Nighthags Writing Corner: Horror writing prompts

Horror writing prompts

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"We fear death and dismemberment, we fear pain, insanity and loss, we even fear sexuality, and it's only by addressing these fears that we avoid living in a state of constant trepidation. Horror can speak of such things in a way that a more realistic or naturalistic genre can't.

Horror is a leap of faith and imagination in a world where the subconscious holds dominion; a call to enter a territory where no image or act is damnable it cannot be explored, kissed and courted; finally - why whisper it ?- embraced."

Clive Barker

Horror can be found every where, the fairy tales that we read to our children, the nightly news we watch and even some of the most acclaimed dramas like schielders list. Horror is part of our every day lives, as we wait outside a surgery desperate for news, facing the bullies that populate the school yard and is so many other aspects of our lives.

I find that the most effective horror is the one that engages our human empathy for the characters, where we can see our own phobias, shame or even our own capacity for darkness.
Out of all the horror I have seen the one that "stayed" with me was "Cabin Fever" it's take on a flesh eating disease and the characters very human fearful reaction was too believable for me to sit comfortably through their torment.

As writers no matter our preferred genre it is worth challenging ourselves as both writers and explorers of humanity to explore the darker aspects of what hides in all our minds...

I hope that some of the horror writing prompts below may help inspire you to explore this interesting genre, there are over 40 horror Stories Starters and Themes with my all time favourite horror picture prompts for short stories as well as poetry

I truly hope you enjoy

Story starters for horror writers

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words using one of the story starters below....

1. The street was filthy after the storm...

2. He was discovered after dinner...

3. Just one night in a haunted house and he would be free...

4. 2:20 am every morning she awoke, knowing she wasn't alone...

5. The wedding guests cheered ...

6. I remember it like it was yesterday...

7. No one knew what the old man looked like...

8. Just one more taste...

9. He could hear them gathering outside...

10. Death is upon us...

11. The house was in chaotic ruins...

12. The car sputtered once before the engine cut out all together...

13. The city was a confusing array of lights sounds and smells...

14. Pushing open the window, Shelly squeezed her way into the abandoned house...

15. I had always hated the house next door...

16. His eyes never left her as she moved through her bedroom...

17. The fire swept through the village...

18. "We are here to help you "....

19. Dropping the bloody knife, I stumbled back...

20. The doctor struggled to keep his hand from shaking...

Horror picture prompts for short stories

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by the above horror picture prompt

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words inspired by the above picture prompt

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by the above horror picture prompt

Write a short horror story of least 750 words inspired by the picture prompt

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by the horror picture prompt above

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words inspired by the picture prompt above

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by the horror picture prompt above

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words inspired by the picture prompt above

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by the horror picture prompt above

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words, inspired by the picture prompt above

Horror writing themes

Write a dark poem or a short horror story inspired by one of the themes below

1. Bound

2. Broken promise

3. Red lips

4. Siren song

5. Demon eyes

6. Murderous heart

7. Voodoo doll

8. Bullied

9. Moons secret

10. Hunters breath

11. Rage

12. Poisoned touch

13. Stage light

14. Soulless

15. Dark song

16. Sadist love

17. Buried

18. Runaways

19. Bloody vow

20. Paradox