Dystopian Writing Prompts - New Teen Dystopian Story Starters for Aspiring Writers

More dystopian story prompts:

1.  Shayna climbed onto the Partition first.  "They lied," she repeated as I stood beside her, but as I looked upon Millennia City I already knew the truth.

2.  The outbreak started at Candace's eighteenth birthday party at her parent's cottage on Lake Tranquil.  I wasn't invited.  Funny how the last thing Candace said to me was, "Drop dead."           

3.  The corpses of rats and ravens littered the gymnasium.  This was so not how I imagined prom night.      

Free Dystopian Writing Prompts and Story Ideas: Part 3

Are you trying to write your own dystopian story?  Here are some more suggested first lines for inspiration:

1.  "I love the smell of rotting corpses in the morning," joked Cal, but none of us laughed.

2.  Mr. Bennett taught us that anyone was capable of murder - it was just a matter of finding the right circumstances.  Or rather the wrong ones. And now I've found mine.    

3.  The boat had enough food and water for three people to make it to the island.  Problem was, there were four of us.

4.  I had never known darkness.  Every room in the complex was always lit, even during the night, but now all I could see was black.  I thought I was blind at first, but then I heard the others crying.  And then the screams.

5.   I only wanted to see him one last time.  But when I opened the door and the alarm sounded, I knew my foolishness would cost me everything.

Dystopian Writing Prompts and Dystopia Ideas Part 2

 Are you trying to create a future society for your teen dystopian novel?   Here are some ideas to inspire you.

1.   A society in which everyone has a twin, but they must never meet.  One is the "day" twin, and the other is the "night" twin.  The night twin serves as a spare for the day twin. 

2.  A society in which the optimal number of adult humans that the world can sustain has been calculated, and the population is controlled so it does not exceed this number.  Teens must take a variety of tests just before they graduate high school to determine if they are allowed to fit in any slots that opened up during the year - the losers are euthanized.
 

3.  A society where everyone must retain a certain popularity ranking or else they are cast out. 

Book Picks: "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Imagine a society where everyone is divided into five factions, based on what they value most:  Candor (honestly), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peace) and Erudite (intelligence).

Each year a Choosing Ceremoney is held where all sixteen-year-olds must choose which faction they will live in.  Beatrice, who grew up in Abnegation, must choose between staying with her family, or being true to herself.  But soon she is caught up in something much bigger, and must make life-or-death decisions affecting her and everyone she's known.

A common criticism of this book by other reviewers is that it is unrealistic that everyone would fit into five virtues. Although I agree with this, it is clear in the book that this society is not working, in part for that very reason.  

What I found more difficult to suspend my disbelief about was Beatrice's incredible amount of "girl power", given her background (I could not help but keep thinking "she is no Katniss Everdeen" while I read).  I also didn't think her reason for her choice of factions seemed very convincing (other than as a plot device by the author to lead the book to its inevitable conclusion).  I think this could have been solved by a prologue showing an incident from her childhood that foreshadowed her behaviour. 

However "Divergent" is such a riveting read, I was more than happy to overlook its flaws.  So that is why I give this book four out of five flying bird tattoos, and look forward to reading "Insurgent" in May. 




*Spoilers" Don't click "Read More" below until you've read the book. 

Dystopian Writing Prompts: Dystopian Novel Starts to Inspire You to Write Your Dystopian Novel

Want to write a dystopian novel but don't know where to start?  Here are some opening lines to inspire you:

1.  Funny how everyone says that was the day the world ended, when it was the beginning of mine. 

2.  Sometimes I forget the Wall did not always surround the town.  

3.  Decapitating a zombie is a lot harder than it looks on tv.  

4. When I was six, I used to have nightmares that my house burned down, and I cried and cried because all my toys were lost forever.  But now that it has - along with half the city - I feel relieved somehow.

5.  There were twelve of us in the beginning.

6.  If there's one thing I want to do before I die, it's to tell her I'm sorry.  

7.  I passed the test.  My twin didn't.  And now I'll never see him again.

8.  There had to be others who were immune like me.

Like these prompts?  Add a comment if you want more, or if you have some of your own.

Book Review: "Crossed" by Ally Condie

Dystopian romance fans will not be disappointed by "Crossed", the second book in Ally Condie's Matched trilogy.  

After Ky is sent to a certain death in the Outer Provinces, Cassia embarks on a dangerous journey to find him, but as she uncovers truths about the Society, her quest turns into something bigger.  She also learns more about Xander, the boy she is supposed to be matched with, making her less certain about her future with Ky.      

Although the futuristic society Ally Condie created is reminiscent of the one in Ray Bradbury's "Farenheit 451", it both plausible and contains many original elements.  The love triangle is also believable, and it is refreshing that the heroine has other things on her mind than just boy troubles.            

I give this book four out of five red tablets.




Who do you think Ally will choose to be with:  Xander or Ky?  Who do you think the Pilot is?  Do you think the Rising can be trusted?  Please share your thoughts.

Quiz #2: Compete in the Hunger Games Trivia Challenge

A quiz for fellow Hunger Game fans eagerly awaiting the March release of "The Hunger Games" movie:

1.  In which district does Katniss live in?  

2.  How did Katniss's and Gale's father die?

3.  Who gave Katniss a mockingjay pin?

4.  Which Hunger Games did Haymitch win?

5.  Where does the nation's name "Panem" come from?

6.  What is President Snow's first name?

7.  At what age is a child's name first entered into the Reaping?

8.  What is a Quarter Quell?

9.  What is Gale's nickname for Katniss?

10. When did Peeta first fall in love with Katniss?

For the answers click "Read More" below:

My Top 10 Favourite Teen Books for 2011

Now that the year is almost over here are my  favourite teen books released in 2011:

1. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
2. Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
3. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare*
4. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
5. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
6. Red Glove by Holly Black
7. Chime by Franny Billingsley
8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
9. Fateful by Claudia Gray
10. Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

*I haven't read this yet but I'm sure it will be a favourite.



Please share your top picks for 2011.

So You Want to Write a Teen Crossover Novel

A crossover novel is a children’s or young adult novel that also appeals to adults.  While crossover novels are nothing new (e.g. “Alice in Wonderland”, “The Hobbit” and “The Little Prince”), it seems like almost every new young adult book aspires to be a crossover book. 

Some tips if you hope to write a crossover novel that appeals to teens and adults:

1.  Writing a crossover novel is not a get-rich-quick scheme.

If you think writing a crossover novel is your ticket to becoming the next Stephenie Meyer, Amanda Hocking or Suzanne Collins, think again.  Writing a novel to cash in on a trend rarely works; either the trend will be over by the time your novel is written, or the market will be so saturated that your novel would need to be exceptional to stand above the crowd. 

2.  Remember who your primary audience is.

If you are writing to please both adults and teens, you are likely to end up pleasing neither.  Write your book with a teen audience in mind, and consider appeal the book may have to adults as being an added bonus.

Writing Tips for Creating Character Names

Consider the following tips when choosing names for characters in your teen paranormal or dystopian novel:

1. Choose names consistent with the time and place of your character’s birth.

Eric is a suitable name for a thousand year old Viking vampire, just as Bill (i.e. William) is a suitable name for a vampire who was a Confederate soldier in the America Civil War.  In contrast, a vampire sired in the Roman Empire would not be named Dillon (unless this is an alias).  Do your homework, or your character and even your entire story may lose credibility.