45 Fantasy Writing Prompts to Banish Writer’s Block (Forever)
Writer's block, the bane of every fantasy author. You’ve got this sprawling world in your mind, dragons and destiny calling your name, yet the words? They refuse to show up.
Enter: fantasy writing prompts.
These gems aren’t just for beginners—they’re the perfect way to shake up your writing routine, dig deeper into your world, or explore new characters and plots you hadn’t considered before.
In this post, we’ll share actionable tips, plenty of examples, and prompts tailored to different types of fantasy—from lighthearted quests to the brooding realms of dark fantasy.
Let’s dive into the magic.
What are fantasy writing prompts (and why should you use them)?
A fantasy writing prompt is a short, thought-provoking idea designed to kickstart your creativity. Think of it as a jumping-off point—a seed you plant in your mind that could grow into a short story, a novel, or even just a backstory for a minor character.
Prompts aren’t about telling you what to write—they’re about asking “what if?” They’re especially useful when:
You’re stuck: Writer’s block can’t compete with a great prompt.
You’re experimenting: Want to test out a new magic system or character dynamic? Prompts are your playground.
You’re worldbuilding: Use prompts to explore the corners of your world you haven’t fleshed out yet.
How to make the most of a prompt
Before you start writing, take a moment to answer these questions:
Who is involved? Think about characters, cultures, or creatures in your world.
What’s at stake? The stakes are what make fantasy fiction writing prompts truly shine.
How does this tie into the bigger picture? Prompts can often evolve into subplots or even the main storyline.
P.S. You can even use tools like ChatGPT to help generate custom prompts or expand on ideas. It’s a great tool for brainstorming! Or you can use our fantasy prompt generator to spark your creativity.
45 fantasy writing prompts to banish writer’s block
Worldbuilding is the foundation of any great fantasy story.
These fantasy writing prompts are designed to help you expand on your settings and explore the magical systems, political structures, and societies that make your world unique.
Prompts to explore your world
A forbidden artifact is discovered in the heart of your world’s most sacred temple. Why was it hidden, and who wants it back?
The moon disappears from the sky for an entire year. How does this affect the tides, magic, and the people who depend on both?
A neighboring kingdom develops a dangerous new technology that could render magic obsolete. What do your characters do about it?
A powerful natural disaster reveals a long-forgotten city buried beneath your world’s surface. Who explores it, and what do they find?
A new species of intelligent beings emerges from the depths of the ocean, claiming they were the original inhabitants of the land.
Every winter solstice, a mysterious tower appears in the middle of a barren desert. What secrets does it hold?
A forest that was once thought to be enchanted begins to expand rapidly, consuming nearby villages.
A kingdom’s magic depends on the life of a single tree. What happens when the tree begins to wither?
A great wall separates two realms, one magical and one mundane. What happens when the wall begins to crumble?
Your world’s gods descend to live among mortals—but they refuse to explain why.
A magical storm passes over your world, leaving random parts of the landscape permanently changed.
The animals of your world begin speaking in riddles, and no one knows why.
An island appears out of nowhere, covered in ruins from a civilization that never existed.
A new constellation forms in the night sky, and it begins to influence the fate of your characters.
The rivers in your world begin to flow backward, revealing ancient treasures and curses hidden beneath their waters.
If these prompts spark something big, check out this Ultimate Fantasy Worldbuilding Guide to flesh out your ideas into a fully realized world ⬇️
Character-driven fantasy writing prompts
Characters are the heart of any story, but in fantasy, they also have to contend with larger-than-life challenges. Use these prompts to dive deep into their motivations and relationships.
Prompts to challenge your characters
A reluctant hero is bound to their quest not by choice, but by a curse. Who cursed them, and why?
Your protagonist discovers they share a soul with their worst enemy. What happens when one of them dies?
A new ruler inherits a kingdom teetering on the edge of war. Their closest advisor suggests a dark and morally questionable solution to bring peace. What do they do?
A warrior is tasked with protecting a child who is prophesied to bring about the end of the world. Do they raise the child or try to stop the prophecy?
Your character is gifted a magical artifact that grants them great power—but they must sacrifice a part of themselves every time they use it.
A thief accidentally steals an object of immense magical power and becomes the target of assassins and rival factions.
A healer discovers their abilities can only be fueled by taking life. How do they reconcile their calling with the cost?
A scholar uncovers evidence that the hero of legend was actually a villain. Do they reveal the truth or let the myth persist?
A character who has been blind their entire life suddenly gains the ability to see. What do they see in their world that others have overlooked?
A once-loyal knight must decide whether to betray their king to save their family.
A character is accused of a crime they didn’t commit but learns that the punishment will grant them a power they secretly desire.
A sorcerer must choose between saving their magical ability or saving the life of someone they love.
Your character is hunted by a being who claims they are an impostor in their own life.
A ruler’s closest ally betrays them, but it is for a reason that could benefit the kingdom.
A child from a prophecy grows up and rejects their destiny, only for the consequences to spiral out of control.
Dark fantasy writing prompts
If your stories lean into the eerie, the tragic, and the morally grey, dark fantasy writing prompts are your bread and butter. These ideas will help you channel that shadowy energy.
Prompts to embrace the darkness
A village discovers that their water source is cursed—it keeps the townsfolk alive but slowly turns them into monsters.
A group of adventurers accidentally opens a portal to a realm of nightmares. The catch? They have to sacrifice one of their own to close it.
A ghostly figure appears every full moon, claiming the lives of those who’ve committed unspeakable crimes. But this time, they take someone who is seemingly innocent. Why?
Your protagonist learns they were created—not born—and that their existence serves a sinister purpose.
A kingdom is plagued by a deadly disease that only affects those with royal blood. How do they save themselves?
A forbidden love between a mortal and a creature of the void threatens to unravel the fabric of reality.
A once-beautiful city has been abandoned for centuries, but strange lights and whispers lure travelers to its ruins.
A character discovers a tome of forbidden knowledge that slowly corrupts their mind as they read it.
A mysterious plague causes people to lose their shadows—and their humanity along with it.
The sun hasn’t risen in decades, and the world has adapted to eternal night. What new horrors have emerged in the dark?
A character strikes a deal with a demon but later discovers the terms were deliberately vague.
A sentient forest traps travelers inside its borders, promising them eternal life in exchange for their freedom.
A witch curses a village, causing the dead to rise and whisper secrets to the living.
A prophecy foretells that the savior of the world will also destroy it.
A haunted ship sails the seas, offering great fortune to those brave enough to board—at a terrible cost.
Actionable tips to turn writing prompts into full stories
Here’s how to get the most out of your prompts and transform them into something truly magical:
1. Freewrite without judgment
Set a timer for 15 minutes and just write. Don’t worry about grammar, structure, or whether the idea “works.” This is brainstorming, not drafting.
2. Expand with worldbuilding tools
Prompts often spark questions about your world: Why does this work the way it does? Who’s involved? Use tools like the Fantasy Worldbuilding Workbook to dig deeper into the setting and context of your story.
3. Ask “what if” questions
Take your prompt and flip it on its head. What if the villain is actually the hero? What if the magical artifact was a decoy? This kind of thinking can lead to unexpected plot twists.
4. Test your ideas with a short story
Before committing to a full novel, write a short story based on the prompt. This helps you explore the concept without too much pressure.
Final thoughts on fantasy writing prompts
Fantasy writing prompts are more than just a cure for writer’s block—they’re a way to expand your imagination, deepen your world, and craft unforgettable stories.
Whether you’re exploring the darker side of fantasy or diving into character-driven drama, prompts can guide you toward new and exciting ideas.
✒️ And when inspiration strikes, don’t forget to take your ideas further with our Fantasy Worldbuilding Workbook and Fantasy Character Profile Template.
Both are packed with tools and templates to help you transform your prompts into fully-fledged stories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How can I make a generic fantasy prompt feel unique to my story?
Focus on your world’s unique traits, such as its magic system, culture, or characters. Add specific details from your worldbuilding to customize the prompt and make it your own.
Should I focus on completing one prompt before moving on to another?
Not necessarily! Use prompts as brainstorming tools. If one sparks an idea but doesn’t feel complete, move on to another. You can always return to unfinished ideas later.
Can I mix multiple prompts together?
Absolutely! Combining elements from different prompts can create unexpected twists and deeper complexity in your story. Experimenting is half the fun!
