25 Must-Try Writing Prompts for Every Genre (2025 Edition)
Every writer gets stuck sometimes. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to start your first novel, need a creative warm-up, or just want to break through writer’s block, a well-crafted prompt can spark the story you never knew you had inside.
I’m Brandon Rohrbaugh—author, content writer, and course creator. I’ve worked with hundreds of new writers, and I know that sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction. That’s why I’ve put together this collection of 25 genre-spanning prompts—plus expert tips to help you turn any idea into a page-turner.
Fantasy Writing Prompts
A lost city reappears every hundred years. This time, someone from your protagonist’s family is still inside.
An apprentice discovers their mentor is hiding a forbidden kind of magic—one that could save or doom the kingdom.
A prophecy predicts a hero’s rise, but the true “chosen one” is the hero’s rival, not themselves.
A magical object grants wishes, but only in exchange for memories the owner can never retrieve.
In a world where monsters are bound by contracts, your protagonist must team up with their worst enemy to survive.
Want more fantasy writing resources? [Check out my guide to Worldbuilding for Fiction Writers.]
Sci-Fi Writing Prompts
After a failed Mars mission, a single survivor receives strange messages from an “impossible” source.
Society has banned all dreaming. Black market “dream dealers” risk everything to give people visions at night.
A city’s AI guardian starts acting strangely—and only a rebellious teen believes something is wrong.
Time travel tourism is booming…until one visitor refuses to come back.
Earth’s animals start developing speech. What they reveal changes everything humanity thought it knew.
Related: [The Ultimate Guide to Plotting Your Sci-Fi Novel.]
Romance Writing Prompts
Two rival small business owners keep sabotaging each other—until a blizzard traps them together overnight.
A professional “plus one” is hired for a high-profile wedding—only to fall for someone they’re absolutely not supposed to.
Your character receives anonymous love letters from someone in their apartment building—but who is it, and why now?
A world-famous chef and a food critic with a grudge are forced to collaborate on a charity event.
After a social media post goes viral, two strangers must fake a relationship…until the feelings become all too real.
For more: [How to Write Romance That Feels Real (Expert Tips & Examples).]
Thriller Writing Prompts
A memory wipe goes wrong, leaving your protagonist with skills—and enemies—they don’t remember making.
A detective discovers that each clue in their current case is connected to their own hidden past.
A doomsday prepper finds evidence that the disaster they’ve been preparing for is about to begin—tonight.
A small town receives an ominous message: every hour, someone will disappear until a decades-old crime is solved.
A social media influencer is being stalked by someone who knows secrets they’ve never shared online.
You might like: [Writing Gripping Suspense: Building Tension Scene by Scene].
Literary & General Fiction Prompts
A family reunion unearths an heirloom that reveals generations of untold stories.
A lifelong friendship is tested when one friend receives a life-changing opportunity abroad.
A parent and child reconnect through music after years of silence and misunderstanding.
A town’s oldest resident starts leaving cryptic notes around the community, stirring up old memories and regrets.
A chance encounter in a coffee shop leads two strangers to realize their lives are more connected than they thought.
See also: [Writing the First Chapter: Setting Tone, Theme, and Stakes].
How to Use Prompts for Maximum Creativity
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-human-hand-256514/
Set a timer. Challenge yourself to write nonstop for 10–20 minutes based on a prompt, no editing allowed!
Combine prompts. Mix two (or more) from different genres to create something truly original.
Change the perspective. Rewrite the prompt from the antagonist’s or side character’s point of view.
Go deeper. Use the prompt as a scene starter, then ask: “What if…?” and follow your curiosity.
Turn it into a novel. If a prompt sticks, expand the scene—what happened before? What comes after?
You might be surprised where it leads!
Related Resources
Conclusion
Prompts are more than just story starters—they’re keys to unlock new worlds, new voices, and new confidence in your writing. Whether you’re here to warm up or find your next big idea, I hope these inspire you to get writing today.
Which prompt grabbed you? Drop a comment below or tag me with your favorite on social media—I love reading your work!
Want even more inspiration? [Sign up for my free newsletter] to get regular prompts, writing tips, and exclusive resources.
Happy writing!
Brandon Rohrbaugh
