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BEST DARK WRITING PROMPTS

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

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October country with peter cameron, start your story with a character in despair., write a story titled 'desperate remedies'., write a story about someone participating in a seemingly innocent game that suddenly takes a turn., set your story in a type of prison cell., write a story about someone making a deal with the devil..

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Write a story about someone trying to resist their darker impulses. Whether they succeed or fail is up to you.

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Write a story about a pathological liar.

Start your story with someone receiving a one-star review., set your story on a day when the sun never sets..

• Write a story titled ‘The Locked Door.’

Set your story in a labyrinth that holds a secret.

Start your story with someone being forbidden from doing something., write a story that involves sabotage..

• Set your story during the night shift.

Write about a character who has landed their dream job, only to discover it isn’t quite what they imagined it to be.

• Start or end your story with a house going up in flames.

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The best dark writing prompts

While positive stories can be a great comfort read, we're all drawn in by a little darkness at times. Whether it's a story about blood and gore, or something that's more emotionally driven, a lot of our favorite tales feature something we fear lurking in the shadows. While inspiration for these kinds of moody stories can be found anywhere (what's in that dark corner over there?), sometimes it can be helpful to get a little outside help for your writing ideas.

To help you get started, this is a list of our top ten dark writing prompts:

• Five years ago, you moved away, changed your name, got a new job, and altered your appearance. But they managed to find you anyway.
• It was a hell of a way to die.
• Write a story where one character needs to betray the other, but isn’t sure if they can.
• Write about someone who’s so obsessed with a goal that it leads to the destruction of their closest relationship.
• Your character has made a terrible mistake in his/her life and is living with the consequences, at least a decade later.
• Write a story in which a window is broken or found broken.
• Write about a character who tells a lie which turns out to be true - or a truth which turns out to be a lie.

Want some more help writing a story that will send a chill down your readers' spines? Check out these free resources:

• How to Master the 'Show, Don't Tell' Rule (free course) — To write a dark story full of suspense and mystery, you need to get the atmosphere right. Creating vivid images and describing sensations accurately will allow readers to see through your character's eyes. Use our Show, Don't Tell course to master immersive storytelling, and make your readers feel the fear like they're right there in that dark alley, watching the man walk closer... and closer...
• How to Write a Horror Story: 7 Tips for Writing Horror (blog post) — Our horror writing bible. If your dark story errs on the side of spooky, this post tells you everything you need to know.

Want more help learning how to write a dark short story? Check ou t How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course guiding you through the process of short story writing by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekl y short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list o f writing contests or our directory o f literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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• Writing Prompts

118+ Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts can be the spark that ignites your creative flame, leading you into the shadows of a world filled with mystery , magic , and macabre beauty. For writers eager to delve into realms where light struggles to penetrate, and the sinister and supernatural intertwine, these prompts provide the perfect starting point. From cursed warriors and haunted forests to ancient prophecies and forbidden magic, the following 118+ prompts are designed to inspire tales that linger long after the last page is turned.

Crafting a compelling dark fantasy novel requires more than just an intriguing idea; it demands a careful balance of atmosphere, character depth, and plot complexity. Begin by creating a richly detailed world that feels both familiar and eerie, filled with rules and histories that enhance the story’s dark undertones. Develop characters who are flawed yet relatable, facing inner demons as well as external threats. Finally, weave a plot that steadily builds tension, leading to a climax that is both unexpected and satisfying. With these elements in mind, use the prompts below to conjure stories that will captivate and haunt your readers’ dreams.

118+ Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts

Dive into our collection of 118+ Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts, crafted to inspire your imagination and guide you through the creation of captivating, haunting tales . Each prompt is designed to spark unique story ideas, blending mystery, magic, and darkness.

• In a kingdom where the sun never rises, a cursed prince must navigate through eternal night to break his family’s curse. But the shadows hold secrets that threaten to consume his soul.
• A necromancer raises an army of the dead to reclaim her stolen throne, only to find that the spirits she commands have their own sinister agendas. Will she control the darkness, or will it control her?
• A village sacrifices one child every decade to appease the forest spirits, ensuring a bountiful harvest. When the protagonist’s sister is chosen, they venture into the haunted woods to uncover the truth behind the ancient pact.
• A plague sweeps through a medieval city, turning its victims into monstrous creatures that crave human flesh. Amid the chaos, a lone healer discovers that the cure lies in an ancient, forbidden ritual.
• The king’s most trusted knight returns from a war only to find his homeland transformed into a wasteland of despair. As he searches for the source of this darkness, he confronts a malevolent force that threatens to consume him.
• In a world where dreams and reality merge, a young woman battles nightmarish creatures to save her sleeping brother from an eternal slumber. Each step she takes brings her closer to the truth of her own forgotten past.
• A castle is built atop a dragon’s grave, and its restless spirit begins to haunt the halls, seeking vengeance. The new queen must delve into forbidden magic to protect her people from the dragon’s wrath.
• A blind seer foretells the rise of a dark emperor who will plunge the world into chaos. Desperate to prevent this, a band of rebels seeks out a mythical artefact said to control fate itself.
• In a land ruled by vampires , a young hunter discovers he shares a bloodline with the very creatures he swore to destroy. Torn between two worlds, he must choose a side before a war erupts.
• An abandoned asylum hides a portal to a twisted realm where nightmares come to life. A group of friends enters, only to find that escaping is far more difficult than they imagined.
• A warrior returns from the battlefield with a cursed sword that whispers promises of power. As he succumbs to its dark influence, his loved ones race to break the curse before he loses his humanity.
• A witch’s coven enacts a spell to bring eternal darkness, believing it will grant them ultimate power. When their leader begins to doubt their cause, she must find a way to undo the spell before the world is plunged into an age of night.
• In a dystopian future, a city is ruled by a tyrant who controls the populace through fear and dark magic. A young woman discovers she has the power to wield light and sets out to overthrow him.
• A haunted ship sails the seas, crewed by the spirits of those who died seeking vengeance. When a living crew boards, they must unravel the ship’s curse or join the spectral crew forever.
• A demon offers a dying king a deal: eternal life in exchange for his firstborn child. The king accepts, but years later, his daughter must confront the demon to break her father’s pact.
• A sorceress is imprisoned for her dark arts, but she offers to save the kingdom from a monstrous invasion in exchange for her freedom. The king must decide whether to trust her or face the creatures alone.
• In a forest where time stands still, a knight searches for his lost love who vanished years ago. He soon learns that escaping the forest means confronting the ancient evil that rules it.
• A castle’s walls bleed at night, a sign of a forgotten massacre. A historian seeks to uncover the truth, only to be drawn into a battle between vengeful spirits and the living.
• An alchemist creates a potion to bring his wife back from the dead, but she returns with a hunger for human souls. He must find a way to reverse the spell before she devours the town.
• In a realm where magic is forbidden, a young mage discovers a hidden library of dark spells. As she learns to wield this forbidden power, she must decide whether to use it for good or succumb to its corruption.
• A kingdom is terrorised by a dragon that was once its greatest protector, now driven mad by dark magic. The only hope lies in an ancient prophecy that foretells the rise of a new hero.
• A thief steals a cursed jewel that grants visions of the future but at a terrible cost. Each vision brings them closer to their doom unless they can find a way to break the curse.
• A warrior’s village is destroyed by a shadowy force, leaving him the sole survivor. He sets out on a quest for vengeance, only to discover that the darkness is tied to his own past.
• A scholar finds an ancient book that reveals the existence of a hidden realm of nightmares. As they delve deeper, they risk losing their sanity to the horrors within.
• A town is plagued by a series of disappearances, with children vanishing into the night. A young detective uncovers a sinister plot involving a cult that worships an ancient, dark deity.
• A royal family is cursed to turn into wolves under the full moon, wreaking havoc on their kingdom. The youngest prince seeks a cure, venturing into forbidden lands to find a way to break the curse.
• A forgotten temple holds a dark secret that could bring about the end of the world. A group of adventurers must navigate its deadly traps to prevent an ancient evil from awakening.
• A bard sings songs that can alter reality, but each performance brings him closer to madness. When he learns of a plot to use his power for evil, he must decide whether to continue or silence his voice forever.
• A sorcerer summons a demon to grant him immortality, but the price is his humanity. As he becomes more monstrous, he seeks redemption through a perilous quest.
• A knight is tasked with protecting a kingdom from a looming darkness, but he harbours a secret: he is the darkness incarnate. As his true nature is revealed, he must fight against his own destiny to save those he loves.
• An artist’s paintings come to life, but the creatures he creates are born of his darkest nightmares. He must confront his inner demons before his art destroys him.
• A queen is haunted by the ghost of her murdered sister, who seeks vengeance from beyond the grave. To lay the spirit to rest, she must uncover the true circumstances of her sister’s death.
• A young girl discovers she has the ability to see and speak with ghosts. As she helps them find peace, she uncovers a malevolent spirit intent on dragging her to the underworld.
• In a city where the dead walk among the living, a detective must solve a murder where the victim has come back to life. Each clue leads him deeper into a conspiracy that threatens both realms.
• A powerful artefact grants its bearer the ability to control time, but its use comes at the cost of their soul. A young hero must decide whether to wield this power to save their kingdom or destroy it.
• A haunted library traps its visitors within the pages of cursed books. A scholar must navigate these twisted tales to find a way out before becoming part of the library forever.
• A village elder tells stories of a dark entity that preys on those who wander into the woods at night. When the protagonist’s friend disappears, they venture into the forest to face the entity and uncover its secrets.
• A warrior discovers a hidden land ruled by a tyrant who uses dark magic to maintain control. With the help of a rebel group, he must overthrow the tyrant and restore peace.
• A witch’s familiar betrays her, stealing her powers and leaving her for dead. She must reclaim her magic and exact revenge before the familiar uses it to unleash chaos.
• A knight is cursed to live as a beast until he can find someone who loves him despite his monstrous form. When he meets a maiden with secrets of her own, they must work together to break their respective curses.
• A mage is tasked with guarding a portal to a realm of darkness. When the portal is breached, they must venture into the realm to stop an ancient evil from crossing into the world of the living.
• A cursed mirror shows its viewer their darkest fears, which then manifest in reality. A young woman must confront her deepest nightmares to destroy the mirror and save her town.
• A kingdom’s greatest hero is resurrected to save them from a new threat, but he returns as a twisted version of his former self. The people must decide whether to trust him or find another way to defeat the enemy.
• A sorcerer binds a demon to his will, using its power to conquer his enemies. But as the demon’s influence grows, he realises he may have unleashed a force beyond his control.
• A noble family is haunted by a vengeful spirit that curses their bloodline. The last surviving member seeks a way to lift the curse before it consumes her as well.
• A knight is sent on a quest to retrieve a sacred relic, only to find it guarded by a creature born of nightmares. He must face his deepest fears to claim the relic and save his kingdom.
• A young woman inherits a mansion filled with dark secrets and hidden passageways. As she uncovers the truth about her family’s past, she awakens a malevolent force that threatens to destroy her.
• A warrior’s sword is cursed to bring death to anyone it strikes, friend or foe. He must find a way to lift the curse before it turns him into the very monster he fights against.
• A village is besieged by a plague that turns people into shadowy wraiths. A healer must find the source of the plague and stop it before the entire village is consumed.
• In a land where the dead roam free, a hunter must track down a necromancer who has stolen his soul. Each step takes him closer to the truth of his own undead nature.
• A cursed warrior is bound to protect a haunted castle, unable to leave until he redeems himself. As ghosts of the past return, he must face the sins that bound him to his fate.
• A kingdom is tormented by a malevolent fae queen who steals children in the night. A grieving mother makes a pact with a dark sorcerer to enter the fae realm and rescue her daughter.
• A mysterious plague causes those infected to transform into monstrous beings at night. A healer and a cursed knight join forces to uncover the source of the plague before it consumes the entire kingdom.
• In a forgotten realm, a forgotten god rises, demanding blood sacrifices to regain power. A reluctant hero discovers they are the last descendant of the deity’s ancient enemy.
• A haunted orphanage hides a portal to a nightmare world where fears come to life. A former resident returns to confront the horrors that still haunt the children trapped there.
• An ancient prophecy foretells the return of a dark sorceress who once ruled the world. A young girl discovers she is the sorceress reincarnated, torn between her past life and her current one.
• A fallen angel seeks redemption by hunting down the demons it once commanded. Each battle brings it closer to regaining its lost grace, but also to eternal damnation.
• A kingdom is plagued by an endless winter, cursed by a banished ice witch. A young prince must brave the frozen wastelands to find and defeat her or doom his people to eternal cold.
• A village sacrifices a maiden to a dragon every year, but this time, the chosen one fights back. With the help of an ancient spirit, she plans to end the tradition once and for all.
• A sorcerer summons a creature from the abyss to grant him power, but the creature demands a terrible price. As the sorcerer struggles with his decision, the creature grows more powerful.
• A knight is sworn to protect a princess cursed to bring death to anyone she touches. As they search for a cure, they uncover a plot that could destroy the entire kingdom.
• A library of forbidden books contains spells that can alter reality itself. A scholar who stumbles upon it must decide whether to use the knowledge for good or risk being consumed by it.
• In a land where the sun never sets, shadows gain sentience and begin to rebel. A shadowless warrior must find the source of the rebellion and restore balance.
• A cursed forest traps anyone who enters in a never-ending loop of their worst memories. A group of adventurers must navigate the forest to find a way out before they lose their sanity.
• A dark sorcerer rules a city where magic is forbidden, using fear to maintain control. A young mage discovers her power and leads a rebellion to overthrow the tyrant.
• A ghost ship appears every night, luring sailors to their doom. A young captain must uncover the ship’s secrets to save his crew from eternal damnation.
• A kingdom is terrorized by a werewolf that can only be killed by a weapon forged from moonlight. A blacksmith and a hunter team up to create the weapon and hunt the beast.
• A demon lord offers a hero unlimited power in exchange for his soul. The hero must decide whether to accept the deal or find another way to save his loved ones.
• A forgotten temple holds the key to an ancient evil’s resurrection. A group of adventurers must stop a cult from awakening the dark god and plunging the world into chaos.
• A cursed necklace grants its wearer immense power but slowly drains their life force. A young woman must find a way to remove the necklace before it kills her.
• A haunted forest is home to a witch who can grant any wish but at a terrible price. A desperate man ventures into the forest, willing to pay any cost to save his dying wife.
• In a city where nightmares come to life, a detective must solve a series of murders linked to a dream-eating monster. Each clue leads him deeper into the city’s dark underbelly.
• A kingdom’s most feared warrior is cursed to feel the pain of every life he takes. He must find a way to lift the curse before it drives him to madness.
• A warrior is tasked with retrieving a cursed relic that corrupts anyone who touches it. As he battles its influence, he discovers the relic’s true purpose.
• A haunted castle appears once every century, offering untold riches to those who can survive its trials. A group of treasure hunters enters, unaware of the horrors that await them.
• A kingdom is under siege by an army of the undead, controlled by a vengeful spirit. A young mage must find a way to banish the spirit before the kingdom falls.
• A cursed painting traps the souls of anyone who looks at it. A thief who steals the painting must find a way to free the trapped souls before he becomes one of them.
• A sorcerer creates a golem to protect his village, but the golem begins to develop a will of its own. The sorcerer must destroy his creation before it turns against the villagers.
• A cursed forest grows larger every year, swallowing villages whole. A young druid seeks to uncover the forest’s secrets and stop its spread before it consumes her home.
• A sorceress’s spell goes awry, trapping her in a mirror dimension. She must find a way to escape before the mirror is shattered and she is lost forever.
• A village is plagued by a series of mysterious deaths, each marked by a dark symbol. A young woman discovers she has the power to see the spirits of the victims and must use it to find the killer.
• A dark sorcerer casts a spell that turns a kingdom’s soldiers into mindless puppets. A lone warrior, immune to the spell, must find a way to break the enchantment and save his comrades.
• A cursed book grants its readers immense knowledge but slowly drives them insane. A scholar must find a way to use the knowledge without losing his mind.
• A haunted mansion is said to hold the key to eternal life. A group of explorers enters, but the mansion’s dark secrets threaten to destroy them all.
• A kingdom is terrorised by a vampire lord who can only be killed by a sacred relic. A young priestess and a disgraced knight team up to find the relic and defeat the vampire.
• A sorcerer’s apprentice accidentally unleashes a horde of demons. He must find a way to banish them before they destroy the kingdom.
• A warrior is cursed to relive his greatest failure every night in his dreams. He must find a way to break the curse before it drives him mad.
• A young girl discovers she has the power to control shadows. As she learns to wield this power, she uncovers a dark conspiracy that threatens her world.
• A cursed ring grants its wearer the ability to control others but at the cost of their soul. A thief who steals the ring must decide whether to use its power or find a way to destroy it.
• A kingdom is plagued by a series of unnatural disasters, each foretold by an ancient prophecy. A young mage must decipher the prophecy and stop the disasters before it’s too late.
• A dark sorceress kidnaps a prince, intending to use his blood to summon an ancient demon. A brave princess must rescue him before the ritual is completed.
• A warrior is cursed to feel the pain of every creature he kills. He must find a way to break the curse before it drives him to madness.
• A sorcerer creates a magical construct to serve as his protector, but the construct develops a will of its own. The sorcerer must find a way to destroy his creation before it turns against him.
• A cursed king is trapped in an eternal slumber, and only the blood of a willing sacrifice can wake him. His loyal knight must choose between duty and love as the chosen sacrifice is someone dear to him.
• A dark forest is rumoured to house a portal to another world where nightmares reign. A young warrior ventures in to rescue their sibling, but the forest demands a toll for passage.
• A village elder warns of a coming darkness that will devour all light. A sceptical young mage discovers that the elder’s prophecies are true and must find a way to summon the sun before it’s too late.
• A haunted lighthouse stands on the edge of a treacherous sea, guiding ships to their doom. A sailor lost at sea must brave the haunted lighthouse to find his way home and uncover its dark secrets.
• A demon hunter is cursed with visions of the future, showing the death of everyone he loves. He must decipher the visions to prevent the looming disaster while battling the darkness within himself.
• A princess with a dark secret is haunted by the ghosts of those her family wronged. She must confront her family’s past and make amends to break the cycle of vengeance.
• In a land where the moon never rises, a group of rebels seeks a forgotten spell to restore balance. They must navigate a treacherous path filled with shadow creatures and ancient curses.
• A cursed manuscript writes itself in blood, foretelling the end of the world. A scholar and a reluctant hero team up to stop the prophecy from coming true, but the book’s influence is growing.
• A village is cursed to relive the same nightmarish day repeatedly. A young girl discovers she is the key to breaking the cycle, but doing so means facing the village’s darkest secrets.
• A knight is sworn to protect a queen who can see and control people’s fears. Together, they must fend off an invasion of fear-driven monsters while keeping the queen’s powers in check.
• A young mage finds an ancient staff that corrupts those who wield it. She must resist its dark influence while using its power to stop an impending demonic invasion.
• A cursed crown turns those who wear it into tyrants. A prince must destroy the crown before he succumbs to its power and destroys his kingdom.
• In a world where the dead don’t rest, a gravedigger discovers he can communicate with the spirits. He must use his newfound power to uncover a plot that threatens the living and the dead alike.
• A forest spirit is bound to protect its land, but a dark force corrupts it. A young druid must cleanse the spirit and restore the forest before it spreads its corruption.
• A cursed pendant allows its wearer to see the true nature of people’s souls. A thief who steals it must decide whether to use this power for good or succumb to the darkness it reveals.
• A knight is tasked with retrieving a sacred relic from a haunted crypt. The spirits guarding it reveal his deepest fears, and he must overcome them to complete his mission.
• A sorceress’s tower appears once every century, offering forbidden knowledge. A group of adventurers enters, but each piece of knowledge comes with a dark price.
• A cursed village sacrifices its oldest resident to a dark entity every year. When the protagonist’s grandmother is chosen, they must confront the entity to save her.
• A warrior finds a mirror that shows alternate realities where he made different choices. He must navigate these realities to find the one where he can save his doomed world.
• A kingdom is threatened by a dragon that feeds on despair. A young bard with the power to inspire hope must face the dragon with only his songs as weapons.
• A haunted cathedral is said to house an angelic choir that sings only for the dead. A grieving mother enters to hear her child’s voice once more but uncovers a dark secret about the cathedral’s origin.
• A cursed ring turns its wearer into a beast at night. A prince must find a way to break the curse before he loses his humanity entirely.
• A kingdom is plagued by a disease that turns people into stone. A healer discovers the cure lies in an ancient and dangerous ritual that could cost her life.
• A dark ritual gone wrong opens a portal to a realm of nightmares. A group of unlikely heroes must close the portal before the nightmares escape and consume their world.
• A cursed tapestry shows the future deaths of those who gaze upon it. A weaver’s apprentice accidentally sees his own death and must find a way to change his fate.
• A knight is sent to retrieve a magical flower that blooms in a graveyard only once a century. The spirits guarding it reveal the knight’s past sins, and he must atone to claim the flower.
• A village is haunted by the spirits of children who died in a fire. A young woman with the ability to communicate with the dead must help the spirits find peace before they take their revenge on the living.
• A cursed artefact grants its bearer immense power but drains its life force. A desperate hero must decide whether to use the artefact to save his kingdom or find another way to defeat the looming threat.

Interested in more dark fantasy prompts? Check out our book on Amazon, “1, 000 Fantasy Writing Prompts” by Imagine Forest (Amazon Affiliate Link):

Check out the following posts for more fantasy writing ideas:

• 70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts
• 72+ High Fantasy Writing Prompts
• 62+ Epic Fantasy Writing Prompts
• 78+ Urban Fantasy Writing Prompts
• 110+ Horror Story Ideas

We hope these 118+ Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts have sparked your creativity and inspired you to explore the darker corners of your imagination. Whether you’re crafting a novel, short story, or just brainstorming, these prompts are designed to help you delve into haunting, magical worlds. We’d love to hear how these prompts have influenced your writing journey or any unique ideas they’ve sparked. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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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Dark Writing Prompts That Will Haunt Your Mind

Dark and mysterious stories that push our understanding of the world are some of the most famous books, especially throughout the last decade. Books like  The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Giver,  and  The Handmaid’s Tale  grab hold of our curiosity in how deep society can fall.

Sometimes these stories are so staggering that you wonder how the ideas were thought of. And, for the writer, these dark plots can be just as exciting to write as they are to read.

If you’ve wanted to write a similar story but weren’t sure what to write about, you can use the following prompts to gain some inspiration. And, perhaps, one will lead to a full novel.

I’ve split these dark writing prompts into categories: titles, first sentences, and story ideas.

Dark and Mysterious Writing Prompts

• The Secret Underground
• The Tears That Divide Us
• Everything Fell
• Pieces of Our Hearts
• The Last of Life
• Our Faulty Souls
• Broken Club
• The New Flame
• The Unexplained Bones
• These Strings Hold Me Together
• Fire In Our Hands
• Branded in Coal
• Murders of Our Time
• The Four Tomes
• The Cryptic Footsteps
• Hooded Ghosts
• The Veiled Shadows
• Haunted Blood
• Nightmares in Our Attic
• The Siren’s Sound
• It Blankets My Soul
• Compass to the Underworld
• Gates of Blooming Lies
• A Little Grim
• The Swamp of Lost Souls

First Lines:

• It wasn’t supposed to end like this…
• I apologized and pulled the trigger…
• I opened my eyes and everything was dark…
• Her heart stopped beating, but her eyes blinked open…
• The smell of blood overwhelmed me…
• The screams came from all around me…
• I tried to run, but it pulled me in…
• The fear in my gut grew as the laughing got louder…
• The abandoned mansion called to me…
• After an hour of waiting, I could no longer hear him…
• The truck wouldn’t stop following me…
• Something about their faces sent shivers down my spine…
• The boat came closer, but no one was on it…
• The soft voice came from somewhere inside…
• If it wasn’t us, then who was it…
• We needed more time, but time was up…
• The temperature was rising and there was nowhere to go…
• The hole opened under me, and I fell in…
• Once the gate opened, there was no going back…
• There was no one left when the game was done…
• Everyone had left and I had no one to help now…
• It was the end of everything, and that was only the beginning…
• Monsters were only in stories, but this was real…
• I turned the light on, and what I saw haunted me…
• It was time to sleep, but I knew it’d be back…

Story Ideas

• Write a story that takes place over the last 24 hours of life on earth.
• A flower grants eternal life at the cost of someone else’s life.
• A poet finds that his writing begins to predict the future.
• A cursed map shows a person exactly where they’ll die.
• All mythological creatures begin to be show around the world.
• Desperation sets in as the earth begins to change–making survival impossible–and society begins to collapse.
• A family begins a trip sailing around the world, but runs into an uncharted island.
• Suddenly every lie a person tells ages them five years.

If you enjoyed these dark writing prompts, sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!

Similar Posts You May Find Helpful:

• Visual Writing Prompts to Spark Inspiration
• 50 Free Writing Prompts for Creative Writers
• Writing Prompts for Adults

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Dystopian Writing Prompts: 45 Dark and Edgy Ideas to Get You Started

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 21, 2022

Categories Writing , Inspiration

Do you love writing dark and edgy stories? Are you looking for something to get you started? Then look no further! In this blog post, we will provide 45 dystopian creative writing prompts to help get your creative juices flowing. These prompts are perfect for writers who want to explore a darker side of storytelling. So what are you waiting for? Start writing your short story or novel!

32 Dystopian Writing Prompts

1. What would people be like in a world where the sun never shines, and the moon is always full?

2. In a world where everyone is required to take a monthly government-mandated happiness pill, what would happen if someone decided not to take it?

3. In a world where technology has taken over, and humans are nothing more than slaves to machines, how would the resistance fight back?

4. In a world where the wealthy live in opulent mansions while the poor live in squalor, what would happen if the two classes decided to switch places?

5. In a world with an ongoing war between two factions, what would happen if a neutral third party tried to broker peace?

6. In a world where the government is constant surveillance of its citizens, what would happen if someone found a way to turn off the cameras?

7. In a world where climate change has made it so that there is only one livable city left, how would the citizens react to being told they must build a wall to keep everyone else out?

8. In a world without laws, what would happen if someone proposed that the old laws should be reinstated?

9. In a world where the government uses brainwashing to ensure the loyalty of its citizens, what would happen if a group of rebels tried to break the hold of the brainwashing?

10. In a world with strict guidelines on what can be eaten and what can’t, what would happen if someone decided to break the rules and eat something forbidden?

11. In a world where people are given a choice of being executed or having their memories erased, what would happen if someone chose to die?

12. In a world where the government controls all forms of entertainment, how would people act if someone managed to smuggle in illegal documents?

13. In a world where compulsory beauty is enforced, how would the free thinkers react when they met the people responsible for enforcing the rules?

14. In a world where there is a natural law that states only the strong can rule, what would happen if an old man tried to fight his way to the top?

15. In a world where the government has banned all forms of technology, including electricity and computers, how would people cope?

16. In a world where people are pressured to be perfect, how would the misfits cope?

17. In a world where there is a law decreeing that a certain group of people must be killed, what would happen if someone refused to kill their friends?

18. In a world where people are encouraged to report their neighbors for breaking the law, what would happen if somebody disobeyed?

19. In a world where the few people who can read and write are considered more valuable than everyone else, what would happen if someone tried to teach others to read?

20. In a world where everyone is required to live in containment shelters, how would the citizens react to a group of people who chose to live outside them?

21. In a world where the government controls all food sources, how would people react if someone started a black market for food?

22. In a world where everybody is forced to take a drug that controls their behavior, how would the free willers react?

23. In a world with a law stating that all people over 50 must be killed, what would happen if someone tried to break the law?

24. In a world where a nuclear war has destroyed the world, what would happen if people found a way to survive?

25. In a world where scientific research is always under government supervision, what would happen if someone tried to break the rules?

26. In a world where all communication is carried out in pictures, what would happen if someone figured out a way to communicate in words?

27. In a world where everything is controlled by a government monopoly, what would happen if someone tried to start their own business?

28. In a world where there is a computer program that can tell your future by analyzing your DNA, what would happen if someone asked it a very personal question?

29. In a world with a drug that can make people invisible, what would happen if someone started selling the drug?

30. In a world where everyone is assigned a number based on their skills, how would the unnumbered people react?

31. In a world where people are chosen to participate in a game where they must hunt the other players, how would the players react if they found out their fellow humans were the prey?

32. In a world where the government is under constant attack by terrorists and saboteurs, what would happen if someone tried to break the cycle of violence?

And there you have it, 32 great ideas for your next dystopian story! These ideas can be combined or individually as inspiration for your next writing project.

13 Dystopian Character Ideas

1. A teenage hacker rebels against the government by breaking into their systems and spreading anti-authority propaganda.

2. A group of revolutionaries who fight to overthrow the current regime, even though they know that they may not survive in the end.

3. An evil dictator who rules over the people with an iron fist, crushing any resistance with ruthless brutality.

4. A disillusioned soldier who has seen too much violence and bloodshed, struggling to hold onto his humanity as he fights in a never-ending war.

5. A downtrodden factory worker who is sick of being exploited by greedy corporations and strives for a better life for herself and her fellow workers.

6. A young girl trapped in an oppressive society where women are treated like second-class citizens, fighting to claim her own space and freedom in a male-dominated world.

7. An enigmatic leader who has risen to power through cunning manipulation and political intrigue, using brute force to maintain control over a society.

8. A woman is forced to turn her back on her beloved brother after he killed their abusive father and was sentenced to death.

9. A doctor is forced to work for the government after they kill her husband, helping them to diagnose and destroy the subversive elements in the population.

10. An idealistic revolutionary fighting to overthrow and replace the government with a more humane regime.

11. An amnesic woman who doesn’t know who she is, her backstory, or the world she came from but is determined to find out.

12. A teenager discovers that the government is lying to its people about the state of the world and leads a secret resistance movement to overthrow the corrupt regime.

13. A female bounty hunter who uses her deadly fighting skills to capture fugitives and bring them back to the authorities.

What Makes a World Dystopian?

In a dystopian world, everything is wrong. The government is corrupt. Society is collapsing. The environment is ruined. People are unhappy. But what makes a world truly dystopian? Is it the presence of these things, or is something else required for a world to be truly dystopian? Let’s take a closer look.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about dystopian worlds is usually government control and fear in the population. Often accompanied by conformity. In George Orwell’s 1984, the government controls everything from the food people eat to their thoughts. Similarly, in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, the government dictates every aspect of citizens’ lives, from what they wear to whether they live or die. In both of these examples, and in many others, the government’s stranglehold on power makes the world dystopian.

But government control is not the only factor that can make a world dystopian. In Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, society has collapsed due to an unspecified cataclysmic event. There is no government, no law, and no order. People are reduced to eating each other to survive. In this example, it is not the government that makes the world dystopian but rather the complete breakdown of society itself.

A truly dystopian future is one where everything has gone wrong. The government is corrupt, and society is collapsing. The environment is ruined, and people are unhappy. But what makes a world truly dystopian? Is it the presence of these things, or is something else required for a world to be truly dystopian? It seems that the answer may be both.

Is Dystopia a Genre or Theme?

Genres are categories of literature that are defined by specific conventions, such as plot structure, style, and characterization. There are many different genres, such as mystery, romance, science fiction, etc. A genre is like a template you can use to write your story.

Themes are ideas or topics that are explored in a work of literature . A theme can be something as simple as love or loss or more complicated as betrayal or redemption. Unlike genres, themes are not constrained by specific conventions. You can use any literary device to explore a theme in your stories, such as symbolism, foreshadowing, or flashbacks.

So, is dystopia a genre or a theme? The answer is both! Dystopia is a genre that explores the idea of a society gone wrong. If you’re interested in writing a dystopian story, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the conventions of the genre. But don’t let those constraints limit your creativity-remember that you can always explore additional themes in your story.

How to Start a Good Dystopian Story

Dystopian stories are all the rage these days. With so many popular books and movies being set in dark, post-apocalyptic worlds, it’s no wonder that writers are looking to get in on the action. But what makes a good dystopian story? And how do you start one?

The first thing you need to do when writing a dystopian story is to come up with a compelling premise. What has caused the world to become a dark, dangerous place? This can be anything from a natural disaster to a totalitarian government.

Once you have your premise, you need to decide what kind of story you want to tell. Are you going to focus on the struggles of a single character as they try to survive in this new world? Or will you paint a more sweeping picture, showing how different people are affected by the new world order?

Once you have your premise and focus, it’s time to start writing! The important thing to remember when writing a dystopian story is that while the world may be dark and grim, there should still be hope. After all, what is a story without hope? So don’t forget to inject optimism into your tale, even amid all the darkness.

How to Describe a Dystopian City in Your Writing

A dystopian city can be a great setting for your story. It can be a place of extremes where the rich live in opulence, and the poor are left to fend for themselves. It can be a place of indoctrination, where an oppressive government regime controls people. A dystopian society can be dangerous, where law and order have broken down, and crime is rampant. Whatever form your dystopian city takes, here are some tips on how to describe it in your writing.

1. Establish the mood. Is your dystopian city dark and foreboding? Is it a bright and shining example of what could go wrong? The mood you establish will set the tone for the rest of your descriptions.

2. Get specific with your details. The more specific you are with your descriptions, the easier it will be for your readers to picture the scene in their minds. When you’re painting a picture of your dystopian city, don’t forget the small details that will make it come alive.

3. Use sensory language. Be sure to use all five senses when describing your city. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What does it sound like? By engaging all of the senses, you’ll give your readers a fuller understanding of the world you’ve created.

4. Compare and contrast. A great way to add depth to your description is to compare and contrast different city elements. For example, you might describe the divide between the rich and the poor or the effect of living in an oppressive regime.

5. Show, don’t tell. One mistake many writers make is telling their readers what they should be feeling instead of showing them through their words. If you want your readers to feel scared, don’t tell them, “this city is scary.” Show them why it’s scary by describing everything that makes it so.

The Importance of a Strong Main Character in Dystopian Fiction

In any good story, the protagonist is the engine that drives the plot forward. But a strong protagonist is even more essential in dystopian fiction, where the stakes are often high, and the world is often dark and oppressive. After all, it’s up to the protagonist to lead the charge against the forces of evil and bring about a better future.

But what makes a strong protagonist? In dystopian fiction, there are a few key qualities that a strong protagonist must possess to be successful.

• Strength of character. The protagonist must be willing to stand up against overwhelming odds and fight for what’s right, even when it seems like all hope is lost. They must be brave and determined, with an unshakeable belief in their cause.
• Intelligence. The protagonist must be able to outthink their opponents, whether they’re governmental forces or other rebel groups. They must be able to see through deception and manipulation and be quick on their feet to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
• The protagonist must withstand whatever obstacles are thrown in their path, whether torture, imprisonment, or death. They must be able to pick themselves up after defeats and setbacks and never give up on their quest for justice.

Dystopian Fiction to Study

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley