creative writing ideas for beginners

2,500 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

Grab your pen, stretch those fingers, and get ready to unleash your creativity.

We’ve assembled a collection of writing prompts that range from wild adventures to deep reflections. Whether you’re writing for fun, working on your next masterpiece, or just looking for a quick creative boost, these prompts will give you the inspiration you need.

Writing Prompts for Adults

Table of Contents

Sometimes, grown-ups need a little nudge to get the words flowing. These prompts are perfect for adult writers looking to explore deeper themes or simply enjoy the act of writing.

• Write about a secret you’ve kept for years.
• Imagine you meet your childhood self—what advice do you give?
• Describe the last time you felt completely at peace.
• Write about a time you questioned your beliefs.
• Explore the concept of home—what does it mean to you?
• Write a letter to someone who has wronged you.
• Imagine a world where lying is impossible. How would society change?
• Describe your perfect day from start to finish.
• Write about a moment that changed your life forever.
• What would you do if you knew you only had a year to live?
• Talk about a time when you had to make a tough call.
• Imagine you’re a detective. What’s the most bizarre case you’ve solved?
• Write about the relationship that has taught you the most.
• What does success mean to you? Has that definition changed over time?
• Imagine you wake up one day with a superpower—what is it, and how do you use it?
• Describe a place you’ve never been but feel drawn to.
• Write about a time you were completely honest, even though it was difficult.
• Explore the concept of fate—do you believe in it?
• Imagine you could relive one day of your life—what would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt completely out of control.
• What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet? Why?
• Pen a note to your future self, five years down the road.
• Reflect on someone who has had a major impact on your personal journey.
• Imagine you could speak to your ancestors—what would you ask them?
• Write about a time you had to confront a fear.
• What would you do if you found out you had a twin you never knew about?
• Describe the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.
• Write about a time when you felt truly alone.
• Imagine you’re given the chance to start your life over—what would you do differently?
• Describe a moment when you felt a strong connection to someone or something.
• What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
• Imagine a world where money doesn’t exist—how would you live?
• Write about a time when you felt completely free.
• What’s something you wish you could change about yourself?
• Share a moment when you had to part ways with someone or something meaningful.
• Imagine you’re given a second chance at something—what is it, and how do you approach it differently?
• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood.
• What’s something you wish more people got about who you are?
• Imagine you’re in a room with your biggest fear—how do you react?
• Write about a time when you had to be brave.
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• Describe a time when you felt truly content.
• Imagine you’re the last person on Earth—what do you do?
• Write about a time when you had to let go of something or someone.
• What’s something you’ve learned to accept about yourself?
• Imagine you’re on a road trip—where are you going, and who are you with?
• Write about a time when you had to make a sacrifice.
• What’s a topic or hobby you’ve always been interested in but haven’t pursued?
• Describe a time when you felt like you belonged.
• Imagine you’re given the chance to meet anyone from history—who do you choose, and why?

Cool Writing Prompts

These prompts are for those who want to write something with a bit of edge. They’re designed to inspire cool, creative, and out-of-the-box thinking.

• Write about a world where everyone has a unique superpower, but only one person can have it at a time.
• Imagine you discover a new color—how do you describe it, and what does it symbolize?
• Write about a heist gone wrong in the most unexpected way.
• Describe a society where everyone communicates through music.
• Imagine you’re a ghost haunting a modern-day city—what’s your unfinished business?
• Write about a futuristic city built on the clouds.
• Describe a fashion trend that becomes dangerously popular.
• Imagine you find a notebook that predicts the future—what do you do with it?
• Write about a world where emotions are sold as commodities.
• Describe a scenario where technology allows people to swap bodies.
• Imagine you’re an inventor in the year 2100—what’s your most groundbreaking invention?
• Write about a secret society with a surprising mission.
• Describe a reality show with a twist that no one saw coming.
• Imagine you’re a hacker who uncovers the biggest secret in the world.
• Write about a world where people can travel into their dreams.
• Describe a superhero who doesn’t want to save the world.
• Imagine you’re a time traveler stuck in a loop—how do you break free?
• Write about a world where animals can talk, but only to a chosen few.
• Describe a conspiracy theory that turns out to be true.
• Imagine you’re a detective who solves crimes using virtual reality.
• Write about a world where everyone has a digital twin.
• Describe a futuristic sport that becomes the most popular event on the planet.
• Imagine you’re an astronaut who discovers something unbelievable on Mars.
• Write about a musician who can literally change the world with their songs.
• Describe a world where dreams are a form of currency.
• Imagine you’re a spy with the ability to change your appearance at will.
• Write about a society where art is forbidden, but a group of rebels keeps it alive.
• Describe a world where books are banned, and only oral storytelling remains.
• Imagine you’re a scientist who discovers a parallel universe—what’s it like?
• Write about a world where memories can be bought and sold.
• Describe a city where every building has a mind of its own.
• Imagine you’re a writer whose stories come to life.
• Write about a world where people are born with the knowledge of their death date.
• Describe a mysterious island that appears on no maps.
• Imagine you’re a pilot flying the first spaceship to another galaxy.
• Write about a world where everyone’s life is a reality show without their knowledge.
• Describe a technology that allows people to live in a virtual paradise.
• Imagine you’re a journalist uncovering the story of the century in a dystopian world.
• Write about a city where the weather is controlled by a secret organization.
• Describe a society where everyone wears masks, and no one knows why.
• Imagine you’re an artist who can paint the future.
• Write about a world where robots have emotions and demand equal rights.
• Describe a world where humans and aliens coexist peacefully—until a shocking event changes everything.
• Imagine you’re a bounty hunter tracking down the most dangerous criminal in the galaxy.
• Write about a world where people can live forever, but at a cost.
• Describe a society where everyone’s life is controlled by a single corporation.
• Imagine you’re a scientist who discovers a way to bring extinct species back to life.
• Write about a world where people can communicate with the dead.
• Describe a mysterious artifact that holds the key to humanity’s future.
• Imagine you’re a detective solving crimes in a world where everyone has a unique ability.

Opinion Writing Prompts

Opinions can be powerful, and these prompts are designed to get you thinking critically and expressing your unique point of view on a variety of topics.

• Should schools prioritize creativity over standardized testing? Why or why not?
• Is social media doing more harm than good? Defend your position.
• Should governments regulate the use of artificial intelligence? Explain your reasoning.
• What’s more important: privacy or security? Why?
• Do celebrities have a responsibility to be role models? Share your thoughts.
• Should college education be free for everyone? Argue your stance.
• Is climate change the most pressing issue of our time? Why or why not?
• Should people be allowed to own exotic pets? Discuss the pros and cons.
• Is the current education system outdated? Explain your view.
• Should art be separated from the artist’s personal life? Why or why not?
• Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research? Defend your opinion.
• Should voting be mandatory? Argue your position.
• Is online dating changing relationships for better or worse? Explain.
• Should there be limits on free speech? Why or why not?
• Is the death penalty an effective deterrent? Share your thoughts.
• Should athletes be paid as much as they are? Defend your stance.
• Is technology making us more or less connected? Why?
• Should the government control the media? Argue your point.
• Is space exploration worth the investment? Explain your reasoning.
• Should people be allowed to genetically modify their children? Discuss the ethics.
• Is capitalism the best economic system? Why or why not?
• Should the voting age be lowered? Defend your position.
• Is it better to live in a small town or a big city? Explain your choice.
• Should the use of plastic be banned? Argue your point of view.
• Is it better to be honest or kind? Discuss the balance between the two.
• Should the government provide universal basic income? Defend your opinion.
• Is censorship ever justified? Explain your reasoning.
• Should the rich be taxed more heavily? Share your thoughts.
• Is digital privacy a basic human right? Argue your stance.
• Should schools teach financial literacy? Explain why or why not.
• Is war ever justified? Discuss your perspective.
• Should healthcare be considered a human right? Defend your position.
• Is the pursuit of happiness a realistic goal? Explain your view.
• Should public transportation be free? Argue your stance.
• Is it better to be feared or loved as a leader? Discuss your thoughts.
• Should people have the right to die with dignity? Explain your reasoning.
• Is nationalism a positive or negative force? Share your opinion.
• Should parents be held accountable for their children’s actions? Defend your position.
• Is the internet making us smarter or dumber? Explain your perspective.
• Should the government intervene in the economy? Argue your point of view.
• Is art a necessary part of society? Defend your stance.
• Should the use of drones in warfare be banned? Share your opinion.
• Is the American Dream still achievable? Discuss your thoughts.
• Should companies be responsible for their employees’ mental health? Argue your stance.
• Is it better to be an optimist or a realist? Explain your reasoning.
• Should social media platforms be responsible for the content they host? Defend your position.
• Is fame worth the price? Share your thoughts.
• Should there be a universal language? Argue your point of view.
• Is it better to follow your passion or pursue a stable career? Explain your choice.
• Should history be rewritten to reflect modern values? Discuss your perspective.

Writing Prompts for College

College is a time of exploration, both academically and personally. These prompts are designed to challenge college students to think critically, creatively, and reflectively.

• Write about a time when you challenged your own beliefs. What happened?
• Describe your ideal career and how you plan to achieve it.
• What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in college so far?
• Imagine you could go back in time and give your freshman self one piece of advice—what would it be?
• Write about a moment in your life when you felt like you were on the right path.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision—how did you handle it?
• What does success look like to you? Has that definition changed over time?
• Imagine you’re giving a TED Talk—what’s your topic, and why?
• Write about a time when you failed at something—what did you learn from it?
• Describe your biggest academic challenge and how you overcame it.
• What’s one thing you wish more people understood about you?
• Imagine you’re a professor for a day—what’s your lecture about?
• Write about a time when you had to stand up for something you believed in.
• Describe a situation where you had to step outside your comfort zone.
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in college? How has it impacted you?
• Imagine you could redesign your college experience—what would you change?
• Write about a time when you had to balance multiple responsibilities—how did you manage?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly inspired—what sparked that inspiration?
• What’s something you’ve learned outside of the classroom that has had a significant impact on you?
• Imagine you could spend a semester studying anything, anywhere—what would you choose, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to overcome a significant obstacle—what did you learn?
• Describe a moment when you felt proud of yourself—what led to that feeling?
• What’s something you wish you had done differently in college? Why?
• Imagine you’re writing a letter to your future self—what do you say?
• Write about a time when you had to collaborate with others—how did you handle it?
• Describe your biggest personal growth during college—what caused it?
• What’s one thing you hope to accomplish before you graduate? How will you do it?
• Imagine you’re starting your own college—what’s the focus, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to deal with failure—how did it shape you?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly understood—who was involved, and what happened?
• What’s the most challenging course you’ve taken in college? How did you get through it?
• Imagine you could change one thing about the world—what would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision—how did it affect you?
• Describe a situation where you had to be a leader—how did you approach it?
• What’s one thing you’ve learned in college that has changed your perspective?
• Imagine you’re writing a commencement speech—what’s your message to the graduates?
• Write about a time when you felt lost—how did you find your way back?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly grateful—what were the circumstances?
• What’s something you wish you had known before starting college? Why?
• Imagine you could meet any historical figure—who would it be, and what would you discuss?
• Write about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation—how did you manage?
• Describe a moment when you felt like giving up—what kept you going?
• What’s the most important skill you’ve developed in college? How do you plan to use it?
• Imagine you’re writing a memoir—what’s the title, and what’s the central theme?
• Write about a time when you had to confront a difficult truth—how did you handle it?
• Describe your biggest accomplishment in college so far—how did it come about?
• What’s something you’re passionate about, and how do you incorporate it into your life?
• Imagine you could study abroad—where would you go, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to navigate a complex situation—how did you approach it?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly content—what contributed to that feeling?

Writing Prompts for High School

High school is a time of growth, discovery, and learning who you are.

These prompts are designed to help high school students explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in creative ways.

• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice between two friends.
• Describe a moment when you felt truly proud of yourself—what led up to that?
• Imagine you’re given the chance to live in any time period—when do you choose, and why?
• Write about a time when you were surprised by someone’s kindness.
• Describe a situation where you had to stand up for something you believed in.
• What’s one thing you’ve learned in high school that you think will stick with you for life?
• Imagine you’re writing a letter to your future self—what advice would you give?
• Write about a time when you felt out of place—how did you handle it?
• Describe your biggest challenge in high school so far—how did you overcome it?
• What’s something you wish adults understood about being a teenager today?
• Imagine you could swap lives with anyone for a day—who do you choose, and why?
• Write about a moment when you realized you had changed in some way.
• Describe a time when you were really scared—what happened?
• What’s something you’ve learned about yourself in high school that surprised you?
• Imagine you’re creating your own high school—what would you do differently?
• Write about a time when you had to work with a group to achieve something—how did it go?
• Describe a person who has had a significant impact on your life—how have they influenced you?
• What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?
• Imagine you could travel anywhere in the world—where would you go, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt like an outsider—how did you deal with it?
• Describe your dream job—what makes it appealing to you?
• What’s one thing you wish you could change about your high school experience?
• Imagine you could talk to your past self—what would you say?
• Write about a time when you felt like you didn’t belong—how did you cope?
• Describe your favorite high school memory—why is it so special to you?
• What’s something you’re really passionate about—how do you pursue it?
• Imagine you’re in charge of planning the perfect day—what do you do?
• Write about a time when you had to overcome a fear—how did you do it?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly happy—what was happening around you?
• What’s something you’ve learned in high school that you think is valuable?
• Imagine you’re writing a letter to a teacher who has made a difference in your life—what do you say?
• Write about a time when you felt really disappointed—how did you handle it?
• Describe your ideal high school—what would it be like?
• What’s something you’re looking forward to after high school? Why?
• Imagine you could create your own subject to study in school—what would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to deal with peer pressure—how did you respond?
• Describe a moment when you felt really proud of something you accomplished.
• What’s something you wish you had done differently in high school?
• Imagine you’re giving a speech at your high school graduation—what’s your message to your classmates?
• Write about a time when you had to apologize to someone—what happened?
• Describe your favorite place to go when you need to think—what makes it special?
• What’s something you’re really excited about for the future?
• Imagine you could have any job for a day—what would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you learned something important outside of school.
• Describe a moment when you felt really grateful—what were the circumstances?
• What’s something you’ve struggled with in high school, and how have you dealt with it?
• Imagine you could live anywhere in the world—where would you choose, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt really nervous—how did you overcome it?
• Describe your biggest achievement in high school so far—what did it take to get there?
• What’s something you wish you could go back and tell your younger self?

Writing Prompts for Middle School

Middle school is full of new experiences and changes. These prompts are designed to help middle school students explore their thoughts and ideas while developing their writing skills.

• Write about a time when you made a new friend—how did it happen?
• Describe your favorite hobby—why do you enjoy it so much?
• Imagine you could have any pet in the world—what would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt really proud of something you did.
• Describe a moment when you felt really scared—what happened?
• What’s your favorite memory from elementary school? Why is it so special?
• Imagine you could go anywhere on vacation—where would you go, and what would you do?
• Write about a time when you helped someone—how did it make you feel?
• Describe your favorite book or movie—what do you like about it?
• What’s something you’ve learned in middle school that surprised you?
• Imagine you could be a superhero—what would your powers be, and how would you use them?
• Write about a time when you felt really excited—what was happening?
• Describe a person you admire—what makes them special to you?
• What’s something you’re really good at—how did you get so good at it?
• Imagine you could create your own video game—what would it be like?
• Write about a time when you had to do something difficult—how did you handle it?
• Describe your favorite subject in school—why do you like it?
• What’s something you wish you could learn more about? Why?
• Imagine you could live in any time period—when would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt really disappointed—what happened?
• What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of?
• Imagine you could switch places with anyone for a day—who would it be, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to work with a team—how did it go?
• Describe your favorite place to go when you need some time alone—what makes it special?
• What’s something you’re looking forward to in the future? Why?
• Imagine you could have any talent or skill—what would it be, and how would you use it?
• Write about a time when you felt really happy—what was happening around you?
• Describe a moment when you had to solve a problem—what did you do?
• What’s something you’ve learned in middle school that has changed the way you think?
• Imagine you could invent something—what would it be, and how would it work?
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision—how did you make your choice?
• Describe a person who has made a big difference in your life—what did they do?
• What’s something you wish you could change about the world? Why?
• Imagine you could live in any book or movie—where would you go, and what would you do?
• Describe your favorite holiday—what makes it so special to you?
• What’s something you’re really passionate about? How do you pursue it?
• Imagine you could have three wishes—what would you wish for, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to overcome a fear—what did you do?
• Describe your favorite way to spend a weekend—what do you enjoy about it?
• What’s something you’ve learned from a mistake? How did it help you grow?
• Imagine you could be famous for a day—what would you do, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to stand up for what you believe in—how did it go?
• Describe your favorite food—why do you like it so much?
• What’s something you’re really looking forward to? Why?
• Imagine you could meet anyone from history—who would it be, and what would you talk about?
• Write about a time when you felt really grateful—what were the circumstances?
• Describe your favorite activity after school—why do you enjoy it?
• What’s something you wish you could do differently? How would you change it?

Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Third graders are full of imagination and curiosity.

These prompts are designed to help them explore their creativity and develop their writing skills in a fun and engaging way.

• Imagine you could talk to animals—what would you say to your favorite animal?
• Write about a time when you felt really happy—what made you so happy?
• If you could possess any superpower, what would it be and what makes you want it?
• Describe your favorite game to play with friends—what makes it so much fun?
• Imagine you could live in a treehouse—what would it look like?
• Write a story about a day when everything went wrong—how did you fix it?
• What’s your favorite thing to do at recess? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you found a magic lamp—what are your three wishes?
• Write about your favorite holiday—what do you like most about it?
• Describe your favorite animal—what makes it special to you?
• If you had the chance to go anywhere, where would it be and why?
• Write a story about a talking pet—what adventures do you have together?
• What’s your favorite book or movie? Why do you like it?
• Imagine you could fly—where would you go and what would you see?
• Describe your favorite food—what do you like about it?
• Imagine you could be any character from a book—who would you be and why?
• Write a story about finding a secret treasure—what do you do with it?
• What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekend? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could invent something—what would it be and how would it work?
• Write about a time when you were really excited—what was happening?
• Describe your dream house—what makes it special?
• Imagine you could create your own holiday—what would it be like?
• Write a story about a day at the beach—what fun things do you do?
• What’s your favorite subject in school? Why do you like it?
• Imagine you could be invisible for a day—what would you do?
• Write about a time when you were really proud of yourself—what did you do?
• Describe your favorite toy—why do you like it so much?
• Imagine you could meet a famous person—who would it be and what would you ask them?
• Write a story about an adventure in space—what do you discover?
• What’s your favorite thing to do with your family? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could be a superhero—what would your powers be?
• Write about a time when you were really brave—what happened?
• Describe your favorite season—what do you like most about it?
• Imagine you found a door to a magical world—what do you find on the other side?
• Write a story about a birthday party—what fun things do you do?
• What’s your favorite animal to see at the zoo? Why do you like it?
• Imagine you could create a new ice cream flavor—what would it be?
• Write about a time when you learned something new—what was it?
• Describe your favorite place to visit—what makes it special to you?
• Imagine you could be a famous athlete—what sport would you play?
• Write a story about a day when your toys came to life—what do they do?
• What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could live underwater—what would your life be like?
• Write about a time when you did something kind for someone—what happened?
• Describe your favorite thing to draw or paint—why do you like it?
• Imagine you could be the teacher for a day—what would you teach?
• Write a story about a mystery you have to solve—how do you figure it out?
• What’s your favorite thing about school? Why do you like it?

Writing Prompts for 4th Grade

Fourth graders are beginning to develop more complex thoughts and ideas.

These prompts are designed to encourage them to explore their creativity and express their growing understanding of the world.

• Imagine you could travel back in time—where would you go and what would you do?
• Write about a time when you felt really proud of something you accomplished.
• If you could create your own video game, what would it be like?
• Describe your favorite place in nature—what makes it special to you?
• Write a story about a day when you became a superhero—what powers do you have?
• What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could meet any historical figure—who would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you had to work really hard to achieve something.
• Describe your favorite book—what do you like most about it?
• Imagine you could invent something to help people—what would it be and how would it work?
• Write a story about finding a hidden world—what do you discover there?
• Imagine you could be an animal for a day—what animal would you choose and why?
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision—how did you handle it?
• Describe your dream vacation—where would you go and what would you do?
• Imagine you could be invisible for a day—what would you do with this power?
• Write a story about a mysterious object you find—what is it and what does it do?
• What’s your favorite way to spend a rainy day? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could create your own country—what would it be like?
• Write about a time when you were really excited about something—what happened?
• Describe your favorite holiday tradition—why is it special to you?
• Imagine you could talk to your favorite character from a book or movie—what would you say?
• Write a story about an adventure in the jungle—what challenges do you face?
• What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Why do you like it?
• Imagine you could have any job in the world—what would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you felt really scared—what happened and how did you overcome it?
• Describe your perfect day—what would you do from start to finish?
• Imagine you could visit another planet—what would it be like?
• Write a story about a treasure hunt—what do you find at the end?
• What’s your favorite thing to eat? Why do you like it so much?
• Imagine you could switch places with someone for a day—who would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you had to solve a problem—how did you do it?
• Describe your favorite hobby—why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could be a famous artist—what kind of art would you create?
• Write a story about a magical tree—what powers does it have?
• Imagine you could live in a castle—what would your life be like?
• Write about a time when you did something kind for someone—how did it make you feel?
• Describe your favorite memory from when you were younger—what makes it special?
• Imagine you could speak any language—what would you do with this ability?
• What’s your favorite season? Why do you like it?
• Imagine you could create your own superhero team—who would be on it and what would they do?
• Write about a time when you learned something new—how did it change you?
• Describe your favorite thing to do with your family—why is it special to you?
• Imagine you could visit any place in the world—where would you go and why?
• What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? Why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could live anywhere—where would you choose and what would it be like?
• Write about a time when you had to be really brave—what happened and how did you handle it?

Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

Fifth graders are ready to tackle more complex ideas and stories. These prompts are designed to inspire them to think critically and creatively, pushing their writing skills to the next level.

• Imagine you could time travel to any event in history—where would you go and what would you do?
• Write about a time when you had to help a friend through a difficult situation—how did you support them?
• Describe your dream school—what subjects would be taught and what would the classrooms be like?
• Imagine you found a mysterious map—where does it lead and what do you discover?
• Write a story about a day when you had to make an important decision—how did you choose what to do?
• What’s something new you’ve realized about yourself over the last year? How has it changed you?
• Imagine you could talk to someone from the future—what would you ask them?
• Write about a time when you had to work really hard to achieve a goal—how did you stay motivated?
• Describe your favorite place to relax—what makes it your go-to spot?
• Imagine you could design your own theme park—what rides and attractions would it have?
• Write a story about a secret club you started with your friends—what’s the club’s mission?
• What’s something you wish you could change about the world? How would you make it happen?
• Imagine you could switch lives with someone famous for a day—who would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you had to overcome a challenge—what did you learn from the experience?
• Describe your perfect birthday party—what would you do to celebrate?
• Imagine you discovered a new planet—what is it like and who lives there?
• Write a story about a magical book that brings the characters to life—what happens next?
• What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in school so far? How did you learn it?
• Imagine you could invent something to make life easier—what would it be and how would it work?
• Write about a time when you had to be a leader—how did you handle the responsibility?
• Describe your favorite family tradition—why is it meaningful to you?
• Imagine you could spend a day in your favorite book—what adventures would you have?
• Write a story about a time when you discovered something unexpected—what was it and how did it change your life?
• What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of? Why is it important to you?
• Imagine you could live in any time period—where would you go and what would your life be like?
• Write about a time when you made a new friend—how did you connect with them?
• Describe your favorite outdoor activity—what do you enjoy most about it?
• Imagine you could be an expert in any subject—what would it be and why?
• Write a story about a day when you found a hidden door—where does it lead and what do you find?
• What’s something you’re really looking forward to in the next year? Why?
• Imagine you could talk to animals—what conversations would you have with your favorite animal?
• Write about a time when you had to solve a mystery—how did you figure it out?
• Describe your favorite way to spend time with your friends—why do you enjoy it?
• Imagine you could be a character in your favorite movie—who would you be and what would you do?
• Write a story about a day when you invented something amazing—what happens when people start using it?
• What’s something you’ve learned from your family? How has it shaped who you are?
• Write about a time when you had to make a sacrifice—what did you give up and why?
• Describe your ideal weekend—what would you do and who would you spend it with?
• Imagine you could be a detective for a day—what case would you solve and how would you do it?
• Write a story about a time when you found a lost treasure—what was it and what did you do with it?
• What’s something you wish you could learn more about? How would you go about learning it?
• Imagine you could be a superhero—what would your powers be and how would you use them to help others?
• Write about a time when you faced a fear—how did you overcome it?
• Describe your favorite memory with your best friend—why is it so special to you?
• Imagine you could create a new holiday—what would it celebrate and how would people observe it?
• Write a story about a time when you had to be brave—what was the situation and how did you handle it?
• What’s something you’ve achieved that you never thought you could? How did you do it?
• Imagine you could speak any language fluently—what would you do with this ability?
• Write about a time when you helped someone in need—how did it make you feel?

Writing Prompts for Work

Work can be challenging, but it’s also full of opportunities for growth and creativity.

These prompts are designed to help you think about your work life in new and interesting ways.

• Write about a time when you had to handle a difficult project at work—how did you manage it?
• Imagine you could design your dream job—what would it involve and why?
• What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a colleague? How did it change your approach to work?
• Write a story about a day when everything went wrong at work—how did you fix the situation?
• Describe your ideal workspace—what does it look like and how does it make you feel?
• Imagine you could start your own business—what would it be and how would you run it?
• Write about a time when you had to collaborate with a difficult team member—how did you handle it?
• What’s something you’ve achieved at work that you’re really proud of? Why is it meaningful to you?
• Imagine you could change one thing about your current job—what would it be and how would it improve your work life?
• Write about a time when you had to learn a new skill quickly—how did you approach the challenge?
• Describe a time when you felt truly satisfied with your work—what contributed to that feeling?
• Write a story about a day when you solved a big problem at work—what was the problem and how did you solve it?
• What’s the most important skill you’ve developed in your career? How did you master it?
• Imagine you could take a year off work—what would you do and how would it benefit your career?
• Write about a time when you had to give a presentation—how did you prepare and how did it go?
• Describe a moment when you received recognition for your work—what did it mean to you?
• Imagine you could mentor someone in your field—what advice would you give them?
• Write about a time when you had to deal with a challenging client or customer—how did you handle the situation?
• What’s something you’ve learned from a mistake at work? How has it improved the way you work?
• Imagine you could work anywhere in the world—where would you choose and why?
• Write about a time when you had to lead a team—how did you ensure everyone was working well together?
• Describe your favorite project that you’ve worked on—why was it so rewarding?
• Imagine you could change careers completely—what would you do and why?
• Write about a time when you had to manage your time effectively—what strategies did you use?
• What’s something you wish more people understood about your job? Why is it important?
• Imagine you could create a new product or service—what would it be and how would it help people?
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision at work—how did you come to your conclusion?
• Describe a work environment where you feel most productive—what makes it conducive to good work?
• Imagine you could eliminate one task from your job—what would it be and how would it affect your workday?
• Write about a time when you had to overcome a setback at work—how did you bounce back?
• What’s the most impactful career advice you’ve been given? How has it impacted your professional life?
• Imagine you’re the CEO of a company for a day—what changes would you make?
• Write about a time when you had to navigate office politics—how did you manage it?
• Describe a moment when you felt really inspired at work—what sparked that inspiration?
• Imagine you could create your ideal work-life balance—what would it look like?
• Write about a time when you had to negotiate something at work—how did you approach it and what was the outcome?
• What’s something you’ve done to improve your work skills? How has it benefited your career?
• Imagine you could work with any team or company in the world—who would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you had to manage stress at work—what strategies did you use to stay calm and focused?
• Describe your dream project—what would you create and how would you go about it?
• Imagine you could redesign the way your company operates—what changes would you make deadline—how did you manage your time and stay focused?
• What’s something you’ve done to build better relationships with your colleagues? How has it improved your work environment?
• Imagine you could introduce a new policy at your workplace—what would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you had to take on a leadership role unexpectedly—how did you handle the responsibility?
• Describe a moment when you felt truly challenged at work—what did you do to overcome it?
• Imagine you could automate one aspect of your job—what would it be and how would it change your workday?
• Write about a time when you had to give constructive feedback—how did you ensure it was well-received?
• What’s something you’ve done at work that you believe made a difference? How did it impact your team or company?
• A person is tasked with managing a high-stakes project that could make or break their career—how do they handle the mounting pressure and navigate the complex dynamics of their team to achieve success?

Holiday Writing Prompts

The holidays are a time of joy, reflection, and sometimes stress.

These prompts are designed to help you capture the spirit of the season in your writing, whether it’s a heartwarming story or a reflective piece.

• Write about your favorite holiday tradition—why is it so meaningful to you?
• Describe a memorable holiday experience—what made it stand out?
• Write a story about a holiday that doesn’t go as planned—how do the characters make the best of it?
• What’s your favorite holiday food? Write about the memories associated with it.
• Imagine you could spend the holidays in any place in the world—where would you go and why?
• Write about a time when you gave or received a meaningful gift—what made it special?
• Describe your perfect holiday season—what activities and traditions would you include?
• Imagine you could invite any three people, living or dead, to your holiday dinner—who would they be and why?
• Write a story about a holiday miracle—what happens and how does it change the characters’ lives?
• What’s the most unusual holiday you’ve ever celebrated? Write about the experience.
• Imagine you’re a character in a holiday movie—what’s your role and how does the story unfold?
• Write about a time when you spent the holidays away from home—how did you make it special?
• Describe a holiday celebration from a different culture—what traditions and customs are observed?
• Imagine you could go back in time to any holiday in your life—what year would you choose and why?
• Write a story about a holiday romance—how do the characters meet and what challenges do they face?
• What’s your favorite holiday memory from childhood? Write about it in detail.
• Imagine you’re responsible for organizing a big holiday event—what would you plan and how would it go?
• Write about a time when the holidays were difficult for you—how did you cope?
• Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of your favorite holiday—how do they make you feel?
• Imagine you could experience the holidays through the eyes of a child—what would you notice?
• Write a story about a character who dreads the holidays—what changes their perspective?
• What’s the most memorable holiday gift you’ve ever received? Write about the story behind it.
• Imagine you’re writing a letter to Santa as an adult—what would you ask for and why?
• Write about a time when you had to create new holiday traditions—what did you do and how did it turn out?
• Describe the perfect winter day—what activities do you do and who do you spend it with?
• Imagine you could relive a past holiday—what would you do differently?
• Write a story about a holiday surprise—what happens and how do the characters react?
• What’s the most challenging part of the holiday season for you? Write about how you manage it.
• Imagine you’re a holiday character (like an elf or reindeer)—what’s your role and what adventures do you have?
• Write about a time when you had to travel during the holidays—what was the journey like?
• Describe the perfect holiday meal—what’s on the menu and who’s at the table?
• Imagine you’re decorating for the holidays—what theme or style do you choose and why?
• Write a story about a character who gets an unexpected visitor during the holidays—how does it change their plans?
• What’s your favorite holiday movie or book? Write about why it resonates with you.
• Imagine you could give one gift to the world—what would it be and how would it impact people?
• Write about a holiday tradition you’d like to start—what is it and why is it important to you?
• Describe the feeling of waking up on a holiday morning—what emotions do you experience?
• Imagine you’re hosting a holiday party—who do you invite and what happens at the party?
• Write a story about a holiday adventure—what challenges do the characters face and how do they overcome them?
• What’s the best holiday advice you’ve ever received? Write about how it’s helped you.
• Imagine you could celebrate the holidays in a different time period—when and where would you choose?
• Write about a holiday memory that always makes you smile—what happened and why is it special?
• Describe your ideal holiday gift—what makes it perfect for you?
• Imagine you’re spending the holidays in a remote location—how do you make it festive?
• Write a story about a character who’s trying to recreate a holiday from their past—what challenges do they face?
• What’s your favorite holiday decoration? Write about the memories associated with it.
• Imagine you could create a holiday playlist—what songs would be on it and why?
• Write about a time when the holidays didn’t turn out as expected—how did you make the best of it?
• Describe the perfect holiday evening—what do you do, who are you with, and how does it end?

Bizarre Writing Prompts

Sometimes, the strangest ideas lead to the most creative stories.

These bizarre prompts are designed to stretch your imagination and take your writing to unexpected places.

• Write about a world where gravity suddenly reverses every 24 hours.
• Imagine you wake up one day with the ability to speak in animal languages—what conversations do you have?
• Write a story where all the clocks in the world stop at the same time—what happens next?
• Imagine a town where people spontaneously switch bodies with each other every full moon.
• Write about a day when everyone in the world forgets their name.
• Imagine you’re a detective solving a crime in a town where everyone is invisible.
• Write a story where your reflection in the mirror starts talking back to you.
• Imagine you live in a world where people can only tell the truth on Wednesdays.
• Write about a time when you found a door that leads to a different dimension.
• Imagine a world where every time you sneeze, you teleport to a random location.
• Write a story where all the plants in your garden start growing at an alarming rate overnight.
• Imagine you discover that your shadow has a mind of its own.
• Write about a town where the weather changes based on people’s moods.
• Imagine you’re the last person on Earth, but you start receiving mysterious messages.
• Write a story where every animal you see is actually a shape-shifting human.
• Imagine you find a book that predicts everything you’ll do in the next 24 hours.
• Write about a world where people can only communicate through drawings.
• Imagine you wake up one morning and everything you touch turns to gold—but there’s a catch.
• Write a story where everyone around you starts speaking in riddles.
• Imagine you find a pair of glasses that let you see people’s deepest secrets.
• Write about a city where all the buildings are made of jelly.
• Imagine you discover a portal in your closet that leads to a parallel universe.
• Write a story where everyone’s pets suddenly gain the ability to talk—but they have a lot to say.
• Imagine you live in a world where everyone must sing their thoughts out loud.
• Write about a day when all the colors in the world disappear.
• Imagine you find a notebook that, when you write in it, makes the events happen in real life.
• Write a story where gravity only works in certain parts of your house.
• Imagine you’re in a world where people age backwards—how does life work?
• Write about a time when you woke up to find that the sun had turned green.
• Imagine you’re a superhero with the most unusual power—what is it and how do you use it?
• Write a story where everyone in your town has a twin, but they’re all hiding a big secret.
• Imagine you discover that the stars in the sky are actually the souls of past civilizations.
• Write about a day when all technology suddenly stops working—how do people react?
• Imagine you find out that every door in your house leads to a different place each time you open it.
• Write a story where everyone can fly, but only for five minutes at a time.
• Imagine you’re in a world where people can only eat one specific food item—what is it and why?
• Write about a town where no one is allowed to laugh, but you just can’t stop giggling.
• Imagine you wake up one day and everyone you know has been replaced by exact lookalikes.
• Write a story where people’s emotions control the weather—what happens on a particularly bad day?
• Imagine you’re in a world where everyone has a secret superpower, but no one knows their own power.
• Write about a time when you discovered a hidden room in your house that defies the laws of physics.
• Imagine you live in a city where time doesn’t pass unless someone is watching the clock.
• Write a story where everyone you meet is a character from a different fairy tale.
• Imagine you’re the only person in the world who can see invisible creatures that are everywhere.
• Write about a day when gravity disappears and everything starts floating away.
• Imagine you find a mirror that shows you a different version of yourself every time you look into it.
• Write a story where every word you speak appears in the air in front of you.
• Imagine you wake up one day to find that you’ve been turned into a cartoon character.
• Write about a world where people are born with a set of wings, but they only appear on their 18th birthday.
• Imagine you live in a world where people must trade their memories in exchange for knowledge.

Nature Writing Prompts

Nature is a source of endless inspiration.

These prompts are designed to help you explore the beauty, power, and mysteries of the natural world in your writing.

• Write about a time when you got lost in the wilderness—how did you find your way back?
• Imagine you could communicate with trees—what would they tell you about the world?
• Write a story about a river that flows backwards and the secrets it holds.
• Describe the most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen—what made it so unforgettable?
• Imagine you’re an animal living in the forest—what challenges do you face each day?
• Write about a time when you were caught in a powerful storm—how did it make you feel?
• Imagine you discover a hidden waterfall in the middle of a dense forest—what do you find there?
• Write a story where the ocean suddenly starts rising and what people do to survive.
• Describe the experience of walking through a field of flowers in full bloom—what do you see, smell, and feel?
• Imagine you could live in any natural environment—where would it be and why?
• Write about a time when you witnessed a natural disaster—how did it impact you?
• Imagine you discover a new species of plant—what does it look like and what are its properties?
• Write a story where the animals of the forest must band together to save their home.
• Describe a night spent under the stars—what thoughts come to your mind as you gaze at the sky?
• Imagine you’re a bird migrating thousands of miles—what do you see and experience on your journey?
• Write about a day when the sun didn’t rise—how does the world react?
• Imagine you find a hidden cave deep in the mountains—what mysteries does it hold?
• Write a story where the seasons start changing unpredictably—how does it affect life on Earth?
• Describe the feeling of walking barefoot on a sandy beach—what sensations do you experience?
• Imagine you’re a tree watching over the same spot for hundreds of years—what changes do you witness?
• Write about a time when you felt a deep connection to nature—what brought it on and how did it affect you?
• Imagine you could control the weather for a day—what would you do and why?
• Write a story about a garden that grows only at night—what plants and creatures thrive there?
• Describe the most peaceful place in nature you’ve ever visited—what made it so serene?
• Imagine you’re an explorer discovering an uncharted island—what do you find there?
• Write about a time when you watched the first snowfall of the season—what emotions did it evoke?
• Imagine you’re a flower blooming in a desert—how do you survive and what challenges do you face?
• Write a story about a forest where the trees can move and communicate with each other.
• Describe the experience of walking through a dense fog—what can you see, hear, and feel?
• Imagine you’re a fish living in a coral reef—what dangers and beauties do you encounter each day?
• Write about a time when you climbed to the top of a mountain—what did you feel when you reached the summit?
• Imagine you could transform into any animal for a day—what would you choose and what would you do?
• Write a story where the natural world starts reclaiming abandoned cities—how does it happen and what does it look like?
• Describe the sensation of standing in a pouring rain—what thoughts go through your mind?
• Imagine you discover a hidden grove where time stands still—what secrets does it hold?
• Write about a time when you encountered a wild animal—how did it affect you?
• Imagine you could plant a tree that grows something unusual—what would it be and why?
• Write a story about a lake that grants wishes—but only to those who truly believe.
• Describe the feeling of walking through a snowy landscape—what sounds and sights do you notice?
• Imagine you’re a butterfly emerging from a cocoon—what is your first flight like?
• Write about a time when you camped in the wilderness—what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• Imagine you find a natural hot spring in the middle of a cold, snowy forest—what do you do?
• Write a story where the moon suddenly disappears—how does it affect the natural world?
• Describe the experience of hiking through a rainforest—what do you see, hear, and feel?
• Imagine you could communicate with the ocean—what would it tell you about the world?
• Write about a time when you watched the sunset over the mountains—what emotions did it evoke?
• Imagine you find a treehouse high in the branches of an ancient tree—what adventures do you have there?
• Write a story about a drought that lasts for years—how do people and animals survive?
• Imagine you’re in a world where flowers bloom in patterns that tell stories—what tales do they reveal?
• Write about a time when you spent the entire day outdoors—what did you do, and how did it affect you?

Romance Writing Prompts

Love is a powerful theme that can inspire a wide range of stories.

These prompts are designed to explore the many facets of romance, from the sweet and tender to the complex and challenging.

• Write about a chance meeting that leads to an unexpected romance—how do the characters connect?
• Imagine two people who have been friends for years suddenly realize they’re in love—how do they navigate this new dynamic?
• Write a story about a love that defies the odds—what obstacles do the characters face?
• Imagine a couple that’s been together for decades—what’s their secret to staying in love?
• Write about a romance that begins with a misunderstanding—how do they eventually come together?
• Imagine two characters who meet in an unusual place—how does their romance develop?
• Write a story about a long-distance relationship—how do the characters keep their love alive?
• Imagine a love story set in a fantasy world—what challenges do the characters face in their quest for love?
• Write about a couple who fall in love at first sight—how does their relationship unfold?
• Imagine a romance that blooms in the midst of a conflict—how do the characters navigate their feelings in such a setting?
• Write a story where two people who dislike each other are forced to work together—how does their relationship evolve into love?
• Imagine a couple that communicates primarily through letters—what do their letters reveal about their love?
• Write about a character who falls in love with someone they can’t have—how do they cope with their feelings?
• Imagine a love triangle—how do the characters deal with their complicated emotions?
• Write a story about a romance that begins with a simple act of kindness—how does it grow from there?
• Imagine a couple who are reunited after many years apart—what brought them back together?
• Write about a character who falls in love with someone from a different world or culture—how do they bridge their differences?
• Imagine a romance that develops during a shared adventure—what bonds the characters together?
• Write a story where a character must choose between two loves—how do they make their decision?
• Imagine a couple that meets under extraordinary circumstances—how does their relationship progress?
• Write about a love that is kept secret—what are the reasons, and how do they navigate their hidden romance?
• Imagine two people who fall in love despite their very different personalities—how do they make it work?
• Write a story about a romance that begins with a lie—how do the characters move past the deception?
• Imagine a couple that faces a major life change—how does it affect their relationship?
• Write about a love that starts with a shared passion—how does their common interest bring them closer?
• Imagine a romance set in the future—how does technology play a role in their relationship?
• Write a story where a character must win back the love of their life—how do they go about it?
• Imagine a love story that takes place in a small town—how does the setting influence their romance?
• Write about a character who is afraid to fall in love—what happens when they meet someone who changes their mind?
• Imagine a romance that begins with a serendipitous encounter—how do they realize they’re meant to be together?
• Write a story where love is tested by time—how do the characters keep their bond strong?
• Imagine a couple that discovers a hidden secret about each other—how does it affect their relationship?
• Write about a love that blossoms in an unexpected place—how do the characters navigate their unusual situation?
• Imagine a romance that is interrupted by an unexpected event—how do the characters find their way back to each other?
• Write a story where a character falls in love with someone who doesn’t speak the same language—how do they communicate their feelings?
• Imagine a love story set in a historical time period—how do the characters navigate the social norms of their era?
• Write about a couple who are brought together by a shared loss—how do they find comfort in each other?
• Imagine a romance that starts with a bet—how do the characters realize their feelings are real?
• Write a story where a character must choose between love and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—what do they decide?
• Imagine a love story that spans across different lifetimes—how do the characters keep finding each other?
• Write about a romance that develops through a series of dreams—how do the characters connect in the waking world?
• Imagine a couple who must keep their love a secret because of a dangerous situation—how do they protect each other?
• Write a story where a character falls in love with their best friend—how do they navigate their new feelings?
• Imagine a romance that begins with a rescue—how does the situation bring the characters together?
• Write about a love that is challenged by external forces—how do the characters fight to stay together?
• Imagine a couple who reconnect after many years apart—what has changed, and how do they rekindle their love?
• Write a story where love blooms between two characters who are complete opposites—how do they complement each other?
• Imagine a romance that is sparked by a shared secret—how do the characters navigate their hidden bond?
• Write about a love that is forbidden—how do the characters cope with the challenges they face?
• Imagine a couple that finds love through a series of seemingly random events—how do they realize they were meant to be together?

History Writing Prompts

History is rich with stories waiting to be told.

These prompts are designed to help you explore different time periods, significant events, and the lives of people who shaped the world.

• Write about a day in the life of a soldier during World War I—what challenges do they face?
• Imagine you are a servant in a medieval castle—what is your daily routine and what secrets do you uncover?
• Write a story about a young woman involved in the suffragette movement—what motivates her to fight for women’s rights?
• Imagine you are a journalist covering the signing of the Declaration of Independence—what do you witness and how do you feel about it?
• Write about a family trying to survive during the Great Depression—what struggles do they encounter?
• Imagine you are an explorer during the Age of Discovery—what new lands do you find and what challenges do you face?
• Write a story about a child growing up in ancient Egypt—what is their life like and what role does religion play?
• Imagine you are a spy during the Cold War—what mission are you on and what risks do you take?
• Write about a day in the life of a Roman gladiator—what drives them to fight and how do they prepare?
• Imagine you are a passenger on the Titanic—how do you react when the ship begins to sink?
• Write a story about an artist during the Renaissance—what inspires your work and how do you navigate the political climate?
• Imagine you are a leader during the French Revolution—what decisions do you make and what impact do they have?
• Write about a slave escaping to freedom via the Underground Railroad—what challenges do you face on your journey?
• Imagine you are a knight during the Crusades—what motivates you to fight and what do you encounter along the way?
• Write a story about a scientist during the Industrial Revolution—what new invention are you working on and how does it change the world?
• Imagine you are a Native American witnessing the arrival of European settlers—what do you think and how do you respond?
• Write about a family living through the Dust Bowl—how do they survive and what choices do they make?
• Imagine you are a pioneer traveling westward on the Oregon Trail—what struggles do you experience, and how do you work through them?
• Write a story about a sailor on one of Christopher Columbus’s voyages—what do you discover and how do you feel about it?
• Imagine you are a soldier during the Civil War—what battles do you fight and how do they affect you?
• Write about a child living in ancient Greece—what is your life like and how do you participate in your city’s culture?
• Imagine you are a survivor of Pompeii’s eruption—how do you escape and what do you see?
• Write a story about a woman working in a factory during World War II—what challenges do you face and how do you contribute to the war effort?
• Imagine you are a Viking setting sail for new lands—what do you encounter and how do you adapt?
• Write about a day in the life of a samurai in feudal Japan—what is your role and what do you value most?
• Imagine you are a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition—what discoveries do you make and how do they impact the group?
• Write a story about a musician in 1920s Harlem—how do you contribute to the Harlem Renaissance and what challenges do you face?
• Imagine you are a prisoner in the Tower of London during the Tudor era—why are you there and what is your fate?
• Write about a family trying to survive the Black Death in medieval Europe—how do they cope with the fear and loss?
• Imagine you are an archaeologist uncovering a lost civilization—what do you find and what does it reveal about history?
• Write a story about a monk living in a monastery during the Middle Ages—what is your daily life like and what secrets do you guard?
• Imagine you are a worker building the Great Wall of China—what is the experience like and how do you feel about the project?
• Write about a sailor navigating the treacherous waters of the Cape of Good Hope during the Age of Exploration—what challenges do you face?
• Imagine you are a witness to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln—how do you react and what happens next?
• Write a story about a child growing up in the ancient Mayan civilization—what is your life like and what do you learn from your elders?
• Imagine you are a nurse on the front lines during World War I—what challenges do you face and how do you help the soldiers?
• Write about a day in the life of a merchant in ancient Mesopotamia—what goods do you trade and how do you navigate the marketplace?
• Imagine you are a Native American leader negotiating with European settlers—what are your goals and how do you achieve them?
• Write a story about a Roman senator during the fall of the Roman Empire—how do you react to the changing political landscape?
• Imagine you are a witness to the signing of the Magna Carta—what is the atmosphere like and what do you think about the document?
• Write about a day in the life of a blacksmith in medieval Europe—what is your craft and how do you interact with your community?
• Imagine you are a witness to the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt—what do you see and how do you feel about the project?
• Write a story about a family living in East Berlin during the Cold War—how do they cope with the division of their city?
• Imagine you are a member of the Inca Empire witnessing the arrival of Spanish conquistadors—how do you react and what do you do?
• Write about a day in the life of a sailor on a pirate ship in the Caribbean—what adventures do you have and how do you survive?
• Imagine you are a witness to the Boston Tea Party—what do you see and how do you feel about the protest?
• Write a story about a scholar in ancient China—what knowledge do you seek and how do you contribute to your society?
• Imagine you are a soldier fighting in the trenches during World War I—what is the experience like and how do you cope?
• Write about a day in the life of a medieval peasant—what challenges do you face and how do you survive?
• Imagine you are an abolitionist helping slaves escape to freedom in the 19th century—what risks do you take and what drives you to help?

Faith-Based Writing Prompts

Faith is a powerful force that shapes lives and communities.

These prompts are designed to help you explore spiritual themes, personal beliefs, and the ways faith impacts the world.

• Write about a moment when you felt your faith was tested—how did you respond and what did you learn?
• Imagine you’re a traveler who stumbles upon a hidden temple—what do you find inside and how does it affect your beliefs?
• Write a story about a person who experiences a miracle—how does it change their life and their faith?
• Imagine you’re a pilgrim on a sacred journey—what challenges do you face and how do they strengthen your faith?
• Write about a time when you had to rely on your faith during a difficult situation—what gave you strength?
• Imagine you’re a monk living in a remote monastery—what is your daily routine and how do you find spiritual fulfillment?
• Write a story about a person who loses their faith and then finds it again—what leads to their transformation?
• Imagine you’re in a world where prayers are answered immediately—how does it change the way people live?
• Write about a community that comes together to build a place of worship—how does the process bring them closer?
• Imagine you’re a spiritual leader guiding others through a time of crisis—how do you offer comfort and hope?
• Write a story where a character discovers an ancient religious text—how does it impact their beliefs and their life?
• Imagine you’re a person of faith living in a society that opposes your beliefs—how do you stay true to your convictions?
• Write about a time when you witnessed an act of kindness inspired by faith—how did it affect you?
• Imagine you’re in a world where faith is measured in physical strength—how do people practice their beliefs?
• Write a story about a person who receives a divine message—how do they interpret it and what do they do?
• Imagine you’re a missionary in a foreign land—what challenges do you face and how do you share your faith?
• Write about a time when you felt a deep connection to something greater than yourself—how did it shape your perspective?
• Imagine you’re a person struggling with doubt—how do you find your way back to faith?
• Write a story about a community that practices a unique form of worship—how does it bring them together?
• Imagine you’re a guardian angel tasked with protecting someone—how do you guide them without revealing yourself?
• Write about a moment when you felt your prayers were answered—what impact did it have on your life?
• Imagine you’re in a world where faith can be seen as a visible light around people—how does it change interactions?
• Write a story about a person who discovers they have the ability to heal others—how does it affect their faith?
• Imagine you’re a spiritual seeker exploring different religions—what do you learn and how does it influence your beliefs?
• Write about a time when your faith helped you forgive someone—what was the situation and how did you find peace?
• Imagine you’re in a world where people’s destinies are written in the stars—how do people interpret their faith in relation to their predestined paths?
• Write a story about a person who finds a sacred artifact—how does it change their faith and the lives of those around them?
• Imagine you’re a member of a religious community living in isolation—how do you maintain your spiritual practices?
• Write about a time when your faith helped you overcome a significant obstacle—what role did belief play in your success?
• Imagine you’re in a world where everyone receives a vision of their future—how does it shape their faith and actions?
• Write a story about a person who must choose between following their faith and protecting their loved ones—how do they make their decision?
• Imagine you’re a spiritual guide leading others through a sacred ritual—what do you teach and how do the participants react?
• Write about a person who experiences a crisis of faith after a personal tragedy—how do they find solace?
• Imagine you’re in a society where different faiths coexist peacefully—what challenges arise and how are they resolved?
• Write a story about a person who hears a voice guiding them on a spiritual quest—how do they interpret the message?
• Imagine you’re a religious scholar uncovering a lost chapter of a sacred text—how does it change the understanding of your faith?
• Write about a time when your faith brought you comfort during a time of fear or uncertainty—how did it help you cope?
• Imagine you’re in a world where faith is tied to the elements—how do people express their beliefs through nature?
• Write a story about a person who must reconcile their faith with scientific discoveries—how do they balance belief and reason?
• Imagine you’re a member of a faith community preparing for a significant spiritual event—how do you contribute and what does it mean to you?
• Write about a person who finds unexpected faith in the midst of chaos—what leads them to this realization?
• Imagine you’re in a world where people’s faith is reflected in the colors they wear—how does this affect society?
• Write a story about a person who feels disconnected from their faith and goes on a journey to rediscover it—what do they learn?
• Imagine you’re a spiritual leader faced with a moral dilemma—how do you guide your community through it?
• Write about a time when you saw someone else’s faith inspire a positive change—what happened and how did it affect you?
• Imagine you’re in a world where people can physically see the results of their prayers—how does it impact their beliefs and actions?
• Write a story about a person who creates a new form of worship—how is it received and what impact does it have?
• Imagine you’re a pilgrim traveling to a holy site—what challenges do you face on your journey and how does it strengthen your faith?
• Write about a time when you questioned your faith and found new meaning in it—what caused the doubt and how did you resolve it?
• Imagine you’re in a world where faith can be exchanged like currency—how do people value and trade their beliefs?

Animal Writing Prompts

Animals can inspire stories of loyalty, adventure, and the wild unknown.

These prompts are designed to explore the bonds between humans and animals, as well as the mysteries of the animal kingdom.

• Write a story about a stray dog that befriends a lonely child—how do they help each other?
• Imagine you could talk to your pet—what would they say about their life with you?
• Write about a day in the life of a wild animal—what challenges do they face in their natural habitat?
• Write a story about a zoo animal that dreams of escaping—what happens when they finally get the chance?
• Imagine you discover a secret society of animals living in your city—how do they interact with humans?
• Write about a cat that seems to have nine lives—what adventures do they experience?
• Imagine you’re a wildlife photographer who discovers a new species—what do you do with this discovery?
• Write a story where animals start communicating with humans—how does this change the world?
• Imagine you’re a horse in the Wild West—what is your relationship with your rider?
• Write about a person who turns into an animal for a day—how do they see the world differently?
• Imagine you’re a marine biologist studying dolphins—what surprising behavior do you observe?
• Write a story about an animal that helps solve a mystery—how do they assist the humans involved?
• Imagine you’re an animal living in a magical forest—what powers do you possess and how do you use them?
• Write about a child who discovers they can understand what birds are singing—how do they use this ability?
• Write a story where a group of animals must work together to overcome a natural disaster—how do they succeed?
• Imagine you find a journal written by a wolf—what stories do they tell?
• Write about a person who has a deep connection with animals—how does this affect their life?
• Imagine you’re a veterinarian who discovers that all animals have a hidden intelligence—how do you handle this secret?
• Write a story where a dog’s loyalty saves their owner from danger—what do they do?
• Imagine you’re an explorer who finds an island inhabited by unknown animal species—what do you discover?
• Write about a day in the life of a domesticated animal—how do they view their human family?
• Imagine you’re a bird flying over a city—what do you see and how do you interact with the people below?
• Write a story where animals and humans switch roles for a day—how do they adapt to their new lives?
• Imagine you’re a lion leading your pride in the savannah—what challenges do you face?
• Write about a person who rescues injured wildlife—what motivates them and what challenges do they encounter?
• Imagine you’re a fish in the ocean—what dangers do you face and how do you survive?
• Write a story about a stray cat that changes the life of the person who adopts them—how do they form a bond?
• Imagine you’re a turtle living in a pond—what is your daily life like and what other creatures do you encounter?
• Write about a person who discovers they can shapeshift into any animal—how do they use this power?
• Imagine you’re an animal living in the Arctic—what do you do to survive the harsh conditions?
• Write a story where animals in a shelter plot to find homes for each other—how do they succeed?
• Imagine you’re an eagle soaring above the mountains—what do you see and how does it make you feel?
• Write about a person who dedicates their life to protecting endangered species—what drives them and what obstacles do they face?
• Imagine you’re a dog that can sense when someone is in danger—how do you use this ability?
• Write a story about a wild animal that becomes a legend in its community—what makes them so special?
• Imagine you’re a bird building a nest—what materials do you use and why?
• Write about a person who discovers a hidden talent for communicating with animals—how do they use this gift?
• Imagine you’re a fox living in a dense forest—how do you outsmart your predators?
• Write a story where an animal teaches a human an important life lesson—what do they learn?
• Imagine you’re a whale navigating the deep ocean—what do you encounter on your journey?
• Write about a person who spends a year living in the wild with animals—how do they adapt and what do they learn?
• Imagine you’re a cat with nine lives—what adventures do you experience and how do you use each life?
• Write a story about a person who forms an unbreakable bond with a wild animal—how do they communicate and what challenges do they face?
• Imagine you’re a rabbit living in a meadow—what dangers do you face and how do you stay safe?
• Write about a person who becomes an advocate for animal rights—what inspires them and how do they make a difference?
• Imagine you’re a monkey in the jungle—what mischief do you get into and how do you interact with other animals?
• Write a story where animals start helping humans with their daily tasks—how does this change society?
• Imagine you’re a bear preparing for hibernation—what do you do to get ready and what do you dream about?

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry is an art form that allows for deep expression and creativity.

These prompts are designed to help you explore emotions, images, and ideas through verse.

• Write a poem about the first moment you fell in love—capture the emotions and sensations.
• Imagine a world where colors have feelings—write a poem from the perspective of your favorite color.
• Write a poem about a time when you felt completely at peace—what brought on this feeling?
• Imagine you are a tree standing in a forest—write a poem about the changes you witness through the seasons.
• Write a poem that describes the sound of rain—how does it make you feel and what memories does it evoke?
• Imagine you are a butterfly fluttering through a garden—write a poem about your journey from flower to flower.
• Write a poem that captures the essence of a city at night—what do you see, hear, and feel?
• Imagine you are a star in the night sky—write a poem about your view of the universe.
• Write a poem about a time when you experienced loss—how did it change you?
• Imagine you are a wave in the ocean—write a poem about your rise, fall, and return to the sea.
• Write a poem that explores the concept of time—how does it move, and what does it mean to you?
• Imagine you are a bird soaring above the clouds—write a poem about your flight and freedom.
• Write a poem that describes the feeling of nostalgia—what memories come to mind and how do they affect you?
• Imagine you are a shadow following someone through their day—write a poem about what you observe.
• Write a poem that captures the beauty of the morning light—how does it change the world around you?
• Imagine you are a river flowing through the landscape—write a poem about the places you pass and the life you support.
• Write a poem that explores the theme of hope—what keeps you moving forward during difficult times?
• Imagine you are a leaf falling from a tree in autumn—write a poem about your descent and journey to the ground.
• Write a poem that describes the emotions of a storm—what does it rage against and what is left in its wake?
• Imagine you are a piece of music floating through the air—write a poem about how you move and who you touch.
• Write a poem about a moment of stillness—what do you notice when everything is quiet?
• Imagine you are a candle flickering in the dark—write a poem about your light and what you illuminate.
• Write a poem that explores the idea of home—what does it mean to you and how do you find it?
• Imagine you are a whisper traveling through a crowd—write a poem about the secrets you carry.
• Write a poem that captures the feeling of anticipation—what are you waiting for and how does it affect you?
• Imagine you are a mirror reflecting someone’s soul—write a poem about what you see.
• Write a poem that describes the changing of the seasons—how does nature transform and what does it signify?
• Imagine you are a piece of driftwood carried by the waves—write a poem about your journey through the ocean.
• Write a poem that explores the theme of love—what forms does it take and how does it manifest in your life?
• Imagine you are a snowfall blanketing the earth—write a poem about your quiet descent and the world you cover.
• Write a poem that describes the feeling of joy—what brings you happiness and how does it fill your heart?
• Imagine you are a flame dancing in the wind—write a poem about your movement and the warmth you provide.
• Write a poem that captures the essence of a long journey—what do you experience and how does it change you?
• Imagine you are a dream visiting someone in their sleep—write a poem about what you show them and why.
• Write a poem that explores the theme of memory—how do past experiences shape who you are today?
• Imagine you are a tear falling from someone’s eye—write a poem about your journey and what you represent.
• Write a poem that captures the silence of the night—how does the world change when darkness falls?
• Imagine you are the wind moving through the trees—write a poem about your path and the stories you hear.
• Write a poem that explores the theme of resilience—how do you find strength in adversity?
• Imagine you are a forgotten letter hidden in a drawer—write a poem about the message you carry and who it was meant for.
• Write a poem that describes the feeling of longing—what do you yearn for and how does it shape your actions?
• Imagine you are a snowflake drifting through the sky—write a poem about your unique journey to the ground.
• Write a poem that captures the beauty of a full moon—how does its light change the night and your perspective?
• Imagine you are an echo bouncing off a canyon wall—write a poem about what you repeat and how you fade away.
• Write a poem that explores the concept of destiny—how do you perceive the future and your path toward it?
• Imagine you are a ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds—write a poem about the hope you bring and the shadows you chase away.
• Write a poem that captures the essence of friendship—what bonds you to others and how does it enrich your life?
• Imagine you are a mountain standing tall through the ages—write a poem about the changes you witness and the strength you embody.
• Write a poem that describes the feeling of being lost—how do you navigate the uncertainty and find your way?
• Imagine you are the first bloom of spring—write a poem about renewal, growth, and the promise of new beginnings.

Biography Writing Prompts

Writing a biography allows you to delve into the life of someone who has made a significant impact on the world.a

These prompts are designed to help you explore the stories, struggles, and achievements of both well-known and lesser-known individuals.

• Write about a person who changed the course of history—what were their key decisions and motivations?
• Imagine you are writing the biography of someone who lived in obscurity but made a profound difference in their community—what was their contribution?
• Write a story about a famous artist’s early years—how did their childhood experiences shape their future work?
• Imagine you’re chronicling the life of a scientist who made a groundbreaking discovery—what challenges did they overcome?
• Write a biography of a person who led a double life—how did they balance their public and private personas?
• Imagine you are writing about a political leader who faced great opposition—how did they navigate their challenges and what was their legacy?
• Write a biography of a musician who struggled with fame—how did their personal life influence their music?
• Imagine you are documenting the life of an explorer—what drove them to seek out new lands, and what did they discover?
• Write about an athlete who overcame significant obstacles to achieve greatness—what was their journey like?
• Imagine you’re telling the story of a humanitarian who worked tirelessly for a cause—what motivated them and what impact did they have?
• Write a biography of a writer who changed the literary world—what inspired their most famous works?
• Imagine you’re chronicling the life of a business mogul—how did they build their empire, and what sacrifices did they make?
• Write about a person who was ahead of their time—how did they influence future generations?
• Imagine you’re documenting the life of an inventor—what was their most significant invention, and how did it change the world?
• Write a biography of a military leader who made crucial decisions during a time of war—what were the consequences of their actions?
• Imagine you are telling the story of a person who lived through a significant historical event—how did it shape their life and worldview?
• Write about a religious leader who inspired millions—what were their core beliefs and how did they spread their message?
• Imagine you’re chronicling the life of an activist who fought for social justice—what challenges did they face, and what were their victories?
• Write a biography of a person who made a significant impact in the field of education—what were their innovations and how did they change the system?
• Imagine you are writing about an environmentalist who dedicated their life to protecting the planet—what drove their passion?
• Write about a person who made a lasting impact in the world of entertainment—how did they shape their industry?
• Imagine you are documenting the life of a person who lived through extreme adversity—how did they persevere and what legacy did they leave behind?
• Write a biography of a famous inventor who failed multiple times before achieving success—what kept them going?
• Imagine you’re telling the story of a person who dedicated their life to public service—what were their most significant contributions?
• Write about a person who became a symbol of hope during a difficult time—how did they inspire others?
• Imagine you are chronicling the life of a person who played a key role in a major movement—what was their strategy and what impact did they have?
• Write a biography of a person who revolutionized their field—how did they innovate, and what challenges did they face?
• Imagine you’re documenting the life of a person who made a significant contribution to science but was overlooked—what was their discovery?
• Write about a person who broke barriers in their profession—how did they pave the way for others?
• Imagine you are telling the story of a person who faced persecution for their beliefs—how did they stay true to their principles?
• Write a biography of a person who was a trailblazer in the world of fashion—how did they influence trends and culture?
• Imagine you’re chronicling the life of a person who survived a major disaster—how did they rebuild their life and help others?
• Write about a person who led a quiet but impactful life—how did their actions make a difference in the lives of those around them?
• Imagine you are writing about a person who was both loved and hated by the public—what were the reasons for these divided opinions?
• Write a biography of a person who made a significant impact on technology—how did their work change the way we live?
• Imagine you’re telling the story of a person who was a mentor to many—how did they guide and inspire others?
• Write about a person who sacrificed their own success for the greater good—what were the consequences of their choices?
• Imagine you are chronicling the life of a person who fought for their country—how did their experiences shape them?
• Write a biography of a person who was a pioneer in the field of medicine—what were their breakthroughs and how did they save lives?
• Imagine you’re telling the story of a person who lived a life of adventure—what were their most daring exploits?
• Write about a person who became a symbol of resilience in the face of hardship—how did they overcome their struggles?
• Imagine you are documenting the life of a person who lived during a time of great change—how did they adapt and influence others?
• Write a biography of a person who dedicated their life to art—what were their most significant works and how did they influence the art world?
• Imagine you’re chronicling the life of a person who was a visionary in their field—how did their ideas change the course of history?
• Write about a person who made a significant impact on human rights—what were their key contributions and how are they remembered?
• Imagine you are telling the story of a person who lived a life of secrecy—what were their hidden motives and how did they affect their legacy?
• Write a biography of a person who was known for their kindness and generosity—how did their actions touch the lives of others?
• Imagine you are documenting the life of a person who faced immense personal challenges—how did they rise above them and what did they achieve?
• Write about a person who was instrumental in the development of a new art form—how did they innovate and inspire others?
• Imagine you’re telling the story of a person who made a lasting impact on the world, but whose story has been forgotten—how do you bring their legacy to light?

Sci-Fi Writing Prompts

Science fiction offers limitless possibilities for exploring the future, technology, and the unknown.

These prompts are designed to spark your imagination and take you on a journey to other worlds and realities.

• Write a story about a world where humans can upload their consciousness into a digital afterlife—what challenges arise?
• Imagine a future where space travel is as common as air travel—what adventures do you embark on?
• Write about a robot that develops emotions—how does it navigate its new experiences?
• Imagine you’re living on a distant planet where the environment is constantly changing—how do you adapt?
• Write a story about a society where everyone is born with a barcode that determines their fate—how do people challenge this system?
• Imagine a world where time travel is possible, but with severe consequences—what happens when someone breaks the rules?
• Write about a future where humans communicate telepathically—what complications arise?
• Imagine you discover an alien species living on Earth in secret—how do you react and what do you do?
• Write a story about a world where people can relive their past lives—how does this affect their current life choices?
• Imagine a future where artificial intelligence controls all aspects of life—what happens when the AI starts to malfunction?
• Write about a society where people are genetically engineered for specific roles—how do individuals rebel against their predetermined paths?
• Imagine you’re a scientist who discovers a parallel universe—what differences do you find and how do you interact with it?
• Write a story about a world where humans have colonized the moon—what conflicts arise between Earth and lunar inhabitants?
• Imagine a future where climate change has drastically altered the planet—how do people survive in this new world?
• Write about a character who wakes up to find themselves in a world where all technology has disappeared—how do they cope?
• Imagine a world where people can erase unwanted memories—what are the consequences of this ability?
• Write a story about a spaceship crew on a mission to explore the farthest reaches of the galaxy—what do they discover?
• Imagine a future where virtual reality has replaced real-life interactions—how do people form meaningful relationships?
• Write about a world where people can live forever—what challenges and ethical dilemmas arise?
• Imagine you’re an astronaut who encounters a mysterious signal from deep space—what do you find when you follow it?
• Write a story about a society where everyone’s thoughts are broadcast for all to hear—how do people adapt to this lack of privacy?
• Imagine a world where humans have developed the ability to teleport—what new problems and opportunities does this create?
• Write about a future where robots have taken over most jobs—how do humans find purpose in this new world?
• Imagine you’re a time traveler who accidentally alters a crucial event in history—what are the repercussions?
• Write a story about a world where people can transfer their consciousness into different bodies—how do they choose who to be?
• Imagine a future where humans have developed a cure for aging—how does society change as a result?
• Write about a character who discovers they are actually a clone—how do they come to terms with their identity?
• Imagine a world where humans have colonized the oceans—what new civilizations emerge beneath the waves?
• Write a story about a dystopian future where books are banned, but a group of rebels fights to preserve knowledge—how do they operate in secret?
• Imagine you’re a scientist who discovers a way to communicate with extraterrestrial beings—what do you learn from them?
• Write about a society where emotions are controlled by technology—what happens when someone’s device malfunctions?
• Imagine a future where the government monitors every aspect of life through implanted chips—how do people resist this control?
• Write a story about a world where people can swap their lives with others for a day—what complications arise?
• Imagine you’re on a mission to terraform a new planet—what unexpected challenges do you face?
• Write about a future where genetic modifications are the norm—how do people who refuse to be modified live in this society?
• Imagine a world where virtual reality has become indistinguishable from real life—how do people differentiate between the two?
• Write a story about a time traveler who must prevent a future catastrophe—what sacrifices do they make to succeed?
• Imagine you’re living in a city controlled by an all-knowing AI—how do you find a way to outsmart it?
• Write about a society where people can transfer their memories to others—how does this ability impact relationships and trust?
• Imagine a future where humans have colonized multiple planets, but an ancient alien race threatens their existence—how do people respond?
• Write a story about a world where people can communicate with animals—how does this change the relationship between humans and nature?
• Imagine you’re a member of a space crew that discovers a long-lost civilization—what secrets do they uncover?
• Write about a dystopian future where creativity is outlawed—how do artists and writers keep their work alive?
• Imagine a world where people are born with a limited amount of energy that they must manage throughout their lives—how do they spend it?
• Write a story about a scientist who discovers a way to reverse time—what ethical dilemmas do they face?
• Imagine a future where people can download skills directly into their brains—how does this change the way people learn and live?
• Write about a society where everyone lives in massive skyscrapers and never sees the ground—what happens when someone decides to explore below?
• Imagine you’re an explorer sent to investigate a black hole—what do you find on the other side?
• Write a story about a world where all diseases have been eradicated, but a new, mysterious illness begins to spread—how do people react?
• Imagine a future where humanity has achieved immortality, but at a cost—what is the price, and is it worth it?

Mystery Writing Prompts

Mysteries are all about suspense, intrigue, and the thrill of the unknown.

These prompts are designed to get your mind whirring as you create stories filled with twists, turns, and surprises.

• Write a story about a detective who discovers a secret room in their own house—what clues do they find inside?
• Imagine you receive an anonymous letter with a cryptic message—what does it mean and who sent it?
• Write about a character who wakes up in a different place every morning—how do they figure out what’s happening?
• Imagine a small town where people start disappearing one by one—what’s causing it, and how is it stopped?
• Write a story where someone discovers an old, unsolved case file in their attic—how do they decide to investigate it themselves?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a hidden superpower—but someone is stealing them—how do they find the thief?
• Write about a character who finds an old, locked diary—when they finally open it, what shocking secrets do they uncover?
• Imagine you are a detective investigating a crime with no apparent motive or clues—how do you crack the case?
• Write a story where every piece of evidence in a crime scene points to different suspects—how does the detective untangle the truth?
• Imagine you find a hidden passage in a historic building—what does it lead to, and what mystery does it reveal?
• Write about a character who starts receiving strange, coded messages—what do they mean, and who is sending them?
• Imagine a town where everyone seems to know a dark secret, but no one will talk about it—what happens when an outsider tries to uncover the truth?
• Write a story where a seemingly simple object holds the key to a decades-old mystery—how is it discovered?
• Imagine a detective who solves crimes by entering the dreams of suspects—what happens when they enter the wrong dream?
• Write about a group of friends who find an abandoned mansion—what mysteries do they uncover inside?
• Imagine a character who loses their memory but retains one vivid, disturbing image—how do they unravel the mystery of their past?
• Write a story where a series of seemingly unrelated events are all connected by one mysterious person—who are they, and what’s their motive?
• Imagine you’re in a city where no one has ever gone missing—until now—what secrets start to unravel?
• Write about a detective who must solve a crime that hasn’t happened yet—how do they prevent it?
• Imagine you receive a package with no return address, containing an object that connects to a mystery in your past—what is it and how do you respond?
• Write a story where a character discovers a hidden journal that predicts future events—how do they use this information?
• Imagine a town where everyone is pretending to be someone else—why, and who’s behind it?
• Write about a character who uncovers a series of paintings that seem to depict future crimes—what do they do with this knowledge?
• Imagine you’re a private investigator hired to find a missing person—only to discover the person never existed—how do you solve this paradox?
• Write a story where the clues to a mystery are hidden in a series of classic books—how does the protagonist decipher them?
• Imagine a world where everyone forgets the events of one specific day—what happened, and why is it erased from memory?
• Write about a character who discovers a map leading to a treasure—but the map itself is a puzzle that needs to be solved first.
• Imagine you’re investigating a series of crimes that seem to be committed by the same person, but in different time periods—how is this possible?
• Write a story where the only witness to a crime is an animal—how does the detective use this to solve the case?
• Imagine a character who discovers that their entire life has been a lie—what happens when they start uncovering the truth?
• Write about a town where a mysterious fog rolls in every night, and with it, people’s memories begin to change—how does this affect them?
• Imagine a detective who solves cases by studying people’s social media accounts—what happens when they stumble upon something that shouldn’t exist?
• Write a story where a character finds a series of photographs that reveal a hidden truth about their family—what do they uncover?
• Imagine you’re a detective who can hear the last thoughts of the deceased—what do you learn during your latest case?
• Write about a character who is convinced they’ve seen someone who was reported missing years ago—how do they prove it?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a doppelgänger, and one day they all start disappearing—why, and who’s behind it?
• Write a story where a character receives a strange, recurring dream that seems to guide them to a hidden truth—what is it?
• Imagine a detective who is hired to solve a mystery that takes place in an alternate reality—how do they navigate the unfamiliar world?
• Write about a character who discovers that they’ve been living the same day over and over—how do they break the cycle?
• Imagine you’re investigating a crime scene where everything is perfectly normal—except for one tiny, out-of-place detail—what is it, and how does it lead to solving the case?
• Write a story where a character finds a letter that wasn’t meant for them—what do they do when they realize it contains details of a crime?
• Imagine a world where people can erase memories—but someone is using this technology to cover up a crime—how do you uncover the truth?
• Write about a character who discovers an underground network of tunnels beneath their city—what do they find there?
• Imagine you’re a detective in a future where people can live in virtual worlds—what happens when a crime is committed in the digital realm?
• Write a story where a character wakes up in a strange place with no memory of how they got there—how do they piece together what happened?
• Imagine a world where everyone’s actions are recorded, but one day, all the records go missing—how does society react?
• Write about a detective who specializes in solving cold cases—what happens when they take on a case that’s decades old?
• Imagine you find a hidden room in your home that wasn’t there before—what do you discover inside, and how does it lead to a mystery?
• Write a story where a character uncovers a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top—how do they gather evidence and expose the truth?
• Imagine a town where everyone is hiding a secret, and it’s up to one person to uncover the truth—how do they do it, and what do they find?

Dialogue-Only Writing Prompts

Dialogue-only stories rely on the power of conversation to reveal character, plot, and emotion.

These prompts are designed to help you craft compelling narratives using nothing but dialogue.

• “You’re late again. What’s your excuse this time?”
• “I found this in your drawer. Care to explain?”
• “Are you telling me you’ve never heard of that legend?”
• “Why did you leave without saying goodbye?”
• “Tell me the truth—do you really believe that?”
• “So, you’re saying this whole thing was a setup?”
• “I’ve been keeping a secret, and it’s time you knew.”
• “You won’t believe what happened at the party last night.”
• “If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back.”
• “How could you possibly know that? I never told anyone.”
• “What do you mean, you’ve never been in love?”
• “This is all a misunderstanding, I swear!”
• “I’m leaving tonight, and I don’t know if I’m coming back.”
• “You were right all along, and I hate that.”
• “Is it true what they’re saying about you?”
• “You’re not the person I thought you were.”
• “We need to talk about what happened last night.”
• “I’m not who you think I am.”
• “You didn’t seriously think you could get away with it, did you?”
• “What are you hiding from me?”
• “I had the strangest dream last night, and you were in it.”
• “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
• “You’re going to regret this, mark my words.”
• “Why do you always do this to yourself?”
• “I saw you with them. Care to explain?”
• “This isn’t just about you, you know.”
• “What would you do if I said yes?”
• “You can’t just walk away from this.”
• “I never thought I’d see you again.”
• “You’ve changed. And not for the better.”
• “What’s the worst that could happen?”
• “Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”
• “Are you sure you want to know the truth?”
• “I have a confession to make.”
• “What’s your greatest fear?”
• “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
• “You’re going to want to sit down for this.”
• “Do you ever think about what might have been?”
• “What if I told you I’ve been lying to you?”
• “This is the last time I’m going to say this.”
• “What were you thinking when you did it?”
• “You can’t handle the truth.”
• “Let me get this straight—you want me to do what?”
• “If you don’t tell me now, I’ll find out on my own.”
• “This isn’t just about us anymore.”
• “Why do you always make everything so complicated?”
• “You think this is a joke? Think again.”
• “We both know you’re not telling the whole story.”
• “What’s the real reason you came here?”
• “I never thought it would end like this.”

First-Person Writing Prompts

Writing in the first person allows you to dive deep into a character’s thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences. These prompts are designed to help you explore storytelling from a highly personal perspective.

• I never thought I’d find myself standing on the edge of this cliff, staring down at the waves crashing below.
• The letter I found tucked into my old notebook changed everything I thought I knew about my life.
• I couldn’t believe it when I saw my reflection in the mirror—it wasn’t me staring back.
• The day I decided to leave my old life behind was the day everything started to make sense.
• I have a secret that no one knows, and it’s tearing me apart inside.
• It wasn’t until I moved into the old house at the end of the street that the nightmares began.
• I always thought I was just an ordinary person until the day I discovered my unique ability.
• The moment I stepped off the plane, I knew my life was about to change forever.
• I never expected to meet someone like them in a place like this.
• Every time I walk past that old tree, I remember the promise I made so many years ago.
• I’m the only one who knows what really happened that night, but no one would believe me if I told them.
• I had always been afraid of the dark, but I never knew why—until now.
• The old journal I found in the attic seemed to be written just for me, even though it was decades old.
• I never believed in ghosts until I started seeing them everywhere I went.
• The last thing I remember before everything went black was the sound of someone whispering my name.
• I’ve always been drawn to the sea, but I never knew it was calling me home.
• I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but what I heard changed everything.
• The map led me to a place I never knew existed, hidden right in the middle of my hometown.
• I used to think my dreams were just that—dreams—until they started coming true.
• I never realized how much I had taken my family for granted until it was too late.
• The first time I saw them, I felt an instant connection, like we had known each other in another life.
• I’ve always had a talent for finding things that were lost, but this time, I’m the one who’s lost.
• I knew I shouldn’t open the box, but curiosity got the better of me.
• My heart raced as I stepped into the abandoned building, unsure of what I would find inside.
• I’ve always been a skeptic, but after what happened, I can’t deny the truth anymore.
• The moment I touched the ancient artifact, I knew I was in for more than I had bargained for.
• I thought I was going crazy when I started hearing voices, but now I know they were real.
• I’ve been running from my past for years, but it’s finally caught up with me.
• The photograph I found in the old drawer showed me something I wasn’t supposed to see.
• I never thought I’d end up in this place, surrounded by people I barely knew.
• The first time I saw the strange symbol, I knew it was important, but I didn’t know why.
• I’ve always had a bad feeling about that place, and now I know I was right.
• I didn’t mean to find out the truth, but now that I know, I can’t go back to the way things were.
• I thought I was just imagining things, but the evidence is too real to ignore.
• I’ve spent my whole life searching for something, but I didn’t know what it was until now.
• The dream I had last night felt so real, and now I’m seeing signs of it everywhere I go.
• I’ve been keeping this journal for years, but I never expected anyone else to read it.
• The first time I met them, I felt like I was meeting a part of myself I didn’t know existed.
• I’ve always been afraid of change, but now I know it’s the only way forward.
• I thought I was the only one who knew the truth, but it turns out I’m not alone.
• The old man in the park told me a story I’ll never forget, and now it’s my turn to continue it.
• I’ve always been good at solving puzzles, but this one has me completely stumped.
• I didn’t realize how much my life would change when I agreed to help them.
• The first time I saw the stars, I knew there was more to the universe than I could ever imagine.
• I’ve been following the same routine for years, but today, everything feels different.
• The letter arrived without a return address, but I knew exactly who it was from.
• I’ve always been able to blend in, but now I need to stand out.
• The secret I’ve been keeping is starting to weigh on me, and I don’t know how much longer I can carry it.
• I thought I was safe in my small town, but now I realize there’s no such thing as safe.
• I’ve always been the one people come to for advice, but now I’m the one who needs help.

Dystopian Writing Prompts

Dystopian worlds explore the dark sides of society, control, and survival.

These prompts are designed to help you create narratives that delve into the complexities of life in a broken world.

• Write about a society where books are illegal, and knowledge is controlled by the government—how do people resist?
• Imagine a world where people are divided by the color of their eyes, with each color assigned a specific role—what happens when someone tries to break the rules?
• Write a story where technology monitors every aspect of life, and one person decides to fight back—how do they find freedom?
• Imagine a future where emotions are regulated by pills—what happens when someone decides to stop taking them?
• Write about a society where food is strictly rationed, and one family discovers a secret supply—what do they do?
• Imagine a world where people are assigned numbers instead of names—how does one person rediscover their identity?
• Write a story where the government controls who people can marry—what happens when two people defy the law?
• Imagine a city where the air is toxic, and everyone lives underground—how does one person find a way to the surface?
• Write about a society where dreams are monitored and controlled—what happens when someone starts dreaming outside the rules?
• Imagine a world where people must earn the right to have children—how do two people fight for their future family?
• Write a story where all art and creativity are banned—how does an underground movement keep it alive?
• Imagine a society where everyone is required to wear masks that change their appearance—what happens when someone refuses?
• Write about a world where people are only allowed to live until a certain age—how does one person try to extend their life?
• Imagine a future where the government decides every aspect of life, from jobs to relationships—what happens when someone rebels?
• Write a story where the world is ruled by corporations, and one employee decides to expose the truth—how do they gather evidence?
• Imagine a society where the weather is controlled, but one day, it starts behaving unpredictably—how do people react?
• Write about a world where everyone is connected to a central network, and one person decides to disconnect—what happens next?
• Imagine a future where history is rewritten daily—how does one person uncover the real past?
• Write a story where love is forbidden, and two people must hide their relationship—what risks do they take to stay together?
• Imagine a society where people are ranked by their usefulness—what happens when someone refuses to be ranked?
• Write about a world where nature has been eradicated, and one person discovers a hidden forest—how do they protect it?
• Imagine a future where freedom of speech is outlawed—how do people communicate their thoughts and ideas?
• Write a story where the rich live in luxury while the poor are confined to the slums—how does one person cross the divide?
• Imagine a society where individuality is discouraged, and everyone must conform—what happens when someone refuses to fit in?
• Write about a world where education is controlled by the state, and one teacher decides to teach the truth—how do they do it in secret?
• Imagine a future where people are genetically modified for specific roles—what happens when someone tries to change their destiny?
• Write a story where the government monitors every word people say—how does one person find a way to speak freely?
• Imagine a society where travel is restricted, and one person embarks on a forbidden journey—what do they discover?
• Write about a world where all religions are banned—how do people continue to practice their faith in secret?
• Imagine a future where robots control every aspect of life—what happens when someone discovers a flaw in the system?
• Write a story where people are only allowed to remember certain events—how does someone uncover the truth about the past?
• Imagine a society where every action is judged and scored—what happens when someone starts receiving negative points?
• Write about a world where people are cloned to perform specific tasks—what happens when a clone develops its own consciousness?
• Imagine a future where nature has reclaimed the cities—how do people survive in this new world?
• Write a story where every decision is made by an all-powerful AI—what happens when someone decides to defy the AI’s orders?
• Imagine a society where emotions are considered dangerous and are suppressed—how does one person rediscover their feelings?
• Write about a world where all communication is monitored, and a group of rebels finds a way to communicate in secret—how do they do it?
• Imagine a future where memories can be bought and sold—what happens when someone buys a memory that reveals a dangerous truth?
• Write a story where the government assigns people their jobs at birth—how does one person fight for a different path?
• Imagine a society where everyone is born with a bar code that tracks their every move—what happens when someone’s code malfunctions?
• Write about a world where people are forced to live their lives according to a strict schedule—what happens when someone starts breaking the routine?
• Imagine a future where water is the most precious resource, and one person discovers a hidden supply—how do they protect it?
• Write a story where the government controls the population through propaganda—how does one person uncover the truth?
• Imagine a society where people are punished for their thoughts—what happens when someone finds a way to think freely?
• Write about a world where the environment has been destroyed, and one person finds a way to restore it—how do they convince others to help?
• Imagine a future where people live in virtual reality most of the time—what happens when someone decides to live in the real world?
• Write a story where people are divided into castes, and one person tries to break free from their assigned role—what challenges do they face?
• Imagine a society where all entertainment is government-approved—how does an underground group create art that challenges the status quo?
• Write about a world where everyone must wear a device that controls their behavior—what happens when someone finds a way to remove it?
• Imagine a future where people must earn the right to have their own thoughts—how does one person fight to keep their mind free?

Flash Fiction Writing Prompts

Flash fiction challenges you to tell a complete story in a very short amount of words.

These prompts are designed to inspire concise, impactful narratives that leave a lasting impression.

• Write about a stranger who leaves a mysterious package on your doorstep—what’s inside and why was it left there?
• Imagine you find an old photograph that changes everything you thought you knew about your family.
• Write a story that begins with someone knocking on the wrong door—how does this mistake alter their life?
• A character wakes up in a place they’ve never been before, with no memory of how they got there—what happens next?
• Write about a chance encounter that turns out to be anything but coincidental.
• A child discovers something extraordinary in their backyard—what is it and what do they do?
• Write a story where the main character is faced with an impossible choice—what do they decide?
• A letter arrives in the mail, addressed to someone who no longer lives there—what does it say?
• Write about a character who is hiding something in plain sight—what is it and why are they hiding it?
• A conversation overheard in a café changes the course of someone’s day—what did they hear?
• Write a story where a character must say goodbye without using the words “goodbye” or “farewell.”
• A person finds a key that doesn’t open any door they know of—what does it unlock?
• Write about a character who receives a phone call from someone they thought was gone forever.
• A woman finds a note in her pocket that she didn’t put there—what does it say and who put it there?
• Write a story where a character accidentally discovers a secret about their best friend.
• A man finds a wallet on the street—what does he do with it, and what does he discover?
• Write about a character who wakes up with a single memory they can’t explain.
• A package arrives with no return address—inside is something that changes everything.
• Write a story that begins with the words, “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.”
• A character finds themselves in a room with no doors or windows—how did they get there and how do they escape?
• Write about a person who realizes they are being followed—what do they do?
• A child’s drawing predicts the future—how does the family react?
• Write a story where a character hears a voice that no one else can hear.
• A character discovers an old letter that was never sent—what does it say and why was it hidden?
• Write about a character who makes a promise they know they can’t keep.
• A person finds a strange object in a second-hand store—what is its significance?
• Write a story where a character must solve a riddle to avoid a catastrophe.
• A character sees their own obituary in the newspaper—what do they do?
• Write about a chance meeting that brings back a flood of memories.
• A character wakes up in a world where no one recognizes them—how do they prove who they are?
• Write a story where a character receives a message from their future self.
• A character finds a hidden compartment in their home—what’s inside and how does it change their life?
• Write about a character who is faced with a decision that could change everything—what do they choose?
• A person receives a gift with no note—what is it and who sent it?
• Write a story that takes place entirely during a conversation on a train.
• A character finds a book that contains their own life story—what do they do when they read the last chapter?
• Write about a character who discovers something shocking about their past.
• A person wakes up in a city that has been abandoned—what do they find?
• Write a story where a character must keep a secret that could save or destroy their life.
• A character receives a letter from someone they thought they’d never hear from again.
• Write about a character who finds a note hidden in a library book—what does it say and what do they do?
• A person returns to a place they vowed never to go back to—why did they return and what happens?
• Write a story where a character has five minutes to make a life-changing decision.
• A character hears a knock on their door late at night—who is it and what do they want?
• Write about a character who finds themselves in a situation where time seems to stop.
• A person discovers a hidden talent that they’ve had all along—what is it and how do they use it?
• Write a story where a character receives an anonymous tip that leads them on an unexpected adventure.
• A character wakes up with no memory of the last 24 hours—what do they do to piece together the missing time?
• Write about a character who receives a mysterious invitation—where does it lead and what do they find?
• A person finds a message written in a place where it shouldn’t be—what does it say and who left it?

Character-Driven Writing Prompts

Character-driven stories focus on the development, growth, and challenges of the people in your story.

These prompts are designed to help you create deep, nuanced characters and explore their journeys.

• Write about a character who has to confront their biggest fear—how do they change as a result?
• A character receives life-changing news—how do they react, and how does it shape their future?
• Write a story where a character’s greatest strength becomes their greatest weakness—how do they cope with the fallout?
• A character is forced to choose between loyalty to a friend and doing what’s right—what do they decide?
• Write about a character who discovers a hidden talent that changes their life—how do they handle the newfound attention?
• A character’s life is turned upside down when they receive an unexpected inheritance—how do they deal with it?
• Write a story where a character is given a second chance at something they thought they’d lost forever—how do they approach it differently?
• A character who is always in control suddenly finds themselves in a situation where they have no control—how do they adapt?
• Write about a character who must overcome a deep-seated prejudice—how do they grow and change in the process?
• A character who has always been a loner is suddenly thrust into a leadership role—how do they handle the responsibility?
• Write a story where a character’s biggest dream comes true, but it’s not what they expected—how do they adjust?
• A character is forced to reconcile with someone from their past—what do they learn about themselves?
• Write about a character who must make a sacrifice for someone they love—how does it change their relationship?
• A character faces a moral dilemma that challenges their beliefs—what do they decide and why?
• Write a story where a character must choose between following their head or their heart—how does it affect their future?
• A character who has always lived by the rules is tempted to break them for the first time—do they give in?
• Write about a character who is confronted with a truth they’ve been avoiding—how do they face it?
• A character discovers that their closest friend has been keeping a secret—how do they react?
• Write a story where a character’s life is changed by a single moment—how do they adapt?
• A character who has always been afraid of failure decides to take a big risk—what happens?
• Write about a character who must navigate a difficult relationship—how do they grow from the experience?
• A character who has everything they’ve ever wanted starts to question if it’s enough—what do they do?
• Write a story where a character must confront the consequences of a decision they made long ago—how do they handle it?
• A character who prides themselves on their independence finds themselves needing help—how do they accept it?
• Write about a character who must let go of something or someone they’ve been holding onto for too long—how do they find peace?
• A character who has always been a follower is forced to take charge—how do they rise to the challenge?
• Write a story where a character faces an unexpected betrayal—how do they recover from it?
• A character is given a choice between their dream job and their personal life—what do they choose and why?
• Write about a character who must come to terms with a mistake they made—how do they seek redemption?
• A character who has always been certain of their beliefs starts to question everything—how do they find their way?
• Write a story where a character’s past catches up with them—how do they face it and move forward?
• A character who has been running from their problems is forced to confront them—what happens?
• Write about a character who must forgive someone who hurt them deeply—how do they find the strength?
• A character who has always been a people-pleaser decides to stand up for themselves—how does it change their relationships?
• Write a story where a character’s biggest fear comes true—how do they survive and what do they learn?
• A character who has always relied on others must learn to rely on themselves—how do they grow?
• Write about a character who has to start over from scratch—how do they rebuild their life?
• A character who has always been focused on their career is faced with a personal crisis—how do they balance their priorities?
• Write a story where a character must confront a difficult truth about themselves—how do they change as a result?
• A character who has always been an outsider finds a place where they belong—how does it change them?
• Write about a character who must make amends with someone they wronged in the past—how do they seek forgiveness?
• A character who has lived a sheltered life is suddenly exposed to the harsh realities of the world—how do they adapt?
• Write a story where a character is forced to confront their greatest regret—how do they find closure?
• A character who has always been a perfectionist learns to accept their flaws—how does it change their outlook on life?
• Write about a character who discovers a hidden strength they didn’t know they had—how do they use it to overcome a challenge?
• A character who has been living a lie decides to come clean—what happens when the truth is revealed?
• Write a story where a character has to choose between two paths—one safe and familiar, the other risky and unknown—what do they choose and why?
• A character who has always been defined by their past decides to reinvent themselves—how do they go about it?
• Write about a character who must let go of a dream they’ve held onto for years—how do they find new purpose?
• A character who has been afraid to trust others finally opens up—how does it change their relationships and their life?

Food-Related Writing Prompts

Food is more than just sustenance; it’s culture, memory, and emotion. These prompts are designed to help you explore the rich and flavorful stories that can be told through food.

• Write about a character who opens a restaurant with a menu inspired by their grandmother’s recipes—how do the dishes connect them to their past?
• Imagine a world where people communicate their emotions through the meals they prepare—what stories unfold at the dinner table?
• Write a story where a character discovers a secret ingredient that transforms their cooking—how does it change their life?
• A family recipe book is passed down through generations—write about the significance of one particular recipe and its impact on each family member.
• Imagine a character who starts a food truck that becomes the talk of the town—what unique dish are they known for, and how do they handle the fame?
• Write about a character who travels the world in search of the perfect meal—what do they find, and how does it change them?
• A baker wakes up one morning with the ability to create pastries that evoke specific memories—how do they use this gift?
• Imagine a town where every year, the community comes together for a grand feast—what happens when someone introduces a controversial dish?
• Write a story where a character judges a high-stakes cooking competition—how do they decide the winner, and what personal biases come into play?
• A character who has always hated cooking is forced to prepare a meal for someone they care about—how do they manage, and what does it mean to them?
• Imagine a character who writes a food blog that suddenly gains a massive following—how do they handle the pressure, and what stories do they share?
• Write about a character who runs a failing restaurant until they discover a forgotten recipe that brings customers flooding in—what is the story behind the recipe?
• A character finds an old cookbook in a second-hand store—when they start cooking from it, they notice strange things happening—what’s the secret of the cookbook?
• Imagine a world where every meal eaten adds or subtracts years from a person’s life—how do people choose what to eat?
• Write about a character who becomes obsessed with recreating a dish they had once but can never seem to get right—what drives their obsession?
• A small town is known for a unique food festival—write about a character who decides to enter the festival’s main event for the first time.
• Imagine a chef who discovers a new spice that becomes the next big thing in cuisine—how does it change the culinary world and their career?
• Write a story where a character’s life changes after they start a food diary—what do they learn about themselves through their eating habits?
• A character finds themselves in a foreign country with no knowledge of the language—how do they navigate the local food culture?
• Imagine a character who cooks as a way to cope with loss—how does the act of preparing food help them heal?
• Write about a character who is a food critic but loses their sense of taste—how do they adapt to their new reality?
• A character discovers a hidden restaurant in an unexpected place—what is the story behind it, and how do they find it?
• Imagine a story where two rival chefs are forced to collaborate on a dish—how do their different styles and personalities clash?
• Write about a character who is trying to recreate their mother’s signature dish but keeps failing—what do they learn in the process?
• A character attends a mysterious dinner party where each course reveals something about their past—what secrets come to light?
• Imagine a character who starts a food blog to document their journey of learning to cook—how do they evolve as both a cook and a writer?
• Write about a character who runs a bakery famous for one particular pastry—what happens when a competitor tries to replicate it?
• A character is invited to a prestigious cooking school but feels out of place—how do they find their own culinary voice?
• Imagine a world where the taste of food can influence people’s emotions—how do chefs wield this power?
• Write about a character who finds a recipe for a dish that was thought to be lost to time—what is the story behind it?
• A character enters a pie-eating contest to win money for a cause close to their heart—what challenges do they face?
• Imagine a character who opens a pop-up restaurant in an unusual location—how do they attract customers, and what makes the experience unique?
• Write about a character who runs a farm-to-table restaurant—what challenges do they face in maintaining the quality and integrity of their food?
• A character who has always been a picky eater decides to try new foods for the first time—how does this journey change them?
• Imagine a food critic who must write a review of the worst meal they’ve ever had—how do they balance honesty with kindness?
• Write about a character who discovers a secret underground dining club—what kind of people are involved, and what do they eat?
• A character is known for their incredible food photography—write about the story behind their most famous shot.
• Imagine a world where food is the currency—how do people trade, and what are the most valuable dishes?
• Write about a character who has to prepare a meal using only ingredients they’ve never used before—how do they tackle the challenge?
• A character inherits a family-owned restaurant that’s been in business for generations—how do they keep the legacy alive while bringing in new ideas?
• Imagine a cooking show where the contestants are everyday people with extraordinary stories—what are the most memorable dishes and moments?
• Write about a character who starts a catering business but quickly finds themselves in over their head—how do they manage?
• A character receives a cookbook as a gift from a mysterious sender—when they start using it, strange things begin to happen.
• Imagine a food market that only appears once a year and offers ingredients no one has ever seen before—what does a character discover there?
• Write about a character who travels back in time and experiences the food of a different era—how does it compare to what they know?
• A character is invited to cook at a celebrity’s home—what happens when the meal doesn’t go as planned?
• Imagine a character who starts a food tour business, taking people to the best hidden spots in their city—what secrets do they uncover?
• Write about a character who finds comfort in cooking for others—how do their meals bring people together?
• A character is tasked with creating a new dish that represents their hometown—what ingredients and flavors do they use?
• Imagine a world where food can reveal a person’s true nature—how do people react when a character serves a dish that exposes their secrets?

Dream-Inspired Writing Prompts

Dreams can be strange, surreal, and symbolic.

These prompts are designed to help you explore the boundaries between reality and the subconscious, crafting stories that blur the lines between waking life and dreams.

• Write about a character who keeps having the same dream every night—what message is the dream trying to convey?
• Imagine a world where people can enter each other’s dreams—what happens when someone starts using this power for their own gain?
• Write a story where a character’s dream comes true, but with unexpected consequences—how do they deal with the fallout?
• A character finds themselves in a dream that feels more real than reality—what do they discover about themselves in this dream world?
• Imagine a character who wakes up from a vivid dream with a strange object in their hand—how did it get there, and what does it mean?
• Write about a character who can’t distinguish between dreams and reality—how do they navigate their increasingly blurred world?
• A character meets someone in their dream who gives them crucial advice—what happens when they follow it in real life?
• Imagine a world where people can choose the dreams they want to have—how does this ability change society?
• Write a story where a character realizes they are a part of someone else’s dream—how do they react, and what do they do?
• A character dreams of a place they’ve never been before, but it feels strangely familiar—what is the significance of this place?
• Imagine a character who can control their dreams, shaping them into whatever they desire—what do they create, and why?
• Write about a character who starts dreaming in another language—what do the dreams reveal, and how do they impact their waking life?
• A character dreams about a person they’ve never met, but who knows everything about them—how do they find this person in real life?
• Imagine a character who begins to experience other people’s dreams—how do they deal with the emotions and stories they encounter?
• Write a story where a character’s dream predicts the future—how do they respond to the events as they start to unfold?
• A character has a dream that reveals a hidden truth about their past—how do they investigate this revelation in the waking world?
• Imagine a character who becomes trapped in a recurring nightmare—how do they escape, and what does the nightmare represent?
• Write about a character who shares a dream with someone else—what does it mean, and how does it affect their relationship?
• A character dreams of an alternate version of their life—how do they reconcile this with their reality?
• Imagine a character who can’t wake up from a dream—they must solve a puzzle within the dream to return to the real world.
• Write a story where a character’s dreams are being manipulated by someone else—what is the manipulator’s motive?
• A character discovers they can enter the dreams of others at will—what do they use this power for, and what consequences do they face?
• Imagine a character who wakes up with memories from their dreams that don’t belong to them—whose memories are they, and what do they do with them?
• Write about a character who dreams of a loved one who has passed away—what message does the loved one have, and how does it impact the character’s life?
• A character starts experiencing dreams where they live different lives in different times—how do these experiences change their perspective?
• Imagine a world where people can be punished for their dreams—what happens when a character is accused of having a forbidden dream?
• Write a story where a character’s dreams start leaking into reality—how do they manage the chaos that ensues?
• A character dreams of a disaster before it happens—how do they try to prevent it, and what challenges do they face?
• Imagine a character who enters a dreamscape where all their fears come to life—how do they confront and overcome them?
• Write about a character who discovers a hidden talent or ability through their dreams—how do they develop and use it in real life?
• A character dreams about a perfect day, only to wake up and find themselves living it—how do they handle the surreal experience?
• Imagine a world where people are required to share their dreams publicly—how does this affect personal privacy and relationships?
• Write a story where a character dreams of meeting their soulmate—what happens when they find this person in real life?
• A character begins dreaming about events from a different time period—how do these dreams connect to their present life?
• Imagine a character who can enter their dreams to escape reality—what do they do when they start preferring the dream world over the real one?
• Write about a character who starts receiving messages in their dreams from an unknown source—how do they decode and respond to these messages?
• A character dreams of a future where the world is very different—how do they prepare for what they believe is coming?
• Imagine a character who can revisit the same dream every night, continuing the story from where they left off—what journey do they embark on?
• Write a story where a character’s dreams reveal a hidden talent that has been suppressed—how do they bring this talent into their waking life?
• A character dreams of a place where they can be their true self—how do they bring aspects of this dream self into reality?
• Imagine a character who finds out that their dreams are being watched and studied by an organization—how do they react?
• Write about a character who begins to dream of someone they’ve never met, but who becomes very important to them—how do they find this person?
• A character dreams of solving a mystery they’ve been struggling with in real life—how does the dream guide them to the truth?
• Imagine a world where people can share dreams with one another—what happens when a character shares a dream that was meant to be private?
• Write a story where a character’s dreams are filled with symbols and clues that lead them to a hidden treasure—how do they interpret these signs?
• A character dreams of their ideal life—what do they do when they wake up and realize how different their reality is?
• Imagine a character who discovers that their dreams are being influenced by an external force—how do they fight to regain control?
• Write about a character who dreams of a long-lost friend—what do they do when they wake up with a strong urge to reconnect?
• A character starts dreaming of events that are happening in real-time to someone else—how do they use this knowledge to help?
• Imagine a character who learns a crucial skill in their dreams—how do they apply it when they wake up, and what challenges do they face?

Self-Reflection Writing Prompts

Self-reflection prompts encourage introspection and personal growth.

These prompts are designed to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to deeper understanding and self-awareness.

• Write about a moment in your life when you felt truly at peace—what brought you to that place, and how did it change you?
• Reflect on a decision you made that significantly altered the course of your life—would you make the same choice again?
• Think about a time when you felt completely misunderstood—how did you handle the situation, and what did you learn from it?
• Write about a fear you’ve faced—how did you overcome it, and how has it shaped who you are today?
• Remember a time when you experienced a meaningful connection with someone—what made that connection special, and how did it impact you?
• Consider a situation where you had to choose between your head and your heart—what did you decide, and how do you feel about that choice now?
• Write about a time when you felt like a failure—how did you pick yourself up, and what lessons did you take away?
• Reflect on a moment when you felt incredibly proud of yourself—what did you accomplish, and why was it significant to you?
• Think about a time when you were at a crossroads in your life—how did you choose your path, and where has it led you?
• Write about a relationship that taught you an important life lesson—what was the lesson, and how has it influenced your future relationships?
• Reflect on a time when you felt completely lost—how did you find your way back, and what did you discover about yourself in the process?
• Consider a moment when you had to stand up for what you believed in—what was the outcome, and how did it shape your values?
• Write about a dream or goal you’ve had for a long time—how close are you to achieving it, and what has the journey taught you?
• Reflect on a time when you felt truly happy—what were the circumstances, and how can you recreate that feeling in your life today?
• Think about a mistake you made that had significant consequences—how did you handle the aftermath, and what did you learn?
• Write about a moment when you felt completely out of your comfort zone—how did you adapt, and what did you learn about yourself?
• Reflect on a time when you had to forgive someone—how did you find the strength to do it, and how did it affect your relationship?
• Consider a period in your life when you experienced significant change—how did you cope, and how has it influenced who you are today?
• Write about a person who has had a profound impact on your life—what did they teach you, and how have you carried their lessons forward?
• Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life—how did you manage your stress, and what strategies helped you regain control?
• Think about a moment when you had to let go of something or someone important to you—how did you find closure, and what did you learn in the process?
• Write about a challenge you faced that seemed insurmountable—how did you overcome it, and what strengths did you discover in yourself?
• Reflect on a time when you were your own worst critic—how did you learn to be kinder to yourself, and how has it changed your outlook?
• Consider a decision you made that went against the advice of others—how did it turn out, and what did you learn about trusting yourself?
• Write about a time when you felt disconnected from yourself—how did you reconnect, and what did you discover about your needs and desires?
• Reflect on a moment when you experienced a deep sense of gratitude—what were you thankful for, and how has it shaped your perspective?
• Think about a time when you had to be brave—how did you muster the courage, and what was the outcome?
• Write about a period in your life when you felt stuck—how did you get moving again, and what did you learn about perseverance?
• Reflect on a time when you had to admit you were wrong—how did you handle it, and what did you learn about humility?
• Consider a relationship that didn’t work out—what did you learn from the experience, and how has it influenced your approach to relationships?
• Write about a time when you felt incredibly vulnerable—how did you protect yourself, and what did you learn about trust?
• Reflect on a moment when you had to make a difficult decision—what was at stake, and how did you choose?
• Think about a period in your life when you were seeking direction—how did you find your way, and what did you learn about your values and priorities?
• Write about a goal you set for yourself that you haven’t yet achieved—what’s holding you back, and how can you move forward?
• Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant loss—how did you cope, and how has it shaped your perspective on life?
• Consider a moment when you had to take a leap of faith—what was the outcome, and how did it change you?
• Write about a time when you felt truly at peace with yourself—what were the circumstances, and how can you bring that peace into your life today?
• Reflect on a time when you had to confront a difficult truth—how did you face it, and what did you learn about honesty and integrity?
• Think about a period in your life when you were striving for something—what did you achieve, and how did the journey shape you?
• Write about a time when you had to navigate a major life transition—how did you manage the change, and what did you learn about adaptability?
• Reflect on a moment when you felt deeply connected to someone—what created that bond, and how has it influenced your relationships?
• Consider a time when you had to make a sacrifice for someone else—how did it affect your relationship, and what did you learn about selflessness?
• Write about a time when you felt completely content—what brought you to that place, and how can you maintain that sense of contentment in your life?
• Reflect on a moment when you felt like giving up—how did you keep going, and what did you learn about resilience?
• Think about a time when you had to trust someone else completely—how did you manage your fears, and what did you learn about vulnerability?
• Write about a moment when you realized something important about yourself—how did this realization change you?
• Reflect on a time when you had to balance competing priorities—how did you find harmony, and what did you learn about balance?
• Consider a relationship that has grown over time—how has it changed, and what have you learned about growth and commitment?
• Write about a period in your life when you felt out of control—how did you regain your footing, and what did you learn about stability?
• Reflect on a time when you experienced a breakthrough—what led to it, and how has it changed your life?

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts

Historical fiction allows you to step into the past and explore the lives of people in different times and places.

These prompts are designed to help you create rich, immersive stories that blend history with imagination.

• Write about a young girl growing up during the Great Depression—how does she find hope in difficult times?
• Imagine you are a soldier in the trenches during World War I—what do you experience, and how do you cope with the horrors of war?
• Write a story about a woman who becomes a spy during the Cold War—how does she navigate the dangers and intrigue of espionage?
• Imagine you are a merchant on the Silk Road in ancient times—what goods do you trade, and what adventures do you encounter?
• Write about a family living in ancient Rome during the height of the empire—how do they navigate the politics and culture of the time?
• Imagine you are a sailor on one of Christopher Columbus’s voyages—what do you discover, and how do you feel about your journey?
• Write a story about a young apprentice working in a medieval castle—what skills do they learn, and what secrets do they uncover?
• Imagine you are a member of the Underground Railroad helping slaves escape to freedom—what risks do you take, and what motivates you?
• Write about a person living through the Black Death in medieval Europe—how do they survive, and what do they witness?
• Imagine you are a Native American witnessing the arrival of European settlers—how do you respond, and what changes do you foresee?
• Write a story about a woman who disguises herself as a man to fight in the American Civil War—what challenges does she face, and how does she manage to keep her secret?
• Imagine you are a child growing up during the Renaissance—how do you experience the art, science, and culture of the time?
• Write about a family living in colonial America—how do they contribute to the community, and what challenges do they face?
• Imagine you are a Viking on a raid in England—what do you experience, and how do you feel about your life as a warrior?
• Write a story about a young woman involved in the suffragette movement—what motivates her, and what obstacles does she overcome?
• Imagine you are a peasant living in a feudal village in medieval Europe—how do you navigate the hardships and struggles of daily life?
• Write about a person living in ancient Egypt during the construction of the pyramids—what is their role, and how do they view the pharaohs and gods?
• Imagine you are a member of the French Resistance during World War II—how do you carry out your missions, and what dangers do you face?
• Write a story about a family trying to survive during the Dust Bowl—how do they cope with the harsh conditions and uncertainty of the time?
• Imagine you are a knight during the Crusades—what motivates you to fight, and what do you encounter on your journey?
• Write about a young artist living in Paris during the Impressionist movement—how do they find inspiration, and what challenges do they face in the art world?
• Imagine you are a sailor on a whaling ship in the 19th century—what dangers do you face at sea, and how do you cope with life on board?
• Write a story about a person who witnesses the signing of the Declaration of Independence—what do they feel about the birth of a new nation?
• Imagine you are an explorer in the Amazon during the age of exploration—what do you discover, and how do you interact with the indigenous peoples?
• Write about a child living in the American South during the Civil Rights Movement—how do they perceive the changes happening around them?
• Imagine you are a member of a royal court in Tudor England—what intrigues and plots do you witness, and how do you navigate the treacherous environment?
• Write a story about a family living in Berlin during the Cold War—how do they cope with the division of their city and the constant threat of conflict?
• Imagine you are a miner during the California Gold Rush—what do you experience in your search for fortune, and what do you learn about the nature of greed and hope?
• Write about a woman who becomes a doctor during the early 20th century—how does she break through the barriers of a male-dominated profession, and what challenges does she face?
• Imagine you are a Native American leader negotiating with European settlers—how do you balance the needs of your people with the pressures of colonization?
• Write a story about a person who lives through the Spanish Inquisition—how do they survive the religious persecution, and what do they witness?
• Imagine you are a journalist covering the Vietnam War—what stories do you tell, and how do you cope with the horrors you see?
• Write about a character who participates in the Boston Tea Party—how do they feel about the rebellion, and what risks do they take?
• Imagine you are a samurai in feudal Japan—what is your code of honor, and how do you navigate the challenges of loyalty and duty?
• Write a story about a person living in Victorian London during the height of the Industrial Revolution—how do they adapt to the rapid changes in society?
• Imagine you are a young woman in ancient Greece attending the first Olympic Games—what do you witness, and how does the experience shape your view of the world?
• Write about a character who is a scientist during the Enlightenment—what discoveries do they make, and how do they challenge the established beliefs of their time?
• Imagine you are a member of a Native American tribe witnessing the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad—how do you feel about the changes it brings?
• Write a story about a person who joins the abolitionist movement—what drives them to fight for the end of slavery, and what risks do they take?
• Imagine you are an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in the early 20th century—what hopes and fears do you have as you begin your new life in America?
• Write about a person who is a part of the Harlem Renaissance—how do they contribute to the cultural explosion, and what impact does it have on their life?
• Imagine you are a Roman senator during the fall of the Roman Empire—how do you perceive the decline, and what do you do to try to save it?
• Write a story about a person who lives through the Great Fire of London—how do they survive the disaster, and what do they do in its aftermath?
• Imagine you are a member of the women’s suffrage movement in early 20th century England—what challenges do you face, and how do you fight for the right to vote?
• Write about a person who is a soldier in Napoleon’s army—how do they view the conquests of Europe, and what do they experience on the battlefield?
• Imagine you are a child living in ancient China during the construction of the Great Wall—how does this massive project affect your family and community?
• Write a story about a person who participates in the Salem witch trials—how do they view the hysteria, and what role do they play in the events?
• Imagine you are a member of a medieval guild—what is your craft, and how do you navigate the politics and competition within your trade?
• Write about a person who witnesses the fall of the Berlin Wall—how do they feel about the reunification of Germany, and what changes do they experience?
• Imagine you are a nurse during the Crimean War—what do you witness on the battlefield, and how do you care for the wounded soldiers?

Adventure Writing Prompts

Adventure stories are all about thrilling exploits, dangerous journeys, and the pursuit of the unknown. These prompts are designed to inspire tales of daring and exploration.

• Write about a character who discovers a hidden cave while hiking—what do they find inside, and how does it change their life?
• Imagine a group of friends sets out on a cross-country road trip—what unexpected challenges do they face along the way?
• Write a story where a character embarks on a quest to find a legendary treasure—what dangers do they encounter, and what do they learn?
• A character is shipwrecked on a deserted island—how do they survive, and what mysteries do they uncover?
• Imagine you are part of an expedition to climb a previously unconquered mountain—what obstacles do you face, and how do you overcome them?
• Write about a character who sets out to explore an uncharted jungle—what do they discover, and how do they deal with the dangers of the wild?
• A young explorer finds an ancient map—what journey do they embark on, and what do they find at the end?
• Imagine a character who takes a journey to the center of the Earth—what strange worlds and creatures do they encounter?
• Write a story where a character goes on a deep-sea dive and discovers an underwater civilization—how do they interact with the inhabitants?
• A character is sent on a mission to retrieve a stolen artifact—what challenges do they face, and how do they succeed?
• Imagine you’re part of a team exploring a distant planet—what new life forms do you encounter, and what secrets does the planet hold?
• Write about a character who stumbles upon a portal to another dimension—what adventures await them on the other side?
• A character must navigate through a dense, enchanted forest—what magical creatures and obstacles do they encounter?
• Imagine a group of adventurers who are tasked with rescuing a kidnapped royal—how do they plan and execute the daring rescue?
• Write a story where a character is on the run from a powerful enemy—what lengths do they go to in order to stay alive?
• A character discovers a lost city buried beneath the sands of a vast desert—what treasures and dangers do they find?
• Imagine a character who sets sail on a solo voyage across the ocean—what trials do they face, and what do they discover about themselves?
• Write about a character who joins a group of treasure hunters—what is the ultimate prize, and what sacrifices are made along the way?
• A character sets out to find a legendary beast—what do they discover, and how does the journey change them?
• Imagine a world where the oceans are filled with uncharted islands—write about an explorer who maps them out and what they find.
• Write a story where a character must survive a journey through a harsh and unforgiving environment—how do they overcome the elements?
• A character is caught in a race against time to stop a disaster—what do they do, and how do they succeed?
• Imagine a character who uncovers a secret society that controls the world—how do they infiltrate it, and what do they do with the knowledge?
• Write about a character who sets out to find a lost civilization—what do they discover, and how do they protect their findings from those who wish to exploit them?
• A character is thrown into a world of high-stakes adventure when they find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact—what do they do?
• Imagine a character who is the sole survivor of a plane crash in a remote wilderness—how do they survive, and how do they get home?
• Write a story where a character takes part in a dangerous race through treacherous terrain—what motivates them, and how do they overcome the odds?
• A character must cross a vast, unexplored region of the world—what do they find, and how do they survive the journey?
• Imagine a character who is chosen to lead an expedition to the North Pole—what do they encounter in the frozen wasteland?
• Write about a character who is caught in a storm while sailing—how do they survive, and what do they discover when the storm clears?
• A character finds a clue to a long-lost treasure hidden in a famous landmark—what journey do they embark on to uncover it?
• Imagine a group of adventurers who are hired to protect a caravan traveling through dangerous territory—what challenges do they face?
• Write a story where a character goes on a quest to find a mythical object that grants immense power—how do they deal with the temptation it brings?
• A character must navigate a series of deadly traps in order to reach their goal—what drives them to succeed, and what do they learn?
• Imagine a character who is stranded in the wilderness with only their wits and a few supplies—how do they survive, and what dangers do they face?
• Write about a character who is thrust into an adventure when they discover a hidden world beneath their city—what do they find there?
• A character is on the run after stealing a valuable item from a powerful organization—how do they stay one step ahead, and what is their ultimate plan?
• Imagine a character who must journey to the top of a mysterious tower that no one has ever climbed—what do they discover as they ascend?
• Write a story where a character is recruited by a secret organization to go on a mission of global importance—what do they have to do, and how do they succeed?
• A character sets out to find a cure for a deadly disease ravaging their homeland—what challenges do they face, and what sacrifices do they make?
• Imagine a character who must survive a journey through a haunted forest—what supernatural forces do they encounter, and how do they escape?
• Write about a character who discovers an ancient relic that holds the key to a long-forgotten mystery—what do they do with it, and what dangers do they face?
• A character embarks on a dangerous expedition to recover a lost artifact from a remote temple—what trials do they face, and what do they find?
• Imagine a character who must navigate a labyrinth filled with deadly creatures and traps—what drives them to succeed, and how do they survive?
• Write a story where a character is forced to embark on a perilous journey to save a loved one—what do they learn about themselves along the way?
• A character is sent on a mission to explore a mysterious island that has appeared out of nowhere—what do they find, and how does it change them?
• Imagine a character who is caught in a battle between two powerful forces—how do they navigate the conflict, and what role do they play in the outcome?
• Write about a character who is searching for a legendary lost city—what do they discover, and how do they protect its secrets?
• A character must survive a journey through a treacherous mountain pass during a fierce winter storm—how do they make it through?
• Imagine a character who is on a quest to find a mythical creature—what challenges do they face, and what do they learn from the journey?

Alternate Reality Writing Prompts

Alternate realities explore what might have been if the world were different in some fundamental way.

These prompts are designed to help you imagine new versions of reality and explore the consequences of those differences.

• Imagine a world where everyone is born with the ability to read minds—how does this change society, and what challenges arise?
• Write about a reality where technology never advanced beyond the 1800s—how does this affect daily life and global politics?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a predetermined soulmate, but they can only meet under specific circumstances—how do people navigate love and relationships?
• Write a story where history took a different turn—what if the Roman Empire never fell, or if World War II ended differently?
• Imagine a world where people can switch bodies with each other at will—how does this affect identity and relationships?
• Write about a society where emotions are outlawed, and everyone must take medication to remain calm—what happens when someone stops taking their pills?
• Imagine a reality where magic is real and integrated into everyday life—how do people use it, and what are the rules?
• Write a story where humans have colonized space, but Earth is off-limits—what is life like in this new interstellar civilization?
• Imagine a world where everyone’s future is predetermined and known from birth—how do people cope with their destinies?
• Write about an alternate reality where the environment is the central focus of society, and technology is designed to enhance nature rather than exploit it.
• Imagine a world where people can relive any moment of their past whenever they choose—how does this ability affect their lives?
• Write a story where a small change in the past leads to a drastically different present—what is the new world like, and how do people adapt?
• Imagine a reality where dreams are shared experiences that multiple people can participate in—how does this change the way people interact and communicate?
• Write about a world where every decision creates a new parallel universe—how do people navigate the infinite possibilities of their lives?
• Imagine a society where art and creativity are the most valued skills, and everyone is expected to contribute to the cultural wealth—how does this affect personal ambition and competition?
• Write a story where the seasons last for decades instead of months—how does this change the way people live and work?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a personal AI companion that guides their decisions—how does this affect free will and individuality?
• Imagine a world where humans are nocturnal and live by moonlight—how does society function?
• What if everyone was born with a countdown clock on their wrist, showing when they’ll meet their soulmate?
• A world where books are living entities—what stories do they tell themselves?
• Imagine a reality where gravity shifts randomly—how do people cope?
• What if colors were a form of currency—how would the world look?
• A society where all animals can speak—how does this change human behavior?
• What if people aged backwards from old age to infancy?
• Imagine a world where every lie is physically painful—how do people communicate?
• What if everyone’s thoughts were broadcast on a public screen?
• A reality where food provides emotions instead of nutrition—how do people eat?
• Imagine a world where the weather is controlled by a vote—what happens in times of disagreement?
• A world where names change every day—how do people maintain their identity?
• What if the oceans were solid and the land was liquid?
• Imagine a world where music can manipulate time—how is this power used?
• What if everyone had a shadow that acted independently?
• A reality where humans have wings—what does society look like?
• Imagine a world where dreams are taxed—what dreams are worth paying for?
• What if every building could move—how does architecture evolve?
• A society where all emotions are color-coded—how do people express themselves?
• What if the sun never set—how do people sleep?
• Imagine a world where people can trade memories—what memories are most valuable?
• A reality where people are assigned a new personality every year.
• What if people communicated through scents instead of language?
• Imagine a world where all history is forgotten every 50 years—how is knowledge preserved?
• A society where technology is powered by emotions—what happens when someone gets angry?
• What if animals ruled the world and humans were their pets?
• Imagine a reality where everyone has a unique superpower, but they only get it once.
• A world where every person has a different law of physics applied to them.
• What if all plants were sentient and could move—how would farming change?
• Imagine a society where people can choose their own dreams each night—what do they choose?
• A reality where everyone lives in their own separate time zone—how do people interact?
• What if memories could be uploaded and shared like videos?
• Write about a world where emotions are used like currency.

Philosophical Writing Prompts

Now let’s look at some prompts with a philosphical slant.

• What if free will is an illusion—how does society function?
• A world where people live forever—what is the meaning of life?
• What if truth could be measured—how do people handle honesty?
• Imagine a society where everyone knows the exact date of their death—how do they live?
• What if people could exchange parts of their personality—what would be the most valuable traits?
• A world where happiness is mandatory—what happens to those who refuse?
• What if love was a finite resource—how is it distributed?
• Imagine a reality where suffering is seen as the highest form of achievement—how do people pursue it?
• What if justice was determined by an algorithm—how does it change the legal system?
• A world where empathy is a commodity—who controls its distribution?
• What if every action had an immediate visible consequence—how do people behave?
• Imagine a society where individuals are ranked by their moral decisions—what challenges arise?
• What if people could only speak the truth—how would relationships change?
• A reality where everyone can see their future—how do they react?
• What if humans had to renew their life every 10 years—how do they prove their worth?
• Imagine a world where people could choose to live in a utopia, but only at the cost of someone else’s suffering—who makes the choice?
• What if knowledge was considered dangerous—how is it controlled?
• A society where memory is selective—what memories do people choose to keep?
• What if reality could be rewritten by those in power—how do people resist?
• Imagine a world where every decision is made by consensus—how does it affect progress?
• What if guilt could be transferred from one person to another?
• A society where death is celebrated as a new beginning—how is life viewed?
• What if everyone’s purpose was assigned at birth—how do people accept it?
• Imagine a reality where the meaning of life is a known fact—how do people respond?
• What if morality was scientifically proven—how does it affect human behavior?
• A world where every lie reduces your lifespan—how do people communicate?
• What if people could erase their worst memories—would they choose to?
• Imagine a society where pleasure is the ultimate goal—how is it achieved?
• What if every person was born with a specific destiny—how do they fulfill it?
• A reality where every thought is monitored—how does it affect freedom?
• What if people could physically carry their burdens—how do they manage them?
• Imagine a world where knowledge is inherited—what are the implications for education?
• What if reality was a shared dream—how do people influence it?
• A society where death is optional—who chooses to die and why?
• What if people could switch bodies at will—how does it affect identity?
• Imagine a reality where suffering is eliminated—what becomes the purpose of life?
• What if truth is subjective—how do people navigate different realities?
• A world where everyone has a moral compass that can never be ignored—what happens when it conflicts with society’s laws?
• What if time travel was possible, but only to correct mistakes—who gets to decide what to fix?
• Imagine a society where people are judged by their intentions rather than their actions—how does it change justice?
• What if love could be quantified and measured—how does it change relationships?
• A reality where everyone is born knowing the ultimate truth—how do they live their lives?
• What if the pursuit of happiness was illegal—how do people find fulfillment?
• Imagine a world where thoughts create reality—how do people control their minds?
• What if every person could experience the life of another for a day—how does it change their perspective?
• A society where logic and emotion are in constant conflict—how do people find balance?
• What if every action was judged by future generations—how does it affect behavior?
• Imagine a reality where morality is a currency—what happens to those who go bankrupt?
• What if people could trade their virtues—what would be most valuable?
• A world where forgiveness is mandatory—how do people navigate relationships?

Inspirational Writing Prompts

Inspiration comes from many sources—overcoming challenges, finding strength in adversity, or discovering new perspectives.

These prompts are designed to help you craft uplifting and motivational stories.

• Write about a character who turns a personal tragedy into a powerful message of hope.
• Imagine someone who overcomes their biggest fear—how does it change their life?
• A person is inspired by a random act of kindness—what do they do to pay it forward?
• Write about a community that comes together to rebuild after a disaster.
• A character finds their true purpose after a series of failures—what motivates them to keep going?
• Imagine someone who starts a movement for positive change—how do they inspire others?
• Write about a character who transforms their life after a chance encounter with a stranger.
• A person takes a leap of faith and it leads to unexpected success—how do they handle it?
• Write about a mentor who helps a struggling student find their potential.
• Imagine a character who finds strength in a difficult situation and becomes a role model for others.
• A character discovers the power of forgiveness—how does it heal them?
• Write about a person who refuses to give up on their dream, despite overwhelming odds.
• A character finds inspiration in nature—how does it guide their journey?
• Imagine someone who turns their hobby into a successful career—what challenges do they face?
• Write about a person who inspires others by living their truth, even when it’s hard.
• A character overcomes self-doubt and achieves something they never thought possible.
• Imagine a community that unites to protect a cherished tradition—how do they succeed?
• Write about someone who helps others find their inner strength in tough times.
• A person’s positive outlook changes the lives of those around them—how do they spread their joy?
• Imagine a character who rebuilds their life after losing everything—how do they start over?
• Write about a person who turns a simple idea into something that changes the world.
• A character finds hope in the darkest of times—how do they keep going?
• Imagine someone who inspires others through their unwavering dedication to a cause.
• Write about a character who discovers that their biggest weakness is actually their greatest strength.
• A person helps others find beauty in everyday life—how do they spread their message?
• Imagine a character who changes the course of their life after a life-altering event.
• Write about someone who finds the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
• A person uses their talents to bring people together—how do they make a difference?
• Imagine a character who inspires a whole community to work towards a common goal.
• Write about a person who finds peace and fulfillment by following their passion.
• A character overcomes adversity to achieve something extraordinary—how do they inspire others?
• Imagine someone who finds a way to bring joy to others, even in difficult circumstances.
• Write about a person who leads by example, showing others how to live a meaningful life.
• A character turns their life around by focusing on what truly matters—how do they inspire others to do the same?
• Imagine someone who turns their pain into art—how does it impact the world?
• Write about a person who finds hope and purpose through helping others.
• A character discovers the importance of self-love—how do they teach others to value themselves?
• Imagine a community that thrives through cooperation and mutual support—how do they maintain it?
• Write about a person who inspires others to see the good in the world, even when it’s hard to find.
• A character finds their voice and uses it to make a positive change—how do they impact those around them?
• Imagine someone who turns a small act of kindness into a movement that changes lives.
• Write about a person who finds joy in simple things—how do they inspire others to do the same?
• A character’s resilience in the face of hardship inspires a community—how do they lead by example?
• Imagine a person who uses their experiences to mentor others—how do they create lasting change?
• Write about someone who finds happiness by giving back to others—how do they spread their positivity?
• A character overcomes a major obstacle and becomes a beacon of hope for others—how do they inspire change?
• Imagine someone who turns their struggles into a story of triumph—how do they share their journey with the world?
• Write about a person who dedicates their life to helping others find happiness—how do they create a legacy of love?
• A character discovers the power of gratitude—how do they transform their life and those around them?
• Imagine a person who turns their life around through sheer determination—how do they inspire others to do the same?

Humor Writing Prompts

Humor brings lightness to life, turning the mundane into the hilarious and the challenging into the absurd.

These prompts are designed to help you craft stories that make readers laugh out loud.

• Write about a character who has the worst luck—how do they find themselves in one ridiculous situation after another?
• Imagine a world where everyone takes everything literally—what misunderstandings ensue?
• A character tries to impress someone by pretending to be an expert—what happens when they’re asked to prove it?
• Write about a family road trip that goes hilariously wrong at every turn.
• Imagine a character who accidentally becomes a social media star for all the wrong reasons—how do they handle it?
• A person tries to host the perfect dinner party, but everything that can go wrong does—what chaos ensues?
• Write about a character who’s terrible at lying but keeps trying to tell the perfect lie—how does it backfire?
• Imagine a character who gets stuck in the most awkward situations—how do they get out of them?
• A person enters a contest they’re completely unqualified for—what hilarious outcomes follow?
• Write about a character who has to pretend to be someone else for a day—how do they fumble their way through?
• Imagine a world where everyone’s thoughts are spoken out loud—what awkward situations arise?
• A character’s attempts at DIY projects always end in disaster—what’s their latest catastrophe?
• Write about a person who tries to adopt a pet, but the pet turns out to be nothing like they expected.
• Imagine a character who takes on a ridiculous dare—what are the unforeseen consequences?
• A person tries to navigate a fancy event they have no business being at—how do they make a fool of themselves?
• Write about a character who’s always mistaken for someone famous—how do they use this to their advantage (or not)?
• Imagine a world where everyone tells the truth, no matter how embarrassing—what situations arise?
• A character decides to try online dating but ends up on the most bizarre dates—what’s their worst experience?
• Write about someone who takes their hobby way too seriously—what ridiculous lengths do they go to?
• Imagine a character who tries to cook a gourmet meal but ends up with a kitchen disaster—what’s the funniest mishap?
• A person who’s notoriously clumsy has to perform in front of a large audience—what chaos ensues?
• Write about a character who always says the wrong thing at the wrong time—what’s their most cringe-worthy moment?
• Imagine a world where animals can talk, and they have a lot to say about humans—what do they complain about most?
• A character is terrible at keeping secrets but tries to hide something important—how do they accidentally spill the beans?
• Write about someone who’s obsessed with conspiracy theories—what happens when one of their wild ideas turns out to be true?
• Imagine a person who tries to throw a surprise party but keeps accidentally revealing the secret—how do they cover it up?
• A character gets involved in a prank war that spirals out of control—what’s the most absurd prank they pull?
• Write about a person who tries to follow a complicated set of instructions—how do they hilariously misunderstand them?
• Imagine a character who has a reputation for being incredibly unlucky—what’s their unluckiest day ever?
• A person who hates public speaking is forced to give a speech—how do they hilariously stumble through it?
• Write about a character who’s terrible at giving advice but keeps trying—what’s the worst advice they give?
• Imagine a world where people switch bodies every week—what happens when someone ends up in a very unexpected body?
• A character tries to join a group or club they clearly don’t belong in—what are the funny misadventures they experience?
• Write about a person who’s convinced they have a superpower but it’s actually just a series of coincidences—what’s the funniest “superpower” moment?
• Imagine a character who’s always eavesdropping and constantly misinterprets conversations—what’s their biggest misunderstanding?
• A person tries to impress their crush by taking up a new hobby—how do they completely embarrass themselves?
• Write about a character who’s terrible at giving gifts but insists on trying—what’s the most disastrous gift they give?
• Imagine a world where people can communicate with objects—what hilarious conversations do they have with their belongings?
• A character’s attempt to fix something ends up making everything worse—what’s the funniest chain of events that follows?
• Write about someone who tries to live by a self-help book but ends up taking everything too literally—what’s the most absurd advice they follow?
• Imagine a character who tries to keep up with the latest trends but always ends up a step behind.
• Write about a character who takes on a bet they can’t possibly win—what are the funniest consequences?
• Imagine a person who’s convinced they’re cursed—what absurd “evidence” do they find to support this belief?
• A character who’s terrified of technology accidentally becomes famous on the internet—how do they cope with their newfound fame?
• Write about a person who tries to learn a new language but keeps mistranslating everything—what’s their most embarrassing mistake?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a bizarre superpower—what’s the most ridiculous one, and how does it cause chaos?
• A character decides to take a spontaneous road trip but ends up getting lost—what hilariously strange places do they visit?
• Write about someone who’s always trying to outdo their neighbor—what’s the most over-the-top thing they attempt?
• Imagine a character who’s always misplacing things—what’s the most inconvenient or funny item they lose?
• A person who’s known for their terrible sense of direction ends up leading a group on an important mission—how do they hilariously mess it up?

Journalistic Writing Prompts

Journalism is all about uncovering the truth and telling stories that matter.

These prompts are designed to help you explore different angles, ask hard questions, and report on the world around you.

• Write an investigative piece on a local legend—what’s the real story behind it?
• Imagine you’re covering a protest—how do you capture the voices of the people involved?
• Report on a mysterious event that no one can explain—what theories do people have?
• Write a profile on an unsung hero in your community—what makes them special?
• Imagine you’re sent to cover a breaking news story—what details do you focus on to bring it to life?
• Write an exposé on a corrupt politician—how do you uncover the truth?
• Cover a story about a groundbreaking scientific discovery—how do you make the complex information accessible?
• Imagine you’re reporting on a controversial art exhibit—what perspectives do you include?
• Write an in-depth feature on a forgotten historical site—what stories does it hold?
• Report on the rise of a new social trend—what does it say about society?
• Write a story about a person who’s making a big difference with small acts—how do you highlight their impact?
• Imagine you’re reporting from a disaster zone—how do you convey the scale of the tragedy?
• Cover a story about a new technology that’s changing lives—what are the potential benefits and risks?
• Write a piece on the challenges faced by a particular community—how do you give them a voice?
• Imagine you’re investigating a company’s unethical practices—how do you gather evidence and tell the story?
• Report on a cultural festival that’s unknown to the wider world—how do you capture its essence?
• Write an article about the changing landscape of your city—what’s driving the transformation?
• Cover a story about an environmental issue—how do you balance the facts with the human element?
• Imagine you’re writing a piece on the impact of social media on mental health—what angles do you explore?
• Write a story about a unique tradition that’s at risk of dying out—how do you bring attention to it?
• Report on a day in the life of someone with an unusual job—how do you make their work relatable?
• Write an investigative piece on a local conspiracy theory—what’s the truth behind it?
• Imagine you’re covering a trial—how do you present the facts while maintaining neutrality?
• Write a profile on a rising star in an unconventional field—what sets them apart?
• Report on the challenges of a small business in a rapidly changing economy—how do they adapt?
• Write an article about a medical breakthrough—how do you convey its significance?
• Imagine you’re reporting on a new cultural movement—how do you capture its energy and purpose?
• Cover a story about a sports team on an unexpected winning streak—what’s behind their success?
• Write a piece on the history of a local landmark—what stories does it tell?
• Report on a community coming together after a tragedy—how do you show their resilience?
• Write an investigative story on the hidden side of a popular industry—what do people need to know?
• Imagine you’re writing a feature on an artist who’s challenging norms—how do you showcase their work and message?
• Report on the impact of a major event on your community—how do you capture the different perspectives?
• Write an article about the life of a centenarian—what wisdom do they share?
• Cover a story about a local election—how do you present the candidates and their platforms?
• Imagine you’re reporting on a groundbreaking legal case—how do you explain its implications?
• Write a piece on a new educational initiative—how is it changing the way people learn?
• Report on the rise of a new form of entertainment—what’s driving its popularity?
• Write an article about a community project that’s bringing people together—how do you highlight its success?
• Imagine you’re covering an international conflict—how do you provide context and depth?
• Report on a person who’s challenging the status quo in their field—what motivates them?
• Write an investigative piece on the dark side of a seemingly perfect community—what secrets lie beneath the surface?
• Cover a story about a new trend in sustainable living—how are people making a difference?
• Write a profile on someone who’s overcome significant obstacles—what lessons do they offer?
• Imagine you’re reporting on a scientific expedition—how do you convey the excitement and importance of the research?
• Write an article about a cultural tradition that’s making a comeback—why is it resonating with people today?
• Report on the impact of climate change on a specific area—how are people adapting?
• Write a piece on a new social movement—how is it changing conversations and policies?
• Cover a story about the intersection of art and activism—how are artists using their work to create change?
• Imagine you’re investigating a mysterious disappearance—how do you unravel the mystery and tell the story?

Technology-Themed Writing Prompts

Technology shapes our world in profound ways, influencing how we live, work, and connect.

These prompts are designed to inspire stories that explore the impact of technology on society, relationships, and the human experience.

• Write about a future where artificial intelligence governs society—how do people live under AI rule?
• Imagine a world where everyone has a personal robot assistant—what happens when one robot starts acting on its own?
• A character invents a device that can erase specific memories—what are the unintended consequences?
• Write about a society where people can upload their consciousness into a digital world—how does it affect their relationships in the physical world?
• Imagine a future where people can communicate telepathically through implanted chips—how does it change communication?
• A person discovers a flaw in a popular social media platform that exposes users’ private thoughts—what do they do?
• Write about a world where virtual reality is indistinguishable from real life—how do people escape their problems?
• Imagine a character who creates an app that predicts the future—how do they deal with the responsibility?
• A company releases a new wearable that monitors emotions—what happens when the data is hacked?
• Write about a society where drones are used for everything—what happens when they start making decisions on their own?
• Imagine a world where everyone’s dreams are recorded and analyzed—how do people react to having their subconscious exposed?
• A character stumbles upon a forgotten piece of technology that changes their understanding of the world—what do they do with it?
• Write about a person who becomes famous on the internet for something they didn’t intend—how do they handle their unwanted fame?
• Imagine a society where technology can heal any physical injury instantly—how does this change the way people view risk and safety?
• A character invents a machine that can translate animal languages—what do they learn from the animals?
• Write about a world where people can live forever by transferring their consciousness to new bodies—how do they deal with immortality?
• Imagine a future where transportation is entirely automated—what happens when a glitch in the system creates chaos?
• A person discovers that their every move is being tracked by a mysterious app—how do they uncover who’s behind it?
• Write about a society where privacy no longer exists due to advanced surveillance technology—how do people adapt?
• Imagine a world where people can implant memories from other people—what ethical dilemmas arise?
• A character invents a device that allows people to experience other’s emotions—how does it change their relationships?
• Write about a future where humans coexist with androids—how do they navigate the complexities of this relationship?
• Imagine a society where energy is harvested from emotions—how do people deal with the pressure to stay positive?
• A person hacks into a government system and uncovers a conspiracy—how do they decide what to do with the information?
• Write about a character who discovers that their entire life has been a simulation—how do they react?
• Imagine a world where people can edit their genetic code at will—what are the unforeseen consequences?
• A company creates a device that allows people to relive their favorite memories—what happens when someone becomes addicted?
• Write about a character who invents a machine that can bring the dead back to life—how does society react?
• Imagine a future where personal data is the most valuable currency—how do people protect themselves?
• A person creates a virtual world where they can live out their fantasies—what happens when they prefer it to reality?
• Write about a world where technology can predict crimes before they happen—how do people feel about living in such a society?
• Imagine a society where human thoughts can be projected onto screens for everyone to see—how do people handle the loss of privacy?
• A character builds a robot companion to deal with loneliness—what happens when the robot develops feelings?
• Write about a world where artificial intelligence decides who people should marry—how do people feel about having no say in their relationships?
• Imagine a future where medical technology can prevent aging—what societal issues arise from this development?
• A person discovers that their smart home devices are spying on them—how do they fight back?
• Write about a world where time travel is possible but only for the wealthy—how does it create a divide in society?
• Imagine a society where people can upload their dreams to the internet—what are the most popular dreams, and why?
• A character invents a new form of social media that connects people’s emotions—how does it change the way they interact?
• Write about a world where climate change has forced humanity to live underground—how do people adapt to life without sunlight?
• Imagine a society where robots have equal rights as humans—how do they navigate their new status?
• A person discovers a secret government program that uses technology to control the weather—what do they do with this information?
• Write about a future where technology can replicate any object instantly—how does it change the economy and human behavior?
• Imagine a world where people can implant knowledge directly into their brains—how does it affect education and learning?
• A character creates a machine that allows them to travel to alternate dimensions—what do they find?
• Write about a society where people are ranked based on their online reputation—how do people navigate this system?
• Imagine a world where people can live in virtual reality full-time—what are the pros and cons of this lifestyle?
• A person invents a device that allows them to communicate with their past self—how do they use it to change their life?
• Write about a future where space exploration is common, but only for the elite—how do ordinary people feel about being left behind?
• Imagine a society where everyone is connected to a central network that controls all aspects of life—what happens when someone decides to disconnect?

Sensory Detail Writing Prompts

Sensory details bring stories to life by engaging the reader’s senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

These prompts are designed to help you focus on rich, vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in your world.

• Write about the smell of rain on dry earth—how does it affect your character’s mood?
• Describe the taste of a dish that brings back powerful memories for your character—what emotions do they experience?
• Write about the feel of an old, well-worn book in your character’s hands—how does it connect them to the past?
• Describe the sound of footsteps echoing in an empty hallway—what tension does it create?
• Write about the sight of the first snowfall of the season—how does it change the landscape and your character’s perspective?
• Describe the taste of a fruit your character is trying for the first time—how do they react to the unfamiliar flavor?
• Write about the smell of a familiar place from your character’s childhood—what memories does it evoke?
• Describe the sensation of walking barefoot on warm sand—how does it make your character feel?
• Write about the sound of laughter in a quiet room—how does it break the silence and affect the mood?
• Describe the sight of a sunset over the ocean—how does it influence your character’s thoughts?
• Write about the taste of a favorite comfort food—how does it bring your character a sense of peace?
• Describe the smell of a freshly baked loaf of bread—how does it fill the space and affect your character?
• Write about the feel of a cold wind cutting through your character’s clothes—how do they respond to the chill?
• Describe the sound of a busy city street—how does it create a sense of chaos or excitement?
• Write about the sight of a field of wildflowers in bloom—how does it impact your character’s mood?
• Describe the taste of a drink that surprises your character—how do they react to the unexpected flavor?
• Write about the smell of smoke in the air—what memories or fears does it trigger for your character?
• Describe the feel of a soft blanket wrapped around your character—how does it provide them comfort?
• Write about the sound of a distant thunderstorm—how does it affect the atmosphere of your story?
• Describe the sight of the stars on a clear night—how does it make your character feel small or inspired?
• Write about the taste of something bitter that your character eats reluctantly—why do they continue to eat it?
• Describe the smell of fresh-cut grass—how does it signal a change in season or evoke memories for your character?
• Write about the feel of an icy cold drink on a hot day—how does it refresh your character?
• Describe the sound of a crackling fire—how does it create a sense of warmth and safety?
• Write about the sight of a rainbow after a storm—how does it symbolize hope or new beginnings for your character?
• Describe the taste of a sweet dessert your character indulges in—how does it bring them joy or guilt?
• Write about the smell of a blooming flower garden—how does it transport your character to a different time or place?
• Describe the feel of rough, calloused hands—what story do they tell about your character’s life?
• Write about the sound of silence in a moment of reflection—how does it provide clarity or unease for your character?
• Describe the sight of a full moon illuminating the night—how does it set the tone for your story?
• Write about the taste of salt in the air by the sea—how does it connect your character to the ocean?
• Describe the smell of freshly brewed coffee—how does it signal the start of a new day for your character?
• Write about the feel of soft, dewy grass underfoot—how does it ground your character in the present moment?
• Describe the sound of waves crashing against the shore—how does it soothe or unsettle your character?
• Write about the sight of autumn leaves falling—how does it reflect the changes in your character’s life?
• Describe the taste of a spicy dish that takes your character by surprise—how do they handle the heat?
• Write about the smell of an old attic filled with forgotten treasures—what memories does it awaken?
• Describe the feel of a cool breeze on a warm day—how does it bring relief to your character?
• Write about the sound of birds chirping at dawn—how does it signal the start of something new?
• Describe the sight of a candle flickering in the dark—how does it create a sense of mystery or comfort?
• Write about the taste of a foreign cuisine your character tries for the first time—what cultural connections do they make?
• Describe the smell of fresh pine in a forest—how does it connect your character to nature?
• Write about the feel of rain tapping on your character’s skin—how does it cleanse or refresh them?
• Describe the sound of a train passing in the distance—how does it evoke feelings of longing or adventure?
• Write about the sight of a bustling marketplace—how does it overwhelm or excite your character?
• Describe the taste of a bitter drink that your character forces down—why do they continue to drink it?
• Write about the smell of an open fire in the wilderness—how does it make your character feel safe or vulnerable?
• Describe the feel of a rough stone wall under your character’s fingertips—how does it tell a story of the past?
• Write about the sound of leaves crunching underfoot in a quiet forest—how does it amplify your character’s solitude?
• Describe the sight of a storm approaching on the horizon—how does it foreshadow events in your story?

Writing Prompts Based on Art

Art can spark imagination and lead to countless stories.

These prompts are designed to inspire narratives that emerge from visual works, exploring themes, emotions, and hidden meanings.

• Imagine a painting of a lone figure standing on a cliff—what are they looking at, and what are they thinking?
• Write a story inspired by a surrealist painting—how does the strange imagery come to life in your narrative?
• Describe a day in the life of a character in a famous portrait—what is their world like outside the frame?
• A sculpture of a warrior comes to life—what mission drives them, and how do they navigate the modern world?
• Write about a character who steps into a landscape painting and discovers it’s a portal to another world.
• Imagine a mural that depicts a forgotten piece of history—how does your character uncover the truth?
• A character finds an old photograph that changes their understanding of their family—what is the story behind the image?
• Write about a person who becomes obsessed with a painting that seems to change every time they look at it.
• A character visits an art exhibit where the sculptures seem to move—what secret do they uncover?
• Imagine a world where famous paintings hold the key to hidden treasures—what clues does your character find?
• Write a story inspired by a piece of abstract art—how do the shapes and colors influence the narrative?
• A character finds a sketchbook filled with drawings that predict the future—how do they interpret the images?
• Imagine a stained-glass window that tells a different story depending on the time of day—what does your character learn?
• Write about a character who discovers a hidden message in a tapestry—how does it change their life?
• A painting of a cityscape becomes a real place—how does your character navigate this new world?
• Imagine a world where every piece of art has a soul—how do people interact with living paintings and sculptures?
• A character inherits a collection of strange and unsettling art—what dark secrets are hidden within?
• Write about an artist who can paint scenes from other dimensions—what happens when one of their paintings comes to life?
• Imagine a character who sees a reflection of their future in a piece of art—how do they react to what they see?
• A sculpture in a park holds the key to a mystery—how does your character solve it?
• Write about a character who becomes trapped in a painting—how do they escape, and what do they learn?
• Imagine a world where people communicate through murals—what stories are told on the walls?
• A character discovers a lost masterpiece that has been hidden for centuries—what is the significance of the painting?
• Write about a piece of graffiti that comes to life—what message does it bring to the world?
• A character finds a painting that shows a scene from their past they don’t remember—what truth do they uncover?
• Imagine a gallery where the art changes depending on the viewer’s emotions—what does your character see?
• Write about a character who creates art that predicts disasters—how do they use their talent to help others?
• A sculpture is rumored to grant wishes—what happens when your character makes a wish?
• Imagine a painting that shows a different world every time you look at it—how does your character explore these worlds?
• Write about a character who discovers that the figures in a painting are watching them—what happens when they make contact?
• A character receives a piece of art that seems to speak directly to them—what message does it convey?
• Imagine a world where artists have the power to bring their creations to life—how do they use or misuse this power?
• Write about a painting that changes to reflect the future—how does your character react to the changes?
• A character finds a piece of street art that leads them on a treasure hunt—what do they find at the end?
• Imagine a museum where the exhibits tell the stories of their creators—what secrets are revealed?
• Write about a character who discovers a piece of art that only they can see—what is its purpose?
• A painting of a ship at sea becomes a portal to another time—what adventure awaits your character?
• Imagine a character who can communicate with the subjects of a painting—what advice do they receive?
• Write about a mural that tells the history of a forgotten civilization—how does your character bring that history to light?
• A character finds a statue that grants them the ability to see the world through the eyes of the artist—how does this change their perspective?
• Imagine a gallery where each piece of art holds a clue to a larger mystery—how does your character piece it together?
• Write about a character who sees a reflection of their own life in a famous work of art—how do they respond?
• A painting of a mythical creature comes to life—how does your character deal with the consequences?
• Imagine a character who discovers a hidden layer in a painting—what is revealed underneath?
• Write about an artist whose work comes to life only when the viewer is alone—how does this affect those who see it?
• A character finds a piece of art that seems to know their deepest secrets—how do they confront this revelation?
• Imagine a world where art is used as a form of communication—how does your character express themselves?
• Write about a character who can step into any piece of art—what adventures do they experience?
• A character discovers a forgotten piece of art that holds the key to a long-lost treasure—how do they decipher the clues?
• Imagine a painting that changes based on the viewer’s mood—how does it affect your character’s emotions?

Survival Writing Prompts

Survival stories are filled with tension, resilience, and the will to overcome extreme challenges.

These prompts are designed to inspire tales of endurance, resourcefulness, and the struggle to stay alive.

• Write about a character who is stranded in the wilderness with only a few supplies—how do they survive?
• Imagine a group of people trapped in a cave after a collapse—how do they work together to find a way out?
• A character is the sole survivor of a plane crash in a remote area—what steps do they take to stay alive?
• Write about a person lost at sea—how do they manage to survive against the odds?
• A character must find their way out of a dense jungle after getting separated from their group—what dangers do they face?
• Imagine a world where a natural disaster has wiped out most of the population—how does your character survive in the aftermath?
• Write about a person who is hunted by a dangerous predator—how do they outsmart it?
• A character is caught in a snowstorm on a mountain—what do they do to avoid freezing to death?
• Imagine a group of survivors on a deserted island—how do they build a new society?
• Write about a character who must survive in a post-apocalyptic world—what challenges do they face daily?
• A person wakes up in an unfamiliar place with no memory of how they got there—how do they navigate this strange environment?
• Imagine a world where the sun never rises—how does your character survive in eternal darkness?
• Write about a character who is stranded in a desert—how do they find water and shelter?
• A character is trapped in a collapsed building after an earthquake—how do they find a way out?
• Imagine a person who must survive a deadly virus outbreak—how do they protect themselves from infection?
• Write about a character who is lost in a foreign country with no money and no knowledge of the language—how do they survive?
• A character is stranded in the Arctic—how do they find food and warmth in the frozen wasteland?
• Imagine a world where food and water are scarce—how does your character secure the resources they need to live?
• Write about a person who must survive a plane crash in the ocean—how do they find land and stay afloat?
• A character is forced to navigate a labyrinth filled with deadly traps—how do they find their way out?
• Imagine a person who is being chased through a forest by unknown assailants—how do they evade capture?
• Write about a character who must survive after their spaceship malfunctions and leaves them stranded in space—how do they find a way back to Earth?
• A person finds themselves in a city under siege—how do they survive the chaos and violence around them?
• Imagine a character who must survive in a world where technology has failed—how do they adapt to a life without modern conveniences?
• Write about a person who is trapped underwater after a submarine accident—how do they find air and escape?
• A character is stranded on a mountaintop after an avalanche—how do they signal for help and stay alive?
• Imagine a world where the climate has drastically changed—how does your character survive the extreme conditions?
• Write about a character who must escape from a sinking ship—how do they navigate the dangers of the ocean?
• A person is lost in a vast, desolate landscape with no signs of life—how do they find their way home?
• Imagine a character who is being hunted for sport—how do they outwit their pursuers?
• Write about a person who survives a natural disaster, only to face new dangers in its aftermath—how do they keep going?
• A character is trapped in a remote location with no means of communication—how do they signal for help?
• Imagine a person who is forced to survive in a world where society has collapsed—how do they find food, shelter, and safety amidst the chaos?
• Write about a character who must navigate a flooded city—how do they survive the rising waters and find higher ground?
• A person is stranded in a remote desert canyon with no clear way out—how do they find water and escape?
• Imagine a character who must survive a plane crash in a dense rainforest—how do they navigate the unfamiliar terrain?
• Write about a person who is marooned on an iceberg—how do they deal with the cold and isolation?
• A character is caught in a forest fire—how do they escape the flames and find safety?
• Imagine a world where an ice age has returned—how does your character survive in the frozen world?
• Write about a character who is stranded in a small boat in the middle of the ocean—how do they cope with the isolation and find rescue?
• A person is lost in an underground cave system—how do they find light and a way out?
• Imagine a character who is left behind on an alien planet—how do they survive in the hostile environment?
• Write about a person who is forced to survive in a city overrun by dangerous creatures—how do they avoid becoming prey?
• A character finds themselves in the middle of a desert with no supplies—how do they find the will to keep moving?
• Imagine a person who is trapped in a collapsing tunnel—how do they find a way out before it’s too late?
• Write about a character who must cross a treacherous mountain range to reach safety—what obstacles do they face?
• A person is stranded in a jungle after a helicopter crash—how do they survive the wildlife and harsh conditions?
• Imagine a character who is the last survivor of a shipwreck—how do they find land and stay alive?
• Write about a person who must survive a deadly game set up by a group of hunters—how do they outsmart their pursuers and escape?
• A character finds themselves stranded in a remote, abandoned city with no signs of life—how do they navigate the eerily quiet streets, and what hidden dangers do they uncover?

Time-Travel Writing Prompts

Time travel offers endless possibilities for storytelling—whether altering history, meeting historical figures, or exploring future worlds. These prompts are designed to inspire tales that bend the fabric of time.

• Write about a character who accidentally travels back to a pivotal moment in history—how do they navigate the situation without altering the future?
• Imagine a person who uses time travel to correct past mistakes—what unexpected consequences do they face?
• A character travels to the future and sees something they don’t like—how do they change it when they return to the present?
• Write about a person who discovers an old journal that leads them to a time-traveling adventure—what do they learn?
• A character meets a younger version of themselves—how do they guide or warn their younger self?
• Imagine a world where time travel is illegal—what happens when your character is caught breaking the law?
• Write about a character who is stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day—how do they break the cycle?
• A person travels back in time to prevent a disaster—what challenges do they face in changing the course of events?
• Imagine a character who can only travel back in time for one hour—how do they use this power?
• Write about a character who travels to a specific moment in history to meet their hero—how does the encounter go?
• A person wakes up in a different time period every morning—how do they find a way back to their original time?
• Imagine a character who uses time travel to steal valuable artifacts—what happens when they get caught?
• Write about a character who travels to the past and accidentally changes their own family history—how do they fix it?
• A person discovers that their best friend is actually a time traveler—how does this revelation change their friendship?
• Imagine a world where people can rent time machines—what happens when your character goes on a time-traveling vacation?
• Write about a character who travels to the future and discovers that they are famous—how do they react?
• A person accidentally brings something from the past into the present—how does it disrupt their life?
• Imagine a character who travels to the past and falls in love—how do they deal with the separation of time?
• Write about a character who witnesses a historical event firsthand—how do they keep themselves from altering history?
• A person is given the chance to relive one day of their life—how do they change their choices?
• Imagine a character who discovers a secret society of time travelers—what is their purpose, and how does your character get involved?
• Write about a person who travels back in time to save a loved one—what are the consequences of their actions?
• A character finds themselves in the body of someone from a different time period—how do they adapt?
• Imagine a world where time travel is used as a form of punishment—how does your character survive their sentence?
• Write about a character who accidentally switches places with someone from the past—how do they return to their own time?
• A person travels to the future and sees the end of the world—how do they prevent it from happening?
• Imagine a character who uses time travel to become a master of every skill—what do they do with their knowledge?
• Write about a character who is sent back in time to gather information for a secret mission—how do they succeed without being discovered?
• A person travels to the past and meets their ancestors—how do they interact, and what do they learn?
• Imagine a character who discovers that their entire life has been influenced by a time traveler—how do they confront this person?
• Write about a person who time travels to investigate a famous mystery—what do they uncover?
• A character is tasked with ensuring that a key event in history happens as it should—how do they keep things on track?
• Imagine a world where time travel is used for tourism—what happens when something goes wrong on a trip?
• Write about a character who travels back in time and accidentally becomes the subject of a famous painting—how do they escape without altering history?
• A person travels to the future and meets their descendants—how do they interact with their future family?
• Imagine a character who uses time travel to escape from danger—how do they ensure they don’t create more problems?
• Write about a person who tries to use time travel to win the lottery—what unexpected complications arise?
• A character discovers that they are a time traveler but have had their memories erased—how do they uncover their past?
• Imagine a world where people can send messages back in time—what happens when your character receives one?
• Write about a character who travels to the past to prevent a tragedy but discovers that the event is necessary for future good.
• A person accidentally brings a famous historical figure into the present—how do they manage the situation?
• Imagine a character who uses time travel to live multiple lives—how do they keep their identities straight?
• Write about a person who discovers a way to pause time—how do they use this ability, and what consequences do they face?
• A character travels to a time when their country is at war—how do they survive and find their way back?
• Imagine a world where time travel is powered by emotions—how does your character harness their feelings to navigate time?
• Write about a person who discovers that their parents are time travelers—how does this revelation change their view of their upbringing?
• A character is given a chance to travel to any point in time—where do they go, and what do they do?
• Imagine a character who uses time travel to solve crimes—how do they gather evidence without being seen?
• Write about a person who travels back in time to warn themselves about a mistake they made—what happens when they don’t listen?
• A character discovers that they have been time traveling in their sleep—how do they control it and what do they learn?

Cultural Writing Prompts

Culture shapes who we are, how we live, and how we interact with the world.

These prompts are designed to explore the richness of cultural experiences, traditions, and the impact of globalization.

• Write about a character who participates in a cultural festival for the first time—how do they experience the traditions?
• Imagine a person who discovers their cultural heritage through a family heirloom—how does it change their identity?
• A character travels to a foreign country and experiences culture shock—how do they adapt?
• Write about a person who is torn between two cultures—how do they reconcile their dual identities?
• Imagine a character who revives an ancient tradition in their community—what challenges do they face?
• A person moves to a new country and struggles to learn the language—how do they communicate and connect with others?
• Write about a character who discovers a lost cultural practice—how do they bring it back to life?
• Imagine a person who marries into a family with a very different cultural background—how do they navigate the differences?
• A character attends a traditional ceremony that changes their perspective—what do they learn?
• Write about a person who teaches others about their culture—what challenges do they face in sharing their traditions?
• Imagine a character who explores the cuisine of a different culture—how do they react to the new flavors and customs?
• A person reconnects with their roots after years of living away—how do they reintegrate into their cultural community?
• Write about a character who creates a fusion of two cultures—how do they blend traditions, and how is it received?
• Imagine a world where cultures are celebrated through a global festival—how does your character participate?
• A person tries to preserve their culture in a rapidly changing world—how do they keep their traditions alive?
• Write about a character who learns about their culture through storytelling—what tales shape their understanding of their heritage?
• Imagine a person who introduces a forgotten cultural practice to a modern audience—how do they bridge the past and present?
• A character moves to a new city and discovers a vibrant cultural community—how do they become a part of it?
• Write about a person who defies cultural norms to follow their dreams—how do they balance tradition and ambition?
• Imagine a character who experiences a cultural ritual that challenges their beliefs—how do they reconcile the experience?
• A person documents the traditions of an endangered culture—how do they capture its essence and why is it important?
• Write about a character who travels the world to learn about different cultures—how do these experiences change them?
• Imagine a person who brings their cultural music to a new audience—how is it received, and what impact does it have?
• A character confronts stereotypes about their culture—how do they challenge and change perceptions?
• Write about a person who discovers a secret about their family’s cultural history—how does it affect their identity?
• Imagine a world where all cultures are blended into one—how does your character navigate this new global culture?
• A person learns about their culture through a unique art form—how does it connect them to their heritage?
• Write about a character who must navigate cultural differences in a relationship—how do they find common ground?
• Imagine a person who participates in a cultural exchange program—what do they learn, and how do they grow?
• A character explores the impact of globalization on their culture—how do they preserve what’s important?
• Write about a person who brings back a cultural practice that was thought to be lost—how does it affect their community?
• Imagine a character who experiences cultural appropriation—how do they respond, and what do they do to educate others?
• Write about a person who learns a new language to connect with their cultural roots—how does this journey change them?
• Imagine a character who is an outsider trying to understand a new culture—how do they earn acceptance?
• A person tries to modernize a traditional cultural practice—how do they balance respect for tradition with innovation?
• Write about a character who participates in a cross-cultural marriage—how do they blend and honor both cultures in their life together?
• Imagine a world where cultural artifacts hold magical powers—how does your character discover and protect them?
• A person who grew up disconnected from their culture is invited to a traditional ceremony—how do they reconnect with their heritage?
• Write about a character who challenges a cultural taboo—how does their community react, and what changes follow?
• Imagine a person who travels back in time to experience their culture’s history firsthand—how do they view their culture differently?
• A character becomes a cultural ambassador, traveling to promote understanding between different societies—what challenges and successes do they encounter?
• Write about a person who creates a documentary about their culture—what stories do they choose to tell, and why?
• Imagine a character who must defend their culture against outside forces—how do they rally their community?
• A person moves to a new place where their culture is misunderstood—how do they educate others and foster understanding?
• Write about a character who discovers that their cultural history has been altered or erased—how do they uncover and restore the truth?
• Imagine a person who uses fashion to express their cultural identity—how do they challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity?
• A character who lives in a multicultural city must navigate different cultural expectations—how do they build a life that honors multiple traditions?
• Write about a person who learns about their culture through food—what dishes connect them to their ancestors?
• Imagine a world where cultural festivals are the most important events of the year—how does your character participate and celebrate?
• A person who has assimilated into a new culture rediscovers their original heritage—how do they integrate both aspects of their identity?

Prompt Mashups (Combining Genres or Themes)

Mashups blend different genres or themes to create unique, unexpected stories.

These prompts are designed to encourage creativity by mixing and matching ideas for new and exciting narratives.

• Write a sci-fi romance set in a dystopian future—how do the characters find love in a broken world?
• Imagine a mystery where the detective is an artist who solves crimes through their paintings—what clues do they uncover?
• A historical fiction story with elements of magical realism—how does magic influence real historical events?
• Write a horror-comedy about a group of friends who accidentally summon a friendly ghost—how do they deal with their new companion?
• A time-travel adventure that turns into a philosophical exploration—what does the character learn about existence?
• Imagine a fantasy world where technology is powered by emotions—how do characters navigate this magical yet scientific world?
• Write a coming-of-age story set in a post-apocalyptic landscape—how does the protagonist grow and adapt?
• A thriller with elements of fairy tales—how do classic fairy tale characters survive in a dangerous, modern world?
• Imagine a crime story that doubles as a commentary on modern social issues—how does the crime reflect societal problems?
• A sci-fi western where cowboys ride robotic horses—how does technology change the Wild West?
• Write a romance set in a world where dreams can be shared—how do the characters connect through their dreamscapes?
• A fantasy adventure that explores deep philosophical questions—what does the hero learn about themselves and the universe?
• Imagine a historical drama with a supernatural twist—how do the characters handle the appearance of ghosts in their lives?
• Write a survival story combined with a mystery—how does the protagonist solve a puzzle while fighting to stay alive?
• A dystopian future where animals have taken over—how do humans survive in a world ruled by intelligent beasts?
• Imagine a comedy set in a haunted house—how do the characters deal with mischievous spirits who just want to have fun?
• Write a sci-fi story that also serves as a critique of modern technology—what are the unintended consequences of innovation?
• A thriller set in a fantasy world—how does magic complicate the investigation of a crime?
• Imagine a romantic comedy where the main characters are from different time periods—how do they navigate their differences?
• Write a horror story with elements of science fiction—how does the horror emerge from futuristic technology?
• A historical romance with a mystery subplot—how do the lovers uncover a long-buried secret from the past?
• Imagine a detective story set in a world where art comes to life—how do the characters solve crimes using living paintings and sculptures?
• Write a fantasy story that explores real-world social issues—how does the magical setting highlight these problems?
• A time-traveling adventure that turns into a romance—how do the characters deal with the challenges of loving someone from another era?
• Imagine a comedy where the characters must survive a series of ridiculous disasters—how do they keep their spirits up?
• Write a mystery set in a dystopian future—how does the bleak setting influence the investigation?
• A sci-fi story with elements of fantasy—how do technology and magic coexist in the world you’ve created?
• Imagine a crime thriller set in a world where everyone has superpowers—how does this complicate the investigation?
• Write a survival story set on an alien planet—how do the characters adapt to the strange environment?
• A romantic drama that includes elements of historical fiction—how do the characters’ past lives influence their present?
• Imagine a horror story set in a seemingly perfect utopia—what dark secrets are hidden beneath the surface?
• Write a fantasy adventure that also serves as a coming-of-age story—how does the protagonist grow through their quest?
• A sci-fi mystery where the detective uses futuristic technology to solve crimes—what challenges do they face?
• Imagine a world where dreams are controlled by a government agency—how do the characters fight for their freedom to dream?
• Write a comedy set during a zombie apocalypse—how do the characters find humor in their dire situation?
• A romance that unfolds in a parallel universe—how do the characters navigate the differences between their worlds?
• Imagine a mystery where the clues are hidden in a series of ancient texts—how do the characters decipher the messages?
• Write a fantasy story that explores the nature of reality—how do the characters question what is real and what is illusion?
• A sci-fi adventure that also deals with themes of identity and self-discovery—how do the characters find themselves while exploring new worlds?
• Imagine a historical drama with elements of time travel—how do the characters’ actions in the past affect the future?
• Write a survival story that takes place in an alternate reality—how do the characters adapt to a world with different rules?
• A romantic comedy set in a world where everyone has a unique superpower—how do the characters’ powers influence their love lives?
• Imagine a crime thriller that doubles as a commentary on the nature of justice—how do the characters grapple with moral dilemmas?
• Write a horror story set in a world where technology has gone horribly wrong—how do the characters survive?
• A fantasy adventure with a mystery at its core—how do the characters uncover the truth while on their quest?
• Imagine a dystopian future where art is banned—how do the characters fight to bring creativity back into the world?
• Write a romantic drama that explores the concept of reincarnation—how do the characters’ past lives influence their love story?
• A sci-fi story that questions the nature of humanity—how do the characters define what it means to be human in a technologically advanced world?
• Imagine a world where everyone’s thoughts are broadcast—how do the characters navigate their relationships in this transparent society?
• Write a mystery set in a fantasy world where the laws of reality are different—how do the characters solve a crime in a world where anything is possible?

Here are some more prompts if you’re writing fantasy:

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—a collection of prompts to ignite your imagination and kickstart your writing journey.

For even more specific prompts for fantasy, horror, comic books, and superheroes, check out some of my other articles below.

• 300 Comic Book Ideas [Fuel Your Imagination]
• 300 Book Ideas to Write (Ideas, Titles, & Story Prompts)
• 250 Horror Writing Prompts (Scary Good Ideas)
• 150 Best Fantasy Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
• 200+ Superhero Ideas for Storytellers (Massive List)

Beginners Writing Prompts: 25 Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 3, 2023

Categories Writing

Writing is an art form that can be challenging to master. Beginners may find it difficult to know where to start, what to write about, or how to develop their ideas.

That’s where writing prompts come in. Writing prompts are a useful tool for beginners to help them get started with writing and develop their skills.

Understanding writing prompts is essential for beginners. Writing prompts are ideas or topics that provide inspiration for writing. They can be anything from a single word to a complete sentence or paragraph. Writing prompts can help writers overcome writer’s block, develop their writing skills, and explore different genres and styles.

There are various types of writing prompts, including prompts for different genres, character development, setting and atmosphere, and unique writing prompts. Writing prompts can also be used for daily writing and journaling, which can help writers develop a writing habit and improve their skills.

Incorporating personal elements into writing prompts can also help writers explore their own experiences and emotions through writing.

Key Takeaways

• Writing prompts are a useful tool for beginners to help them get started with writing and develop their skills.
• Understanding writing prompts is essential for beginners to overcome writer’s block, develop their writing skills, and explore different genres and styles.
• Writing prompts can be used for daily writing and journaling, character development, setting and atmosphere, and unique writing prompts.

25 Beginners Writing Prompts

Here are 25 writing prompts for beginner writers:

1. Write about your ideal day. What would you do, where would you go, who would you see?

2. Describe your favorite place in the world. What makes it so special?

3. Write a letter to your future self 10 years from now. What advice would you give your future self?

4. Describe a memorable event from your childhood. Why was it meaningful to you?

5. If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why? How would you use this power?

6. Who is someone you admire? Why do you look up to this person?

7. What is your biggest accomplishment so far? Why does it make you proud?

8. If you could take any animal from the zoo home as a pet, which would you choose and why?

9. What is your biggest goal in life right now? Why is this goal important to you?

10. What is one thing that brings you happiness every day? Describe why it brightens your day.

11. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Describe what you would do there.

12. What is your favorite holiday? Describe your ideal celebration of this holiday.

13. Who makes you laugh the most? Describe why this person is so funny.

14. What is your favorite food? Describe what it tastes and smells like.

15. What is one thing you want to accomplish this year? Why is this goal important?

16. Describe your perfect weekend. What activities would you do and who would you spend time with?

17. What is the best gift you’ve ever given someone? Why did you choose this gift?

18. Describe your favorite memory with a grandparent or elder in your life. Why was this time meaningful?

19. Who is your role model or hero? Why do you look up to this person?

20. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Why does this skill appeal to you?

21. What is the kindest act you’ve ever witnessed? What did this act teach you?

22. What is one cause you care deeply about? Why is it meaningful to you?

23. Describe your perfect day off from school. What would make it an amazing day?

24. What is one thing that always makes you smile? Why does this bring you joy?

25. What is your favorite season? Describe what you love about this time of year.

Understanding Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are an essential tool for beginning writers or those seeking to improve their writing skills. Writing prompts provide direction and inspiration for creative writing, helping writers overcome writer’s block, and encouraging them to explore new topics and ideas.

A writing prompt is a sentence, paragraph, or image that provides inspiration and guidance for creative writing. It may be used as a possible topic or starting point for an original essay, report, journal entry, story, poem, etc.

Writing prompts can be general or specific, and they can be tailored to suit the needs of different writers.

Understanding writing prompts is essential for beginning writers. Decoding what a prompt is asking can sometimes be overwhelming, but the sooner you understand a prompt, the sooner you can start writing. To understand a writing prompt, you need to identify the key elements and determine what type of writing the prompt is asking for.

Here are some tips for understanding writing prompts:

• Read the prompt carefully and identify the key elements, such as the topic, purpose, and audience.
• Determine the type of writing the prompt is asking for, such as a narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive essay.
• Consider the tone and style of the writing prompt and how it should be reflected in your writing.
• Use brainstorming techniques to generate ideas for your writing, such as mind mapping, free writing, or listing.
• Create an outline or plan for your writing, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

By following these tips, beginning writers can gain a better understanding of writing prompts and use them to improve their writing skills. Writing prompts can be a valuable tool for writers of all levels, providing direction, inspiration, and encouragement for creative writing.

Types of Writing Prompts

When it comes to writing prompts, there are various types that can help beginners get started. Here are some of the most common types of writing prompts:

Story Prompts

Story prompts are great for those who want to write short stories. These prompts can be in the form of a sentence, a paragraph, or even a few words. They can be based on a specific theme or genre, or they can be completely random. Some examples of story prompts include:

• Write a story about a person who discovers they have magical powers.
• Write a story about a character who is stranded on a deserted island.
• Write a story about a time traveler who goes back in time to prevent a disaster.

Photo Prompts

Photo prompts are great for those who want to write descriptive pieces. These prompts involve looking at a photo and writing a story, poem, or essay about what you see. They can be based on a specific theme or genre, or they can be completely random. Some examples of photo prompts include:

• Write a descriptive piece about a sunset over the ocean.
• Write a story about a character who lives in a treehouse.
• Write a poem about a flower in a field.

Social Media Prompts

Social media prompts are great for those who want to practice writing in a more casual and conversational tone. These prompts involve writing short pieces that are meant to be shared on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. Some examples of social media prompts include:

• Write a tweet about your favorite book.
• Write an Instagram caption about your morning routine.
• Write a Facebook post about a recent vacation.

Random Word Prompts

Random word prompts are great for those who want to challenge themselves and get creative. These prompts involve choosing a random word and writing a piece based on that word. They can be based on a specific theme or genre, or they can be completely random. Some examples of random word prompts include:

• Write a story that includes the word “serendipity.”
• Write a poem that includes the word “nostalgia.”
• Write an essay that includes the word “perseverance.”

Overall, writing prompts are a great way for beginners to get started with writing. By using different types of prompts, beginners can practice writing in different styles and genres, and develop their skills over time.

Writing Prompts for Different Genres

If you’re looking for writing prompts to jumpstart your creativity, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some writing prompts for different genres to help you get started.

Fantasy Prompts

Fantasy is a genre that allows you to create your own world, characters, and rules. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

• Write about a character who discovers they have magical powers.
• Write about a world where humans and mythical creatures coexist.
• Write about a quest to find a lost artifact that has the power to save the world.
• Write about a character who must choose between good and evil.

Romance Prompts

Romance is a genre that explores the complexities of love and relationships. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

• Write about a love triangle between three friends.
• Write about a second chance at love between two former lovers.
• Write about a forbidden love between two people from different worlds.
• Write about a character who must choose between their career and their love life.

Adventure Prompts

Adventure is a genre that takes readers on a journey to new and exciting places. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

• Write about a character who sets out to explore a mysterious island.
• Write about a group of friends who embark on a road trip across the country.
• Write about a character who discovers a hidden treasure map and sets out to find the treasure.
• Write about a character who must survive in the wilderness after a plane crash.

Horror Prompts

Horror is a genre that explores the darker side of human nature. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

• Write about a haunted house that is rumored to be cursed.
• Write about a character who is being stalked by a serial killer.
• Write about a group of friends who go camping in the woods and encounter a supernatural entity.
• Write about a character who becomes possessed by a demon.

Remember, these are just prompts to help you get started. Use them as a jumping off point and let your imagination take over. Happy writing!

Using Writing Prompts to Overcome Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common phenomenon that can affect writers of all levels. It can be frustrating and can hinder the creative process. However, using writing prompts can be an effective way to overcome writer’s block and get the creative juices flowing.

Writing prompts are a great way to inspire and encourage creativity. They can be used to generate new ideas, explore different perspectives, and challenge yourself to think outside the box. Writing prompts can be anything from a single word to a full sentence or paragraph.

When using writing prompts, it’s important to keep an open mind and let your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. The goal is to inspire creativity and get the words flowing.

Here are some tips for using writing prompts to overcome writer’s block:

• Choose a prompt that speaks to you. Look for prompts that inspire you and that you feel a connection to.
• Set a timer. Give yourself a set amount of time to write without stopping. This can help to get your creative juices flowing and prevent you from getting stuck.
• Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. The goal is to get your ideas down on paper. You can always go back and edit later.
• Use the prompt as a starting point. Don’t feel like you have to stick to the prompt exactly. Use it as a jumping-off point to explore new ideas and perspectives.

In conclusion, using writing prompts can be an effective way to overcome writer’s block and inspire creativity. By choosing the right prompt, setting a timer, and letting your imagination run wild, you can break through the barriers that are holding you back and unleash your inner writer.

Incorporating Personal Elements into Writing Prompts

When it comes to writing prompts, incorporating personal elements can make the writing process more enjoyable and meaningful. By including personal experiences, interests, and goals, writers can create more engaging and authentic pieces.

One way to incorporate personal elements is to use prompts that relate to family and home. For example, a prompt could ask writers to describe a favorite family tradition or a memorable moment from their childhood home.

These prompts can evoke strong emotions and memories, making the writing process more personal and meaningful.

Another way to incorporate personal elements is to use prompts that relate to favorite movies, words, and meals. These prompts can encourage writers to explore their preferences and reflect on what makes them unique. For example, a prompt could ask writers to describe their favorite movie and explain why it resonates with them. This can help writers develop their voice and style.

Writing prompts can also encourage writers to think about their relationships and goals. Prompts that ask about best friends or bucket lists can inspire writers to reflect on their values and aspirations.

For example, a prompt could ask writers to describe their dream job and explain why it is meaningful to them. This can help writers develop a sense of purpose and direction.

Overall, incorporating personal elements into writing prompts can help writers create more engaging and authentic pieces. By using prompts that relate to family, home, favorite movies, words, meals, best friends, bucket lists, and dream jobs, writers can explore their interests and experiences in a meaningful way.

Writing Prompts for Character Development

When it comes to writing a story, character development is a crucial aspect that can make or break the entire plot. Creating compelling characters that readers can relate to and empathize with is essential to keeping them engaged from beginning to end. Here are some writing prompts to help you develop your characters.

Hero Prompts

• Describe your hero’s personality in three words.
• What is your hero’s greatest strength and how does it help them achieve their goals?
• What is your hero’s biggest fear and how does it hold them back?
• Write a scene where your hero is faced with a difficult decision that tests their morals and values.
• How does your hero handle failure and setbacks? Write a scene where they face a major setback and how they overcome it.

Villain Prompts

• What motivates your villain’s actions? Is it envy, power, or something else?
• What is your villain’s biggest weakness and how does it lead to their downfall?
• Write a scene where your villain is faced with a moral dilemma and how they choose to act.
• What is your villain’s backstory and how did they become the way they are?
• How does your villain justify their actions to themselves? Write a scene where they have an internal conflict about their actions.

Secondary Character Prompts

• What is your secondary character’s role in the story?
• How does your secondary character feel about the hero or villain?
• Write a scene where your secondary character has to make a difficult decision that affects the hero or villain.
• What is your secondary character’s backstory and how does it affect their actions in the story?
• What is your secondary character’s relationship with the hero or villain? Write a scene that shows their dynamic.

Character development is an essential part of writing a story that readers will love. By using these prompts, you can create characters that are relatable, complex, and engaging. Remember to use these prompts as a starting point and let your imagination take over to create unique and memorable characters.

Writing Prompts for Setting and Atmosphere

When it comes to creative writing, setting and atmosphere can help create a vivid and engaging story. Here are some writing prompts to help you get started:

Weather Prompts

Weather can set the mood and tone for a story. Use these prompts to explore different weather conditions:

• Write about a character who gets lost in a dense fog.
• Describe a scene where a character is caught in a sudden rainstorm.
• Create a story that takes place during a snowstorm.
• Write about a character who is stranded in a desert during a sandstorm.

Location Prompts

The location of a story can be just as important as the characters themselves. Use these prompts to explore different locations:

• Write about a character who explores an abandoned warehouse.
• Describe a scene that takes place in a Hollywood movie studio.
• Create a story that takes place in a small desert town.

Time of Day Prompts

The time of day can also set the mood and tone for a story. Use these prompts to explore different times of day:

• Write about a character who goes for a midnight walk.
• Describe a scene that takes place during a sunrise.
• Create a story that takes place during a sunset.

Remember, these prompts are just a starting point. Use them to spark your imagination and create unique stories that are engaging and entertaining.

Unique Writing Prompts

If you’re looking for writing prompts that are a little different from the usual, here are some unique ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Tea time: Write a story or poem that revolves around a cup of tea. Who is drinking it? What is their mood? What memories or emotions does it bring up for them?
• Animal kingdom: Write a story from the point of view of an animal. It could be a pet, a wild animal, or even a mythical creature. What do they see, hear, and feel in their world?
• Phone call: Write a scene that takes place entirely over the phone. Who is calling whom? What is the conversation about? Is it a happy or tense exchange?
• Kindness challenge: Write about a character who sets out to do one act of kindness every day for a month. What challenges do they face? How do their actions affect those around them?
• Mirror, mirror: Write a story that involves a magical mirror. What does it show the person who looks into it? Is it a force for good or evil?
• Moving on: Write a story about someone who is moving to a new place. How do they feel about leaving their old life behind? What adventures await them in their new home?
• Halloween hijinks: Write a spooky story that takes place on Halloween night. Will your characters encounter ghosts, witches, or something even more terrifying?
• Alien invasion: Write a story about an alien invasion. How do humans react? Is there a hero who saves the day, or is it a hopeless battle?
• Legend has it: Write a story based on a local legend or myth. Is there any truth to the tale, or is it just a fanciful story?
• Teddy bear: Write a story about a teddy bear that comes to life. What adventures does it have with its new human friend?
• Getaway: Write a story about a character who takes a spontaneous trip. Where do they go, and what do they discover about themselves along the way?
• Zombie apocalypse: Write a story about a world overrun by zombies. How do the survivors band together to stay alive?
• Friendship: Write a story about a new friendship that blossoms unexpectedly. What draws the characters together, and what challenges do they face?
• Rewrite history: Write a story that reimagines a historical event. What if things had gone differently? How would the world be changed?
• Sounds of nature: Write a story that incorporates the sounds of nature. What do your characters hear, and how does it affect their mood and actions?

These unique writing prompts are just the beginning. Use them as a jumping-off point to explore your own creativity and discover new stories to tell.

Daily Writing and Journaling Prompts

Daily writing prompts are a great way to develop good writing habits and improve your writing skills. They can help you get into the habit of writing regularly, which can be especially helpful for beginners. There are many different types of daily writing prompts, including prompts for journaling, creative writing, and more.

Journaling is a great way to reflect on your thoughts and feelings and can help you gain insight into your own life. Daily journaling prompts can help you get started and keep you motivated. Some popular journaling prompts include writing about your goals, your dreams, your fears, or your daily routine.

Daily writing prompts can also be used for creative writing. These prompts can help you develop your writing skills and explore new ideas. Some popular creative writing prompts include writing about a character, a setting, or a plot.

If you prefer to write in a diary or a letter format, daily writing prompts can still be helpful. You can use prompts to write about your day, your thoughts, or your feelings. You can also use prompts to write letters to yourself or to someone else.

Setting an alarm can be a helpful way to remind yourself to write every day. You can set an alarm for the same time every day, or you can set it for a different time each day to keep things interesting.

Overall, daily writing prompts can be a helpful tool for beginners who want to develop good writing habits and improve their writing skills. By using daily writing prompts, you can get into the habit of writing regularly and explore new ideas and topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some simple creative writing prompts.

If you’re a beginner looking for some simple creative writing prompts, you can start with some basic ideas like writing about your daily routine, describing a favorite place, or writing a letter to your future self.

What are the easiest topics to write about?

The easiest topics to write about are those that you are familiar with, such as your hobbies, interests, or experiences. You can also write about your favorite books, movies, or TV shows.

What are 5 minute writing prompts for adults?

If you’re looking for some 5 minute writing prompts for adults, you can try writing a short story about a character who finds a mysterious object, writing a letter to your younger self, or describing a memorable moment from your childhood.

What are good writing prompts?

Good writing prompts are those that inspire you to write and help you develop your writing skills. Some good writing prompts include writing about a difficult decision you had to make, describing a favorite childhood memory, or writing a story from the perspective of an animal.

What are some quick writing prompts?

If you’re short on time and need some quick writing prompts, you can try writing a haiku about a favorite season, writing a letter to your favorite fictional character, or describing a dream you had last night.

What are some daily writing prompts?

Daily writing prompts can help you develop a daily writing habit and improve your writing skills. Some daily writing prompts include writing about a recent accomplishment, describing a favorite place, or writing a story based on a picture.

25 Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

Creative writing is a vast and dynamic field that offers a platform for individuals to express their ideas, emotions, and stories in an imaginative and original way.

It plays a crucial role in enhancing communication skills, fostering empathy, and also promoting a deep understanding of the human experience. If you’re not sure how to get started, consider these helpful writing prompts – let’s get creative!

The Importance of Creative Writing

In the realm of literature and beyond, creative writing holds a pivotal role. It not only allows for personal expression but also:

• fosters critical thinking
• enhances vocabulary
• improves writing skills
• conveys complex ideas and emotions
• serves as a therapeutic medium
• enhances empathy

From short stories and poetry to novels and screenplays, creative writing spans a wide array of genres and styles, and offers endless opportunities for exploration and expression.

In the professional realm, creative writing skills are highly valued. They can lead to various creative writing jobs in fields like publishing, advertising, journalism, and content creation. For those interested in pursuing higher education in this field, you might want to explore whether a degree in creative writing is worth it .

Understanding Creative Writing Prompts

When it comes to igniting creativity and fostering unique ideas, creative writing prompts play an invaluable role. They provide a starting point, a spark that can lead to a flame of inspiration for writers.

How Prompts Can Ignite Creativity

While creative writing is an exciting field, it can sometimes be challenging to kickstart the creative process. This is where creative writing prompts come into play. These prompts are designed to ignite the imagination and inspire writers to create original and compelling pieces.

They help to overcome writer’s block , encourage experimentation with different styles and genres. So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, creative writing prompts can be an invaluable tool to spark creativity and enhance your writing skills.

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Creative writing prompts are essentially ideas, questions, or topics that are designed to inspire and stimulate the creative writing process. They serve as a catalyst, helping to ignite the writer’s imagination and encourage them to explore new themes, concepts, or perspectives.

These prompts can take a myriad of forms. They might be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or even an image. Remember, regardless of the format, the goal of a creative writing prompt is to trigger thought and also encourage writers to delve deeper into their creative psyche, producing unique and compelling pieces of writing.

For more understanding of what creative writing entails, read our article on what is creative writing .

Types of Creative Writing Prompts

There are various types of creative writing prompts, each tailored to stimulate different forms of writing, cater to various genres, or inspire certain ideas. For example, you might encounter:

• Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are designed to inspire stories. They might provide a setting, a character, a conflict, or a plot point to kick-start the writer’s imagination.
• Non-Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are geared towards non-fiction writing, such as essays, memoirs, or journalistic pieces. They might pose a question, present a topic, or propose a perspective for the writer to explore.
• Poetry Writing Prompts : These prompts are tailored for writing poetry. They could suggest a theme, a form, a line, or a poetic device to be used in the poem.
• Dialogue Writing Prompts : These prompts focus on conversations and are designed to inspire dialogue-driven pieces. They generally provide a line or a snippet of conversation to act as a starting point.
• Story Starter Writing Prompts : These prompts serve as the opening line or the first paragraph of a story. The writer’s task is to continue the narrative from there.

Understanding the different types of creative writing prompts is essential to making the most of them. For example, when you choose the right type of prompt, you target specific writing skills , push boundaries of creativity, and provide the necessary spark to bring your ideas to life.

25 Creative Writing Prompts

Using creative writing prompts is a great way to jumpstart your creativity and get the ideas flowing. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, these prompts can help inspire your next piece. Here, we’ve broken down 25 prompts into five categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, dialogue, and story starters.

Fiction Writing Prompts

Fiction allows writers to flex their imaginative muscles. The following prompts can help to stir up new ideas for a unique storyline:

• Write a story where the main character finds an old, mysterious letter in the attic.
• Imagine a world where animals can talk.
• Create a tale where a character discovers they have a superpower.
• Write about a character who wakes up in a different era.
• Write a story set in a world where money doesn’t exist.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

Non-fiction writing can help you explore real-life experiences and lessons. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Write about a time when you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it.
• Describe the most influential person in your life.
• Share a moment when you learned a valuable lesson.
• Write about an unforgettable trip.
• Discuss a current event that has impacted you personally.

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry allows for artistic expression through words. These prompts can inspire new verses:

• Write a poem about a dream you can’t forget.
• Create a sonnet about the changing seasons.
• Write about an emotion without naming it directly.
• Craft a poem inspired by a piece of art.
• Pen a haiku about nature’s power.

Dialogue Writing Prompts

Dialogue writing can help you improve your dialogue creation skills. Try these prompts:

• Write a conversation between two people stuck in an elevator.
• Describe a heated argument between a character and their best friend.
• Create a dialogue where a character reveals a deep secret.
• Write an exchange between a detective and a suspect.
• Craft a conversation between two people who speak different languages.

Story Starter Writing Prompts

Story starters are great for sparking an idea for a story. Here are some to try:

• “When she opened the door, she couldn’t believe her eyes…”
• “He’d waited his whole life for this moment, and now…”
• “It was a town like no other, because…”
• “She was the last person on earth, or so she thought…”
• “The letter arrived, marked with a seal she didn’t recognize…”

These creative writing prompts are designed to challenge you and spark your creativity. Remember, the goal is not to create a perfect piece of writing but to ignite your imagination and hone your writing skills. Also, don’t forget, you can always revise and refine your work later .

For more on the art of writing, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Making the Most of Your Creative Writing Prompts

Now that you have a list of creative writing prompts at your disposal, it’s important to understand how to utilize them effectively. The value of a prompt lies not just in the initial idea it provides, but also in how it can be expanded and developed into a full-blown piece of writing.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts Effectively

Using creative writing prompts effectively requires an open mind and a willingness to explore. Here are some strategies to make the most of your prompts:

• Brainstorming: Allow yourself to brainstorm ideas after reading the prompt. Jot down whatever comes to mind without self-judgment or censorship.
• Freedom: Give yourself the freedom to interpret the prompt in your own way. Remember, prompts are starting points, not rigid guidelines.
• Experimentation: Experiment with different genres, perspectives, and writing styles. A prompt can be turned into a poem, a short story, or even a script for a play.
• Consistency: Try to write regularly. Whether you choose to do this daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, consistency can help develop your writing skills.
• Reflection: Finally, reflect on the prompt and your writing. Consider what worked, what didn’t, and also what you would like to improve in your next piece.

In addition to this, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Tips to Expand on a Prompt

Expanding on a prompt involves transforming a simple idea into a fully developed narrative. Here are a few tips:

• Character Development: Flesh out your characters. Give them backgrounds, motivations, and flaws to make them more relatable and interesting.
• Plot Building: Develop a coherent plot. Consider the key events, conflicts, and resolutions that will drive your story forward.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Show the reader what’s happening through vivid descriptions and actions rather than simply telling them.
• Dialogue: Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot. Make sure it’s natural and adds value to your story.
• Editing: Finally review and revise your work. Look for areas where you can improve clarity, tighten your prose, and also eliminate any inconsistencies or errors.

Editor’s Note : Don’t get rid of old ideas or unfinished works – you never know when looking back over these might spark inspiration or two ideas might mesh to form something cohesive and new!

The Right Prompts Grow Your Skills

By using these strategies, you can take full advantage of creative writing prompts and improve your writing skills. So, whether you’re pursuing a career in creative writing or just looking for a new hobby, these tips can help you unlock your full creative potential.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and how to teach creative writing .

Also, don’t miss our master list of more than 250 journal prompts .

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

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500 Writing Prompts to Help Beat Writer’s Block

Looking to get your story started with a writing prompt? You’ve come to the right place. In this post we detail everything you need to know about writing prompts and give you 500 writing prompts broken down by genre. Enjoy!

I want to be a writer… but what if I have nothing to write about?

Ever feel like you’d love to write but you’re fresh out of ideas? Like there’s nothing else that you could possibly write about, or you have no idea where to even get started? We get it. One of the hardest steps in writing a book is often knowing where to get started. Coming up with content, getting your pen (or pencil) to paper, and letting your creativity flow is a challenge that many writers struggle with. As we know, facing writer’s block and fighting personal writing doubt is common. An overwhelming number of professional authors admit to getting stuck well before they get to the point of selling books on Amazon . Thankfully, there’s an answer to the question of where to turn when you feel like you’ve hit that proverbial wall: the writing prompt.

What is a writing prompt?

How often do writers use writing prompts?

There’s no right answer to this question because using writing prompts can often be a personal choice. Some authors find it greatly benefits their ability to turn out creative results. Some authors know that they already have the right ideas for a book in their heads. With using writing prompts, you need to decide on what’s best for you . Whatever method helps you generate ideas is what’s best for your writing!

Is there a writing prompt that’s best for me?

You might be wondering if there’s one type of writing prompt that’s best for you. It’s easy to find selections of prompts that are filtered by specific genres (romance, mystery, and so on). However, we recommend sticking to genre-specific prompts if you want your writing to be more focused. With that being said, you never know when inspiration will strike. If your writing needs are less genre-restricted, reading as many writing prompts ideas as possible may be the best option for you! Whenever I write for fun, I love to read as many prompts as I can across all genres. Hey, you can get some pretty fun ideas for a thriller story from sci-fi writing prompts.

Where can I find writing prompts?

Easy – the Internet! And books, too. We recommend checking out our collection of prompts first, but there are numerous great sources throughout the web with writing prompts ideas (blogs, social media, and even AI tools like ChatGPT ). Through combing the Internet for great websites and blogs like Reedsy , Screencraft , The Write Practice , Bryn Donovan’s resources , and the @writing.prompt.s Instagram page, we’ve written and gathered 500 writing prompts to help you kickstart your brain into writing mode. Categorized into ten popular genres, we encourage you to grab your mug of coffee or tea, read through our prompts, and get ready to catch the writing bug.

Have any particular writing prompts that help you get focused? Want to tell us about a great website for writing prompts? Feel free to share those in the comments below. Happy writing!

• Mystery / Thriller
• Science Fiction
• Fantasy / Paranormal
• General Fiction
• Religion / Spirituality
• Travel / Adventure
• Young Adult

What are some mystery and thriller writing prompts?

• You find strange, muddy footprints leading up to your front door.
• A stranger sits down next to you on a train and gets up, leaving a package behind. Do you investigate the package?
• You hear news of your next-door neighbor vanishing without a trace.
• One day the national news channel shuts off. And the next day after that, too.
• One day at work, you look across the street to see a hooded figure in a black coat pointing directly at you. What do they want?
• You stumble upon a strange house you’ve never seen before on your morning run.
• You get a text message from an unknown number saying, “Meet me outside. Now.”
• Your parents tell you that they actually don’t know whose child you are.
• Someone puts a large black box on your doorstep. A note on the front reads, “Caution: may bite.”
• You wake up to discover a completely different, unknown face staring back at you from the mirror.
• The protagonist of your story discovers that there is a person who looks exactly like him.
• An international spy group recruits you to be their latest member.
• You begin to realize that your reflection is no longer appearing in mirrors.
• You aunt passes away, leaving you $500,000 in her will under the condition that you resume care for your hundred-year-old home.
• Your best friend tells you that she feels like someone’s been watching her. The next day she goes missing.
• Three words: Long lost brother.
• The day of your wedding, you wake up to find every person in your wedding party has been brutally murdered.
• The FBI begs you to come back to work on a special case. Your former partner has turned and is now wanted for the murders of three co-workers.
• Local gravestones begin disappearing.
• You can solve murders simply by stepping foot at the crime scene. Problem is, no one believes you.
• Write a short story where the protagonist has a doppelganger. (Reedsy)
• Your fingers tensed around the object in your pocket, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice. (Reedsy)
• You’re sitting by a window watching the flakes slowly and silently fall. Suddenly, you see something outside that snaps you out of your reverie. (Reedsy)
• You’re at a huge store scouting out Black Friday deals. You start to notice that all the security cameras in the store seem to be following your each and every move. (Reedsy)
• You work for the CIA who send you undercover in the FBI, who send you undercover in M16, who send you undercover in the CIA, who are very confused that you are back after only two weeks. (Reedsy)
• A terrorist group has been infiltrated by so many agencies that it is now run by spies, unbeknownst to the spies themselves. This fact becomes apparent to an actual extremist who joins their ranks. (Reedsy)
• Ever since childhood, a dark figure no one else can see has been following you around, whispering in your ear. Today you see it lying a few feet away, screaming and asking you to run. (Reedsy)
• You’ve lived an average life up until today, your 20th birthday. You just found out that your dad is the runaway son of a doting criminal warlord, and your mom is the daughter of an equally doting secret agent. Both family businesses are looking to make you the next heir. (Reedsy)
• She has been walking for hours. Her feet are starting to bleed. But she can’t stop moving… she can’t let him find her again. (Reedsy)
• The morning after a blizzard you make your way outside and slowly start to realize everyone has disappeared. (Reedsy)
• You find a hand-written note on your windshield that says, “Drive west for 100 miles.” (Reedsy)
• You wake up in a jail cell, crusted blood covering your hands. You have no idea how you got there. The cell door clangs open, and an officer walks you to interrogation room where two detectives wait to question you. (Reedsy)
• You walk into your job and find a secret, coded note pinned to your desk. What do you do next? (Reedsy)
• Guard this with your life. (Reedsy)
• A loved one confides in you, but the secret could damage someone else you care about. What do you do? (Reedsy)
• As you’re browsing through a rack of sweaters, someone approaches you and says, “I need you to listen to me very carefully.” (Reedsy)
• Write a short dark comedy in which a long-unsolved mystery is finally cracked. (Reedsy)
• They say a picture is worth a thousand words but you knew the one you’d just taken was worth a million. (Reedsy)
• You were the oldest person still living in the town and you remembered things no one else did. (Reedsy)
• Looking through old family photos, multiple generations back, you notice there is a cat in almost every group photo. The same cat – color, pattern, one docked ear – that is currently purring on your lap. (Reedsy)
• “… and that’s why dividing by three is illegal.” (Reedsy)
• You’re a serial killer who murders anyone you see hitchhiking up your mountain. One day, you pick up a hitchhiker who kills anyone who picks them up.
• You are legally allowed to commit murder once, but you must fill out the proper paperwork and your proposed victim will be notified of your intentions. (Reedsy)
• You hire two private investigators to investigate each other. One month later both come to you to present their findings. (Reedsy)
• 20 years after your daughter was abducted, a detective finds you to reopen the case. The detective turns out to be your daughter. (Reedsy)
• You’re shaking hands with a stranger at a networking event when you ask for their name. “I have no name,” they reply. (Reedsy)
• As you’re paying for your groceries, you mention to the clerk, “There’s a mess in aisle 16.” They give you a puzzled look and reply, “There is no aisle 16.” (Reedsy)
• The detective didn’t realize they were being foiled by a competing detective. (Reedsy)
• The first day you opened your own office as a private investigator, you didn’t expect it to be busy. You were wrong. (Reedsy)
• You are the world’s greatest detective. With your near superhuman intellect, you have never failed to solve a case before. One day, you finally meet your match: a criminal so unbelievably stupid that you cannot possibly comprehend and predict what he’s going to do next. (Reedsy)

What are some romance writing prompts?

• Left at the altar, you decide to seek revenge on your ex.
• You got ditched at the last minute before prom – who will your date be?
• A stranger texts the wrong number, and accidentally sends you a declaration of love. The message is so sweet and heartfelt that you know you can’t let it go.
• A divorced former couple find each other on the same flight to Paris… Sitting next to each other.
• After joining an adult swim league, you realize that your coach is irresistibly cute.
• Your husband accidentally sends you a text meant for his mistress.
• You and a hot stranger get trapped in an elevator.
• Write a love story set at the zoo.
• A college professor and their teaching assistant hit it off a little too well.
• You get to make one wish to create your dream romantic partner. What is it?
• Two strangers on an online chat room hit it off. Turns out they’re childhood sweethearts.
• A parole officer falls in love with his parolee.
• After their catamaran crashes, a husband and wife on their anniversary trip are left marooned on an island in the tropics.
• She’s a burgeoning lingerie model who needs her cute neighbor to take portfolio shots of her.
• An alien falls in love with a forbidden human.
• Desperate for cash, a med student signs up to be a nude model for a retired women’s art club.
• A cutthroat business woman swore she’d never find love until her best friend sets her up on a blind date.
• Two widowed people meet at a community garden.
• A chef decides to embark on an international culinary tour for inspiration and falls in love with their tour guide.
• A daughter tries to set her widowed father up on an online dating app – without him knowing.
• A Republican presidential candidate and Democratic presidential candidate fall in love.
• You are a popular book heroine’s love interest. You now have 60 seconds to convince them that saving the city is more important than saving you. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The love of your life is your brother’s nemesis.
• You fall in love with every person you make eye contact with.
• You’re a mail order bride arriving at her new home for the first time.
• After you move to a new city, you fall in love with your realtor while buying a new house.
• You realize that you’ve fallen out of love with your new wife while you’re on your honeymoon.
• You and your best friends decide to try a new dating app for the first time.
• At your friend’s urging, you begrudgingly attend a Valentine’s Day speed dating event. (Reedsy)
• Every day, you return to your apartment and say, “Honey, I’m home. Oh wait, that’s right… I live alone.” But then one day, a voice replies, “I picked up some pizza.” (Reedsy)
• Cupid offers to shoot an arrow into the person you love. He warns you that if the person already has a pre-existing affection towards you, it will disappear when the arrow strikes. (Reedsy)
• You meet your doppelganger of the opposite sex and find you are strangely attracted to each other. (Reedsy)
• Write a romantic comedy. Difficulty: both lovers are emotionally mature and have excellent communication skills. (Reedsy)
• In the future, romantic attraction is literal: each person is fitted with an electromagnetic bracelet which, they claim, will pull you to your soulmate. It’s the day they turn the magnets on, and you’re waiting. (Reedsy)
• A fortune teller falls in love with their client who has their palm read every month. (Reedsy)
• It wasn’t love at first sight. But now you were starting to see them in a new light… (Reedsy)
• Someone with anxiety falls in love with someone extremely adventurous. (Reedsy)
• The lives of two people are changed forever when they coincidentally meet and engage in a weekend-long affair. (Reedsy)
• They lived in a world where PDA is forbidden. One day, they slipped up and held hands on the street. (Reedsy)
• Two characters who are perfect for one another are foiled by bad timing. (Reedsy)
• Two mortal enemies fall in love when they’re trapped in an elevator together and begin to see the other person’s perspective. (Reedsy)
• Valentine’s Day at a retirement home. (Reedsy)
• Well, that was a New Year’s Eve kiss you won’t forget any time soon. (Reedsy)
• You have the ability to make anyone fall in love with you. You’ve just fallen in love for the first time. Do you use your power? (Reedsy)
• You and your partner finally have the most romantic vacation planned. Problem is, your in-laws decided to tag along at the last minute.
• You never would have guessed that in 48 hours you’d be married. (Reedsy)
• A dog lover and cat lover fall in love… and must find a way to get their animals to fall in love, too.
• You’ve been bumping into the same stranger for months. Finally, you decide to say hello. (Reedsy)
• They might have aged 50 years, but when they held you, those hands felt exactly like they did the first time. (Reedsy)
• An avalanche strands two mortal enemies together… and they start to fall in love.

What are some science fiction writing prompts?

• You wake up one morning to find out that you get to move to any planet of your choosing.
• Your wife is a droid.
• Every day, you get one hour to revisit any moment from your life. What do you pick?
• Gravity no longer exists.
• You are chosen to go on the first ever recreational space journey.
• After people die, their spirits can be brought back from death but at the cost of one random human life. Is it worth it?
• Everyone in the world has the ability to read thoughts. Except for one person.
• You have to power to build one separate planet. How do you build it? Who gets to live there?
• What team do you gather to fight the largest alien and terrorist threat on Earth?
• The world is dying. In order to save it, you’ve been commanded to sacrifice yourself to an invading alien group.
• You are the first person able to breathe in outer space.
• A rare form of cancer is the newest superbug. With a team of scientists, you all must find a cure before the population is wiped out.
• Human beings begin to find themselves growing extra limbs as global warming amps up.
• It turns out humans have been the aliens all along.
• You are in charge of a secretive government agency that aligns people’s fates. Their livelihood is entirely up to you and what you want to do with it.
• Technology becomes illegal.
• All plant life on the planet is wiped out, except for in Florida.
• You are one of the mechanics on the first ever self-flying airplane.
• Walking through the woods one day, you come across a small animal that has the ability to instantaneously clone itself.
• Your whole family has fought in the space military, but you’ve decided to no longer take part in it.
• In an alternate universe where global warming has ruined the planet, you’ve spent your entire life living in an airplane on autopilot.
• You’re a 15-year-old in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. However, a cure has been found that not only rids the infected person of the virus before they turn but prevents it altogether. Only one problem… Your parents are anti-vaxxers. (@writing.prompt.s)
• Nasa engineers monitor the curiosity rover’s actions. All seems normal until the robot suddenly changes its course. The scientists attempt to correct it over and over until they suddenly receive a transmission from the rover: “Will Save Oppy” (@writing.prompt.s)
• What if a nuclear submarine was ordered to launch their nuclear arsenal onto the world? (Screencraft)
• What if the world we live in is actually a computer simulation? (Screencraft)
• What if the past and present timelines began to merge? (Screencraft)
• What if your stepfather or stepmother is actually your future self? (Screencraft)
• What if the sun began to die? (Screencraft)
• What if the universe as we know it is actually someone’s imagination? (Screencraft)
• Everyone on earth begins to experience universal amnesia.
• The year is 2200. What does the world look like to you?
• In the future, we no longer require water, air, or food. We are a super efficient team of robots.
• What do you think happens when the grid goes down?
• Describe your perfect utopian world.
• Your penpal lives on the opposite side of the universe.
• Aliens who only communicate with sign language invade. To avoid war, our governments must engage a vastly marginalized portion of the human population: the hearing-impaired. (The Write Practice)
• A rogue planet with strange properties collides with our sun, and after it’s all over, worldwide temperature falls forty degrees. Write from the perspective of a someone trying to keep his tropical fruit trees alive. (The Write Practice)
• Ever read about the world’s loneliest whale? Write a story in which he’s actually the survivor of an aquatic alien species which crashed here eons ago, and he’s trying very hard to learn the “local” whale language so he can fit in. Write from his perspective the first time he makes contact. (The Write Practice)
• An alien planet starts receiving bizarre audio transmissions from another world (spoiler: they’re from Earth). What does it mean? Are they under attack? Some think so…until classic rock ‘n’ roll hits the airwaves, and these aliens discover dancing. Write from the perspective of the teenaged alien who first figures it out. (The Write Practice)
• Take anything we find normal today (shopping malls, infomercials, products to remove facial hair, etc.) and write a story from the perspective of an archeologist five thousand years in the future who just unearthed this stuff, has NO idea what any of it was for, and has to give a speech in an hour explaining the historical/religious/sociological significance. (The Write Practice)
• House cats are aliens who have succeeded in their plan to rule the world. Discuss.
• A high schooler from fifteen hundred years in our future is assigned a one-page writing project on a twenty-first century person’s life based entirely on TV commercials. Write the beginning of the essay. (The Write Practice)
• Time travel works, but only once in a person’s life. Write from the perspective of someone who chooses to go back in time, knowing they can never return. Where do they go and why? (The Write Practice)
• So yeah, ancient Egypt really was “all that” after all, and the pyramids turn out to be fully functional spaceships (the limestone was to preserve the electronics hidden inside). Write from the perspective of the tourist who accidentally turns one on. (The Write Practice)
• Ten years from now, scientists figure out how to stop human aging and extend life indefinitely—but every time someone qualifies for that boost, someone else has to die to keep the surplus population in check. Oh, it’s all very humane; one’s descendants get a huge paycheck. Write from the perspective of someone who just got a letter in the mail saying they’re the one who has to die. (The Write Practice)
• In the future, neural implants translate music into physical pleasure, and earphones (“jacking in”) are now the drug of choice. Write either from the perspective of a music addict, OR the Sonforce agent (sonance + enforcer) who has the job of cracking down. (The Write Practice)
• It’s the year 5000. Our planet was wrecked in the great Crisis of 3500, and remaining human civilization survives only in a half dozen giant domed cities. There are two unbreakable rules: strict adherence to Life Quality (recycling doesn’t even begin to cover these laws), and a complete ban on reproduction (only the “worthy” are permitted to create new humans). Write from the perspective of a young woman who just discovered she’s been chosen to reproduce—but she has no interest in being a mother. (The Write Practice)
• In the nineteenth century, there’s a thriving trade in stolen archeological artifacts. Write a story from the perspective of an annoyed, minimum-wage employee whose job is traveling back in time to obtain otherwise unobtainable artifacts, then has to bring them back to the present (the 1800s, that is) and artificially age them before they will sell. (The Write Practice)
• Steampunk! Write a story from the perspective of a hot air balloon operator who caters to folks who like a little thrill… which means she spends half her time in the air shooting down pterodactyls before the paying customers get TOO scared. (The Write Practice)
• Creation myth! Write from the perspective of a crazy scientist in the year 28,000 who, determined to discover how the universe began, rigs up a malfunctioning time machine, goes to the “beginning” of the universe, and ends up being the reason for the Big Bang. (Logic? Causal effect? Pfft. Hush, it’s time-travel, and that was never logical.) (The Write Practice)

What are some fantasy and paranormal writing prompts?

• A mysterious creature speaks to you in your dreams and tells you that when you awake, you will have the ability to see into another realm.
• Your pet dragon transforms into a person.
• You are gifted with the strongest, most elusive sword in the kingdom, but if you use it you will never be able to speak again.
• A magical world exists underground. To get there, you’ll need to start digging.
• You wake up and find out that you’re the only living person left on the planet.
• On her deathbed, your grandmother tells you that there’s a hidden treasure buried in her backyard. The family has been trying to locate it for decades. It’s up to you to finally find it.
• The ocean becomes the sky.
• You must save your kingdom from ruin by learning how to breathe fire.
• You have the power to read the lost language, making you the only person to decipher the scroll.
• Fairies are tired of being used for free labor.
• Your favorite fairy tale is now set in 2019.
• You are kidnapped by a knight who demands your assistance in sleighing the city’s most dangerous dragon.
• A man and his wife own the largest potion store in town. Little do the townspeople know, but they’re all being slowly poisoned by the potions.
• A magical toad begins talking to you, but you’re the only person who can hear him.
• You come into possession of a ring that can change the weather to whatever you decide.
• You’re selected to take part in a secretive, underground magic university… but you have to kill someone to go.
• You wake up to find yourself a member of King Arthur’s Round Table.
• An underwater society decides to overtake the world.
• Regular person by day, a shape shifter by night.
• Satan puts you in charge of Hell.
• You are the king. After your daughter was kidnapped by a dragon, you offered the standard reward to whoever rescued her. You weren’t expecting a different dragon to rescue her. (@writing.prompt.s)
• A woman has been dating guy after guy, but it never seems to work out. She’s unaware that she’s actually been dating the same guy over and over; a shapeshifter who’s fallen for her and is certain he’s going to get it right this time.  (@writing.prompt.s)
• The cocky main character of a popular book is sent to the real world. He is shocked to find that the fans of his book not only like the villain more but favor his side kick over him. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You’re an immortal who lives at a beach resort. You have many summer flings with mortals on getaways. One day you see someone you had a hot romantic night with 50 years ago. They look exactly the same. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The stars have been watching you your whole life, as you laughed and cried, loved and suffered. Today, you’re finally going to do something that none of them can bear to watch. They blink out, the whole night sky turning dark, just as you’re about to do it. (@writing.prompt.s)
• A lord takes a fancy to a peasant girl and kidnaps her for his own. Little does he know that she’s a trained assassin who has been preparing to take his life for years. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You are the last person on Earth, and you are able to make one wish. What do you wish for?
• You and your family are on a hike when you stumble upon a group of witches in the forest, in the midst of casting spells.
• You have the power to transform into whatever mystical creature you choose.
• You and your ghost best friend are an infamous crime-solving team.
• No, there’s absolutely no way that ghosts are real. Sure, you just saw a mysterious fuzzy figure you appear before you in your house, but that had to be your imagination… right?
• You’re the one human who is capable of seeing ghosts. It’s up to you to save them from being removed from the human world for good.
• You were born to be a villain, but you find yourself leaning more and more towards the good as you get older.
• Spend some time working on world building. How can you create a believable fantasy world that readers can picture clearly? What types of characters does your world include?
• Dream up your own, one-of-a-kind mythical race.
• You and your adventurous crew on a quest for the old King’s hidden gold. Just one problem – so is the rest of your village.
• 10 cm of snow had fallen overnight, just as the weatherman predicted. The only thing is… the snow isn’t white. (Reedsy)
• You start realizing that at least one aspect of every dream you have comes true the next day. (Reedsy)
• You can buy a pill that lets you decide exactly what you will dream about while you sleep. (Reedsy)
• You find a polaroid camera that seems to predict the future: its pictures show what will happen exactly 5 minutes from the moment you take them. (Reedsy)
• You were on your way to see a doctor who promised to know the secret to making yourself fall out of love with someone. (Reedsy)
• Write a story that includes a character hearing their fate by a fortune teller. (Reedsy)
• As a joke, you put on a tinfoil hat. Suddenly your mind goes completely silent. (Reedsy)
• Silence is now literally golden. For every day of total silence a person completes, they receive a piece of gold. (Reedsy)
• A new candy had been invented that allowed the person who ate it to relive any memory they wanted. There was a lineup outside the shop. (Reedsy)
• It’s 1AM at night. But the sun is out. (Reedsy)
• You wake up 10 years younger. What do you do? (Reedsy)
• I wish I could skip next week, you think as you get into bed that night. In the morning, you wake up 100 years in the future. (Reesy)
• They found out about us. They’re coming. They were the words the kingdom had feared hearing for thousands of years. (Reedsy)
• A group of scientists on a submarine are alarmed when they spot what looks like a functioning lighthouse at the bottom of the ocean. (Reedsy)

What are some general fiction writing prompts?

• You’re chasing your dream of being the first person to fly.
• Coffee is illegal and you have to single handedly smuggle it into the country.
• You have to get to the bottom of your family’s deepest secret.
• What was the strangest thing you’ve ever seen in public?
• Detail the life of the person who inspires you the most.
• Imagine what would happen if you woke up one morning unable to see, speak, or hear.
• Think about what you are most proud of. Follow the story of how you got to that point.
• By way of a lottery system, the king chooses you to be his queen.
• Use five points of view to describe one situation.
• Describe the life of a struggling author attempting to make it “big.”
• Tell the story of one woman on the mission to find her lost biological daughter.
• Your dream is to open a restaurant and be a top chef, but how can you do that when you were born without taste buds?
• You’ve just returned home from war only to find your family missing without a trace.
• A famous shoe designer asks you to quit your job and be his latest model.
• You have the power to create, and star in, your own reality show. What does it look like?
• The dark family secret that’s always been hidden comes to light.
• As an 80-year-old, you decide to finally learn how to swim so you can participate in a triathlon.
• Write a scene detailing your greatest fear. Now imagine that has come true for your character.
• What’s the greatest advice you’ve ever been given? What if you lived solely according to it?
• You live in a world with no stress and fear.
• Death has been flirting with you for a long time, but they’ve become a bit annoying. After another attempting to hang out with you again, you jokingly tell them, “If I was the last person on Earth, I’d maybe give you a chance.” Death believes you and will double their efforts.
• When people are born, they are assigned a soulmate. They have a song in their head that only them and their soulmate know. How do you find your soulmate? (@writing.prompt.s)
• Write a story about a character waking up to something absurd. (Reedsy)
• Write a story about a character waking up to the best news of their life. (Reedsy)
• Write a short story with an unreliable narrator that readers can never quite trust. (Reedsy)
• Write a short story in which the main “character” is the setting: for example, a house. (Reedsy)
• Write a story about someone who would be described, above all else, as honest. Or kind. Or intelligent. (Reedsy)
• Using only dialogue, write a short story about a first date, a reunion between old friends, an argument that gets heated, an adult explaining something to a child, or the reveal of a long-hidden secret. (Reedsy)
• Imagine telling the story of a professional hypnotizer. (Reedsy)
• Tell a story through text messages.
• Tell the story of what you would do if you won the lottery.
• Write your own obituary.
• Tell a story from your favorite era.
• Imagine how you would help solve the greatest challenges that the world faces. What would your plan be?
• What would a world be like with no poverty? What would change? What would stay the same?
• Tell the story of the first time that you learned to do something really well.
• Imagine what it would be like to be a pop star.
• Tell a story through song.
• Write from the perspective of your worst enemy.
• Tell a story using only one sense – seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or touching.
• After years on the job search, you’ve finally gotten your dream job – but it changes you for the worst.
• You own a tiny mom and pops-type store that you run with your family.
• The worst thing that you could imagine happening happens.
• You’re the judge of the annual pie contest in your hometown but, unbeknownst to you, one of the pies is poisoned.
• You go on a road trip to visit your late father’s grave.
• Tell the story of seeing the ocean for the first time. Or the last.
• You’re allergic to oxygen.
• Imagine what would happen if every person in the world woke up in a good mood every day.
• You’re put in charge of taking care of your elderly grandmother towards the end of her life.
• You get one chance to talk to any person in the world. Who do you choose?

What are some religion and spirituality writing prompts?

• What makes you believe in God?
• God speaks directly to you – what does He say?
• What do you find to be most beautiful in the world?
• You get to build a religion of your own. What do you make it into?
• You must live every single day according to a holy text of your choice. What happens?
• Explore what it means to be religious versus spiritual.
• What helps you meditate?
• What is the greatest wisdom that you would like to impart on the world?
• Who is one religious figure you would like to have dinner with? What do you talk to them about?
• Describe your idea of heaven.
• Detail your favorite story in the holy text of your choosing.
• You live in a world where no Gods exist.
• What does karma mean to you?
• What would your ideal world look like?
• You have the power to make every single person in the world ether religious or nonreligious. What do you do? What changes about the world?
• What makes you a religious or spiritual person?
• Describe what a church means to you. Have you had positive or negative experiences in a church?
• Write a poem about your religious path in life.
• Write a religious comedy.
• What happens when a priest decides he doesn’t want to be a priest anymore?
• Think about what morality means to you.
• What is the difference in good versus evil? How do you know?
• How does one know what is innately good?
• What makes you religious?
• What makes you non religious?
• Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has completely opposite spiritual or religious views from you. Why do they think a certain way?
• Describe what your childhood views in spirituality or religion were.
• What do you hope your religious or spirituality path to look like as you age?
• How would you advise someone to strengthen their faith?
• If you could talk to God, what would you want to say?
• The Southern Baptist Convention elects its first woman president, though she is subsequently removed from the position due to an obscure rule. In protest, every woman leaves the Southern Baptist denomination to form an independent, women-only sect of Baptists.
• God needs a vacation from heaven, so he comes to earth to experience life as a dog. He is captured by animal control and is impounded, and you adopt god-the-dog after a tragedy that makes you question your faith.
• An opiate addict going through severe withdrawal symptoms has a conversation with the Buddha – what did they talk about, and was it the result of a fever dream, or a spiritual awakening?
• You record a video that seemingly shows a woman walking on water at a small rural pond. The video goes viral as proof that Jesus has returned, and Christians begin to wonder if Christ was the Daughter, not the Son, of God.
• A secular Jew and a devout Muslim debate food and faith on a train from Quebec to Montreal.
• What are your personal ten commandments?
• When was a specific moment where you felt a “divine presence” in your life?
• Have you ever felt like you’ve experienced a glimpse into the afterlife?
• What form do you think the afterlife will take, if you believe that it exists?
• Have you ever had an out of body experience?
• William Blake, famous British poet, thought that to love was to be in tune with the divine. Do you think this is true? How have you experienced divine love?
• How have you experienced the divine through love?
• Emanuel Swedenborg believed that there was a soulmate for every person, and that you couldn’t get into heaven until your soul mate had also passed away. Do you believe in the concept of soul mates?
• Do you believe in reincarnation?
• What would reincarnation look like to you?
• Some religions believe that animals and plants have souls. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
• Describe a particularly spiritual moment in your life. What were you doing? Were you by yourself or with someone else?
• What is your most taboo religious belief?
• Some religions believe that human beings could never truly represent a higher power in art. Do you agree with this? What is an example of art or words that you feel represent the higher power?
• What are your thoughts on love languages?

What are some travel and adventure writing prompts?

• Write about your favorite vacation.
• What culture interests you the most?
• You get lost in a foreign city with no cell phone and no money. What do you do?
• Your favorite chef asks you to join them on a culinary tour of the world.
• What country have you always dreamt of traveling to?
• What’s your dream vacation?
• Tell the story of the worst traveling experience of your life.
• A country of your choosing fuses with North America.
• You and your best friends go on a road trip across America, with no budget and for however long you want.
• You are asked to review a luxury hotel on the beach.
• You are forced to leave your home and move to a remote foreign country. What do you pack with you?
• What about traveling excites you?
• Go back in time to the era of your choosing and describe how you live.
• Rate your top five favorite places in the world. What do you like about each place? What do you dislike?
• If you could have any travel-related job in the world, what would it be?
• You and your partner are kidnapped on your honeymoon.
• Describe a 100-day walking journey around your state.
• Imagine if you had never left your home in your entire life and then were forced to go outside and never come back to your house.
• What do you say to your family in a postcard from a new location?
• Describe what it’s like to sit in rush hour traffic in one of the busiest cities in the world.
• A journey to a new location is disrupted by natural disaster.
• Describe what it’s like to travel with a crippling fear of airplanes.
• What is it that you love about traveling? Explore that feeling.
• What is frightening about traveling? Explore that feeling.
• What stories would you most like to share about the town that you’re from?
• You have the opportunity to move anywhere in the world. Where do you choose?
• Explore what your travels in Asia have been like.
• Explore what your travels in Europe have been like.
• Explore what your travels in South America have been like.
• Explore what your travels in North America have been like.
• Explore what your travels in Africa have been like.
• What is the most unusual place you’d like to travel?
• What do you think is most misunderstood about the culture of your home country?
• What cultural norms are you most interested in exploring from foreign countries?
• Describe the foreign foods that you most want to try.
• Imagine that you are a successful chef in a foreign city.
• Describe a time when you have been excited to explore a new place.
• What is the most beautiful image that you have ever seen while traveling?
• You get to go to any museum in the world. Which one do you choose?
• What is your greatest horror story from traveling?
• What is your happiest story from traveling?
• Picture yourself on a foreign vacation with a person of your choosing. What do you do?
• If you had to move to a foreign country tomorrow, what five items would you pack with you?
• Set the scene for a beautiful beach that you have never traveled to.
• Set the scene for a gorgeous castle that you have never traveled to.
• A three day visit to Budapest becomes a maritime adventure down the Danube River to the Black Sea.
• You are a sales representative for a roulette table manufacturer. While visiting the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino for work, you decide to discard all your possessions, cash out your minimal savings, and hike the Mountains-to-Sea trail from Clingmans Dome to the Ocracoke Lighthouse.
• While en route to visit your college roommate in Kyoto, Japan you meet a stranger at Tan Son Nhat International Airport who needs your help finding a prophetic monk hiding from persecution in Saigon.
• You have to make it from Cairo to Alexandria (Egypt). You have no money. Your only mode of transport is a temperamental camel.
• In a high-stakes game of poker in the French Quarter, you wagered your soul to a voodoo doctor on a pretty bad hand. The only way to null the bet is to find a woman in Port-au-Prince, Haiti who has an item – the only  item – the man is willing to trade for.

What are some horror writing prompts?

• You wake up to a world in which all prisons are shut down, releasing dangerous prisoners into your neighborhood.
• A masked stranger appears at your front door with a knife.
• A random number texts you saying, “Don’t forget, you’re next.”
• Someone knocks at your door. You open it to find your deceased grandfather who has come back from the dead to pay you a visit. What does he want?
• Animals take over the world.
• Strange murmuring sounds being to come from the door that leads to your basement.
• While watching the evening news, the anchor looks directly at the camera and begins screaming before the camera cuts to black.
• A polar vortex freezes the entire planet.
• Whatever building you enter, you can see all of the people who died there.
• You wake up in a strange room, tied to a chair, with a single knife on the floor pointed at you.
• A chilling voice appears in your head. It won’t go away. One day, it tells you that you have to run.
• The old cuckoo clock at your grandmother’s home is haunted.
• You’re driving at night when you can’t help but shake the feeling that there’s a person in your back seat.
• One day, while you’re in the shower, you hear your front door open and close. “Hey, roomie, I’m home!” Someone shouts. You don’t have a roommate.
• A strange man living down the street begins leaving presents at your doorstep.
• The cruise ship is haunted.
• While working at a clothing store, you’re closing up the shop for the night when you see five men walk in through the front door and lock it behind them.
• You’re in the middle of a bank robbery – hiding in the bathroom.
• Your dog won’t stop barking at a sunken spot in your living room floor.
• For the last few days, you’ve been getting ominous messages written in blood on your bathroom mirror. Turns out, they’re from an awkward ghost with a serious crush on you. (@writing.prompt.s)
• The reason no one has ever seen the real Santa Claus is because everyone who sees him dies. You just saw him and now you need to survive. (@writing.prompt.s)
• You wake up bound to an electric chair, moments before your imminent death.
• A woman afraid of clowns is forced to work in a travelling circus. (Screencraft)
• A treasure hunter finds a tomb buried beneath the dirt. (Screencraft)
• A bartender serves last call to the only remaining patron who is the Devil himself. (Screencraft)
• A boy’s stepfather is actually a murderous werewolf. (Screencraft)
• A man wakes up with no mouth. (Screencraft)
• Deceased soldiers return to their Civil War-era homes. (Screencraft)
• Suburbia is actually purgatory. (Screencraft)
• A man suffers from sleep paralysis at the worst possible time. (Screencraft)
• A man murders his wife while sleepwalking.
• What appears to be a ghost approaches your car while you’re waiting at a stoplight.
• It’s late at night, and you hear footsteps in the cellar—but you’re definitely home alone… or so you thought. (The Write Practice)
• You’ve put that doll in the cabinet, in the closet, in the attic, but no matter where you tuck it, it always shows back up on the sofa. On Halloween night, you come out to find it watching you… (The Write Practice)
• A bad-tempered businessman is driving home after a long day of work. He thinks he sees his kids trick-or-treating and stops to pick them up—but those aren’t costumes. (The Write Practice)
• A young woman goes to her grandmother’s house for tea on Halloween night. They have a wonderful time together, sharing stories, joy, and the best times of family. The next day, the woman learns her grandmother has been dead for a week and no one could get ahold of her to tell her. (The Write Practice)
• Aliens have just landed on Earth—and boy, did they pick a weird day to come. How do they respond to Halloween, supernatural or otherwise? Do they decide this place is just too bizarre and get the heck out . . . or do they stick around and join in the fun? (The Write Practice)
• On Halloween night, lovers get to come back and spend the evening together one more time. One couple from the Roaring Twenties decides to come back from the grave to help their extreme nerd great-grandchild or the kid will never get married. (The Practice)
• A little boy’s lost in the woods, but at least his faithful dog is with him. As they look for the way out, the dog defends his master against terrifying monsters and animals. Finally, the boy arrives safely on the other side, beautiful green field, no more fog or night. Then the dog goes home . . . where his owner, the little boy, has died. The good doggy guarded him all the way to his final rest. (The Write Practice)
• You wake up in the middle of the night to see a dark figure crawling across your floor.
• Moments after taking off for a flight, the entire plane begins to shake dramatically. The pilot comes on the speaker and says, “This is very bad.”
• You awake in a dark, small box and can hear strange noises outside.
• Several weeks after buying your dream house, you start getting strange letters delivered in the mail warning you to move out.
• Your dog has been acting very strangely recently. Some would say… almost human.
• You stumble across a website that contains clues to some very disturbing crimes.
• As you’re settling in to bed for the night, you hear an unusual scratching sound at your bedroom window.
• You’re on vacation in a new city for the first time. As you walk down a busy boulevard, you suddenly look up to realize you have no idea where you are or how you got there. Come to think of it, you don’t even know who you are.
• On your way to work, you notice that no one is driving on roads. The busy rush hour traffic is nonexistent, and there are no people walking around, either. It’s just you. What’s going on?
• You discover, much too late, that your downstairs neighbor is a cannibal.
• During a renovation of your home, you and your spouse find human remains underneath your back porch – a crime that you are now being charged with.

What are some children’s writing prompts?

• Your dog begins speaking in a human voice one morning.
• The sky turns purple.
• Your best friend’s head turns into a mushroom.
• Dinosaurs come back to earth.
• You and your family rescue a turtle who was hit by a car and nurse him back to health.
• You turn into a goldfish.
• What would happen if you could turn any food into cotton candy?
• Rain turns into soda.
• Your family adopts a pet monkey.
• The new kid at school wants to be your friend, but you’re very shy.
• You and your boy scout troop get lost in the middle of the forest.
• Your parents tell you they’ll give you $20 if you eat your vegetables with every dinner. Do you do it?
• Write about a special memory from your childhood.
• What parent were you closest do? What are some of your favorite memories of spending time with them?
• Write about yourself at age five.
• Write about yourself at age ten.
• What was your greatest dream when you were a child?
• Write about your favorite childhood pet.
• Get inspiration for your writing by thinking about a vacation you took as a child.
• What would happen if you woke up one day and kids ruled the world?
• Tell the story of a child who has just transferred to a new school.
• Tell the story of a platypus.
• Imagine running away with a group of your childhood best friends – where would you go?
• Dream up your own imaginary world.
• Children’s books are known for their fun and creativity. What’s the craziest, kookiest new breed of animal you can imagine?
• Give advice to new parents.
• Give advice to your younger self.
• Imagine what it would be like to live in a world where instead of taking the school bus, you ride a dragon to classes!
• Write about your favorite childhood game.
• Tell the story of a family who decides to hire a new babysitter or nanny.
• Your parents tell you one day that you’re going to be a big sister – but you really like being the only child!
• If the world could be any color, what would you want it to be?
• If you could taste a specific flavor any time you ate something, what would you want it to be?
• Describe a trip to the zoo with your class.
• You and your best friends get to leave school to have lunch anywhere in town. Pizza, candy – anything! Tell the story of where you go.
• Tell the story of your first time at summer camp.
• Tell the story of your first time away from home.
• What if we lived in a world where kids were treated like adults? And adults were treated like kids?
• Take a spin at your very own Dr. Suess-esque book and use rhymes to tell a kooky, crazy story!
• You’re in charge of babysitting your little sibling for the first time.
• You decide to run away from home – what are some of the challenges that you face?
• Picture a world where everything is upside down! What’s life like for you?
• Write a book advising children on how to overcome adversity.
• Write a book advising children on how to be a good friend.
• Write a book advising children on how to be a kind sibling.
• Bobby the Bunny wants to make friends with a fox pup who recently lost its family.
• A giraffe and an ostrich live together in a zoo, where they bond over similar neck characteristics and learn how to play one another’s games.
• A dragon wants to be loved and befriended, but every time he farts, fire erupts from his rear end.
• Bruce the German Shepherd loves to run through the woods with his human. When he and his human get separated from one another, Bruce has to learn from his forest friends how to get back home.
• Tell the story of the tooth fairy… Imagine that she just started her job and has to be trained.

What are some young adult writing prompts?

• It’s your first day of middle school. But when you’re half human, half dragon, that makes things a little tough.
• What happens when you begin working at the same yogurt shop as your crush?
• Both of your parents die in a car accident, leaving you an orphan who gets shipped off to your mysterious aunt’s house in Europe.
• One day you find out that you never have to return to high school. What do you decide to do instead?
• You’re chosen to go on a school trip to Africa where you’ll be helping to build wells. You’ve never been out of the country, though, and are worried.
• Your mom disappears one day, and you never see her again.
• Tell the story of the best high school summer of your life.
• Your boyfriend gets in a horrible car accident and ends up in the ICU. Another girl is found in the car with him, too – but she died. Who is she?
• You find out that your brother is adopted.
• During her freshman year of college, she found out that people in her dorm started to disappear. Almost from thin air.
• A group of high school freshmen learn that the teachers and administrators at their boarding school are actually human like AI working towards the Singularity and human enslavement. If they don’t act fast, the robots win.
• A group of at-risk teenagers are on an overnight camping trip with a wilderness counseling group in Badlands National Park when an arctic blast forces them out of a blizzard and into a cave. On day three, their counselors go out in search for help – and never return.
• Your high school sweetheart dumps you suddenly because of something you posted on social media. But you didn’t post it, and you have to figure out just how different – and difficult – your life is now that you’ve been hacked.
• Imagine that the world is run amok with vampires. Or zombies. Or authoritarian dictatorships in a dystopian future.
• In the near future, climate change has led to the extinction of butterfly and bee pollinators. A small group of teen geniuses band together to develop autonomous, robotic insects to replicate the functions of insect pollination before the global food shortage turns from disastrous to extinction-level.
• You find out that your best friend’s dad is responsible for the growing number of missing people in your hometown. How do you get everyone to believe you?
• You did it – after years of hard work and try outs, you finally won the coveted spot on the football team. But here’s the thing – you’re the first girl to ever play.
• One night you wake up to find yourself levitating over your bed. The next morning, strange wings start to grow from your shoulders. Are you turning into some sort of mystical bird?
• It was pretty freaky to wake up for school one morning, only to see that my parents were literally frozen into blocks of ice in the kitchen. Even freakier? Every adult in town is frozen solid, too.
• A boy pursues his list of wildly ambitious New Year’s resolutions, with hilarious and touching results. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl on the swim team transforms into a part-time mermaid. (Bryn Donovan)
• A group of “outsiders” become a clique that eventually excludes others. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl’s favorite author plagiarizes her fanfiction. (Bryn Donovan)
• A boy learns who believed his sister died finds out she’s very much alive. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teenager’s best friend goes missing—and is widely believed to be the murderer of a family member. (Bryn Donovan)
• Two teens begin to write a fantasy novel together and then cross over into the world they’ve created. (Bryn Donovan)
• In a dystopian future, college admissions boards have access to video footage of students’ entire lives. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl always hangs out at a particular little nook at the library. Then the same boy starts taking the space every day. (Bryn Donovan)
• A boy learns something terrible about his parents.(Bryn Donovan)
• In a modern-day Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, three girls ditch class for a day filled with adventures. (Bryn Donovan)
• 35. A girl who wants to be a virgin until she gets married faces social pressure about her decision. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teen gains the ability to take the form of any other person she chooses. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl’s science fair project yields results that attract the government’s attention. (Bryn Donovan)
• A teen’s suspicions about a teacher lead him to conduct a private investigation. (Bryn Donovan)
• A girl struggles with the decision to tell authorities about what the star quarterback did. (Bryn Donovan)
• Soon after a boy was born, his father went missing. Now, a skeleton has been discovered in the basement of their former home. (Bryn Donovan)
• You check out a book from the library and discover that it’s telling the story of your life. Do you decide to read ahead and find out what happens, or let it be a surprise?
• Your beloved dog goes missing, resulting in a cross-country chase to reunite her with your family.
• Put yourself in your favorite anime or manga series. What type of character would you play?
• You and your best friends have been playing in a band in your mom’s garage for years. Now you’ve gotten discovered by a major Hollywood scout, but they only want you to go on to fame.
• Some friends go to an escape room only to discover it’s being run by one of the most elusive serial killers in history.
• After going to see the circus with your parents, you decide to run away to join the troupe. What act do you take on?
• What would you tell your younger self as a teenager? What do you wish you had done differently, or not done at all?
• What would your younger self tell you now? What would they think about your life?
• Tell the story of someone who switches places with themself as a 14-year-old.
• Think Princess Diaries – you’ve just found out you’re part royal with a massive inheritance to look forward to. What changes about your life?
• A small spaceship crash lands in your backyard with nothing inside but an instruction manual on how to rebuild the aircraft. Do you take it back into space?
• You have the power to shift into whatever creature you want – bear, wolf, etc. When do you choose to utilize your powers?
• What would happen if you changed places with a rockstar?
• Your big brother has always been the more successful, studious one of the family. You’ve finally got a chance to prove yourself and one up him – how do you do it?

How to use AI for writing prompts?

While that list was extensive, we understand that authors might need more specific prompts. For example, maybe your prompt needs to include exact examples and a more tailored answer specifically for your characters and story. That’s where Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT can be useful.

By engaging with ChatGPT in a conversation, users can specify their preferences and receive prompts that align with their interests. Whether you’re seeking prompts for fiction, non-fiction, or even poetry, ChatGPT can inspire and spark ideas that you may not have considered otherwise.

With its ability to understand context and generate coherent text, ChatGPT writing prompts can be a valuable tool for writers of all levels.

Some example questions authors can use in ChatGPT to create specific writing prompts include: “I’m looking for a fantasy prompt set in a magical forest with a protagonist on a quest for a lost artifact.” or “I need a mystery prompt set in a small town where a series of strange occurrences unravel a dark secret. Can you provide a compelling scenario?” You could even use some of the 500 prompts above and add them to ChatGPT and ask it to create some similar variations. The possibilities are endless!

There you have it, we hope these 500 writing prompts help you on your way to publishing your next book . For more resources on self-publishing, book marketing, and general indie author trends, make sure you check out these resources . You can also sign up for our free author newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news.

Note: This blog post was updated on 4/25/2024

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49 comments on “ 500 writing prompts to help beat writer’s block ”.

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Thanks for sharing the prompt ideas! I am thinking to start writing a book since a long time. But I wasn’t getting any good heads. Your article has helped to understand my area of interest, especially in which I can write a book successfully.

very nice story I like it

Writer’s doubts never end here is a way to solve this issue with 500 writing prompts. It is such a research based and praiseworthy blog, it is a must read. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative for us.

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With all 500 of these, I should have no trouble finding something to write about. Thanks so much for these prompts.

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My friends and I are doing a competition to see who is the best FANTASY writer. Here’s the catch, you need to include twins, homeless people and abused animals in your story. Plz help???

Hi Ebony! Maybe try a slightly post-apocalyptic slant? I know that subgenre can veer on Science Fiction (instead of Fantasy) but you could definitely apply those required themes to a post-apoc story.

Urban fantasy set in a modern day. The protagonist is a homeless person who has a pet dove-griffin (also called winged rats). One day, he is assaulted and they take his companion, leaving him for dead. He survives, and uses his background as a hunter to track down the people who wronged him, stumbling in the process upon a ring of fantasy animal traffickers called the Chain of Cerberus, which is ruled by three brothers, triplets. He has to fight against all odds using his skills and save his only friend and companion.

The secret motivation for the protagonist is atonement for his past as a hunter, since he helped rich people (like the Triplets) to capture the fantastic animals they were after.

I call it ‘Fantasy John Wick’

Thank you for sharing such a wealth of prompts! These are fantastic. What a tough job to choose 500! If you’re interested in more open-ended prompts (just to switch it up), check out my instagram for (almost) daily writing prompts as well: @sharp.writer .

This is the complete list of writing prompts over the internet. Thanks for sharing.

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SoI made like a short script bit of a prompt like the one bout you looking in a mirror to see something that does not look like you.

Its 5 o’clock in the morning. As I came out of my cream sheets with speckles of generally grey all around, I fixed my bed. From patting down pillows to rearranging my duvet for the most part placing my silk pretty black blanket to definitely finish it off. I basically was heading for the fridge to get the creamer for coffee when I stared into the actually metal fridge looking for my reflection but instead kind of found that something looking back at me and it was not my reflection, which really is quite weird. Its kind of looked nothing like me, or so I thought. I really tried to really come up with excuses; I am in a daze, I am still half-asleep, I for the most part am asleep. IT CAN’T BE. I said, until I saw that it can. But that thing in the mirror particularly was scaring me because it stared back at me and it was waving now in a kind of like I AM WATCHING YOU kind of way. but before I could do anything it….

I found your blog very helpful in my writing project someday. Thank you for sharing your wonderful article.

I’m so glad this was helpful to you, Monique. You’re very welcome!

I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!

You’re very welcome, Patricia!

i need to do a story in which the main character is a demigod (as in percy jackson yknow) and i don’t know what to write.

Here’s one you might enjoy , Anika! Found on the #demigod prompts Tumblr page.

This is an excellent list of prompts! For me, though, I don’t lack story ideas or character scenarios. After plotting out my story, I tend to get stalled after a few chapters or in a particular scene, even when I have a good conflict for the characters to work through. ****** I found this great little book on Amazon called “What Would Your Character Do?” It really helped me because the prompts are designed to get you brainstorming about your character’s next actions when you’re stuck in a scene. I can always find a prompt in the book to get me unstuck! I’ll definitely share this particular list with my writer friends though!

Great recommendation, Jackie! Thanks for sharing

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thank you for these prompts. they really helped with my writer’s block

these are so helpful! I’ve been trying to figure out how to continue my dystopian story for weeks then I found this website! I can’t wait to continue working!

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Thank you so much for compiling such an array of prompts. Reading through these and of course changing them up in my head has me scrambling to write again. Have a Blessed Day!

Was looking for some takes regarding this topic and I found your article quite informative. It has given me a fresh perspective on the topic tackled. Thanks!

What a great list of writing prompts. I have saved this page to share with my writing partner. I am sure we will use some of these.

Hello! I wanted to ask you, if I am allowed to use some of you prompts. (of course I will give credits to you and add a link to this site). I am leader for a community on an app called Amino, it’s quite similar to Instagram, where the member can post some stuff. I wanted to post some writing prompts, since everyone there likes to write. So I wantet do aks, if i can use some of your prompts. (And sorry for my bad english, I have a german community there, since I speak german…)

Absolutely, please feel free to share and we would appreciate linking back!

Of course I do, thank you!

This was so helpful! Every prompt in this article was amazing You’ve really outdone yourself Kelsey!!!!!<3

This is extremely helpful. I am in 2nd year of high school and struggle with writers-block. I decided to do number three in the ‘horror’ section, and the options written in this article are extremely ‘flexible’ — there is a prompt for everyone. Thank you.

These writing prompts are fun! Thanks for putting it all together.

I’ve started several books. None completed, Although a few stories were published in a small town newspaper. A couple of years ago I began a book when the work came to an abrupt end. My husband fell off the roof. Now, after 2 years, I find myself wanting to write, but stymied as how to pick up where I left off. I’ve read your prompts. Some of the fiction, thriller, mystery and prompts in other areas have been true life experiences for me. Now, as I stand in the aftermath of the train that hit me, in need of a battery jump to restart, I have hopefully found a way forward.

I absolutely loved these! Thanks so much! Writing prompts really help me keep the wheels turning.

Thanks so much for these amazing prompts! I had nailed down a genre and topic but needed some help getting down to the nitty gritty specifics. You saved the day (and my essay). Thank you!

I am impressed with your sharing. Helpful for new writers. Thanks for your share.

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Unbeatable listing. A lot of quality and tremendous compilation.

I love these prompts! They help me get started when I’m feeling stuck.

I have all the actual writing material I need, but I am using writing prompts to get myself in the zone for writing. This list is outstanding. It’s a bit of a struggle to stop perusing because there are so many that entice me. I’m pretty sure that many of these will little warm-ups will end up in my Ideas file. Thanks so much for this.

To the prompt about scientists figuring out how to extend life but someone has to die:

The mail held a few worthless ads, nothing to be worried about. But then my heart stopped at the sight of a letter. My hands trembled as I took it out of the box. I wracked my brain for ways to escape. If I never read it, could I claim ignorance? No, it would never work. Shakily I tore open the envelope and unfolded the paper inside. When it began with “We sorrowfully regret to inform you,” I recognized the words from my sister’s letter and the grief came flooding back. Half for her and half for myself. I wasn’t ready to let go of the wonderful life I had. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But it didn’t matter. Getting this letter meant I was going to die, and it also meant that I had no choice.

Just a blurb. Thoughts?

These gave me some great ideas!

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100 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Writing

With this list, you’ll never run out of story ideas again!

By Natasha Khullar Relph

Starting a new project feels like stepping into a world of endless possibilities, yet it can also be like staring into the abyss of the unknown. While the battle between a writer and their blank page is well documented, you don’t have to go to war with your creative self just to get some words on a page.

Creative writing prompts can be the answer to a blocked writer’s prayers, offering story starters and writing ideas to jumpstart your creative thinking. To aid in your efforts, we’ve put together a curated collection of 100 creative writing prompts. From thought-provoking scenarios to whimsical adventures, these prompts are guaranteed to jumpstart your writing, transport you to new worlds, and breathe life into your stories.

What is a writing prompt?

A writing prompt is a specific, often short, phrase, question, or statement designed to stimulate and inspire creative writing. Writing prompts can help you overcome writer’s block , generate new ideas, or simply get your creative juices flowing. You can use them in various forms of writing, including fiction, poetry, journaling, and essay writing, and they vary widely in their content and purpose. Some prompts are open-ended, encouraging writers to explore their thoughts and emotions freely, while others may be more specific, asking you to write about a particular topic or scenario.

Writing prompts serve as creative triggers, helping you to explore new story ideas , develop characters, or practice different writing styles. They can be a valuable tool for both beginners who need writing inspiration and more experienced writers looking to build a writing habit or become better writers through a regular writing practice .

100 creative writing prompts for writers

Fiction writing prompts.

Whether you’re writing adult novels or children’s books, these fiction and short story writing prompts will inspire new worlds and scenarios for your characters to play in as you write your first draft .

• Write a modern-day fairy tale set in a bustling metropolis . Your story should feature a main character who stumbles upon a hidden, magical world within the city. Explore how this discovery changes their life and the challenges they face as they navigate between the ordinary and the extraordinary in the heart of the urban jungle.
• Write a story in which the main character discovers a superpower , but it comes with a mysterious and unexpected side effect. Explore the challenges they face in harnessing their newfound ability while dealing with the consequences of the side effect. How do they adapt and ultimately use their power for good or ill?
• Imagine you stumble upon an ancient, dusty time traveler’s journal in an antique shop. As you flip through its pages, you realize it contains detailed accounts of the past, present, and future. Write a story about the discoveries you make within the journal and how they shape your life and decisions.
• In a post-apocalyptic society, a group of survivors discover a hidden library containing books from every era. Describe their journey to preserve knowledge, as they grapple not only with the challenge of safeguarding these precious texts but also with the moral dilemmas and conflicts that arise when they must decide who has access to this invaluable resource in a world defined by scarcity.
• In a world where people’s dreams become real, a person with chronic nightmares suddenly possesses unimaginable power , forcing them to confront the fine line between their inner demons and the extraordinary possibilities that now lie at their fingertips.
• Write a story set in a future where civilians can take vacations to outer space . Describe the adventures, challenges, and experiences of a family or group of friends as they embark on a journey beyond the earth’s atmosphere for the first time.
• Craft a science fiction tale set in a world where technology has reached unimaginable heights , but human emotions and relationships remain unchanged. Explore how advanced AI, virtual reality, and futuristic inventions impact the characters’ lives, love, and the essence of what it means to be human.
• Write a story that begins with a group of childhood friends building a secret treehouse in the woods. Years later, they reunite as adults to discover that their beloved hideaway holds a mysterious and enchanting secret that will change their lives forever.
• Write a story set in a small American town during the 1950s, capturing the essence of post-war America and the lives of its diverse residents as they navigate love, ambition, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
• Imagine a future where Earth faces an impending catastrophic event, and humanity has initiated a mission to colonize a distant planet . Write a story from the perspective of one astronaut on this interstellar journey, capturing the emotions, challenges, and sense of hope as they leave behind their home planet and embark on a journey into the unknown.
• Your favorite book has always been a cherished escape, but one day, as you open its pages, you find yourself transported into the world within . Write a story about your adventures in the world of your favorite book, exploring the characters, places, and challenges you encounter along the way.
• Imagine a world where everyone knows the exact date of their last day on Earth . Write a story about a person living through their last day, exploring how they choose to spend it and the emotions, reflections, and last moments they experience as they prepare to say their farewells.
• Set your story in a future where a society of advanced learners, equipped with a unique ability to acquire new skills and knowledge rapidly , faces a mysterious threat. Write about their quest to unravel the enigma, the extraordinary challenges they encounter, and how their insatiable thirst for learning becomes their greatest asset in this high-stakes adventure.
• Write a story in which each chapter shifts between the first-person point of view of two characters who have drastically different perspectives on the same events. Explore how their contrasting viewpoints shape the narrative and challenge the reader’s understanding of the story’s central conflict.
• Imagine a world where gods exist but are not all-powerful . Write a story about a god who, despite their divine status, faces a unique and formidable challenge that forces them to confront their limitations and question the very nature of godhood.
• Write a story set in a world where time travel is possible but limited to a single day . Describe the adventures and dilemmas of a character who can only revisit or change events in their life within the confines of that single day. What choices do they make, and how does it impact their future and the world around them?
• In a near-future world, video games have evolved to become the primary form of communication and competition . Write a story where a skilled gamer is recruited for a high-stakes mission within a virtual reality game, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. Explore the challenges, alliances, and ethical dilemmas they face as they navigate this immersive and unpredictable gaming landscape.
• Imagine a writer who discovers an ancient, enchanted book that can bring its characters to life and grant them free will. Write a new story in which the writer and the characters they create must work together to navigate the challenges and consequences of their shared existence, blurring the lines between creator and creation.
• Imagine a character whose favorite things are slowly disappearing from their life one by one . Write a story about their journey to hold on to the essence of what they love most, the challenges they face in preserving their cherished favorites, and the unexpected discoveries they make along the way.
• Two strangers find themselves washed ashore on a deserted island after a shipwreck . They have no memory of their past lives and must work together to survive. Write a story about their journey of discovery, resilience, and the bond that forms as they navigate the challenges of the deserted island.
• Your favorite holiday has always been a time of joy and celebration, but this year, it’s under threat of cancellation. Write a story about the determined efforts of a group of individuals who come together to save and rekindle the spirit of their favorite holiday , facing unexpected challenges and finding new meaning in the process.
• Write a story set in a quaint English village, where an eccentric resident claims to have discovered a hidden portal to another dimension in their garden shed . As rumors spread and curiosity grows, explore the adventures and mysteries that unfold when the villagers decide to investigate this bizarre claim and step into the unknown.
• Your favorite Tumblr blog suddenly starts posting cryptic messages that seem to predict events in your life . Write a story about the growing intrigue and obsession as you try to uncover the identity of the blog’s enigmatic author and the source of their uncanny knowledge.
• Your favorite season has always been winter, but this year, it never ends . Write a story about the challenges, wonders, and unexpected consequences that arise as your world becomes perpetually blanketed in snow and ice, and you must navigate the eternal winter that now defines your life.
• Write a story about a high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious diary hidden in the school library . The diary seems to contain entries from a former student who experienced extraordinary and supernatural events during their time at the school. As the current student reads the diary, they begin to notice strange occurrences happening around them, blurring the line between reality and the paranormal.

Nonfiction writing prompts

Here’s a selection of nonfiction writing prompts to help you delve into your own experiences , share your expertise, and craft powerful narratives rooted in the world around us.

• Explore the concept of “utopia” and “dystopia.” Write an analytical essay comparing and contrasting two fictional utopian or dystopian worlds from literature, film, or popular culture, and discuss their societal ideals, flaws, and relevance to contemporary society.
• Consider a unique or unusual skill or hobby you possess , such as extreme knitting or competitive tree climbing. Write a how-to guide or tutorial that explains the fundamentals and intricacies of this skill, offering practical advice and personal anecdotes to inspire others to explore it.
• Take a nature walk or visit a local park, and choose a specific tree as your subject . Write a detailed and poetic nature essay that describes the tree’s appearance, its role in the ecosystem, and the stories it could tell if it could speak.
• Choose an everyday object that holds special significance to you , such as a childhood toy or a family heirloom. Write a detailed essay exploring the memories, emotions, and stories connected to this object, and how it has shaped your identity.
• Imagine you have the opportunity to interview your future self 10 years from now . Draft a list of thought-provoking questions you would ask to gain insights into your future experiences, decisions, and reflections.
• Select a word from a language other than your own that encapsulates a feeling or concept you find intriguing but that has no direct translation in your language. Write an essay exploring the word’s meaning, cultural context, and the emotions it evokes, reflecting on the beauty of language and its ability to convey complex ideas.
• Imagine you are given the chance to host a dinner party with five historical figures , living or deceased, from any time period. Create a detailed guest list, describe the menu, and write an essay outlining the topics of conversation you would explore with your eclectic group of guests.
• Write a personal essay about a specific sound or noise that holds deep meaning to you . Explain why this sound resonates with you, its significance in your life, and the emotions or memories it triggers.
• Consider a peculiar or unusual museum exhibit you’ve encountered or would like to visit . Write an engaging review or critique of the exhibit, examining its historical, artistic, or cultural value, and sharing your insights and reactions as a visitor.
• Think about an unsolved mystery, conspiracy theory, or urban legend that has always intrigued you . Write an investigative essay delving into the facts, theories, and speculations surrounding this enigma, presenting your own analysis and conclusions.
• Explore the concept of “lost cities” or “hidden civilizations.” Write an investigative essay about a real or legendary lost city, such as Atlantis, discussing the historical evidence, theories, and mysteries surrounding its existence and disappearance.
• Imagine you have the ability to witness and document a day in the life of a famous historical figure or celebrity of your choice. Write a detailed and immersive diary entry that captures their experiences, thoughts, and emotions on this hypothetical day.
• Reflect on the idea of “space tourism” becoming a reality in the near future . Write an opinion piece discussing the ethical, environmental, and cultural implications of commercial space travel and colonization.
• Select an everyday object or phenomenon, such as rain, a traffic light, or a pencil , and write an in-depth exploration of its history, evolution, and societal impact. Share surprising facts and anecdotes that shed new light on this seemingly ordinary subject.
• Write an i n-depth profile of a local unsung hero or community leader who has made a significant impact on your town or neighborhood. Share their story, accomplishments, and the lasting effects of their work.
• Explore the concept of “found family.” Write a personal essay reflecting on the importance of the friendships and relationships you’ve built with individuals who may not be biologically related but have become like family to you.
• Consider the phenomenon of life hacks and practical tips shared on the internet. Write a guide or compilation of your favorite life hacks, along with personal anecdotes of how they’ve improved your daily life.
• Reflect on the concept of digital nostalgia. Write an essay about the emotional connections people form with digital content, such as video games, social media, or online communities, and how it shapes their sense of identity and belonging.
• Explore the world of extreme sports or unconventional hobbies. Write a feature article about individuals who engage in activities like base jumping, extreme ironing, or underwater pumpkin carving, and delve into their motivations and experiences.
• Imagine you have the opportunity to curate an art exhibition featuring the work of artists from different time periods and backgrounds . Describe the themes, connections, and narratives that tie these diverse artworks together.
• Write a reflective essay about your personal journey with mental health , highlighting a specific turning point or moment of insight that led to a deeper understanding of your own well-being. Discuss the strategies, resources, or support systems that have helped you on this path and how your experience might offer inspiration or guidance to others facing similar challenges.
• Explore the cultural and personal significance of your favorite food . Write an essay that delves into the history, traditions, and memories associated with this dish, and how it has become a symbol of comfort, celebration, or connection in your life.
• Create a comprehensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document for your own life , highlighting the questions people often ask you about your experiences, beliefs, or expertise. Write detailed and thoughtful responses to these questions, providing insights into your unique perspective and experiences. Reflect on how compiling this FAQ helps you understand the common themes and curiosities that surround your life and the impact they have on your relationships and identity.
• Explore the concept of “first days” in human history . Write a historical analysis that delves into the pivotal first days of significant events, discoveries, or eras, such as the first day humans walked on the moon, the first day of the Industrial Revolution, or the first day a groundbreaking scientific theory was proposed.
• Imagine you have the ability to observe and document the everyday life of an individual from a completely different culture or time period. Write a descriptive essay that vividly portrays the daily rituals, customs, and experiences of this person, highlighting the contrasts and similarities between their everyday life and your own.

Journal prompts

These prompts are designed to encourage self-discovery, mindfulness, and the art of capturing the essence of your life’s moments on paper. Use them for directed journaling or as part of your Morning Pages practice .

• Choose an object in your immediate environment, such as a book, a plant, or a piece of artwork. Write a journal entry from the perspective of that object , describing its history, observations, and the emotions it might feel as it silently witnesses your life.
• Create a gratitude journal entry in the form of a letter to your past self, expressing appreciation for the experiences, challenges, and lessons that have shaped you into the person you are today. Reflect on how these past moments have contributed to your growth.
• Imagine you’re given the opportunity to have a conversation with your future self 20 years from now . Write a journal entry in which you ask your future self three questions about your life, dreams, and accomplishments, and then respond as you believe your future self would.
• Imagine you have a “time capsule” journal in which you can write messages to your future descendants . Write a journal entry addressing your great-great-grandchildren, sharing personal stories, values, and advice you would want them to know about your life and the world you lived in.
• Write a journal entry as if you were a detective or investigator documenting your own life’s mysteries and unsolved questions . Explore the enigmas, unanswered questions, or unresolved situations you’ve encountered, and brainstorm potential solutions or paths for exploration.
• Create a reverse bucket list in your journal —a list of experiences, achievements, and moments from your life that you’re proud of and grateful for. Reflect on each item and the significance it holds for you.
• Write a journal entry as if you were a traveler from the future, visiting the present day . Describe your observations of contemporary life, technology, culture, and the changes that have occurred since your time.
• Imagine you possess a magic journal that can answer any question you pose to it . Write a series of questions about life, the universe, or personal dilemmas, and then provide detailed answers as if the journal responded.
• Select a word from a foreign language that has no direct translation in your native language. Write a journal entry exploring the word’s meaning, cultural context, and the emotions or concepts it represents. Reflect on how this word might enrich your understanding of life.
• Create a journal entry capturing your ideal day from start to finish . Describe the perfect morning routine, activities, interactions, and moments of joy you would like to experience. Reflect on what elements of this ideal day you can incorporate into your current life.
• Imagine you have a “memory map” in your mind that marks the locations of significant moments from your life . Write a journal entry where you choose a location on this map and describe the memories associated with it, delving into the emotions, people, and events that make it special.
• Write a journal entry from the perspective of your favorite fictional character . Imagine their thoughts, experiences, and feelings in a specific moment from their story, and explore how their perspective might differ from your own.
• Create a “ soundtrack of your life” journal entry . List songs or pieces of music that have been significant at different stages of your life, and describe the memories and emotions each song evokes.
• Imagine you have the ability to visit parallel universes and experience different versions of your life . Write a journal entry about a day in the life of an alternate “you” in a parallel universe, describing the choices and outcomes that diverged from your current reality.
• Reflect on the idea of “unfinished stories” in your life —those moments or relationships that you wish you could revisit or complete. Write a journal entry exploring these unfinished stories and consider what closure or resolution might mean to you.
• Reflect on a cherished memory with your best friend that you haven’t shared before . Write a journal entry describing the moment—the sights, sounds, and emotions that made it special. Consider how this memory has shaped your friendship and what it reveals about the unique bond you share.
• Choose a family member whose life story or experiences you find intriguing . Write a journal entry where you explore their perspective, challenges, and defining moments from their point of view. Consider how understanding their journey can deepen your connection and appreciation for the complexities of family dynamics.
• Imagine your favorite place, whether it’s a bustling city square, a tranquil beach, or a cozy corner of your home . Write a journal entry that transports yourself and your readers to this cherished spot. Describe the sights, sounds, and sensations that make it your favorite place, and reflect on why it holds such a special space in your heart.
• Select a random word from a dictionary and let it guide your journal entry today. Write about the first memories, emotions, or thoughts that come to mind when you encounter this word. Explore its connections to your life, experiences, or the world around you, and see where this unexpected word takes your reflections.
• Recall your earliest memory, no matter how faint or fragmentary it may be. Write a journal entry that delves into the details of this memory—what you saw, felt, or experienced. Reflect on how this seemingly distant moment may have shaped your perceptions, fears, or interests as you grew older, and consider what hidden treasures might lie within your earliest recollections.
• Think about your favorite story from childhood , whether it’s a fairy tale, a classic novel, or a bedtime fable. Write a journal entry that explores why this particular story resonated with you so deeply and how its themes, characters, or lessons continue to influence your life and perspective.
• Imagine planning the ultimate road trip of a lifetime with no constraints or limitations. Write a journal entry detailing the destinations you would visit, the people you’d travel with (or not), and the experiences you’d seek along the way.
• Describe a recent dream or vivid daydream in detail. Dive into the symbolism, emotions, and hidden meanings behind the dream’s elements. Consider how this dream might relate to your current thoughts, fears, or aspirations.
• Reflect on a memorable encounter with a stranger that left a lasting impression on you . Write a journal entry describing the details of this encounter, the emotions it stirred, and any insights or lessons you gained from the brief connection.
• Create a life garden in your journal, where each flower or plant represents a person, experience, or aspect of your life . Write a journal entry about the state of your life garden—which plants are thriving, which need nurturing, and the symbolic meaning behind each one.

Fun writing prompts

Here are some fun writing prompts that will take you on whimsical journeys, tickle your funny bone, and remind you that writing can be as joyful as it is expressive.

• Write a story where the characters have the ability to swap bodies with one another, but they can only do it for one day. Explore the humorous and chaotic situations that arise as they navigate each other’s lives and personalities.
• Imagine a world where all forms of transportation, from bicycles to rocket ships, are powered by something unexpected , like laughter, music, or compliments. Write a whimsical tale set in this world, where the power of positive emotions fuels extraordinary journeys.
• Write a dialogue between a superhero and their arch-nemesis as they meet for coffee on their day off. Explore the dynamics of their relationship when they’re not in the midst of battling each other and consider the unexpected topics they might discuss.
• Create a story set in a magical library where the books come to life at night . Write about the adventures of the librarian and their bookish companions as they go on quests within the pages of the books, encountering characters and worlds from classic literature.
• Imagine a future where humans can communicate with animals through a universal translator . Write a humorous narrative from the perspective of a pet who has overheard some surprising conversations and secrets among their human family members.
• Write a story set in a world where time moves backward for one hour each day . Explore the consequences and comedic situations that arise as people try to navigate a daily rewind hour.
• Imagine a future where robots have taken over mundane household tasks, but they’ve also developed quirky personalities . Write a series of humorous vignettes about the misadventures of a family and their eccentric robot helpers.
• Create a story where the characters discover a magical paintbrush that brings anything they draw to life . Explore the imaginative creations and unexpected challenges that arise as they wield this extraordinary tool.
• Write a dialogue between a famous historical figure and a modern-day teenager who accidentally time-traveled to the past. Explore the clash of perspectives, cultural differences, and humorous misunderstandings that occur during their conversation.
• Imagine a world where dreams are physical objects that can be collected, traded, and even stolen. Write a thrilling heist story where a group of dream thieves plans to steal the most valuable dream ever recorded.
• Write a story in which the main character has a time-traveling pet —a dog or cat that can transport them to different time periods by touching specific objects. Explore the adventures and challenges they face together as they navigate history.
• Imagine a world where everyone’s dreams become real, but only for 24 hours. Write about the chaos and hilarity that ensue as people try to make the most of their dream days. What unusual dreams and desires come to life?
• Create a story set in a town where every resident has a superpower, but each power comes with an unusual and often comical drawback . Explore the everyday challenges and humorous situations that arise in this extraordinary community.
• Write a tale about a character who discovers a magic book that allows them to rewrite one event from their past. Explore the consequences, both intended and unintended, of altering a pivotal moment in their life.
• Imagine a reality where technology allows people to swap personalities for a day. Write a story about two individuals who decide to exchange lives, exploring the comedic and thought-provoking results of their temporary personality swap.
• Write a story set in a world where every time someone tells a lie, a colorful tattoo appears on their skin, revealing the nature of the falsehood. Explore the adventures and misadventures of a charismatic con artist in this truth-telling society.
• Imagine a reality where people can communicate with objects, from talking to their toaster to negotiating with their car. Write a humorous tale about the challenges and comedic situations that arise when inanimate objects have opinions and demands.
• Create a story about a group of time-traveling tourists who accidentally land in a pivotal historical event. How do they handle being unexpected witnesses to history, and what comical twists and turns result from their presence?
• Write a narrative in which a group of misfit superheroes forms a support group to discuss their quirky and seemingly useless powers. Explore their camaraderie and how they come together to solve a surprisingly mundane problem.
• Imagine a town where each day is themed differently , from “Pirate Day” to “Outer Space Day.” Write a day-in-the-life story of a resident navigating the zany challenges and adventures that come with living in a town of perpetual themed days.
• Write a story in which a middle school’s annual talent show becomes a time-traveling extravaganza . Students’ talents inadvertently transport them to different historical eras. Describe the hilarious and surprising adventures as they try to make their way back to the present, using their unique talents to navigate history.
• Imagine attending a summer camp where everything is topsy-turvy! Campers become the counselors, and counselors become campers. Write a story about the humorous and unexpected challenges, pranks, and adventures that unfold when kids are in charge of running the camp, from organizing activities to dealing with the chaos that ensues.
• Create a story about an unusual camping trip where the characters discover their campsite is a portal to a fantasy realm . Write about the magical creatures, enchanted forests, and unexpected challenges they encounter while trying to enjoy a traditional camping experience with a fantastical twist.
• Write a story about a quirky character who believes they have the power to predict when things will happen for the last time . Explore the humorous and imaginative ways in which they navigate everyday life, from savoring last time moments like the last scoop of ice cream in the tub to the last raindrop before a storm.
• Imagine a world where the word “finish” holds the power to complete any task or goal instantly. Write a story about a protagonist who stumbles upon this word’s magical ability and the humorous and unexpected situations that unfold as they navigate life with the ultimate shortcut at their disposal.

(You can also download this prompts list as a printable pdf sheet and sign up to the Wordling’s weekly newsletter for more writing and publishing tips.)

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Writing Prompts for Beginners: How to Get Those Creative Juices Flowing

So you want to flex those creative writing muscles but aren’t sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Writing prompts are a great way for beginner writers to get inspired and overcome that dreaded blank page. Whether you’re looking to write a short story, poem, or journal entry, the right prompt can spark your creativity and get those ideas flowing in no time.

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite writing prompts for beginners that will unleash your inner wordsmith. Get ready to fill pages with tales, stanzas, and scribbles galore. By the end, you’ll have the tools and inspiration to craft creative pieces on demand whenever the mood strikes.

What Are Writing Prompts and Why Use Them?

Writing prompts are short phrases, questions, or scenarios meant to inspire your creativity and get you writing. Using them is a great way for beginners to start writing regularly.

Why should you use writing prompts?

• They give you an idea to get started. Coming up with topics or ideas to write about can be challenging. Prompts provide an idea so you can just dive in and start writing.
• They expand your creativity. Prompts often introduce new scenarios or perspectives you may never have considered before. This helps flex your creative muscles.
• They make writing fun. Prompts can introduce an element of play that takes the pressure off. This makes writing feel more like a game and less like work.
• They provide structure. The constraints of a prompt give you a framework to work within. This can help focus your thoughts and make the blank page less intimidating.
• They build your writing habit. Prompts give you a reason to start writing regularly. Even doing short, 10-15 minute writing sessions a few times a week can help build your writing endurance over time.

Using a variety of thought-provoking prompts is a simple way for beginners to start writing more often in a low-pressure, high-reward kind of way. So grab a notebook or open a new document and pick a prompt that sparks your interest. Start writing and see where it leads you! The more you practice, the easier and more natural it will feel. Before you know it, you’ll be crafting stories, journal entries, and all kinds of other creative pieces on your own.

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Different Types of Writing Prompts

There are a few different types of writing prompts that can get those creative juices flowing.

Free Writing

Free writing means just putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and writing whatever comes to mind without censoring yourself. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and just write. This helps overcome writer’s block and tap into your creativity.

Specific Prompts

These provide a topic or subject to focus your writing on, such as:

• Write about your favorite place.
• A memorable experience you’ve had.
• An important event in your life.
• Meeting an interesting person.

Having some guidance can make prompts easier for beginners. You can find hundreds of specific prompts online to choose from.

Story Starters

Story starters give you the beginning of a tale that you have to complete. For example:

• The package was ticking. I didn’t remember ordering anything that ticks.
• The old house had been abandoned for 50 years. I decided to go inside…
• The note under my windshield wiper said: “Don’t drive home tonight.”

Using a story starter ignites your imagination to continue the story. See where the starter leads you!

Exploring different types of prompts helps you discover what works for you. And the more you practice, the easier it will get to tap into your creative mindset whenever you sit down to write!

Top 10 Writing Prompts for Beginners

Writing prompts are a great way to get your creative juices flowing if you want to start writing but don’t know where to begin. Here are 10 simple writing prompts for beginners to get you started:

1. Write about your day.

Describe your typical daily routine from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep. This helps warm up your writing muscles with familiar subject matter.

2. Describe your favorite place.

Do you have a favorite room in your home or spot in nature that you find inspiring or peaceful? Describe what it looks, smells and feels like in vivid detail. Help the reader experience it with you.

3. Write a story that begins with “The doorbell rang.”

Those three simple words are all the prompt you need to start crafting an interesting short story. See where the story takes you!

4. Interview a family member.

Sit down with a grandparent, parent, sibling or other family member and ask them questions about their life, experiences, hopes and dreams. Record the interview and then write up the highlights. Get to know them in a whole new way.

5. Describe an ordinary object in an unusual way.

Take an everyday item like a fork, cup or shoe and describe it in a strange or whimsical way. Get creative with metaphors and imagery to bring the object to life.

6. Write about what you would do if you only had one day left to live.

How would you choose to spend your last day on Earth? Who would you want to connect with? How would you find meaning in the time you had left? Speculate and reflect on life’s impermanence.

7. Describe your favorite meal.

Make the reader’s mouth water as you recount the sights, smells, flavors and textures of a memorable meal. From appetizer to dessert, bring the food to life with vivid sensory descriptions.

8. Write about an event that impacted you.

Choose an experience from your life that shaped you in some way, whether joyful or traumatic. Explore how the event affected you then and how you have grown from it. Share lessons learned and insights gained.

9. Describe how to do an everyday task.

Explain how to do something simple like tying your shoes, baking cookies or riding a bike. Provide clear step-by-step instructions as if for someone who has never done it before. Focus on being thorough, specific and concise.

10. Write a letter to your future or past self.

What advice or words of wisdom would you share with yourself 10 years from now or 10 years in the past? Reflect on how much you have grown and lessons you have learned. Offer comfort or warnings to your past or

Tips for Using Writing Prompts Effectively

Writing prompts are a great way to get your creative juices flowing and inspire new ideas. However, using them effectively takes some practice. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of writing prompts:

Do some brainstorming first

Think about the topic or subject of the prompt and jot down any related words, phrases or ideas that come to mind. This helps generate momentum and gives you more material to work with. Even just 5 or 10 minutes of brainstorming can uncover new inspiration.

Set a timer

Give yourself a set amount of time to write, like 10 or 15 minutes. A timer adds urgency and encourages you to just start writing without overthinking or second-guessing yourself. Some of your most creative ideas may emerge under the pressure of the clock.

Write freely without judgment

Let your thoughts flow onto the page without criticizing yourself. The first draft is just to get ideas down—you can always revise and improve later. Avoid editing or judging your writing as you go. Writing freely and openly leads to your most genuine and imaginative work.

Develop a habitual practice

Use writing prompts regularly to make creative thinking and writing a habit. Even just a few times a week for 15-30 minutes can make a big difference. Habitual practice will strengthen your creative abilities over time through repetition and consistency. Writing will become second nature.

Have fun with it!

The most important tip is simply to enjoy using writing prompts. Don’t take them too seriously. Play around with different ideas and let your imagination go wild. Writing should be an enjoyable, rewarding experience. If you have fun with it, your creativity will flourish.

Using these techniques to enhance your practice with writing prompts will strengthen your creative thinking skills and inspire your best writing. With regular use, writing prompts can become a pathway to discovering your authentic creative voice.

Resources for Finding More Writing Prompts

Finding an endless supply of writing prompts is easier than you think. The Internet is filled with sites that offer prompts for short stories, poems, journal entries, and more. Here are some of the best resources for limitless writing inspiration:

Some of the top websites for writing prompts include:

• WritersDigest.com – They offer hundreds of fiction and nonfiction prompts organized by genre. They also have timed writing prompts if you want to practice working under pressure.
• CreativeWritingPrompts.com – As the name suggests, this site is dedicated to providing creative prompts for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. They have prompts for all skill levels.
• TheWritersAlley.com – This site allows you to filter prompts by genre and difficulty. They have prompts for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and scriptwriting.
• ProWritingAid.com – In addition to offering a suite of writing tools, this site provides weekly writing prompts for short stories, poetry, memoir pieces and blog posts.

Don’t overlook books as a resource for prompts. Some highly-rated prompt books include:

• “642 Things to Write About” by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto. This book provides thought-provoking prompts on a wide range of topics.
• “The Writer’s Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination” by Jason Rekulak. This collection of quirky and creative prompts will get your creative juices flowing.
• “Poemcrazy” by Susan Wooldridge. This book contains prompts and exercises aimed at inspiring new poems. It’s a great resource for novice and experienced poets alike.

With so many prompt resources available, you’ll never run out of inspiration for your writing. Set a regular schedule to practice with prompts and in no time, you’ll be writing with creativity and ease.

Have some questions about writing prompts? Here are some of the most frequently asked ones:

What exactly is a writing prompt?

• A writing prompt is a short phrase, sentence, or paragraph that aims to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing. It provides a start for your writing, but you take it from there. Writing prompts are great for overcoming writer’s block and exploring new ideas.Do I have to use the prompt word-for-word?No, a prompt is just meant to ignite your imagination. Feel free to tweak the wording or take the idea in a completely new direction. The goal is to use the prompt as a jumping off point to get you started.There are many places to discover writing prompts:

Where can I find writing prompts?

There are many places to discover writing prompts:

• Online prompt generators: Sites like CreativeWritingPrompts.com and WritersDigest.com offer randomized prompts.

• Books: Pick up a book of prompts like “642 Things to Write About” by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto.

• Magazines: Many writing magazines publish prompts in each issue to exercise your writing muscle.

• Social media: Follow accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest devoted to sharing daily prompts.

• Create your own: Come up with prompts based on memories, favorite books or movies, dreams, or observations of the world around you.

How often should I practice with prompts?

• It’s a good idea to practice with writing prompts regularly to improve your writing skills and fight writer’s block. Aim for 2-3 times a week, or about 10-15 minutes a day. Start with just 10-15 minutes at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. The more you do it, the easier it will get!

Does this help explain writing prompts and address some of your commonly asked questions? Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m happy to help inspire your writing journey.

So there you have it, a bunch of writing prompts to get you started. The key is just to start writing. Don’t overthink it or judge yourself too harshly. Just let your creative juices flow and see where the prompts lead you. You never know, you might end up with the beginning of a story, or a scene in a screenplay or book. Or maybe you’ll discover a new passion or talent you never knew you had. The possibilities are endless once you stop doubting yourself and just put pen to paper. Give the prompts a try and unleash your creativity. You’ve got this! Now get writing and make something amazing.

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Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: 10 Top Tips

By Hannah Yang

Creative writing can be a very fulfilling hobby.

Writing can help you explore deep questions, use your imagination, and express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way.

If you want to learn creative writing, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn our top ten creative writing tips to help you get started.

How to Write Creatively

10 creative writing tips for beginners, how to get better at creative writing, where to find creative writing help.

Anyone can learn creative writing—all you need is a pen and paper, or your writing software of choice.

Once you’ve got your tools ready, it’s time to think of a story idea. You can draw inspiration from your own life, newspaper headlines, songs you like, or anything else around you.

If you don’t have any story ideas in mind, you can also try starting with a prompt. Here are a few creative writing prompts you can choose from:

• Write about someone with a dangerous secret
• Write a scene set at your favorite restaurant
• Write a story about someone who wakes up with no memories, except for a single name
• Write a story from the perspective of someone who isn’t human
• Complete the sentence: “It was a completely normal Saturday except for…”

Pick up your pen, choose your favorite prompt, and start writing!

If you’re new to creative writing, here are ten fiction writing tips that you can try.

Tip 1: Read Widely

It’s hard to become a great musician without having heard a lot of great music.

The same is true for writing. Reading a lot of books is a great way to get inspired and to learn more about the anatomy of a story.

It’s important to read in whatever genre you want so you can understand the conventions of that genre. If you’re writing a fantasy story, for example, you should familiarize yourself with popular fantasy novels and short stories so you know what readers expect.

On the other hand, it’s just as important to read a diverse variety of books. Exposing yourself to lots of genres and authors can help you learn about different writing styles and techniques.

Tip 2: Experiment With Different Formats and Points of View

Creative writing can involve countless different formats. You can write a story that looks like a diary entry, a song, or a Charles Dickens novel.

Maybe you want to write a story in the form of a series of instructions to the reader, like a cooking recipe or a how-to manual.

Or maybe you want to write a story in the form of a confession from one character to another, in a mix of first-person and second-person POV.

Try out different styles, even ones that don’t feel like your usual writing style. Doing this experimentation early on in your creative writing journey can help you find your own voice and figure out what works best for you.

Tip 3: Take Inspiration From Many Sources

No story is written in a vacuum. Every artist takes inspiration from other works of art, and you shouldn’t feel bad about writing a story that’s inspired by your favorite book or movie.

At the same time, though, it’s important not to write a story that actually plagiarizes an existing one. Directly copying the work of other creative writers is both unethical and illegal. Plus, it’s much less fun than writing your own stories.

A good rule of thumb if you’re looking for ideas is to take inspiration from many sources rather than a single one.

For example, maybe you like the sarcastic humor of one book, the sweet romance arc of another book, and the Gothic setting of your favorite TV show. When you merge those three things together, you’ll most likely create a story that feels unique and original, even though you took inspiration from existing stories.

Tip 4: Show, Don’t Tell

The phrase “Show, don’t tell” is a popular piece of writing advice that almost every writer has heard before.

Essentially, “show, don’t tell” means that you should immerse the reader in your story through sensory details and descriptive language instead of simply summarizing the story to them.

For example, you could tell someone, “My sister’s room is messy.” That sentence conveys the facts, but the person you’re talking to probably wouldn’t be able to picture your sister’s room in their head.

On the other hand, you could say, “My sister basically uses the floor of her room as a giant laundry hamper—it’s covered with so many sweaters and scarves that I don’t even remember what color her carpet is.” This sentence gives your listener a much more specific idea of what your sister’s room looks like.

Tip 5: Write With Intention

Many newer writers put down words on the page based on what comes to mind first.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to describe a character. A new writer might note down whatever details they visualize right away, like the color of the character’s hair or the type of clothes they’re wearing.

This is a great way to write when you’re just starting out, but if you want to improve your skills, it’s important to learn how to write with intention.

Try to get in the habit of asking yourself: What details does the reader need to know and why? For example, what aspects of this character’s hair color and outfit could tell the reader something deeper about the character’s personality and motivations?

It’s also important to figure out what you want to convey emotionally. What do you want your reader to feel? Excited? Creeped out? Hopeful?

For example, you might describe a sunset as “blood-red” if you want the reader to feel creeped out, or as “glowing and bright” if you want the reader to feel hopeful.

Tip 6: Learn How to Edit

No first draft is perfect, even if you’re a seasoned writer.

Learning how to edit your work is just as important as learning how to write on a blank page. That’s how you can create a creative work you feel proud of.

One helpful tip is to try reading your work out loud. That can often help you spot places where your prose doesn’t flow.

AI-powered grammar checkers like ProWritingAid can also help you identify weaknesses in your prose and learn how to strengthen them. You can catch your grammatical mistakes, avoid unnecessary repetition, choose more evocative words, and more with our powerful tool.

Tip 7: Practice Overcoming Writer’s Block At some point in their writing journey, every writer has reached a point where writing doesn’t feel fun anymore. There are lots of different causes for writer’s block. You might be unsure what to write, afraid of failing, or simply burned out from writing too much. It’s important to find ways to overcome creative blocks, so you don’t end up putting down your pen for good. One useful technique is to change your environment. If you normally write at home, try writing in a coffee shop or in your local library. Another technique is to try a different activity for a while. Go for a walk, take a shower, do your dishes, or try another hobby. Before long, you’ll find yourself wanting to write again. Perhaps the most underrated method is to simply take a break from writing. Give yourself permission to stop for a while—it’s always okay to take a step back. Tip 8: Study Writing Craft Many new writers falsely believe that writing can’t be taught; you’re either good at it or you’re not. But the truth is that creative writing is a craft, just like woodworking, oil painting, or ballet. You wouldn’t expect anyone to be naturally good at ballet without years of training, so why is writing any different? One way to learn new creative writing techniques is by reading craft books . Some great books to start with include On Writing by Stephen King, Story Genius by Lisa Cron, and The Creative Writer’s Handbook by Philip K. Jason. These books can help you learn the basics of how to write well. For example, you can learn how to construct high-quality sentences, how to avoid passive voice, and how to use poetic devices. The more you learn, the more powerful your writing will become. Tip 9: Invent Your Own Process When you’re just starting out as a writer, it can be tempting to copy someone else’s writing process. Maybe you heard an interview with a bestselling author who said you have to outline a story before you draft it. Or maybe you found out your favorite author writes 1,000 words every day, and now you think you have to write 1,000 words every day too. But it’s important to remember that no two writers have the exact same writing process. What works best for someone else might not work for you. There’s no right or wrong way to be a creative writer. Your job is to find a writing process that makes you feel fulfilled, productive, and inspired—and if your favorite writers don’t write the same way, that’s perfectly okay. Tip 10: Don’t Aim for Perfection There’s a good chance your writing is never going to be perfect. Mine definitely isn’t! Remember that writing is about the process, not the product. Even if the final product is never perfect, the process has helped you grow as a writer—and hopefully, it’s also been a lot of fun. You should decide what your main goal for writing is. Maybe it’s writing stories you might be able to publish someday. Maybe it’s telling stories about characters you rarely see in existing stories. Maybe it’s simply a fun new hobby. Whatever your goal is, remember that you’re already on your way to achieving it. You don’t need to aim for perfection in order to succeed. There’s no secret to getting better at creative writing. The process is very simple—it just takes a lot of hard work. All you have to do is follow this two-step process: Step 1: Write consistently Step 2: Ask for feedback on your writing The first step is fairly self-explanatory. Whenever you’re learning a new skill, it’s important to practice it. The more you write, the more you’ll learn about how to be a successful creative writer. The second step is the one that receives more pushback from writers because it requires a lot of courage and vulnerability, but it’s just as important as the first step. If you don’t get feedback, you could write every day and still never improve. That’s because most people can’t spot the weaknesses in their own stories. You can ask for feedback from your friends, family, or writing groups. They can help you see your work from a different perspective and identify areas for improvement. As long as you write consistently and listen to the feedback on the work you’re producing, you’ll be able to create a positive cycle where you create better and better stories over time. If you want to improve your creative writing skills, there are numerous resources you can use to find help. One great method is to join a writing community where you can share your work and get feedback from other writers. You can look for free critique groups online, on websites such as Scribophile and Critique Circle. Or you can start your own group with your friends. You can also consider joining a local writing class or retreat. Many schools and community centers offer classes and workshops you can join. Another option is to use creative writing tools. ProWritingAid can give you AI-powered suggestions about how to improve your prose and make your writing shine. Good luck, and happy writing! Be confident about grammar Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send. Hannah Yang Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates. Get started with ProWritingAid Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via: TRY OUR FREE APP Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today. Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors. Guides • Perfecting your Craft Last updated on Dec 23, 2022 Creative Writing: 8 Fun Ways to Get Started About the author. Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books. About Savannah Cordova Savannah is a senior editor with Reedsy and a published writer whose work has appeared on Slate, Kirkus, and BookTrib. Her short fiction has appeared in the Owl Canyon Press anthology, "No Bars and a Dead Battery".  Creative writing is a written art form that uses the imagination to tell stories and compose essays, poetry, screenplays, novels, lyrics, and more. It can be defined in opposition to the dry and factual types of writing found in academic, technical, or journalistic texts. Characterized by its ability to evoke emotion and engage readers, creative writing can tackle themes and ideas that one might struggle to discuss in cold, factual terms. If you’re interested in the world of creative writing, we have eight fantastic exercises and activities to get you started. 1. Use writing prompts every week Coming up with ideas for short stories can be challenging, which is why we created a directory of 1700+ creative writing prompts covering a wide range of genres and topics. Writing prompts are flexible in nature, they are meant to inspire you without being too constrictive. Overall, they are a great way to keep your creative muscles limber. If you’re struggling for motivation, how does a hard deadline and a little prize money sound? Prompts-based writing contests are a fantastic way to dive into creative writing: the combination of due dates, friendly rivalries, prize money, and the potential to have your work published is often just what’s needed to propel you over the finish line.  We run a weekly writing contest over on Reedsy Prompts , where hundreds of writers from all around the world challenge themselves weekly to write a short story between 1,000 and 3,000 words for a chance to win the $250 prize. Furthermore, the community is very active in providing constructive feedback, support, and accountability to each other 一 something that will make your efforts even more worthwhile. Take a peek at our directory of writing contests which features some of the most prestigious open writing competitions in the world.  2. Start journaling your days Another easy way to get started with creative writing is to keep a journal. We’re not talking about an hour-by-hour account of your day, but journaling as a way to express yourself without filters and find your ‘voice in writing’. If you’re unsure what to journal about, think of any daily experiences that have had an impact on you, such as…  Special moments . Did you lock yourself out of your house? Or did you catch a beautiful sunset on your way back from groceries? Capture those moments, and how you felt about them. People . Did you have an unusual exchange with a stranger at the bar? Or did you reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in years? Share your thoughts about it. World events . Is there something happening in the world right now that is triggering you? That’s understandable. You can reflect on it (and let some steam off) while journaling. Memories . Did you go down memory lane after a glass of wine? Great, honor those memories by trying to recollect them in detail on paper so that they will always stay vivid in your mind. Life decisions . Are you having an existential crisis about what to do with your life? Write down your thought process, and the pros and cons of the possible decisions in front of you. You’ll be surprised to discover that, not only is it a great creative writing exercise, but it can also actually help you sort your life out!  If you struggle to write consistently, sign up for our How to Write a Novel course to finish a novel in just 3 months.   NEW REEDSY COURSE How to Write a Novel Enroll in our course and become an author in three months. 3. Create an anonymous social media account Like anonymous blogging, an incognito Twitter account sidesteps the pressure that comes with attaching your name to your work. Anonymously putting tiny stories out into the ether gives you the freedom to create without worrying about the consequences — which is great, so long as you don’t use it as an opportunity to troll people or spread conspiracy theories.  You could use the anonymous account in different ways. For example, you could… Tweet from unique perspectives (e.g. a dog observing human behavior ); Create a parody account of real or fictional people (e.g. an English poet from the Middle Ages ); Challenge yourself to write tiny flash fiction stories that fit into Twitter threads. Just remember, you’re not doing this to fool anyone into thinking that your account is real: be a good citizen and mark yourself a fiction account in your bio.  But if you’re not really a social media kinda person, you may enjoy our next tip, which is a bit more on the analog side. GET ACCOUNTABILITY Meet writing coaches on Reedsy Industry insiders can help you hone your craft, finish your draft, and get published. 4. Find an old photo and tell its story Find a random old photo — maybe on the web, maybe from a photo album in a yard sale — and see what catches your attention. Look closely at it and try to imagine the story behind it. What was happening? Who are the people in it and how are they really feeling? Do they share a relationship, and of what kind? What are their goals and dreams? In other words, bring the photo to life with your imagination. Don't be afraid to take artistic license with your story, as the goal is to be creative and have fun while writing.  How do you know it’s creative writing? 5. Create a character from a random name Just as our universe started from a few simple elements, you can create a character from a few basic information, like their name, culture, and gender. Reedsy’s handy character name generator can help you with that, offering random names based on archetypes, Medieval roots, fantasy traits and more. A few examples? A Celtic heroine named Fíona O'Keefe, a hero’s sidekick named Aderine, or a Korean track star named Park Kang-Dae. Once you've chosen their name, begin to develop their personality. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and write anything that comes to mind about them. It could be a page from their FBI dossier, a childhood diary entry, or simply a scene about them boiling an egg. Just ‘go with the flow’ and don’t stop writing until your time is up. Repeat the process a few times to further hone the personality. If you like what you end up with, you can always go deeper later by creating a character bible .  If a stream-of-consciousness exercise is not your thing, you can try to imagine your character in a specific situation and write down how’d they respond to it. For example, what if they were betrayed by a friend? Or if they were elected in power? To help you imagine situations to put your character in, we made a free template that you can download below.  FREE RESOURCE Reedsy’s Character Questionnaire 40 questions to help you develop memorable characters. 6. Construct a character by people-watching People watching is “the action of spending time idly observing people in a public place.” In a non-creepy way, ideally. Sit on a bench on a public square or on a road-side table at your favorite café, and start observing the people around you. Pay attention to any interesting quirks or behaviors, and write it down. Then put on your detective’s hat and try to figure out what that tells you about them. For example, the man at the table next to you at the restaurant is reading the newspaper. His jacket and hat are neatly arranged next to him. The pages make a whipping sound as he briskly turns them, and he grimaces every time he reads a new article. Try to imagine what he’s reading, and why he’s reacting the way he is. Then, try to build a character with the information you have. It’s a fun creative exercise that will also, hopefully, help you better empathize with strangers.  7. “Map” something you feel strongly about into a new context Placing your feelings into new contexts can be a powerful creative writing exercise. The idea is to start from something you feel strongly about, and frame it into a completely different context.  For example, suppose your heart is torn apart after you divorce your life-long partner: instead of journaling or crafting an entire novel  about it, you could tell a story about a legendary trapeze duo whose partnership has come to an end. If you’re struggling with politicking and petty power dynamics at the office: what if you “mapped” your feelings onto an ant who resents being part of a colony? Directing your frustration at a queen ant can be a fun and cathartic writing experience (that won’t get you in trouble if your co-workers end up reading your story).    8. Capture the moment with a haiku Haikus are poems from the Japanese tradition that aim to capture, in a few words, daily moments of insight (usually inspired by nature). In a nutshell, it’s about becoming mindful of your surroundings, and notice if you can see something in a new or deeper way 一 then use contrasting imagery to express whatever you noticed.  Here’s an example: Bright orange bicycle Speeding through the autumn leaves A burst of color waves It may sound a bit complicated, but it shouldn’t be 一 at least not for the purpose of this exercise. Learn the basics of haiku-writing , then challenge yourself to write one per day for a week or month. At the end, you’ll be able to look back at your collection of poems and 一 in the worst case scenario 一 revisit small but significant moments that you would have otherwise forgot about.    Creative writing can be any writing you put your heart and soul into. It could be made for the purpose of expressing your feelings, exploring an idea, or simply entertaining your readers. As you can see there’s many paths to get involved with it, and hundreds of exercises you can use as a starting point. In the next post , we’ll look more in detail at some creative writing examples from some fellow authors.  Join a community of over 1 million authors Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book. Bring your stories to life Our free writing app lets you set writing goals and track your progress, so you can finally write that book! 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them. Enter your email or get started with a social account: Creativity Techniques 26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers So you want to be a writer? And not just any writer, you want to be a creative writer. The road to being a legendary storyteller won’t be easy, but with our creative writing tips for kids, you’ll be on the right track! Creative writing isn’t just about writing stories. You could write poems, graphic novels, song lyrics and even movie scripts. But there is one thing you’ll need and that is good creative writing skills.  Here are over 26 tips to improve your creative writing skills : Read a wide range of books When it comes to creative writing, reading is essential. Reading allows you to explore the styles of other writers and gain inspiration to improve your own writing. But don’t just limit yourself to reading only popular books or your favourites. Read all sorts of books, everything from fairytales to scary stories. Take a look at comics, short stories, novels and poetry. Just fill your heads with the knowledge and wisdom of other writers and soon you’ll be just like them! Write about real-life events The hardest thing about creative writing is connecting emotionally with your audience. By focusing your writing on real-life events, you know that in some way or another your readers will be able to relate. And with creative writing you don’t need to use real names or details – There are certain things you can keep private while writing about the rare details. Using real-life events is also a good way to find inspiration for your stories.  Be imaginative Be as crazy and wild as you like with your imagination. Create your world, your own monsters , or even your own language! The more imaginative your story, the more exciting it will be to read. Remember that there are no rules on what makes a good idea in creative writing. So don’t be afraid to make stuff up! Find your writing style Thes best writers have a particular style about them. When you think of Roald Dahl , you know his books are going to have a sense of humour. While with Dr Seuss , you’re prepared to read some funny new words . Alternatively, when you look at R.L.Stine, you know that he is all about the horror. Think about your own writing style. Do you want to be a horror writer? Maybe someone who always writes in the first person? Will always focus your books on your culture or a particular character? Stick to a routine Routine is extremely important to writers. If you just write some stuff here and there, it’s likely that you’ll soon give up on writing altogether! A strict routine means that every day at a certain time you will make time to write about something, anything. Even if you’re bored or can’t think of anything, you’ll still pick up that pencil and write. Soon enough you’ll get into the habit of writing good stuff daily and this is definitely important for anyone who wants to be a professional creative writer! Know your audience Writing isn’t just about thinking about your own interests, it’s also about thinking about the interests of your audience. If you want to excite fellow classmates, know what they like. Do they like football , monsters or a particular video game? With that knowledge, you can create the most popular book for your target audience. A book that they can’t stop reading and will recommend to others!  Daily Exercises To keep your creative writing skills up to scratch it is important to keep practising every day. Even if you have no inspiration. At times when your mind is blank, you should try to use tools like writing prompts , video prompts or other ways of coming up with ideas . You could even take a look at these daily writing exercises as an example. We even created a whole list of over 100 creative writing exercises to try out when you need some inspiration or ideas.  Work together with others Everyone needs a little help now and then. We recommend joining a writing club or finding other classmates who are also interested in writing to improve your own creative writing skills. Together you can share ideas, tips and even write a story together! A good storytelling game to play in a group is the “ finish the story” game .  Get feedback Without feedback, you’ll never be able to improve your writing. Feedback, whether good or bad is important to all writers. Good feedback gives you the motivation to carry on. While bad feedback just gives you areas to improve and adapt your writing, so you can be the best! After every piece of writing always try to get feedback from it, whether it is from friends, family, teachers or an online writing community . Enter writing competitions The best way to improve your creative writing is by entering all sorts of writing competitions . Whether it’s a poetry competition or short story competition, competitions let you compete against other writers and even help you get useful feedback on your writing. Most competitions even have rules to structure your writing, these rules can help you prepare for the real world of writing and getting your work published. And not only that you might even win some cool prizes! Keep a notebook Every writer’s best friend is their notebook. Wherever you go make sure you have a notebook handy to jot down any ideas you get on the go. Inspiration can come from anywhere , so the next time you get an idea instead of forgetting about it, write it down. You never know, this idea could become a best-selling novel in the future.  Research your ideas So, you got a couple of ideas for short stories. The next step is to research these ideas deeper.  Researching your ideas could involve reading books similar to your ideas or going online to learn more about a particular topic. For example, if you wanted to write a book on dragons, you would want to know everything about them in history to come up with a good, relatable storyline for your book. Create Writing Goals How do you know if your writing is improving over time? Simple – Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you’ll know if you met them or not. You might want to take a look at these bullet journal layouts for writers to help you track the progress of your writing. Follow your passions Writing can be tedious and many people even give up after writing a few words. The only way you can keep that fire burning is by writing about your true passions. Whatever it is you enjoy doing or love, you could just write about those things. These are the types of things you’ll enjoy researching and already know so much about, making writing a whole lot more fun! Don’t Settle for the first draft You finally wrote your first story. But the writing process isn’t complete yet! Now it’s time to read your story and make the all-important edits. Editing your story is more than just fixing spelling or grammar mistakes. It’s also about criticising your own work and looking for areas of improvement. For example, is the conflict strong enough? Is your opening line exciting? How can you improve your ending? Plan before writing Never just jump into writing your story. Always plan first! Whether this means listing down the key scenes in your story or using a storyboard template to map out these scenes. You should have an outline of your story somewhere, which you can refer to when actually writing your story. This way you won’t make basic mistakes like not having a climax in your story which builds up to your main conflict or missing crucial characters out. It’s strange the difference it makes to read your writing out aloud compared to reading it in your head. When reading aloud you tend to notice more mistakes in your sentences or discover paragraphs which make no sense at all. You might even want to read your story aloud to your family or a group of friends to get feedback on how your story sounds.  Pace your story Pacing is important. You don’t want to just start and then quickly jump into the main conflict because this will take all the excitement away from your conflict. And at the same time, you don’t want to give the solution away too early and this will make your conflict too easy for your characters to solve. The key is to gradually build up to your conflict by describing your characters and the many events that lead up to the main conflict. Then you might want to make the conflict more difficult for your characters by including more than one issue in your story to solve.  Think about themes Every story has a theme or moral. Some stories are about friendship, others are about the dangers of trusting strangers. And a story can even have more than one theme. The point of a theme is to give something valuable to your readers once they have finished reading your book. In other words, to give them a life lesson, they’ll never forget! Use dialogue carefully Dialogue is a tricky thing to get right. Your whole story should not be made up of dialogue unless you’re writing a script. Alternatively, it can be strange to include no dialogue at all in your story. The purpose of dialogue should be to move your story forward. It should also help your readers learn more about a particular character’s personality and their relationship with other characters in your book.  One thing to avoid with dialogue is… small talk! There’s no point in writing dialogue, such as “How’s the weather?”, if your story has nothing to do with the weather. This is because it doesn’t move your story along.  For more information check out this guide on how to write dialogue in a story . Write now, edit later Writing is a magical process. Don’t lose that magic by focusing on editing your sentences while you’re still writing your story up. Not only could this make your story sound fragmented, but you might also forget some key ideas to include in your story or take away the imagination from your writing. When it comes to creative writing, just write and come back to editing your story later. Ask yourself questions Always question your writing. Once done, think about any holes in your story. Is there something the reader won’t understand or needs further describing? What if your character finds another solution to solving the conflict? How about adding a new character or removing a character from your story? There are so many questions to ask and keep asking them until you feel confident about your final piece. Create a dedicated writing space Some kids like writing on their beds, others at the kitchen table. While this is good for beginners, going pro with your writing might require having a dedicated writing space. Some of the basics you’ll need is a desk and comfy chair, along with writing materials like pens, pencils and notebooks. But to really create an inspiring place, you could also stick some beautiful pictures, some inspiring quotes from writers and anything else that will keep you motivated and prepared.  Beware of flowery words Vocabulary is good. It’s always exciting when you learn a new word that you have never heard before. But don’t go around plotting in complicated words into your story, unless it’s necessary to show a character’s personality. Most long words are not natural sounding, meaning your audience will have a hard time relating to your story if it’s full of complicated words from the dictionary like Xenophobia or Xylograph . Create believable characters Nobody’s perfect. And why should your story characters be any different? To create believable characters, you’ll need to give them some common flaws as well as some really cool strengths. Your character’s flaws can be used as a setback to why they can’t achieve their goals, while their strengths are the things that will help win over adversity. Just think about your own strengths and weaknesses and use them as inspirations for your storybook characters. You can use the Imagine Forest character creator to plan out your story characters.  Show, don’t tell You can say that someone is nice or you can show them how that person is nice. Take the following as an example, “Katie was a nice girl.” Now compare that sentence to this, “Katie spent her weekends at the retirement home, singing to the seniors and making them laugh.”. The difference between the two sentences is huge. The first one sounds boring and you don’t really know why Katie is nice. While in the second sentence, you get the sense that Katie is nice from her actions without even using the word nice in the sentence! Make the conflict impossible Imagine the following scenario, you are a championship boxer who has won many medals over the year and the conflict is…Well, you got a boxing match coming up. Now that doesn’t sound so exciting! In fact, most readers won’t even care about the boxer winning the match or not!  Now imagine this scenario: You’re a poor kid from New Jersey, you barely have enough money to pay the bills. You never did any professional boxing, but you want to enter a boxing competition, so you can win and use the money to pay your bills.  The second scenario has a bigger mountain to climb. In other words, a much harder challenge to face compared to the character in the first scenario. Giving your characters an almost impossible task or conflict is essential in good story-telling. Write powerful scenes Scenes help build a picture in your reader’s mind without even including any actual pictures in your story. Creating powerful scenes involves more than describing the appearance of a setting, it’s also about thinking about the smell, the sounds and what your characters are feeling while they are in a particular setting. By being descriptive with your scenes, your audience can imagine themselves being right there with characters through the hard times and good times! There’s nothing worse than an ending which leaves the reader feeling underwhelmed. You read all the way through and then it just ends in the most typical, obvious way ever! Strong endings don’t always end on a happy ending. They can end with a sad ending or a cliff-hanger.  In fact, most stories actually leave the reader with more questions in their head, as they wonder what happens next. This then gives you the opportunity to create even more books to continue the story and keep your readers hooked for life (or at least for a very long time)!  Over 25 creative writing tips later and you should now be ready to master the art of creative writing! The most important tip for all you creative writers out there is to be imaginative! Without a good imagination, you’ll struggle to wow your audience with your writing skills. Do you have any more creative writing tips to share? Let us know in the comments! Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity. Related Posts Comments loading... Join for Free Top 10 Best Creative writing tips for beginners by Domestika @domestika Starting out in creative writing can be a daunting task, with many writers struggling to know where to begin and how to improve their skills. However, there are plenty of exercises that can help you develop your writing abilities and bring your ideas to life on the page. With practice and persistence, you can turn your thoughts and imagination into beautiful works of art through creative writing. These tips will help you to become a much better creative writer: - Find the Best Environment: Everyone has different writing preferences, whether it's a quiet coffee shop or a busy park. Experiment with different writing environments to find what works best for you. - Freewriting: Set a timer for a few minutes and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about structure or grammar. This can help you get past writer's block and generate new ideas. - Know Your Characters: Spend time getting to know your characters before you start writing. Develop their backstories, motivations, and personalities to create fully-formed characters that readers can connect with. - Don't be Scared of Drafting: Remember that writing a first draft is just the beginning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or write imperfectly. You can always revise and improve later. - Keep a Writing Log: Keep a notebook or digital log of your writing ideas, snippets of dialogue, or interesting observations. This can help you capture ideas as they come and have a resource to refer back to when you need inspiration. - Never Stop Reading: Reading widely is essential for improving your writing skills. Read a variety of genres and styles to see how other writers use language and structure their stories. - Explore Your Emotions: Writing can be a powerful way to explore your emotions and experiences. Don't be afraid to write honestly and vulnerably, even if it's just for yourself. - Get Perspective: Take breaks from your writing to get perspective. This can help you see your writing with fresh eyes and come up with new ideas. - Research!: Research can add depth and authenticity to your writing. Spend time researching your setting, characters, and topics to make your writing more believable. - Explore Ideas: Don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas and concepts. Even if you don't end up using them in your writing, exploring different ideas can help you find your unique writing voice and style. Here are some concrete exercises that can help you improve your creative writing : Describe a scene: Choose a scene or setting and describe it in detail, using all of your senses. Try to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, using specific details and descriptive language. Write from a different perspective: Take a story or event and write it from a different character's perspective. This can help you develop your ability to write in different voices and points of view. Create a character: Think of a character and write a short story or scene that features that character. Try to give the character a unique personality, backstory, and motivations. Rewrite a story: Take a classic story or fairy tale and rewrite it in a different style or genre. This can help you develop your ability to write in different genres and experiment with different storytelling techniques. Use writing prompts: Writing prompts can be a great way to generate ideas and practice your writing skills. Choose a writing prompt or use a writing prompt generator to come up with new ideas for stories or scenes. Practice writing dialogue: Dialogue is an important part of creative writing. Practice writing dialogue between characters, focusing on making it sound natural and believable. Write a story in six words: This exercise challenges you to write a complete story using only six words. It can help you develop your ability to write concisely and effectively. By practicing these exercises regularly, you can improve your creative writing skills and develop your unique voice as a writer. Remember to be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of learning and growing as a writer. And last but not least, here are ten quotes from famous writers about creative writing: "The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself." - Albert Camus "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." - Madeleine L'Engle "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou "One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple." - Jack Kerouac "The scariest moment is always just before you start." - Stephen King "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou "Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words." - Mark Twain "If there's no passion in your writing, then it's not worth writing at all." - Jules Renard "A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people." - Thomas Mann Enjoy this incredible list of courses which help you to go to the next level in your creative writing: - Writing a Novel Step by Step - Introduction to Narrative Writing - Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life - Narrative Techniques for Children’s Books - Script Writing for Movies and Television Recommended courses Writing Exercises: From the Blank Page to Everyday Practice A course by Aniko Villalba Engage in creative writing exercises that document and generate ideas, and transform it into a regular practice 98% ( 1.3K ) Visual Poetry Diary: tell stories with photos and verses A course by Lina Botero Learn to tell stories by combining different languages, such as words, video, and photography to express your emotions in an original way. 99% ( 242 ) Writing a Novel Step by Step A course by Cristina López Barrio Learn the keys to writing a novel and stimulate your imagination with practical exercises that connect you with your inner world 98% ( 2.4K ) Follow Domestika Jump to navigation Skip to content Search form P&W on Facebook P&W on Twitter P&W on Instagram Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere. Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work. Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more. Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them. Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books. Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions. Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing. Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests. Find a home for your work by consulting our searchable databases of writing contests, literary magazines, small presses, literary agents, and more. Poets & Writers lists readings, workshops, and other literary events held in cities across the country. Whether you are an author on book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience. Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets. Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more. Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory. Let the world know about your work by posting your events on our literary events calendar, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more. Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place. Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs. Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world. Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration. Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets. Establish new connections and enjoy the company of your peers using our searchable databases of MFA programs and writers retreats, apply to be included in our directory of writers, and more. Register for Classes Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us. The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement. Find information about how Poets & Writers provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft. View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine . Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives. View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine , from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987. Every day the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine scan the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know. In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing. The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox. Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process. Listen to original audio recordings of authors featured in Poets & Writers Magazine . Browse the archive of more than 400 author readings. Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance. Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine ; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us. Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more. Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms. Read select articles from the award-winning magazine and consult the most comprehensive listing of literary grants and awards, deadlines, and prizewinners available in print. Subscribe Now Writing Prompts for Beginners Printable Version Log in to Send Log in to Save Poetry Prompts Fiction prompts, creative nonfiction prompts. Please log in to continue. LOG IN Don't yet have an account? SIGN UP NOW -- IT'S FREE! 436 IMAGES Creative Writing For Beginners: 10 Top Tips Creative Writing Workbook: 20 Simple Exercises To Unleash Your Creative Writing Ideas Worksheets Creative Writing For Beginners: Unlock Your Creativity Pictures To Help With Creative Writing: 11 Creative Writing Exercises 55 Amazing Creative Writing Ideas for Kids » JournalBuddies.com VIDEO Is this Beginner Writing Advice USEFUL or DAMAGING? Creative Writing Ideas for Your Free Time Creative videography ideas tutorial 🎥😲 #shorts Lyric Writing with Couplets: Full Songwriting Workshop Creative Writing Lecture 4 Songwriting Tips: Writing Bridges and Rewriting COMMENTS 2,500 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity Grab your pen, stretch those fingers, and get ready to unleash your creativity. We've assembled a collection of writing prompts that range from wild adventures to deep reflections. Whether you're writing for fun, working on your next masterpiece, or just looking for a quick creative boost, these prompts will give you the inspiration you need. Beginners Writing Prompts: 25 Ideas to Get Your Creative ... Some examples of random word prompts include: Write a story that includes the word "serendipity.". Write a poem that includes the word "nostalgia.". Write an essay that includes the word "perseverance.". Overall, writing prompts are a great way for beginners to get started with writing. 199+ Creative Writing Prompts To Help You Write Your Next Story A long list of creative writing prompts and writing ideas. 1. Symphony of the Skies. Imagine a world where music can literally change the weather. Write a story about a character who uses this power to communicate emotions, transforming the skies to reflect their inner turmoil or joy. 2. 1800+ Creative Writing Prompts To Inspire You Right Now Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted ... 25 Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity Using creative writing prompts is a great way to jumpstart your creativity and get the ideas flowing. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a beginner, these prompts can help inspire your next piece. Here, we've broken down 25 prompts into five categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, dialogue, and story starters. ... 70 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You to Write 70 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You to Write. Writing prompts are a useful tool and resource for any writer, from beginners to published authors. A good prompt can give you the inspiration you need to craft a paragraph, a book, or an entire series. You can also use them just for writing practice and to get your creative juices flowing. 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Writers Click to continue. *****. 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Writers. 1. The Variants of Vampires. Think of an alternative vampire that survives on something other than blood. Write a story or scene based on this character. 2. Spinning the Globe. 60+ First Line Writing Prompts Spark your imagination with these 100+first line writing prompts for all ages! These simple one-liners are the perfect way to get those creative juices flowing and find inspiration for your next big short story or flash fiction. We have a mix of first-line writing prompts, ranging from fantasy prompts to non-fictional and realistic events. As ... 500 Writing Prompts to Help Beat Writer's Block Three words: Long lost brother. The day of your wedding, you wake up to find every person in your wedding party has been brutally murdered. The FBI begs you to come back to work on a special case. Your former partner has turned and is now wanted for the murders of three co-workers. Writing Prompts for Beginners Here are a few tips to help your beginning writers get started with writing prompts: 1. Answer a daily writing prompt. Regular, consistent journaling is key to developing good writing habits. Create a routine of having your students use a new writing prompt each day. 2. Write for a set period of time. 100 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Writing A writing prompt is a specific, often short, phrase, question, or statement designed to stimulate and inspire creative writing. Writing prompts can help you overcome writer's block, generate new ideas, or simply get your creative juices flowing. You can use them in various forms of writing, including fiction, poetry, journaling, and essay ... 365 Daily Writing Prompts for Creative Writers Take the 30-Day Creative Writing Challenge. Press the GENERATE button above. (If it doesn't work, refresh the page.) The text box will generate a short creative writing prompt or topic you can write about today. (If you can't see the whole line, use your cursor to highlight the text and keep scrolling to the right.) 50 Fiction Writing Prompts and Ideas to Inspire You to Write There are countless ways fiction writing prompts can benefit you. Here are a few reasons you might want to use a writing prompt: To start a new short story or novel. To practice writing in a new genre or writing style so you can expand your skill set and try something new. To warm up at the beginning of each writing session. 400+ Writing Prompts: Endless Inspiration for Your Writing Discover endless possibilities with our curated selection of 400+ writing prompts. Ignite your creativity and turn your ideas into captivating stories. 105 Creative Writing Exercises: 10 Min Writing Exercises Here are over 105 creative writing exercises to give your brain a workout and help those creative juices flow again: Set a timer for 60 seconds. Now write down as many words or phrases that come to mind at that moment. Pick any colour you like. Now start your sentence with this colour. 29 Easy, Fun, and Effective Writing Exercises The purpose of creative writing exercises is to expand your imagination and to spark new ideas or thoughts, encouraging you to practice writing these before you start on your next project. Themed writing prompts can be helpful here, breaking down your prompts into different buckets like: Food. Animals. Landscapes. 20 creative writing prompts that you can do in 10 minutes It's 1849, and you're headed West along the Oregon Trail. Describe the safety features of your state-of-the-art covered wagon. 8. Write the passenger safety instructions card for a time-travel machine. 9. An undercover spy is about to impersonate you in all aspects of your life. Write instructions. 10. Write your life story in five sentences. Writing Prompts for Beginners: How to Get Those Creative Juices Flowing Develop a habitual practice. Use writing prompts regularly to make creative thinking and writing a habit. Even just a few times a week for 15-30 minutes can make a big difference. Habitual practice will strengthen your creative abilities over time through repetition and consistency. Writing will become second nature. Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: 10 Top Tips Here are a few creative writing prompts you can choose from: Write about someone with a dangerous secret. Write a scene set at your favorite restaurant. Write a story about someone who wakes up with no memories, except for a single name. Write a story from the perspective of someone who isn't human. Creative Writing: 8 Fun Ways to Get Started If you're interested in the world of creative writing, we have eight fantastic exercises and activities to get you started. ️🤩 Don't miss on the joy of Creative Writing: here are 8 ways to get started. Click to tweet! 1. Use writing prompts every week. Coming up with ideas for short stories can be challenging, which is why we created a ... 26+ Creative Writing Tips for Beginners ️ Simple - Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you'll know if you met them or not. Top 10 Best Creative writing tips for beginners These tips will help you to become a much better creative writer: - Find the Best Environment: Everyone has different writing preferences, whether it's a quiet coffee shop or a busy park. Experiment with different writing environments to find what works best for you. - Freewriting: Set a timer for a few minutes and write whatever comes to mind ... Writing Prompts for Beginners Poets & Writers has nearly 2,000 writing prompts for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in the free archive at The Time Is Now. Below we've chosen a handful of prompts that are perfect for creative writers just starting out, and for teachers and workshop leaders who want to inspire their students. Don't be afraid to try a new genre or ... assignment essay homework paper phd review speech thesis