Whether you're a serious writer, a seasoned author, or just starting out, writing a story can be daunting, especially when struggling to develop new story ideas.

If you’re struggling to get past your writing struggles, writing prompts, a.k.a. idea suggestions, can provide a stimulus to direct the writing process.

To help you get started on your next literary masterpiece and break the cycle of staring at a blank page, I've compiled a list of narrative writing prompts for story ideas.

From fantasy and science fiction to mystery and romance stories, there's something for every genre and writing level.

Each prompt is designed to be versatile and open-ended, allowing you to jumpstart your imagination and take the idea in any direction you choose.

Whether you're writing your first novel, a short story, a screenplay for a short film, or a feature film, these prompts will help you take the first step of the creative journey and get your mind racing and your fingers typing.

Adventure writing prompts

1. A group of hikers must navigate a treacherous mountain pass before a deadly storm hits, all while dealing with internal conflicts and betrayals.

2. A group of explorers must navigate a dark and mysterious cave system to find a rare mineral and confront supernatural forces.

3. A deep sea diver must retrieve a valuable artifact from a shipwreck before the oxygen in their tanks runs out while facing a deadly creature living in the depths.

4. A detective has 24 hours to solve a string of murders before the killer strikes again while dealing with corruption within their department.

5. While coping with treacherous jungle conditions and ancient curses, a group of treasure hunters must find a long-lost city before a rival team beats them.

6. A couple of archaeologists race against time to uncover the secrets of an ancient temple before a natural disaster destroys it.

7. A group of survivors must find a way to escape a deserted island before they run out of resources or fall victim to dangerous wildlife.

8. A woman must cross a vast desert and reach a distant oasis before her water supply runs out and she succumbs to the elements.

9. A young woman embarks on a dangerous journey to visit all Seven Wonders of the World and find her missing father, who was on a similar quest.

10. A team of archaeologists in Egypt discovers an ancient artifact that reveals the existence of a powerful alien race, but their enemies will stop at nothing to obtain it.

Christmas writing prompts

11. In a small village in the Swiss Alps, a young girl must race against time to save Christmas when the town's prized holiday tree goes missing.

12. A family must reconcile their differences and come together to save their struggling Christmas tree farm before the holiday season ends.

13. In a wealthy suburb of Moscow, a young girl must navigate the complexities of family dynamics when her parents host a lavish Christmas Eve party.

14. A family must save their Christmas when gifts are stolen from under their tree.

15. In a remote Inuit village in the Arctic, a blizzard threatens to cut off the community's food and supplies just days before Christmas.

16. A mother must find her missing daughter before the holiday and confront the secrets and lies that have kept them apart.

17. In a crowded market in Marrakesh, a street vendor must find a way to make ends meet and provide for her family during the quiet Christmas season.

18. A family must save their Christmas Eve tradition when their beloved Santa Claus cannot make it to their house on time.

19. In a small town in Australia, a farmer must confront a difficult decision when a fire breaks out on Christmas Eve, threatening both his livelihood and his family's traditions.

20. In a small town in rural England, a young couple must navigate the pressures of their families' expectations during a traditional Christmas day church service.

Comedy Writing Prompts

21. A proud Japanese family must come to terms with their son's decision to pursue a career in sumo wrestling instead of taking over the family's sushi restaurant.

22. A bickering couple must plan their perfect wedding before their families drive them crazy.

23. A family in Brazil must find a way to pay off a large debt to a loan shark before their daughter's quinceañera.

24. A family in Iceland must navigate through a series of obstacles to reach their son's graduation ceremony.

25. A group of roommates must navigate a series of comedic mishaps as they prepare for a housewarming party.

26. A Mexican family is torn between upholding tradition and adapting to modern times when the patriarch dies and leaves a will with unexpected instructions.

27. A family in rural India tries to hide their wealth from the local villagers to keep up appearances.

28. An Italian family is trying to win a cooking competition and must find a secret ingredient in 24 hours.

29. A stay-at-home mom starts a secret double life as a stand-up comedian.

30. A Russian family is thrown into turmoil when their matriarch announces she is marrying a man half her age.

Dark writing prompts

31. A man must race against time to uncover the truth behind his wife's suspicious death before he becomes the next victim.

32. A group of friends must survive a deadly game of survival in a post-apocalyptic world before their supplies run out.

33. A couple must navigate the consequences of their pact to end their lives together when one of them changes their mind.

34. A prison guard and a death row inmate form an unlikely alliance as they race against time to escape the prison before a deadly riot breaks out.

35. A father must come to terms with the loss of his daughter while being haunted by her ghost, who needs his help.

36. A person must unravel the mystery behind the recurring deaths in their dreams before they become a reality.

37. A hacker and a cybercriminal are locked in a battle of wits as they race against time to stop a rogue AI from destroying the world.

38. A person who can speak to the dead must solve the murder of a ghost who sought help.

39. A woman must confront her greatest fear after receiving a premonition of her death.

40. War veterans must confront their traumatic past to solve the mystery behind their friend's death in combat.

Fantasy Writing Prompts

41. A young prince must find a way to stop a powerful sorceress using dark magic to control the minds of the kingdom's leaders before it's too late.

42. A kingdom is thrown into chaos when an ancient curse is unleashed, causing the dead to rise and terrorize the living.

43. A group of warriors must embark on a dangerous journey to find the legendary lost city of gold and save their people from poverty.

44. A young girl discovers she is the reincarnation of a powerful goddess and must fight against a group of evil deities trying to take over the world.

45. A group of thieves must steal a powerful magical object from a heavily guarded palace before it falls into the wrong hands.

46. A group of travelers must navigate a mystical forest filled with dangerous creatures and ancient magic to reach a hidden city of immortality.

47. A young prince must fight to reclaim his rightful throne from a power-hungry uncle who seized control of the land.

48. A young woman discovers she is the last surviving member of a legendary race of warriors and must embrace her heritage to stop an ancient demon from being unleashed and destroying the world.

49. A wealthy family hires a young man who can communicate with ghosts to find their missing daughter before she becomes the sacrifice in a dark magic ritual.

50. A small village is being terrorized by a powerful witch who demands a yearly tribute of children, and a group of heroes must find a way to stop her before she sacrifices another innocent life.

Funny writing prompts

51. A group of coworkers must come up with a last-minute office presentation while their boss is out sick, and they're all struggling with a case of the flu.

52. A wedding planner in Paris must pull off the perfect wedding for a celebrity couple, but the groom goes missing, and the bride will stay in the hotel room.

53. A tourist in Paris accidentally switches briefcases with a notorious thief and must retrieve his stolen property before the thief realizes the mistake.

54. A struggling stand-up comedian must come up with a killer set in time for the big audition while dealing with hecklers, stage fright, and the unexpected return of an ex-girlfriend.

55. A group of coworkers must survive a team-building retreat gone wrong, complete with accidentally ingesting psychedelic mushrooms, a comedic case of mistaken identity, and a series of unexpected challenges.

56. A group of friends must survive a wild night out on the town, complete with misadventures, unexpected plot twists, and comedic obstacles.

57. A journalist in Moscow must uncover the truth behind a mysterious disappearance, but the only witness is a parrot who habitually repeats the wrong information.

58. A food critic must eat and review 15 different dishes in one day in Tokyo, but the chefs keep sabotaging each other's dishes to get the best review.

59. A group of friends volunteer at a retirement home and find themselves in comedic situations while interacting with the residents.

60. A famous artist in Rome is commissioned to paint a portrait of the Pope, but they have become color-blind and must find a way to complete the job before anyone realizes it.

Halloween writing prompts

61. A family must confront their dark past to break a curse that has plagued them for generations.

62. In Johannesburg, South Africa, a Halloween carnival is interrupted by a vengeful ghost seeking retribution on the city.

63. A group of friends must survive a night in a haunted hotel while trying to uncover the truth behind a series of ghostly sightings.

64. In Bangkok, Thailand, a Halloween boat party becomes a fight for survival as the guests are terrorized by a supernatural creature that haunts the river.

65. A group of friends accidentally awaken a cursed object while trick-or-treating.

66. A person discovers a hidden room in their house with a dark past.

67. A person finds an old book of Halloween stories, but the tales come to life.

68. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a Halloween parade is threatened by a supernatural force determined to bring chaos to the streets.

69. A Halloween-themed escape room turns out to be too real.

70. A Halloween party is interrupted by a mysterious creature terrorizing the guests, forcing them to band together to survive the night.

High school writing prompts

71. A high school student must confront their past bullies and stand up for a new student before they become the next victim.

72. A high school student in Asia must decide whether to follow her heart or family tradition when she's arranged to marry someone she doesn't love.

73. A European teenager must come to terms with her immigrant identity when her family is threatened with deportation.

74. A high schooler in Australia struggles to balance her passion for surfing with the demands of her strict religious upbringing.

75. A teen in the Middle East must navigate conflicting loyalties when her best friend joins a radical political group.

76. A student in North America must navigate the pressure to conform to societal norms while also staying true to their individuality.

77. A high schooler in Russia must decide whether to reveal a dark family secret that could tear their family apart.

78. A student in India must choose between following her dream of becoming a Bollywood star or honoring her parents' traditional values.

79. A high school student in the Caribbean must choose between their love for music and their duty to their family's fishing business.

80. A teenager in Africa must find a way to support their struggling family while pursuing their education.

Horror writing prompts

81. A young woman is stalked by an anonymous figure who seems to know all her secrets.

82. A young brother and sister uncover a sinister conspiracy involving human sacrifice in their parents' basement.

83. A group of friends on vacation discover that their hotel is home to a family of cannibals.

84. A group of scuba divers in the Caribbean Sea finds an underwater city with a dangerous secret, and they must uncover the truth and escape before becoming the city's next victims.

85. A young woman begins to suspect that her seemingly perfect boyfriend is a serial killer, and she is next on his list.

86. A group of teens in rural Japan discovers an ancient curse that haunts their school, and they have just one night to break it before they become its next victim.

87. A group of teens in an urban school in Brazil are terrorized by a demon that possesses the students one by one. They have just one day to break the curse before it's too late.

88. A mysterious entity terrorizes a group of teens that preys on their deepest fears.

89. A group of backpackers in the Australian Outback find themselves hunted by a serial killer who preys on travelers. They must use their wits and survival skills to outsmart the killer and make it alive.

90. A team of archaeologists in Egypt unearths a cursed tomb that unleashes an evil entity, and they have just 24 hours to find the artifacts needed to send it back before it destroys the world.

Mystery writing prompts

91. An ambitious journalist tries to uncover the truth behind a string of murders that seem connected to a powerful and corrupt politician before they can cover their tracks.

92. A young woman must solve the mystery of her husband's death before she is falsely accused of murder.

93. A group of friends must uncover the truth behind a series of strange occurrences in their small town before the next person is hurt, but they soon realize they are being watched and followed.

94. An art heist at the Louvre in Paris leads the police on a dangerous chase through the city while time runs out as the thieves plan to sell the stolen masterpieces on the black market.

95. A high-stakes poker game in Las Vegas is interrupted by the murder of one of the players. The detectives must sort through the motives of the wealthy and powerful suspects to find the killer.

96. A wealthy socialite is murdered on a yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. The guests on the yacht, who are all suspects, must band together to find the killer before being sent to jail.

97. In the bustling streets of Mumbai, India, a diamond merchant is kidnapped, and a ransom demand is made to the detectives who only have a few days to find the kidnappers and save the victim before it's too late.

98. A group of backpackers on a tour of Eastern Europe stumble upon a conspiracy to smuggle illegal artifacts out of the country and try to gather evidence to expose the truth before the smugglers catch them.

99. In the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy, a wealthy wine magnate is murdered in their vineyard. The detectives must unravel a web of deceit, love triangles, and jealousy to find the killer.

100. In the snowy wilderness of Alaska, a plane crash leaves a small group of survivors stranded and fighting for their lives.

Romance writing prompts

101. A college student starts a forbidden romance with their professor.

102. A woman in a loveless marriage starts a passionate affair with a man she meets on vacation.

103. A woman begins a romance with a man she meets at a support group but struggles because he is still in love with his deceased wife.

104. A woman falls in love with her best friend's older brother but is torn between her feelings and her loyalty to her friend.

105. Two strangers fall in love on a cruise ship, but their romance is tested when they return to the real world.

106. A woman starts an affair with a man she meets at a library, but their relationship is strained when she finds out he is a convicted felon.

107. A man must choose between his lifelong love and his newfound success as a musician with a rapidly approaching deadline for a tour.

108. A high school sweetheart rekindles their love after many years apart but struggles with the disapproval of their families and a limited amount of time to make things work.

109. A woman must decide whether to pursue her career or stay with her long-time love, who is struggling with a life-threatening illness.

110. A woman must overcome her fear of commitment and choose between her two loves before they move on and she loses them forever.

Sad writing prompts

111. While dealing with a lack of confidence and stage fright, a struggling comedian must devise a new act to avoid becoming homeless.

112. A young artist in Cape Town, South Africa, must overcome the trauma of apartheid and find their voice as a creative in a country still grappling with racial tensions.

113. A young woman must confront her abusive ex-boyfriend and the corrupt system that protects him.

114. A young woman must say goodbye to her terminally ill best friend before it's too late.

115. A man in the snowy wilderness of Alaska must come to terms with the death of his partner during a fishing accident, find a way to cope with his loss, and move forward in a harsh and isolated environment.

116. A doctor must choose between saving one patient or many when they are faced with a difficult ethical decision.

117. A man must confront the memories of his time as a soldier in a war before they drive him to suicide.

118. A man in Mumbai, India, is torn between his duty to his family and his forbidden love for someone from a different caste. With societal pressure mounting, he must choose between his heart and his honor.

119. A woman in Tokyo, Japan, must deal with the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster and the loss of her home and community. She must find a way to rebuild and start over.

120. A young woman in the Australian Outback must confront the abuse and neglect she suffered at the hands of her alcoholic father and find the strength to break free and start a new life.

Science fiction writing prompts

121. A team of scientists must find a way to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth before it's too late.

122. A family must find a way to survive in a world where a super-volcano has erupted, causing a nuclear winter and toxic ash clouds.

123. A group of survivors must find a way to survive in a post-apocalyptic world before the last remnants of humanity are wiped out, but they soon realize that they are not alone and that the new inhabitants are hostile.

124. A team of astronauts must find a way to repair their ship before they are stranded in space, but they soon realize that one of their own is sabotaging their efforts.

125. A team of scientists must find a way to reverse the effects of a deadly virus before it wipes out humanity, but soon realize that the virus was engineered and someone on their team might be responsible for it.

126. In future Japan, a young hacker must navigate the city's high-tech security systems to retrieve a stolen piece of technology that could change the world.

127. A scientist in the Arctic must use her knowledge of the area's treacherous weather to survive after an unknown force attacks her research station.

128. Two brothers must find a way to survive in a world where the Earth's magnetic field has collapsed, and the sun's radiation is killing everything on the surface.

129. In future India, a young woman must use her knowledge of ancient Hindu texts to stop a madman from destroying the country.

130. In future Africa, a group of archaeologists must work together to uncover the secrets of a mysterious ancient civilization that could change the course of history.

Thanksgiving writing prompts

131. A storm knocks out power just hours before the Thanksgiving feast, leaving the family to improvise a new cooking method.

132. A family's plan to travel to their ancestral homeland to celebrate Thanksgiving is derailed by a global pandemic.

133. A new family member who is vegan disrupts the traditional meat-focused Thanksgiving meal.

134. A disagreement over political views leads to a heated argument during the Thanksgiving meal.

135. A team of chefs in Tokyo must prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for a group of Americans, but they mix up everything because they don't understand the concept of the holiday.

136. An unexpected guest shows up at the door just as the family sits down to eat, causing tension and drama.

137. A family is torn apart when a long-hidden secret is revealed at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

138. A turkey shortage forces a family to devise a creative solution to save their holiday meal.

139. A disagreement over the menu leads to a culinary showdown between two family members.

140. A family member brings a significant other to the Thanksgiving meal for the first time, causing drama and jealousy among the other guests.

Thriller writing prompts

141. A lawyer must decide whether to defend a guilty client in order to save their own career.

142. A private investigator in New Orleans uncovering a human trafficking ring gets caught up in a web of corruption and black magic.

143. A journalist is caught up in a deadly conspiracy while investigating a wealthy industrialist's ties to a South American dictatorship.

144. A medical researcher in Antarctica uncovers a sinister plot to weaponize a fatal virus and must escape with the cure before the station is destroyed.

145. A spy goes on the run in Eastern Europe after being framed for stealing classified information that could start a massive war.

146. A group of survivors in post-apocalyptic Australia fight to reach the rumored safe haven of Darwin while pursued by a cult of crazed fanatics.

147. A wealthy businessman must choose between saving his company or his family when a scandal threatens to ruin both.

148. An archaeologist in the deserts of Egypt uncovers a tomb containing a curse that threatens to end the world.

149. A detective in Rio de Janeiro must solve a string of ritualistic murders in the slums before the city's annual Carnival begins.

150. A firefighter in the Australian Outback is called to put out a wildfire but soon realizes that the fire has been set to cover up a sinister plot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a story can be a challenging task, but with the help of these writing prompts, I hope you can jumpstart your creative imagination and take the first step toward creating your character or next literary masterpiece.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that a writing prompt is just a starting point, and your story can take any direction you want.

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing Prompts

What are writing prompts?

Writing prompts are a writer's best friend. They're sentences, scenarios, or even single words that provide inspiration to writers.

From the mysterious sequence to the love story set next to the mythical creatures, prompts help creativity flow and boost writing skills.

How do I use creative writing prompts?

Creative writing prompts come in various flavors. Here's a brief guide:

You can experiment with numbers or codes to inspire unusual ideas.
Think about connecting random thoughts or themes.
Story Writing Prompts: A small number of core ideas can lead to numerous stories, just like crafting a love story in an unusual place with the big bang theory involved.

Can writing prompts help with writing inspiration?

Absolutely! They fuel the creativity of writers at every level. Even (which could represent a secret writing routine or a future self) may become the launching pad for a thrilling story.

What are some examples of past and present timelines?

The past and present timelines help you weave in multiple points of view or time frames within your story. These might be:

Think of connecting four generations of a family in a single day.
Present Timelines Began: This could be where the sun began to set in a magical world and had effects on the outer space where a nuclear arsenal is housed.

How can I adapt my writing style using prompts?

You can use prompts to explore different genres, like crafting a poem inspired by an eye contact with a mythical creature or building a suspense story around a serial killer next door neighbor.

This challenges your writing routine and enhances your writing skills.

Can prompts be used to write short stories or short story collections?

Certainly! Short stories, whether independent or collections, can spring from prompts like:

A story involving a little boy, a nuclear submarine, and three words of wisdom.
Series of short stories where the last person on Earth discovers a computer simulation.

How can prompts help in character development?

By delving into the lives of characters such as the best friend who becomes a serial killer or a family's response to a global catastrophe, prompts help you explore facets of character emotions, behaviors, and evolution.

Where can I find prompts?

From social media groups to friends' suggestions, or even a random word like "nuclear arsenal" or a phrase like "last person on Earth," your world is filled with prompts.

For the tech-savvy, cell phone apps can be a treasure trove of inspiration.

Can I create prompts myself?

Certainly! Think of your life, family, friends, the magical world of your imagination, or something wrong that happened.

Even the big bang, time travel, or outer space can spark ideas. Write them down and let the moment inspire you and other writers.

How do I write a love story or any story using prompts?

Choose a theme like love writing or a happy writing concept, throw in unusual elements like the last person on Earth meeting a mythical creature, or consider a love story set in a nuclear submarine. Let your imagination run wild.

What if the prompts don't inspire me?

Every writer encounters that. Consider taking a course or connecting with writers on social media. Share your ideas or even the prompts that stumped you.

Sometimes, what doesn't work for you may inspire someone else's imagination. And vice versa, their creativity may trigger yours!

How can I use writing prompts to break through writer’s block in screenwriting?

Writer's block is a common challenge, especially in screenwriting. Start by selecting a writing prompt that sparks creativethinking—perhaps a scene depicting a zombie apocalypse or a quiet moment right after a long day.

Use these prompts to craft short dialogues or set pieces. This shift in focus can lighten the pressure and help new ideas flow, providing fresh inspiration and getting your screenplay back on track.

What are some effective strategies to develop characters in a novel using prompts?

Prompts are fantastic tools for character development. For instance, imagine a prompt where your character has one wish that will be granted with a grave consequence, or they're the last human in a post-apocalyptic world populated by animals.

Such scenarios push you to explore your characters' deepest emotions, motivations, and transformations, enhancing your novel's depth and appeal.

Can I integrate prompts into filmmaking processes to enhance creativity?

Absolutely! Use prompts to brainstorm potential film scenes, character quirks, or plot twists.

For example, if your film involves a superhero, a prompt could involve that character encountering a situation where they are powerless.

This can lead to exploring new narrative angles or emotional depths, making your film more engaging and thought-provoking.

How do prompts help in crafting compelling themes for essays and articles?

Prompts can serve as a foundational stone for essays and articles, especially when you're stuck. A prompt like "describe the worst thing that turned out to be the best for you" can lead to a reflective essay that connects personal growth to broader, relatable themes.

This method not only provides a solid starting point but also helps maintain a coherent structure as you develop your narrative.

What role do writing prompts play in genre exploration in writing and filmmaking?

Writing prompts can be specifically tailored to explore different genres, enabling writers and filmmakers to experiment outside their comfort zones.

For instance, a prompt could lead you to write a crime mystery set in a fantastical universe or to film a short story in a noirstyle set against the backdrop of an intergalactic war. Such exercises can refine your skills and broaden your creative repertoire.

How can educators use writing prompts to teach creative writing to students?

Teachers can use prompts not only to ignite students' imaginations but also to illustrate lessons on narrative structure, character development, and genre diversity.

For middle school students, prompts related to themes like "a day in the life of a stray dog" or "create a superhero based on your favorite animal" can make writing fun and relatable, encouraging kids to express their thoughts creatively.

What techniques can writers use to transform simple ideas from prompts into complex stories?

Begin with a basic prompt and expand it by asking "what if" questions. For instance, if your prompt is about a detective who is afraid of the dark, explore why this is the case, how it affects his work, how he overcomes it, and what happens when he must solve a crime in a blackout.

This approach helps layer your story, turning simple ideas into rich, engaging narratives.

How do writing prompts enhance the brainstorming sessions for scriptwriters and novelists?

In brainstorming sessions, prompts can be used as a springboard for discussion, pushing the creative limits of the group and exploring various narrative possibilities.

Whether you’re crafting the plot for a novel or laying down the storyboard for a movie, prompts can provide the unexpected twists and fresh perspectives that elevate your story.

Can writing prompts be effectively used to explore new writing techniques and styles?

Yes, prompts can be an excellent way to experiment with different writing styles and techniques.

A prompt could encourage you to write a piece in second person point of view, or craft a story using stream-of-consciousness narrative. This not only helps build your skills but also makes your writing more versatile.

How can writing prompts assist in developing dialogue within scripts and plays?

Use prompts that focus on conversations between characters in unlikely situations or under unusual stress.

For example, script a dialogue where characters must resolve a conflict without speaking their native language, or where their words have literal power to change their environment.

This encourages creativity in how dialogue can advance plot and develop character.

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