Notes from the Inkpot

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

70 Court Intrigue Writing Prompts for Teens: Political Secrets, Power Struggles, Betrayal & Royal Schemes

70 Court Intrigue Writing Prompts for Teens: Political Secrets, Power Struggles, Betrayal & Royal Schemes

Court intrigue stories explore power at its quietest and most dangerous. Set within royal courts, noble houses, councils, or controlled hierarchies, these narratives focus on secrecy, reputation, and moral compromise rather than open conflict. Authority is exercised through ceremony, silence, and strategy, where a single decision made behind closed doors can reshape lives far beyond the chamber walls. These court intrigue writing prompts invite teen writers to explore political tension across fantasy courts, dystopian regimes, and gothic power structures. Rather than relying on spectacle or violence, the prompts prioritise atmosphere, psychological pressure, and consequence-driven storytelling, making them ideal for classroom use, writing clubs, or longer YA projects rooted in restraint, ambiguity, and choice.

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70 Dark Fae & Folklore Writing Prompts: Fantasy Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas

70 Dark Fae & Folklore Writing Prompts: Fantasy Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas

Dark fae and folklore stories sit at the uneasy edges of fantasy — where beauty conceals danger, bargains carry consequences, and the supernatural follows rules that do not bend for human comfort. Rooted in fae mythology, folklore traditions, and dark fantasy, these stories explore power, temptation, and survival through atmosphere and implication rather than spectacle. This collection of 70 Dark Fae & Folklore Writing Prompts for Teens offers a complete creative toolkit, combining plot hooks, opening and closing lines, character ideas, setting prompts, and visual inspiration. Designed for creative writing lessons, English classrooms, and independent writing, the prompts encourage young writers to explore folklore-inspired fantasy with depth, restraint, and narrative control.

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