30 Fairy Tale Writing Prompts to Spark Your Next Award-Winning Project
Are you searching for the spark to ignite your next big story? Whether you're a writer, storyteller, or filmmaker, diving into fairy tales can unlock endless creativity.
This blog presents 30 fairy tale writing prompts, from the charm of "Cinderella" and the mystery of "Red Riding Hood" to the adventures of "The Little Mermaid" and the enchantment of "Sleeping Beauty."
These prompts blend classic fairy tales with unique twists, inviting you to explore old stories through fresh eyes. Create captivating tales featuring princesses, beasts, magic, and enchanted worlds.
Here, every word is a step into a realm where your main character can embark on extraordinary adventures, confront villains, and live happily ever after.
Dive into our collection of fairy tale writing prompts and let your imagination soar through enchanted forests and mysterious lands.
Your next award-winning project starts here!
A long list of fairy tale writing prompts
1. In a world where shadows hold secrets, a young farmer's child discovers their shadow can speak, leading them to uncover an ancient fairy realm hidden beneath their village.
2. A renowned shoemaker in a magical town crafts boots that can transport the wearer anywhere they desire, but with each journey, the shoes exhibit a will of their own.
3. After a forbidden forest begins to expand, swallowing nearby villages, a group of unlikely friends, including a brave baker's daughter and a timid dragon, unite to find the forest's heart and uncover its desires.
4. A mysterious old library in the kingdom's capital is said to house a book that writes the future. When a street-smart orphan discovers it, they must choose between using it for personal gain or protecting it from those who seek to abuse its power.
5. The youngest prince of a submerged aquatic kingdom finds an ancient, dormant volcano underwater. Awakening it, he earns the ability to control thermal vents and awakens an old menace trapped within.
6. On the night of the blue moon, a young witch accidentally conjures a spirit trapped between worlds, leading her on an adventure to bring peace to the spirit while unraveling her town's mysterious past.
7. In a kingdom where music has been banned for centuries, a rebellious teenager discovers an enchanted flute that can bring statues to life, challenging the laws and the king's decree.
8. A tailor in a snow-bound town crafts a coat that grants invisibility but at a tremendous personal cost. Their stories intertwine as the coat passes from one owner to another, revealing the garment's origin and purpose.
9. When the stars begin to fall from the sky, a skeptical astronomer and a dreamy poet embark on a quest to the world's edge to discover why, discovering realms beyond their imagination.
10. A kingdom oppressed by an eternal winter finds hope in a prophecy about a gardener's daughter, who has the power to control plants and bring forth spring, but first, she must overcome the ice witch who seeks to stop her.
11. In a land where all lies are visible as scars on one's skin, a smooth-skinned prince must uncover the truth behind his betrothed's flawless appearance, leading to discoveries about love, trust, and honesty.
12. A young falconer discovers a bird with scales instead of feathers, revealing an ancient pact between their family and a forgotten dragon lineage.
13. Two children find an old, enchanted chessboard in their attic. With each piece moved, they manipulate the outcomes of battles in a distant magical realm, becoming unwitting participants in a war between good and evil.
14. A moonbeam touches a newborn in a town that worships the moon, granting her unparalleled power overnight and darkness. As she grows, so does her responsibility to use her powers to fend off creatures that lurk in the shadows.
15. A wandering bard who can turn stories into reality arrives in a troubled kingdom. To save it, he must weave a compelling tale that brings the kingdom's history to life and confronts its darkest moments.
16. The mirror in a humble woodcutter's home doesn't show reflections but reveals the true nature of anyone who stands before it. When the royal family hears of it, they seek to possess it for its power.
17. In a city where everyone has wings, a wingless girl discovers an ancient, grounded palace that houses the secrets to the city's flight and its fall from grace.
18. A forgotten well in the village square begins to grant wishes, but with unpredictable outcomes. When a simple farmer wishes for the end of a drought, he's tasked with a quest to balance the scales of magic.
19. A renowned artist finds a set of enchanted paints that can bring her paintings to life. Her masterpiece, a portrait of a lost prince, embarks on a quest to find and save the actual prince from an enchanted sleep.
20. In a kingdom cursed to be without voices, a mute musician discovers an ancient instrument capable of restoring speech. She must perform a concert at the kingdom's heart to break the curse, facing the sorcerer who silenced them.
21. An adventurous cat, gifted with the ability to see ghosts, teams up with a ghostly knight to solve the mystery of the knight's unfinished business. The cat leads them through haunted forests and the realms of the dead.
22. A spell goes awry, causing the prince to switch bodies with his royal dragon. Together, they must navigate their new lives and undo the spell while protecting the kingdom from an unseen threat.
23. A young healer with the power to cure any ailment with a touch faces a moral dilemma when she discovers a plague created by a dark magician who offers her a chance to join him in exchange for her family's safety. Her journey to find a cure and protect her loved ones tests the limits of her powers and heart.
24. On the eve of her coronation, a princess discovers a secret passage within the castle leading to a garden where time stands still. Here, she meets an ancestor who warns her of an impending betrayal.
25. A blacksmith's apprentice forges a sword that can cut through the fabric of reality, revealing paths to parallel worlds. When villains seek to wield their power, the apprentice must protect the sword and restore balance.
26. During a total solar eclipse, a shadowy figure grants a young outcast the power to manipulate shadows. She must learn to control her powers to save her town from creatures that emerge from the darkness.
27. In a realm where dreams and reality merge, a dreamweaver's creations begin to alter the waking world. They must find the source of the disturbance in the dreamscape to prevent chaos and restore order.
28. A cursed prince, turned into a beast at night and human by day, seeks refuge in a secluded castle. When a wandering scholar stumbles upon the castle, they unravel the curse's origin and seek a cure together.
29. An ancient tree in the village center starts whispering secrets to the children, leading them to discover their families' hidden magical heritage and the tree's connection to a long-lost realm of fairies.
30. In a city built on clouds, a young inventor creates a machine to control the weather. But when the machine malfunctions, causing endless storms, they must venture into the storm's heart to fix it and save their floating home.
Conclusion
Whether you're crafting tales of princesses battling beasts, children outsmarting witches, or princes embarking on valorous quests, the key to unlocking your next great story lies within these age-old stories, reimagined with your own unique twist.
So grab your pen, position your characters at the edge of the unknown, and let these fairy tale writing prompts guide you toward creating something truly magical.
May your stories enchant the world, one fairy tale at a time, and perhaps find their way to the cherished realm of "happily ever after."
Frequently Asked Questions About Fairy Tale Writing Prompts (FAQs)
What are fairy tale writing prompts?
Writing prompts spark creativity and offer a starting point for stories. Fairy tale writing prompts are unique because they immerse you in an enchanted world where magic is real, and anything can happen.
They inspire you to write stories filled with princes, princesses, witches, and adventures in distant lands.
How can I use classic fairy tales like Cinderella or Snow White?
Start by taking these old stories and adding your unique twist. Imagine Cinderella as a startup entrepreneur in a modern city or Snow White as a detective.
The key is maintaining the essence while transforming the setting or characters for a fresh take.
What are fractured fairy tales?
Fractured fairy tales take traditional tales like Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs and twist them unexpectedly.
This could mean changing the story's perspective, outcome, or moral. It's all about creativity and flipping the script on classic fairy tales.
Can you give an example of a fairy tale writing prompt?
Sure! Here's one: "In a kingdom where music is banned, a young peasant finds a magical instrument belonging to the Pied Piper.
Only the true power of music can save the kingdom in danger. What adventure awaits?" Use prompts like this to unleash your imagination and craft your tales.
How do I create a main character for my fairy tale?
Your main character should be someone readers can root for. Consider what makes classic characters like Sleeping Beauty or The Little Mermaid memorable. Then, create a character with unique desires, fears, and challenges.
Whether it's a brave princess, a clever mermaid, or a resourceful peasant, ensure they have the depth to carry your story.
What makes a fairy tale interesting?
A compelling fairy tale often contains mystery, danger, and magic elements, and its characters face significant challenges.
Adding an exciting twist, like a villain who's not entirely evil or a prince who needs saving, can make your tale stand out. The heart of an engaging story lies in its ability to surprise and delight readers.
How can fairy tale prompts help with teaching or assisting children?
Using fairy tale prompts in education can ignite students' imaginations and encourage creative writing. It's a fun way to teach narrative structure, character development, and descriptive language.
Crafting their fairy tales also helps children explore themes of friendship, bravery, and moral decisions in a safe and imaginative setting.
Are there any resources for more fairy tale writing prompts?
Yes! Many online communities and websites offer a variety of prompts. Consider subscribing to a newsletter or joining a writing group where members share and discuss prompts.
Books and online articles about storytelling and creative writing are also great resources. Remember to check your local library or bookstore for collections of fairy tales to inspire your next story.
How can I get my fairy tale published?
Once you've written and polished your fairy tale, research publishers specializing in fairy tales or children's literature. You can also consider self-publishing platforms.
Joining writing workshops or groups can provide valuable feedback and increase your chances of getting published. Remember, persistence is vital. Keep writing, revising, and submitting your work.
Can fairy tale writing be a collaborative process?
Absolutely! Writing can be a shared adventure. Collaborate with friends or fellow writers to create a story together. You can each take turns writing sections or brainstorm and develop the plot as a team.
Collaboration brings various ideas and perspectives, making the storytelling process even more enriching and fun.
