Alternate history is a subgenre of science fiction, speculative fiction, and even finds its way in to some fantasy. To create an alternate all you have to do is change one historical decision or event. Prevent a person from arriving to where they were in real history. Two people who never meet can never have the child that will change or save the world. Think John Conor of the Terminator franchise.
Writing alternate history can be fun and challenging writing exercise but once you get started, you'll find you have a preexisting world as your backdrop and the freedom to tweak it to fit your story. For today’s creative writing prompt, choose a person, place, or event as the springboard for your muse. Consider the following writing topics and select one.
Person: Col. John Stevens
For the first story prompt idea, consider Col. John Stevens, III (June 26, 1749-March 6, 1838: American lawyer, engineer, and inventor who constructed the first U.S. steam locomotive, first steam-powered ferry, and first U.S. commercial ferry service from his estate in Hoboken, and was influential in the creation of U.S. patent law. On October 17, 1782, he married Rachel Cox (1761–1839), the daughter of John Cox. She was a descendant of the Langeveldts (or Longfields) who originally settled New Brunswick, New Jersey. They had thirteen children of which seven were sons.
This man lived a full, accomplished life which
offers plenty of fodder for alternate history. For instance, it can lead to a new and unusual Western frontier inhabited by gargoyle like creatures that carry people away as
they lay down the rails for the trains pulled by the steam locomotives. Or how
about an accident on the ferry
service? What would happen when they reached 1822 Manhattan on the other
side and how would that change the future? You might consider writing an
anthology of stories based on this one man with all these possibilities! It's a way to relate the unrelated and still have a theme.
Place: Ancient Site
This category is ripe for alternate history. Choose one site and decide: Were they created by humans? If so where did the technology come from, or why doesn’t anyone today know how it could be replicated. Is it instead an alien project of some sort? If so what was it’s purpose? What difference does it make to the world today? For your story create an advanced race that has the technology needed to create the site. Your challenge is to also create a plot that develops the reason they’ve build these mammoth structures. Did they accomplish their goal? Or is it something still unfolding like a ticking bomb.
- The Pyramids
- Stonehenge
- Monolithic human figures of Moai
- Or change it up with ancient hieroglyphics on Mars
- The Nazca Lines of southern Peru
World War I
The first World War was won by the Allies: the United Kingdom, France, United States, Japan, Italy. They defeated the Central Powers: Imperial Germany, Austro-Hungary Empire and the Ottoman Empire. It lasted from 1914 until the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty in 1919. Check out this timeline of World War I and choose one item for your story's setting.
As you can see, alternate history requires knowledge of history. Equip yourself with enough details to make your story fit the time. Have fun as you travel back in time to create a new future!
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