Thrillers are dark, engrossing, suspenseful, and fast-paced stories fueled by high-stakes scenarios and unexpected [plot twists](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-writing-a-killer-plot-twist). Though thrillers are primarily action-driven, thriller writers must also be adept at world-building, creating a setting that adds to the atmosphere. [Thrillers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-the-thriller-genre-definitions-and-examples-of-thriller-in-literature) also need compelling characters—there’s usually a main character whose point of view the book follows, a villain in the form of a single person or shadowy organization, and a host of supporting characters who add depth to the story. 

Thrillers can also fall into various subgenres, such as historical fiction, sci-fi, [spy stories](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-spy-thriller), or murder mysteries. Although thriller stories are a popular fiction genre, you can also find non-fiction thrillers that tell suspenseful stories based on real-life events.
Writing prompts are story starters that can help you conquer [writer’s block](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-writers-block-how-to-overcome-writers-block-with-step-by-step-guide-and-writing-exercises) and get the creative juices flowing. Whether you’re working on a thriller novel or short story, or just want a writing exercise to inspire fresh ideas, here are some <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a> prompts to kick-start your next thriller story. 

1. Taking a break from their busy lives, two best friends go on a ski trip together. One of them doesn’t know that the other is a serial killer. 
2. A journalist looking for her next good story is coming home from visiting her mother. On the way, her car breaks down, and she’s forced to stay the night at a secluded mountain inn. When she wakes up, there’s a dead body in her hotel bathroom. 
3. Two high school sweethearts have the perfect love story till a blackout shuts down the power grid on Halloween night. Things return to normal the next day, but the boy realizes his girlfriend has disappeared. 
4. In a dystopian world ravaged by a climate catastrophe, a writer falls asleep at his typewriter. The next morning, there’s a cryptic message on what used to be a blank page, that may be from his long-lost daughter. 
5. After a year, a woman comes out of a coma and realizes that everyone thinks she murdered her girlfriend. Now she must prove her innocence.
Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Dan Brown, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, and more.
Whether you’re writing a mystery story or a science-fiction caper, check out these thriller writing prompts for some writing inspiration before getting to work on your future best seller.

Whether you’re writing a mystery story or a science-fiction caper, check out these thriller writing prompts for some writing inspiration before getting to work on your future best seller.

5 Thriller Writing Prompts to Get Your Story Started

Thrillers are dark, engrossing, suspenseful, and fast-paced stories fueled by high-stakes scenarios and unexpected <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-writing-a-killer-plot-twist' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-writing-a-killer-plot-twist","linkCopy":"plot twists","category":null}'>plot twists</a>. Though thrillers are primarily action-driven, thriller writers must also be adept at world-building, creating a setting that adds to the atmosphere. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-the-thriller-genre-definitions-and-examples-of-thriller-in-literature' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-what-is-the-thriller-genre-definitions-and-examples-of-thriller-in-literature","linkCopy":"Thrillers","category":null}'>Thrillers</a> also need compelling characters—there’s usually a main character whose point of view the book follows, a villain in the form of a single person or shadowy organization, and a host of supporting characters who add depth to the story. Thrillers can also fall into various subgenres, such as historical fiction, sci-fi, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-spy-thriller' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-spy-thriller","linkCopy":"spy stories","category":null}'>spy stories</a>, or murder mysteries. Although thriller stories are a popular fiction genre, you can also find non-fiction thrillers that tell suspenseful stories based on real-life events.

What Is a Thriller?

Writing prompts are story starters that can help you conquer <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-writers-block-how-to-overcome-writers-block-with-step-by-step-guide-and-writing-exercises' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-writers-block-how-to-overcome-writers-block-with-step-by-step-guide-and-writing-exercises","linkCopy":"writer’s block","category":null}'>writer’s block</a> and get the creative juices flowing. Whether you’re working on a thriller novel or short story, or just want a writing exercise to inspire fresh ideas, here are some <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a> prompts to kick-start your next thriller story. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Taking a break from their busy lives, two best friends go on a ski trip together. One of them doesn’t know that the other is a serial killer. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. A journalist looking for her next good story is coming home from visiting her mother. On the way, her car breaks down, and she’s forced to stay the night at a secluded mountain inn. When she wakes up, there’s a dead body in her hotel bathroom. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Two high school sweethearts have the perfect love story till a blackout shuts down the power grid on Halloween night. Things return to normal the next day, but the boy realizes his girlfriend has disappeared. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. In a dystopian world ravaged by a climate catastrophe, a writer falls asleep at his typewriter. The next morning, there’s a cryptic message on what used to be a blank page, that may be from his long-lost daughter. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. After a year, a woman comes out of a coma and realizes that everyone thinks she murdered her girlfriend. Now she must prove her innocence. </li></ol>

5 Thriller Writing Prompts

Become a better writer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Dan Brown, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, and more.

Want to Learn More About Writing?

Whether you’re writing a mystery story or a science-fiction caper, check out these thriller writing prompts for some writing inspiration before getting to work on your future best seller.

Whether you’re writing a mystery story or a science-fiction caper, check out these thriller writing prompts for some writing inspiration before getting to work on your future best seller.
