Fantasy Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Imagination

Need a spark to ignite your next fantasy story? Whether you’re a new author or a seasoned wordsmith looking for a boost, you’re in the right place. These fantasy writing prompts will transport you to magical kingdoms, dark forests, mystical cities and everywhere in between. From epic fantasy quests to quirky, cozy fantasy scenes we’ve got a treasure trove of ideas to get your imagination going and your pen moving.

Below, you’ll find themed sections filled with fantasy fiction writing prompts designed to help you conquer writer’s block and start writing your next great fantasy story. You’ll also discover internal links to expand your knowledge on everything from story structure to fantasy tropes, plus real examples to help you dive deeper into your magical world.

What is a Writing Prompt? 

A writing prompt is a simple idea, phrase, question, or scenario designed to inspire your imagination and get your words flowing. Think of it as a gentle nudge or a spark that helps you overcome the blank page and start telling a story. Whether it is a new fantasy plot idea, a dark fantasy prompt or adding a fantasy element like mythical creatures or more of a supernatural element, these fantasy story ideas are just that. Ideas. They help your world begin to take shape, develop your main character or just get you in the mood for creating.

Prompts come in all shapes and sizes. They might describe a character, a setting, a conflict, or even just a mood. For example, a prompt could be as straightforward as “A young mage discovers a hidden door in their school” or as mysterious as “The full moon reveals a secret no one should know.”

Using prompts is like playing a game with your creativity. They don’t tell you what to write, but they open doors to countless possibilities. You can take a prompt and run with it in any direction you choose. There’s no right or wrong way to respond.

For writers of all levels, prompts can be invaluable. They jumpstart new stories, help break through writer’s block, and provide a fun way to practise your craft. Best of all, they remind you that every story starts somewhere.

Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts

Dark fantasy blends elements of horror with classic fantasy tropes. This genre thrives on moral ambiguity, cursed objects, doomed characters, and eerie atmospheres. Think sinister sorcery, corrupted kingdoms, and shadows that move of their own will. It’s perfect for writers who want to explore the grimmer, more gothic sides of fantasy.

Let your characters face inner demons as much as external ones. And don’t be afraid of tragic endings. It’s not about the happy ever after. It’s about the journey into darkness.

• A scholar discovers a book written in human blood… and it responds to their touch.
• A cursed village experiences a full moon every night. No one has aged in 300 years.
• The ghosts of a battlefield rise each dusk to relive their final fight. But tonight, one soldier doesn’t follow the script.
• A bounty hunter tracks a vampire queen, only to realise he’s her son in a past life.
• A tattoo artist etches magical symbols that trap demons, until one escapes into her mind.

Explore more: Dissecting Epic Fantasy Tropes: Classic to Modern

Fantasy Romance Writing Prompts

Perfect for stories where sparks fly between magical beings or star-crossed lovers, these prompts blend enchantment and emotion.

This is where magic meets the heart. Fantasy romance stories combine emotional stakes with world-shaking events. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers from rival kingdoms or a mage falling for a cursed knight, fantasy romance gives you the freedom to explore deep relationships in fantastical settings.

Let the romance develop alongside the fantasy plot. Use magical elements to enhance the romance rather than distract from it. And remember, good romance stems from emotional depth, not just sparks and kisses. Flesh out both characters and let their relationship evolve organically.

• A young girl discovers her soulmate is a dragon disguised as her history teacher.
• In a magical kingdom, a knight is cursed to fall in love with the first person they fight.
• A Viking warrior awakens in modern-day London and falls for the reincarnation of his past love.
• A witch and a demon fall for each other while battling over a magical artifact.
• An elf and a vampire must fake a marriage to unite their warring clans… but real feelings begin to stir.

High Fantasy Writing Prompts

High fantasy takes place in entirely fictional worlds with complex systems of magic, politics, and mythology. Think of vast continents, multiple races and languages, and epic quests. If you enjoy large-scale worldbuilding and heroic journeys, this genre is your playground.

Start with your world before diving into the plot. What rules govern magic? What power structures are in place? Avoid info-dumping. Instead, reveal your world gradually through the eyes of your characters. And most importantly, create stakes that feel personal to your characters, even when the fate of the world is on the line.

• A farm boy inherits a sword that whispers ancient truths and lies.
• A magical realm is ruled by a council of animals. The fox representative goes missing.
• A young woman trains in secret to challenge the sorcerer-king who killed her family.
• The stars are fading from the sky. Only the last astrologer knows why.
• A gentle giant guards the last magical library in the world.

Urban Fantasy Writing Prompts

Urban fantasy brings magic into the modern world. Imagine supernatural beings hiding in city alleyways, ancient spells disguised as smartphone apps, or secret organisations protecting humans from magical threats. It’s gritty, fast-paced, and full of potential.

Anchor your fantasy in real-world locations to keep the reader grounded. Use relatable details, public transport, fast food chains, apartment buildings… but give them a magical twist. Let your protagonist juggle ordinary life (school, work, rent) with their supernatural responsibilities.

• A barista discovers each customer’s coffee and reveals their deepest secret.
• A teenage girl gets magically transferred into a video game created by her father.
• A full moon turns commuters into werewolves. Only the bus driver knows how to keep them calm.
• A tattoo artist discovers their ink gives people magical abilities, but at a cost.
• A high school student finds out their school is secretly training supernatural bounty hunters.

Cozy Fantasy Writing Prompts

Soft, warm, and uplifting, these prompts focus on character-driven tales, found families, and magical joy. Cozy fantasy offers a gentler, more wholesome approach to the genre. Think enchanted tea shops, talking animals, and magical adventures where kindness wins the day. It’s all about comfort, charm, and slow-burn stories.

Tone and pacing are everything. Keep conflict minimal and stakes personal rather than world-ending. Focus on friendships, community, and small wins. Create warm, welcoming settings that readers want to escape into.

• A magical bakery delivers pastries that let people relive their happiest memories.
• A fairy godparent retires to a sleepy coastal village… but trouble follows.
• A talking cat starts a book club and changes the village one story at a time.
• A potion brewer’s tea stall becomes the centre of village gossip and transformation.
• A grumpy wizard is adopted by a group of orphans who teach him the value of kindness.

Fantasy Writing Prompts for Kids

Fantasy stories for children should be imaginative, playful, and age-appropriate. Magical creatures, silly spells, and brave young heroes are a great place to start. It’s also a great genre to introduce themes of friendship, courage, and kindness.

Whimsical, imaginative, and fun, these prompts are great for younger writers or family-friendly storytelling.

• A young girl finds a doorway in her treehouse that leads to a land ruled by stuffed animals.
• A group of kids discover their pet goldfish is a prince under a spell.
• A magical theme park ride actually takes you into another world, and you must complete a quest to return.
• A dragon with stage fright wants to be in the school play.
• A magical library lets kids jump into any book they read.
• A modern twist on your favourite fairy tale story.

Medieval Fantasy Writing Prompts

Medieval fantasy is grounded in a world of castles, knights, dragons, and old magic. It often draws from real historical periods but with the added twist of sorcery and mythical beasts. Set in medieval England or similar inspired settings, these prompts are perfect for knights, castles, and ancient prophecy.

Do a little research into medieval customs, weaponry, and daily life to make your setting more authentic. But don’t feel constrained by history. Bend the rules where it serves your story. Layer in folklore, religion, and superstition to make your world feel lived-in and textured.

• A squire must protect a magical artifact after the royal court is attacked.
• A princess is raised by wolves in the woods, unaware of her royal bloodline.
• An evil sorcerer tricks a monk into awakening a dark force beneath the castle.
• A knight is haunted by the ghost of a dragon he once spared.
• A historian uncovers the truth behind King Arthur’s disappearance… and it involves time travel.

Epic Fantasy Writing Prompts

Epiand ordinary people become heroes. Stories often span generations or continents, with complex politics and magic interwoven throughout.

Make your characters relatable even if the plot is grand. And give your story room to breathe. Let the subplots, cultures, and languages evolve naturally over time. No one wants an introduction filled with information dumping. 

These prompts are built for grand adventures, sweeping landscapes, and fate-of-the-world stakes.

• A magical storm wipes memory from the land every seven years. One woman remembers everything.
• A warrior discovers their sword contains the soul of a dead god.
• The moon has shattered, and each piece grants a different magical power.
• Deceased soldiers rise to build a wall around the last magical kingdom.
• A forbidden love between two immortals sparks a war that will shape the next age.

Magic Fantasy Writing Prompts

This subgenre focuses on the wonder and consequences of magic. From ancient spellbooks to wild elemental powers, the magic itself often drives the plot or defines the world.

Create rules for your magic system. What does it cost? Who can use it? How is it learned or passed on? A consistent and unique system makes your world feel real. Avoid making magic a “get out of jail free card”. It should create as many problems as it solves.

When you want to focus on magical creatures, powers, and fantastical systems.

• Bottled emotions are the latest magical craze. A thief steals the wrong one.
• A magic system powered by music is beginning to fall silent.
• A magician uses mirrors to trap pieces of people’s souls.
• A magical castle grows new rooms depending on the visitor’s mood.
• A child discovers a map hidden in her dreams that leads to a realm of magical beings.

Fun Fantasy Writing Prompts

Not all fantasy has to be serious. Injecting humour, satire, or whimsy can give your story a refreshing twist. Fun fantasy is perfect for surprising readers, breaking conventions, and simply enjoying the ride.

Let your imagination go wild. Flip a trope on its head or invent a ridiculous creature (a unicorn who’s allergic to glitter?). Keep the pacing light and the tone cheeky. Humor doesn’t mean shallow, it still needs a good structure. 

Whimsical, light-hearted, and often with a twist, these prompts are perfect when you want to just enjoy the ride.

• A kingdom holds an annual contest where the best joke wins the crown.
• A magical creature impersonates a royal chef, but knows nothing about cooking.
• A group of friends accidentally summon a dragon while playing charades.
• A library’s books come to life after dark, and the characters throw wild parties.
• A clumsy apprentice keeps turning his master into different animals… by mistake.

Randomised Russian Roulette Round of Prompts

If you’re looking for a playful and thrilling way to challenge your creativity, try a randomised Russian roulette round of prompts. Here’s how it works: write down a handful of your favourite prompts on slips of paper, fold them up, and place them in a jar or hat. Then, without looking, pull one out and start writing immediately!

The unpredictability forces you to jump into something unexpected, which can push your imagination in surprising directions. It breaks routines and prevents overthinking. Sometimes, the most unusual prompt can spark your best story yet.

Tips: 

• Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and write nonstop from the prompt you draw.
• Pull two prompts and combine them into one wild story idea.
• Fill your jar with prompts from a specific subgenre like dark fantasy or urban fantasy to explore new territory.
• Play with a friend or a writing group. Everyone can pick a prompt and then share their results. 

Don’t worry about getting it “right” on the first try. The goal is to spark ideas, not to produce perfect prose immediately. Let your creativity flow freely, and you’ll be surprised where it takes you. Give the randomised prompt roulette a go and watch your writing world expand with fresh energy!Want some more inspiration? Check out works by some of the top fantasy authors and learn from the best in the genre.c fantasy thrives on scope and scale. It’s where destinies collide, kingdoms rise and fall, 

How to Use These Prompts Effectively

Prompts are a starting point, not a set of instructions. Use them to:

• Start a short story
• Inspire a character backstory
• Explore a side plot in your novel
• Overcome writer’s block
• Warm up before your main writing session

Try freewriting for 10 minutes with a prompt and see where it leads. No pressure. No editing. Just creativity in motion.

Think of prompts like stretches before a run. Spend 10 minutes freewriting from a prompt without worrying about grammar or structure. This “creative warm-up” loosens your mind and builds momentum for more focused writing sessions.

Remember, prompt isn’t an exam question. There’s no right answer. If you feel like you’re being “graded,” it’ll kill the fun. Let yourself play. Use the prompt as a springboard, not a box. If you are writing a prompt about “A loyal knight in a fantasy world” and your story turns into the journey of a lost robot, just go with it. Prompts are not meant to churn out perfect stories.

Prompts encourage you to try characters, settings, situations or exciting ideas you might not have considered. This exploration can lead to fresh story ideas or new directions for your ongoing projects.

Get creative. Get messy. When writing fantasy prompts, it’s often the best place for experimenting. Have you ever written using first person before? What about trying new story structures?

Got writer’s block? When you’re stuck, prompts give you a safe place. You can write scenes, dialogue, or worldbuilding snippets inspired by a prompt, without pressure to finish a polished story right away. Use prompts as a launching pad, not a cage. Start with the idea, then twist or grow it into something uniquely yours.

Sometimes the best stories come from the smallest spark.

Ready to Start Writing? 

With the right prompt, a single spark can become a blazing adventure. Whether you’re crafting a short story, working on your epic fantasy novel, or just trying to break through writer’s block, these fantasy writing prompts are designed to help you start writing with confidence and excitement.

Let your mind wander. Let your pen follow. Somewhere in the mix of magical realms, mysterious artifacts, and mythical beings, your next great fantasy story is waiting to be told.

Prompts aren’t just for new stories. Use them to develop character backstories, write side quests, or brainstorm magical systems. They’re versatile tools that can support every stage of your writing journey.

Why not sit down with your characters and place them in new settings to help get to know them. Try mixing two or more prompts together to create unexpected combinations. What happens if you blend the dark fantasy genre with cozy fantasy? Or place a medieval knight in ancient Egypt? What about a sailor turned siren that lures travelers to their death?

Let your imagination roam. Now all that is left to do is pick up your pen or open a fresh document and start writing.