Good stories center on the clashing of characters’ goals and motivations. Sometimes a character’s goals and motivations arise from recovering a way of life, a loved one, or lost values. Here are four writing prompts for stories that center on reclaiming.

Man vs. nature
To regain his birthright, our exiled main character must return to his land and reclaim it. Doing so, however, requires that he take on several challenges of nature – unfriendly environments, dangerous creatures. What do each of these challenges symbolize to show that our main character is worthy to recover his position (for example, tests of courage, endurance, intelligence, etc.)?

Man vs. man
The main character’s daughter is kidnapped. Who would kidnap her and for what purpose? How does the main character first locate where she is being held and then rescue her? Perhaps he needs to draw favors upon a team of old companions whose lives are in disarray?

Man vs. society
Our protagonist is sent to retrieve a device that would provide its holder with great power. How does he locate this device, and what if he decides, upon learning about its full potential, that no one should have it? How does he keep the device from the very people who hired him to recover it?

Man vs. himself
Your main character has suffered a serious accident. How does he recover from it, even though he may never be able to fully lead the life he once led? How does he handle his self-doubts?