760+ ‘Suspense’ Writing Prompts
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Sunset Boat Mystery
Write about an evening boat ride on a sunny summer day that took a mysterious turn.
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Pumpkin Patch Mystery
Devise a short mystery story where a pumpkin patch is an essential part of the plot.
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Enveloping Paranoia
Write a thriller with a primary character who starts to believe everyone around them is part of a vast, sinister conspiracy.
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Gripping Amnesia
Mould a tale where your main character wakes up in a strange place with no memory of their past.
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Secretive Subconscious
Your character begins receiving cryptic notes and realizes they are messages from their subconscious.
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Indigenous Spook Tales
Tell a tale of an ancient site in a remote area believed to be haunted by spirits of indigenous people.
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Two Sides of the Law
Craft a short story where you alternate between two points of view: the detective investigating a crime and the suspect being investigated for the same crime.
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Creeping Shadows
Write a suspenseful narrative about someone convinced they’re being followed by an unexplained shadow.
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Prophetic Child
A child starts predicting minor accidents around their small town which gradually escalate into dangerous disasters.
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Precognition Paradox
A gifted protagonist has visions of an impending disaster but sharing this information will change the outcome in ways their visions can’t predict.
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Radios in the Rubble
Write about a group of survivors who discover a working radio and hear a broadcast indicating there are other survivors out there.
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The Heist
Create a story about a group of amateur burglars who decide to rob the most secure bank in the city.
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Escaping invaders
Write about a small town being invaded by extraterrestrial forces, focusing on one resident’s plan to escape.
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Mystery of the Lost Time
You have lost a day from your memory, and slowly realize you may have been abducted by aliens.
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A Toast to the Bootleggers
Imagine being a bootlegger smuggling illegal alcohol during the Prohibition Era.
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The Time-Ticking Pursuit
The protagonist has stolen something highly valuable and is now running from its powerful, vengeful owner. They know exactly when their pursuers will strike, but not where or how, making each moment a suspenseful headlong rush against the clock.
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Pursuit After Dark
Your protagonist is thrust into an unexpected chase late at night against an adept and elusive pursuer, navigating through dark corners and eerie silence amidst bouts of extreme fatigue.
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Escape from an Unseen Menace
The protagonist lives in a society where people disappear mysteriously, and now they suspect they are the next. Every abnormal situation seems to draw them closer to the impending danger, and they have to devise an escape plan.
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The Relentless Pursuer
Write about a central character who is doggedly pursued by an unknown entity or person, emphasizing the sense of urgency, fear, and the constant adaptations made to survive.
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Creepy Carnival
Write a narrative about a mysterious carnival that appears only in October, and the weird happenings that occur within.
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Haunted House Mystery
Write a short horror tale of a group of friends exploring a supposedly haunted house on Halloween night.
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Masked Ball Mysteries
Create a thrilling narrative about attending a masquerade ball on an October night.
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Shadow Behind the Harvest Moon
Create a narrative about a mysterious event that takes place every October on the night of the Harvest Moon.
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“The Forgotten Veterans Day Parade”
In your story, a historic Veterans Day parade tradition is inexplicably canceled.
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Unearthly Invasion
Create a narrative where the Earth is subtly invaded by aliens, blending in perfectly as humans.
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Secret Whispers in the Attic
Craft a story about discovering an ancient spirit residing in your home’s dusty attic.
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The Frozen Fortress
Write a tale about an impenetrable fortress made entirely of ice and the group of adventurers who set out to conquer it.
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Twisted Time
Convey your story in a non-linear timeline. The events in your story must not happen in sequential order.
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Rapid Fire
Write a story where the pace is highly accelerated, essential events happening within mere moments.
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Disappearing Doorway
Write about a door that disappears and reappears in different places, leading the person who enters to random destinations.
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The Unseen Stalker
Create a chilling story about a protagonist being stalked by an unseen, unknown figure.
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The Forgotten History
Develop a story exploring a mysterious and forgotten aspect of local city’s history.
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Secret Labyrinth
Create a maze leading to some hidden treasure, guarded by a series of puzzles or riddles.
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Enigma of the Heirloom
You discover an ancient family heirloom that isn’t what it seems. Write about the secrets it holds.
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The Forgotten Town
You stumble upon a forgotten town that does not exist on any map. Explore its eerie mystery.
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Lost in the Library
Imagine you are trapped in the library overnight and discover a secret passage. Describe what you find.
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Secret Admirer
Write a thrilling mystery about a high school student who starts receiving anonymous love letters.
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Mysterious Mascot
Suppose your school mascot costume has been stolen just before the big game. Write about how you and your group of friends try to solve the mystery.
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The Ghost in the Library
Imagine your school’s old library is believed to be haunted. Write about a group of friends who decide to investigate this rumor.
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The Mysterious Letter
What would you do if you found an anonymous letter offering a cryptic clue to find a hidden treasure at school?
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The Disappearing Object
Write about an object in your bedroom that mysteriously disappears and then reappears.
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Artistic Artifice
Weave a mystery where the crime scene is an art gallery, and the clue lies in understanding the artwork.
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Close Encounters
Write a scenario where the protagonist and villain have frequent encounters, but the hero doesn’t suspect the villain.
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The Antique Clock Mystery
Write a story about an ornate clock that is rumored to have paranormal powers.
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Late-Night Call
Craft a mystery involving a late-night phone call that changes everything for your protagonist.
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Anomalous Phenomenon
Narrate a tale where your protagonist is torn between dismissing strange occurrences in their town as mere coincidences or suspecting a larger force at play.
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The Enigmatic Dream
Imagine your main character experiencing a series of disturbing dreams containing mysterious symbols and occurrences.
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Ghostly Maritime Tales
Create a chilling ghost tale set in the high seas or an abandoned coastal town.
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Haunting Hymns of Winter
Compose a chilling tale about a forgotten and eerie winter hymn that, when sung, summons strange occurrences.
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Doppelgänger Danger
Write a thrilling murder mystery involving a victim’s evil doppelgänger who emerges after their death.
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Terror in Paradise
A paradise island vacation turns into a nightmarish experience when guests start disappearing one by one, with little more than a horrifying scream as the last trace.
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The Haunting on Main Street
Write about a small town where a series of gruesome murders that occur seem to be tied to the local ghost story.
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Phantom Phone Call
Imagine receiving a phone call from a deceased loved one. How do you react, and what does this lead to?
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Haunted Hackers
Write about a group of hackers who uncover a mysterious digital entity residing within the depths of the internet.
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Operation White Elephant
Write a story about a covert military operation to retrieve a powerful ancient artifact.
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Magical Birthday Surprise
Delve into a narrative detailing the most surprising birthday gift you ever received.