50 Best Fanfiction Writing Prompts for Students

Need some engaging fanfiction writing prompts for your students? Look no further!

Ever heard your students debate what really happened after the end of their favorite book? Maybe they’ve imagined a totally different ending for a TV show or daydreamed about their favorite characters meeting each other in an alternate world. That’s fanfiction—a type of writing where kids take stories they love and make them their own.

Fanfiction is so popular with kids because it lets them dive deeper into the worlds they already enjoy. It’s like giving them permission to explore their own creative spark while borrowing a little inspiration from familiar settings and characters.

For teachers, fanfic writing is a hidden gem for building writing skills in the classroom. Students feel confident starting with something they know, and it opens the door to practice creating unique plots, exploring motivations, and even playing with plot twists! Plus, it’s a good idea for students who struggle to come up with completely original story ideas.

Tips for Introducing Fanfiction to Students

1. Choose Age-Appropriate Sources

When introducing fanfic writing with fanfiction writing prompts, start with materials your students already know and love. This could be their favorite book, a popular TV show, or a movie they’ve seen over and over again. The key is to choose stories that are engaging and age-appropriate, so they feel comfortable and inspired. For example, if your students love The Magic Tree House series, you could have them write a new adventure featuring Jack and Annie. By using familiar characters and settings, students don’t have to spend time figuring out a whole new world; they can dive right into the creative process.

2. Provide Simple Fanfiction Writing Prompts

Sometimes students can get overwhelmed when asked to write something totally new. Fanfiction writing prompts offer a great way to spark creativity without that pressure. Share simple story ideas to help them get started. One idea could be to have students write a “missing scene” from a book or show. What might have happened between chapters? Or, what would happen if a certain character made a different choice? For instance, in Charlotte’s Web, what if Wilbur had never met Charlotte? These types of prompts give students a manageable starting point to explore their imagination while staying connected to the original material. 

You can also challenge them to put a twist on the story—what if the characters lived in a different time period or a different setting? Imagine Harry Potter as a student in your classroom! These exercises are not only fun but help develop their ability to think creatively and analyze plot structure.

3. Encourage Respect for the Original Work

While fanfiction is about creative ways to play with stories, it’s important for students to respect the original work. Make sure they understand that fanfiction isn’t just copying the plot or characters but expanding on them. Encourage them to add their own voice and creativity, whether they’re dreaming up new adventures or exploring different motivations for the characters.

Remind students that fanfiction is a chance to explore “what if” scenarios. For example, what if Elsa from Frozen had a younger sibling with magical powers? Or, what if the characters in Dog Man lived in the real world? These prompts can help students develop their writing skills while keeping the heart of the original story intact.

By focusing on these simple guidelines, you’ll help students feel empowered to create their own versions of stories they love, and they’ll be excited to share their work with you and their fellow writers. Plus, they’ll be practicing important narrative skills like character development, plot structure, and more!

50 Best Fanfiction Writing Prompts for Students

Fanfiction writing is even more fun when students have a little inspiration to get started! These fanfiction writing prompts are organized into categories to help your students find the perfect idea to match their interests. Whether they love books, movies, or TV shows, there’s something here to spark their imaginations.

Book-Based Fanfiction Writing Prompts

Book-based fanfiction writing prompts encourage students to expand on their favorite novels, creating new adventures and perspectives within familiar literary worlds.

• “What if Harry Potter’s owl delivered the wrong letter, and someone else got invited to Hogwarts for the first time?”
• “Rewrite the ending of Charlotte’s Web from Templeton’s point of view—does he regret his choices?”
• “Imagine Jack and Annie in The Magic Tree House encountering a portal to different eras they weren’t prepared for.”
• “What if Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid had to navigate middle school as part of the most popular favorite couple in his class?”
• “Create a backstory for your favorite villain in a story, exploring what led them to their current situation.”
• “What would have happened if Percy Jackson had grown up as a normal kid with no knowledge of his powers?”
• “Imagine if Harry Potter chose to live with the Dursleys, but they had a magical secret of their own.”
• “What if the characters from Wonder switched schools and had to navigate a new social environment?”
• “Create a story where Jack and Annie from The Magic Tree House discover a hidden dimension with characters from your favorite historical era.”
• “Rewrite a scene in Charlotte’s Web where Wilbur makes a different decision that changes the outcome of the story.”

Movie-Based Fanfiction Writing Prompts

Movie-based fanfiction writing prompts inspire students to dive into the world of their favorite films, reimagining characters and scenes to create exciting new stories.

• “What happened to Elsa and Anna before the coronation in Frozen, and what did they discover about their kingdom’s history?”
• “Write a new scene for The Lion King where Timon and Pumbaa run into an old enemy from their past.”
• “What if Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story ended up in a human world that had no toys at all?”
• “How would Moana’s journey change if her ocean companion transported her to a special place full of talking animals?”
• “Imagine an alternate ending for Encanto where Mirabel’s gift is connected to her ability to unite the family in real life.”
• “What if the Incredibles had to live in a world without superpowers, and had to find new ways to fight crime?”
• “Write a story about what happens after the credits roll in Shrek, where Donkey and Dragon have an unexpected adventure.”
• “Imagine a new adventure for Elsa where she discovers a hidden world beneath the ice of Arendelle.”
• “What would happen if Simba and Nala traveled to a different part of the world in The Lion King universe and discovered new species?”
• “Write a new scene where Lightning McQueen races against a rival from another country in Cars 3.”

TV Show-Based Fanfiction Writing Prompts

TV show-based fanfiction writing prompts are a fun way to inspire students to creatively explore their favorite characters and plotlines while honing their writing skills.

• “Write a new Pokémon adventure where Ash discovers a new region inspired by science fiction worlds.”
• “What if SpongeBob SquarePants opened a coffee shop and became the favorite hangout spot for Bikini Bottom?”
• “Create a dramatic episode of Bluey where Bandit has to balance helping Bingo and Bluey while solving a neighborhood mystery.”
• “What if Peppa Pig and her family visited Earth, encountering humans for the first time?”
• “Imagine an episode of Paw Patrol where the pups meet fictional universes from other stories like Harry Potter or The Lion King.”
• “What if The Loud House characters entered a parallel universe where they weren’t the only loud family in town?”
• “Imagine the characters from Phineas and Ferb helping a time traveler fix a malfunctioning time machine.”
• “Create a new Adventure Time episode where Finn and Jake team up with a famous video game character to save the Candy Kingdom.”
• “Write a crossover episode where the characters from The Simpsons get trapped in Rick and Morty’s dimension.”
• “What if Dora the Explorer was a teenager and had to solve mysteries involving high school life and secret locations?”

Original Spins on Existing Worlds

Original spins on existing worlds through fanfiction writing prompts encourage students to think creatively, reimagining familiar settings and characters in exciting new ways.

• “Introduce a new character into The Magic Tree House series who struggles with whether to reveal their secret powers to Jack and Annie.”
• “What if Petey from Dog Man decided to become a reluctant hero after his past comes back to haunt him?”
• “Write an entire novel about a student at a previously unknown house at Hogwarts.”
• “What if the animals in Charlotte’s Web were seen as heroes by the local farmers?”
• “Create a story about Nancy Drew tackling a mystery tied to real-life environmental issues.”
• “Write a story where Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid has to take on a big leadership role in his school.”
• “What if the characters from Percy Jackson were stuck in an alternate dimension where they had to solve a puzzle to escape?”
• “Imagine a story where the Harry Potter characters all end up at a new school with even more magical challenges.”
• “Write a new adventure where Captain Underpants and his friends take on a villain who is threatening their whole town.”
• “Create a new character for Dog Man who is part-hero and part-villain, leading to complicated friendships and betrayals.”

Alternate Universe (AU) Prompts

Alternate Universe (AU) fanfiction writing prompts give students the chance to explore familiar characters in entirely new settings, sparking creativity and fresh story ideas.

• “Reimagine the Pokémon world as a science fiction universe where trainers control their Pokémon with advanced technology.”
• “What if Elsa and Anna from Frozen were queens of rival kingdoms in a medieval setting?”
• “Imagine Diary of a Wimpy Kid taking place in a human world where magic exists.”
• “How would The Lion King change if Simba and Nala were sent to a snowy Arctic tundra to survive?”
• “What if the main characters from Dog Man were transported into an ancient civilization and had to adapt to its rules?”
• “Imagine the Wimpy Kid characters living in a world where they have to survive in the wilderness, without any modern conveniences.”
• “What if the characters from Percy Jackson were born in a different time, like ancient Egypt or Greece?”
• “Reimagine The Hunger Games set in a futuristic world where the government uses virtual reality to control the districts.”
• “What if the Avengers had to work together in a world where superheroes were banned?”
• “Write a story where the Stranger Things kids live in a world where magic is real, and they must battle a new supernatural threat.”

Conclusion

To wrap things up, these 50 fanfiction writing prompts are here to help spark your students’ creativity and make writing fun! Whether they’re fanfic writers just starting out or more experienced fanfiction authors looking for a new direction, these specific prompts give them the chance to explore endless possibilities.

Fanfiction writing prompts are a great way to get past writer’s block and dive into exciting new stories. By encouraging students to create in their favorite fictional worlds, you’ll help them develop their writing skills and—most importantly—keep them having fun with their writing.

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