10 “What If” Prompts That Will Make Your Scripts Unforgettable

“Did you know that some of the biggest ideas in Hollywood begin with a single, two-word spark: ‘What if…?’” You probably didn’t—until now. When you ask yourself “What if…?”, you open a door to endless possibilities, and each prompt can become the beating heart of your next script. As someone who plows through TV shows and devours every screenwriting trick in my path—yet still feels that tingle of excitement at a fresh story seed—I’ve built the “What If…?” Prompt Quests to help you spark ideas, deepen emotional stakes, and forge unbreakable bonds between your characters and your audience.

Every month, you’ll get ten hand-picked “What if…?” questions, each accompanied by a short evolution example to show you how that tiny spark can catch fire. Below, you’ll find this month’s Quest, plus tips and exercises to turn prompts into scenes that pulse with authenticity and emotion. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Why “What If…?” Questions Are Storytelling Gold

When you watch your favorite shows, note how each pilot is built around a twist on a familiar idea: What if a chemistry teacher became a drug kingpin? What if a group of survivors built lives in a post-apocalyptic park? These simple questions punch right into the core of emotional stakes, giving both writer and viewer a clear hook.

By starting with “What if…?”, you:

• Sharpen Your Focus: A single question forces you to define your core conflict.

• Ignite Imagination: You free yourself from clichés by exploring unexpected angles.

• Deepen Emotional Bonds: You instantly ask, “How does this affect my character’s hearts and minds?”

Every Quest is designed to make you think of your protagonist not just as someone chasing a plot point, but as a real person whose world has been upended by that two-word question.

This Month’s “What If…?” Prompt Quests

Below are ten “What if…?” prompts. For each, you’ll find an Evolution Example—a mini-scenario that shows how you might expand the seed into a living, breathing story.

• What if the villain and hero share the same childhood best friend?

Evolution Example: Imagine two detectives—one honest, one corrupt—both mentored by the same retired officer. When their best friend turns up in danger, they must choose loyalty over justice. The shared history fuels raw tension: the villain remembers the hero’s kindness; the hero recalls the villain’s first betrayal.

• What if time travel only lasts sixty seconds per use?

Evolution Example: A grieving nurse discovers a watch that rewinds one minute. Each rewind costs her a cherished memory. She races to save a patient, torn between clutching her fading past and fighting for her future.

• What if every lie appears as a tattoo on your skin?

Evolution Example: A star politician hides a body, and the slogan “I kept my promise” blooms across his arm in dark ink. A rookie reporter, who once idolized him, must decide whether to expose the truth—and watch her own sleeve fill up with confessions.

• What if music could cure disease, but only if you sacrifice a treasured memory?

Evolution Example: A cello prodigy plays a concerto that heals her mother’s illness, but each note erases her happiest childhood moment. She must balance love and loss in every measure.

• What if you could record and sell your dreams?

Evolution Example: A down-and-out playwright trades nightmares for cash. When a producer offers her a hit Broadway deal in exchange for her most vivid dream, she must decide if fame is worth the cost of her own mind.

• What if social media allowed you to upload emotions, not just photos?

Evolution Example: A lonely influencer broadcasts her joy to millions of followers—only to become addicted to their adoration. When she tries to post genuine sadness, the platform glitches, threatening to erase her identity.

• What if ghosts could only speak through mirrors?

Evolution Example: A grieving bride keeps her wedding dress hidden in a room of mirrors. Late at night, her deceased grandmother whispers guidance through reflections, helping her heal—and pointing to a long-buried family secret.

• What if a reclusive novelist’s characters came to life?

Evolution Example: An anxious writer wakes up to her villain in her living room, demanding rewrites. To banish him, she must confront the darkest part of her imagination and find compassion for her own flaws.

• What if the world’s water supply could talk?

Evolution Example: Drinking fountains whisper warnings of drought and corporate pollution. A teenage activist teams up with a cranky well in his backyard to lead a grassroots revolution—one sip at a time.

• What if memories could be traded like currency?

Evolution Example: In a society where people barter painful memories for wealth, a banker burdened with guilt buys a stranger’s childhood tragedy—and unwittingly unites two families in a journey of forgiveness.

Tips for Turning Prompts into Emotional Scripts

1. Anchor in Character: Always start by asking, “How does this change them?” The best stories focus on emotional journeys.
2. Layer Stakes: Don’t stop at plot. Ask, “What does my protagonist stand to lose emotionally?”
3. Find the Twist: Your “What if…?” question is the twist. Lean into its surprise—then discover deeper surprises in character reactions.
4. Use “Did You Know?” Pop-Ups: Add brief asides in your notes—for example, Did you know the term “pinch point” describes the scene that reminds viewers of the villain’s threat?—to keep your mind sharp.
5. Mix Genres: Pair your “What if” with a genre you love—rom-com, sci-fi, horror—to discover fresh emotional angles.

Creative Exercises to Deepen Your Quest

1. Freewrite the First Scene: Pick one prompt, set a timer for five minutes, and write the opening paragraph of your story. Focus on emotion over description.
2. Character Empathy Map: For your protagonist, fill out the Feel/Think/Say/Do quadrants (see my earlier post) in the context of the “What if” scenario.
3. Group Brainstorm Session: Swap prompts with a friend. Give each other three-minute blitzes to pitch story ideas out loud—no editing allowed.
4. Mood Board Montage: Create a visual collage—images, colors, textures—that captures the emotional tone of your chosen prompt.

How Prompt Quests Forge Deeper Emotional Bonds

When you use “What if…?” questions, you’re not just inventing plot points; you’re tapping into universal human curiosity. Each prompt invites empathy:

• Shared Histories (villain & hero’s friend) remind us of childhood bonds.

• Time Constraints (60-second travel) echo our fear of time slipping away.

• Visible Lies (tattooed deceptions) reveal our desire for honesty.

• Healing Music (memory sacrifice) explores love’s true cost.

• Dream Commerce (recorded nightmares) examines the price of ambition.

By linking your prompts to emotional truths—loss, love, fear, hope—you turn an idea sprint into a heart-deep journey. Your audience won’t just follow the plot; they’ll feel it.

Making “What If…?” Prompt Quests Part of Your Routine

1. Monthly Calendar Reminder: Block 30 minutes on your calendar for the new Quest.
2. Journal Your Reactions: After writing, note what surprised you or what character moment resonated.
3. Share in a Community: Post your favorite premise in a writer’s forum for feedback.
4. Iterate Quickly: If an idea fizzles, move to the next prompt. Keep the creative juices flowing.

Final Thoughts: Your Next Prompt Quest

You’ve seen how ten simple questions can unleash a world of emotional possibilities. Now it’s your turn. Pin this post, bookmark your new Quest, and embark on your monthly What If adventure. Each question is a doorway—step through, and discover stories that will make your heart race, your characters soar, and your audience fall in love all over again.

Remember: great screenwriting starts with curiosity. Keep asking, “What if…?”, and watch your ideas grow into narratives that resonate long after the final scene fades to black. Happy Questing, my storyteller friend!