12 Adventure Writing Prompts: Ideas for Adventure Stories

Adventure stories take readers on action-packed, high-stakes journies. The tension of the main character’s story arc creates a pulse-pounding, adrenaline-pumping storyline. Adventure writing transcends one particular genre—writers can take readers on exciting adventures in sci-fi, thriller, mystery, romance, and fantasy stories.

Creative writing prompts are story ideas that can jumpstart the story-writing process and help writers hone their writing skills. You might associate fiction writing prompts with high school creative writing courses, but writers of any skill level can benefit from prompts to get them started. Whether you have writer’s block, are looking for a new writing exercise, or just want to flex your imagination, writing prompts can help you clear the cobwebs and generate new ideas.

Use these story starters and get going on that adventure-packed short story or novel.

1. 1. A down-on-her-luck mechanic sees a hot air balloon pass over her garage. Struck with wanderlust, she charts her own balloon journey to far-flung places she’s always dreamed of visiting.
2. 2. Two best friends charter a small plane to a tropical island. The pilot has a heart attack mid-flight, forcing them to crash-land the aircraft on a remote island far from their destination.
3. 3. A chemist, working overtime, falls asleep in his lab. The next day he realizes he inhaled noxious vapors in his sleep. He starts to have severe hallucinations that blur the lines between real life and science fiction.
4. 4. A reporter tags along with an experienced crew of astronauts on a journey into outer space. Complications at lift-off leave the reporter alone and adrift in a spaceship he doesn’t know how to fly.
5. 5. An archaeologist gets more than she bargained for when a pack of ravenous wolves attacks the excavation site on her first day. A local guide, who doesn’t speak her language, is her only lifeline.
6. 6. A woman steps onto a train and suddenly becomes transported to a different era.
7. 7. A group of teens gets separated in a crowded amusement park. As they attempt to find one another, they discover the park employees have conspired to keep them apart.
8. 8. A young boy stays up late on Christmas Eve, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Instead, he witnesses a kidnapping in the house across the street.
9. 9. Cleaning out his recently departed grandfather’s house, a man discovers artifacts that paint a dark picture of his family’s history.
10. 10. Visiting an old estate, a woman loses her partner in a hedge maze and winds up in a fantastic, strange world.
11. 11. On a journey of personal discovery, a woman traverses the country on her motorcycle. Along the way, she picks up a charming, thrill-seeking hitch-hiker.
12. 12. A man picks up a seemingly harmless old book from a used bookstore. But whenever he finishes a chapter, the events described in the book begin to unfold in his own life.

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