Writing prompts for aromantic characters

Aromantic characters rarely get a time to shine, they’re relegated to being supporting characters, or readers have to headcanon characters as aroace (aromantic/asexual). If you’re looking to explicitly show readers that a character is aromantic, these 22 writing prompts are for you.

Regardless of what genre you’re writing in, aromantic people exist. They can be main characters, important characters, pivotal characters. While being aromantic shouldn’t be their whole personality, aro characters can be explicit about their identity.

22 writing prompts for aromantic characters

You can take just one prompt or combine any of the following for one story! Every prompt is entirely up to your interpretation.

You’ll find prompts for characters, words, settings, tropes, plotlines, and something sensory below.

Characters: A counsellor. An earnest person. A uni student.

Words: Ambiguous. Barrier. Compromise. Ordinary. Support. Unrequited.

Settings: An art gallery. A cinema. A Pride march.

Tropes: Bait-and-Switch Lesbians. Flying Under the Gaydar. Mentor in Queerness.

Plotlines:

• An unwanted blind date.
• Compromising over a lack of romance for more quality time together.
• Discovering what it’s like to be aromantic through a book, TV show, or movie.
• In a world where marriage or romantic partnership is expected, an exception is made.
• A confession: they aren’t sure what romantic love is, but they want to be friends forever.
• Someone asks for help in romance, so the character turns them down because they have no idea where to start.

Sensory: Hugging.

If you need more, check out my other LGBTQ+ writing prompts.

Aromantic character ideas

If you want more inspiration, here’s a selection of aromantic character ideas to try out in your writing or add to your story. Aro characters can be any kind of person, and I’ve tried not to rely on too many aroace tropes or stereotypes here.

• A character who proudly displays their pronouns badge.
• A pair of friends who bonded over a love of hot chocolate and a book featuring an aromantic character.
• The members of an LGBTQ+ board game group.
• A character struggles to adjust when all their friends begin dating.
• A typically shy character stands up for their friend when they’re harassed to reciprocate romantic advances from a stranger.