The Locket in the Woods
In a quiet town bordered by forgotten woods, your protagonist discovers an ancient locket that allows them to see the unseen - ghosts, spirits, and echoes of the past. One evening, a ghostly figure begins appearing, guiding them to unearth the tragic love story that ended centuries ago in those very woods. They can't help but fall for this spirit, whose yearning for resolution mirrors their own loneliness.
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.
- End on the first honest conversation, not the first kiss.
- Make the obstacle something they both believe in, not a misunderstanding.
- Put them in close quarters they can't escape.
Writing romance books
Not whether they end up together, but how.
Romance puts a love story at the center and promises a happy ending: happily ever after, or at least happy for now. Readers know where it's going. The pleasure is in the obstacles, the banter and the moment the two leads finally stop fighting it.
What readers expect
- Two leads the reader roots for
- Obstacles that keep them apart
- Emotional growth, not just attraction
- A happy ending, guaranteed
A tip before you start
The happy ending isn't optional. Without it you've written a love story, and romance readers will tell you so.
More Paranormal Romance prompts
- Love Letters in the WallsAfter moving into an old Victorian house, you discover a series of love letters hidden within the walls, dating back over a century. As you begin to…
- The Flirtatious Séance SpiritYou're a psychic who specializes in communicating with the dearly departed. One evening, while conducting a séance for a client, you unexpectedly…
- The Masquerade CurseAt the town's annual masquerade ball, a masked stranger enchants you with tales of the supernatural. As midnight approaches, they reveal they are…
- The Witch's Heirloom NecklaceAfter receiving an heirloom necklace that supposedly harbors the spirit of a lovesick witch, a skeptical scientist starts experiencing inexplicably…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.