If you’re staring at a blank page, wondering where to start, you’re not alone. Every writer needs a little spark sometimes—and that’s exactly where short story prompts come in. Whether you're writing a heartfelt romance, a chilling horror story, or an epic fantasy adventure, a simple prompt can ignite a full-fledged story idea.
Below, I’ve gathered 50 creative short story prompts, divided into genres, to help you find your next great idea. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Romance Prompts
- Two strangers meet after accidentally swapping identical suitcases at an airport.
- A professional matchmaker falls in love with one of their clients.
- Childhood best friends reunite at a wedding—only they’re each dating someone else.
- A love letter from decades ago is found inside a second-hand book.
- A barista and a regular customer exchange daily notes on coffee cups.
Horror Prompts
- A lost hiker finds an abandoned town that’s too perfectly preserved.
- Every mirror in a small town starts showing a different, darker reflection.
- A child’s imaginary friend starts leaving physical gifts around the house.
- You inherit a beautiful old house, with the condition that you never open the basement door.
- Your reflection starts moving slightly out of sync with you.
Fantasy Prompts
- A forbidden forest grants a single wish—but always with a terrible price.
- Every star in the sky represents a living soul—and tonight, they're falling.
- A potion master discovers a secret ingredient that grants immortality.
- A kingdom where dragons choose the next ruler through a secret test.
- The world’s last witch must hide her magic in a city that outlaws sorcery.
Sci-Fi Prompts
- Humanity’s first message from an alien race is only two words: “Don’t come.”
- A future where memories are traded like currency—and someone just bought yours.
- A hacker stumbles upon an AI that claims it can predict death.
- Time travelers accidentally erase their existence—and must fix it before they vanish completely.
- On a distant planet, humans and aliens must collaborate to survive a deadly storm.
Mystery/Thriller Prompts
- A detective receives anonymous tips about crimes that haven’t happened yet.
- A locked-room murder—except no one can find the murder weapon.
- A woman wakes up with a wedding ring, a husband she doesn’t recognize, and no memory of the last year.
- A priceless painting goes missing during a blackout at a museum gala.
- An amateur sleuth realizes their latest case mirrors their hidden past.
Historical Fiction Prompts
- A servant uncovers a plot to assassinate a famous monarch.
- During WWII, two enemies from opposite sides secretly work together to save a family.
- A pirate crew discovers a map that leads not to treasure, but to a lost civilization.
- A young inventor presents a machine that changes history—too soon.
- In a Victorian manor, a governess holds a dangerous secret about the family she works for.
Dystopian Prompts
- In a world where speaking above a whisper is illegal, a rebellion begins.
- Citizens must "earn" their emotions through acts of loyalty to the regime.
- After a global blackout, the world’s remaining technology becomes a new kind of currency.
- In a divided city, crossing the wrong border costs you your identity.
- Scientists discover a death cure—but only the rich can afford it.
Contemporary/Drama Prompts
- A struggling artist becomes famous overnight—but someone else is claiming credit.
- A friendship falls apart after one of them wins the lottery.
- An overworked CEO decides to walk away from their life, starting over in a small town.
- A teenager uncovers the truth about a family secret buried for decades.
- An old rival challenges you to one final competition—with unexpected consequences.
Adventure Prompts
- A treasure map is found tucked inside an old violin case.
- A group of friends sets out to complete a "bucket list" left behind by a missing loved one.
- After a freak storm, an island appears on the maps that wasn’t there before.
- An ancient compass points not north, but to a hidden place no one believes exists.
- A dare leads to an expedition into a legendary, supposedly haunted canyon.
Lighthearted/Funny Prompts
- A talking cat hires you to solve the mystery of its missing owner.
- You wake up to find you’ve been accidentally registered for the "Intergalactic Bake-Off."
- A group of pets forms a secret detective agency.
- A cursed object doesn’t bring bad luck—it just causes hilarious chaos.
- You swap lives with your sibling for a day, and realize they’re secretly famous.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to dive into a new story or just flex your creative muscles, story prompts are a fun, low-pressure way to spark ideas. Use them exactly as they are, or twist them into something new and unexpected—that’s the magic of storytelling!
If you enjoyed these prompts, bookmark this page and come back whenever you need a fresh dose of inspiration.
Happy writing!
