Horror writing prompt
The Town Behind Locked Doors
Write a story about a small town where every full moon, the residents lock themselves inside. An outsider, stranded and unaware, experiences the town's secret firsthand.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
Write it now
Pick a sprint, start the clock and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
0 words · saved in this browser
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- 1Let one rule of the house or town be broken, and show why it existed.
- 2End before the danger is over.
- 3Tell it as a story someone is begging the reader to believe.
More horror prompts
See them all- The Book of MadnessIn an ancient library, a librarian discovers a forbidden book that is said to be written in the language of madness. Curiosity leads them to read it, unleashing psychological horrors that manifest physically in the library as they dive deeper into the text.
- The Talisman That SpeaksDescribe the chilling occurrences when an amateur archaeologist unearths an ancient talisman that whispers secrets about the past, and summoning something that should have been left undisturbed.
- The Mansion MirrorsWrite a story where a family inherits an old mansion, only to discover every mirror in the house shows their reflection with someone else standing beside them—a figure that starts appearing beyond the reflection.
- The Reflection's WarningImagine a world where reflections have an agenda of their own. One morning, a character notices their reflection attempting communication, leading to a horrifying revelation.
Tell your story ✍️📚Captivate readers 😍Start earning 💸🤑💳Tell your story ✍️📚with Chapterly.
Get started for as low as $9.99 a month risk free for 30 days