Writing thrives in conversation.
Here, and in today’s episode of The Truth About Storytelling, I share five original writing prompts inspired by the creative encouragement, mindset wisdom, and storytelling conversations offered by five podcasters and creators I deeply respect.
Drawing on themes like curiosity, sustainability, discipline, gentleness, play, and permission, these prompts are designed to help fiction writers re-enter their stories with fresh energy—whether you’re writing fantasy, romance, thrillers, or speculative fiction.
You’ll find prompts inspired by:
- Joanna Penn – creative legacy, curiosity, and the long view
- Craig Martelle – clarity, momentum, and forward motion
- Colleen M. Story – hope, persistence, and the inner life of writers
- Elisabeth Wheatley – curiosity, humor, and the joy of research
- Becca Syme – permission, process, and writing in a way that fits you
These prompts are not summaries or reproductions of their work, but original exercises shaped by the encouragement their creative voices offer to the writing community.
Whether you’re stuck, tired, or simply looking for a new angle into your story, this episode invites you to write—curiously, courageously, and with care.
Here are the prompts I shared on the episode:
Joanna Penn — Travel + Dark Gothic Prompt
While researching a remote city, your protagonist follows a travel guide’s last unfinished notes—written by a traveler who never returned. Each location they visit grows more familiar, as if the city remembers them. At the final destination, they discover why some places do not want visitors to leave.
Craig Martelle — Military + Science Exploration Sci-Fi Prompt
A military scout team is sent ahead of colonists to assess a newly discovered planet. Their advanced technology works—except when used together. As the team adapts with discipline, improvisation, and trust, they realize the planet is testing whether humans can function as a unit rather than individuals.
Colleen M. Story — Fantasy Thriller Prompt
A mage trained to suppress emotion discovers their magic grows stronger when fear and doubt surface. When a series of mysterious deaths suggests someone is manipulating that vulnerability, they must decide whether embracing uncertainty will save lives—or doom them.
Elisabeth Wheatley — Romance + Found Historical Fact Prompt
Based on a real historical detail:
Choose an overlooked historical fact—a forgotten law, an odd custom, a hidden advertisement. Write a romance where this single detail creates an unexpected barrier between two people… and ultimately becomes the bridge that brings them together.
Becca Syme — Regency Mystery Prompt
In Regency society, one young woman is known for breaking social “rules” that others follow instinctively. When a small but troubling mystery threatens reputations, her unconventional way of observing people—and her refusal to follow expected patterns—reveals the truth everyone else misses.