Scary Prompts to Write a Story: Ideas and Examples

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a young wizard named Alaric. He lived in a small cottage on the outskirts of a magical forest. One day, while exploring the forest, he discovered a hidden glade filled with glowing crystals. These crystals were said to hold the key to a powerful spell that could save the kingdom from an impending dark magic. Alaric decided to embark on a journey to find out more about these crystals and how to use them for the greater good.

One idea could be to set the story in an old, abandoned asylum. Describe the long, dark corridors filled with rusted beds and straitjackets. Another idea is to have a character haunted by a doppelganger that appears at unexpected times and always has a menacing look. You could also write about a town where every night at midnight, all the residents turn into something inhuman.

In the future, Earth has become a desolate place due to over - exploitation. A group of scientists receive a series of mysterious prompts. These prompts lead them to believe that there is a habitable planet far away. They build a spaceship and embark on a journey through the galaxy. Along the way, they face various challenges such as asteroid belts and alien attacks. But they are determined to reach the new planet and start a new life for humanity.

A spooky prompt could be 'A haunted forest'. You start by describing the forest as dark and foreboding. The trees are gnarled and seem to reach out like twisted arms. There are strange noises like whispers in the wind. A character enters the forest, and as they do, they feel a sense of dread. Maybe they see a figure in the distance that disappears when they look closer. This can lead to a story about the character trying to find their way out while being haunted by the unknown entities in the forest.

Mark and David were friends who used to do everything together. They played in the same sports team, studied together. But in high school, they became part of different groups and slowly drifted apart. Mark started focusing more on his studies and David got involved in the school band. One summer, they both attended a local community event. They saw each other from across the room. David went up to Mark and they started talking. They remembered all the good times they had. They found out they still had a lot in common. They decided to start hanging out again, going to games and concerts together, and their lost friendship was regained.

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Lily. One day, she found a mysterious old book in her attic. As she opened it, a bright light flashed and she was suddenly transported to a magical land filled with talking animals and enchanted forests. She met a friendly fox who offered to be her guide. Together, they embarked on a journey to find the source of a dark magic that was threatening the land. Along the way, they overcame many obstacles and made new friends. In the end, Lily was able to break the spell and restore peace to the magical land. Then she found herself back in her attic, with the book now a simple storybook.

One prompt could be 'You find a magic key. Where does it lead you?'. For this, a student could write about finding the key in their backyard. They might say the key leads them to a secret garden full of talking animals and magical plants. It's a place where they can have adventures and make new friends.

A prompt like 'You discover a hidden door in your school library' would be great. The student could start by saying they were looking for a book when they noticed a strange crack in the wall. Pushing on it, a door opened. Inside, there were old books that told stories of the school's past and a friendly ghost who was the librarian long ago. They could have a conversation with the ghost and learn about the old days of the school.

Using the element of time can be very effective. If you set a deadline or a ticking clock situation, like the protagonist has to get out of a haunted place before sunrise, it creates a lot of tension. Every second that passes makes the situation seem more and more dire, and the reader feels the pressure along with the character in the story.

One classic element is a spooky setting, like an old, abandoned house. The creaking floors and peeling wallpaper can create an instant sense of unease.