The Most Disturbing Demon Story Ideas and Writing Prompts of 2024

Looking for enticing and creative demon story ideas and writing prompts? You’ve come to the right place!

Read on for ideas like a widowed woman befriending seven demons who are the seven stages of grief, or a demon which lingers in a newborn ward to feed off the energies of innocent babies!

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Demon Story Ideas and Writing Prompts
- Story ideas
- Picture prompts
Demons
- Demons vs. Monsters
- Famous stories featuring demons
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Demon Story Ideas and Writing Prompts

So, you want to write a demon story? Let’s dive in for some intriguing story ideas!

Please note that the genders in these prompts and story ideas are just placeholders. It is not the intention to enforce any hurtful stereotypes or offend anyone.

Story ideas

Journey into the realms of darkness and delve into the captivating world of demons with our collection of story ideas!

Demonic Possession in Space:

A space mission crew member becomes possessed by a demon and the others must find a way to exorcise the demon before it can harm the entire crew and endanger the mission.
The Demon’s Bargain:

A demon offers a person the chance to relive a moment from their past, but with a catch. They must convince someone else to make a deal with the demon in exchange for their own wish.
The Demon’s Lair:

A demon has taken up residence in a hospital’s newborn ward, feeding off the innocent energy of the babies and their families. (This idea originally appeared in my post Horror Setting Ideas: An Imaginative List.)
Personal Demons:

A person struggles with their personal demons, such as addiction, trauma, or guilt, and begin to see and interact with physical manifestations of their demons.
Demon Zoo:

A group of demonologists team up to create a “zoo” of captured demons. But things get out of control when a demon is accidentally released and begins to wreak havoc on the city.
The Demon vs. The Witch:

When a demon kidnaps a nature-worshipping witch to force her to remove a curse she placed on one of his minions, he never expected to find himself drawn to her in ways he never thought possible. (This idea originally appeared in my post Paranormal Romance Story Ideas and Writing Prompts.)
Demon Reality TV Show:

A reality TV show where contestants must summon and control a demon to win a cash prize. But things go wrong when the demon becomes too powerful and begins to take over the show, putting the contestants in danger.
Demon Invasion of the Olympics:

During the Olympic Games, a group of demons infiltrates the stadium and possesses the athletes, turning them into unstoppable demon warriors.
Demon Jury:

A person dies and finds themselves on trial in hell, with a jury of demons deciding their fate. The person must argue their case and prove they don’t belong in hell.
The Seven Demons of Grief:

After her husband’s death, a woman becomes consumed by loneliness and unwittingly befriends a group of seven demons, each one representing a different stage of grief. (Originally appeared in my post Deep Dark Fantasy Story Ideas.)
The Demon’s Therapist:

A demon has taken a liking to a human therapist and poses as a client in order to get closer to her. As their unlikely relationship unfolds, the therapist must confront the reality of her newest client’s demonic nature.
The Vision:

As depression takes hold on someone, he/she begins to see demons in their visions, but one demon in particular takes an insidious interest in them. (Originally appeared in my post Dark and Eerie Gothic Story Ideas.)
The Statue:

In a small town, a mysterious statue begins to appear in the town’s only museum and people who touch the statue claim to experience visions and nightmares.
Second Chance:

A remorseful demon seeks redemption by inhabiting the form of a gargoyle, standing guard over a forgotten graveyard. When a grieving woman visits the graveyard, the gargoyle-demon senses her pain and becomes entangled in her life.

Picture prompts

Here are some picture prompts, because a picture speaks a thousand words! What kind of demon prompt or story jumps out at you when looking at the picture prompts below?

Consider:

An heir to a crumbling fortune discovers a hidden family heirloom with a demonic entity bound to it. The demon promises to restore the family’s wealth and power, but its offers come at a steep price.

(Please click on the image for more information about it.)
Consider:

A demon disguises itself as a treasured gemstone embedded in the royal crown,seducing the king with promises of boundless riches and prosperity that corrupt his soul. It’s up to a courageous thief, aware of the demon’s presence, to retrieve the crown and break the demon’s hold over the king before the kingdom crumbles.

(Please click on the image for more information about it.)

Demons

The definition of a demon can vary depending on cultural and religious beliefs. In some contexts, a demon is considered to be an evil supernatural being, often associated with the devil or with malevolent forces that seek to harm humans or tempt them to do wrong.

In other contexts, a demon may be viewed as a powerful, non-human spirit or entity that may have positive or negative qualities, depending on its nature and purpose. Ultimately, the definition of a demon is shaped by the beliefs and practices of the particular culture or religion in which it is understood.

Demons vs. Monsters

Demons and monsters are both often associated with supernatural or otherworldly beings, but there are some differences in their definitions and connotations.

A demon is generally seen as a supernatural being with spiritual or mystical powers, often associated with evil or malevolence. Demons are typically thought of as intelligent entities with individual personalities, motives, and goals. In many cultures, demons are believed to be fallen angels or spirits that have rebelled against the divine order.

A monster, on the other hand, is a creature that is typically portrayed as physically large, fierce, and threatening. Monsters can be fictional creations, such as those found in horror movies or fantasy literature, or they can be real animals or creatures that are considered dangerous or frightening.

While demons and monsters can both be associated with evil or malevolence, the main difference between them is that demons are often seen as spiritual or supernatural entities, while monsters are more commonly thought of as physical creatures or beings. Additionally, demons are often associated with specific religious or cultural beliefs, while monsters are more broadly found in many different cultural traditions and myths.

Famous stories featuring demons

There are many famous demon stories from different cultures and religions around the world. Here are a few examples:

The Exorcist: This is a famous horror movie based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon, and the efforts of two priests to exorcise the demon from her body.

The Devil and Daniel Webster: This is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benét, published in 1937. It tells the story of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil, and the subsequent trial in which the famous lawyer Daniel Webster represents the farmer in an effort to win back his soul.

The Lesser Key of Solomon: This is a grimoire, or a book of magic spells and invocations, that was first published in the 17th century. It contains descriptions of various demons and how to summon them, as well as instructions on how to protect oneself from demonic possession.

These are just a few examples of famous demon stories from various cultures and time periods, proving that demons and their stories continue to fascinate and terrify people around the world.