Writing Prompt: What's the Secret That Upended Your Family?

Illustration by Siobhán Gallagher/Narratively archive

You know when your friend is telling you a story about their family history as if it's the most run-of-the-mill thing in the world and you're sitting there listening with your jaw wide open, exclamation marks circling your head — because most families do not have secrets (and stories!) like that … We are looking for short tales that elicit that kind of reaction. Did you find out in your 20s that your mom had a second family you never knew about? That your father was actually a government spy? That your estranged sister was adopted and never knew it?

Don’t think about this too much; just write. You can write one line or 200 words. Whatever this prompt inspires you to think of, drop your response in the comments. The response that gets the most likes will win a free six-month Narratively subscription!

This prompt went out before our new site launch, so previous writers’ replies are over on Narratively.com, here. Feel free to chime in wi…