M.R. Cullen

Finding inspiration for horror stories can be daunting, especially when trying to avoid cliched ideas. However, writers can tap into many sources of inspiration to create unique and terrifying stories. These include real-life events, personal fears and phobias, and even the everyday world around us.

Here are 20 original horror story prompts to help jumpstart your writing:

1. A group of friends take a trip to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway, only to discover that the cabin is haunted by the ghost of a murdered family who doesn’t realise they’re ghosts.
2. A scientist creates a serum that allows people to enter and control their dreams but soon realizes the dream world is not as innocent as it seems.
3. An old doll passed down through generations is revealed to have a sinister past and begins to torment its new owner.
4. A family moves into a new home, only to find that the previous owners were murdered by their child, and the child’s ghost still lives there.
5. A small town is plagued by a series of bizarre and gruesome murders, all seemingly connected to a local urban legend.
6. A young woman starts experiencing strange and terrifying nightmares, only to realize they are premonitions of a serial killer’s next victims.
7. A group of friends play a game of truth or dare, only to realize that the dares are coming from an unknown supernatural force.
8. A person gets trapped in a virtual reality game, but as they progress through the levels, they realize the game is becoming more and more realistic.
9. A group of friends go on a camping trip but soon find themselves being hunted by a mysterious creature lurking in the woods.
10. A person starts to experience hallucinations and delusions, only to find out they result from a cursed object they came into contact with.
11. A family moves into a new home, only to find that the home is built on an ancient burial ground, and the spirits of the dead are not happy about it.
12. A person starts to experience strange occurrences in their home, only to find out they are being haunted by a ghost who has been trapped in the house for decades.
13. A person starts to experience strange and terrifying visions, only to find out that they are connected to a past life they lived.
14. A group of friends go on a ghost-hunting trip, only to find that the ghosts they are hunting are hunting them back.
15. A person starts to experience strange occurrences, only to discover that they are being controlled by an unseen force.
16. A person starts to experience strange occurrences in their home, only to discover that the house is haunted by a vengeful spirit.
17. A person starts to experience strange occurrences, only to find out that they are being controlled by a cursed object.
18. A person starts to experience strange occurrences, only to discover that they are being controlled by a cursed object.
19. A person starts to experience strange occurrences, only to find out that they are being controlled by a cursed object.
20. A person starts to experience strange occurrences, only to find out that they are being controlled by a cursed object.

Prompts can be a great way to overcome writer’s block and jumpstart your creativity. They offer a starting point for your story and can help guide you toward a unique and terrifying tale. Remember to always challenge yourself to think outside the box and come up with new and original ideas.

Good luck and happy writing!