The Map to Phoenix Nest
Dive into a world where mythical beasts are not just legends but reality. A group of teenagers find a map leading to the Phoenix Nest, a place of renewal and great power. Write about their perilous journey and the alliances they must forge with creatures of legend.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Give your hero a secret they're keeping from their best friend.
- Let your hero make a big mistake for a reason the reader understands.
- End with a choice only this hero would make.
Writing young adult books
Ages 12 to 18: firsts, identity and everything at stake.
Young adult fiction is written for teens, with protagonists usually 14 to 18. Every genre lives here, from fantasy to thrillers to romance. What makes it YA is the voice: immediate, intense and inside a teenager's head.
What readers expect
- A teen protagonist
- An immediate, close voice
- Identity and independence
- Big feelings, taken seriously
A tip before you start
Write from inside a teen's head, not from an adult looking back. That immediacy is what separates YA from an adult book with a young hero.
More YA Fantasy and Adventure prompts
- The Forbidden BookImagine a world where your social status and wealth depend on how many books you've read. The protagonist, a fifteen-year-old girl, stumbles upon a…
- The Nightmare in the Dream RealmIn a realm where dreams can be woven into reality, a young dreamweaver discovers a nightmare trying to infiltrate and corrupt the dream realm. Follow…
- The Meteor's GiftAfter a meteor shower, a group of high school friends find a crashed alien ship in their small town. With government agents and unknown creatures on…
- The Spirit Element TrialIn the kingdom of Eldoria, a group of teens are chosen every century to undergo the Trial of Elements. Each teen represents an element—earth, water…
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