37 Intriguing What Happens Next Writing Prompts

37 What Happens Next Writing Prompts

These 37 intriguing What Happens Next writing prompts are designed to ignite your creativity and enhance your storytelling abilities. These prompts are perfect for journal prompts, story starters, and writing topics that will challenge your imagination.

37 Captivating What Happens Next Prompts

  1. After finding an old, dusty journal in the attic, you start reading an entry that describes a hidden treasure. As you turn the page, you realise the next part is missing. What happens next?
  2. Walking home one evening, you notice a trail of mysterious glowing footprints leading into the woods. You decide to follow them. What happens next?
  3. During a family gathering, your grandmother mentions a long-lost relative no one has ever heard of. She says there’s a reason they’ve been kept a secret. What happens next?
  4. Your best friend confesses they’ve discovered a portal to another dimension in their basement. They invite you to join them on an adventure. What happens next?
  5. In the middle of the night, you receive a cryptic text message from an unknown number, warning you of imminent danger. You need to act fast. What happens next?
  6. While exploring an abandoned mansion, you find a locked room with strange noises coming from inside. You manage to open the door. What happens next?
  7. A mysterious package arrives at your doorstep with no return address. Inside, you find an ancient artefact and a note written in a language you can’t decipher. What happens next?
  8. During a thunderstorm, the power goes out, and you hear someone knocking on your door. You weren’t expecting anyone. What happens next?
  9. You wake up one morning to discover that everyone in your town has vanished overnight. You seem to be the only one left. What happens next?
  10. In a local café, you overhear a conversation about a secret society planning a significant event. Intrigued, you decide to investigate further. What happens next?
  11. Your pet suddenly starts talking to you, revealing that they are actually a shape-shifting guardian sent to protect you. What happens next?
  12. At a car boot sale, you purchase an old painting that appears to change scenes every day. One day, the painting shows a familiar face in danger. What happens next?
  13. While cleaning out your garage, you find a time capsule you buried as a child. Inside, you discover items you don’t remember ever owning. What happens next?
  14. After a strange meteor shower, you wake up with extraordinary abilities. You’re not the only one. What happens next?
  15. You receive an invitation to a mysterious masquerade ball with no indication of the host. Curiosity gets the better of you, and you decide to attend. What happens next?
  16. A sudden, world-wide blackout occurs, and your neighbour claims to know the cause and how to fix it. They need your help. What happens next?
  17. You find an ancient map hidden inside a library book. It leads to a location that holds a powerful secret. What happens next?
  18. During a hiking trip, you stumble upon a hidden village that isn’t on any map. The inhabitants are not what they seem. What happens next?
  19. A new app on your phone starts predicting future events with eerie accuracy. It gives you a dire warning about tomorrow. What happens next?
  20. Your reflection in the mirror starts behaving independently, warning you of a threat only they can see. What happens next?
  21. After a vivid dream about an unfamiliar place, you wake up to find yourself there. You need to find a way back home. What happens next?
  22. You discover an old, forgotten photograph of a person who looks exactly like you, dated over 100 years ago. What happens next?
  23. A stranger approaches you, claiming to be a time traveller who needs your help to prevent a catastrophe. What happens next?
  24. You inherit an old, spooky house from a distant relative. Strange things start happening as soon as you move in. What happens next?
  25. A beloved book character suddenly appears in real life, seeking your assistance to save their world. What happens next?
  26. While scuba diving, you find an underwater city with signs of recent inhabitants. What happens next?
  27. A new neighbour moves in next door, and you start noticing odd occurrences. They reveal a secret that changes everything. What happens next?
  28. You attend a carnival and enter a tent that promises to show you your future. What you see shocks you. What happens next?
  29. Your favourite childhood toy suddenly comes to life and needs your help to complete an unfinished quest. What happens next?
  30. You find a hidden room in your house with a mysterious machine that allows you to alter past events. What happens next?
  31. At a garage sale, you buy a vintage typewriter. As you start typing, the stories you write begin happening in real life. What happens next?
  32. A stranger gives you a key and a cryptic message before vanishing. The key opens a door you’ve never noticed before. What happens next?
  33. During a school reunion, you and your friends decide to revisit an old hangout spot, only to find it holds a dark secret. What happens next?
  34. You adopt a stray cat, only to discover it possesses magical powers. It leads you on an extraordinary journey. What happens next?
  35. You receive an old letter addressed to you from a past century. The writer asks for your help with an urgent matter. What happens next?
  36. While camping in a remote area, you come across an uncharted cave with ancient markings. You decide to explore it. What happens next?
  37. You win a contest that grants you a single wish. The outcome of your wish brings unforeseen consequences. What happens next?

How to Use What Happens Next Writing Prompts

To make the most of these prompts, follow these simple steps:

  1. Choose a Prompt: Select a prompt that piques your interest.
  2. Set a Timer: Allocate a specific amount of time for writing, such as 15-30 minutes.
  3. Write Continuously: Focus on writing without stopping to edit or overthink.
  4. Expand and Edit: Once the initial writing is done, review and expand upon your ideas.

These What Happens Next writing prompts are designed to spark your creativity and help you explore various narrative possibilities. 

Whether you’re looking for story starter sentences, journal prompts, or new writing ideas, these prompts will challenge your imagination and enhance your storytelling skills. Dive into these scenarios and see where your creativity takes you. Happy writing!