A specific moment, not a whole year at once
The Third Battle of Ypres, also called Passchendaele, began on 31 July 1917. Britain’s forces were involved in major offensives, not simply waiting in a permanently defensive posture. Imperial War Museums’ centenary account establishes the date.
Choose an appropriate role
An ordinary soldier cannot personally sign a peace treaty on behalf of governments. Your fictional soldier might write home, respond to an order or discuss hopes for peace. If your story requires international negotiation, choose a diplomatic role and research its authority.
Date the scene precisely. Events elsewhere in 1917 should not be treated as if they all happened before your character’s decision.
Make the uncertainty believable
Describe what your character knows, what is rumour and what remains outside their control. Avoid presenting the views of one invented soldier as the opinion of an entire army.
A powerful scene can focus on a small choice rather than rewriting the war in one speech. If you imagine a different political outcome, explain the additional decisions required beyond the frontline.
Include a source note and label dialogue as fictional. No invented letter should be represented as an archival quotation.
Participation
This is an evergreen writing exercise. There is no active competition, deadline, judging panel, promised feedback or prize attached. Credit collaborators and distinguish evidence from invention.
Editorial review
Reviewed on 26 September 2026. Corrected the soldier-as-peace-negotiator premise and defensive-only framing of 1917; removed unsupported contest terms.