As a fiction writer, it’s essential to go beyond writer’s block by batching out prompts that nudge your brain into producing something. But where do you start? Fear not, because these 10 effective genre-specific prompts have got you covered. 🤩

Horror 🦇🔪👻

  1. The Sound in the Dark: Write about a character who hears strange noises at night that turn out to be something entirely different from what they thought. This trope works well in horror movies, but it can also be applied to written works.

    A dark, creepy hallway with a creaky floor and a flickering light. A character stands at the end of the hallway trying to figure out where the noises are coming from.

Romance 💕❤️💞

  1. Second Chance at Love: Write about a character who bumps into an ex after many years, and the feelings of past love come back. Can they rekindle the love they once had?

    A couple sitting at opposite ends of a bench, looking in opposite directions despite being separated by just a few feet. They look contemplative.

Fantasy 🧝🧙🐉

  1. Mythological Creature: Write about your take on a mythical creature, creating a brand new such creature never before read about. It could be a new kind of dragon, mermaid, or any fantastical beast.

    A dark forest with flying dragons in the distance and a fairy in the foreground. Think magical and otherworldly.

Science Fiction 🚀👽🤖

  1. Time Travel: Write about a character or group of characters traveling through time, altering significant historical events, and discovering the domino effect of their actions.

    A character looking out a window into a vast cityscape filled with flying cars and tall buildings. Think of futuristic cities from movies like Blade Runner or The Fifth Element.

Mystery 🔎🕵️‍♀️🕵️

  1. Whodunit: Write about a crime that has been committed, and the character must figure out who did it and why.

    A dimly lit crime scene; a body lays on the ground, surrounded by police detectives jotting down notes. Perhaps there's a clue that the protagonist is about to discover.

Western 🐎🤠🌵

  1. Cowboy/Cowgirl Life: Write about a character with a wild past long before they settled down as a ranch owner. Explore what drives them to settle down and what secrets they’re still hiding.

    A cowboy in a rural landscape, horses and cattle in the background with tumbleweeds rolling through, giving a sense of the Old West.

Comedy 😂🤣🎭

  1. Awkward Encounter: Write about a character who keeps finding themselves in awkward situations or even intentionally putting themselves in embarrassing setups.

    A comedic character holding their feet and contorting their face in a cringe-worthy expression while someone else looks on in shock or disgust.

Historical 🏰🕰️🧑‍🦳

  1. Time and Place: Write about a famous person from history and their story or about a pivotal moment in history and how people reacted to it.

    A historical figure from a certain time period or a passing moment in history shown through an old portrait or picture, perhaps surrounded by antiquities or symbols relating to that period.

Thriller 🌪️🥊🏃‍♀️

  1. The Chase: Write about a character who must run for their life or hunt down a villain before they do something catastrophic.

    A character running through an alley with a red light in the background and other figures chasing them, as if someone is pursuing them. Think heart-pumping with an adrenaline rush.

Drama 🎭🎬🎥

  1. Family Ties: Write about a character dealing with family issues, such as disputes over wills, long-harbored grudges, or getting over a family member’s death.

A family sitting at a dinner table, one member looking somber, with conflicted expressions on everyone else's faces.

Wrapping Up ⭐

Now that you have these genre-specific prompts, it’s time to let your creativity run wild. Keep in mind that these 10 effective prompts are not mutually exclusive to each other - they can be blended to create even more intriguing plots.

So, what’s your favorite prompt? Let us know in the comments below! 🤗

The above image shows a collection of books stacked upon one another, with a pen and a notebook lying against it. This image denotes fiction writing and prompts.