Horror Writing Prompts

Horror Writing Prompts

Horror Writing Picture Prompt
Artist

When writing horror there are so many things to consider. What are your readers meant to be afraid of? do your readers care about your characters ? and what is truly scary?

Horror writing legend Stephen king has stated in the past that there is only three types of terror.

“The 3 types of terror: 
The Gross-out: the sight of a severed head tumbling down a flight of stairs, it's when the lights go out and something green and slimy splatters against your arm. 
The Horror: the unnatural, spiders the size of bears, the dead waking up and walking around, it's when the lights go out and something with claws grabs you by the arm. And the last and worse one: 
Terror, when you come home and notice everything you own had been taken away and replaced by an exact substitute. It's when the lights go out and you feel something behind you, you hear it, you feel its breath against your ear, but when you turn around, there's nothing there...”

When writing Horror remember what it is that scares you, what makes your heart pound a little quicker in the dark. What makes you hesitate.What sense's do you r

R.L Stien Said
“There’s no formula. I think you have to create a very close point of view. You have to be in the eyes of the narrator. Everything that happens, all the smells, all the sounds; then your reader starts to identify with that character and that’s what makes something really scary.”


Horror can be one of the most rewarding genres to write for, with so many twists and turns and emotional range to choose from it gives us writers immense range to draw from

Story starters for writing horror

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words inspired by one of the story starters below

“You don’t have to do this...”

Hitting the ground hard, he stared to crawl...

The ship horn sounded loud in the fog...

The cot was empty...

.

The dress was perfect...

The door buckled...

Staring into the camera she smiled...

The rocks cut into her feet as she climbed...

My grandmother had always had the painting over her bed...

The gun clicked empty...

Coffin, I was in a coffin...

All he had to do was knock...

I never believed the story's about the old man...

My family has a secret...

The house remembered everything...

"I cant marry you"...

Funerals on sunny days were his favorite...

The book was the only thing left...

The camera never lied...

The radio blared to life...

Horror writing prompts...theme ideas

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


Delivery Boy

Caged Romance

Woven Nightmares

Sedated

Forgotten Lies

Deaths Kiss
                                                                                                   
Yesterday's Memory

Father's Soul

Broken Cross

Robotic Eyes

Half Sister

Nana's Recipe

Poisoned Lamb

Falling Petals

Dirt Poor

Neighbors Gift

Underneath

Nun's Habit

Spider's Eye

Radio Death

Horror picture prompts

Choose one of the horror picture prompts below and write a short horror story of at least 750 words

Horror Writing Picture Prompt
Artist

Writing prompts for horror

Horror is a feeling, it is the fear that twists out stomach and the hair rising on our necks. The dread that fills our step and the gasp of revulsion we can't hold back.

Writing for the horror and thriller genre can be often an intimidating Idea, one of the first things you need to understand about horror is that it is not always about the blood splatter or the headcount. Sometimes it can be as simple as a child's whisper "I see dead people".

At its most basic it's a story like all others, filled with tension, surprise,the right setting and of course the biggest ingredient,emotion. Some of the worlds biggest selling authors have been found in the genre of horror, from King to Barker and even children's authors such as R.L Stien.

Face what scares you, grasp the "what if" of the dark and write. There are over 40 horror writing prompts here on this page to get you started. From the story starters, themes and of course picture prompts

Horror picture prompt

"When I write, I try to think back to what I was afraid of or

What was scary to me, and try and put those feelings into

Books" R.L Stine

 

"Horror fiction shows us that the control we believe we have

is purely illusory, and that every moment we teeter on chaos

and oblivion.”

—Clive Barker

 

"Beauty is the sole legitimate province of the poem.”

Edgar Allan Poe

 

Story starters for writing horror

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words inspired by one of the story starters below

 

1. The writing on the wall was still warm...

2. He couldn't afford to lose...

3. Keep it buried, a promise now broken....

4. The hospital was the worst place to go...

Horror picture prompt

5. The taxi sat still running...

6. There was something behind her eyes...

7. The clock in the kitchen iced into silence

8. The gun and the whiskey were both empty...

9. You don't know hell....

10. His fingers shuffled the photos....

11. The grave was empty...

12. The school gates were locked...

13. The phone wouldn't stop ringing...

14. Nobody liked old man Cambell

15. Please, she had said staring down the barrel....

16. He hated the colour yellow....

17. " don't you remember me?"...

18. There was smething creepy about grandma's dolls....

19. The bulldozer roared to life...

20. Breath loud in her ears casey cursed herself for all the after work doughnuts....

 

Horror writing prompts...theme ideas

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

1. Traffic

2. Cold lover

3. Late arrival

4. Judgement

5. Church bells

6. Safe and sound

7. Jail cell

8. Demon eyes

9. Killing time

10. Sunset

11. Scaring

12. Dog with a bone

13. Broken nails

14. Medicines altar

15. Lost child

16. Ghostly tears

17. Dead mans lies

18. Bad habits

19. Chained love

20. Summoning

 

 

Horror picture prompts

Choose one of the horror picture prompts below and write a short horror story of at least 750 words

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Horror picture prompts for poetry

Choose one of the horror picture prompts below and write a dark poem or a ballad

 

 

Horror picture prompt

 

 

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Happy writing :)

 

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Horror writing prompts for short stories

 

Writing horror can be a fun challenging way to explore some deeper emotions, fear, hate and jealousy are the first that come to mind with this genre . but one thing to always remember Is love, courage and even forgiveness can be great motivating factors when it comes to writing short stories in the genre of horror... After all what hells would you cross to save your child?

Write a dark poem or ballad inspired by the above picture prompt

 

So check out the below Story starters, themes and my favourite the picture prompt and inspire yourself today in the very much fun world of horror, where the darkest sides of humanity dwell and only the bold dare tread...

 

Story starters

Write a short horror story using one of the opening sentences below

 

Write a short horror story inspired by the above picture prompt

1.There was something wrong with the food...

2. He had sworn it wouldn't happen again...

3. The seat looked empty ...

4. The city had burned for days...

5. There was something stuck to the letter box...

6. Stay behind me...

7. She never knew how many people were watching ...

8. The headstone had been broken in two...

9. The headlights of the car ...

10. The cat shivered on the front step, wet with rain and blood...

 

 

Story themes

Choose one of the themes below to write a short horror inspired story of no less then 750 words...

 

 

1. Doll

2. Writing on the wall

3. Empty shell

4. Gagged

5.Invasion

6. Asylum

7. Green thumb

8. Night dance

9. Following footsteps

10. Yesterday's tears

 

 

Picture prompt

Write a short story of at least 750 words inspired by one of the horror picture prompts below

 

Horror picture prompt

 

Horror picture prompt

 

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Horror picture prompt

 

 

Horror picture prompt

 

 

Picture prompts for Poetry

Using the horror picture prompts below, write a dark poem, ballad or even a song inspired by one of the horror writing prompts below

Write a dark poem or balled inspired by the picture prompt above

 

Write a dark poem or balled inspired by the picture prompt above

 

 

Write a dark poem or balled inspired by the picture prompt above

 

 

Write a dark poem or balled inspired by the picture prompt above

 

Write a dark poem or balled inspired by the picture prompt above

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily writing prompts for the second week of December

Daily writing prompts for the 8th of December

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short romance story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

One more show and she would never see him again...

"This is called kidnapping" ...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Black ribbon

Fireworks

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the first week of December

Daily writing prompts for the 1st of December

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short science fiction story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

Most missions were all about the kill ratio, but this was different...

The senate had been called without her...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Yesterday's tears

Crown

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the third week of November

Writing prompts can be anything from what you might find here on these pages to the very events that are happening around and in your life. Draw from your experiences and even your friends stories as the best writing prompts are the ones that we can all relate too in some way.

Daily writing prompts for the 15th of November

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short romance story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence.


It had been two years without any word...

Just one more time and he would end it...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Darkened door

Prayer

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Writing prompts for the first week of November

The great thing about using a daily writing prompt is that it encourages us to write every day. be it poetry, short stories or perhaps an entire novel that we are writing, it's a good practise to exercise and challenge our creativity every day. To take the time to work on something completely fresh and new.
I hope you enjoy the following story starters and prompts for poems and that you all had a great halloween

Daily writing prompts for the 1st of November

Choose one of the following creative writing prompts

Daily story starter

Write a short halloween story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

Spiders, I would need lots of spiders...

I could picture her sad waiting face ....

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Bones

Avatar

Picture prompt

Write a halloween poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the fourth week of October

Writing prompts are a great way to inspire your creative writing today. Simply choose a writing prompt from each day, be it a daily story starter, writing theme or my personal fave the picture prompt. Spend at least ten minutes pondering what that prompt inspires in your imagination and then write.
Write without editing yourself, try and focus on the ever evolving story and words as they come to you. It is great way to free your mind from doubt and if you don't like what your end result is... Keep it anyway. There is often hidden pearls of ideas weaved I to such free form of writing that it may trigger you onto a new project all together .

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I am again sorry that this lot of daily writing prompts is late yet again

Daily writing prompts for the 22nd of October

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short romance story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

I had never wanted to crawl under a table and hide until now...

Gilly woke, sore and in pain handcuffed in the dark...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Forbidden

Fairy kiss

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the third week of October

My favourite form of writing prompts are the ones that I don't expect to discover, where just looking at a picture or a fresh sentence is enough to spark an idea that if given the right about of time can become an unexpected masterpiece.

Choose one writing prompt a day from the three types offered below, and practise free writing, don't edit yourself or even reread until you are finished. This is a great way to release our subconscious and our creativity at the same time.

often finding hidden gems of ideas even in the most cringe worthy piece of free writing, I personally find this a great warm up exercise for the mind before starting on my novel or an article that I may be writing. 

I hope you all enjoy this weeks writing prompts,

Daily writing prompts for the 15th of October

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

Placing her guns down, Kelly raised her hands....

The night couldn't go worse if the devil himself had planned it...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Diamond 

Underground

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the second week of October

I have to apologize for the lateness of this one, but here it is with all the daily writing prompts for the second week of October.
Story ideas, picture prompts and themes are all here in an effort to spark something new, not just for myself but others as well.

If there is anything that my pages has helped inspire that you would like to share, be it a poem short story or something else entirely, I would love to know about it and if you send me a link I will share it on, hopefully in time i will be able to create a page dedicated to the writers and artist that visit

So contact me here or on nighthags writing corner Facebook style, check it out as often I post random writing prompts there throughout the week

I hope you all have a great writing week

Daily writing prompts for the 8th of October

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short fantasy story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The dice rolled across the table...

The crowd roared as the axe came down...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Glass butterfly

Circus

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the first week of October

Writing prompts are great, be they about demons, love, or truck stops, there is always something for everyone
even if your new or old to the craft of creative writing, writing prompts are a great way to kick start your writing day, giving you new ideas or even taking you on new journeys.

This weeks offerings are the usual, science fiction, horror and romance options with some free forms thrown in.
So Try one today and surprise yourself

Daily writing prompts for the 1st of October

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The car came to a screeching halt...

The candle had almost burnt itself out...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Pretty lies

Falling

Picture prompt

Daily writing prompts for the fourth week of September

Writing prompts for the last week of September, horror fantasy and sci fi are all here with a dash of romance, I truly hope the prompts below help to inspire you further on your creative journey

Daily writing prompts for the 22nd of September

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short sci fi story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

Stranded with no communications and no food...

The prison colony was overcrowded, but one new face was still noticeable ...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Gone

Junkie

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the third week of September

Writing prompts for horror and fantasy, romance and much more are included in this weeks daily writing prompts,

All provided with the hope to give you some new writing ideas , inspiration and constant flow of creativity so pick up your pen, or keyboard and let your creativity loose with some of the wonderful picture writing prompts below

Daily writing prompts for the 15th of September

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short sci fi story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

"Tell me again how you lost him?"

No one could remember the last time the seal was open...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Bounty

Crash

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the second week of September

Writing is sometime not a question of want to but have to, the desire to create short stories, poems, songs or even novels can be at times overwhelming.
Feeding our creative muse is a must if you want to be a successful writer. By experincing new things, be it a destination, food or new hobby. We are ever building on our writing portfolio, so while it is a good and needed thing to write every day, don't forget to take time to for life. Embrace the opportunities that surrounded you, break out of your comfort zone but not only in your writing but in your life and be amazed at the wealth of experience you will be able to draw from.

I hope this week finds you all well and inspired
here are this weeks writing prompts, I hope you enjoy them

Daily writing prompts for the 8th of September

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short fantasy story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The sound of tears was all he could hear...

Silken drapes and sweet tea were not the only tools of my trade...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Devils bargain

Murderous heart

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the first week of September

Daily writing prompts for the 1st of September

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

the heavy beat of the drums never stopped...

nervous I stared at the ring...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Broken vow

These walls

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the fourth week of August

Writing prompts are a simple and easy tool to your creative writing,no matter the genre you write in (romance,horror, thriller,fantasy)
one of the best things you can do for your writing is to write everyday, but some times writing ideas are a little hard to come by Thats what writing prompts like the ones in this blog are designed for, to kick start your imagination. Sometimes taking you the author on a whole new journey.

So Happy writing, I truly hope that you find something that inspires not only your mind but you heart.

Check out the video below of Ann Rice answering commonly asked questions I hope you all enjoy it

Daily writing prompts for the 22nd of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....


"Hell is in the details"...

The newborn's cry cry echoed out...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Spiderweb

Bookcase

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the third week of August

Daily writing prompts for the 15th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The engine idled like a beast in the night as she waited ...

There was nothing worse than high school except ....

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Undercover

Blank page

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 16th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short romance story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The pirate ship didn't alter course, cannons raising ...

The farm house stood hidden from the road, checking the address ...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Winter bride

Lost letter

Picture prompt

Write a poem or ballad inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 17 th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short horror story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

The book lay closed on the table between them....

The clock ticked once and stopped...



Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Borrowed trouble

Blood sister

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 18th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short fantasy story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

There was no where left to run...

The assignation of a king takes planning ...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Angels cry

Last steps

Picture prompt

Write a poem or ballad inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 19th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

I never wanted to be a hero ...

Moving into the crowed bar, Tara looked for her newest mark...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Deadly rose

Lonely goodbye

Picture prompt

Write a short story inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 20th of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short romance story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

Just one more night and then she would say goodbye...

Faries didn't exist, at least not tall, beautiful naked fairies...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Summer lies

Eternal devotion

Picture prompt

Write a poem inspired by the picture prompt below

Daily writing prompts for the 21st of August

Choose one of the following creative writing prompt

Daily story starter

Write a short sci fi story of at least 750 words using the following opening sentence....

I am not the type of person to believe in UFO's ...

I can't remember the last time I was killed...

Writing theme

Write a poem or short story of a least 750 words inspired by one of the following theme

Dark star

Lost hope

Picture prompt

Write a short science fiction story inspired by the picture prompt below

Happy writing