Ah, the Wild Wild West. It's a classic setting for historical romance novels. All that hope instilled by the Gold Rush, the wide open spaces, and hot people homesteading makes for excellent love stories.

But while you'd be forgiven for thinking it, the western historical romance sub-genre is far more than just ranchers and mail order brides. Strong women, wounded men, LGBTQIA+ relationships—any kind of character trope or relationship dynamic you can think of works well, with the exception of monsters, shifters, and Highlanders. Though wouldn't that be a cool crossover?

The prompts below introduce you to the full breadth of possibilities in this sub-genre, and hopefully will inspire you to pen your own tale of home on the range.

1. Trope: Forced proximity, road trip Setting: Cross-country train Main character 1: Virgin Main character 2: Prospector Prompt: Write the scene, from MC1's point of view, where she learns that she'll have to share a cabin with MC2 for the next two weeks.
   

2. Trope: Opposites attract Setting: Small town Main character 1: Doctor Main character 2: Nurse Prompt: Write a scene where the main characters butt heads over the way they think a patient with influenza should be cared for.
   

3. Trope: Fish out of water Setting: Cattle ranch Main character 1: Rancher, single father Main character 2: Governess hired to look after MC1's children Prompt: Write a scene where MC2 shows MC1 how to draw water for bathing from the local well.
   

4. Trope: Mistaken identity, arranged marriage Setting: Potato farm Main character 1: Schoolteacher Main character 2: Mercantile owner Prompt: Write a scene where, after making love, MC1 learns MC2 has been impersonating his twin brother.
   

5. Trope: Enemies to lovers Setting: San Francisco Main character 1: Private investigator Main character 2: Criminal on the run Prompt: Write a scene, from MC2's point of view, when he realizes he's fallen for MC1.

For more Western historical inspiration, I highly recommend Rebel Carter's Gold Sky series, which features 7 gorgeous books that spin classic tropes on their heads and really make the most of the Western setting.

Until next post, happy reading and writing!