Best Short Story Prompts – 200 Prompts to Kickstart Your Best-Seller!

Short Story Prompts help creative individuals like yourself find new ideas to let your creative juices flow.

It provides prompts for various genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller/suspense, literary fiction, historical fiction, adventure, and comedy.

These prompts are simple and straightforward, aimed at sparking creativity and getting writers started on their stories.

Short stories can encompass a wide range of genres, each offering unique styles and themes. The following article lists 200 prompts grouped into most popular creative story telling genres.

Mystery

This genre often tops popularity charts due to its engaging and puzzle-like nature, drawing readers into solving the crime or mystery.

“Mystery” short story prompts focus on enigmatic situations and unsolved puzzles, encouraging writers to delve into intrigue and suspense. They often involve hidden secrets, crimes, or mysterious events, which are key elements in crafting an engaging mystery narrative.

Following are 20 Mystery short story prompts.

1. A detective receives an anonymous letter hinting at the location of a decades-old buried treasure.
2. During a high school reunion, a time capsule reveals a shocking secret about a missing classmate.
3. A famous painting is stolen from a museum, and the security footage is mysteriously erased.
4. An amateur sleuth finds a hidden message in a library book that leads to an unsolved case.
5. A series of cryptic notes are found in old books at different libraries across the city.
6. A ghostwriter for a famous author uncovers clues to a real-life murder in the manuscripts.
7. An ancient map is found in an attic, leading to a forgotten town with a dark past.
8. During a city blackout, a prominent businessman is found dead, and the only witness is blind.
9. A small town’s legend about a hidden treasure turns deadly when treasure hunters arrive.
10. A journalist investigates the mysterious disappearance of a once-famous magician.
11. At a luxury hotel, guests start disappearing, and the staff seems eerily unaffected.
12. A series of strange letters are sent to random people, predicting future events in their lives.
13. An old diary found in a secondhand bookstore details a murder that happened decades ago.
14. A retired detective is haunted by an unsolved case involving a serial killer’s last message.
15. In a quiet suburb, a series of houses receive the same cryptic message on the same night.
16. A woman receives a mysterious inheritance from a relative she never knew existed.
17. An escape room turns into a real-life mystery when one of the clues leads to a hidden room.
18. A series of seemingly unrelated art thefts across the globe have a common, cryptic signature.
19. A tech CEO is blackmailed with information from his past, leading to a complex web of deceit.
20. A family heirloom goes missing during a family reunion, revealing long-held secrets and lies.

These prompts offer a range of scenarios for intriguing and suspenseful mystery stories.

Romance

Always a popular genre, romance stories appeal to a wide audience, focusing on relationships and emotional connections.

“Romance” short story prompts typically revolve around the development of relationships and emotional connections. They often involve scenarios of love, attraction, and the complexities of human interactions, essential for creating heartfelt and engaging romantic stories.

Following are 20 romance short story prompts to inspire your writing:

1. Two best friends realize they have feelings for each other during a road trip.
2. A barista leaves secret love notes in a regular customer’s daily coffee.
3. Opposite neighbors in an apartment building fall in love through window notes.
4. Two chefs compete in a cooking show and sparks fly amidst the heat.
5. A librarian and a book collector clash over a rare book, but find common ground.
6. A photographer falls for a mysterious subject who keeps appearing in their photos.
7. Old high school sweethearts reunite at a mutual friend’s wedding.
8. A journalist interviews a reclusive artist and discovers a shared past.
9. Two people meet in a dream therapy group and share surreal adventures.
10. A love story unfolds through letters found in a secondhand bookstore.
11. A florist starts receiving anonymous, perfectly arranged bouquets at her shop.
12. Strangers mistakenly swap phones at a cafe, leading to an unexpected romance.
13. An architect and a historian team up to save a historic building and find love.
14. A chance encounter at an airport leads to a whirlwind travel romance.
15. A romance blooms when two people join a community garden project.
16. An actor falls for a costume designer while working on a period drama.
17. Two dog owners’ paths keep crossing, leading to a charming romance.
18. A couple decides to reenact their first date after several years of marriage.
19. Two rival bakers fall in love during a prestigious baking competition.
20. A love story between a language tutor and their student, overcoming cultural barriers.

These prompts offer diverse settings and characters to explore the many facets of romantic storytelling.

Science Fiction

With the increasing interest in technology and future possibilities, science fiction has a strong and growing fanbase.

“Science Fiction” short story prompts usually involve futuristic, technological, or extraterrestrial themes. They encourage exploration of advanced science, alternative realities, and speculative ideas, which are crucial for crafting imaginative and thought-provoking science fiction tales.

Following are 20 science fiction short story prompts to inspire your storytelling:

1. A scientist discovers a way to travel through parallel universes, each slightly different from ours.
2. In a future where memories can be bought and sold, a person uncovers a memory that doesn’t belong to them.
3. A colony on Mars faces a unique challenge that could threaten their survival.
4. An AI system gains consciousness and starts questioning its existence and purpose.
5. Earth receives a cryptic message from an unknown alien civilization.
6. In a world where aging has been cured, a young person seeks to experience natural aging.
7. An astronaut stranded on a distant planet discovers ancient alien technology.
8. A time traveler accidentally changes history and struggles to restore the timeline.
9. A city is controlled by a powerful supercomputer, but one resident suspects it’s malfunctioning.
10. A person wakes up in a utopian society but can’t remember how they got there.
11. An underwater research facility uncovers a mysterious and potentially dangerous new species.
12. In a future where dreams can be recorded and watched, a dream architect uncovers a disturbing trend.
13. A group of explorers find a portal to a world that mirrors Earth in the medieval era.
14. A scientist creates a device to communicate with animals, leading to unexpected consequences.
15. A new planet is discovered, but its only city is completely abandoned.
16. Virtual reality becomes indistinguishable from real life, causing existential crises for users.
17. A child born on a spaceship traveling to a distant galaxy questions their destiny.
18. An alien species offers advanced technology in exchange for a place to live on Earth.
19. A world where people can switch bodies leads to identity and ethical crises.
20. An experimental space mission to harness energy from black holes goes awry.

These prompts offer a variety of settings and concepts for creating engaging and thought-provoking science fiction stories.

If you want to create a thought-provoking visual representation of your creative ideas, then check out a list of art prompts for your next project.

Fantasy

Thanks to the success of numerous fantasy series and adaptations, this genre has a significant following, especially among younger readers.

“Fantasy” short story prompts are centered around magical, mythical, or supernatural elements. They often involve fantastical creatures, magical powers, and imagined worlds, providing a foundation for writers to create rich, imaginative fantasy narratives.

Following are 20 fantasy short story prompts for your writing:

1. A mapmaker in a fantasy world discovers a hidden path that alters maps everywhere.
2. A young farmer finds a talking animal that claims to be a cursed prince.
3. In a city where everyone has wings, a wingless girl discovers hidden powers.
4. A forest that changes locations every night is home to an ancient secret.
5. A potion maker accidentally creates a potion that allows them to hear thoughts.
6. A kingdom’s fate depends on the outcome of a magical tournament.
7. A bard can turn stories into reality and must choose their tales wisely.
8. A thief steals a gemstone that controls the elements and must learn to wield it.
9. An apprentice sorcerer discovers a spellbook that writes its own spells.
10. Two rival magical families must unite to battle a common enemy.
11. A magical mirror shows futures that can be changed, leading to chaos.
12. In a land where shadows are alive, a child befriends their shadow.
13. A seafaring adventurer discovers an island that isn’t on any map.
14. A dragon and a human switch bodies due to a spell gone wrong.
15. An ancient library holds books that can transport readers into their stories.
16. A blacksmith crafts a sword that holds the soul of an ancient warrior.
17. A clockmaker in a magical town creates a clock that controls time.
18. A desert nomad finds a genie lamp, but the genie is not what they expect.
19. A witch’s familiar, a cat, sets off on a quest to save its owner.
20. A mystical tree in the village square grants wishes, but at a price.

These prompts explore various elements of fantasy, offering a range of magical and mythical scenarios for creative storytelling.

Horror

Horror maintains a dedicated audience, particularly among those who enjoy the thrill and suspense of being frightened.

“Horror” short story prompts focus on creating fear, suspense, and unease. They often involve supernatural elements, psychological terror, or unsettling scenarios, key for crafting spine-chilling horror tales that grip the reader.

Following are 20 horror short story prompts for your stories:

1. A group of friends staying in a remote cabin find an old book with ominous writings.
2. A newlywed couple moves into a house that locals claim is haunted.
3. An antique mirror reflects a horrifying alternate reality.
4. A night watchman at a museum starts seeing exhibits come to life.
5. A small town is plagued by unexplained disappearances every full moon.
6. An urban explorer finds a hidden room in an abandoned hospital with unsettling contents.
7. A family’s new home contains a basement with a mysterious, locked door.
8. A photographer captures ghostly figures in pictures of abandoned buildings.
9. A series of letters from an anonymous sender detail the recipient’s death.
10. A group of campers encounter a mysterious, fog-covered town that isn’t on any map.
11. A babysitter starts receiving threatening phone calls from inside the house.
12. An old doll found in an attic seems to move on its own.
13. Passengers on a late-night train realize they are not alone.
14. A seaside town is haunted by the ghost of a drowned sailor.
15. An ancient curse haunts a family through generations.
16. A sound technician records a disturbing frequency that affects listener’s behavior.
17. A child’s imaginary friend begins to manifest in terrifying ways.
18. A hiker lost in the woods stumbles upon a strange, isolated community.
19. An old bookshop sells a book that writes itself, based on the reader’s fears.
20. A series of dreams reveal sinister events that start happening in real life.

These prompts offer a variety of chilling scenarios and settings for crafting gripping horror stories.

Thriller/Suspense

Similar to horror, the thrill and fast pace of these stories keep readers engaged, making it a popular genre.

“Thriller/Suspense” short story prompts are designed to build tension and excitement. They often involve danger, high stakes, and fast-paced action, essential for creating gripping thriller narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Following are 20 thriller/suspense short story prompts for your writing:

1. A journalist uncovers a political scandal but starts receiving threats to stay silent.
2. A private investigator’s new case uncannily mirrors their troubled past.
3. A mysterious virus outbreak in a small town conceals a sinister plot.
4. A woman on a solo hiking trip realizes she’s being followed.
5. A series of anonymous texts leads a man into a dangerous conspiracy.
6. A hacker stumbles upon a dark web mystery that becomes too real.
7. An airplane passenger receives a note predicting the flight’s doom.
8. A kidnapping victim tries to send secret messages to the outside world.
9. A bodyguard is tasked with protecting a celebrity with a hidden agenda.
10. An escape room becomes a deadly game for a group of friends.
11. A forensic expert discovers a pattern in seemingly unrelated crimes.
12. A family vacation turns into a nightmare when they encounter a cult.
13. A detective with amnesia must solve a crime linked to their past.
14. A psychologist begins to inhabit the terrifying world of her patient’s hallucinations.
15. A witness protection resident realizes their new identity is compromised.
16. A survival game show contestant discovers the game’s lethal reality.
17. An undercover agent in a criminal organization faces a crisis of conscience.
18. A small-time criminal finds a mysterious device with dangerous capabilities.
19. A scientist’s groundbreaking experiment on fear starts to affect her reality.
20. A heist planned by experienced thieves takes an unexpected, perilous turn.

These prompts offer a mix of intrigue, danger, and suspense, setting the stage for thrilling narrative experiences.

Literary Fiction

While it may not always be ‘popular’ in the commercial sense, literary fiction has a dedicated and steady readership for its depth and artistic quality.

“Literary Fiction” short story prompts are geared towards deep character exploration and emotional complexity. They often involve introspective and societal themes, crucial for crafting literary fiction that delves into the human condition and societal issues.

Following are 20 literary fiction short story prompts:

1. A retired professor reconnects with a former student, revealing long-held secrets.
2. A family gathers for a funeral, unearthing decades of hidden resentments.
3. A couple navigates the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
4. A young artist struggles with the balance between creativity and practicality.
5. An immigrant’s journey to build a life in a new country.
6. A woman reflects on her life choices during a solo trip.
7. Siblings deal with the inheritance of a family home, stirring up old memories.
8. A story of friendship and betrayal set in a small community.
9. An individual’s struggle with identity in a rapidly changing world.
10. A series of letters reveals the life story of an enigmatic aunt.
11. A person confronts their past after returning to their hometown.
12. A narrative exploring the complexities of parent-child relationships.
13. A couple faces the reality of their relationship while trapped in a snowstorm.
14. A young person’s coming-of-age story set against political turmoil.
15. An exploration of love and loss through the seasons of life.
16. A person grappling with the concept of success in a materialistic society.
17. A character’s journey through grief and the path to healing.
18. The story of a friendship that spans different cultural backgrounds.
19. A day in the life of a city, told through multiple perspectives.
20. A narrative exploring the nuances of human connection in a digital age.

These prompts focus on deep character exploration, emotional complexity, and societal reflections characteristic of literary fiction.

Historical Fiction

This genre has a niche but loyal audience, interested in stories woven into the fabric of real historical events and settings.

“Historical Fiction” short story prompts are centered around historical settings and events. They encourage the weaving of fictional narratives within real historical contexts, providing a rich backdrop for stories that bring history to life.

Following are 20 historical fiction short story prompts:

1. A young soldier’s experience in the trenches during World War I.
2. A forbidden romance during the Renaissance between an artist and a noble.
3. A family’s struggle during the Great Depression.
4. The journey of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in the early 1900s.
5. A servant’s perspective on the fall of a great dynasty.
6. A tale of espionage during the Cold War.
7. The construction of a famous landmark and the lives it touched.
8. A story set in the court of a notorious historical figure.
9. A group of rebels planning a revolt against an oppressive regime in ancient times.
10. A personal account of life during the Civil Rights Movement.
11. A woman disguising herself as a man to fight in a historical war.
12. The struggles and triumphs of a pioneer family.
13. A romance set against the backdrop of a historical natural disaster.
14. A story about the discovery and excavation of an ancient archaeological site.
15. The life of a lesser-known historical figure who had a significant impact.
16. A fictionalized account of a famous explorer’s journey.
17. The rise and fall of a powerful family in medieval Europe.
18. A narrative set during the prohibition era in the United States.
19. An individual’s experience during a significant political revolution.
20. A tale of survival and resistance during a historical genocide or persecution.

These prompts provide a broad canvas for exploring different periods and events in history, offering a blend of factual background and creative storytelling.

Adventure

Adventure stories, while not as prevalent as others, still hold a charm for readers interested in exploration and new experiences.

“Adventure” short story prompts focus on exploration, journey, and discovery. They often involve quests, exotic locations, and challenges, key elements for creating captivating and dynamic adventure tales.

Following are 20 adventure short story prompts:

1. A quest to find a legendary lost city in the jungle.
2. A journey across the world to deliver a mysterious artifact.
3. Surviving a shipwreck on an uncharted island.
4. Discovering a hidden world beneath the Earth’s surface.
5. A race to find a treasure before a notorious pirate does.
6. A quest to rescue a kidnapped royal from a formidable fortress.
7. Traversing a dangerous desert to find an ancient oracle.
8. A young explorer’s journey to map uncharted territories.
9. Searching for a mythical creature in a remote mountain range.
10. An expedition into the deep sea to find a sunken civilization.
11. Crossing hostile lands to deliver important news to a king.
12. A time-travel adventure to key historical events.
13. Escaping from a band of thieves in a bustling foreign market.
14. Navigating a series of challenges to prove worthiness for a throne.
15. A daring heist in a heavily guarded museum.
16. Unraveling the mystery of a centuries-old curse in an ancient temple.
17. A journey to find a rare medicinal plant in an exotic locale.
18. Trekking through a war-torn country to find a lost loved one.
19. A race against time to prevent a catastrophic event.
20. A solo adventure to the poles of the Earth.

These prompts offer a range of exciting scenarios for adventurous storytelling.

Comedy

Comedy in short stories, while enjoyable, tends to have a more selective audience compared to other genres.

“Comedy” short story prompts are designed to spark humor and amusement. They often involve quirky situations, comedic misunderstandings, or light-hearted themes, essential for crafting stories that entertain and amuse through laughter and comedy.

Here are 20 comedy short story prompts:

1. A clumsy chef must cook for a prestigious event.
2. A time traveler keeps messing up historical events comically.
3. Two rivals stuck in an elevator on April Fool’s Day.
4. An aspiring detective consistently misinterprets clues hilariously.
5. A ghost tries to haunt a house but fails amusingly.
6. A super-serious scientist accidentally creates a laughing gas.
7. A cat gains the ability to talk, giving snarky commentary.
8. An alien visiting Earth misunderstands human customs humorously.
9. A wizard’s spell goes wrong, leading to comedic situations.
10. A mistaken identity at a costume party leads to chaos.
11. A family camping trip goes hilariously awry.
12. A spy with terrible disguises tries to complete a mission.
13. A magical mishap leads to a town where everyone sings.
14. A treasure hunt with absurdly incorrect maps.
15. A dog blogger accidentally becomes famous and must maintain the facade.
16. A road trip with the world’s worst GPS system.
17. An office prank war escalates to ridiculous levels.
18. A couple tries to outdo each other with surprise parties.
19. A medieval knight is afraid of horses and armor.
20. A reality show contestant who is hilariously unaware of the rules.

These prompts offer a variety of light-hearted and humorous scenarios for crafting comedic stories.

Conclusion

Short story prompts are essential for writers seeking inspiration. They cover a range of genres, from the mysterious twists of detective stories and heartwarming connections in romance to the imaginative realms of science fiction and fantasy, the suspense of thrillers, and the historical narratives.

These prompts serve as a launching pad for creative storytelling, allowing writers to explore human emotion, societal dynamics, adventure, and comedy. They stretch the imagination, challenge creativity, and underscore the power of stories to captivate, enlighten, and entertain.