Whenever I write, if the words don’t flow naturally, it’s so tempting to abandon the project or call it a day. But that’s exactly how books don’t get written—and why finishing them can take far longer than expected. Often, the hardest part isn’t the writing itself; it’s getting started.
Writer’s block. Just a blank page mocking you in silence, all writers have been there. Sometimes we need a little help to get going again, and writing prompts can be and amazing way to go about it. Writing prompts are also fun to use if you just want to look for different plot twists. In the list below are 15 writing prompts to ignite your creativity.
15 Fantasy Writing Prompts to Jumpstart Your Creativity:
1. The Mirror’s Curse:
Every mirror in the kingdom cracks when your character looks into it, revealing a snake watching them from the other side. One day, the snake reaches through the mirror, offering to tell them the truth about their past—for a price.
2. The Song of the Stars:
Every night, the stars hum a melody that only your character can hear. When the song changes into a desperate plea for help, they must journey to the edge of the world to uncover its meaning.
3. The Forgotten Heirloom:
An old family heirloom, long thought to be useless, begins glowing in your character’s hands. It turns out to be the key to awakening a secret power—but unlocking it comes with dangerous consequences.
4. The Library of Memories:
Your character stumbles upon a secret library where books contain memories instead of words. When they find a book containing a memory of their own death, they must figure out who wrote it, overcoming obstacles to have it rewritten.
5. The Whispering Forest:
The trees in a forbidden forest whisper warnings to anyone who dares enter. When your character hears their own name among the whispers, they venture inside, unaware of what is waiting in the shadows.
6. The Seven-Letter Name:
A mysterious stranger appears in the village, unable to remember anything except their name—which changes every seven days. As your character tries to help, they uncover a dangerous secret tied to the stranger’s shifting identity.
7. The Clockwork Heart:
Your character has a clockwork heart that needs to be rewound every 24 hours to keep them alive. When they lose the key to their heart, they must find it before time literally runs out.
8. The Lunar Prophecy:
A prophecy claims the moon will shatter when the chosen one comes of age. On their 18th birthday, your character notices the first cracks forming in the lunar surface.
9. The Vanishing City:
Every 100 years, a city vanishes from the map, taking its inhabitants with it. When your character finds themselves in the city just days before it’s set to disappear, they must decide whether to escape or uncover its secrets.
10. The Ghostly Guide:
A ghost appears before your character, claiming to be their future self. The ghost warns of a catastrophe that only they can prevent—but their future self refuses to tell them how.
11. The Shadow Market:
There’s a hidden marketplace where people trade their shadows for magical items. When your character sells theirs, they discover the true cost of living without one.
12. The River of Time:
A river runs through the kingdom where every drop contains a fragment of time itself. When your character drinks from it, they find themselves trapped in someone else’s past. Will he fight the beast and save himself?
13. The Dragon’s Debt:
Dragons used to rule the skies, but they vanished centuries ago after signing a mysterious treaty with humankind. When your character finds a dragon egg, they realize it’s connected to an ancient debt humans never intended to repay.
14. The Skyship Graveyard:
High above the clouds lies a graveyard of crashed skyships, haunted by the spirits of their crews. Your character is tasked with retrieving a lost artifact from one of the wrecks—but the ghosts aren’t as friendly as they seem.
15. The Forgotten God:
An ancient god awakens, confused and furious that the world no longer remembers their name. Your character must decide whether to help the god regain their place—or ensure they remain forgotten forever.
Writing fantasy isn’t just about crafting epic battles or building elaborate worlds (though those are fun, too). It’s about telling stories that transport readers to places where magic is real, courage matters, and the impossible becomes possible. Hopefully these promts gave you the inspiration needed to jump back into writing. Who knows? Your next great idea might be waiting right there on the other side of that blank page.