45+ Bangsian Fantasy Writing Prompts

If you’re a writer intrigued by the blend of the supernatural and the profound, you’re in the right place! In this post, you’ll find 45+ Bangsian fantasy writing prompts designed to spark your creativity. From comical bureaucracies in the afterlife to dramatic confrontations between legendary figures, these prompts offer endless possibilities for crafting stories that transcend time, space, and life itself. 

What is Bangsian Fantasy?

Bangsian fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that explores the afterlife. Named after John Kendrick Bangs, an American author known for his humorous depictions of life after death, this genre often sets its narratives in realms like Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. 

Some key features of Bangsian fantasy include:

• Afterlife Settings: Stories are often set in versions of the afterlife, such as Heaven, Hell, purgatory, or uniquely imagined realms.
• Historical or Fictional Characters: Protagonists and supporting characters frequently include well-known historical figures, literary characters, or mythological beings.
• Philosophical Themes: The genre explores deep questions about life, death, morality, and the nature of existence, often through reflective or satirical narratives.
• Imaginative World-Building: The afterlife is creatively depicted, ranging from whimsical bureaucracies to surreal and symbolic landscapes.
• Humour and Satire: Many Bangsian fantasy works incorporate wit and humour, poking fun at societal norms or human behaviour through an otherworldly lens.
• Moral and Ethical Exploration: Characters often face dilemmas, quests, or trials that reveal insights about human virtues, flaws, and the consequences of their actions.

Bangsian fantasy doesn’t just focus on the afterlife’s mechanics; it uses the setting to delve into characters’ lives, regrets, and choices—whether they’re historical figures, fictional personalities, or original creations. The tone can range from comedic and satirical to deeply reflective, making it a versatile canvas for exploring questions about existence, morality, and human nature.

For example, a classic Bangsian fantasy might imagine a council of historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Cleopatra debating leadership philosophies in the afterlife. Another story might explore a spirit’s quest for redemption in a surreal limbo, encountering symbolic characters representing different virtues and vices. These scenarios highlight the genre’s ability to connect whimsical creativity with powerful themes.

45+ Bangsian Fantasy Writing Prompts

Below is a list of Bangsian fantasy writing prompts to inspire you:

1. A deceased historical figure (e.g., Cleopatra, Julius Caesar) finds themselves stuck in a mundane afterlife bureaucracy and teams up with an unexpected partner (like a pop star or a video game character) to escape.
2. A competition between historical figures, mythological beings, and literary characters, judged by a panel of deceased food critics.
3. A detective in the afterlife investigates a series of mysterious disappearances of fictional characters from classic novels.
4. A rebellious angel opens a nightclub in Hell, attracting a diverse crowd of demons, ghosts, and other underworld denizens.
5. A reality TV show where deceased celebrities compete for fame and fortune in the afterlife.
6. A prestigious art school where famous historical artists and modern-day geniuses learn new techniques and challenge their creative limits.
7. A famous inventor from history is tasked with creating a transportation system between Heaven and Hell.
8. A medieval knight and a 20th-century scientist must solve a cosmic puzzle to save the afterlife from collapsing.
9. Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe collaborate to write a play for a celestial theatre competition.
10. A librarian in purgatory manages a library that houses every book ever written—and some that were never completed.
11. A politician and a philosopher debate the meaning of justice in a courtroom presided over by gods of various pantheons.
12. A chef who died in a tragic accident now runs a restaurant serving dishes that evoke memories of life to lost souls.
13. An artist and a warrior must protect a sacred artefact that keeps the balance between Heaven and Hell.
14. A prank war erupts between angels and demons, but it inadvertently unites them against a mysterious third party.
15. A famous general competes against mythical heroes in a series of afterlife war games.
16. A writer discovers that every unfinished manuscript they abandoned in life has come to life in the afterlife—and they’re angry.
17. A ghost in limbo becomes a matchmaker for lost souls, but one case forces them to confront their own unresolved feelings.
18. A student in the afterlife’s school for new souls uncovers a conspiracy to manipulate reincarnation.
19. A celestial treasure hunt pits historical explorers like Magellan and Amelia Earhart against each other in the afterlife.
20. A musician finds themselves performing in a concert attended by deceased legends of every musical genre.
21. A council of philosophers, from Socrates to Nietzsche, debates the purpose of existence in a surreal cosmic courtroom.
22. A soul must complete a scavenger hunt across Heaven, Hell, and purgatory to earn their reincarnation.
23. A group of ghosts must solve a riddle posed by the Grim Reaper to stop their realm from vanishing.
24. An afterlife detective agency solves crimes committed by souls who refuse to stay in their designated realms.
25. A “soul exchange program” pairs people from vastly different eras to experience each other’s lives.
26. A secret society of souls works to protect the veil between the living and the dead.
27. A gladiator-style tournament in the afterlife pairs historical warriors with mythical creatures.
28. An ordinary person discovers they have been appointed as the temporary ruler of the underworld.
29. A child and their imaginary friend reunite in the afterlife, where the friend is now an independent spirit.
30. A Soul in Heaven creates a protest movement demanding more fairness in the reincarnation system.
31. A celebrity tries to regain their fame by hosting a celestial talk show featuring guests from history and fiction.
32. A guardian angel accidentally falls in love with one of the souls they are tasked to guide.
33. A ghostly pirate crew sets sail in the afterlife, searching for treasures hidden in celestial seas.
34. An unlikely friendship forms between a demon and an angel as they try to prevent a war between their realms.
35. A chess game between famous strategists like Sun Tzu and Alexander the Great determines the fate of lost souls.
36. A family reunion in Heaven goes awry when old grudges and secrets come to light.
37. A time traveller accidentally ends up in the afterlife and must navigate its politics to return to the living world.
38. An architect builds dreamscapes for souls in limbo, but one design awakens a dormant evil.
39. A soul discovers a forgotten realm of the afterlife populated entirely by extinct animals.
40. A reincarnation gone wrong causes a soul to exist in both the living world and the afterlife simultaneously.
41. A new recruit in Hell’s bureaucracy is tasked with overseeing creative punishments for infamous souls.
42. A soul discovers a black market in the afterlife where memories are bought, sold, and stolen.
43. A famous criminal from history is given a chance at redemption by solving a mystery in the afterlife.
44. A competition between mythological tricksters like Loki and Anansi spirals out of control in the afterlife.
45. A poet finds themselves writing odes for the gods, each one granting them a glimpse of the divine.
46. A council of historical villains is tasked with designing new trials for lost souls in purgatory.
47. A heavenly choir recruits musicians from all eras for a performance that will decide the fate of the cosmos.
48. A ghost’s quest to deliver an apology to their living descendant leads to uncovering a long-lost family secret.
49. A ghost discovers they can interact with the living world only through dreams and must deliver an urgent message.
50. A celestial courtroom drama ensues when a soul contests their placement in Heaven or Hell.

Summary

Bangsian fantasy offers a limitless canvas for storytelling, combining the imaginative allure of the afterlife with the timeless questions of existence and morality.

Whether your characters are battling cosmic forces, forming unlikely alliances with historical legends, or simply navigating the quirks of celestial bureaucracy, the genre invites endless opportunities to surprise and inspire.

With these 45+ Bangsian fantasy writing prompts, you have a treasure trove of ideas to kickstart your next creative project. So let your imagination wander beyond the mortal realm and explore stories that resonate with humour, heart, and the mysteries of what lies beyond.

Do you have a favourite prompt or more ideas to share? Share your thoughts in the comments below.