15 Writing Prompts for Pantsers and Outliners (And the Best Way to Start an Idea)

Some writers thrive on planning every detail before they start a story, while others dive in headfirst, letting the plot unfold as they go. Whether you’re an outliner who loves structure or a pantser who embraces spontaneity, writing prompts can spark fresh ideas and help you break through creative blocks.

In this post, I’ll share 15 writing prompts tailored for both pantsers and outliners, along with tips on how to start an idea in a way that suits your writing style.

How to Start an Idea (No Matter Your Style)

Before jumping into the prompts, let’s talk about how to begin a story in a way that works for you.

For Pantsers:

If you’re a pantser, you likely prefer discovering the story as you write. Instead of extensive planning, try starting with:

• A single powerful image – Imagine a scene that sparks emotion. What’s happening? Who’s there?
• An intriguing first line – Write a sentence that makes you curious to know what happens next.
• A character in motion – Drop your character into an interesting situation and see where they take you.

For Outliners:

If you prefer structure, you might feel more comfortable having a roadmap. Try starting with:

• A story premise – Write a one-sentence summary of your idea before expanding it.
• Character motivations – Define what your protagonist wants and what’s standing in their way.
• A simple three-act structure – Identify the setup, conflict, and resolution before diving into writing.

Now, let’s get to the prompts!

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15 Writing Prompts for Pantsers and Outliners

Fantasy & Adventure

1. Pantsers: A thief discovers a magical artifact in the ruins of an ancient city. The moment they touch it, the world around them shifts.
   • Start with their reaction and let the story unfold naturally.
2. Outliners: A kingdom relies on an enchanted river for survival, but the water is mysteriously drying up. The ruler sends a reluctant hero to uncover the cause.
   • Outline key obstacles the hero will face along the journey.
3. Pantsers: A young witch accidentally binds her soul to a creature she was meant to banish. Now, they must work together to survive.
4. Outliners: In a hidden library, a scholar finds a book that writes back. The book seems to know their deepest secrets.
   • Plan out the book’s origin, its powers, and the consequences of reading it.
5. Pantsers: A shipwrecked survivor washes ashore on an island that doesn’t appear on any maps. As they explore, they realize they’re not alone.

Romance & Drama

6. Outliners: Two childhood rivals are forced to fake a relationship for the sake of a family business.
   • Outline their character arcs and key moments of tension.
7. Pantsers: A stranger leaves a note in a coffee shop, and your protagonist picks it up. It’s addressed to them.
8. Outliners: An artist moves to a small town to escape heartbreak, only to find inspiration—and love—in an unlikely place.
   • Plan out how their past influences their new relationship.
9. Pantsers: At a masquerade ball, your character dances with someone who seems eerily familiar.
10. Outliners: Two people meet on the same train every morning, exchanging glances but never speaking—until one day, one of them doesn’t show up.
    • Decide what keeps them from talking and what changes that.

Mystery & Thriller

11. Pantsers: Your protagonist wakes up in a locked room with no memory of how they got there. A voice crackles over a speaker: “You have one hour.”
12. Outliners: A detective receives anonymous letters predicting crimes before they happen.
    • Plan out the sender’s motive and how the detective pieces the mystery together.
13. Pantsers: A journalist investigating a missing person case finds their own name listed in a police report dated next week.
14. Outliners: A scientist discovers a way to erase specific memories—but someone is using the technology for sinister purposes.
    • Outline who benefits from these erased memories and the cost of retrieving them.
15. Pantsers: A late-night radio DJ receives a call from a listener who describes a murder in real-time—one that hasn’t happened yet.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you like to outline every detail or let the story take you by surprise, the key is to start with something that excites you. Writing should be an adventure, whether planned or unexpected.

Which prompt stood out to you the most? Do you prefer writing as a pantser or an outliner? Let’s talk in the comments.

Happy Writing ^_^