fantasy book essay prompts

150 Best Fantasy Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity

Fantasy has always been my gateway to the impossible, a realm where my creativity knows no bounds.

From my earliest scribbles to the novels I’ve published, the lure of fantastical worlds has been a constant companion.

With that in mind, let’s go through 150 fantasy writing prompts. I invite you to step into the unknown, to challenge your imagination, and to craft stories that resonate with the magic and wonder of what lies beyond our reality.

Epic Quests

Table of Contents

• The Last Ember of Hope: In a world where darkness has swallowed the lands, your protagonist discovers the last ember of hope, capable of reviving the ancient light. What quest must they embark on to use it?
• The Broken Crown: A royal heir finds the pieces of a legendary crown that promises ultimate power. Each piece is guarded by a mythical beast. How do they go about reclaiming their kingdom?
• The Forbidden Manuscript: A map hidden within an ancient, forbidden manuscript reveals the path to a city of gold. But what perils guard the way?
• The Elemental Swords: Four swords imbued with elemental powers are scattered across the realms. Who seeks them, and why?
• The Mirror of Futures: A mirror that shows possible futures has been shattered into seven pieces. Can your characters prevent the darkest of futures from becoming reality?
• The Last Dragon Egg: Your protagonist finds the last dragon egg. What forces of darkness covet it, and for what purpose?
• The Library of Lost Voices: A library containing the knowledge of civilizations long gone beckons. But entering is a pact with eternity. Who dares to enter, and what do they seek?
• The Weaver’s Loom: A loom that can weave fate itself has been discovered. Who controls it, and to what end?
• The Celestial Tournament: A tournament where the prize is a wish granted by the gods themselves. Who are the contenders?
• The Gatekeeper’s Riddle: A gate that leads to paradise itself, but only those who can solve the Gatekeeper’s riddle may enter. What is the riddle, and who wishes to solve it?

Magical Realms

• Whispering Woods: In a forest where trees communicate and guard ancient secrets, a lost traveler hears their whispers. What do they learn?
• The City Beneath the Waves: A city submerged beneath the ocean, hidden from the modern world, is discovered by a daring marine biologist. What mysteries lie within?
• The Mountain That Eats Memories: A mountain rumored to consume the memories of those who climb it. Who ventures there, and what are they hoping to forget?
• The Crystal Caverns: Vast caverns filled with crystals that can store thoughts and dreams. A thief seeks the crystal containing the secret to eternal life.
• The Valley of Eternal Autumn: A hidden valley where it’s always autumn, and the inhabitants never age. A newcomer stumbles upon it by chance.
• The Sky Cities: Cities that float in the sky, accessible only by those who can tame the winds. What brings a ground-dweller to their lofty domains?
• The Frozen Garden: A garden where every plant is encased in ice, preserving its beauty forever. What is its keeper’s sorrow?
• The Library of Echoes: A library where every book contains the life story of a person, still alive or long dead. A young scholar finds their own story among the shelves.
• The Night Market: A market that appears only at night, selling wares that can’t be found in the light of day. Who runs it, and what is the price of its goods?
• The Bridge of Mist: A bridge that connects the world of the living with the world of the dead. A grieving person seeks to cross it.

Dark Fantasy

• The Feast of Shadows: A kingdom where once a year, the dead return to feast with the living. What happens when one guest refuses to leave?
• The Cursed Knight: A knight cursed to live in the shadows, unseen by the world. What quest could lift their curse?
• The Ashen Plague: A plague that turns its victims to ash, spreading across the land. Who discovers its origin, and can they stop it?
• The Pit of Despair: A pit that appears in the center of a city, from which horrifying creatures emerge. What ancient evil has been awakened?
• The Blood Moon Cult: A cult that believes the blood moon grants them unspeakable powers. What ceremony are they planning?
• The Witch’s Forest: A forest ruled by a powerful witch, feared by all. A band of rebels seeks to challenge her reign.
• The Demon’s Pact: A desperate soul makes a pact with a demon, trading their humanity for power. What is the price of such a deal?
• The Haunted Armor: Armor that possesses those who wear it, making them invincible in battle but at a great cost. Who dares to don it?
• The Necromancer’s Tower: A tower that appears overnight, home to a necromancer who seeks to conquer the dead and the living. Who can stop them?
• The Shadows’ Whisper: A town where shadows whisper secrets to those who walk at night. What truth is too dangerous to be known?

Myth & Legend Retellings

• The Sword in the Stone: A young peasant discovers a sword lodged in a stone, said to be the key to uniting the kingdom. Who is worthy to wield it?
• The Phoenix Reborn: A phoenix, thought to be extinct, is reborn from its ashes. What role does it play in the fate of the world?
• The Labyrinth of the Minotaur: A labyrinth that traps those who enter, guarded by a monstrous minotaur. Who dares to navigate its twists and turns?
• The Sirens’ Song: A sailor hears the haunting song of sirens, drawing them toward treacherous waters. What do they seek beyond the waves?
• The Curse of Medusa: A curse that turns those who gaze upon Medusa to stone. Who seeks to break it, and at what cost?
• The Quest for Excalibur: A quest to find King Arthur’s legendary sword, said to grant its wielder unrivaled power. Who is worthy of such a weapon?
• The Tale of Prometheus: The story of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity. What consequences follow his act of rebellion?
• The Call of the Valkyries: The Valkyries descend from the heavens to claim the souls of fallen warriors. What do they see in the heart of a hero?
• The Trickster’s Gamble: A trickster god challenges mortals to a game with high stakes. What do they stand to win or lose?
• The Song of Orpheus: Orpheus descends into the underworld to retrieve his beloved Eurydice. Can he resist the temptation to look back?

Fairy Tales Reimagined

• The Tower of Rapunzel: A tower hidden deep in the forest, where a princess with hair of gold is held captive. Who seeks to rescue her?
• The Three Wishes: A genie grants three wishes to whoever releases them from their lamp. What are the unintended consequences of each wish?
• The Pied Piper’s Promise: The Pied Piper returns to a town that once betrayed him, seeking retribution. What price will they pay for their betrayal?
• The Mirror of Snow White: A mirror that tells the truth, no matter how painful. What does the fairest of them all see when she gazes into it?
• The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg: A farmer discovers a goose that lays golden eggs. What greed consumes those who covet its treasures?
• The Frog Prince’s Curse: A prince cursed to live as a frog until he receives true love’s kiss. Who is brave enough to see past his appearance?
• The Magic Beans: A farmer trades his cow for magic beans that grow into a beanstalk reaching the clouds. What awaits at the top?
• The Seven Dwarfs’ Secret: Seven dwarfs protect a mine filled with precious gems. What do they fear more than thieves?
• The Sleeping Kingdom: A kingdom cursed to sleep for a hundred years. Who will awaken them from their slumber?
• The Red Riding Hood’s Revenge: Little Red Riding Hood returns to the forest, armed with knowledge and vengeance. Who is the true wolf in this tale?

Dystopian & Utopian Societies

• The Last City on Earth: In a world ravaged by environmental catastrophe, the last remaining city struggles to survive. What hope remains for humanity?
• The Perfect Society: A utopian society where every need is met, but at what cost? What flaws lie beneath the surface of perfection?
• The Rebellion’s Revolt: A rebellion rises against a tyrannical government that promises safety in exchange for freedom. What sacrifices must be made for true liberation?
• The Lost Colony: A colony on a distant planet loses contact with Earth and must fend for themselves. What secrets do they uncover about their new home?
• The Class Divide: A society divided between the privileged elite and the oppressed masses. What sparks the flames of revolution?
• The Cult of Technology: A society where technology reigns supreme, blurring the lines between humanity and machines. What happens when the machines rebel?
• The Garden of Eden: A secluded paradise where nature thrives in harmony with humanity. What dangers lurk beyond its borders?
• The Experiment: A social experiment gone awry, where citizens are pawns in a game of power and control. Who will defy the rules and break free?
• The New World Order: A world where a single entity rules over all, enforcing peace through absolute control. What resistance movements emerge in the shadows?
• The Hope of Tomorrow: A glimmer of hope shines through the darkness, promising a better future for those who dare to fight for it.

Supernatural Encounters

• The Haunted Mansion: A mansion rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of its past inhabitants. What secrets do its walls hold?
• The Ghost Ship: A ship lost at sea reappears, crewed by the restless spirits of those who perished aboard. What drove them to return?
• The Curse of the Werewolf: A curse that transforms its bearer into a savage beast under the light of the full moon. Who seeks to break the curse, and at what cost?
• The Vampire’s Masquerade: A masquerade ball attended by vampires, where mortals are unwitting guests. What dark secrets are concealed behind their elegant facades?
• The Witching Hour: A town where magic is real, and witches practice their craft in secret. What happens when their existence is threatened by outsiders?
• The Guardian Spirit: A spirit bound to protect a sacred place from harm. What lengths will it go to defend its charge?
• The Faerie Court: A hidden realm where the fae hold court, striking bargains with mortals. What do they demand in return for their favors?
• The Demon’s Bargain: A demon offers to grant a mortal’s deepest desire in exchange for their soul. What temptation proves too great to resist?
• The Cursed Forest: A forest cursed by an ancient evil, where the trees whisper dark secrets to those who dare to listen.
• The Seance: A seance to communicate with the spirits of the dead goes horribly wrong, unleashing forces beyond human comprehension.

Time Travel & Alternate Realities

• The Time Traveler’s Dilemma: A time traveler discovers they can change the course of history, but at what cost? What paradoxes do they face?
• The Parallel Universe: A rift opens, allowing travelers to visit alternate realities. What dangers lurk in worlds where history took a different path?
• The Time Loop: A person finds themselves trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. What choices can break the cycle?
• The Butterfly Effect: A small change in the past leads to catastrophic consequences in the present. How do characters navigate the repercussions of their actions?
• The Future Imperfect: Travelers journey to the future to prevent a cataclysmic event. What sacrifices must they make to alter destiny?
• The Time Heist: A group of thieves uses time travel to steal priceless artifacts from the past. What consequences follow their actions?
• The Time Keeper: A guardian of the time stream seeks to maintain the balance of past, present, and future. What threats endanger the fabric of reality?
• The Timeless War: A war that spans centuries, fought across different eras by factions with access to time travel technology. What drives them to fight across time?
• The Alternate History: A world where pivotal moments in history unfolded differently, leading to a vastly altered present. What events shaped this alternate reality?
• The Time Capsule: A message from the future warns of impending doom. What steps can be taken to avert disaster?

Space Fantasy & Cosmic Adventures

• The Starship Voyager: A starship embarks on a journey to explore the far reaches of the galaxy. What wonders and dangers await its crew?
• The Alien Diplomat: A diplomat negotiates peace between warring alien factions. What hidden agendas threaten to derail their efforts?
• The Cosmic Entity: A being of immense power awakens from eons of slumber, reshaping galaxies with its whims. What challenges arise when mortals encounter such a force?
• The Galactic Empire: A vast empire spans the cosmos, ruled by an immortal emperor. What rebellions stir in the outer reaches of the galaxy?
• The Space Pirates: Pirates roam the stars, plundering ships and colonies with impunity. What drives them to seek riches among the stars?
• The Interstellar Colony: Colonists establish a settlement on a distant planet, facing unknown dangers and alien wildlife. What trials test their resilience?
• The Cosmic Phenomenon: An anomaly in space defies all scientific explanation, drawing explorers and scholars to unlock its secrets.
• The Celestial Guardians: Guardians protect the universe from cosmic threats, wielding ancient artifacts of unimaginable power. What challenges do they face in their quest to maintain order?
• The Intergalactic Tournament: A tournament brings warriors from across the galaxy to compete for honor and glory. What conflicts arise when rival factions clash?
• The Stellar Explorer: An explorer ventures into the depths of space, seeking knowledge and adventure among the stars.

High Fantasy & Political Intrigue

• The Throne of Eldoria: A kingdom divided by warring factions vies for control of the throne. What alliances are forged and betrayals committed in the pursuit of power?
• The Council of Magi: A council of mages governs the realm, but whispers of corruption threaten to tear it apart. What secrets do they hide behind their spells?
• The Exiled Prince: A prince returns from exile to reclaim his birthright, facing enemies both within and without. What price is he willing to pay for redemption?
• The War of the Five Kingdoms: Five kingdoms clash in a struggle for dominance, each with its own ambitions and alliances. What strategies are employed in the game of thrones?
• The Court of Shadows: A secret society pulls the strings of power from the shadows, manipulating kings and queens like pawns on a chessboard. Who dares to challenge their influence?
• The Prophecy’s Prodigy: A prophecy foretells the coming of a chosen one destined to change the course of history. How do they fulfill their destiny while navigating the machinations of fate?
• The Mage Rebellion: Mages revolt against their oppressive rulers, seeking freedom from persecution. What sacrifices are made in the name of liberation?
• The Sword of Kings: A legendary sword said to choose the rightful ruler of the realm. Who is worthy to wield its power, and what tests must they pass?
• The Noble Betrayal: A noble family plots against the crown, driven by ambition and revenge. What consequences follow their treachery?
• The Court Jester’s Jest: A court jester uses humor and wit to navigate the treacherous waters of political intrigue. What secrets lie behind their laughter?

Urban Fantasy

• The Hidden Enclave: A hidden enclave of mythical creatures exists within the heart of a modern city. What happens when their existence is threatened by urban development?
• The Detective’s Dilemma: A detective investigates supernatural crimes in a city where magic and technology collide. What mysteries lie beyond the veil of reality?
• The Vampire Masquerade: Vampires, werewolves, and witches live among humans, hiding their true nature in plain sight. What conflicts arise when their worlds collide?
• The Fey Market: A market where faeries and other mythical beings barter with mortals for rare and magical goods. What bargains are struck in the shadows of the city?
• The Witch’s Brew: A witch brews potions and spells in a modern-day apothecary, catering to the supernatural clientele of the city.
• The Werewolf Pack: A pack of werewolves navigates the complexities of pack dynamics and territorial disputes in an urban jungle.
• The Secret Society: A secret society of mages meets in the hidden corners of the city, wielding magic to influence the course of events.
• The Ghostly Guardian: A ghost haunts the streets of the city, seeking justice for past wrongs. What unfinished business binds them to the mortal realm?
• The Urban Shaman: A shaman walks the line between the spirit world and the modern world, protecting the city from supernatural threats.
• The Demon’s Deal: A demon offers power and riches to those willing to make a deal. What price do they demand in return?

Fantasy Creatures & Beasts

• The Dragon’s Hoard: A dragon guards a hoard of treasure, daring adventurers to brave its lair. What drives them to seek the dragon’s riches?
• The Griffin Riders: Warriors ride griffins into battle, their bond forged through years of training and trust. What challenges do they face in defending their kingdom?
• The Unicorn’s Blessing: A unicorn grants its blessing to those pure of heart, but what trials must they overcome to prove themselves worthy?
• The Phoenix’s Rebirth: A phoenix rises from the ashes, its flames a symbol of renewal and hope. What prophecy foretells its return?
• The Leviathan’s Wake: A massive sea creature awakens from its slumber, threatening to capsize ships and swallow sailors whole. What legends surround its origins?
• The Centaur Tribes: Centaur tribes roam the plains, their loyalty divided among ancient rivalries and alliances. What sparks the flames of war among them?
• The Mermaid’s Song: Mermaids lure sailors to their doom with their enchanting songs. What secrets lie beneath the waves, waiting to be discovered?
• The Basilisk’s Gaze: A basilisk turns its victims to stone with a single glance. Who seeks to slay the beast and claim its treasure?
• The Kraken’s Fury: A kraken rises from the depths, its tentacles threatening to drag ships to the ocean floor. What sacrifices are made to appease its wrath?
• The Chimera’s Challenge: A chimera stalks the countryside, its monstrous form a terror to all who encounter it. What hero dares to face the beast?

Enchanted Objects & Curses

• The Mirror of Truth: A mirror that reflects the truth of whoever gazes into it, revealing their deepest desires and darkest secrets.
• The Sword of Destiny: A sword forged by ancient gods, said to grant its wielder the power to shape the future. Who is worthy to wield it, and for what purpose?
• The Ring of Invisibility: A ring that grants its wearer the power of invisibility, but at what cost? What temptations lead to its misuse?
• The Amulet of Protection: An amulet that wards off evil and grants its wearer protection from harm. What dangers test its power?
• The Wand of Wishes: A wand that grants three wishes to whoever holds it. What unintended consequences follow each wish?
• The Curse of Silence: A curse that prevents its victim from speaking, condemning them to a life of solitude and isolation.
• The Book of Shadows: A book filled with spells and incantations, its pages whispering secrets to those who dare to read them.
• The Fountain of Youth: A fountain that grants eternal youth to those who drink from its waters. What lengths will people go to obtain its elusive power?
• The Locket of Memories: A locket that holds memories of a lost love, offering solace to those who grieve.
• The Key to the Unknown: A key that unlocks doors to other realms and dimensions, but what dangers lurk beyond each threshold?

Cross-Genre Fusion

• Steampunk Sorcery: A world where magic and steam-powered technology coexist, blending the elegance of the Victorian era with the wonders of the arcane.
• Cybernetic Samurai: Samurai warriors enhanced with cybernetic implants, blending ancient martial arts with futuristic technology.
• Gothic Noir: A noir detective navigates the shadowy streets of a gothic city, where vampires and werewolves lurk in the darkness.
• Mythic Space Opera: Epic space battles unfold against the backdrop of ancient myths and legends, as heroes clash with cosmic deities.
• Fairy Tale Steampunk: Classic fairy tales reimagined in a steampunk world, where clockwork automatons and airships roam the skies.
• Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy: Magic emerges in a world ravaged by nuclear war, offering both hope and peril to the survivors.
• Historical Fantasy: Historical events infused with elements of fantasy, where legendary figures and mythical creatures shape the course of history.
• Contemporary Mythology: Modern-day gods and goddesses walk among mortals, their powers hidden in plain sight in the modern world.
• Cosmic Horror Fantasy: Eldritch horrors from beyond the stars threaten to consume the universe, driving mortals to the brink of madness.
• Magical Realism: Everyday life infused with subtle magic and wonder, blurring the line between the mundane and the fantastical.

Ancient Civilizations & Lost Worlds

• Atlantis Rediscovered: Explorers discover the lost city of Atlantis hidden beneath the waves, its secrets waiting to be uncovered.
• The Tomb of the Pharaoh: Archaeologists unearth the tomb of an ancient pharaoh, awakening a curse that threatens to unleash chaos upon the world.
• The Forgotten Temple: A hidden temple deep in the jungle holds the key to unlocking ancient mysteries and forgotten powers.
• The Ruins of El Dorado: Explorers search for the legendary city of gold, facing treacherous jungles and rival treasure hunters along the way.
• The Lost Library of Alexandria: Scholars seek to uncover the lost knowledge of the Library of Alexandria, rumored to contain secrets beyond imagination.
• The Labyrinth of Crete: Adventurers brave the labyrinth of Crete, facing deadly traps and mythical beasts in their quest for glory.
• The Sword of Excalibur: King Arthur’s legendary sword, Excalibur, lies hidden in a forgotten tomb, waiting for a new hero to claim it.
• The Oracle’s Prophecy: An oracle foretells the rise and fall of empires, guiding heroes and kings through the twists and turns of fate.
• The City of Shangri-La: A mythical city hidden in the Himalayas, where immortals dwell in eternal peace and harmony.
• The Gates of Babylon: The gates of Babylon open once more, revealing a gateway to other worlds and dimensions beyond imagination.

If you’d like a video version of 30 of my fantasy writing prompts, I made this recording for you:

Final Thoughts: Best Fantasy Writing Prompts

Explore the limitless possibilities of fantasy writing with these enchanting prompts, igniting your imagination and guiding you through realms of wonder and darkness.

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The 60 Best Fantasy Writing Prompts for Your Book

• by Sam Howard

In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at fantasy writing prompts that you can use to spark ideas for your own fantasy stories. Whether you want to write an epic fantasy novel, a short fantasy story, or something in between, these prompts will help unleash your creativity.

You’ll learn about the key elements that quality fantasy fiction has in common, what goes into a compelling fantasy story, different subgenres of fantasy to explore, and a whopping 60 fantasy prompts to ignite your imagination. My goal is to give you plenty of inspiration to start writing your own fantasy tales.

In this article, you will learn:

• Common features of fantasy stories
• Criteria for good fantasy writing
• An overview of major fantasy subgenres
• 60 unique fantasy ideas to use as starting points

Commonalities in Fantasy Fiction

While fantasy stories can vary widely, from high fantasy epics to paranormal romance, most quality fantasy fiction contains certain core elements. Understanding these common building blocks can help you craft a compelling fantasy tale within any subgenre.

Nearly all fantasy stories contain some form of magic or supernatural phenomena. This magic system doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it generally establishes what’s possible in the fictional world. The mechanics and limits around magic guide what characters can plausibly think and do.

Additionally, fantasy novels typically take place in worlds very unlike our own modern-day reality. While urban fantasy and magical realism bend this rule, most fantasy realms feature invented geographies, histories, cultures and politics – creating an immersive setting.

Fantasy protagonists also tend to go on an epic hero’s journey, facing increasingly difficult external conflicts on quests with high stakes. Internal conflicts often run parallel, with characters battling their own flaws and demons even as bigger foes materialize.

And although tropes aren’t mandatory, incorporating classic fantasy elements like magical swords, wands, spells and mythical creatures can help signal to readers that fantastical adventures lie ahead.

What Makes a Fantasy Good?

Like any fiction, compelling fantasy writing usually shares certain basics like dimensional characters, solid pacing, an interesting plot and engaging themes. Still, I’ve noticed some particular qualities that help set great fantasy tales apart:

• Unique magic system – The magic may not be explained in granular detail initially, but original fantasy worlds feature systems governing supernatural forces that feel fresh rather than derivative.
• Rich worldbuilding – Vivid descriptions breathe life into new environments, their histories, inhabitants and cultures. This convinces readers the setting is worthy of emotionally investing in.
• Relatable characters – Whether human or otherwise, protagonists and central figures invite understanding through authentic characterization and motivations. Their beliefs and inner lives reflect the fantastic world.
• Clever dialogue – Conversation often crackles with personality even amid strange circumstances. Witty repartee between characters fuels charged dynamics.
• Riveting action – Suspense escalates through mounting confrontations, accelerating pacing, higher-stakes drama and new magical discoveries that propel the plot.

Of course personal taste plays a major role too. Composing fantasy with complex themes or injecting humor also attracts loyal audiences. But master the story essentials above while delivering the magical escapism fantasy embodies, and readers will surely come.

Types of Fantasy

Fantasy fiction encompasses a spectrum of subgenres, each with distinctive traits. Having an overview can help you orient your ideas within the style of fantasy you’re most excited to write:

• High/Epic Fantasy – Stories told on a grand scale, often in entirely fictional secondary worlds with sprawling geography and elaborate histories. Densely-plotted heroic quests to defeat supreme evil drive intense action. Prominent examples include Lord of the Rings and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire .
• Sword & Sorcery – Quest-driven tales focused on mighty warriors, wizards and assorted fighters navigating peril with steel and magic. Generally lower stakes than epic fantasy. Often feature wanderers exploring rich lands from Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian stories to Kull the Conqueror .
• Dark Fantasy – Fantasy with horror elements and grim undercurrents. Prevalent atmosphere of darkness or dread surrounds macabre magic, death and destruction. Case in point, the harrowing worlds of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant or the graphic novel series Berserk .
• Urban Fantasy – Supernatural stories unfolding in contemporary real-world settings, typically cities. Magic and magical beings exist in hiding, unknown to the mainstream. Series like Harry Potter as well as The Dresden Files falls under this category.
• Magical Realism – Fiction where fantastical elements subtly intrude on otherwise-normal environments. Often Literary fiction exploring cultural hybridity through a touch of the extraordinary. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude epitomizes the style.
• Mythic Fantasy – Fantasy tales drawing on the themes, symbols and elements of ancient myths, legends, folklore or fairy tales. Modern examples include the web novel Lore Olympus , a retelling of Greek mythic romances, or Catherynne M. Valente’s Deathless , which reimagines a Russian folk tale.
• Portal Fantasy – Involves characters entering unfamiliar, magical fantasy worlds through portals connecting them to our primary Earth reality. C.S Lewis’ beloved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe helped codify conventions of the genre.

Of course additional hybrid subgenres abound too like comic fantasy, supernatural fantasy, science fantasy and more. As you explore ideas, having touchpoints like these can unfold helpful context.

60 Unique Fantasy Prompts

Now you have a solid grounding on key aspects of fantasy and its major categories. Harness all this knowledge along with the expansive 60 fantasy prompts below to kickstart your next writing project within the genre you love.

I’ve grouped prompts into handy subsections matching different facets of fantasy. Feel free to tweak or combine prompts as you see fit to develop your own tale etched with original magic.

Portal Fantasy Story Starters

• A child discovers an enchanted mirror in an abandoned house that serves as a portal to another world.
• Siblings find their late grandmother’s ornate wooden wardrobe transports them to the magical land she often told stories about.
• Every year on their birthday, a person dreams the same dream – of a glowing cave beckoning them to enter. On their 18th birthday they discover the actual glowing cave while hiking nearby.
• A young witch-in-training finds a portal inside a tree hollow that leads her to the future domain of her powerful future self.
• An archaeologist excavates a temple from an ancient civilization with a magical portal at its center, still active after all this time. Where might it lead?
• A video game enthusiast discovers that the VR world of their new game engine is an actual alternate reality.
• A photographer takes a tumble while shooting urban architecture, only to enter a portal into a bustling epic fantasy city through a clever trompe l’oeil mural.
• Every house on a block contains a hidden portal to a different fantasy world – except the cranky old man protagonist’s home. When he discovers a young girl trapped and unable to activate her house’s portal, they set off on an odd couple adventure.
• At a magical lake, people enter the water beneath a full moon to briefly visit whoever they’ve lost that they miss most in vision-like dreams.
• A fairy ring of mushrooms in the forest actually serves as a portal between worlds. A mother and daughter each independently take shelter among the mushrooms from rain, ushering an unlikely reunion in the magical realm the portal leads to.

Urban Fantasy Story Ideas

• A busy lawyer discovers their high-powered wardrobe contains enchanted clothing that allows them to manifest their words and soothe frayed nerves around them.
• Gargoyles mysteriously appear on buildings throughout a city. When people walk beneath them after sundown, their greatest ambitions manifest unconsciously.
• A blogger finds handwritten fairytale poems fluttering in the streets. They discover the poet they memorialize died years earlier, yet their ghost continues creating through magic ink that materializes their verses.
• A jaded bureaucract discovers a secret pocket realm accessible through filing cabinets in their office where unwanted documents and office supplies become enchanted.
• A vigilante hacker develops a computer virus that deploys magical rather than technological effects, serving surreptitious justice on corrupt officials undermined through inexplicable luck.
• A chocolatier uses enchanted confections to help customers relive their most cherished memories while enjoying inventive sweets, until the magic goes awry.
• A developer converts dilapidated warehouses into wildly successful commercial properties by making droves inexplicably view their imperfections as quaint through an enchantment. However, without keeping the spell in check the glamour produces catastrophes.
• A painter creates impossible combinations of real realms from dreams by mixing enchanted ink into their watercolors. Trouble arises when people leap physically into the worlds on canvas without the magician’s permission.
• A grandmother runs a magical greenhouse passed down generations where every flower’s scent imbues a unique imagining gift when inhaled. As surrounding neighbourhoods destabilize, enticing buyers threaten the family legacy and community peace the greenhouse protects.
• A chic fashion designer sews impossible dresses that render wearers unnoticed in public spaces, allowing celebrities reprieve and young female interns escape from harassment. However when a customer wants to adapt her stealth designs to commit crimes, she must fight back.

Dark Fantasy Story Ideas

• In a realm where necromancers are priests, graveyards become animate with the rattling bones and shambling corpses of those mourners fail to appease through proper funereal tributes.
• An amoral wizard-artificer breeds terrifying beast-machine hybrids by infusing strange pulsating relics into flesh, bone and iron during unholy experiments, slowly losing their humanity in the process.
• A cursed charm from ages past compels its possessors to transfer the Hello through murder alone so they might live. The chain of possessed “inheritors” spans centuries leaving macabre legends, like an archeologistInheritor driven to study and ultimately pocket the ancient artifact that possesses them next despite all warnings.
• Every year villages offer up people chosen by lottery to a towering labyrinthine prison as tithes appeasing its monstrous warden – except this year, chance selects the beloved daughter of a grieving mother who vows to topple the entire tithe system and destroy the warden who keeps it in place no matter the cost.
• Poisonous purple clouds spread from a crater where a mysterious obsidian meteor struck, their lethal miasma driving people to madness before painful death sweeps them away. Desperate holdouts too poor to flee struggle to survive while negotiating fragile alliances.
• A ruthless band of treasure hunters seeking mythic riches slaughter their way through an old-growth forest but encounter wrathful plant spirits and sentient trees that manipulate nature itself to violently expel the invaders.
• An innocent child is born with emerald eyes that involuntarily turn those who behold them into lifeless onyx statues over time. They must find a way to hide their curse from superstitious townspeople who would condemn them for witchcraft.
• Harrowed parents in in an isolated village cut off from outside aid can only watch their loved ones fall prey to a contagious werewolf curse transforming helpless victims monthly beneath the full moon. A lone misunderstood wizard may be able to help before it’s too late.
• Shadowy nightmare beings thrive on human fear and take monstrous shape from an individual’s personal phobias before entering bedrooms unseen to feast. A young girl fights sleeplessness as she desperately learns how to lucid dream so that she may turn these creatures of darkness into her own guardians against harm.
• A violent clan of nomadic raiders invades a suspected witch’s well-hidden sanctuary domicile seeking to capture and torture her for nefarious purposes. But they soon discover her cabin in the dark forest contains uncanny horrors guarding far greater secrets within which promise terrifying power should they seize it as their own.

High Fantasy Story Starters

• In a land where dragon riders defend humanity against otherworldly threats, an orphan stable hand discovers an abandoned dragon egg and faces backlash as they raise the hatchling in secret, forging an unbreakable bond.
• An exiled knight errant and mage masquerading as a common sellsword venture deep into forgotten valleys chasing legends of a fallen kingdom’s lost treasure, but release an ancient guardian entity in the perilous ruins below.
• A womdering ronin samurai and mystic swordsman with a cursed blade joins forces with rebel guerillas and a young rural farm boy working to end a tyrannical warlord’s conquests. During a pivotal confrontation at the despot’s stronghold, it’s revealed the protagonists all hail from the same ninja shinobi clan.
• A soldier spared from death during a decisive battle gradually transforms into an undead revenant beholden to sinister forces because of the necromantic axe that saved his life. Seeking a cure, he returns to his home village but learns even greater dangers haunt his once idyllic community.
• A plucky thieves guild urchin who narrowly escapes captivity and her orphan friends accidentally unleash an imprisoned magical creature while hiding in castle ruins. Its freedom could spell salvation or doom for the kingdom.
• A gifted apothecarist monastery acolyte mistakes a crucial ingredient during an accelerated plague remedy trial, inadvertently creating a ravenous undead epidemic infecting the abbey’s medicinal garden instead of the life-saving panacea everyone hoped for.
• After an ambitious noble house launches a coup against the crown, the deposed queen entrusts her newborn heir to loyalist allies who disguise themselves as common laborers as they ferry the scion to safety through contested territory. The babe bears a unique birthmark signifying they are the rightful future ruler.
• The sole surviving member of a legendary guardian order embarks on a dangerous quest to convene compatriots in a desperate attempt to combat the malevolent god recently freed from its aeons-long imprisonment now threatening civilization anew.
• A court jester hailed as the cleverest in the land is actually a powerful mageSaboteur patiently dismantling the empire subjugating the mages through subtle magical pranks embarrass leading officials. However, when the king brings in an estranged childhood friend as an inquisitor who sees through the deception, the fight turns serious.
• After frightened woodcutters report a phoenix roosting in a shadowed glen once struck by lightning during a dry storm, druids debate whether its glorious immolation ritual signals ruin or rebirth while opportunistic trappers encroach against all advice.

Magic Discovery Story Prompts

• While salvaging equipment from an alchemical workshop, a tinkerer haphazardly activates an experimental transmutation engine revealing new metals and gemstones but can’t control what it conjures, attracting greedy opportunists and magical investigators alike.
• An obsessive aristocrat commissions explorers to chart rumored ley lines crisscrossing her lands hoping to harness ambient magical energy flowing through them. But breaching these channels of power has unintended effects even the mysterious ley walkers they consult against better judgement couldn’t predict.
• In a magic academy where rival factions vie for prestige and sway using illegally-obtained relics stolen from crypts, museums and private collections, a principled teacher tries limiting growing corruption as repercussions from meddling with dangerous artifacts shake the arcane institution’s foundations.
• An antiques appraiser routinely consults mystics whenever they encounter particularly beguiling magical objects of inscrutable origin, but after they help a powerful benefactor procure a set of seven rings believed crucial for a secret unity ritual, reality itself seems to glitch and blur around them.
• A tribal shaman hunting fungi components to restock their village’s medicinal stores realizes the magical mycelium network binding specific flora grants personalized visions of possible futures after accidental overexposure. Sharing this revelation could enable defensive premonitions yet invites outside exploitation.
• Academics excavating a newly uncovered tomb complex note its strange hieroglyphs glow whenever workers disturbed lost relics and scrolls strewn about the premises. Exact deciphering proves difficult but points to catalogues of profound magical knowledge awaiting proper translation back at the university.
• Over multiple generations spanning centuries, successive guardians of an enigmatic lighthouse ensure its beacon fire continues burning to luminously outline treacherous shallows and navigate ships away from rocky disaster. But the latest caretaker worries their diminishing eyesight risks losing track of a delivery shipment carrying the secret flame’s fuel – luminous nighthawk eggs harvested only under a blue moon’s sight.
• Far from colonial authorities in balmy tropics, secreted among volcanic peaks and plunging ravines, autonomous villages still prosper by distilling elusive absinthe liquor through unique botanicals granting imbibers reality-warping and time-bending qualities when sipped sparingly. An exiled occultistdecrypts production secrets in order to barter access home.
• When hostile treasure hunters probing a seam of glowstone in the abyssal depths of an ancient dwarven mine complex inadvertently unearth a towering titan imprisoned for instigating the legendary War of Fire Giants, their screaming vanguard flees for the surface to spread warning while veteran champions steel themselves to make a heroic last stand against the fiery colossus they’ve unleashed until reinforcements hopefully still versed in binding runes and shielding wards arrive in time.

Mythic Creatures Story Ideas

• An amateur cryptozoologist receives photos depicting an unknown serpentine beast spied coiling amongst legendary loch waters, prompting a dangerous pursuit to confirm rumours suggesting this mystical lake entity survives against all odds using chameleonic camouflage mechanisms to avoid modern detection.
• While surveying prospective marshland real estate, curious scouts discover timid willowy beings with leafy hair resembling botanical dryads shyly withdrawing amidst the isolated bog.their disturbance risks permanently scattering these rare sylvan spirits before conservation efforts establish protected areas.
• Daring divers conducting submarine surveys along a remote archipelago document an elegant tribe of humanoids swimming through crystal waters with bioluminescent skin, membranes between elongated digits, and gently swirling spines running from nape down backs evoking mythical merfolk. Attempts to discretely monitor them raise urgent preservation questions once footage leaks publicly.
• Supposed extinct miniature stallions with pearlescent spiral horns projecting from their foreheads turn up mystifying wildlife experts seeking to verify their validity as alicorns and pinpoint origins of the diminutive equines inexplicably spotted in various surprising locations worldwide given lack of previous sightings. Where did they emerge from and how did they proliferate globally?
• While researching folk beliefs associated with a puzzling root vegetable grown by rural cultivators, an ethnobotanist finally pieces together why superstitious farmers harvest these specific tuberous plants according to lunar cycles. It seems consuming them under moonlight alters people’s perceptions towards seeing capricious pookah fae shapeshifting through forms.
• Baffled pet owners across several cities surreptitiously consult veterinarians after hours concerning their animals’ unusual behavior patterns, but the consensus suggests certain elemental sprites remarkably reactive to pollution and habitat disruptions have begun intervening through willing animal vessels letting them convey crucial environmental restoration messages.
• A celebrated chimera in antiquity renown for its oracular sight and wisdom unexpectedly resurfaces after centuries dormant to reluctantly help a perilously fractured kingdom, but its sphinx-like proclamations prove so cryptic that divine decipherers must convene to properly unravel prophetic statements encoded within imagery-rich verse.
• exploring a tidal cave network reveals crude bioluminescent cave paintings depicting now extinct mega faunas living amongst early humans, yet one hitherto unidentified sauropod they spot outlined multiple times near vital freshwater outlets suggests maybe a special phoenix-like regeneration is involved accounting for why this particular colossal species still roams secluded sites according to rare sightings.
• After inheriting an eccentric relative’s overgrown estate, the new groundskeeper gradually befriends gargantuan guardian statues prowling the property each night that their ancestor had long ago awakened from stone hibernation using ancient runic synergies. Now fully sentient yet still bound by geas-fueled oaths to defend sacred boundary wards against trespassers in perpetuity.
• Investigating terrifying instances of dangerous predators found mysteriously slaughtered throughout remote mountain hiking trails points to the legendary involvement of a massive fur-covered humanoid people come down seasonally from hidden villages nestled amongst cloud-piercing peaks to harvest resources, leaving occasional violent calling cards warning human settlers away.
• Clearing out a backyard garden plot, homeowners unearthed strange skull fragments alongside unusual claw and vertebrae remains resembling no catalogued regional wildlife. However, after unexpectedly animated beings self-assembling from these unknown animal bones and sinew subsequently carry their whining dog away towards the forested foothills, frantic owners contact monster hunting occultists and sabermetric scientists to identify what may have emerged and strategize safe retrievals.

These 150 fantasy writing prompts offer a treasure trove of story ideas you can explore within magical realms of your own imagining, whether building out entire worlds or just enhancing life’s hidden wonders. From portals leading across dimensions to mythical beasts and magical objects with cryptic purposes, let these prompts stir your creativity.

Remember the key ingredients that make fantasy tales resonate. Bake in rich worldbuilding, dimensional characters, suspenseful pacing and themes that connect with readers. Study classics of the genre you wish to emulate while putting your own distinct spin on tropes. Keep magic and supernatural forces integral without overshadowing interpersonal relationships, inner turmoil and relatable conflicts that bring fantasy down to earth even amidst the extraordinary.

Most importantly, believe fervently in the realms you envision and pour passion into each enchanted word set to page. If you thoroughly enjoy building new worlds and want readers to find the same wonder escaping routine reality, then fantasy fiction offers endless gateways forescape. Now step through the portal of your imagination – let these prompts guide your journey into fantastical storytelling!

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120 Fantasy Writing Prompts: High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Romance And More

Sometimes when we sit down to write a fantasy story, the creative gears can’t get going. We might try as hard as we can, but nothing works. In these desperate times, there’s one solution that many writers turn to, and that is using fantasy writing prompts.

Over the years, prompts have played a huge role in the lives of many fantasy writers. As someone who’s been writing fantasy for nearly 10 years, I’ve used prompts both written and visual to inspire lots of stories. I love them and appreciate their value.

So I put together this guide to share with you some of my favorite prompts for fantasy stories. I’ve broken them down by sub genre of fantasy , so you can find inspiration for your epic and heroic tales as well as your classic high fantasy ones too.

Keep scrolling for the lists of prompts. Next, we take a look at the basics behind them.

What Is A Fantasy Writing Prompt?

A fantasy writing prompt is snippet of a story, a theme or an idea that’s desiged to spark the beginning of a story.

In other words, it’s a tool used by writers to spark their creativity to life. Just like a hunter would use a piece of flink to spark their campfire to life.

Why Use Prompts To Write Fantasy?

Sometimes you have the desire to write, but it’s difficult to think of an idea to get you started. Other times we may just be tired from a long day at the 9 to 5 job.

When you’re feeling a little low on the creative energy front, a fantasy writing prompt can serve as the spark that ignites the flame.

Sometimes you don’t even need to write a full story with the prompt. It could be a scene or chapter, maybe even just a monologue. Or it could develop into a short story, novella or novel.

You can use them to find your flow, and once the words are pouring forth, you can move onto your other writing project.

Are There Any Issues With Using A Prompt?

Some people worry about things like plagiarism when it comes to using a writing prompt. Other writers feel like it’s cheating if they didn’t come up with the idea on their own.

For clarity’s sake, there’s no issue at all with using a prompt.

All stories come from a prompt of some kind. Authors talk all the time about reading a story and developing an idea from it. George RR Martin famously based Game of Thrones on the War of the Roses.

As for plagiarism, this is a very unlikely outcome, and the reason we know this is by looking at short story competitions. Anthologies, magazines and publishers regularly run competitions based around a theme . As someone who has judged competitions like this, it’s amazing how different the stories can be with one narrow prompt.

A List Of Fantasy Writing Prompts By Genre

Below, you can find lists of fantasy writing prompts broken down by different sub genres.

High Fantasy

High fantasy is a sub genre rich in adventure, fantasy creatures like dragons, and magic . Here are some prompts:

• In a world where magic is feared and outlawed, a young orphan discovers they possess mysterious powers.
• A legendary dragon rider, long thought to be extinct, emerges from hiding, seeking to unite the fractured kingdoms against a common enemy.
• Deep within a cursed forest lies a hidden artifact of immense power. A group of adventurers must band together to retrieve it.
• An ancient prophecy speaks of a chosen one who will bring balance to the realm. But what if the chosen one is not who everyone expects?
• As an ancient evil rises, a reluctant hero must delve into the forbidden arts of magic to save their world, risking everything in the process.
• In a realm torn apart by war, an unlikely alliance forms between humans and magical creatures. Together, they must confront the darkness threatening to consume them all.
• Gifted with the ability to manipulate time, a young witch must navigate a web of destiny to prevent a catastrophic event from tearing the world asunder.
• Legends speak of a city of gold hidden deep within the uncharted wilderness. As treasure hunters converge on the area, alliances will be forged and betrayals will unfold.
• Cursed by an enchantress, a prince must find true love before time runs out. But what if breaking the curse means sacrificing his own happiness?
• Entrusted with protecting a powerful artifact, a young mage must navigate a world of deception and intrigue, where allies may be enemies in disguise.
• Abandoned by the gods, the world teeters on the brink of destruction. A band of heroes must journey into the heart of darkness to confront the gods and restore balance.
• A treasure map leads a group of adventurers to the lair of a fearsome dragon. But as they draw closer to the treasure, they realize there’s more at stake than gold and jewels.
• In a world where music holds magical power, a young bard must use her talents to stop an ancient evil from plunging the realm into darkness.
• Trapped within a deadly labyrinth, a group of adventurers must rely on each other’s strengths and wits to survive and claim the treasure that lies at its heart.
• Banished from his kingdom, a young prince must prove himself worthy of the throne by undertaking a perilous quest that will test his courage and resolve.
• A young dreamwalker discovers a realm where dreams are reality. But when nightmares threaten to consume the dream realm, she must confront her deepest fears to save her sister and her world.
• Tasked with retrieving the lost sword of their king, a group of knights must journey into enemy territory, facing impossible odds and dark secrets along the way.
• Discovering a hidden school of magic, a young wizard must navigate the dangerous world of sorcery while unraveling the mysteries of his own past.
• With dragons hunted to near extinction, a young dragon rider must protect her companion from those who seek to exploit its power for their own gain.
• To rescue a lost soul from the underworld, a group of heroes must journey into the realm of the dead, confronting their own inner demons in the process.

Dark Fantasy

• In a world where darkness reigns, a young sorcerer discovers a forbidden spell that could bring about the end of days.
• A cursed blade, said to contain the soul of a vengeful spirit, falls into the hands of a reluctant hero who must wield its power to save their kingdom.
• Trapped in a city shrouded in eternal night, a group of survivors must navigate its twisted streets and deadly inhabitants to uncover the truth behind the darkness.
• A powerful necromancer raises an army of the dead to conquer the world, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
• In a realm ruled by fear, a rebellion rises against the tyrannical sorcerer-king, sparking a brutal war where alliances are fleeting and betrayal is common.
• Haunted by visions of a dark future, a young seer must navigate a web of treachery and deceit to prevent the apocalypse.
• A deadly disease sweeps across the land, turning its victims into bloodthirsty monsters. As civilization crumbles, survivors must do whatever it takes to stay alive.
• A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to immortality, falls into the wrong hands, unleashing a wave of chaos and destruction upon the world.
• In a world where the dead refuse to stay buried, a group of grave robbers uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens to unleash hell on earth.
• Banished to a realm of eternal darkness, a fallen angel seeks revenge against those who betrayed him, unleashing a reign of terror upon the mortal world.
• A cursed forest, shrouded in shadow, holds the key to unlocking ancient magic long thought to be lost. But those who enter never return the same.
• A powerful demon escapes from its prison, wreaking havoc upon the world as it searches for the one who bound it centuries ago.
• In a city ruled by a cabal of dark sorcerers, a young thief discovers a hidden power within himself that could change the course of history.
• A group of adventurers delves into the depths of a long-forgotten tomb, unaware of the horrors that lie in wait for them.
• As darkness spreads across the land, a lone warrior sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late.
• Haunted by a tragic past, a vampire hunter prowls the streets at night, seeking vengeance against the creatures that took everything from him.
• In a world where nightmares come to life, a young girl discovers she has the power to enter the dreams of others, but at what cost?
• A dark cult, dedicated to summoning an ancient god of chaos, sets its sights on a small village, threatening to unleash hell on earth.
• Trapped in a realm of eternal torment, a group of lost souls must band together to escape the clutches of the demon lord who rules over them.
• As the world descends into chaos, a lone hero must make a pact with a powerful demon to save the ones they love, risking their own soul in the process.

Fantasy Romance

• In a world where magic and romance intertwine, a forbidden love blossoms between a princess and a commoner, threatening to tear the kingdom apart.
• A powerful sorcerer and a fierce warrior are forced to work together to defeat a common enemy, but as they journey together, they discover a love that transcends boundaries.
• A young witch, cursed never to love again, meets a charming rogue who makes her question everything she thought she knew about love and magic.
• Trapped in an arranged marriage, a prince and princess must navigate court intrigue and dark magic to find true love in each other’s arms.
• In a world where humans and elves are sworn enemies, a forbidden love blooms between a human knight and an elven princess, threatening to ignite a war.
• A cursed prince seeks the help of a powerful enchantress to break the curse, but as they spend more time together, they discover a love that could save them both.
• A mysterious traveler arrives in a small village, capturing the heart of a lonely innkeeper who harbors a secret of her own.
• A pirate captain and a mermaid princess form an unlikely alliance to recover a lost treasure, but as they journey together, they discover a love that could change the fate of their worlds.
• Trapped in a tower by an evil sorcerer, a princess dreams of freedom until a brave knight comes to rescue her, and she discovers that true love knows no bounds.
• In a world where shape-shifters are hunted for their abilities, a young woman falls in love with a man who can transform into a fearsome dragon, risking everything to be with him.

Epic Fantasy

• In a world torn apart by war, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to defeat an ancient evil that threatens to consume the land.
• A legendary artifact, said to hold the power of the gods, resurfaces after centuries of being lost. Now, rival factions race to claim it and change the fate of the world.
• The chosen one, prophesied to save the world from destruction, is not the hero everyone expects. With the fate of the realm hanging in the balance, they must embrace their destiny or risk losing everything.
• An immortal sorcerer, driven mad by centuries of loneliness, seeks to unleash a dark power that will consume the world. Only a group of heroes can stop him, but first, they must confront their own inner demons.
• In a world where dragons are revered as gods, a young dragon rider must unite the warring dragon clans to defeat a common enemy that threatens them all.
• A forgotten prophecy speaks of a lost city hidden deep within the wilderness, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power. Now, a group of adventurers must brave treacherous lands to uncover its secrets.
• As an ancient darkness awakens, a young hero must journey to the ends of the earth to find the legendary weapon capable of defeating it. But first, they must overcome trials of courage, strength, and sacrifice.
• In a realm where magic is outlawed, a young mage discovers they are the key to unlocking a power that could change the fate of the world. Now, they must embark on a perilous journey to master their abilities before it’s too late.
• The world is on the brink of collapse, and only a long-forgotten alliance between humans, elves, and dwarves can save it. But first, old wounds must be healed, and ancient enemies must learn to trust each other once again.
• A powerful artifact, forged by the gods themselves, falls into the hands of a humble farmer. Now, they must journey across the land, facing enemies both old and new, to return it to its rightful place before darkness consumes the world.
• In a world where darkness reigns supreme, a group of mercenaries must navigate a treacherous landscape of betrayal and brutality to survive.
• A once noble knight, betrayed by his king and left for dead, seeks revenge against those who wronged him, no matter the cost.
• As a deadly plague sweeps across the land, a group of survivors must do whatever it takes to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing their humanity.
• Trapped in a city ruled by a tyrannical sorcerer, a young thief discovers a power within herself that could change the course of history.
• Banished to the edge of the known world, a group of outcasts must band together to survive against the horrors that lurk in the darkness.
• In a world where survival is the only law, a group of strangers must come together to fend off the monsters that lurk in the shadows, or risk becoming prey themselves.

Low Fantasy

• In a world where magic is a rare and dangerous art, a young street urchin discovers they possess forbidden powers and must learn to control them before they are discovered.
• A small village, nestled in the shadow of a dark forest, is plagued by strange occurrences and unexplained disappearances. A group of unlikely heroes must uncover the truth behind the mysterious happenings before it’s too late.
• In a city ruled by crime and corruption, a disgraced knight seeks redemption by becoming a reluctant protector of the downtrodden.
• As war ravages the land, a group of refugees must navigate treacherous terrain and hostile enemies to find sanctuary in a distant kingdom.
• A powerful artifact, long thought to be lost, resurfaces in the hands of a humble blacksmith . Now, they must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
• In a world where magic is feared and persecuted, a young healer must conceal her abilities while navigating the dangerous streets of a bustling city.
• A deadly plague sweeps across the land, turning its victims into mindless husks. A group of survivors must band together to find a cure before it’s too late.
• In a kingdom torn apart by civil war, a group of rebels seeks to overthrow the tyrannical king and restore peace to the realm.
• A mysterious stranger arrives in a small village, bringing with them tales of adventure and danger. But as they become embroiled in the town’s affairs, they realize that not everything is as it seems.
• In a world where monsters roam the wilderness, a group of monster hunters must track down a dangerous beast that threatens the safety of their village.

Fairy Tales

• In a kingdom cursed by eternal winter, a young girl sets out on a journey to find the mythical Ice Queen and put an end to the curse.
• Trapped in a tower by an evil sorceress, a princess dreams of freedom until a brave prince comes to rescue her, but not everything is as it seems.
• A humble peasant girl discovers she is the long-lost daughter of a powerful sorcerer and sets out on a quest to reclaim her birthright.
• In a world where magic is forbidden, a young witch must conceal her powers while navigating the dangerous streets of a bustling city.
• A group of fairy tale characters, banished from their own stories, must find a way to return home before they are lost in the real world forever.
• In a kingdom ruled by an evil queen, a young girl discovers she is the rightful heir to the throne and must reclaim her kingdom from the queen’s tyranny.
• A magical portal opens in the middle of a forest, leading a group of children into a world of adventure and danger, where they must rely on each other to find their way home.
• In a world where dragons and princesses are a dime a dozen, a group of unlikely heroes must embark on a quest to rescue a kidnapped prince and restore peace to the realm.

Urban Fantasy

• In a city where magic is real but hidden from plain sight, a young detective with a dark secret must solve a series of supernatural murders before they strike again.
• Trapped in a world of shadows and darkness, a group of unlikely heroes must navigate the dangerous streets of a bustling city to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances.
• A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power, falls into the hands of a young woman living in the heart of the city. Now, she must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
• In a world where humans and supernatural beings coexist, a young witch discovers she is the key to preventing an all-out war between the two factions.
• As darkness spreads across the city, a lone vigilante sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late.
• A group of paranormal investigators must confront their own inner demons as they delve into the hidden world of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night.
• A powerful vampire lord rises to power in the heart of the city, threatening to plunge it into eternal darkness. Only a group of unlikely allies can stop him, but first, they must confront their own fears and prejudices.
• In a city overrun by supernatural creatures, a young werewolf must navigate a world of danger and intrigue while uncovering the truth behind his own mysterious past.
• Trapped in a never-ending cycle of night, a group of survivors must band together to escape the clutches of the vampire queen who rules over them.
• A powerful sorcerer arrives in the city, seeking revenge against those who wronged him centuries ago. Now, he must confront his own inner demons while battling the forces of darkness that threaten to consume the city.

Heroic Fantasy

Young adult fantasy.

• In a world where magic is forbidden, a group of young rebels discovers they possess powerful abilities and must band together to overthrow the corrupt regime that seeks to suppress them.
• Trapped in a boarding school for young witches and wizards, a group of misfit students must navigate friendships, rivalries, and dark secrets while uncovering the truth behind a series of mysterious disappearances.
• As war looms on the horizon, a young prince must choose between duty and love when he falls for a commoner with a secret of her own.
• In a world divided between humans and mythical creatures, a young girl discovers she is the key to ending centuries of conflict and must embark on a dangerous journey to unite the warring factions.
• A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power, falls into the hands of a group of young adventurers. Now, they must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
• Trapped in a realm of eternal night, a group of young heroes must navigate treacherous terrain and deadly monsters to find a way home before they are lost in the darkness forever.
• In a city ruled by crime and corruption, a group of young vigilantes takes justice into their own hands, fighting against the forces of evil that threaten to consume their home.
• As darkness spreads across the land, a lone hero sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late, with only their loyal friends by their side.
• A group of young sorcerers-in-training must master their powers and uncover the truth behind a series of magical attacks that threaten to tear their world apart.
• In a kingdom where only the strongest survive, a group of young warriors must prove themselves in a series of deadly trials to earn their place among the elite guard.

Visual Fantasy Writing Prompts

A lot of my stories have been prompted by pictures or powerful pieces of artwork. When you stop and allow yourself to become absorbed by what’s before you, to think about its meanings and the stories that could surround them, it can help give you a golden nugget of a story idea.

Here’s a gallery of visual fantasy writing prompts:

Audio Fantasy Writing Prompts

Sometimes music can inspire our writing, and other times the people we listen to on podcasts can give us ideas from their discussions.

Below, you can find a playlist I’ve curated that evokes the feeling of fantasy and may inspire some emotional prompts. And I’ve also included some episodes from The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcast which explore more specific topics, like life in medieval times, which could help prompt some story ideas.

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42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas

These 42 fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas are waiting for you to write them into your next big novel, screenplay, short story.

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Need a good story idea quick? These fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas can be used as inspiration to write your next epic tale. You can use these story ideas and prompts for all types of creative works, whether it be a novel, screen play or other fictional short stories.

The Magic World of Writing Fantastical, Epic Tales

I’ve always loved writing fantasy, simply because in fantasy you can leave all your worries about the real world behind. Fantasy writing is your chance to explore your imagination and discover all sorts of magical and mysterious things.

One of the biggest perks of fantasy writing is unlike realistic fiction, there needs to be no logical sequence for how things happen. You can finally use magic as a reasonable and acceptable explanation for everything.

Like all of our  writing prompts , these fantasy fiction prompts and plot ideas are varied on a number of different subjects that can fit into the fantasy genre. Many of these fiction writing prompts can be used for sub-genres of fantasy, such as paranormal romance, urban fantasy, magic realism and more.

Not a fan of the subject? Prefer to stick to medieval times? Any of these epic story ideas can be adapted easily simply by substituting the suggested character with your mythological creature of choice.

Don’t forget, if you like some aspects of a prompt you can always change it for your own needs and what interests you most. The possibilities are endless, and I know there is a book idea here waiting for you to write and publish it .

Even if you don’t have any intentions of writing a fantasy novel, there are many benefits of practicing creative writing with these fantasy writing prompts. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let your imagination run wild with one of these prompts – you never know where it may take you.

Fantasy Writing Prompts for Creative Fiction, Novels, Short Stories, Screenplays and More

These writing prompts are open to your own interpretation and imagination. Many are purposely open-ended to give you a lot of flexibility for the way they are used. Ready? Let the writing begin!

1. The Snow Dragon: You are in the mountain forest when you come face to face with the snow dragon: an adorable, furry, and surprisingly tiny creature who breathes fire.

2. Street Signs: After a young man is killed as an innocent bystander in the cross-fires of gang violence, you notice a mysterious symbol appear on the side of a building.

3. Lilies of the Valley: As the new housekeeper for a prominent wealthy family, one of your tasks is to water all of the house plants. You are watering the lilies in the entry way when one of the plants starts talking to warn you of a dark family secret.

4. The Coin Dealer:  You are at a Coin Show when you meet a coin dealer who specializes in collecting mythical currencies.

5. The Fairies Next Door: Being new in town, you decided to introduce yourself to the neighbors. When you knock on the door, you are greeted by a small army of fairies who take you captive.

6. Water Vs. Dirt: There are two major groups of people who live on the planet. The water people, who use water for everything, and the dirt people, who use dirt for everything. Can they learn to co-exist peacefully, or will their entire world become mud?

7. Potions, Inc. : After centuries of a small occult family developing successful potions for love, fortune, and health, the oldest son decides to launch the family business of magic into the corporate world.

8. If Walls Could Talk:  After moving to a new town, the Smith Family thinks they found the perfect home. That is, until the walls begin to talk and they learn the house is cursed.

9. Empire of Misfits:  A secret society of misfits decides to take over the world, learning to use their greatest flaws as super powers to succeed.

10. The Invisible Castle: A group of friends decide to climb a tower near their home when they discover it leads to an invisible castle in the air that no one else knows exists.

11. Ghost  Pirates:  Legends claim a notorious pirate buried his treasure along the rocky shores of the cove. James and his girlfriend are at the beach one night when the ghost ship sails in.

12. Photographic Travel: You stare at the man in the photo and wonder what his life might have been like. Next thing you know, you and the person in the photograph have swapped places.

13. The Benevolent Beast: On the edge of town is a giant and fierce looking beast but is actually quite friendly. When strange occurrences start happening in the town, the beast is a prime suspect. Can you protect the beast and clear its name?

14. Gilbert The Giant Goldfish: Life in the koi pond only appears to be peaceful…

15. The Magic Key: After failing in his career and marriage, Will discovers a magic key that unlocks doors that open into a new world.

16. Island in the Clouds:  The Great War left the people of her kingdom stranded on a tethered island in the clouds…

17. Dancing Fever : As the townspeople are overcome with a feverish desire to dance, it’s up to you to find the cause and cure.

18. Paranormal Detective : He has a knack for solving mysteries with the help of a ghost who gives him clues.

19. Darkness Made Daily: The factory you work at is frequently rated “Top 10 Places to Work” across the country. Workers have wonderful health benefits, generous salaries, and plenty of paid vacation time. When your co-worker at the assembly line mysteriously vanishes, it’s up to you to uncover the evil truth of what the factory is manufacturing and put a stop to it.

20. The Arctic Mermaid:  Living deep in the icy waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean are the arctic mermaids, who rescue a child being held captive on a ship.

21. Ring of Storms : “It’s just one those silly mood rings…” or is it?

22. No Words: Mike makes a promise to a mysterious vagrant on the street that leaves his wife speechless.

23. The Psychic Hospital : After being involuntarily committed into the psych ward for being delusional, a patient must somehow convince the doctors all she experiences is real. She is not crazy – and neither are the other patients.

24. Forever Beautiful : You are a cosmetologist at a local gossip-filled beauty salon when you accidentally stumble across a map that outlines the path to the legendary fountain of youth.

25.  Out of Paradise: You just got kicked out of heaven. Now what?

26. The Crossing Guards:  The crossing guards at a busy intersection of the city do more than just help the living humans walk across the street.

27. Second Chance at Life: At a hospital on one stormy night, the souls of two patients agree to swap places when it becomes obvious neither one will ever be able to return to the life they once knew.

28. The Cowboy and The Witch : He is an outlaw from the wild, wild west and she’s a witch from the Old Country.

29. The False Light Gods: A group of evil entities attempt to trick people into believing they are the good guys by disguising themselves as saints, angels, gods, and goddesses.

30. Utopian Anarchist Society : Tired of the kingdom’s latest . It’s time to do something about it and so you begin your plans for creating the perfect utopian anarchist society.

31. Spirit Radio: After a few too many songs come on the radio at random coincidence, you realize you have a gift to communicate with spirits through music.

32.  Flying Cupcakes: A little girl is visiting a busy bakery with her nanny when she  enters the enchanted kitchen and is whisked away into the land of cupcakes.

33. Cosmic Address: You discover there’s a reason the address of your childhood home is 382 Orion Way.

34. The Perfect People: On the outside, they appear to be perfect. Of course, things are never as they actually appear…

35. Soul Fragments: When something tragic happens, it’s often said we lose a piece of ourselves. Your task is to travel through different lifetimes to find these lost parts of self to be whole again.

36. The VooDoo Queen:  The fraudulent fortune teller makes her living by conning the local superstitious government officials. When they start to become suspicious, she decides to make a run for it through the bayou where she encounters the ghost of the real VooDoo Queen.

37. Ghost Train : Every night, you are awakened by the sound of a train, but the railroad closed down years ago.

38. Trash to Treasure: While exploring an abandoned trash dump location off the coast, a young boy discovers an ancient sword.

39. Planet of Sorrows : It is a place of suffering, brokenness and despair.

40. Reading the Heavens : Each person has a designated star in the sky above. When the stars align, they will be lifted to go home to their true planet.

41. Miners Cove: After a mining village is swallowed by a sinkhole, all traces on the surface disappear, but the civilization continues on in secret for centuries. When modern day explorers come to claim and develop the land, the underground colony must do what they can to protect themselves and their secret world.

42. The Mirror, Cup, and Candle : Legend has it, if you stand in front of a mirror holding a cup and a candle you can jump between dimensions.

Need Some Help Writing? You May Also Like:

• How to Write a Novel in 4 Steps
• How to Outline a Novel
• How to Write Over 2,500+ Words a Day
• List Character Development Questions

Looking for even more writing prompts? Don’t forget to check these out:

• 365 Creative Writing Prompts ,
• 101 Poetry Prompts
• 300 Kids Writing Prompts

I hope these fantasy writing prompts helped spark your imagination. Whether you are looking for a different and unique style of creative writing exercises or are looking for the elusive perfect novel idea, this list will hopefully get your creativity flowing. And don’t forget – National Novel Writing Month is November!

Do you have any other ideas for fantasy writing prompts not included here? Share your fantasy story writing prompts or plot ideas in the comments section below – you never know who you might inspire to get writing.

And as always if you do write anything using these prompts, we would love to know about it! Tell us where we can find your stories in the comments below, link to this list from your own blog, or use the hashtag #thinkwritten on social media.

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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80 comments.

I plan on writing about one of these ideas for one week every night, thank you for sharing these ideas!

You’re welcome! I’m glad it inspires you to write!

Keep writing! My life depends on it!

I’m not really what you would call a writer. But I plan on becoming an author one day, and I believe these ideas will help me along that path. Thank you so much.

That`s actually a good idea.

Thank you for these awesome ideas. They make me feel so enthusiastic.

Glad you enjoyed them!

Wow thanks now I can begin my own series and add more to the story

I have an Idea for a prompt… A girl named Summer is born on The Summer Solstice of 2003, the date that a hero from a prophecy is supposed to be born. When Summer turns 16, Mordred, King Arthur’s supposedly dead nephew, rises, and attempts to take over the world, Summer must team up with Iclyn, A girl born on the winter solstice, with winter powers (summer had summery powers) Lily, a girl with powers born on the spring equinox, and Autumn, a girl with powers born on the fall equinox. The girls train to be knights to defeat the mighty Mordred, before the alignment of the planets, when he will become too powerful to fight.

This one is really good for a fantasy novel

That’s sounds like an awesome story and i would love to read it when its finished😊

I would love to use this prompt of yours! It’s really inspiring.

Wow that’s so awesome ur idea is so cool, keep on writing ur gonna be really great author at this rate👏🔥💯👍

I really like that story and if you just finished it and published it,i think that story would go viral!

That sound awesome!

This idea is amazing! You’re a great author and this will make a super cool fantasy book! (like you said, Shreya)

These Ideas are gold! I plan to use a few of them! You are awesome.

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them!

“Cliche” medieval settings? Ouch. 😔

I’ve been using these for my weekly 200’s at school and they’re really awesome!

I have written 7 books so far but, and yes, it’s a big BUT, none have managed to catch a big publishers eyes or be the word out there for it to reach the masses. Looking for a big publisher for my 8th manuscript. Shaida mehrban

Hi Shaida, have you considered working with an agent? Sometimes they can help you find a publisher and may be able to give you some feedback on what might make your books marketable. Hope that helps and hopefully you will be able to publish one of your books soon!

I think that some of these are very good, such as the patients that are thought of as crazy story, and the candle in front of the mirror, but others are a bit childish.

I’m glad you were able to find a couple that intrigued you!

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” – Madeleine L’Engle

HI, I have a question? Can I get permission to use the ideas in my stories!

Hi Monica, you are welcome to use any of these ideas in your stories. If you publish anything online, we would love it if you could cite our website as inspiration and share this page so it can help inspire others! Thank you for asking and let us know if you write something, we’d love to check it out. 🙂

Hi just to double-check!!! I can have permission to use your story ideas If I later decide to publish books! And become an Author and get pay, IF I could get permission!!!

Ten years after being abandoned to the care of her alcoholic father, the eldest of a pair of identical twin sisters tries to track down her estranged mom. The problem is: the only person who has a clue to her whereabouts is a young boy she hasn’t seen in nearly twelve years. But, he’s not really a boy. He’s a centuries-old fairy who appears mostly human. Except for the fifteen feet raven wings sprouting from his back. What really happened on the night the girl’s mother disappeared, and why does it feel like she isn’t being told the entire truth about her.

Thanks for sharing your plot idea H.R.!

Novel ideas to rejuvenate our creativity

I have so many story ideas and I did wrote some out but threw them away (oops) I did write a story but lost interest in it cause so much stuff was happening and now, I’m trying to focus on 1 but don’t know where to begin or how to write it :< I really like fantasy and your ideas are cool ^^

Glad they inspired you!

Story Idea you meet Jesus Christ in person no one believes that’s him !! what would you do?

I need help writing a plot for my stories about mermaids and fairy in a school setting???/

Story Idea a beautiful women uses her charm and beauty to get out of poverty and uses people to get what she wants because she thinks she deserves the best, in the end everything comes back to her. Story Idea Two sisters exasperated a birth one rich one poor meet again and switched lives one goes to replaces the others life and lives a lavish lifestyles the bad sister while the other takes care of the other family the good sister!

this is a nice idea and i would really like to see what u have got.

I was thinking about an idea for a novel and I was wondering if you had any thoughts on it.

Eren Hawkings wakes up from a coma after a dangerous car crash. During his Coma, he has strange visions that show to him the future of the world. And Eren’s entire life layed out before his eyes. During these he finds out that he will find true love. However, his love will die at a very early age to a rare virus. He will not pass through college, becoming a victim of a school shooting. His friends leave him to survive on his own in the world. How will he handle these visions, and will he be able to stop these visions from becoming reality.

(I’m only 13 and still learning the steps to becoming an author)

There’s really no such thing as a bad idea for a book – it’s all in how the story is told and how it develops. I was 14 when I wrote my first novel – it’s simultaneously the worst and best thing I’ve ever written. The worst because I was a beginner and its badly written. The plot is a disaster, the characters are cliche, the grammar is painful.

And yet, it’s still one of the best things I’ve ever written. Writing something badly is what helped me become a good writer. {And writing things badly is actually the entire premise of the book I’m currently publishing!}

The best way to learn is by doing. Start writing! You can always edit/revise/write a different story later.

Story idea: There are four ancient tribes in a feud. Little do they know, a darker force than them all intends to get rid of them. Four girls from each tribe, intend to find out why the feud started in the first for the sake of saving there tribes.

It is somewhat like Hunger Games

Good ideas, guys!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Great Ideas, thinkwritten! They’re really inspiring!

i am doing a fantasy book for kids for school and i need ideas

Hi I just want to repost my idea. A girl wakes up and she has no idea where she is. Soon, she realizes that she is trapped in a laboratory/maze inhabited by a crazy alchemist or somewhat. The reason she’s captured is because in her past life, she had a terrible secret that he needs to know. But she refuses to tell him the secret after she communicates with the ghost of her past life. eventually, she escapes and defeats him and saves her past life and her present one. Except, she is unaware that since she doesn’t tell him the secret, there is a terrible cost about to destroy her utterly.

I kinda changed it.

I love that idea. Thank you!!

I’m planning a DnD campaign with a general, really loose idea, using these to fill in some gaps and make it more interesting.

Heyo! This was very useful, thanks yours so much 🙂

I’ve been trying to write a really good story for a while but I’m stuck. Can you give me any ideas including the following? Thanks in advance. (I will be checking my email every day for your reply 🙂

Fantasy Elements Jars Mystical Creatures

Hi. I have an ideas but I get writer’s block. I can’t write properly. My idea to develop is the Ghost Train or The Snow Dragon 🙂 can you please help me write a story and help get rid of my writer’s block 🙂

thanks a lot i’m behind lots of essays and you saved my life thanks a lot I will come here if i need any more ideas. – See you later

Story Idea: Nora Redford has grown up without a mother. When one magical Christmas Eve she is given a wish, she asks to see her mother. Nora is given a map to the Island of The Dead and she goes on an adventure through different worlds to find her mother.

This would be a good book

if anyone publish stories on these concepts will u remove that particular concept???

Possibly, maybe. Depends if you follow my original open source licencing model.

Oooh I really like it!Is it okay if I use it?

Every time i go over to our grandmas my cousins and i all play these games based on fantasy and Mid evil. Lately we have run out of ideas, so i am for sure book marking this also my parents tell me to write so this will make it a lot more fun!

Here’s my idea:

In Northern England, a gang of teenage girls discover a magical jewel that belonged to the Romans. The Romans used that Jewel to put a curse on their newly conquered land, a curse that would turn all teenage girls there into boys. When the Romans left Britain, the curse was revoked and they destroyed any evidence: expect for that one jewel. They buried it and made a sign reading “Non tangere” (do not touch) next to it. the teenage girls ,manged to get it and horribly pronounced the magic Latin spell next to it, awaking the curse.

This has been really helpful. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much!!! My english teacher assigned me a homework of writing a novel in a month.. These plot ideas are so cool and helpful!! By the way, isn’t the ‘soul fragment ” plot similar to Voldemort’s in the Harry Potter series? And, I have another problem..I just can’t think of a really rare female character name. Could someone please suggest me some names?

Perhaps, Rivera, Eve, or even Coral?

Well, one more thing that people could write at the end of the story is that it was all a dream!

Hi, there! I want to write a story of the Nutcracker but I am stuck tight! I’ve written several attempts on the story but every time, I bump into a wall. Something’s just not coming out the right way. Need some help here!

Hi Mary Ann, did you create an outline? That can help you identify a roadmap for the story so that when you hit a wall you know which direction to go. Keep trying, I know you can do it!

Very well-written! Thanks for sharing this great article Chelle.. Writing Fantasy Fiction doesn’t have to be daunting and difficult. Thank you!

Dren kind of works; I’ve used it for a character who’s transfluid, but I don’t know what you’re swinging for :P.

There’s also Feven, which looks weird but it’s pronouned like Raven but with an F, so it’s pronouned Fay-ven, or Fae-ven. The spelling is also changeable, since it’s your character! Do what fits.

Farah, which I just think is pretty. :>

Nimah, which I also find pretty. (I find a lot of things pretty XD)

Leyra, which is also changeable, Laerah, Leira, do what you feel is right.

Kioni, (pronounced key-o’-knee; funny spelling huh?) I had a friend named Kioni, and I just thought the name was pretty unique.

Soriah; (pronounced as it is, so-rye-ah, and the spelling can be changed!) my older sister was going to be named this, but at the last minute she was called Christa instead. (Christa is just a variation of Krista, as my name, Jayda, is a variation of Jada.)

If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use my middle name, Zaharra. Or Zara if you want it shorter.

That’s all from me! Hope I could help!

So uhh this is my short story that I made for the first one. The Snow Dragon. It’s kind of long so if you don’t want to read it then it’s fine but I saw other people doing this so I thought why not? I trek up the mountain, putting one foot in front of the other, determined to finally get to the top this time, while the sky falls in tiny crystal balls around me. Soon the snow starts plummeting down in sheets, blocking my path and covering everything, the trees, the grass, and the ground in a sheet of white. Trying to escape the gloomy weather, I look for a cave. I remember finding it the last time I was exploring the woods and mountains near my house. The truth is, I live in the middle of nowhere and it gets quite lonely when you are the only person your age around. It’s just my mother and father, who are faithful farmers. My father goes to the village nearest here every other week in our only carriage to trade food for clothes and other necessities. If I remember correctly, the cave is somewhere around the clearing a few meters ahead. After searching more thoroughly, I find it carved inside the edge of a hill covered by the shade of trees and bushes. The gentle snow seems to have turned into a storm in the last few minutes. I step inside and take off my scarf that was covering my face and finally breathe freely. I rub my hands together to create some heat. After I have made myself comfortable, I finally take in my surroundings. The cave is dark and covered with jagged rocks everywhere I look. Every nook and cranny is sharp and the shadows dance in the changing weather, taunting me to come to them. There are a few insects scuttling around on the floors. I see a spider web on the rocks. A flea is stuck on it. I walk in deeper, ready to investigate the strange cave further. As I trudge along, I see something that makes me freeze. Something big and alive. There is some sort of creature in the furthest corners of the cave. And it seems to be sleeping. As I walk closer to it, I make sure to keep my footsteps light. Now I am standing right on top of it. I think that it is an animal. It’s skin is white, it’s head is tucked into itself and it is curled into a ball. Definitely sleeping. The creature’s white tail is flipping back and forth as if it is having a pleasant dream. No, wait, that’s not skin. That’s scales. The entire animal is covered in scales. Strange. I have never seen something like this before. Only small animals like snakes and reptiles have scales. I reach my hand down to touch it, now only centimeters away. The tip of my finger brushes what I’m assuming is the head. The tiny creature whips it’s head around and a growl arouses from its throat. I stumble back in surprise and fall back on my behind. The animal stands up on all fours and shakes its head, letting out a small blast of fire in the process. You see, the white scaled creature isn’t an animal at all. It’s a dragon.

These are the best writing prompts I have ever seen! I love this site and your writing! Thank You! #Never Stop Writing!

Hi, I am having trouble with writing a book. I have writer’s block and I need ideas for a story about people from a different planet looking for people with the same birthstone to tell their secrets but I have no clue where to start. I been wanting to write stories but I am 14 and have no clue where to start.

I meant people from a different planet going to Earth in a disguise looking for a person that believes in fantasy place. Then the people from the different planets will reveal their true identity only to them if they tell any one the people from the different planet fade in color and turn gray. I need names for these creatures and a way how to do it. I don’t know if I want to do a comic book, chapter book,or picture book.

I need help writing this story. I would be happy if help me with a story starter for this story.

I need title ideas. Something fantasy-wise. Thanks -Book Worm

I´m writing something with the four basic elements and how these four teenagers have powers. So far, I have Flare, Aura, Wade, and Sten. Flare has fire, Wade has water, Aura has air, and Sten has earth abilities. They live in different realms. I would like to hear your ideas.(If you guys have any)

These are amazing ideas can i use one

Of course, that is why they are here!

They are great.

what a good idea i love the second one

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BRYN DONOVAN

tell your stories, love your life

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50 Fantasy Writing Prompts and Fantasy Plot Ideas

This post about fantasy writing prompts

is basically a fantasy plot generator in list form! Most of these are epic fantasy writing prompts, but depending on how you handle them, some of them could be used for paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or dark fantasy story ideas as well. I imagined them as long story ideas, but you might find inspiration for a short story, too.

A writer could take any of these fantasy writing prompts and master plots in countless different directions. After all, the Earthsea  trilogy , Harry Potter , The Name of the Wind , and The Magicians are all about schools of magic, and they’re all imaginative and quite different from one another.

A few of these are rooted in history, fairy tales, or real-life occurrences. They could give you inspiration for a small detail in a novel or a whole story.

Be sure to pin or bookmark the list for future reference! And if you’re also interested in writing scifi, check out the companion list of 50 Plot Ideas and Writing Prompts for Science Fiction .

1. A counterfeiter’s coins or a forger’s fake works of art have magical properties.

2. A neglected god or goddess attempts to reclaim his or her former glory.

3. People are spontaneously combusting.

4. People are committing surprising acts in their sleep.

5. This might cure the current plague—if it can be found.

6. A smuggler, mercenary, or thief takes down or helps take down an oppressive ruler or regime.

7. An attempt to rescue a friend, family member, or lover will put a larger mission or cause in jeopardy.

8. A peasant girl, who may be good or evil, believes that a divine figure in a vision told her to lead an army to victory.

9. The ones who live in the bottom of the ocean come to the surface.

10. Someone can bring a person back to life by taking his or her place in the underworld.

11. A musician can kill or resurrect people with his or her music.

12. A warrior defects to the other side in hopes of a speedier resolution.

13. Anything becomes true if enough people believe in it deeply enough.

14. A person has been turned into an object by magic.

15. To open the door, a person must use a key whittled out of one of his or her own bones.

16. A person doesn’t know why he or she has stopped aging.

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17. After an archaeologist digs up a treasure, the original owner shows up to take it back.

18. Two allies or two factions of the same army are tricked into attacking one another.

19. Miners discover stone spheres with strange markings.

20. Soldiers take souvenirs from their fallen enemies, which proves to be their downfall.

21. A woman or a group of women plot an escape or revolt against a forced marriage or a whole system of forced marriage.

22, His magical powers don’t work when he’s drunk.

23. Flowers from this garden are the most precious commodities in the realm…for a very good reason.

24. For this race of beings, the sense of smell is more important than vision or hearing.

25. The crops really do wither unless there’s a sacrifice.

26. She made a noble sacrifice, and now, as a ghost, she resents it.

27. They live on an island in the middle of a lava lake. It has advantages and disadvantages.

28. The bite of a particular animal may kill you, or it may give you new powers.

29. For this society, battle is a religious observance.

30. This is the most pitiful excuse for a castle in all the land.

31. This so-called magical sword has turned out to be a piece of junk.

32. A beautiful unmanned ship sails itself into the harbor.

33. The crowd of evil spirits flying into the village looks like a flock of birds.

34. So many birds or butterflies migrate across this land that for days, it darkens the skies.

35. The land has been cursed to permanent darkness, daytime, fog, wind, or lightning strikes.

36. The changeling thought she was human, but now she’s been returned to her own kind.

37. At this auction, people are bidding a lot more than money.

38. The queen’s twin sister was supposed to have been drowned at birth.

39. The artist gives people tattoos that determine their fates.

40. The muse inspires artists, writers, and musicians to great work, but when she leaves them, they become so despondent they sometimes die.

41. A worker learns that the tower they are building will serve a much different purpose than what they were all told.

42. Each person’s spirit is connected to a particular tree in the forest.

43. This supernatural horse race will decide their people’s fate.

44. He’s been hiding in the catacombs for years.

45. The archeologist finds a fossil of a creature assumed to be mythical.

46. Lightning strikes a person and leaves mysterious words or a map burned onto her or his skin.

47. A spirit possesses a human or animal body and is then unable to get out of it.

48. The river has a spirit of its own.

49. The king ran away and is living under an assumed name.

50. They fought long and hard to bring this new king to the throne, and it turns out he’s totally incompetent.

I hope you like the list! My  list of mythical creatures and beings might also be a good fantasy plot generator.

And if you want more story ideas, please check out my book 5,000 Writing Prompts !  It has 100 more fantasy writing prompts in addition to the ones on this list, plus hundreds of other master plots by genre, dialogue and character prompts, and much more.

If you don’t want to miss future writing posts, make sure to subscribe to the blog — you can sign up below. Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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60 thoughts on “ 50 fantasy writing prompts and fantasy plot ideas ”.

Thanks for sharing, Bryn! I’ll share a link to your list during my next Write it Wednesday — it’s already queued up.

Yay! Thank you so much!

#8. Now where have I heard that story before . . .

Hahaha! As a kid, I was fascinated by it. And as an adult, I think it’s such a weird story.

Great list! Thanks. I wish I had more time. I want to write a bunch of short stories now.

Go ahead. Take any few minutes you have. You don’t need whole hours set aside. Write on the train, in your coffee break, when the kids are having a nap, plot your story while walking the dog or at the gym. Write in longhand in a notebook if you’ve not got your computer with you. Just go ahead and do it. You’ll be surprised where you can find a few minutes.

I’m always wishing there were more time to write! Thanks, Earl! 🙂

I love this!

I just wrote a scene involving spontaneous human combustion the other day. Researching it was sure hair-raising and gruesome.

Oh man, this almost sent me down a googling rabbit hole! I’m resisting! I think it’s so fascinating, though!

This is great, Bryn. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne

great post – gave me some ideas thank you so much

There are some awesome prompts here! Thank you! I’ve been stuck in a rut for a while and a couple of these are sparking now. 🙂

Hi, Jenna! Yay, I’m so glad you liked it!

Hello ms. Author, I was looking for an idea for a trait and a plot for a story Ive re written 3 times, and then I saw 11. It was pretty similar to my story In a way that only in my story, the music creates a road of some sort and guide the character somehow, I had some ither ideas, but this ine seemed more interesting. So, I was wondering if maybe you can suggest a way that could be useful and just maybe, it sparks something in me.. thx:))

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This gave me a great way to start a story that’s been stuck without a beginning for too long

Great ideas, thanks so much for sharing 🙂

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these are all so good,, (but #50 pretty much just describes america now lmao)

Some excellent ideas here! I’m going to check out your other lists right now. Thanks for this!

Thanks, CJ! I hope you like the other ones, too!

what is the process to write a perfect book

I’d tell you if I knew, Alan. 🙂

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#22 gave me a fun character idea, only I switched it around. Instead of his powers not working when he’s drunk, it turns out that the more drunk he is, the more potent his powers. But, being drunk, he’s a lot worse at using them

Hi Bryn! Thanks for compiling this list. I really love it. I’m featuring five of these prompts on my instagram account (tizzlovesrowdy) to round out my “100-hours in 3 months” first draft challenge. I started on Dec 5th during NaNo and wanted to keep the momentum going. I’m saving your site. Great job! =)

Hi, Niki! Oh wow, that challenge sounds amazing. Good for you for keeping the momentum going after NaNo! So glad the site is helpful!

Thank you, my daughter had major imagination block and your ideas provided a great stimulus

I like number 8 and I live in France just near the family home of Jeanne d’Arc !

Thanks for this list. Some of them are now rattling around in my head asking to be let out as stories or novels.

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This was extremely useful! I am in the midst of a large writers’ block, and this has given me some inspiration. I appreciate it!

So glad it was helpful! Happy writing. 🙂

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i like #36! very awesome novel idea! thnx Bryn!! 😀

Aw yay, so glad you like it!

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Thank you so much, there are so many handy plots I can use for my books. I love num. 10. Thank you. You helpen me so much. (I’m 11)

Hi there! I’m so glad you like them. Thank you! Have fun writing!

I’m not certain I’ll ever finish it, but you’ve inspired a story I’ve been waiting to write. When I was 13, I made a character I loved. I drew her all over my homework and tests. When I first started tinkering with writing, I wanted to write her story and could never think of anything. The prompt involving magic and the old stone in a cave finally gave it hold. You see, I’ve been wanting to create a comic with her for years and now I think I might finally do it. Than you very much for what may have just been a list of prompts to you, but a world to me.

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I’m here because I need a plot for a fantasy RPG game I’m making, and this was actually pretty helpful (not that I didn’t expect it to be :D). Thanks!! Now I just need to make a character… hmm.

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Thank you so much Bryn! Now i’m feeling inspired, lots of love

I did a review of my Wolf series and I used several of your prompts, (without knowing,) as parts of the story. My point is more than one idea can be used in the telling of a story. Here is a list of your prompts used and how I used them.

Someone can bring a person back to life by taking his or her place in the underworld. // The staff of life Wolf is bound to will kill him if he tries to heal someone who has passed. A person has been turned into an object by magic.// Sir Whisperblade sacrifices herself to start the growth of the new first tree. Miners discover stone spheres with strange markings. // Archeologists discover funerary pots one of which has an image of a female warrior. A woman or a group of women plot an escape or revolt against a forced marriage or a whole system of forced marriage. // Grace offers to take the place of a woman in a forced marriage but plans to defeat her new husband. They live on an island in the middle of a lava lake. It has advantages and disadvantages. // The Kaniwa tribe lives in isolation in the Amazon, but are threatened by gold prospectors. The bite of a particular animal may kill you, or it may give you new powers. // Touching the First Tree will either turn you into a part of it or give you a staff of life. An artist gives people tattoos that determine their fates. // Tattoos are given by tribal tradition and have a deep effect on the tattooed, who join the tribe or affects their perception in the modern world.

OMG THAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH AN AWESOME STORY !!

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wow I’m really inspired to write a fantasy story with these amazing plots! Keep writing <3

This is incredible, because 7 of these prompts are things I’ve already written in two of my stories xD I’m vibing with this entire list tbh. Thank you for writing it!

Hi Emily! Haha, great minds! That is so awesome. I’m glad you’re digging the list! Thanks for the kind words 🙂

Great ideas and much appreciated!

This was stupid no fucking help at all

so fucking useless never going to use this again.

Hi I have a book I want to write but I don’t know what should happen next so far it’s about a girl who falls into a hole in the sand at Kryptonite lake and ends up in a rebellion hideout for the fantasy creatures she had only read about in books. She is friends with a wolf and the wolf kenigh saw her fall down the hole and followed her but a centaur attempts to shot him but not before she jumps in front of the arrow she then realizes she is imune to the type of silver the arrow was made out of the rebellion (I need a name for it) believes she found their hideout for a purpose and that she has some special talent to help them like their newest member a human boy she noticed when she first came .I don’t know what should happen next or the reason for rebellion I want it to be unlike any other book and have lots of action and plot twists.Can anyone help me or give me advice about this ?

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Thank you very much, Bryn et al! I need thisa!

Okay, it’s late and I don’t know what I was writing in the previous comment. Sorry.

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50 fantasy writing prompts to inspire

November 10, 2023 by Richard Leave a Comment

Step into a realm of magic and wonder with this collection of 50 fantasy writing prompts. From tales of powerful wizards to adventures with dragons, angels, and mystical lands, let these story ideas spark your imagination. Whether you want to write about an apprentice caught up in magical mishaps, an epic quest against a dark lord, or supernatural mysteries in a secret world, you’ll find inspiration here. With ideas spanning common fantasy tropes to fresh new twists, these prompts aim to ignite that creative spark and help you craft your own original fantasy stories. Each prompt provides a starting point – a single scene or concept to launch your tale. Where you take it from there is up to you. Will you create sprawling epics or flash fiction? Lighthearted adventures or chilling dark fantasy? Let your inner world-builder run wild. So gather your figurative sword and shield, ready your spells, and embark on a vision quest into the realm of fantasy writing. Exciting quests and magical tales await.

• Write about a magician’s apprentice who accidentally summons a monster during a spell gone wrong.
• A knight goes on a quest to slay a dragon, only to find the dragon is good. Now they must prevent the corrupt king from finding and killing it.
• The orphan stable boy discovers he can communicate with horses, then finds out he’s actually the heir to a horse lord.
• A witch’s spellbook of potions is accidentally swapped with a cookbook at the local library. Write about the magical chaos that ensues.
• An elf sets out on a mission to find their missing sibling, believed to be held captive by a band of trolls.
• The blacksmith’s apprentice turns out to be the prophesied one with the power to wield a legendary magical hammer.
• Two children wander into a dark forest only to realize it is the gateway to the fairy realm.
• A half-elf teen tries to find out whether their mother or father was the magical one so they can learn more about their talents.
• Twins are separated at birth – one is raised as a prince, the other by wolves in the forest. They eventually meet and switch places.
• A farmboy discovers a glowing stone in a field, which speaks to him and gives him magical powers.
• A wizard detective works to solve mysteries in a realm where magic is common and spells cause chaos.
• The youngest prince sets out to save his brothers from the fairy who cursed them to live as swans.
• Write about an alternate 1840s where magic rules, following a mage who solves magical crimes.
• A half-angel, half-demon character is rejected by both communities. On their journey they discover a third way.
• A seemingly average goblin works to gain respect and improve conditions for goblin workers in a world of elves.
• An explorer discovers a lost civilization of advanced magic users and accidentally unleashes an ancient evil.
• A mermaid saved the life of a drowning human. Now she longs to meet them again despite the divide of their worlds.
• The Grim Reaper’s scythe is stolen. Now they must retrieve it before the natural order spirals into chaos.
• A witch with healing magic feels called to help during a devastating outbreak after regular medicine fails.
• A hero discovers a hidden land where mythical creatures live – mermaids, centaurs, griffins, etc. But an evil presence looms.
• The human king tries to default on a deal with the fairy queen. She sends a fairy to claim the firstborn child as payment.
• A bard fulfills legends by slaying mythical beasts. But they discover the mythical beasts were good all along.
• A seemingly crazy old wizard helps a magic apprentice recover knowledge and skills lost to a curse.
• A mage who can absorb others’ magic seeks out the source of all magic to gain ultimate power.
• Two immortal lovers continually find each other over centuries but destiny and magic keeps tearing them apart.
• A thief steals magical artifacts from guarded places. On the run, they discover one item’s dark purpose.
• A cursed amulet that transforms the wearer into a ravenous monster has been lost. Someone must find and contain it before it’s worn again.
• In the ultimate showdown between good and evil, an average person’s choice unexpectedly tips the scales.
• A wizarding duel goes wrong, and two mages’ consciousnesses accidentally end up switched into each other’s bodies.
• A magic user is outlawed and hunted for powers beyond their control. They search for sanctuary with others like them.
• An evil necromancer raises an undead army. One soldier regains sentience and seeks to stop them from within.
• A seafaring nation invades an island kingdom rumored to be protected by a powerful sea monster.
• On a planet with high and low magic realms, a traveler discovers their true magical identity during a perilous journey.
• The orphan stable boy can actually talk to animals. When the prince goes missing, only he can gather clues from the wildlife.
• The gods walk among humans through avatars that incarnate in each new generation. You’re one – but which god is within you?
• The prince is put under an enchanted sleep, and the princess must uncover how to break the spell.
• A shifter who can transform into a dragon discovers a hidden community of other shifters and an underground resistance.
• You’re trapped in a magical video game world. The only way back home? Defeat the dark sorcerer boss.
• A camping trip goes awry when the forest comes alive with mythical creatures bent on driving away humans.
• A wizard school dropout is the underdog against a rival bent on controlling dangerous forbidden magic to dominate the kingdom.
• A grief-stricken inventor creates a homunculus in his loved one’s image, but magic cannot recreate their soul.
• A cursed mushroom circle transports people through the fairy realm, but they can never return to the human world.
• A prophecy says only a child born during an eclipse can wield the Chosen One’s sword and defeat the spreading darkness.
• A thief picking pockets on crowded market day accidentally lifts an amulet imprisoning an ancient djinni bent on revenge.
• A sibling seeks a magic cure for supernatural creature blood so their werewolf sister can lead a normal life.
• A grieving dryad binds her life force to the towering ancient oak, cursing loggers from cutting it down again.
• Villagers sacrifice maidens to the monster in the old temple until one day his latest victim breaks free. She wants vengeance.
• You’re accepted into a secret magical order, but your mentor is suspicious of your immense gifts. Are you the prophesied one…or spy?
• A wish gone wrong – now you keep involuntarily shifting into your Halloween costume form! How do you lift the magic?
• A half-elf searches their missing human mother’s childhood home for clues about why she abandoned her people. The mystery reveals a dark royal secret.

Let these 50 fantasy prompts open portals to mythical lands, incredible magic, and epic adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy author or just starting out, use these ideas as a launchpad to take your writing to fantastical new heights. Each prompt is a story seed bursting with potential. Where they bloom is up to you. Craft tales of heroism and villainy, mythical quests, supernatural occurrences, or mystical worlds. Give life to colorful characters on extraordinary journeys. With this collection of prompts as your guide, you’re sure to craft sensational stories that capture the imagination. Now ready your pen, pick a prompt that inspires you, and begin – your own magical tale awaits. Please remember to check out our other writing prompts . 

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About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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Home / Book Writing / Fantasy Writing Prompts: 150+ Ideas to Get Started

Fantasy Writing Prompts: 150+ Ideas to Get Started

Fantasy is one of the biggest genres out there, with a huge variety of sub genres and sub-sub genres.

Fantasy is also great because it can be combined with almost any other genre, whether it be romance, thriller, science fiction, and even literary books.

But because fantasy is so imaginative, it can sometimes be difficult to come up with all of the ideas you need to create a compelling fantasy story. With that in mind, here are a variety of fantasy writing prompts that you can use get your creative juices flowing.

Bear in mind that these prompts will help you come up interesting ideas, but if you want to become a bestseller, you need to test them out on the marketplace. One quick way to determine if a story born from a prompt will be successful is if you can find popular keywords about its subject. Tools like Publisher Rocket can also be a huge help in the brainstorming process, showing you the keywords that readers are actively searching for on Amazon, which may spark your next great idea. In addition, draw inspiration from the huge list of Amazon categories , which will tell you what subgenres that Fantasy readers frequently visit to find their next great book.

• Recipes for a great fantasy story
• Overarching fantasy tropes
• A list of fantasy story ideas

Table of contents

• What Makes a Good Fantasy?
• Common Fantasy Genre Tropes
• Genre Matchup Prompts
• Portal Fantasy Prompts
• Urban Fantasy Prompts
• Epic Fantasy Prompts
• Supernatural Prompts
• Setting Prompts
• World Building Prompts
• Fantasy Character Prompts
• Fantasy Romance Prompts
• Test Your Fantasy Novel for Viability

Get it for FREE here: Get the PDF Here

Before we dive into the fantasy story prompts, let's talk about what makes a good fantasy book. This is difficult, because there is such variety to the type of fantasy story you could have, but most fantasy stories do tend to have certain elements:

• Some type of magic, often a detailed magic system
• A fantastical world
• Huge stakes and conflicts
• Extensive world building

Additionally, a good fantasy book is determined by elements that make up any good book, period. These can include:

• Well-developed characters
• A clear theme
• A personal connection with the reader
• Clever dialogue
• Epic pacing and a satisfying conclusion

Get these down, and you are likely to have a very successful fantasy book, regardless of your magic or world building.

As I already mentioned, fantasy can be combined with almost any other genre, but there are specific tropes that are unique to fantasy, and if any of these show up in your book, it is likely a fantasy book.

Note that not all of these tropes are used in fantasy books, but they can be common, and when used well, they can be a huge help:

• The chosen one
• A Dark Lord
• Good vs. evil
• Some type of magic
• The mentor figure
• Different fantasy races
• An ancient (often medieval) setting
• Magical items
• A heroic quest
• Magical schools
• Portals that open to a fantasy world
• “The myths are real”
• A secret magical world coexisting with ours (urban fantasy)

These are just a sample of the different tropes out there, and you should look at your specific sub genre for a better understanding of what tropes you should use. For example, an urban fantasy will have very different tropes from an epic fantasy. One of the best ways to research genre specific tropes is to go straight to the source- head over to winning Amazon categories , and see what books perform well within them.

With all that in mind, let's get into the prompts.

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Fantasy Writing Prompts

I've tried to categorize these ideas as best I can, though there will obviously be some overlap.

• Take a fantasy trope and subvert it.
• Write Robinson Crusoe but with fantasy elements.
• Robots team up with wizards.
• Someone learns how to harness magic in technology, leading to huge innovations.
• What would a legal drama look like in an epic fantasy world?
• Write a romance between a regular human and some kind of fantastical race/creature.
• Write a heist in a fantasy setting.
• Write an underdog sports story in a fantasy setting.
• Write a revenge narrative in a fantasy setting.
• What if aliens invaded a fantasy world?
• What if Cthulhu awoke on a fantasy world?
• Imagine a political thriller with a fantasy government.
• Write a psychological thriller, where the character doesn't know if they are hallucinating the fantasy world or not.
• Write a mystery set in an epic fantasy world, incorporating the magic system.
• Pick a public domain story and turn it into a fantasy.
• A character from another world escapes into ours.
• Your character finds a magic portal in the basement.
• Dreaming is actually the real world.
• Your dreams start to come true.
• A painting comes to life.
• You discover a library where the books can come to life.
• The character mutters gibberish to themselves, only to discover they were speaking a magical language.
• Memory Lane is real.
• A reality TV show featuring magical creatures.
• You arrive in the underworld sooner than expected.
• You discover a world that is the mirror opposite of hours.
• You discover a door in your attic that wasn't there before.
• A gamer discovers that the character he controls is actually a real person in a fantasy world.
• Your world is actually the fantasy world, and electricity is magic.
• Open world RPG
• First-person shooter
• A Mario-world-type game
• A dark fantasy
• A side scroller
• A top-down strategy game
• A fantasy MMO
• A melee fighting game
• A survival game
• An astronaut discovers another world that is eerily similar to ours.
• While out hiking, you discover a cave that leads to another world.
• There is a world where our world is the stuff of myths and legends.
• A huge fan of [insert fandom here], discovers that it's not fiction.
• A rich uncle dies and leaves you his magical castle.
• You go to a theme park, only for characters to come to life.
• You enter a theme park ride, and it transports you to another world.
• You discover that you are the dream of someone else.
• You meet someone in real life who has the same dreams as you, and you can enter this dreamworld together.
• Our reality is actually an advanced version of the Sims.
• A young child and their parents get sucked into a children's book .
• A Dungeons & Dragons game eventually becomes real.
• An artist is able to escape into their paintings.
• Write about someone with an average job, but in a world of magic or with magical elements.
• You look up into the sky and see the two moons.
• Your food starts to speak to you.
• Two members of a classic fantasy the race (elf, dwarf, etc.) move in next door.
• Your garden gnomes are actually real gnomes.
• You somehow magically created a friend, and are constantly scared you'll make them disappear.
• As a joke, you put on a tinfoil hat, but then something happens.
• You wake up in a busy city, only to find that there is complete silence.
• You discover a pet that is not of this earth in the pet store.
• A photographer who specializes in photographing the supernatural.
• A child is discovered to be immune to vampirism.
• The gods from a [insert mythological pantheon here] return to earth.
• You move into a supper inhabited entirely by ghosts.
• Turns out, if you curse someone, that curse comes true.
• There is a wizard in every town protecting us.
• Turns out, you are Santa's grandchild.
• Turns out, your nanny is actually a witch.
• While on vacation, you discover a magical artifact out of mythology (i.e. Excalibur, Pandora's box, Thor's hammer, etc.).
• An ancient Viking suddenly appears in modern-day London.
• Deceased soldiers from an old war, suddenly come back to life.
• Dragons return to earth after many years gone.
• Turns out unicorns are real.
• Scientists uncovers the science behind magic.
• King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
• The Greek pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
• The Norse pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
• The Egyptian pantheon is magically transferred into modern-day teenage bodies.
• A DNA archaeologist discovers that mythical creatures did exist.
• Your character owns a magical shop in some important niche.
• A tattoo artist is able to imbue their subject with magical abilities.
• Write a story about Gods over a specific element like water, fire, etc.
• A world where dragons are forced to fight each other, fight club style.
• A child wishes that a family member will return from the dead, and it works.
• A long-lost shipwreck is found, completely intact.
• Society is built around epic, arena-like games.
• Anything can become true if enough people believe it, and the villain exploits this fact.
• A bounty hunter and an epic fantasy world, hunting warlocks, witches, and monsters.
• Sherlock Holmes, but in an epic fantasy world.
• Pick an ancient Earth culture that is not medieval England, and develop an epic fantasy around that.
• Develop a culture over a huge timeline, from primitive beginnings, to the space-age.
• What if the humans on a fantasy world had no idea that any other fantasy race existed, until they appeared for the first time.
• Indiana Jones, but in an epic fantasy setting.
• Your characters develop spiritual connections with a specific animal.
• The trees have spirits, and only you can hear them.
• The character is appointed as a bodyguard for a royal prince/princess.
• A prince/princess discovers that they have a long lost twin, who was not raised in privilege.
• Take an ordinary piece of modern-day technology, and postulate how a medieval society would react to it. 
• Write about someone who has a relationship (platonic or romantic) with a ghost.
• Ghosts/werewolves/vampires are actually super nice, and it's the fairies/elves/dwarves that are mean.
• You sit down to read your favorite book, only to find it has changed.
• You write a book, only to discover that it comes true.
• Here character decides to have a conversation with the author of the book.
• An angel walks on earth for a month.
• An angel and a demon switch places for a week.
• I monster is terrified of the child that sleeps above his bed.
• Humans are actually giants, and there are micro-human races beneath us.
• The giant emerges from the ocean.
• A child is transported into the past, into the teenage body of their mother or father.
• You go to a new high school, only to discover that everyone is a vampire.
• The Titanic mysteriously arrives in New York as if nothing had happened, with all passengers accounted for.
• A boating accident leads to the character being saved by mermaids.
• A deck of tarot cards accurately predicts the future for a group of friends.
• All of the figures in a wax museum become real.
• A ghost is having difficulty finding a place to haunt.
• A writer discovers that God is also a writer, and our reality is his book.
• It is discovered the zombies are actually very intelligent.
• Set your story in a fortuneteller's parlor.
• What if the sun suddenly didn't rise.
• What if the sun suddenly rose in the West instead of the east.
• Write a fantasy story in the wild West setting.
• A new continent is discovered.
• You discover the fountain of youth, but it turns out it only sends you forward in time.
• A retirement home for superheroes.
• A history teacher can take their students to any time or place in history.
• Area 51 protects a gateway to another dimension.
• Area 51 protects a gateway to hell.
• Use a currency that isn't money, and build your world from there.
• Luck is not random, but is an inherited genetic trait, or a skill that can be learned.
• I day in the life of a magical creature.
• Someone with the power of alchemy, but can only change a material into something useless.
• Snow falls one morning, but it isn't white.
• A character can only live three times in their lifetime.
• There is a river that will wipe your memory if you drink from it.
• You can buy bottled emotions.
• Develop a magic system based on self-help principles
• Develop a magic system based on biology
• Develop a magic system based on computer programming
• Develop a magic system based on commonplace social customs like shaking hands
• The story is set within a character's mind.
• A character wakes up in a past life.
• A character wakes up in a future reincarnation of themself.
• A character spends their whole life faking that they have magic, then suddenly discover they do.
• Your character is destined to do something they don't want.
• Your character becomes aware that they are a work of fiction.
• Write a story from the perspective of an orc.
• One of your parents is a werewolf, the other a vampire.
• People thought you were the chosen one, but turns out they were mistaken. Now what?
• A doctor claims to know how you can get someone to fall in love with you.
• You are immortal, married to a mortal, and you decide to tell them.
• Your character can suddenly read minds.
• A social outcast finds that they are actually the prince/princess of a distant world.
• Your character gains the ability to make any wish come true.
• A character can turn into any animal by wishing it.
• Your character receives a new superpower every day, losing the previous one.
• The ghost of a parent helps a young child through difficult times.
• A character is mute, but can talk to animals.
• Someone is hunted by their alternate universe twin.
• A monster, generally feared by all, is actually a gentle giant.
• Write a romance between one superpowered individual and one who doesn't have powers.
• Write a romance between an elf and an orc, or two other diametrically opposed races.
• A romance between an angel and a demon.
• Sirens usually kill humans, until one falls in love.

Hopefully, the creative juices are flowing now. But before you start writing your book, it's a good idea to see if there's a market for the type of fantasy you're looking to write . Since Fantasy is such a competitive genre, a little research goes a long way. And the easiest way to get this research done is with Publisher Rocket.

You can think of the information you get from Publisher Rocket as the foundation for your fantasy writing career. You get insights directly from Amazon on:

• Keywords – Metadata to position your book on Amazon.
• Competition – Allowing you to see what's selling and how stiff the competition is.
• Categories – So you know where people who are looking for books like yours go to find them.
• Amazon Ads – Helps you quickly configure a list of profitable keywords for running ads.

Check out Publisher Rocket here to get started.

Jason Hamilton

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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50 Compelling Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas for an Epic Story

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For the creative writer with a strong imagination, writing fantasy stories is a great joy. It allows us to stretch the realm of what is possible and create worlds completely unlike our own, for better or for worse. If you or your writing students need help getting started with your fantasy story, here are 50 exciting fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas to get you started.

If you’re looking for a fantasy plot idea for your fantasy novel or short story, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve pulled together 50 of our best fantasy story ideas for you in this post so you can get started right away writing your new story.

The fantasy genre is an exciting one for both readers and writers, as it opens new doors that we may be unable to open with other genres of fiction. From superheroes to wizards, witches to dragons, fairies to queens, fantasy worlds are filled with memorable characters who take amazing–and often devastating–actions.

But it’s not just the characters who make these stories come alive. The settings are just as vivid, often taking on a role just as important as those of the characters. Whether the story is set in an entirely fictional world or the writer has written magical elements into life on earth, readers love getting lost in a place that is different from anything they’ve ever known.

Once you’ve looked through the following list of fiction writing prompts for fantasy stories, you may also want to check out these other resources we offer:

• Plan out your story using our Story Planner
• Check out this Writing Prompt Generator for both fiction and non-fiction writing prompts
• Find more Creative Writing Prompts here
• Get inspired to write better sentences with our narrative sentence examples

Types of Fantasy

If you’re a long-time fantasy fan, you are probably familiar with the various sub-genres that exist, but for those who are new to the worlds of mythical creatures and magical beings, here is a quick rundown of a few of the more common fantasy styles. The number of subgenres varies widely depending on who you ask, and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, merely an overview.

The nice thing about fantasy prompts is that you can take them in any direction you want.

For example, you could combine elements of a fairy tale with dark fantasy writing prompts to produce a dark twist on a formerly cheery tale. (Pro tip: try combining one of these fantasy writing prompts with one of our sad romance writing prompts for a truly unique story).

Or you can take an epic fantasy writing prompt and cross it with a medieval story prompt and create a magical world filled with castles, nights, and battles. The only thing limiting you is your imagination.

Dark or Grimdark Fantasy

• Written in a foreboding tone
• Frightening and disturbing themes
• Elements of horror that evoke a feeling of dread
• Usually set in supernatural worlds with a gloomy atmosphere

Epic or High Fantasy

• Settings are vast (or epic)
• Tons of characters
• Set in new worlds
• Massive event or quest (the fate of the entire world is usually at stake)
• Typically centers on one main character
• Often written as a series

Fables, Fairy Tales, and Folklore

• Relies heavily on motifs and plots from folklore
• New spins on timeless tales
• Often feature morals and lessons, which may be a reversal of those taught in the original tales

Historical Fantasy

• Set in a real historical time period, usually before the 20th century
• Factual events blended with supernatural elements
• May be set in the real world or in a fictional world

Low Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy

• Set in the real world or something like it
• Magical elements occur in an otherwise-normal world
• Supernatural characters dealing with everyday life
• Urban fantasy takes place in a predominantly urban—not rural—setting
• Contemporary fantasy is set in the present day (or the time in which it was written)

Magical Realism

• Touches of magic are incorporated into the real world
• Blurs the lines between fantasy and reality

Medieval Fantasy

• A subgenre of historical fantasy
• Set in the Middle Ages
• Includes elements of medieval European culture such as castles and knights
• Also includes fantasy elements such as dragons, sorcerers with superpowers, and mythical beings
• Includes the subset, Arthurian fantasy, which brings in references to the knights of the round table

Paranormal Fantasy

• Set in the modern world
• Mythical creatures such as vampires, werewolves
• Can overlap with urban fantasy
• Includes the paranormal romance sub-genre, which usually has a love story between a human and a mythical being

Science Fantasy

• Presents fantasy elements as hard science, even though the science is not real

Superhero Fantasy

• Follows heroes with supernatural powers and the villains they oppose
• There’s often a scientific explanation for the superpowers

Sword and Sorcery

• Heroes with swords on big adventures
• Character-driven, focuses on personal matters
• Usually in a secondary world

Now that you probably have a clear idea of the type of fantasy story you’d like to write, let’s jump into the writing prompts.

50 Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas

• One day in the marketplace, you meet a scatterbrained magician who can’t seem to keep his thoughts straight, but then out of nowhere, he solves a marketplace crime. You try to distance yourself from him, but he convinces you to become his partner.
• What if you had x-ray vision?
• Write a story about a dryad (a tree nymph) who adopts a human child she finds in the woods and with whom she must work together to save her forest from deforestation.
• Write a story about a wizard who finds a potion that brings his best friend back to life.
• Write a story where someone has invented shoes that enable people to fly, but the shoes are extraordinarily expensive.
• Write a story about a yeti whose village is melting.
• Write a story about two kingdoms in a fantasy world who are at war with each other over a scarce resource (like water or fuel, or something completely unknown in our world).
• You’re visiting some relatives when your three-year-old cousin floods the bathroom. You try to dry it up but the water level keeps rising. You and the kids jump into the bathtub just as it begins its transformation into a beautiful boat.
• Imagine that a child discovered they could time travel using old coins–whatever year and country the coin was minted in, that’s where they can travel to. Write about their adventures.
• Your great-great-aunt, whom you met only once when you were still too young to form memories, has died and left you her ancient typewriter. You’re planning to use it as a doorstop, but after having it for one night, you realize it types out beautiful masterpieces while you are sleeping.
• Write about a regular child who realizes they have magical powers, which they must immediately put into use to protect a community of people who are in imminent danger.
• What if you received a special watch as a gift and it kept talking to you?
• Write a story about King Arthur who time travels to the present day and tries to take on the British royal family.
• What if unicorns existed and lived on an isolated island but were now considering an attempt at world domination?
• You open the mailbox one day and find a strange letter addressed to you. The time has come to fulfill your destiny, it reads. The world is counting on you. Come quickly, and bring your secret sketchbook.
• Write about a priest who takes in a child abandoned on his doorstep, only to learn sometime later that the baby was not fully human.
• Sleep and pray. Get me out of here. The door creaks open and a withered hand tosses in a gray wool blanket. “Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.” The soft voice filters into the cell and wraps itself around me like a warm hug. And just like that, I know what I have to do.
• You discover a book in your parents’ bedroom that describes everything you’ve ever said and done. But the book is a hundred years old, and you’re just twelve. Or so you thought.
• What if you suddenly realized that your life story mirrored the plot of a Shakespearean play?
• Write a story where there are two earths, 100 miles apart only one is inhabited by people and the other is inhabited by dragons.
• You wake up to find your room mysteriously clean and a paper bag sitting on your desk. You open it up and an angry-looking brownie jumps out. “It’s about time!” he yells. “My brother locked me in there hours ago. We’ve got to find him!”
• You find an ancient text etched into a wall in your basement. Translating it, you realize it’s an escape plan. Just as you’re muttering to yourself about how much time you’ve wasted, the door to the basement slams shut and the stairs melt away.
• It’s all over the news. Random events are taking place. What if someone discovers that they’re my dreams coming true, literally? What will they do to me? I have to find…
• What if your mother told you you had to go to Peru and fight a monster you’d thought was a legend?
• What if you created a magical potion that caused everything it touched to grow exponentially?
• Write about a girl who lives in pre-industrial times who finds a twenty-first-century smartphone that has all its modern capabilities, including those provided by WiFi, which of course, nobody in her time knows anything about.
• Write a story about a man-eating dragon who falls in love with a human and goes on a quest to become human too.
• Write about a team of young wizards who communicate with each other through telekinesis, and who must find a way to stop the evil villain–one of their professors–from infiltrating their thoughts and stealing secret spells for his/her own purposes.
• What if your best friend got trapped inside a book?
• What if you were canoeing in an inlet when a pod of whales came up underneath your boat and lifted you out of the water, at which point your boat took to the air?
• Write about a group of people who find flying carpets and decide to race them.
• What if you traveled back in time to ancient Egypt and discovered that their world was even more modernized than ours and included more advanced technology but that they’d destroyed all evidence of these advances in an effort to protect future generations from making the same devastating decisions that they had?
• Jack glanced around furtively, making sure no one could see him. Then he ducked down the alley. He had taken no more than two steps when he was pulled into a nearly invisible hole in the wall. He was met with rancid breath and a hairy hand around his throat. “Where is it?” said the young man. “Where is my…?”
• Write a story about someone who discovers a secret castle from the Middle Ages and learns that a whole other world exists inside it.
• Write about a guitar that plays itself and accidentally makes an accountant into a popular musician.
• What if you were babysitting a kid who went to the kitchen to get a snack and came back as a gnome?
• What if you were a jester in a medieval castle and you had to keep the king entertained all the time?
• You’re sitting on a bench outside the library when a dog approaches you with no leash on. He climbs up on the bench, looks you right in the eyes, and says, “I heard you have the spell for turning dogs into people. Help me, please!”
• An enchantress creeps into a room unseen, her cloak of invisibility her only protection. She just needs to get the book and get out of there. She shutters as she hears a loud rip. Her cloak is caught on the door!
• I walked through the market timidly, unsure of what I was looking for, but certain I would find it here. A flash of light flickered almost imperceptibly to my right, and instinctively I turned toward the stall that I’d just passed, but it was gone. In its place…
• What if every character you wrote automatically came to life and a foreign government was after you to create spies for them?
• You’re sitting by a pond. You lean over to touch the water and realize you have no reflection. It’s disappeared. It turns out you’ve accidentally become invisible.
• You and your friend happen upon a mysterious underground society that is trying to bring dragons back to the world. But dragons never existed. Did they?
• What if you discovered that certain garments could be unraveled and the threads woven into gold?
• Your aunt shows up at your house unannounced and declares she is taking you on yet another quest. “Grab your bike, your bearded dragon, and your book of incantations. The rest of the club members are waiting.”
• After your grandmother passes away, you learn that the baby blanket she knitted for you when you were born has secrets from the past woven into it. When it begins whispering stories to you at night, you realize there’s a family mystery you need to solve.
• Write a story about a centuries-long war that’s stopped by a couple of rebels riding on highland cows.
• Write a story about a teacher who can read the thoughts of their students, but can’t tell anybody their secret.
• The pirate bound my hands and stuffed a gag into my mouth. I kicked him in the shins. “Ow!” he said, glaring at me as he pulled the rope tighter. “Now, tell us where the gold is, or I’ll…”
• A disease is spreading through your town, but it’s not passed on in the usual ways. It is only transferred from one person to another when an infected person teaches someone something.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these fantasy writing prompts and plot ideas. I can’t wait to hear about the short stories and novels you come up with. Leave a comment below to tell us what fantasy fiction writing prompts you’re using and what you’re working on.

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Hello, Canon here.

I'm really interested in these prompts. But if I use these for say, a fan work, do I have to credit you?

Monday 20th of May 2024

No you don't.

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Home » Blog » 30+ Best Fantasy Writing Prompts in 2024

30+ Best Fantasy Writing Prompts in 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fantasy writing prompts can be a special kind of exciting. Writing fantasy requires a deep level of imagination and creativity as you are creating your own world. All the physical laws and restrictions of the earth no longer apply when you write fantasy.

Anything is possible – any place, any action, any species. These things can make the dreaded arrival of writer’s block even more frustrating. Regardless of genre, every writer goes through it sometimes. The days or even weeks where you just can’t seem to nail down a single creative word.

The great thing about fantasy is that it can apply to many genres. You can have a supernatural romance, a horror tale of fantastical proportions, or even a crime drama featuring some made-up monsters. There are fantasy writing prompts for many genre crossovers. My favorite tool for writing fantasy is Squibler , as it includes many features to help you tell your story visually.

Writing prompts can come in many forms:

• A vague and general idea
• A random thought
• A line of dialogue
• A new type of world
• A new form of government (usually oppressive in some way)
• And many more

If you’re looking for some simpler creative writing prompts beyond what you see here, try the writing prompt generator . This offers you some quick and simple ideas that are meant to spark some ideas without limiting you.

Basic Fantasy Writing Prompts

These prompts are designed to give your brain a jump start on a whole new story idea. These prompts could be the base of a novel or short story.

1. The Games

Each year, all the wizards, sorcerers, and other magical beings come together for a tournament. They gamble their powers and magical tools.

2. Bottle Them Up

Your protagonist lives in a world where you can buy and sell bottled emotions. It is a government-regulated industry, but illegal dealers and black markets run rampant. Some emotions are worth more than others.

3. The Communicator

Write about a character who was mute until he discovers that he can talk to animals, and they talk back. He discovers the animal kingdom has a master plan, and he must decide whether to join them or stop them.

4. Tell the Truth

Anything can become true if enough people believe it strongly and deeply enough. The antagonist becomes aware of this and begins to manipulate the population to create the world he wants.

5. The Animal

There is a mysterious creature living deep in the forest of a small country somewhere in the world. It has terrorized locals for years. A bite from this creature may kill you, or it may give you powers. The city closest to the creature’s residence is full of people with magical abilities, but the population is small, as many are killed.

Word begins to spread, and the rest of the world starts to become aware of the creature. Some travel from far away and gamble their lives in hopes of obtaining magic.

6. The Evil Twin

Your main character finds out they are being hunted by who they think is their alternate universe, the evil twin. They soon discover that they themselves are actually the evil ones.

7. Trusting the Humans

Magical beings are the ruling class on earth. Governments are run by them. Those without powers are considered useless, second-class citizens and generally live in poverty. There is a single source of power for the entire realm (perhaps an object or a place). One day, the power source is taken over by dark forces. They cast a spell on the source that uses the power of anyone who tries to touch it against them.

The magical beings must now rely on the “non-magic” folk they have ridiculed for generations. They are the only ones who can save the world from this darkness.

8. Mystical Bounty Hunter

A bounty hunter from an alternate universe appears in the yard of a maximum-security prison. He has come to break out one of the most dangerous, lethal prisoners in the world and bring them back to his universe.  

9. The Gentle Giant

Choose a mythical creature that is generally thought to be large, terrifying, and evil. Make them into a kind, loving, and sympathetic character. They have to prove the myths, legends, and stereotypes wrong to avoid being hunted and killed by humans.

10. Unlikely Partners

Your main character is left in the forest to die as the annual sacrifice to the god of the forest. The god shows up, but this year, he is not interested in the death of his sacrifice. He is looking for a new servant and/or sidekick.

11. Supernatural Dealings

A new shop opens that allows humans to rent mystical and magical things: superpowers, magical abilities/items, etc. Monetary payment is not accepted. You must pay much more abstract prices – memories, emotions, or even years of your life for the most expensive items.

Romantic Fantasy Writing Prompts

These prompts are ideas where fantasy and romance have been intertwined. Love is universal, no matter what species you are! These are also good for a novel with the right ideas or a short fantasy tale if you prefer. 

1. Star-Crossed

Humans are forbidden to fraternize and mingle with the enchanted, and vice versa. They are groomed from birth to hate each other. An unlikely love story develops as two people from each faction begin an illegal relationship.

This is not a brand new concept – but there are a lot of ways you can spin this typical trope of forbidden love. Don’t be afraid to make your own version of a classic!

The group of sirens has been doing their jobs diligently for centuries. They have honed their craft and kill quickly, viciously, and without mercy. They leave no fisherman or sailor stupid enough to cross their waters alive.

For the first time in 600 years, one of the sirens doesn’t want to kill a particular young sailor. Thinking quickly, she convinces the group they need a slave, and so she keeps him alive but captive, all while falling more and more in love with him every day.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writing Prompts

Science fiction and fantasy work well together as they share a lot of basic elements. A fantasy novel can utilize mermaids, for example, but so can science fiction. Mermaids are futuristic, fairy-tale material that works in many areas of the fantasy genre. 

Take these fantasy fiction plot ideas, add some future technology and you have yourself a crossover. 

1. Robots and Wizards

Artificial intelligence is at an all-time high. Robots are running rampant and becoming more powerful all the time. Humans begin to think they have made a mistake, and then the robots start to team up with the wizards and sorcerers. Is there any hope for the human race at all?

2. Magic Machines

The magical beings of the world begin to invent their own machinery. They design robots with magical powers of their own.

3. Zombie Intelligence

Humans have been fighting the zombie epidemic for many decades with no success and no progress. One day, a telepathic agent comes onto the scene and makes a horrifying discovery. The zombies have begun to think. They are developing intelligence, communicating, and becoming their own species.

4. Day of the Undead

A giant alien spaceship has discovered Earth. They have stopped their ship right in front of the sun, casting parts of the world into total and perpetual darkness. The vampires that have been in hiding take advantage of their newfound freedom.

5. Alien Vampires

NASA has spent years creating the perfect plan to inhabit Mars. They have every detail worked out, and it is time to put the plan into action. They have recruited hundreds of brave astronauts who have dedicated their lives to creating livable colonies on Mars.

Two vampires have been doing their own planning for just as many years. They have infiltrated the team. They have successfully made their way onto the spaceship bound for Mars.

6. Fire Fighters

Firefighters are the only ones who know the real truth about house fires. They are started by evil fire elementals. In order to put out the fire, the elementals responsible must be killed. The firefighters are sworn to secrecy, and the public can never know.

Horror/Fantasy Writing Prompts

Horror and fantasy can often go quite well together. Horror itself can be almost anything – as long as it is sufficiently terrifying! Mixing this genre of dread, terror, doom, gloom, and darkness with magic and fantasy can make for a wonderfully unique and enriching story.

Horror can work well with urban fantasy as it’s a good setting for horrific things to happen. Paranormal elements will also mix well with these fantasy fiction writing prompts. Perhaps a ghost is the only person with the answers your protagonist needs!  Use these fantasy writing prompts to kick-start your next horror project.

1. Heads Will Roll

Be-heading is a common form of execution. Leaders have become corrupt and are using their power to simply get rid of people they don’t like or are threatened by. A wizard has caught wind of this and puts a spell on the head executioner’s axe.

An innocent man is executed, and the executioner smiles to himself as he wipes the blood off his axe. Suddenly, the newly detached head begins to speak. It is angry.

2. A Big Mistake

A quiet old man lives in a run-down cottage at the edge of town. He is known for keeping to himself and hating children. Strange things start happening in the city, and the townspeople blame the old man, accusing him of being an evil sorcerer.

A brave young warrior finally kills the man, and the town celebrates. Their cheers turn into screams as a demon exits the old man’s body, calls forward hundreds more, and they start inhabiting each and every person there.

A mysterious box appears in town one day. No one knows what is in the box – they can’t get it open. All they know is that it’s only been around for two days, and since its arrival, half the town has died.

4. Predictions

In the moment before a person dies, they utter a sentence that predicts a piece of the future. Sometimes, they are small and insignificant; sometimes, they are very important. Wars have been prevented, natural disasters have been minimized, and lives have been saved by these predictions.

Suddenly, every single person who dies around the world starts saying the exact same thing.

Fantasy Writing Prompts for Encouragement

These prompts are designed to help you put the fire back into a novel that may have gone stale. Don’t know where to go next? Start writing and work these ideas or things into your story.

1. Magical Items

Matching gems: Two pieces of jewelry with matching gemstones. When worn by two different people, they can communicate telepathically no matter how far apart they are.

Sword of Innocence: When wielded by someone with a pure heart and good intentions, it turns into an invincible weapon against those who are truly evil.

Enchanted Chalk: A piece of chalk that can create working doors. Draw two doors at points A and B, and travel between them instantly, no matter their actual physical distance. Draw a single door on a flat, solid surface and pass through to the other side. You can have as many active doors as you want, but make sure you protect them. Once the door is smeared or washed away, it becomes useless. All doors disappear when the chalk runs out.

2. Magical Abilities

Blood Magic: If you possess blood magic, your magic resides within your blood. To use it, you must draw blood. The amount of blood drawn will determine the strength and duration of the spell or ability.

Magic Tattoos: Magical abilities are gained through tattoos. This gives a lot of control, power, and reverence to tattoo artists. They are among the wealthiest on the earth. Size, location, and design are all relevant to the ability being gained. Tattoos around the eyes will grant magical sight, tattoos on the head can grant telepathy, tattoos on the arms can grant strength, etc.

• Keep your powers a secret by getting tattoos that are hidden.
• Curses can be laid by tattooing someone against their will
• Tattoos gradually fade as power is used

Finders: A finder has the ability to locate lost items. They can simply touch a person, and they will be able to mentally locate the lost item in question. A seemingly simple thing, but extremely sought after. Finders are valuable and, therefore, quite rich and powerful.

Tips for Writing About the Fantasy Genre

Some tips for writing a fantasy story are as follows:

To improve your writing, immerse yourself in classic fantasy novels. Identify what you appreciate in each author’s style, such as their world-building, character development, or plot surprises. Pay attention to how they handle the elements that challenge you as a writer. Revisit your favorite fantasy books with a critical eye, analyzing them for these techniques.

While reading great fantasy authors is valuable, don’t limit yourself to them. Explore different genres to expand your writing style and avoid falling into formulaic patterns.

Understand Your Audience

Aspiring fantasy authors should carefully consider their target audience. Determine the age range of your readers: children, young adults, or adults. Choose a specific fantasy subgenre that aligns with your story, such as high fantasy, steampunk, dystopian, or paranormal. Identifying your target market will guide your creative writing and help you develop an effective sales strategy.

Start with Small Steps

Developing a fantasy world is a challenging task. To explore your world, write short stories featuring your main characters or others without the immediate goal of publishing them. This technique enables you to refine your fantasy story without the pressure of delivering a finished product.

Create Your Fantasy World

When crafting a fantasy world, it’s crucial to delve beyond geography and develop the intricate fabric of the realm. Conceive the customs, values, traditions, and chronicles that shape its inhabitants. By seamlessly interweaving these seemingly trivial particulars into the storyline, you’ll elevate your fantasy stories, making it a captivating tapestry of imagination and intrigue.

Decide on a POV

A tale of the fantasy world can unfold in third-person perspective with an omniscient storyteller or in first-person through the perspective of a single individual or multiple characters. Opting for the former grants you the freedom to reveal information at your discretion. The latter allows your audience to explore the narrative alongside the characters, creating a sense of anticipation and wonder.

Design Unique Characters

To create compelling characters, resist relying on overused fantasy story cliches. Instead, craft characters with the depth and individuality of real beings. Sketch them physically if possible, or meticulously document their traits and experiences. Explore their motivations, feelings, actions, and past to uncover their unique qualities and flaws.

Create an Outline for Your Fantasy Plot Idea

Writing fantasy novels presents unique challenges compared to other genres. To manage the complexity of timelines, plots, and numerous characters, even experienced authors rely on outlines. For instance, J.K. Rowling famously organized her Harry Potter plots using a spreadsheet.

This technique helps writers track their stories, preventing any plot points or characters from slipping through the cracks. Additionally, outlines provide a structured framework to guide writers through any writing difficulties.

Make Your Own Rules

To make a fantasy story believable, it should have a foundation in its own reality. If you’re writing about a fictional world for the first time, it’s helpful to research basic societal structures, such as politics and economics. Even magical creatures and other fantasy elements should make sense and have a logical explanation.

Keep the Dialog Authentic

The way your characters in a fantasy story speak can reveal their feelings, goals, and cultural background in the world you’ve built. Instead of stuffing the dialogue with too much backstory, let your characters’ actions move the plot forward while using dialogue to show their personalities and depth.

Take Your Time

When crafting a captivating fictional world, resist the urge to unveil every detail at once. Gradually introduce your characters and world throughout the narrative. Use sensory descriptions to immerse readers, making them feel the textures, hear the sounds, and explore the setting alongside your protagonist. This gradual unveiling will keep readers engaged and draw them deeper into the story’s journey.

Dive Into Your Own Fantasy World

Hopefully, this list of fantasy writing prompts has given you some ideas that will either get you started or keep you going. Even the most simple and basic ideas can be turned into something incredible with the use of a creative imagination. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and put your own personal twist on some of these ideas. Change them as much as you want and make them your own!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some common questions on this topic:

What is the primary quality of a fantasy story?

Fantasy literature excels in transporting readers away from reality through escapism. Readers seek immersive experiences that allow them to step into an imagined world and witness its vivid details through their own imaginations. They desire to feel a tangible connection to a foreign setting and contemplate the experiences of living within it.

Are fantasy novels difficult to write?

Crafting a unique fantasy story is no easy feat. Many aspiring writers often encounter obstacles that prevent them from completing their initial works. Despite initial enthusiasm or inspiration, the passage of time and challenges faced can lead to stagnation and abandonment of their stories.

Is it compulsory to create a magical world in a fantasy story?

Fantasy literature often draws on ancient tales and myths for inspiration. While including magical elements is common in the genre, it’s not a requirement.

How long should be a chapter in a fantasy novel?

A fantasy novel can include a chapter with around twelve to eighteen pages.

Why do kids love fantasy stories?

Fantasy sparks curiosity and encourages children to engage with their imaginations. It takes them beyond the real world and into realms they create themselves. Through these imaginative journeys, they explore, question, and develop a thirst for knowledge.

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93 Fantasy Writing Prompts: From Dragons to Dwarves, These Scenarios Will Spark Your Imagination

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 20, 2022

Categories Writing , Creativity , Inspiration , Storytelling

Do you love writing fantasy stories? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer aiming at a short story or novel, these fantasy creative writing prompts will get your imagination flowing and help you create some amazing new stories. From dragons to dwarves, these scenarios will spark your creativity and help you develop some awesome plotlines. So what are you waiting for? Take a story idea from the extensive list below, and start writing!

31 Fantasy Writing Prompts to Unleash Your Imagination

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next fantasy story, look no further! Here are writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Write a story about a dragon discovered in a cave beneath a small village.

2. What if dwarves were the dominant species on Earth? Write a story about two humans who stumble into their world.

3. Write a story about an elf on a quest to save the human race from an evil sorcerer.

4. What if there was a portal that led to another world? Write a story about the first group of people who travel through it.

5. Write a story set in a world where magic is commonplace.

6. What if there was a war between the witches and wizards? Write a story about two kids caught in the middle of it all.

7. What if everyone had to choose between being human or animal? Write a story about those who choose to be animals and what life is like for them.

8. In a world where mermaids are real, write a story about a mermaid who falls in love with a human.

9. Write a story about the first person to be granted magic abilities after a long time without them.

10. Write a story about a dragon who can’t speak.

11. What would have happened if the evil sorcerer won the fight against the elves and their allies? Write a story about the time after he rules the world.

12. Write a story about a dragon taken in by a wizard as a pet.

13. Write a story about a young woman with magical powers who uses them to fight against the evil sorcerer.

14. Write a story about a quest to find magic in a world where it is feared.

15. Write a story about a human boy who is sent to a world of magical beings.

16. Write a story about the offspring of an angel and a human.

17. Write a story about a woman who is set on killing the evil sorcerer.

18. What if a group of people was devoted to punishing sinners? Write a story about the first time they find someone who seems to have no sin.

19. What if the evil sorcerer was trapped in a world with only children? Write a story about his time there.

20. Write a story about the first war between the angels and the demons.

21. Write a story about the first person to be able to time travel.

22. Write a story about a boy who falls in love with an angel.

23. Write a story about a woman who enters another world to fight in their war.

24. What would a world be like where only women were allowed to wield magic? Write a story about them.

25. What if there was a place where the dead could be brought back to life? Write a story about the first person to discover it.

26. What if a human was sent to a world where only animals and magical creatures were real? Write a story about the human who lives there.

27. What would happen if the evil sorcerer had no limit to the magic he could wield? Write a story about the world he rules.

28. What if demons and angels were real? Write a story about a young man who falls in love with a demon.

29. What would have happened if there was a portal to a world where magic was commonplace? Write a story about the people who travel through it.

30. What if there was a portal to another world where magic did not exist? Write a story about the first person to travel through it.

31. Write a story about a princess who is forced to marry an evil sorcerer to save her people.

6 Epic Fantasy Prompts Based on a Character

1. As an elf on a quest to save the human race from the evil sorcerer, Alice must brave dangerous and fantastical lands, fighting fearsome monsters and powerful wizards.

2. Determined to stop the sorcerer and his army of minions, Alice must gather a band of allies who will help her in her quest: brave warriors, cunning thieves, wise mages, and more.

3. As she journeys across stunning magical landscapes filled with all manner of creatures, both magical and monstrous, Alice begins to discover dark secrets about herself and those who would stand against the evil sorcerer.

4. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, can Alice save the human race from destruction at the hands of the evil sorcerer? Only time will tell…

5. Under the tutelage of the wise wizard, Alice learns powerful spells and incantations, the likes of which have not been seen since the war between the angels and demons.

6. With the help of her newfound magical powers, Alice defeats the evil sorcerer and restores peace to the world.

6 Epic Fantasy Prompts Based on a Setting

1. Set in a world filled with mythological creatures, Elves, Dwarves, and magical beings, this story follows a young woman and her band of adventurers as they journey across the land battling creatures and saving people trapped in danger.

2. A world filled with magic, Gods and Goddesses, and a powerful evil sorcerer who has captured the Goddess of Light to rule the land. The Fairy Godmother has sent the young Princess away to protect her, but when the Godmother herself is captured, the Princess must embark on a quest to rescue the Godmother and defeat the sorcerer.

3. Deep in the forests, a battle rages between a powerful sorcerer and the fearsome King of the Elves. The Elf King seeks a powerful magical artifact to aid him in his quest to defeat the sorcerer, but he must find the artifact before the sorcerer does.

4. In a land ruled by a powerful sorcerer where magic is forbidden and all magical creatures are forced to wear a collar to prevent them from using their powers, a young woman is discovered to have magical powers. She is forced to fight against the sorcerer.

5. A land where dragons are hunted and forced to live in hiding while the evil sorcerer ruthlessly rules the land with an iron fist and his army of green-skinned soldiers.

6. On a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer and save the magical creatures of the land, an elf named Alice finds herself fighting for her life against creatures and humans who want to see her dead.

10 Fantasy Characters Based on a Theme

1. Write a story about a group of people who must sacrifice a loved one to harness the power of a curse.

2. Write a story about a man who is cursed with immortality.

3. Write a story about a kingdom that is cursed to live in a permanent winter.

4. Write a story about an evil sorcerer who casts a curse to make all the world’s children disappear.

5. Write a story about an elf who is cursed to change into a monster every night.

6. Write a story about an evil sorcerer who has cursed an entire land.

7. Write a story about a war caused by a curse.

8. Write a story about a witch who is cursed to leave her homeland.

9. Write a story about a man who is cursed to fall in love with a woman.

10. Write a story about a mage who is cursed with immortality.

10 Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts

1. Amidst the snowy mountains and murky swamps of a land haunted by dark magic, a young woman with untapped magical powers must embark on a dangerous journey to defeat an evil sorcerer and save the realm from utter destruction.

2. Trapped in the shadowy depths of a cursed forest filled with monstrous creatures, a group of warriors must band together and overcome their fears if they hope to survive and finally escape the grips of darkness.

3. Struggling against his inner demons and those beyond this world, an ambitious sorcerer sets out on a quest for ultimate power, one that will pit him against not only other sorcerers but also ancient gods and powerful monsters.

4. As kingdoms rise and fall amid violent wars fought with bloodthirsty armies, nefarious dark wizards seek to harness ever more destructive forms of magic in their bid for total control over all creation.

5. In a world where good and evil are merely illusions created by the powerful to manipulate the masses, a young woman finds herself trapped in a city filled with the walking dead, a city under the rule of a powerful sorcerer.

6. In a world where magic is coveted and feared, one young mage must end the violent rebellion of a manipulative and powerful sorcerer if he hopes to win the affection of the woman he loves.

7. In a land ruled by an evil sorcerer and his army of monsters, a young woman must team up with a band of would-be heroes- mercenaries, thieves, and misfits- to overthrow the sorcerer and set the land free.

8. In a world where the dead are reborn, a small group of scientists finds themselves under attack from the dead when an evil sorcerer unleashes an army of zombies and vampires upon the world.

9. In a land ruled by an ancient and powerful evil sorcerer, a young woman who has managed to escape his grasp must find a way to destroy him or see the whole world turned into a living hell.

10. In a land ruled by a brutal and violent king, a young woman and a young man must fight for their lives as they attempt to restore peace to the land.

10 Noir Fantasy Prompts

1. In a dark and smog-filled city ruled by a powerful king, a young woman and her band of rebels must end the cruel king and his equally cruel queen, who slaughter their subjects and sacrifice them on the palace’s steps.

2. In the shadowy underside of a temple filled with all manner of creatures – human and otherwise – a young man must team up with a group of ruthless criminals to rescue his love interest from the dark god who rules over the temple all of its inhabitants.

3. On the run from the police, a young man finds himself drawn into the shadowy underworld of an unfamiliar city-a place where no one can be trusted, especially those with a badge.

4. Locked away in a high-security prison, a mysterious man with no memory of his past finds himself forced to fight for his life against a group of prisoners who can change into mythological beasts.

5. On the run from an evil ritualistic cult and the police, a small group of magicians and psychics must piece together clues about a murder to clear their names.

6. Having escaped from a psychiatric hospital, a young man with a dark and terrible secret goes on a quest to find out more about his past and the people who tried to destroy him.

7. In a city ruled by an evil shadow ruler and his sister, a young man must take on an army of hitmen, assassins, and dragon-riding villains to rescue his missing sister and leave the city with his life.

8. Trapped in a high-security prison, a small group of inmates fight for survival against an army of monsters, mutants, and maniacs imprisoned alongside them.

9. In search of the man who kidnapped his sister, a bounty hunter finds himself thrown into a world of deadly magical creatures and terrifying abominations.

10. In a world where magic is outlawed and all magical creatures are ruthlessly hunted and forced to live in hiding, a young mage must end the violence and bloodshed caused by the evil witch who rules the land.

10 Fantasy Romance Writing Prompts Based on a Fantasy World

1. On a quest to save their kingdom, a young man and young woman find themselves face to face with an evil sorcerer who has stolen the soul of the young woman’s sister.

2. In the aftermath of a war between angels and demons, a young man and a young woman must fight the powerful Lord of the Shadows to save the world from eternal darkness.

3. In a land full of magical creatures forced to wear collars that prevent them from using their powers, a young woman and young man must work together to stop a conspiracy between the elvish king and the evil sorcerer.

4. In a land ruled by a brutal and violent king, a young woman and her band of rebels must end the cruel king and his equally cruel queen, who slaughter their subjects and sacrifice them on the palace’s steps.

5. In a world where magic is coveted and feared, one young mage must end the violent rebellion of a manipulative and powerful sorcerer if he hopes to win the affection of the woman he loves.

6. In a land filled with dragons, unicorns, and other magical creatures, an elvish prince sets out on a dangerous journey to rescue a young woman from a castle filled with dangerous beasts and deadly knights.

7. In a country full of gruesome monsters, a young woman must race against time to save her best friend’s life, a young man whom a venomous snake has poisoned.

8. In a land ravaged by war, an elvish princess must fight against the odds if she hopes to find love amidst the chaos and treachery.

9. In a dark and smog-filled city ruled by a powerful king, a young woman and her band of rebels must end the cruel king and his equally cruel queen, who slaughter their subjects and sacrifice them on the palace’s steps.

10. After being on the run from an evil sorcerer, a young woman must race against time to put an end to her tormentor once and for all.

10 Urban Fantasy Plot Ideas

1. In a shadowy city filled with monsters and mutants, a young woman who is a gifted psychic must team up with a group of young criminals-human, and otherwise-if she hopes to survive and save the city from a powerful telepathic villain.

2. In a world where magic is feared and reviled by the masses, a young man must find a way to restore peace to the land by challenging the powerful sorcerer who is using his magic to manipulate the people.

3. In a futuristic world where scientists regularly reanimate the dead, a young woman and a young man with a dark and terrible secret must work together to fight an evil dictator and his army of mutants.

4. On the run from a group of dangerous hitmen, a young woman finds herself drawn into the dark underworld of an unfamiliar city-a place where no one can be trusted, especially those with a badge.

5. In the aftermath of a deadly plague that swept the world, a young woman and the small group of survivors she finds must fight for their lives in a world overrun by the living dead.

6. In a world where magic and genetic engineering co-exist, a band of genetically-altered humans must end the evil experiments of a scientist out to create an army of mutants.

7. In a world where death is no longer feared, a young girl and a young man must work together to destroy the evil drug creating a new breed of zombie.

8. On the run from a dangerous conspiracy, a young woman finds herself drawn into the dark underworld of an unfamiliar city-a place where no one can be trusted, especially those with a badge.

9. In a city where magic is outlawed and all magical creatures are ruthlessly hunted and forced to live in hiding, a young mage must end the violence and bloodshed caused by the evil witch who rules the land.

10. On the run from a group of dangerous hitmen, a young woman finds herself drawn into the dark underworld of an unfamiliar city-a place where no one can be trusted, especially those with a badge.

What Is a Fantasy Story Example?

A fantasy story is a story that takes place in a world that is not our own. This world usually has magical or supernatural elements to it. A good fantasy story will transport the reader to a different and exciting world.

One of the most famous examples of a fantasy story is J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” In this story, the world of Middle-earth is under threat from the Dark Lord Sauron. A fellowship of heroes must embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring before Sauron can get his hands on it. Along the way, they face many challenges and make new friends (and enemies).

Another great fantasy story example is C. S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia.” In this series, four children are transported to the magical world of Narnia, where they help Aslan, the lion, defeat the White Witch. These stories are examples of classic high fantasy, one of the most popular subgenres of fantasy fiction.

Some other popular subgenres of fantasy include urban fantasy, dark fantasy, and gaslamp fantasy. Urban fantasy stories take place in modern-day cities but with a supernatural twist. Examples of urban fantasy include Jim Butcher’s “Dresden Files” series and Charlaine Harris’s “Sookie Stackhouse” series (better known as the basis for HBO’s “True Blood”).

Dark fantasy stories are often quite gruesome and may even border on horror. They tend to deal with themes of death and decay. Some examples of dark fantasy include George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series (better known as “Game of Thrones”) and Anne Rice’s “The Vampire Chronicles.”

Gaslamp fantasy is a subgenre that often features Victorian or Edwardian settings and may even include steampunk elements. One well-known example of gaslamp fantasy is Alan Moore’s graphic novel series “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”

There are many different types of fantasy stories out there for writers to explore. What kind of world will you create? The possibilities are limitless!

How to Write a Hook in Fantasy

You use a hook to snag your reader’s attention and draw them into your story. It’s the first sentence (or sometimes the first paragraph) of your story, and it’s important because it sets the tone for the rest of the story. In fantasy, hooks are often used to world build – that is, to give the reader a taste of the setting and the rules of the world without information dumping.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing a hook for a fantasy novel.

• You want to make sure that your hook is interesting and reflective of the type of story you’re telling. Your hook should reflect that tone if your story is a light-hearted romp. Your hook should reflect that if you’re going for a more serious, dark story.
• Make sure your hook introduces some element of mystery or leaves the reader with questions. This will encourage them to keep reading to learn more about this new world they’ve been introduced to.
• Your hook should be reflective of your main character’s voice. This is important because it helps ground the reader in the story from the beginning. Having your main character’s voice present from the start gives the impression that this is their story, and we are just along for the ride.
• Ensure that your hook provides just enough information without giving too much away. You don’t want to overload the reader with information in the beginning, as it can be overwhelming and cause them to put down your book before they’ve even started.

A good hook will make or break your book. It’s important to take time to craft a strong hook that accurately reflects both your story and your main character. Following these tips, you can write a fantasy novel that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end!

5 Mistakes to Avoid As a Fantasy Writer

1. Worldbuilding Info-Dump Instead of Showing

Fantasy worlds are rich and detailed, and it can be tempting to want to share all of your hard work with your readers. However, information dumps are one of the quickest ways to bore your readers and lose their interest. Instead of dumping huge amounts of exposition on your readers all at once, try to weave the worldbuilding into the story itself. For example, if you’re describing a new city, have your characters explore it and react to its sights, smells, and sounds. This will not only help your readers to understand the world better, but it will also make them feel more invested in the story.

2. Using Tired Tropes Instead of Being Original

One of the challenges of writing speculative fiction and fantasy is coming up with ideas that feel fresh and original. However, rehashing tired old tropes is a guaranteed way to turn off your readers. If you want your work to stand out from the rest, take some time to brainstorm some original ideas. Not sure where to start? Try looking at other fantasy stories and asking yourself how you could do things differently.

3. Flat Characters Instead of Fully-Developed Ones

Your characters are what make your story come alive. It’s important to take the time to develop them fully. Unfortunately, many writers fall into the trap of creating flat characters just as one-dimensional archetypes. If you want your readers to care about your characters, you need to give them the flaws, complexities, and goals they’re striving for (even if they’re not always successful). In short: make them feel like real people!

4. Predictable Plots Instead of Twisty Ones

Nothing is more frustrating for a reader than feeling like they can see where the story is going from a mile away. It’s one of the drawbacks of the popularity of the fantasy genre; If you want to keep your readers guessing, you need to come up with a plot full of twists and turns-preferably ones that they won’t see coming. One way to do this is by subverting expectations; for example, if everyone in your story expects the heroes to triumph, in the end, try having them lose instead (or vice versa). No matter what you do, just make sure that your plot is anything but predictable!

5. Excessive Violence/Gore Instead of Strategic Action

Violence and gore can certainly be used effectively in fantasy stories-but only if it’s done in moderation and with a purpose. Oftentimes, writers go overboard with the violence in their stories, resulting in gratuitous scenes that add nothing to the plot or character development. If you choose to include violence in your story, be sure that it furthers the plot or sheds light on the characters involved – anything less will just feel like filler material.

How to Write Fantasy For Kids

Did you know the Harry Potter series was rejected 12 times before it was published? J.K. Rowling persevered because she believed in her story and knew that there was an audience for it. Now, the Harry Potter series is one of the most popular book series of all time. If you’re a writer with an idea for a fantasy story for kids, don’t give up! You can make your dream a reality with a little bit of elbow grease.

Here’s how to write fantasy for kids.

Step One: Do Your Research

Before you sit down to write your story, it’s important to do your research. Read books in the genre, watch movies, and talk to kids to see what they’re interested in. What elements do they like? What would make them keep reading? Once you have a good understanding of the market, you can start brainstorming ideas for your story.

Step Two: Create A Believable World

To hook your readers, you need to create a believable world for them when writing fantastical realms. This world should have its history, legends, and customs. Spend some time fleshing out the details of your world so that it feels real to your readers.

Step Three: Write An Engaging Story

Once the background information is sorted out, it’s time to start writing your story! Keep your readers engaged by raising the stakes and including plenty of action. Take the time to come up with interesting fantasy elements. Does your main character have a magical ability or magical power? Make it as unique as possible. Does a mythical creature play an important role in your story? Give it a personality! Don’t forget to leave room for a sequel; if your readers love your book, they’ll be begging for more.

Writing fantasy for kids can be daunting, but it’s doable with a little effort. If you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way!

• Writing Prompts

70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts (+ Free Printable)

Every writer has moments when their mind goes blank . It can be frustrating and annoying when you really want to write something, but just don’t know where to start. That’s where writing prompts come in handy. Since it is J.K Rowling’s birthday in July, I figured what better way to celebrate her birthday than writing your own fantasy stories . These 70+ fantasy writing prompts for kids are an amazing source of inspiration! Most of these fantasy writing prompts relate to magic and wizardry.  Aparecium – turn that blank page into an unforgettable story!

You might also be interested in these 48 Harry Potter Writing Prompts or this list of 56 myth ideas and prompts .

Random Fantasy Prompt Generator

For more writing ideas, check out this list of 56 Dystopian writing prompts .

• Download your free 25+ fantasy writing prompts printable.

Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts

Sci-fi fantasy prompts, fantasy prompts about dragons, epic fantasy prompts, urban fantasy prompts, modern fantasy prompts, medieval fantasy ideas, animal fantasy prompts, low fantasy prompts, fantasy story starters, how to use these fantasy writing prompts:.

70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts For Kids:

If you need inspiration for character names, see our list of fantasy characters (everything from humans to dragons and unicorns). Without further ado, here are our fantasy writing prompts:

• Your father is an evil sorcerer, you must stop him before he kills all humans.
• As you walk through a dark forest, trees whisper warnings “turn away now!” (Check out this magical forest name generator for forest name ideas.)
• You want to attend the best magic school in all of Macbury, but have no magical powers.
• You have been cursed to never speak again by an evil witch. If you need a name for your evil witch, take a look at our awesome witch name generator .
• You return from school one day to find a mysterious package in your room with an owl-shaped logo on it.
• You are the only witch in a religious neighbourhood. Everyone blames you for their misfortunes.
• The evil witch has stolen all your powers turning you into a human.

• A boy helps out an old lady, in return, he is given magical powers. Instead of using his powers for good, he uses it to destroy the world.
• Your Grandad is the owner of an old antique shop. One day while helping your Grandad you discover a strange book called “The Guide to All Evil.”
• For years you have been spending your Saturday evening in a library, every week you see the same old man sitting in the corner. One night you decide to speak to him…
• One night you are dragged into your favourite RPG computer game, where you play a knight trying to save the land Tribula from the evil powers of the dark king.

• You find a magical map in your attic. The map shows the location of a moving target. One day that target appears in your back yard.
• You have the ability to raise the dead for a few minutes and have spent the past few years hunting for the monsters that killed your parents.
• You were the personal assistant to a crazy, old wizard who has now passed away. Before his passing, he told you to hide a mysterious bag.
• You find a spellbook which gives you specific instructions on how to cast a body-swapping spell.
• You are a storyteller. One day you realise that the stories you’ve been telling are true and you have the ability to control the lives of others.
• You work part-time as a vet. One dark night, while you are closing your shop, a crazy woman barges past the doors with a strange creature in her arms.

• A war has been raging between the witches of the West and the witches of the East for over 100 years.
• You are preparing for the annual top magicians competition. For the past 5 years in a row, you were voted wizard of the year. However this year there’s a new wizard in town threatening your title.
• You are a young wizard on a school trip learning about the different magical beings that inhabit the swamps. While there you notice one by one, your fellow students start disappearing.
• You are troublesome child, everyone including your parents and teachers have had enough of your behaviour. You find that the witches are the only ones that will take you in and take care of you.
• You have been marked with the scar of deceit. On your 18 th Birthday, you will be summoned to the underworld.

Download your free 25+ fantasy writing prompts printable .

Dark fantasy is a combination of fantasy and horror. It’s filled with horrific creatures, nightmares and dark magic with deadly consequences. Here are some dark fantasy writing prompts to inspire you:

• After reading a forbidden book, the most horrific and disgusting creatures from hell crossover to Earth. 

• After the death of her mother, Beth turns to dark magic to resurrect the dead.
• The toys you broke and abandoned come alive and go on a killing spree.
• Were you seeing ghosts or were you dead?
• Crystal was one of the most powerful witches of all-time. She defeated many evil warlocks and villains. But now she’s locked up in a mental institution. Is she really a witch or is she just crazy?

For more ideas see this post on dark fantasy prompts .

Sci-fi fantasy or science fantasy is the combination of science and fantasy elements. It takes something logical and scientific and then adds in some fantasy elements like magic or mythical creatures. 

• After a discovery of a new planet, scientists and astronauts have to battle a mysterious race of aliens in space. For more Outerspace inspiration, check out our space writing prompts .
• Rumours of the loch ness monster, lead you and your team to discover a new island with mythical creatures. 
• Scientists accidentally create a vaccine which gives humans super strength, along with other traits. 

• Is magic real or just an illusion? Tell the story of an amateur party magician that becomes the world’s greatest sorcerer. His simple party tricks soon grow into magical abilities set out to destroy the world.

For more science fiction ideas, check out our mega list of 110 sci-fi writing prompts and story ideas .

When you think of a traditional fantasy story, dragons are one the most common fantasy elements people include. Dragons can be the centre of a storyline or just some background characters causing havoc. Here are some Fantasy prompts about dragons. You might also want to check out our awesome dragon name generator :

• There are so many dragons out there with their own powers. Fire dragons are the most popular breed, but there’s also ice, electricity, wind, earth and many others. Imagine that you’re a young dragon with no powers. Write a story of how you discovered your abilities.

• In a war between dragons and humans, one dragon chooses to side with the humans. Write a fantasy war story about this dragon. 
• Not all dragons are huge fire breathers with wings. Some are the size of flies. They fly around whispering strange things into the ears of humans. And if they manage to get inside of you, you’ll slowly start turning into a huge, horrendous dragon based on your personality.
• Dragons rule the world and humans are their slaves. You work as a slave for the oldest, most legendary dragon in the land. Write a story from the point of view of this slave and how you manage to escape the prison you’re locked up in.
• You find a dragon egg in your backyard. After a while, it starts cracking and out comes a baby dragon. What will happen next?

See our post on 68+ dragon story ideas for some more inspiration.

Epic fantasy is also known as high-fantasy . This is when your story includes huge fantasy elements, such as a whole new world and new species of humans or creatures. The key to epic fantasy is that your storyline should impact the entire world with huge consequences. 

• In the fantasy world of Gidor, giants treat humans like their pets. They teach humans to do tricks, sit, play and even enter them in competitions. It’s the annual top human competition, where giants from all over the kingdom compete in a series of events to prove their human is the best. 
• Aqurilla is a world where 94% of the world is underwater. Merpeople or mermaids and mermen are the main race in this world. The 6% that is actual land is filled with a small population of trolls that hunt merpeople. 
• Ants the size of buses. Elephants the size of marbles. The fastest creatures in the world are snails. And the slowest are cheetahs. The kingdom of Htrae is very twisted indeed, for any normal human anyway. Imagine life if everything was the opposite.
• An evil sorcerer has found a way to drain the magical abilities of all the top witches and wizards in the world, turning them into mortals. Write from the perspective of this evil sorcerer. 
• Someone has unlocked the eye of Maldor, the dragon of pure darkness. Opening the world up to darkness and demons. You have to find a way to destroy the eye of Maldor before it’s too late.

Urban fantasy are fantasy stories which are set in heavily populated areas or in the city. They combine old-school fantasy elements with a modern or urban twist. Here are some cool urban fantasy prompts to get you started:

• An office worker learns that her boss is an evil sorcerer who has made his money by playing sneaking tricks on important people.
• A homeless person finds a magical orb in a dumpster behind a Chinese restaurant. When he rubs the orb, he can see the future. 
• Charlotte, a mortal girl with no magical abilities falls in love with a magical elve.
• Humans and monsters work together in the city of Belcraz. It’s complete harmony. Both races accept each other for their differences. Until one day, a secret underground group stirs up trouble.
• Struggling to find a job and to get her life back on track, Mildrid resorts to dark magic to cheat her way through life. 

See our post on 78+ urban fantasy prompts for more ideas.

Modern or contemporary fantasy are fantasy stories set in the present time. Take some ancient elements or beliefs from hundreds or thousands of years ago and then apply them to the current timezone. Here are modern fantasy prompts to help you out:

• Fairytale creatures start coming to life and wandering around your city. Not all of these fairytale characters have good intentions.
• Different universes begin to collide when an evil sorcerer escapes his realm and appears in your home. 
• A songwriter uses an ancient spellbook as inspiration for her next single. Her song, based on an old fear spell, becomes a number one hit. Soon enough, anyone listening to her song starts to lose their minds, as fear takes over. 
• You get a mysterious email from the Dark Magicians League to join them this Saturday at a dinner party for new recruits. Excited by this invite, you take up the offer with deadly consequences,
• Magixie is a new social media platform, where people show off their magical abilities and learn how to grow their powers. Jealous of the magical abilities of other witches and wizards on the platform, you plan to use the platform to steal their magical abilities.

Medieval fantasy is all about knights, wizards, dragons and princesses. Think of the knights of the round table, kings ruling kingdoms, assassins trying to steal the throne and fire-breathing dragons. Here are some medieval fantasy ideas:

• Everyone made fun of Yagul the Jester until one day he summoned a fire-breathing dragon to attack the kingdom.
• Rorik was the King’s top knight. He has fought for the kingdom in many battles and won. However, secretly he is working on a plan to kill the king and take his throne. 
• Tired of being a poor maiden, Yvanna trains to be a secret assassin. In disguise, she manages to steal thousands in gold. For her final act, she will poison the king.
• The king of Thahold has made a new rule: Anyone who practices witchcraft and wizardry will be beheaded. Unknowingly the king is being brainwashed by an evil sorcerer, who wants to be the only powerful magician left in the kingdom.

Animal stories are always heartfelt. Combine them with fantasy elements and you have yourself a heartfelt and exciting story to grip your readers. Here are some exciting animal fantasy prompts to get you started:

• Some say that cats have nine lives, but it looks like your cat has a million lives! Nothing, not even old age can kill it. 
• Isabella is a mute. While she can’t speak to humans, she can easily communicate with animals. Her magical ability means that she can have real conversations with animals and control them.
• There’s rumour of a dark horse named Sybris appearing in the woods when the full moon is out. If you are able to tame this horse, you will gain its ability to curse people with their own fears.
• A black cat befriends a hellhound and together they cause chaos around town. It’s all up to an old wizard’s wise old owl to save the town.
• At birth, every human is given a special animal that will act as their guardian. At age 18, the animal is allowed to retire, while their human slowly morphs into a guardian animal to protect other humans.

Low fantasy is when fantasy events happen in a real or normal world. Normally the main characters will all be normal humans (with no powers or magical abilities) and then suddenly something magical happens to them. Here are some low fantasy prompts to inspire you:

• Michael learns that his great grandfather was an ultimate wizard and that he has inherited some of his magical abilities. 
• Your pet dog digs up a strange treasure chest in your backyard. Inside the treasure chest is the most beautiful necklace you’ve ever seen. When you wear this necklace you are able to control the earth with your mind.
• On a deep-sea expedition, something goes terribly wrong and you are lost at sea. Thankfully a mermaid-like creature saves you from the deep waters.
• For years there’s been a legend of a witch living deep in the forest. You and your friends decide to go and check if this legend is true.
• After a near-death experience, you are able to communicate with the dead. 

Here are some exciting fantasy story starters to help you with your writing:

• The door creaked open and out jumped…
• I never thought I would end up here. In this strange place.
• “Abra Kadabra, turn this stick into a flying broom! Oh, why won’t it work!”, shrieked Annabelle.
• There was never a dull moment in Alecbra. Everyone was special in their own way.
• A beastly shadow covered the floor, as Michael lay there paralyzed.
• She felt the fire in her veins. It was all becoming too much. She could no longer tame the beast.

For more inspiration, check out this list of over 150 story starters .

Looking for more fantasy writing prompts? Check out our book 1,000+ Fantasy Writing Prompts + Free Plot Generator . This book is the ultimate collection of fantasy prompts organised by 20 sub-genres of fantasy. From epic tales to contemporary fantasy ideas, you’ll find it all in our book:

Sit down and write for 10 or 20 minutes straight for a prompt of your choosing. You can even aim to write a short paragraph for all of these fantasy prompts. Pace yourself by doing one prompt a day. If you are struggling to write more about a prompt, then you can use the 5 W’s and 1 H technique (What, why, where, when, who and how). Ask yourself, when did this event happen or why did it happen? For example for prompt 1, you see a large opening in the tree. Think about who was present at the time you saw this, what day was it and how did you feel in this exact moment? Hopefully, the  5 W’s and 1 H technique will help you to expand your story and even motivate you to finish your story!

And if you need more inspiration, take a look at this awesome fantasy book title generator .

For more writing prompts, visit our writing prompts page. Have these fantasy writing prompts inspired you to write your own story? Join our website and write a story online to share with your friends!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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50 Fiction Writing Prompts and Ideas to Inspire You to Write

By Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

How fiction writing prompts can help writers, top 50 fiction writing prompts, how prowritingaid can help with fiction writing, conclusion on fiction writing prompts and ideas.

Have you ever wanted to write a story but had no idea what to write about?

If you’re familiar with that feeling, you’re not alone. At some point in their lives, every writer has sat down in front of a blank page with no idea what to write next.

When you’re in that situation, it might be helpful to look at a list of potential story ideas. A great prompt can help kick-start your creativity and get you in the mood for writing again.

In this article, we’ll give you all our favorite fiction writing prompts to inspire you to write.

There are countless ways fiction writing prompts can benefit you. Here are a few reasons you might want to use a writing prompt:

To start a new short story or novel

To practice writing in a new genre or writing style so you can expand your skill set and try something new

To warm up at the beginning of each writing session

To make sure you’re in a creative state of mind when you tackle your existing writing projects

So, pick up a pen and a notebook, and let’s get started!

Here are 50 fantastic fiction writing prompts that will help you start your next story. To help you choose a prompt that excites you, we’ve split them into several categories: fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, and contemporary.

Fantasy Prompts

You’ve inherited your grandfather’s antique shop, and you’re surprised to find strange objects with magical powers inside.

You set out to break the curse that’s followed your family for generations.

You can see visions of the future, but you learned long ago to keep them to yourself. Now, you have to speak up or risk losing everything you love.

You work for a zoo filled with magical creatures.

You’re a lawyer in a fantasy world, and your job is to negotiate contracts between the humans and the gods.

A company harvests dragon scales, unicorn hair, and other magical items to sell for profit.

You find a portal to a fantasy world in your backyard.

You find a magical item that will make all your wishes come true—but it’s extremely literal in its interpretations.

A supernatural monster kidnaps your best friend. You set out to rescue her.

Your parents gave different aspects of their magical powers to each of their children. Compared to your siblings, you definitely got the short end of the stick.

Sci-fi Prompts

Write an adaptation of your favorite classic tale—in space.

Aliens come to Earth, but they’re here for reasons no one expected.

Scientists have found ways to transfer memories between different people. You're the first person to sell all of yours.

Write about an entire world where people can buy and sell years of their lives.

What would happen if you woke up in someone else’s body and they woke up in yours?

You live in a moon colony surrounded by high walls. One day, someone breaches the walls.

Your parents send you to a summer camp filled with time travelers.

You accidentally stumble through a portal to a parallel universe where everything is the same as our universe, except for one key difference.

In a world where everyone’s DNA is genetically engineered to best suit their roles in the community, you have to hide that your DNA doesn’t match your chosen career.

You land on a new planet and realize the plants there are more intelligent than humans.

Write like a bestselling author

Love writing? ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of your stories.

Mystery Prompts

You wake up with no memory of who you are, except for a single name.

Every day, a strange drawing appears in your mailbox, and they get more and more disturbing.

You receive a letter inviting you to a free weekend getaway, and you have no idea who the host is.

Your father is keeping something strange in the attic.

A man throws an elaborate party in an attempt to conceal a crime.

You realize you’ve been sleepwalking every night, and you have no idea what your sleeping self has been up to.

You thought your husband was dead. So why is he still writing you letters?

Your brother was murdered years ago. The police have stopped investigating, but you’re still looking for the killer.

Two friends discover a serial killer's secret hideout.

A young woman discovers a frightening secret while she's on her first hunting trip with her husband's family.

Romance Prompts

Two soldiers on different sides of a war develop feelings for each other.

A member of the royal family falls in love with her bodyguard.

You’ve resigned yourself to a loveless arranged marriage, but fate has other plans.

You’ve had a crush on your best friend your entire life. Now, he’s about to get married to someone else.

You go on a first date and find yourself stuck in a time loop, so you have to keep going on that date over and over.

Two rivals have to pretend to be in a relationship—and end up accidentally falling for each other.

After a bad breakup, you move to a new town—and find yourself attracted to your next-door neighbor.

When two exes are forced to work together, they rekindle old feelings.

You fall in love with someone from a different dimension, so you can only see each other once a year when the portal opens.

After your plane crash-lands on a deserted island, you develop a bond with one of the other survivors.

Contemporary Prompts

Write an adaptation of your favorite classic tale set in the town you grew up in.

Two best friends go on a road trip and encounter a problem they never expected.

An adopted orphan goes on a journey to reconnect with her birth family.

You’re told a family secret that changes everything you think you know about your life.

A group of friends takes a practical joke too far, leading to disaster.

A college student creates an invention for a technology class and accidentally goes viral.

A painter in her early eighties struggles with her slow descent into blindness.

A couple breaks up, but the ramifications of their breakup follow them for decades.

A carefree playboy is forced to adopt a child, which changes his whole life.

You’re framed for a crime you didn’t commit, and nobody believes you’re innocent—except for your estranged sister.

No matter what type of story you’re writing, ProWritingAid is a great tool to help you make your writing shine.

ProWritingAid will suggest ways to improve various weaknesses in your writing, such as grammar mistakes, repetitive words, passive voice, unnecessary dialogue tags, and more.

You can even tell ProWritingAid what type of fiction you’re writing, such as fantasy or historical fiction, to get customized suggestions that match your genre.

There you have it—our complete list of the best fiction writing prompts to inspire you to write.

Try out your favorite one, and see if you can turn it into a unique story. 

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah Yang

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

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Heroes and villains, write the origin story of a notorious villain..

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Center your story around someone facing their biggest fear or enemy.

Write about two mortal enemies who must work together., start or end your story with a hero losing their powers., write a story from the antagonist’s point of view..

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Center your story around an unexpected summer fling., write about a character who is allergic to heat., start or end your story with a heatwave announcement., write about a summer vacation gone wrong., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.

Never miss a prompt! Get curated writing inspiration delivered to your inbox each week.

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Write a story about an unsung hero., write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly., write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for., write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone., write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream., write a story that includes the line, "i didn't see that one coming.", write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path., write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well., write a story with a big twist., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .  

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

• How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
• Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
• Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

• NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
• Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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75 Of The Best Fiction Writing Prompts For All Writers

What separates the casual fiction writer from the professional one is the commitment to daily writing. But sometimes it’s more of a challenge to get the words flowing.

If nothing triggered you today, and if your mind is playing hopscotch with ideas, fiction writing prompts can get you past the brain block into full writing mode.

The following lists are fiction writing prompts for adults and realistic fiction writing prompts, and while there’s nothing NSFW ahead, the fiction writing ideas are best suited to books written for mature readers.

Here’s how to use these writing prompts:

• Choose a prompt that inspires you to write.
• Feel free to alter the writing idea to suit your creative writing needs.
• View the prompt as an idea to kickstart your writing .
• Begin writing and allow your ideas to flow and lead your writing wherever it might go.
• Write as little or as much as you wish to prime your imaginative juices.
• Don’t judge or critique what you’ve written — just enjoy the process.
• Once you’ve completed the novel prompt writing, move on to your book writing , or use the prompt writing as part of a book you might decide to write.

75 Fiction Writing Prompts and Realistic Fiction Writing Prompts

Try one of these 75 fiction writing prompts to improve your creative writing . Some of these are realistic fiction writing prompts, while others have a more fantasy or mystery bent to them.

Choose the prompt that most inspires you, and start writing!

1. This superhero lives on the streets. While the people she saves are safe and warm, she wanders alone, exposed to the elements. She’s asexual, so she’s not looking for a mate, but she wouldn’t mind having someone to watch her back.

2. An unknown spacecraft has sent a rain of unknown elements into the atmosphere, and soon every flower that blooms releases a new, sentient being into the air. And they’re all connected — except for one, whose connection to the hive mind is severed somehow before the opening of his flower. All his fellow, winged warriors have a plan for the people of Earth; he’s the only one looking for a way to save them.

3. He promised me becoming a zombie wouldn’t change him. He had a solution that would preserve his personality and make it possible for him to protect those he loved..

4. A new modern apartment complex is now open, and you’re one of the first to apply for one of its one-bedroom luxury apartments. Less than a week after you move in, tenants start disappearing. Then someone leaves a gift basket at your door….

5. Someone leaves a package with a new, loaded smartphone and a cryptic note in your mailbox. That night, you get a call on that phone, and you answer it. A voice on the other end asks, “Ready to change your life?”

6. You get a chill from something while standing in a grocery store checkout line, and someone cries out and points a finger at you, backing away. “Did anyone else see that?” she asks in a panicky voice, grabbing her baby and heading out the door without her groceries.

7. You left the windows open last night to cool the house after a 90 degree summer day. You wake up to an icy chill and snow blowing in. You soon learn that a catastrophic event has brought on a new ice age. It just so happens you know something that could reverse the freeze before humans become extinct from exposure and starvation.

8. You love how you get when a creative idea takes hold of you, but your loved ones do not. In fact, one by one, they write you off, though you can’t remember why. Then, one evening, the unthinkable happens, and your latest creative idea takes on a life of its own.

9. Your friend just committed suicide, and soon after the funeral, the letters start coming, sent by someone who knew your friend and who (apparently) knows where you live. This someone blames you for your friend’s death, and she won’t stop until you pay for it.

10. Your best friend is suffering from a life-threatening allergic reaction, and there’s no epi pen. As his airways swell shut and his heart stops, there’s no one around to help, and you scream in desperation. That’s when you hear a sound in your own voice that you’ve never heard before. Seconds later, your friend gasps and scrambles to his feet, all signs of swelling gone.

11. Your fiance’s family has staged an intervention to bully you into changing your beliefs and teaching your children to embrace their way of life — and your fiance says nothing in your defense.

12. Your supermodel-thin friend barely survives a terrible car accident, but it changes her. The happy-go-lucky girl with the racecar metabolism and the hot boyfriend has morphed into a moody but more empathetic girl who quickly grows out of her wardrobe and becomes the target of cruel jokes.

13. A predatory classmate ends up dead in your backyard just hours after making unwanted advances to you in the school library. Part of him is missing.

14. Write a story from the point of view of the villain, but don’t reveal the narrator as the villain until the end.

Related: 15 Tips To Help You Write Better And Attract More Readers

15. On Valentine’s Day (which you never celebrate), you receive a surprise anonymous package with a box of licorice all-sorts. The slogan on the side of the box reads, “Everyone is somebody’s favorite.” The last person who called you his favorite died a year ago.

16. You go to sleep one night in an immaculate, luxury apartment and wake up in a small, dingy loft apartment that is full of stacks of newspapers and magazines, elaborately arranged to form the walls of a labyrinth.

17. You’re given the chance to go back in time to save the life of your best friend, but the price is a mission only you can carry out as the doppelganger of a mass murderer’s close confidant. Your mission is to make sure he takes a trip that will lead him into a trap.

18. You write a novel with a main character who has telepathic abilities. You start having dreams about this character, who wants you all to himself. His first token of affection is to punish your neighbor, who has openly criticized your book.

19. Your quirky, potty-mouthed Aunt Em has come to live with you, and the first thing she does is rearrange the kitchen and claim the role of chef and home renovator. You’re fine with it until she hires an assistant, who just happens to be the apartment manager’s recently fired son.

20. You inherit a house from an uncle but decide to rent it out rather than living in it. After interviewing several applicants, you agree to rent it to two brothers…

21. For as long as you can remember, every time you feel panicked, you’ve found yourself quietly singing “Jingle Bells.” You’re about to find out why, and it will change everything.

22. A homeless man is attacked in your neighborhood and sustains a serious head injury. You get him to the hospital, and they save his life, but upon his discharge from the hospital, he starts making money more quickly than you thought was even possible.

23. A stray animal shows up at your door — no tags or anything — and after feeding it, you decide to adopt it. That night, when a stranger comes to your door, you find out the animal is not what it appears to be.

24. You start taking a new dietary supplement you learned about from a late-night commercial, and it does everything it promised — and more.

25. You’re on your way home after work, and you see a strange light up ahead. You get closer, and you see what looks like a black hole about to swallow up your apartment complex. You look up to see your roommate on the balcony taking pictures of it.

26. You go to sleep alone and wake up very pregnant. After checking the calendar and vomiting a few times, you call in sick and schedule an appointment for an ultrasound. Then your boyfriend shows up.

27. A strange plant appears in your window planter, and when its solitary bloom opens, impossible things start happening.

28. You wake up a different gender but with similar facial features.

29. You visit your estranged father and learn some things about him that change the way you see yourself — and everyone else. Turns out, he keeps a low profile for a reason.

30. Your kid starts manifesting a strange, new ability (or no longer hiding it from you), and you know it’s just a matter of time before he attracts unwanted attention. And you’re afraid of what he can do to protect you both — and how it could change him.

31. You’ve always had freakishly good night vision, but with that comes an extreme sensitivity to light. You live like a mole, working overnight shifts and keeping the windows of your apartment covered in blackout curtains. You’ve even disabled the light switches. So, when a thief breaks in, you make him regret it. And it starts something.

32. Your eyes are brown with flecks of green that intensify when you get a sudden chill or come close to remembering something that changed you as a child. Someone notices the intense green in your eyes one day and calls you a freak. He looks familiar.

33. You discover an ability that puts you (more) at odds with your in-laws, and you learn of their plan to get your husband to divorce you and get full custody of your two children.

34. You sign up for a wine delivery service, and while the cases are always left at your door, things start changing in your house. Though you never drink to excess, you start losing chunks of time. And the wine is better than anything you’ve ever tasted.

35. You come home one day and find someone else living there who swears she’s lived there for years. When you look for proof that she’s lying, you find proof to the contrary.

36. You’re making your usual breakfast when you suddenly find you can’t stomach the thought of eating it. When you put a name to your new craving, it scares you. But it won’t go away.

Related: How to Outline A Nonfiction Book

37. You find a ring while walking in the park. The stones aren’t diamonds, and you at first suspect it’s a piece of junk jewelry from the previous night’s Halloween revels. But you like it enough to keep it. No one is more surprised than you when it saves your life.

38. An unknown relative shows up and tells you something you didn’t know about your mother’s family history — and the power that went with it.

39. You’ve started your NaNoWriMo project, and it’s off to a decent start. But when you open the file the next day, you see much more written for it, and the writing is terrible. Then you see that the story is still developing, and while the writing makes your head hurt, the story is drawing you in. Literally.

40. You go to your closet to get a change of clothes for the day before taking a shower, and you find a huge selection of designer clothes (tags still attached) that weren’t there before.

41. You sign up for a class at a local gym, and when you meet the instructor, she seems familiar — and not in a good way.

42. Your kid takes home a Chromebook from school, and one evening you see him staring at the screen, looking entranced. He takes a sudden interest in keeping his room immaculate and volunteering as a member of a new political candidate’s campaign staff.

43. You’ve just given birth to a surprisingly healthy baby two months before the due date, but your husband has inexplicably abandoned you both, and a generous stranger has learned of your situation and offered to help you out and fill the void.

44. Your mother shows up at your door asking for help. Something has taken residence at her home, and she doesn’t feel safe there anymore. You visit the house on your own, and find someone living there who asks, “Where did Mom go?”

45. You finally find a responsible roommate to share the cost of a new luxury apartment. The problem? He knows everything about you — and there’s no reason why he should.

46. You don’t remember the last time you slept for longer than an hour at a time, and you see things others don’t. The things you see that others don’t are causing accidents, and when you try to prevent one, you end up getting blamed for it.

47. Your 12-year-old daughter goes to use the bathroom at the hospital while you’re both visiting her older sister. When she comes back, she seems visibly unsettled, but that gives way to an eery calm and unshakable confidence that her sister will make a full recovery.

48. After experiencing your first nighttime paralysis, you start to see changes in your body. Soon, those changes will be impossible to hide, and a new acquaintance surprises you by making accurate guesses about what you’ve been going through.

49. When you’re about to kill a spider, your kid stops you, catches it, and runs outside to free it. You think maybe killing the non-native spider would have been kinder than putting it outside in the frost-covered grass, but your kid knows something you don’t.

50. It’s Halloween, and your neighbor dresses up as the president and tries to repair his reputation by volunteering at a homeless shelter. Unfortunately, the costume takes over, and he starts firing the other volunteers, one of whom decides to give their homeless guests a Halloween spectacle they won’t forget.

51. Your routine doctor appointment takes a sinister turn when your doc tells you he could put you higher on the waiting list for a liver transplant if you’d pay his ex a visit and help him set a trap for her.

52. Your new smartphone is so much faster than your old one — much faster than you expected from a discounted return. Then you start getting messages made up of symbols you don’t recognize. They resemble hieroglyphs.

53. You’re a high schooler, and today’s lunch is unexpectedly delicious — so delicious that you go back for the seconds. Someone in the kitchen is watching and writing in a notebook.

54. You’re constantly attracting unwanted attention, and you meet someone who knows why. It’s not just your looks that make you unignorable. You’re actually sending out a signal that those around you can’t help responding to. Your new acquaintance offers to train you, so you’ll make better use of your power.

55. You’re sick to death of the clutter in your house, and through a magazine ad, you meet someone who says he can give you the power to instantly transform any room to match a picture you can see in front of you or in your mind’s eye. The only price is one minute of memory from each day.

56. You win a two-week vacation in a real castle (somewhere overseas) with airfare, transportation, and meals, included — along with other surprises. One of them wants to make sure you never leave.

57. You move into a house that has a treehouse out back in one of the tallest, oldest trees. You don’t know until you explore it that the treehouse changes to better suit its occupant. The tree and its house have accepted you. But what does it expect of you?

58. You find an abandoned cabin that is perfect for use as a writer’s getaway, and after some preparations, you settle in for a two-week’ reprieve from city life. The animals aren’t as shy as you expect them to be, though, and they seem to know something about the cabin that you don’t.

59. Your car goes over the edge and down a steep hill. All you remember is the flash of light and the sound of glass breaking before you open your eyes. You check your kids, but none of them answer, and your phone, which had half a charge just minutes ago, is completely dead and unresponsive.

60. You’re shopping for a new computer, and you find one on eBay that the owner says was a gift that he used only briefly before he upgraded to a MacBook. You buy it and revel in its blinding speed and special features. It wakes you that night with a loud beep and prompts you with a single sentence on the screen, “Will you play with me?”

61. Chocolate and wine have gotten you through many a break-up, but this one is harder than most. You wonder why, and a gift from this SO stares you in the face, reminding you of how different your relationship was from those you’ve had with others..

62. Your neighbor has ordered furniture for you from IKEA, and you’re not sure how to deal with it. You love the couch, but you don’t have the budget for it, and you barely know your new neighbor, who seems to have unlimited funds but spends it unpredictably.

63. One of your aunts has died leaving you her pet ______, who helps you cut the toxic people out of your life by scaring them away. One of the few visitors this pet will tolerate is someone you’ve barely noticed but who intuitively knows about and anonymously meets the needs of others in the apartment building.

64. You go fishing in the lake behind your house, and when your hook catches on something, you pull it up. It turns out to be the body of a murder victim, and when the lake is further searched, other bodies are found. Twelve other houses surround the lake, and the police suspect you as much as any of the other residents.

65. You’re renovating your basement and remove a wall that was put in place by one of the previous owners. Behind it is a garbage bag full of cash, and when you examine it, you find it to be genuine.

66. Your spouse tells other Catholics that he knew you were the one when he found out your confirmation saint was the same saint he prayed to for a good Catholic wife. Meanwhile, you’re questioning beliefs you used to take for granted.

67. You wake up to the burglar alarm, and before you can see who has broken in, someone puts a pillowcase over your head and forces you up and out the door.

68. You get a job at your favorite coffee shop, and you meet some local authors, one of whom learns of your book and invites you to their group. They meet in what used to be the living room of a house rumored to be haunted.

69. You can barely make out how many fingers you’re holding up until an elderly neighbor with perfect eyesight shares a secret with you. But there’s a price to pay.

70. You go to sleep listening to static on your radio, which can’t pick up any AM stations. You find out one night, when your bladder wakes you up, that it’s picking up something other than static.

71. You bid on and win an old record player and record collection at an auction. You don’t expect the music to affect you as profoundly as it does and your family thinks you’re just trying to make up for the amount you spent on it. You’re not.

72. You get new glasses at the new eye clinic in town, and they allow you to see better than ever. In fact, when you want to, you can see minute detail from a great distance and microscopic detail up close. This is how you find out your sister’s mole is a malignant melanoma. You also avoid being poisoned by a spiteful coworker. Your fascination with frogs and your large collection of them has made close relationships a challenge.

73. You listen to an audio file designed to make you more creative, and you go into a trance and write a book that people the world over can’t get enough of. Then a visitor asks you if you listened to the entire recording. When you admit to having stopped the recording before it was finished, the visitor smiles in relief and tells you not to listen to the end and to delete the file.

74. When a favorite aunt dies, you inherit a bookstore with an apartment on the upper floor. You look at the finances and realize you have to let go of one of your three employees.

75. You check out a house you like and find moths in every room. The realtor tells you it shouldn’t be a problem to get rid of them but that the house is completely free of other pests — including spiders (which are a huge problem in the area). You buy the house.

Did you enjoy these realistic fiction writing prompts?

Keep this list handy whenever you need a writing prompt to unlock your creativity and kickstart your daily writing.

In fact, you may find ideas for several novels or stories that you can write down the road. Take one of these ideas and begin to flesh out an outline and characters for your story. Let your imagination take you on a journey that may lead to your bestselling book!

1 thought on “75 Of The Best Fiction Writing Prompts For All Writers”

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How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

Other questions about citing ChatGPT

You may have noticed the confidence with which ChatGPT described the ideas of brain lateralization and how the brain operates, without citing any sources. I asked for a list of sources to support those claims and ChatGPT provided five references—four of which I was able to find online. The fifth does not seem to be a real article; the digital object identifier given for that reference belongs to a different article, and I was not able to find any article with the authors, date, title, and source details that ChatGPT provided. Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, as applicable, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.

We’ve also received a number of other questions about ChatGPT. Should students be allowed to use it? What guidelines should instructors create for students using AI? Does using AI-generated text constitute plagiarism? Should authors who use ChatGPT credit ChatGPT or OpenAI in their byline? What are the copyright implications ?

On these questions, researchers, editors, instructors, and others are actively debating and creating parameters and guidelines. Many of you have sent us feedback, and we encourage you to continue to do so in the comments below. We will also study the policies and procedures being established by instructors, publishers, and academic institutions, with a goal of creating guidelines that reflect the many real-world applications of AI-generated text.

For questions about manuscript byline credit, plagiarism, and related ChatGPT and AI topics, the APA Style team is seeking the recommendations of APA Journals editors. APA Style guidelines based on those recommendations will be posted on this blog and on the APA Style site later this year.

Update: APA Journals has published policies on the use of generative AI in scholarly materials .

We, the APA Style team humans, appreciate your patience as we navigate these unique challenges and new ways of thinking about how authors, researchers, and students learn, write, and work with new technologies.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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