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Random Prompt #198

The alleyway was already narrow, but it seemed to be shrinking by the minute.

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Random Prompt #197

"Stop it, someone might see us."

"I don't care. Let them know -- let the whole realm know -- that I do not love the prince I am betrothed to. I love you, the most beautiful maiden I have ever laid my eyes on."

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"This place has a population of less than 5,000 and has had four serial killers in the last decade. I don't care if it's cursed, or there's a cult, or if there's just something in the water: I don't want to live here."

"I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Can you not be a Horror Movie Dad right now?"

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Random Prompt #196

There is a voice coming from the keyhole of the front door.

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Random Prompt #195

This is the third pair of shoes that I've bought this week. It seems that every time I try them on they no longer fit.

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Random Prompt #194

I don't know how to make sure my wife knows that she is beautiful. Whispered assurances and loud declarations are no longer enough. Compliments, photos, and gifts just don't cut it. I fear that I am losing her the more she loses herself.

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You're a 'chimerical being,' meaning imagined objects can interact with you physically. Pros: You can eat imaginary food and get the full benefits of eating real food. Cons: finger guns hurt like hell, and anyone can put you in an invisible box easily. And children… don't get me started.

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I'm gonna need a part 2. Beautiful writing and very interesting!

Random Prompt #192

"Let the gods choke on war," he said. "They’ll never touch you."

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oooooh!!!!!

Random Prompt #193

"It’s not dying I’m afraid of," they said softly, hands curled around a mug gone cold. "You should be," the other snapped. "Because I’ll burn heaven to the ground if you do." Silence stretched, heavy. "That’s why it has to be me. If you did it, there’d be nothing left."

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The abandoned child you’ve taken in sleeps on your lap as the god who gave you immortality softly warns you. “This will hurt.”

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Spicy Dialogue Starters Pack

Slow Burn That’s About to Explode

"If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to do something we’ll both regret."

"Say that again. Slower."

"You really like testing my patience, don’t you?"

"Back up. Closer. I want to see if you’ll actually do it."

"Do you realize how loud you were moaning my name last night?"

"You should probably stop touching me like that... unless you plan on finishing what you started."

"We’re not doing this here." – "Why not? Scared you’ll like it?"

"I dare you. No, seriously—I dare you."

"One bed. One night. You sure you can behave?"

"You think I won’t?" – "I know you will. That’s the problem."

Enemies to Lovers, but We’re Both Hot and Unhinged

"If I kiss you, it’s not because I like you. It’s because you won’t shut up."

"Do it. Touch me like you hate me."

"You’re infuriating." – "And you’re turned on."

"Careful. You’re starting to sound jealous."

"Admit it. You like it when we fight."

"You want me. You just don’t want to want me."

"If you’re going to stare, you might as well do something about it."

"Say it. Say you want me." – "Why? You’ll just use it against me."

"Keep talking like that and I’ll kiss you right here."

"Don’t tempt me." – "What if I want to?"

Post-Tension Intimacy (A.K.A. We Finally Snapped)

"You're shaking." – "So are you."

"This doesn’t mean anything." – "Then why are you holding me like that?"

"I’ve wanted this since the moment I met you."

"You're not getting any sleep tonight, just so you know."

"You're mine now. Say it."

"God, you feel so good." – "Yeah? Then shut up and keep going."

"You can hate me in the morning. Just… let me have this tonight."

"Is this what you wanted?" – "No. I wanted more."

"Don’t stop. Don’t you dare stop."

"I’m going to ruin you. And you’re going to thank me for it."

Teasing Touch, Dangerous Proximity

"You’re blushing." – "Shut up."

"That shirt’s doing you no favors. Take it off."

"If you wanted me to kiss you, you could’ve just said so."

"I like the way you say my name. Say it again."

"You’re standing really close." – "Yeah? You gonna move?"

"I can feel your heartbeat. Is that for me?"

"Your hands are shaking... here, let me help you."

"Careful. Someone might think you actually want me."

"You know exactly what you’re doing to me, don’t you?"

"We’re not supposed to do this." – "Since when has that ever stopped us?"

Voice Low, Words Barely Whispers

"Keep your voice down. Or don’t. Let them hear."

"Every time you talk, all I can think about is your mouth on mine."

"Say the word, and I’ll have you against that wall in five seconds."

"What do you think happens if I kiss you right now?"

"You smell like trouble." – "You taste like it."

"Look me in the eyes when you lie like that."

"One more step and I won’t be able to hold back."

"If you keep teasing me like that, I’m going to ruin you."

"Tell me to stop." – silence – "Didn’t think so."

"We’re alone now. You still pretending this is just tension?"

Hot-Headed, Argument-Laced, About to Snap

"Why do you always have to push my buttons?" – "Because I love watching you lose control."

"You think you’re in control here? That’s cute."

"You're not walking away from me. Not this time."

"God, you're impossible." – "You didn’t seem to mind last night."

"Say it louder. Maybe if you scream my name again, I’ll believe you."

"Keep pretending you don’t want me. I’ll keep proving you wrong."

"You're dangerous." – "Only if you ask nicely."

"Is this still an argument or are we just flirting with knives now?"

"Admit it. You love it when I get like this."

"Don’t act like you don’t want this too."

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omg I love

Random Prompt #193

"It’s not dying I’m afraid of," they said softly, hands curled around a mug gone cold. "You should be," the other snapped. "Because I’ll burn heaven to the ground if you do." Silence stretched, heavy. "That’s why it has to be me. If you did it, there’d be nothing left."

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Hi! I've been following your blog for a bit and I was hoping you could help me out with a title for a wip I have, been trying to rename it for a while.

It's sci-fi, kinda sci-fi horror, the main character is someone with time powers and they are dealing with being chased by a crazy scientist guy who had been experimenting on them before they manage to escape. I was thinking something related to repetition, sorta like a "history repeats itself" type thing but I haven't been able to come up with anything decent. Thanks!

"History Repeats Itself" and Time-Themed Titles

-> feel free to edit as you see fit.

Fractured Repetition

The Second Passing

Again, Again

History's Prisoner

Twice Broken

The Persistence of Error

After the First Time

Dead Reckoning

Endless

The Shattered Hour

Torn from Time

The Hours Between

Wound Around Time

Temporal Scars

A Clockwork Hunger

Repetition Kills

Against the Grain of Time

In the Teeth of Time

Time is a Predator

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Hello. I'm writing characters who are captain and first mate. The captain saved the first mate from death, and the first mate stays because they think of it as a life debt.

The first mate hasn't ever experienced kindness or a gentle touch without someone wanting something in return or to cause them pain.

The thin is,, I'm having trouble coming up with ideas to grafually grow their platonic relationship. Would you be able to write some platonic prompts about the first mate reacting to the captain being nice to them or doing nice things for them without expecting anything in return?

Captain and First Mate Prompts

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

The coat was torn bad across the sleeve, soaked in dried salt and blood. The first mate had left it draped over a chair, meaning to toss it out. In the morning, it was still there, but the tear had been stitched closed, the thread clumsy but steady.

The first mate came below deck soaked to the bone, boots sloshing, hair dripping. Before they could shake off the water, a towel smacked into their chest. "You’re gonna catch cold," the captain muttered, not even looking up from tying off rope. Their ears were pink. The first mate dried off in silence, smiling just a little.

The storm rattled the windows, thunder rolling close. The first mate hadn’t lit a lamp, just sat in silence at the edge of their bunk, elbows on knees. A knock broke through the hush, light, like it wasn’t meant to be heard. When the door opened, the captain stepped in, holding a blanket like it weighed a hundred pounds. "Figured you might want this," they mumbled, setting it down. The door clicked shut again.

Someone cracked a joke, crude and stupid. The kind that normally earned silence. But the captain let out a laugh, a quick, surprised sound, almost like they didn’t mean to. The first mate looked over. The captain shrugged, expression unreadable. "Guess it got me."

The night was too quiet. The stars too still. The first mate lit a cigarette, took a drag, and held it out without a word. The captain hesitated before taking it. They passed it back and forth like it was nothing, but neither of them left. When the ember burned down, the first mate crushed it under their heel and didn’t say goodbye before walking off. They didn’t need to.

The first mate hissed as they tried to clean the scrape on their palm, wincing when saltwater hit raw skin. The captain stepped in without a word, gently prying the cloth from their fingers. They cleaned it with careful hands, slow, methodical, familiar with pain. "You’re terrible at this," the captain murmured.

The clouds were stacking fast, wind howling through the rigging. The crew ran to their posts, but the first mate didn’t move. They stood by the captain, eyes narrowed at the dark on the horizon. "Get below," the captain said. "That’s an order." "I’m not leaving you up here alone," the first mate replied.

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Dialogue Masterpost

Dialogue prompts are my favourite kind. So little context, so much creative space to have fun with. So here is a my masterpost full of dialogue prompts.

Romantic Dialogue

Flirting Prompts - Oblivious and flirty

Teasing Prompts

More Teasing Prompts

Romance Dialogue - Bubbly + Reserved

Dramatic/Break-up Dialogue Prompts

More Break-up Dialogue Prompts

One-sided affections dialogue

Unwanted Attention Prompts

Unrequited Love Prompts

Push and pull romantic prompts

Jealousy Prompts

heartbreaking.

First Kiss Prompts

Things said during sex Prompts

Awkward Post-Sex Dialogue

Smutty Dialogue (Masterpost)

One-Liners Dialogue - Romantic, Smutty + Physical (Masterpost)

Romance Dialogue Prompts – Uncomfortable with affection

Grumpy Affectionate Dialogue

Grumpy + Sunshine Dialogue

Inexperienced with romance Prompts

Love Confessions (Masterpost)

Romantic Date Dialogue Prompts

Asking out on a date

Anniversary Dinner Dialogue

Secret Relationship Dialogue

How to write Enemies to Lovers + Dialogue Prompts

Oblivious Enemies to Lovers Prompts

Enemies to Lovers: Apocalypse AU

Exes to lovers dialogue

Friends to lovers Dialogue

Best friends to lovers Dialogue

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers Dialogue

Enemies to friends with benefits Prompts

Enemies to friends Prompts

Fluffy

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part I

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part II

Fluffy Sentence Starters

One Hundred Compliments

Shy Compliments

Hidden Pregnancy Dialogue

Sleepy Starters

Cooking/Baking Dialogue Prompts

Friends and Family

Silly Drunk Dialogue

Bar Conversation Starters

Rekindling Friendship Dialogue

Not Wanting to Rekindle Friendship Dialogue

Reconnecting Friends Prompts

Supernatural/Crime/Co.

Hero x Villain - Snarky Dialogue

Hero + Villain Dialogue

Angst Villain Dialogue

Supervillain Roommates

Life & Death Prompts + Dialogue

Demons Dialogue

Angel/Demon Dialogue

Angel/Human Dialogue

Human/Ghost Dialogue Prompts

Assassins Banter Dialogue

Showing aliens the human world

FBI mentor and mentee prompts

Heist Prompts

Hurt/Comfort and Angst

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Angsty Dialogue (Masterpost)

AUs

Bodyguard Dialogue Prompts

Patient and Doctor Prompts

Neighbors to Lovers Dialogue

Coffee Shop Prompts

Matchmaking at Work Prompts

Royalty Dialogue

Princess x Loyal Companion

Prince/ss x Commoner

Princess x Guard

Arranged Marriage Dialogue

Royal Arranged Marriage Dialogue Prompts

Royalty Forced Married to Actual Lovers Prompts

Royal x Royal Ball Dancing

Grad Students Prompts

High School Popular Kid + Outcast Dialogue

More

Dialogue Responses Masterlist

Drabble Prompts Masterlist

Three Word Sentences

Four Word Sentences

Five Word Sentences

Six Word Sentences

short & impactful

powerful.

"I can't…"

Reactions to… (Masterpost)

Asking for permission

Random Questions Prompts

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! 🥰

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Hey! Could I request (Fantasy) prompts with a serious/stoic character who would sacrifice the world for their lover x a soft spoken/kind-hearted character who would sacrifice themselves to save the world and their lover. If this too specific I apologize, you can change what you wish if it's too much.

Prompts for a Character who would Sacrifice the World to save their Lover who would Sacrifice Themselves for the World

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

They stood at the altar, pale hands steady as they bowed their head to the priests. The words of the ritual began, ancient and final. Then the chanting stopped. Steel rang through the temple. The stoic one, eyes shadowed and jaw clenched, held a blade to the High Priest's throat. "Say another word," they said, "and I will make all of you pay."

They raised their hands to complete the spell, voice calm, gaze warm even as the ground cracked beneath them. “"It’s alright," they said. "This is how it has to end"” But their lover’s hand closed around theirs, firm and unrelenting. "No," they murmured. "The world isn’t worth your last breath."

They wept when they found the truth. Whole kingdoms leveled. Rivers turned to ash. All to stop one thing: their death. “"You’ve destroyed everything," they whispered. The stoic one didn’t flinch. "I would destroy it again," they said. "A thousand times. Just to hold your hand one minute longer."

"I have to do this," they whispered, barely audible over the storm howling outside. "If I don’t, everything falls." The stoic one stepped closer, eyes dark. "Then let it fall." "You don’t mean that." Their voice broke. "I mean it more than I’ve meant anything. You are not the price. Never."

"I’m the one they want." "I know." "Then let me—" "No," they cut in, wiping blood from their blade. "You’re the only good thing I have. Let them come for me instead."

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hi, i love your prompts!!

can you do prompts/suggestions for revealing a character’s tragic backstory to the other characters? mostly with like hurt/comfort or angst. please n thanks!

How to Reveal a Tragic Backstory

check out these sources:

The Backstory Drip: Helping Writers Become Authors

When Do You Reveal a Backstory of a Character?: Writing Stack Exchange

Writing Character Backstory That Feels Real: Now Novel

1. Establish Context Before the Reveal

Before revealing a tragic backstory, it's crucial to lay the groundwork. Give the audience some clues or hints about the character’s pain or past struggles without fully explaining it. This builds curiosity and tension, making the eventual reveal more satisfying.

Example: Throughout the story, you might show the character having nightmares, flinching at certain triggers, or displaying a particular behavior (like pushing others away) that hints at something painful in their past.

2. Choose the Right Moment

A tragic backstory should be revealed at a moment that feels natural and emotionally charged. Don’t force it into the plot. Often, it works best when the character is vulnerable, perhaps during a quiet moment, when they feel safe enough to let their guard down, or during a crisis when the emotional dam breaks.

Example: The character might reveal their past during a moment of intense emotional vulnerability, like when they think they’re about to lose someone else they care about, or when they are experiencing a setback that mirrors their past trauma.

3. Keep It Uncomfortable

A tragic backstory is rarely easy to talk about, and the discomfort surrounding the reveal can be just as important as the backstory itself. Let the character struggle with the words or try to push the conversation away, only to be coaxed into speaking. This makes the moment feel more authentic and raw.

Example: The character might start the conversation with, "It’s not important" or "I don’t want to talk about it," before finally giving in to the other character’s gentle probing or a shift in the situation that forces them to face the truth.

4. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of simply stating the tragic event, show how it affects the character through their actions, memories, or how they interact with others. This deepens the emotional impact, allowing readers to experience the pain with the character rather than just being told what happened.

Example: Rather than saying, "He lost his entire family in the fire," you could show how the character avoids talking about their family, has flashbacks when they see something related to fire, or even flinches at certain words associated with their trauma.

5. Use Symbolism

The tragic backstory can be tied to something physical, symbolic, or thematic in the narrative. A certain object, place, or even weather can be used to evoke memories of the past, creating a deeper emotional connection.

Example: If the character lost someone they loved in a car accident, perhaps they always have trouble getting into cars, or they wear a piece of jewelry that reminds them of the person. When this item or memory is triggered, the character opens up about the event.

6. Layer the Reveal

Sometimes, a tragic backstory is revealed in pieces over time. A character might not reveal everything all at once, but bits and pieces come out as the story progresses. This gradual reveal can allow you to build emotional complexity and deepen the audience’s understanding of the character.

Example: The character might first mention a loss in passing, then later reveal more details about the circumstances surrounding that loss. In a climactic moment, they might confess the full extent of their pain, perhaps adding a new layer of guilt or unresolved anger.

7. Avoid Making It “Too Perfect”

Tragedy isn’t always a neat, tidy narrative. It’s often messy, complicated, and filled with unresolved feelings. Don’t try to make the tragic backstory feel like it was meant to be "healed" or resolved easily. Characters are shaped by tragedy, and the wounds might never fully heal.

Example: The character might express regret or resentment, even years later. They might struggle with feelings of guilt, or they might have difficulty trusting others due to their past experiences.

8. Don’t Overload the Backstory

While tragic backstories are emotionally powerful, too many details can overwhelm the reader or distract from the present story. Instead, focus on the most crucial parts of the past that shaped the character’s current behavior, rather than telling every painful moment.

Example: Rather than describing an entire traumatic event in detail, focus on how it emotionally affected the character. Perhaps the character doesn’t want to remember, so the backstory is revealed only through emotional reactions to certain triggers or through small, painful details.

9. Use the Backstory as a Motivator

After revealing the tragic backstory, the character’s actions should be influenced by it. Their trauma will affect their decisions, and it’s important to show how it shapes their journey going forward.

Example: The character might reveal that they lost someone to violence, and that’s why they became a protector of others. Or maybe their tragic past has made them emotionally distant, but in the course of the story, they gradually learn to trust and open up.

10. Make the Reveal Matter to the Plot

A tragic backstory shouldn’t just be there to elicit sympathy. It should tie into the character’s motivations, fears, and relationships with other characters. If the backstory doesn’t serve a purpose for the plot, it can feel like unnecessary exposition.

Example: If the character is hesitant to form deep relationships because of their tragic past, this fear will be challenged by their interactions with the other characters. Perhaps their backstory also explains why they’re so skilled in a certain area, giving the plot a practical reason for them to be involved in the current situation.

Writing Prompts Revealing a Tragic Backstory

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

She leaned against the worn table, fingers tracing the edge of a chipped mug, not meeting his eyes. "I didn’t always… I wasn’t always this," she began, her voice thin, strained. He sat across from her, waiting, but not pushing. She swallowed, her chest tightening. "There was a fire, years ago. I was just a kid. My parents—" She stopped, shaking her head, as though the words couldn’t pass her lips without choking her. "I don’t even know how I made it out."

She reached out to touch his shoulder, a gesture of comfort, but he recoiled as if her hand was burning him. His eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. "Don’t," he muttered, backing away, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. "Please don’t." She stared, mouth dry, unsure what she had done wrong, but the way his face twisted as if remembering something painful told her everything she needed to know.

They jolted awake, heart pounding, gasping for breath as the remnants of the nightmare clung to them. The other person, already awake, noticed and reached out, pulling them into their arms. "Shh, it’s okay," they whispered softly, but the words barely registered. "I couldn’t save her," they choked out, voice raw. "I promised, but I—" The sob broke free before they could finish, and the other person tightened their hold, pressing their forehead against theirs. "You didn’t fail," they whispered, offering the comfort of their presence. "You're safe now."

They were walking in silence, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots the only sound between them. He kept his head down, eyes fixed on the ground, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. Then, without warning, he stopped. "I watched him die," he said, his voice rough, as though the words were hard to spit out. She turned, startled by the suddenness, but he didn’t meet her gaze. "My brother. He bled out before anyone could help." His jaw tightened, eyes distant. "And I couldn’t do a damn thing."

Her laughter echoed in the room, but it faltered when she saw his face. He wasn’t laughing. He was staring, distant, lost in some memory only he could see. "What’s wrong?" she asked, suddenly concerned. His eyes snapped back to her, and he forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Nothing." He turned away quickly, but not before she saw the tear that had escaped down his cheek. "I just... you made me think of my sister."