forgotten challenges. This theme is rich in emotional depth, and the potential for intricate character development, plot twists, and intense climaxes is immense.

You can use these prompts in several ways:

Character Development: Dive deep into your character’s psyche. How does the return of memory affect their relationships, ambitions, and fears?

Mystery and Suspense: Weave a thrilling narrative where the return of a memory is the key to solving a pressing mystery or crime.

Flashbacks: Use the regained memories as a tool to incorporate flashbacks, offering readers glimpses of the character’s past.

Emotional Exploration: Sift through the emotional baggage that comes with rediscovered memories—elation, sorrow, shock, or even regret.

Setting: Place your character in a setting that contrasts with their past, magnifying the impact of their memories.

Whether you’re drafting a short story, a novel, or even a screenplay, these prompts can serve as springboards to dive into the intricacies of the human mind, the fragility of memory, and the journey of self-redemption and realization. Embrace the challenge, and let the waves of the past shape your narrative’s future.

Amnesia Writing Prompts

A character regains lost memories…

1. After a lightning strike, a woman remembers her past life as a secret agent.
2. A middle-aged man rediscovers memories of being abducted by aliens as a child.
3. A wedding ring unlocks forgotten memories of a spouse believed dead.
4. A taste of a unique dish triggers memories of a childhood in a different country.
5. After a blow to the head, a CEO remembers he once lived in poverty on the streets.
6. During a hypnotism show, a college student recalls memories of a crime he witnessed as a toddler.
7. While trying to save someone from drowning, a lifeguard recalls their own near-drowning experience they had forgotten.
8. A soldier remembers the secrets they were forced to suppress during an espionage mission.
9. At a family reunion, a grandfather realizes he had another family before his current one.
10. An aroma from an old book brings back memories of a hidden library in the character’s childhood home.
11. A song on the radio causes a mother to remember her long-lost twin sister.
12. At the brink of death, a character remembers a forgotten promise to a dying friend.
13. An actor rehearsing a play recalls living the exact story in a different era.
14. An old key found in an attic unlocks a character’s memories of a forbidden romance.
15. A photo from a thrift store sparks memories of a past life as a famous personality.
16. While teaching a class, a professor suddenly recalls their traumatic experiences at boarding school.
17. After tasting a piece of candy, a character remembers their estranged sibling.
18. A forgotten lullaby sung by a stranger reminds a woman of her real parents.
19. A tourist at a historical site recalls memories of living there centuries ago.
20. When trying on vintage clothing, a character relives memories from that time period.
21. An old film reveals an actress who seems eerily familiar, causing the protagonist to dig into forgotten memories.
22. An eclipse brings forth memories of a prophecy a character was destined to fulfill.
23. In therapy, a character begins to remember details of a traumatic event they had suppressed.
24. A mirror from an antique store shows reflections of a character’s past life.
25. A diary found in a hidden room of a new house reveals it belonged to the character in a previous life.
26. A recurring dream causes a man to remember a childhood sweetheart he had forgotten.
27. Touching an ancient artifact, an archaeologist recalls being its original owner.
28. A lighthouse brings back memories of a shipwreck from a lifetime ago.
29. A sudden storm reminds a character of the day they lost their memory and the reason behind it.
30. After a surgery, a patient recalls memories of a previous operation which had unintended consequences.
31. A virtual reality game triggers memories of a life where the game’s events were real.
32. A character visiting a retirement home recognizes an old friend, causing a flood of forgotten memories.
33. A ballerina remembers her past life as a war hero during a performance.
34. A soldier coming home from war recalls a friendship from his days in training.
35. A subway ride brings back memories of a tragic accident.
36. While gardening, a character unearths an old toy which unlocks their forgotten childhood.
37. A tattoo artist recalls the story behind a specific design they once got.
38. During a date, a character recognizes the place and remembers a past love story.
39. A carnival ride triggers memories of a tragic event that took place there.
40. An old coin brings back memories of a character’s time as a treasure hunter.
41. During a meditation retreat, a participant recalls their past as a monk.
42. A painting in an art gallery reminds a viewer of their past life as the artist.
43. A priest remembers a confession from years ago that had personal implications.
44. A peculiar constellation in the night sky reminds an astronaut of an encounter in space.
45. A chess game brings back memories of a mentor who taught the character more than just the game.
46. A rare flower’s scent recalls a forgotten romance in a far-off land.
47. A mysterious letter addressed to the character contains clues about their lost past.
48. A character recognizes an old melody, revealing their history as a musician.
49. An old watch ticks memories of time-traveling adventures.
50. A school reunion triggers memories of a pact made years ago.
51. A forgotten childhood toy appears in a store, leading to memories of a sibling given up for adoption.
52. A sailor remembers the siren who once tried to lure him to his death.
53. A magic show reminds a character of their forgotten powers.
54. An ancient map shows a city that a character recalls living in.
55. A museum exhibit about a historic event sparks a character’s memories of being there.
56. At a masquerade, a mask brings back memories of a past identity.
57. A cup of rare tea awakens memories of an ancient ceremony.
58. A wine vintage reminds a character of the vineyard they once owned.
59. An old radio broadcast triggers memories of a wartime romance.
60. At a theme park, a character recalls being trapped there overnight as a child.
61. A book quote reminds a librarian of their author parents they never knew.
62. A pearl necklace recalls a character’s memories from the Titanic.
63. A character remembers their past as a detective after witnessing a crime.
64. A particular shade of paint reminds an artist of the muse they forgot.
65. A magician remembers the trick that went terribly wrong.
66. An antique camera captures not just photos, but also memories of its previous owners.
67. A puppet show triggers memories of a character’s time as a puppeteer in a royal court.
68. A character recalls being a knight after handling an ancient sword.
69. A poet remembers the muse they wrote about but had forgotten.
70. A winter snowfall recalls memories of a tragedy on a mountain.
71. A marathon runner remembers a past race that had life-altering consequences.
72. A sailor’s knot reminds a fisherman of a storm that changed his life.
73. An antique dollhouse mirrors a character’s forgotten family home.
74. An old carousel reminds a woman of the day she was left behind at a fair.
75. A carnival ticket stub triggers memories of running away to join the circus.
76. A magic potion reminds a character of their forgotten life as a witch.
77. A game of cards brings back memories of a gambling debt and the enemy made from it.
78. A tribal dance recalls a character’s forgotten heritage.
79. A crystal ball reveals memories of a past as a fortune teller.
80. A singer remembers a song she wrote about a heartbreak she had forgotten.
81. A locked journal found in a thrift store holds memories of its previous owner.
82. A perfume sample evokes memories of a long-lost love.
83. A character recalls past friendships after stumbling upon a secret clubhouse.
84. An old-fashioned typewriter brings back memories of a life as a journalist during wartime.
85. A rare butterfly reminds a scientist of the expedition where they lost their team.
86. A lion’s roar recalls a character’s time growing up in the wild.
87. An old train ticket stub brings back memories of an escape from danger.
88. A character recalls their time as a sailor after hearing an old sea shanty.
89. A fireworks display triggers memories of a New Year’s Eve tragedy.
90. An ancient ruin reminds an explorer of a past life as royalty.
91. A mysterious elixir causes a character to remember their life as an alchemist.
92. A character remembers their past life as an inventor after seeing an old blueprint.
93. A thunderstorm triggers memories of a rainy night that changed everything.
94. An old classroom chalkboard recalls a character’s time as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse.
95. A lost letter found in an old book brings back memories of wartime correspondence.
96. A dancer remembers the routine that led to their career-ending injury.
97. An old swing set reminds a character of the childhood friend they forgot.
98. A creaky floorboard recalls memories of hiding during a home invasion.
99. A character remembers their past as a pioneer after finding an old diary.
100. A specific shade of sunset reminds a traveler of the day they lost everything.