70 Mythology Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas

Mythology has always been about more than gods and monsters. These stories explore power, fate, love, betrayal, and the mysteries of life and death. For teen writers, mythology opens the door to reimagining timeless tales or inventing new ones in worlds where gods walk among mortals, myths shape reality, and heroes face impossible choices.

These mythology writing prompts are designed for teen writers and include plot hooks, mythic titles, character archetypes, immersive settings, and visual ideas. Whether you’re teaching epic poetry, diving into Greek myths, or just looking for a way to spark creativity, this collection blends ancient stories with modern imagination.

1. Plot Hooks

Mythology thrives on epic quests, impossible bargains, and encounters with the divine. These story starters are designed to throw characters straight into mythic-scale adventures:

1. Write about a teenager who discovers they’re descended from a forgotten god.

2. Write about a mortal who steals fire from the gods—but in the digital age.

3. Write about a modern city where statues of gods begin to move at night.

4. Write about a hero tasked with defeating a monster that changes form each time it’s killed.

5. Write about a school where the myths students tell in class start coming true.

6. Write about a character who must journey to the underworld to bring back a loved one.

7. Write about someone who makes a deal with a trickster god, only to regret it.

8. Write about a war fought not with weapons, but with curses written in the stars.

9. Write about a demi-god who refuses their powers—until their town is threatened.

10. Write about a forgotten goddess who returns to reclaim her throne.

2. Title Prompts

A mythic title can hint at destiny, danger, or the divine. These titles work as sparks for short stories, poems, or full epics:

1. The Last Oracle

2. Chains of the Sun

3. The Shadow of Olympus

4. Serpent’s Gift

5. Wings of Wax

6. The Labyrinth’s Secret

7. The Forgotten Pantheon

8. Ashes of the Gods

9. River of Souls

10. The Cursed Crown

3. Opening Lines

The best myths begin in the middle of something strange, fateful, or dangerous. These opening lines drop writers into the heart of mythological storytelling:

1. Lightning split the sky, and I knew it wasn’t just a storm.

2. The oracle’s words followed me everywhere I went.

3. Nobody believed me when I said the gods still lived.

4. The labyrinth doors opened for me alone.

5. I found the shield buried in the sand, still glowing.

6. The stranger’s eyes held constellations I couldn’t name.

7. The monster wore my brother’s face.

8. At dawn, the statue turned its head to watch me.

9. The offering disappeared before it touched the altar.

10. My destiny was carved in stone long before I was born.

4. Closing Lines

Myths often end with sacrifice, transformation, or a reminder that power always comes at a price. These closing lines keep the story echoing long after it ends:

1. The gods were watching, and this time, I wasn’t afraid.

2. My story wasn’t written in the stars—it was written by me.

3. I left the crown on the throne and walked away.

4. The labyrinth shifted, sealing itself behind me forever.

5. He vanished into the mist, leaving only the sound of wings.

6. I heard her voice in the river one last time.

7. The curse was broken, but so was I.

8. I lit the fire, and the world began again.

9. They would never forget my name.

10. The gods had fallen silent.

5. Character Ideas

From demi-gods to tricksters, mythology is filled with figures who blur the line between human and divine. These character prompts are designed to spark new legends:

1. A demi-god trying to live a normal high school life.

2. A modern oracle who speaks only in riddles.

3. A trickster who swaps identities each sunrise.

4. A hero cursed to fight the same battle every night in their dreams.

5. A goddess of memory who starts to forget her own name.

6. A warrior who refuses immortality.

7. A student who discovers their teacher is a disguised god.

8. A shapeshifter who can’t control their forms.

9. A mortal chosen to carry a divine weapon.

10. A poet who accidentally writes new myths into existence.

6. Setting Ideas

Mythic settings are always more than backdrops—they’re alive with power, danger, and mystery. These locations invite writers to imagine new worlds and challenges:

1. An island where storms never end.

2. A modern city where skyscrapers are built over ancient temples.

3. A cavern filled with echoes of every word ever spoken.

4. A market where mortals and gods bargain side by side.

5. A forest where trees whisper the names of heroes.

6. A river that only flows at night.

7. A crumbling temple that rebuilds itself every sunrise.

8. A battlefield frozen in time.

9. A mountaintop where offerings burn forever.

10. A library that contains every myth ever told, including those not yet written.

7. Picture Prompts

Myths come to life through strong, symbolic imagery. These picture prompts are designed to inspire vivid descriptive writing, blending the visual with the mythological:

Final Thoughts

Mythology is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and it still captivates us today. These 70 prompts give teen writers the chance to reimagine gods and heroes, explore ancient settings, and create new legends of their own.

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