Looking for enticing and creative monster story ideas and writing prompts? You’ve come to the right place!
Read on for story ideas like a siren working as a bar singer, a doctor specializing in treating mythological creatures, or a monster originating from a child’s drawing!
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Monsters
A monster is typically an imaginary creature in legends, fantasy, science fiction, mythology, folklore, and even religion, that is perceived as frightening, dangerous, or monstrous in appearance, behavior, or character.
The term can refer to a variety of beings, such as mythical creatures like dragons, ogres, or unicorns, or more modern representations like zombies or vampires. Monsters are often depicted as being supernaturally powerful, vicious, or malevolent, and may be used in literature, movies, or other media as symbols of fear, evil, or the unknown.
Monsters vs. demons
The difference between monsters and demons can vary depending on the context, but generally speaking:
A monster is a creature that is often depicted as being large, grotesque, and dangerous. Monsters can be fictional or legendary, and are often associated with horror or fantasy genres. While monsters can be evil and terrifying, they are not necessarily malevolent or supernatural in nature.
A demon, on the other hand, is a malevolent supernatural entity that is often associated with evil or demonic possession. In many religions and mythologies, demons are considered to be fallen angels or evil spirits, and are believed to be capable of possessing humans and causing harm or destruction. Demons are often depicted as having supernatural powers and abilities, and are typically associated with dark magic and the occult.
So while monsters and demons can both be scary and frightening, the key difference is that monsters are generally physical creatures, while demons are supernatural entities with malevolent intentions.
Famous stories featuring monsters
Here are some famous stories featuring monsters.
“Beowulf” is an epic poem written in Old English sometime between the 8th and the early 11th century (but was not published as a book until 1815) telling the story of a hero named Beowulf who battles a monster named Grendel, as well as Grendel’s mother and a dragon.
Known as one of the earliest “modern” monster stories is Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,” published in 1818, telling the story of a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who creates a grotesque creature in an experiment gone wrong.
Halfway across the pond, we have “Godzilla”. This iconic movie monster first appeared in the 1954 Japanese film “Godzilla.” The character is a giant, radioactive dinosaur-like creature that wreaks havoc on cities and battles other monsters in a number of films and other media.
Monster Story Ideas and Writing Prompts
So, you want to write a monster 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.
Manuscript Critique
Monsters in modern settings
The first way to brainstorm for a monster story ideas is to choose a monster and plop it into a modern setting, which allows you to incorporate the use of modern technologies and context such as cell phones, the internet, etc. to enrich your narrative.
1. A werewolf
…who’s a professional tracker, tracking anything from missing trinkets to missing pets, and even missing people. (Originally appeared on my post Werewolf Story Ideas and Writing Prompts.)
2. A siren
…who’s a bar singer, enchanting her audience with her voice. There’s a reason that all the usual bar patrons and her coworkers know not to mess with this one, because rumor has it, she could drive anyone crazy with her voice if she wants to.
3. A vampire
…working as a doctor, who chooses said occupation for an easy access to blood. What happens when he/she drinks blood from a patient and becomes specifically addicted to that patient’s blood? (Originally appeared on my post Vampire Romance Story Ideas and Writing Prompts.)
4. A genie
…who tries to collect on a century-old promise after recently being re-awakened in the 20th century. Since the original promise maker has been long dead, the monster is coming for their nearest descendant.
5. Dragons
…whose natural, mystical habitat is slowly deteriorating due to deforestation and overall human greediness. They decide to make city parks and zoos their new homes. (For more dragon-related story ideas, head to my post Dragon Story Ideas to Spark the Imagination.)
6. Cerberus
…who befriends a kind, blind elderly who mistakes him as a stray dog. (Originally appeared on my post Deep Dark Fantasy Story Ideas and Writing Prompts.)
7. Hybrid monster kids
… trying to fit into the modern world, hiding their monstrous forms with enchantments, glamours, and sometimes, cosmetics.
8. Or write about a regular doctor
…who stumbled upon his/her specialty by accident, and that is the knack for treating mythological and legendary creatures.
Retellings of classics
Another way to start brainstorming monster story ideas is to take a classic and put your own spin into it. Here are some ideas.
1. Odyssey by Homer
Reimagined as the adventure of a small child navigating the world around them. The monster Cyclop is a burly school bully, the vicious six dog head is the neighbor’s rabid dog, and the whirpool Charybdis is the house’s vacuum cleaner. Perfect for a children’s book.
2. Beauty and the Beast
Told as a gender-flipped story, or mashed with another genre or setting. What if the beast is a deformed mermaid or merman? Or what if the beast has vampiric tendencies?
3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
But instead of stitching together human parts, it’s animal parts that are being stitched together, which then comes alive.
4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Take a convincing historical figure and merge the figure’s personality with that of Dracula. Genghis Khan as Dracula? Or Napoleon?
5. Minotaur
A what-if story. What if the Minotaur of the Greek legend lives among us? Where would his mother hide him, and what would be his character’s arc?
Original monster ideas
Let your imagination loose in order to come up with an original monster story ideas. To help you start, here are some ideas.
1. Evolution
What if a species we’ve never considered as a threat before evolves and rises to the top of the food chain, even above humans?
My love for kombucha (fermented tea) inspires this one. What if the organisms responsible for fermentation evolve into a whole ‘nother creature? Or, say, a scientist has successfully create a microorganism that happily devours waste. To happily, that it grows and multiplies exponentially and threatens the lives of the humans around it.
2. Blurred Lines
What if for a day, the lines separating the dream world and the waking world blurs?
All the monsters from our dream world would cross over and refuse to fade back into the dream world because their food is more abundant here in the waking world.
3. Accidental Monster
A toddler’s drawing of a monster comes alive. Alternatively, an art student creating a sculpture of a hypothetical creature, only for it to come alive.
4. Monsters of Unexpected Origins
Like, what if the sun is actually a sentient being, and it’s just waken up after million years of slumber? Or what if in an alternate world, humans molt like insect, and the discarded molten skins sometimes gain sentience and turn evil?
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More?
I hope the various monster story ideas and writing prompts above spark some inspiration in you! If you need more story ideas and prompts, please browse our Story Ideas & Writing Prompts Category!
Have any question or feedback? Feel free to contact me here. Until next time!
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