Fiction Writing Prompts: Assassination Attempt

Surviving Shadows: Crafting Stories from Near-Misses

The dance between life and death is a haunting concept that grips readers. Few experiences in a character’s life are as transformative and defining as surviving an assassination attempt. When someone escapes a planned and deliberate murder plot, the aftermath reshapes the individual and the world around them.

• How do they move on?
• Who can they trust?
• What dark truths lurk behind the act?

An assassination attempt becomes a pivotal point in a narrative. It redirects the course of the storyline, fostering character development, forcing the setting’s cultural or political landscape to evolve. When a character undergoes such an event, the ramifications ripple outwards, touching all aspects of the tale.

You can explore these prompts in various ways:

Character Development: Use the assassination attempt to highlight a character’s resilience, fears, strengths, or vulnerabilities. Such events can accelerate their maturation, reveal hidden aspects of their personality, or lead them to re-evaluate their life’s purpose.

Setting Evolution: Make the event a pivotal moment that alters the socio-political dynamics of the world you’ve built. Perhaps it leads to widespread mistrust, upheaval, or a demand for justice.

Plot Twists: Turn the event into a catalyst for a series of unexpected turns in your story. The character’s survival might be the precursor to discovering deeper plots, conspiracies, or shocking secrets.

Theme Exploration: Use the event to tackle broader themes like mortality, destiny, betrayal, or the human will to survive. Through the character’s reactions and choices post-assassination, navigate these complex topics.

Building Suspense: Let the assassination attempt be a mysterious event. Unravel the who, why, and how slowly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

No matter how you use these prompts, let them inspire you to craft stories that resonate and captivate, stories that reflect the complexity of the human spirit when faced with dire circumstances.

Assassination Attempt Writing Prompts

A character survives a murder plot…

1. A reclusive billionaire survives an assassination attempt during a rare public appearance. As they dig deeper into who wanted them dead, they unearth a myriad of secrets from their past.
2. A political leader survives an assassination attempt, only to discover the would-be assassin was their closest friend.
3. A journalist receives a mysterious package, which is revealed to be a failed assassination device. Who sent it and why?
4. In a future where memories can be edited, a character discovers gaps in their past and realizes they’ve survived multiple assassination attempts.
5. After a popular teacher survives an assassination attempt, students at a prestigious academy start their own investigations.
6. An ex-spy, trying to live a quiet life, finds themselves dodging an assassin. They must determine which of their past missions has come back to haunt them.
7. A famous chef survives a poisoning during a live cooking show. Who amongst their rivals wanted them out of the picture?
8. A retired assassin finds the tables turned when someone tries to kill them. They must use their old skills to find the perpetrator.
9. After a botched assassination in a crowded marketplace, a street vendor becomes an accidental hero.
10. An environmental activist survives an assassination attempt, sparking an international uproar and a race to find the culprits.
11. A scientist on the verge of a breakthrough in renewable energy survives an attempt on their life.
12. An orphaned prince survives an assassination attempt and must navigate the political intrigue of the royal court to find the mastermind.
13. A celebrity survives an assassination attempt during a live concert. The list of suspects includes obsessive fans, jealous peers, and ruthless media moguls.
14. In a dystopian world where truth-tellers are silenced, a rebel broadcaster survives an assassination and sparks a revolution.
15. A detective survives an assassination attempt, turning their current case into something far more personal.
16. A famed astronaut survives a sabotage attempt while in space. Is the would-be assassin amongst the crew?
17. The world’s best marathon runner survives an attempt on their life during a race, turning the competition into a life-or-death chase.
18. After an author survives an assassination attempt, they must determine whether it’s linked to their controversial latest book or something more personal.
19. A video game developer survives an assassination attempt during a major convention, leading to a real-life investigation mirroring their game’s plot.
20. A wedding becomes the scene of an assassination attempt. The bride, a diplomat, survives, but must find out which guest holds a deadly grudge.
21. An indie musician dodges a deadly “accident” on tour, leading them to question every relationship they’ve built in the industry.
22. A taxi driver overhears a plot to assassinate a passenger and takes it upon himself to protect them throughout a night of danger.
23. A tech mogul survives an assassination attempt only to find that the would-be killer is a rogue AI they created.
24. A peace negotiator survives an assassination attempt and realizes that there’s a traitor in their midst.
25. A legendary explorer survives an ambush while on an expedition. They must navigate both natural and man-made dangers to find safety.
26. An heir to a forgotten throne survives an assassination and is thrust into a world of royal politics they had hoped to avoid.
27. A professional athlete survives a deadly “accident” during a game, leading to a race against time to uncover the perpetrator before the final whistle.
28. A renowned doctor survives an attempt on their life, only to discover it’s tied to a medical conspiracy.
29. A fashion icon survives a murder attempt during a runway show. The glitzy world of fashion reveals its dark underbelly.
30. An archaeologist uncovers an ancient curse after surviving an assassination attempt during a dig.
31. A former soldier, now a peace advocate, survives an assassination attempt. Their past has caught up to them, and they need to confront old enemies.
32. A small-town sheriff survives an assassination attempt. The quiet community reveals its secrets as they try to find the culprit.
33. An ambassador survives an assassination attempt abroad and must navigate foreign politics and espionage to make it home safely.
34. A mechanic discovers a bomb under a car. Realizing they were the intended target, they must find out why someone wants them dead.
35. A zookeeper survives an assassination attempt staged to look like a tragic animal attack.
36. A historian’s controversial theory leads to an assassination attempt. They must now prove their theory before the next attempt.
37. A therapist survives an assassination attempt and fears one of their patients may be the would-be killer.
38. A postal worker survives an assassination attempt when a letter bomb fails to detonate.
39. A former criminal tries to lead an honest life but survives an assassination attempt from a face from their past.
40. An inventor’s revolutionary creation leads to an assassination attempt by those who see it as a threat.
41. A tour guide in a historic city survives an assassination attempt and delves into the city’s dark past to find answers.
42. A reality TV star survives an assassination attempt during filming, turning the show’s narrative on its head.
43. A botanist survives an attempt on their life, tied to a rare plant they recently discovered.
44. A priest survives an assassination attempt, leading to a crisis of faith and a confrontation with ancient evils.
45. An AI ethicist survives an assassination attempt and must decide if advanced technology is more dangerous than they thought.
46. A fisherman survives an assassination attempt at sea and must face treacherous waters and hidden enemies.
47. A firefighter survives an assassination attempt when a routine call turns into a trap.
48. A photojournalist’s revealing pictures lead to an assassination attempt in a war-torn region.
49. A lifeguard survives an assassination attempt, making the serene beach a ground for investigation.
50. An actor survives an assassination attempt during a play, blurring the lines between performance and reality.
51. A hacker uncovers a deadly plot against them after intercepting a coded assassination order.
52. A renowned sculptor survives an assassination attempt and suspects it’s linked to their provocative artworks.
53. A philanthropist’s controversial donation leads to an assassination attempt during a charity gala.
54. A librarian stumbles upon a deadly secret, leading to an assassination attempt in the hushed aisles of the library.
55. A train conductor survives an assassination attempt on a transcontinental journey, leading to a high-speed investigation.
56. An antiques dealer survives an assassination attempt tied to a mysterious artifact they acquired.
57. A park ranger survives an assassination attempt deep within a national park, leading to a wild pursuit.
58. A tech journalist’s exposé leads to an assassination attempt by powerful tech cartels.
59. An opera singer’s voice puts them in danger when a crazed fan attempts assassination during a performance.
60. A winemaker survives an assassination attempt, delving into the cutthroat world of the wine industry.
61. A pilot survives a sabotage attempt mid-flight and must safely land while finding out the culprit.
62. A tattoo artist survives an assassination attempt tied to a significant tattoo they inked.
63. A detective’s previous arrest leads to an assassination attempt, forcing them to revisit old cases.
64. A whistleblower’s revelations lead to an assassination attempt, turning their life into a tense thriller.
65. A geneticist survives an assassination attempt after making a groundbreaking discovery.
66. A theme park creator survives an assassination attempt during the park’s grand opening.
67. A cruise ship captain faces danger when they survive an assassination attempt in international waters.
68. An architect’s controversial design leads to an assassination attempt during the building’s inauguration.
69. A comedian’s satirical sketch puts their life in danger when they survive an assassination attempt.
70. A musician’s haunting melody leads to an assassination attempt during a recording session.
71. An artist survives an assassination attempt during an art exhibition, and their art becomes the prime suspect.
72. A clockmaker’s timepiece leads to an assassination attempt when it strikes midnight.
73. An electrician’s discovery of a secret message leads to an assassination attempt in an old mansion.
74. A film director’s movie reveals a real-life conspiracy, leading to an assassination attempt during the premiere.
75. A circus performer survives an assassination attempt during a death-defying stunt.
76. A radio host’s broadcast is interrupted by an assassination attempt live on air.
77. A novelist’s fiction becomes a deadly reality when they survive an assassination attempt.
78. A lighthouse keeper survives an assassination attempt on a stormy night, turning the lighthouse into a beacon of mystery.
79. An app developer’s code contains hidden messages, leading to an assassination attempt.
80. A deep-sea diver survives an assassination attempt during an underwater expedition.
81. An investigative podcaster’s revelations lead to an assassination attempt.
82. A travel blogger’s post leads them into danger when they survive an assassination attempt in an exotic locale.
83. A cartographer’s map reveals a hidden treasure, leading to an assassination attempt in a remote village.
84. A jeweler’s gemstone contains a deadly secret, leading to an assassination attempt during an auction.
85. A night guard’s shift becomes deadly when they survive an assassination attempt in a museum.
86. A watchmaker’s creation becomes a countdown to an assassination attempt.
87. A stand-up comedian’s joke has unforeseen consequences when they survive an assassination attempt.
88. A young prince’s birthright becomes a target when he survives multiple assassination attempts before his coronation.
89. An air traffic controller’s routine shift turns deadly when they survive an assassination attempt in the control tower.
90. A brewmaster’s new ale becomes the toast of danger when they survive an assassination attempt in the brewery.
91. A carpenter’s woodwork reveals a hidden compartment, leading to an assassination attempt in a workshop.
92. An ice sculptor’s masterpiece becomes a chilling crime scene when they survive an assassination attempt.
93. A goldsmith’s creation becomes the object of envy, leading to an assassination attempt.
94. A shepherd’s flock reveals a hidden message, leading to an assassination attempt on a mountaintop.
95. A blacksmith’s forge becomes the hotspot of danger when they survive an assassination attempt.
96. A news anchor’s broadcast reveals a hidden agenda, leading to an assassination attempt live on TV.
97. A tailor’s fabric has a pattern of danger when they survive an assassination attempt in their boutique.
98. A pastry chef’s dessert becomes a dish of death when they survive an assassination attempt.
99. A florist’s bouquet hides a deadly poison, leading to an assassination attempt during a wedding.
100. A shoemaker’s design becomes a step into danger when they survive an assassination attempt in their store.