34 Fanfiction Writing Prompts With Vivid Details
It’s the worst feeling to get totally hooked on a book or series only to have it end. Suddenly there’s a void in your heart where all those amazing characters used to be! That’s where fanfiction comes in.
Think of it like playing in someone else’s awesome sandbox.
You get to keep the world and the toys (characters), but change up the story.
What about the side characters we hardly got to know?
What if your favorite heroes faced a totally different situation?
That’s why we have come up with 36 cool writing prompts to kickstart some fanfiction fun.
We’re talking Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings – all the good stuff! These prompts give you ideas to totally twist and reshape those worlds however you want.
Whether you’re a fanfiction pro or just starting, these are guaranteed to get your imagination going!
Let’s do this!
34 Fanfiction Writing Prompts
The In-Between Years: Harry Potter and friends have defeated Voldemort and brought peace to the Wizarding World. However, they still have their final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete. This story focuses on their 7th year, the year we never got to see, filled with magical education, teen angst, and dealing with the aftermath of a brutal war. Explore the dynamics of relationships, friendships, and personal growth that would occur during this period.
Modern Middle Earth: Imagine that Middle Earth from The Lord of The Rings was set in today’s modern world. All the creatures and characters exist, but they live in cities and use modern technology. How would Frodo carry the ring in this setting? Would Aragorn be a businessman, and what about Gandalf? How would these timeless characters navigate our complex modern society?
The Unknown Marauder: Everyone knows about the Marauders from Harry Potter – James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter. But what if there was a fifth Marauder who was just good at staying out of the limelight? The story focuses on this mysterious character, their experiences at Hogwarts, their secret contributions to the Marauders’ adventures, and their life during the war. Explore the life and character of this unknown Marauder.
Sheldon Cooper’s Twin: The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper is a unique character in himself. But imagine if he had an equally intelligent but socially adept, empathetic twin sister. How would she navigate her life and relationships within this eccentric group of friends? Explore the dynamic between Sheldon and his twin and how she changes the lives of everyone in the group.
Darth Vader: The Redeemer: What if Darth Vader had turned back to the light side earlier in the Star Wars series? Explore a universe where Anakin Skywalker never fully succumbs to the Dark Side. He tries to redeem himself, struggles with his past decisions, and works towards bringing balance to the Force, all while keeping his identity secret from Luke and Leia. Delve deep into Anakin’s journey towards redemption.
Survivors of Westeros: The Game of Thrones series ended with the devastating war and the fall of King’s Landing. But what if some of the characters we thought were dead survived? How would they continue living in the aftermath of such catastrophic events? Write about their struggles, victories, and how they navigate the new political landscape of Westeros.
The Cross-Cultural TARDIS: The Doctor from Doctor Who finds himself in Westeros, the world of Game of Thrones. Unable to leave immediately, he must navigate the political and physical perils of this new world, using his wit, bravery, and Time Lord knowledge to survive and help. Explore the Doctor’s journey in this unique crossover.
Hermione’s Time Turner Adventure: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione uses a Time Turner to attend multiple classes. But what if during one of her time travels, she accidentally goes too far back, landing in the time when Voldemort was just a student at Hogwarts? Write about her struggle to get back to her own time without changing the course of history.
Galactic Rebel Alliance: Imagine a universe where Star Wars meets the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Rebel Alliance seeks assistance from the Avengers to overthrow the tyranny of the Galactic Empire. Characters from both worlds must navigate their differences, understand each other’s abilities, and unite against a common enemy. Delve into the challenges and exciting adventures this crossover would entail.
Parallel Pevensies: The Pevensie children from the Chronicles of Narnia stumble upon another wardrobe during their stay with Professor Kirke, leading them to a different magical world from Narnia. This alternate universe is dark and unforgiving, a stark contrast to the relatively benign Narnia. Explore their journey as they navigate this new world while trying to find a way back home.
Surviving the Upside Down: Instead of being rescued in the first season of Stranger Things, Will Byers remains trapped in the Upside Down for a longer period. This prolonged exposure changes him in ways no one could have anticipated, as he develops certain abilities and a deeper connection to the Upside Down. Write about Will’s survival and how his character evolves due to these circumstances.
Sherlock in Shire: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson somehow find themselves in the Shire from The Lord of The Rings. While trying to find a way back home, they come across a mystery that needs solving in this peaceful hobbit-land. Explore how Sherlock and Watson would adapt to and resolve a mystery in Middle Earth.
Ilvermorny’s Dark Days: The Harry Potter universe mostly explores the British wizarding world, but what about the American school of magic, Ilvermorny? Write a story focusing on a group of students from Ilvermorny who uncover a dark secret that threatens their school and must work together to fight it. Dig deep into the world of American wizardry and the unique challenges these students face.
Katniss in a Zombie Apocalypse: Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series is known for her survival skills in dystopian circumstances. But what if she found herself in a world overrun by zombies, like The Walking Dead? Explore how Katniss would use her abilities to survive and protect those she cares about in a zombie apocalypse.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Odyssey: In the Percy Jackson series, Percy embarks on quests that take him to different parts of the modern world. But what if a quest took him back in time to Ancient Greece? He encounters legendary heroes and fearsome monsters while struggling with the clash between ancient customs and his modern mindset. Narrate Percy’s adventures in this time travel odyssey.
Spock’s Earthly Pursuits: Spock from Star Trek decides to spend some time on Earth to better understand human culture. Living undercover, he experiences everyday human life, goes to school, makes friends, and even gets involved in a local mystery. Explore Spock’s journey of understanding humanity and his own half-human, half-Vulcan identity.
Avengers’ Day Off: Being an Avenger is a full-time job, but what happens when they have a day off? How do these superheroes spend their downtime? Do they have hobbies, meet with friends, or simply relax? Explore the Avengers’ lives beyond their superhero duties and delve into their personal lives and interests.
Samwise the Brave: Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings is always seen as Frodo’s loyal sidekick, but what if he embarked on his own adventure, without Frodo? Write about an epic quest Sam must undertake, which pushes him out of his comfort zone and tests his courage. Explore Sam’s growth as an individual and a hero in his own right.
Hogwarts’ Muggle Professor: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry decides to offer a new subject – “Understanding Muggles” – taught by a Muggle professor. The professor has to navigate the magical world, teach wizard-born students about Muggle society, and handle the challenges of being the only non-magical person in a magical place. Describe this professor’s journey in the magical world and how they influence the students’ perspectives.
Dystopian Demigods: What if the Percy Jackson series was set in a dystopian world, where gods have been overthrown and the world is in ruins? Demigods are hunted, and Percy must lead a rebellion to restore balance. Explore this darker, grittier version of the Percy Jackson world.
Before the Watchmen: The Watchmen comic series has a rich set of characters with complex backgrounds. Write a prequel focused on Rorschach, delving into his life before he became the vigilante we know. Discover the events and experiences that shaped Rorschach’s unique worldview and moral compass.
Jane Eyre: The Time Traveler: Jane Eyre from the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte suddenly finds herself in the 21st century. How would a Victorian governess navigate the modern world? How would she react to modern views on gender, social class, and independence? Write about Jane’s experiences and insights as a time traveler.
The Lost Airbender: In the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, all the airbenders were thought to have been exterminated. But what if there was one who managed to escape and was living in hiding? Explore the life and struggles of this lost airbender, their journey to master their abilities, and their eventual role in the world’s destiny.
Robin Hood in Space: Robin Hood and his Merry Men are well-known characters from English folklore, but what if they existed in a far-flung future, in space? Imagine Robin Hood as a space pirate, robbing from corrupt galactic corporations and helping oppressed alien colonies. Write about their thrilling space adventures and how they uphold their principles in this new setting.
The Tenth Walker: In The Lord of The Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring comprises nine members. What if there was a tenth walker, an ordinary person from our world, who suddenly finds themselves in Middle Earth and becomes part of the Fellowship? Explore their struggles, their bond with the Fellowship members, and their contribution to the quest.
The Winchester Legacy: In the Supernatural series, the Winchester brothers are known for their unending fight against supernatural entities. But what if there was another Winchester sibling who chose a different path, aiming to broker peace between humans and benign supernatural beings? Explore this sibling’s struggles, their complex relationship with their brothers, and their impact on the supernatural world.
Heir of Slytherin: Draco Malfoy, from the Harry Potter series, finds out he’s the true heir of Salazar Slytherin. He now must grapple with this newfound power and responsibility while remaining loyal to his friends. Dive deep into Draco’s transformation from a school bully into a potential leader in the Wizarding World.
Hobbit in Hogwarts: Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit stumbles upon a portkey and finds himself in the world of Harry Potter. He gets accepted into Hogwarts and begins to navigate wizarding life, magic classes, and make friends while yearning to return home. Delve into Bilbo’s adventures in the magical school of Hogwarts.
Survivor of the Battlestar: A survivor from the destroyed Battlestar Galactica wakes up on the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek. While struggling to adapt to this different environment, they must also deal with their trauma and loss. Explore their journey of survival, adaptation, and healing in this crossover universe.
The Forgotten Tributes: In the world of The Hunger Games, District 12 is famous for its victors like Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. But what about the tributes before them? Dive into the stories of the forgotten tributes from District 12, their experiences in the Games, and their impact on their district. Explore these untold stories and give a voice to these forgotten characters.
Lannister Redemption: Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones has always been the black sheep of the Lannister family. But what if he was the heir to the family, the firstborn, with all the expectations and responsibilities that come with it? Write about Tyrion’s journey navigating power, family dynamics, and his fight to bring honor to his name.
Jane Austen’s Heroine in the 21st Century: Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice suddenly finds herself in the 21st century. She must adapt to the modern world with its technology, new social norms, and independence while maintaining her strong character and wit. Explore how Elizabeth navigates and influences the modern world.
The Last Martian: A survivor from a destroyed Mars colony is rescued by the crew of the Serenity from Firefly. As they adapt to their new reality, they bring with them technology, knowledge, and the trauma of a lost world. Dive into their story of loss, adaptation, and their contribution to the crew’s adventures.
Cursed Azkaban: An innocent person is wrongly convicted and sent to Azkaban in the world of Harry Potter. There, they must endure the Dementors, maintain their sanity, and plan their escape to prove their innocence. Explore their struggles, their fight for survival, and their quest for justice.
