Notes from the Inkpot

Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.

Placeholder image with the text 'Start here.' in large black font on a white background.
A stack of five closed books on a wooden table, with an open book nearby, and a blurred plant in the background, captioned 'The Literature Library'.
Open notebook with a fountain pen resting on lined pages, on a wooden table. Text overlay reads 'Creative Writing Prompts'.
A nearly blank white background with no visible objects or details.
70 Cursed Bargains Writing Prompts: Deals, Desire & Consequence
Ink & Insights . Ink & Insights .

70 Cursed Bargains Writing Prompts: Deals, Desire & Consequence

Cursed bargains sit at the heart of fairytale and folklore storytelling, capturing the moment when desire outweighs caution and a single decision begins to reshape everything that follows. Whether the offer comes from a stranger, a witch, a fae creature, or something less easily named, these stories explore the tension between what is promised and what is truly given. At their most compelling, they are not simply about magic or consequence, but about choice — the quiet, often desperate moment when a character decides the risk is worth it. This collection of 70 Cursed Bargains Writing Prompts invites writers to explore that moment from every angle, from tempting offers and hidden terms to the slow, unsettling realisation of the cost. Designed for both classroom use and independent writing, these prompts support imaginative, craft-focused storytelling rooted in folklore, symbolism, and consequence.

Read More
70 Gothic Fairytale Writing Prompts: Dark Magic, Twisted Folklore & Enchanted Ruin
For Teachers, For Writers, Creative Writing, Writing Prompts, Genres Ink & Insights . For Teachers, For Writers, Creative Writing, Writing Prompts, Genres Ink & Insights .

70 Gothic Fairytale Writing Prompts: Dark Magic, Twisted Folklore & Enchanted Ruin

Gothic fairytales return to the darker origins of folklore, where magic is unpredictable, beauty is often deceptive, and every wish carries a consequence. This collection of 70 Gothic Fairytale Writing Prompts explores enchanted forests, cursed objects, hidden bargains, and unsettling transformations, offering a rich mix of plot hooks, character ideas, settings, and atmospheric inspiration designed to spark imaginative storytelling. Perfect for classroom use or independent writing, these prompts encourage writers to experiment with mood, symbolism, and narrative tension while reimagining traditional fairytale elements through a gothic lens.

Read More
70 Goblin Market Writing Prompts: Temptation, Desire & Dangerous Bargains
For Teachers, For Writers, Creative Writing, Writing Prompts, Literature Inspired Creative Writing Prompts Ink & Insights . For Teachers, For Writers, Creative Writing, Writing Prompts, Literature Inspired Creative Writing Prompts Ink & Insights .

70 Goblin Market Writing Prompts: Temptation, Desire & Dangerous Bargains

Temptation has never looked so beautiful — or so dangerous. Inspired by Goblin Market, this collection of 70 creative writing prompts explores forbidden desire, uncanny marketplaces, and the hidden cost of indulgence. From whispered invitations in shadowed forests to fruit that offers more than it should, these prompts invite writers to step into worlds where sweetness is never innocent. Perfect for classrooms, creative writing practice, or independent storytelling, these prompts explore themes of temptation, control, sisterhood, and survival. Whether you’re crafting dark fairy tales, gothic narratives, or symbolic fiction, this Goblin Market-inspired collection will help you create stories that feel rich, unsettling, and impossible to resist.

Read More