best creative writing pieces

27 Creative Writing Examples To Spark Your Imagination

With all the types of creative writing to choose from, it’s hard enough to focus on just one or two of your favorites.

When it comes to writing your own examples, don’t be hard on yourself if you hit a wall.

We’ve all done it.

Sometimes, all you need is a generous supply of well-crafted and inspirational creative writing examples.

Good thing you’re here!

For starters, let’s get clear on what creative writing is.

What Is Creative Writing?

How to start creative writing , 1. novels and novellas, 2. short stories and flash fiction, 3. twitter stories (140 char), 4. poetry or songs/lyrics, 5. scripts for plays, tv shows, and movies, 6. memoirs / autobiographical narratives, 7. speeches, 9. journalism / newspaper articles, 11. last wills and obituaries, 12. dating profiles and wanted ads, 13. greeting cards.

Knowing how to be a creative writer is impossible if you don’t know the purpose of creative writing and all the types of writing included.

As you’ll see from the categories listed further on, the words “creative writing” contain multitudes:

Novels, novellas, short stories, flash fiction, microfiction, and even nanofiction;
Poetry (traditional and free verse);
Screenplays (for theatrical stage performances, TV shows, and movies)
Blog posts and feature articles in newspapers and magazines
Memoirs and Testimonials
Speeches and Essays
And more—including dating profiles, obituaries, and letters to the editor.

Read on to find some helpful examples of many of these types. Make a note of the ones that interest you most.

Once you have some idea of what you want to write, how do you get started?

Allow us to suggest some ideas that have worked for many of our readers and us:

Keep a daily journal to record and play with your ideas as they come;
Set aside a specific chunk of time every day (even 5 minutes) just for writing;
Use a timer to help you stick to your daily writing habit ;
You can also set word count goals, if you find that more motivating than time limits;
Read as much as you can of the kind of content you want to write;
Publish your work (on a blog), and get feedback from others.

Now that you’ve got some ideas on how to begin let’s move on to our list of examples.

Creative Writing Examples

Read through the following examples to get ideas for your own writing. Make a note of anything that stands out for you.

Inspiring novel-writing examples can come from the first paragraph of a well-loved novel (or novella), from the description on the back cover, or from anywhere in the story.

From Circe by Madeline Miller

““Little by little I began to listen better: to the sap moving in the plants, to the blood in my veins. I learned to understand my own intention, to prune and to add, to feel where the power gathered and speak the right words to draw it to its height. That was the moment I lived for, when it all came clear at last and the spell could sing with its pure note, for me and me alone.”

From The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin:

“‘I’ll make my report as if I told a story, for I was taught as a child on my homeworld that Truth is a matter of the imagination…. ”

The shorter your story, the more vital it is for each word to earn its place. Each sentence or phrase should be be necessary to your story’s message and impact.

From “A Consumer’s Guide to Shopping with PTSD” by Katherine Robb

“‘“Do you know what she said to me at the condo meeting?” I say to the salesman. She said, “Listen, the political climate is so terrible right now I think we all have PTSD. You’re just the only one making such a big deal about it.”

“The salesman nods his jowly face and says, “That Brenda sounds like a real b***h.”’

From Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (collection of short stories)

“Something happened when the house was dark. They were able to talk to each other again.” (From ‘A Temporary Matter’)

Use the hashtag #VSS to find a generous sampling of short Twitter stories in 140 or fewer characters. Here are a few examples to get you started:

From Chris Stocks on January 3rd, 2022 :

“With the invention of efficient 3D-printable #solar panels & cheap storage batteries, the world was finally able to enjoy the benefits of limitless cheap green energy. Except in the UK. We’re still awaiting the invention of a device to harness the power of light drizzle.” #vss365 (Keyword: solar)

From TinyTalesbyRedsaid1 on January 2nd, 2022 :

“A solar lamp would safely light our shack. But Mom says it’ll lure thieves. I squint at my homework by candlelight, longing for electricity.” #vss #vss365 #solar

If you’re looking for poetry or song-writing inspiration, you’ll find plenty of free examples online—including the two listed here:

From “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” by Emily Dickinson

“I’m Nobody! Who are you?

Are you – Nobody – too?

Then there’s a pair of us!

Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!

“How dreary – to be – Somebody!

How public – like a Frog –

To tell one’s name – the livelong June –

To an admiring Bog!

From “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons

“I wake up to the sounds

Of the silence that allows

For my mind to run around

With my ear up to the ground

I’m searching to behold

The stories that are told

When my back is to the world

That was smiling when I turned

Tell you you’re the greatest

But once you turn they hate us….”

If you enjoy writing dialogue and setting a scene, check out the following excerpts from two very different screenplays. Then jot down some notes for a screenplay (or scene) of your own.

From Mean Girls by Tina Fey (Based on the book, Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman

“Karen: ‘So, if you’re from Africa, why are you white?’

“Gretchen: ‘Oh my god, Karen! You can’t just ask people why they’re white!’

“Regina: ‘Cady, could you give us some privacy for, like, one second?’

“Cady: ‘Sure.’

Cady makes eye contact with Janis and Damien as the Plastics confer.

“Regina (breaking huddle): ‘Okay, let me just say that we don’t do this a lot, so you should know that this is, like, a huge deal.’

“Gretchen: ‘We want to invite you to have lunch with us every day for the rest of the week.’

“Cady: ‘Oh, okay…’

“Gretchen: Great. So, we’ll see you tomorrow.’

“Karen: ‘On Tuesdays, we wear pink.’”

#10: From The Matrix by Larry and Andy Wachowski

“NEO: ‘That was you on my computer?’

“NEO: ‘How did you do that?’

“TRINITY: ‘Right now, all I can tell you, is that you are in danger. I brought you here to warn you.’

“NEO: ‘Of what?’

“TRINITY: ‘They’re watching you, Neo.’

“NEO: ‘Who is?’

“TRINITY: ‘Please. Just listen. I know why you’re here, Neo. I know what you’ve been doing. I know why you hardly sleep, why you live alone and why, night after night, you sit at your computer. You’re looking for him.’

“Her body is against his; her lips very close to his ear.

“TRINITY: ‘I know because I was once looking for the same thing, but when he found me he told me I wasn’t really looking for him. I was looking for an answer.’

“There is a hypnotic quality to her voice and Neo feels the words, like a drug, seeping into him.

“TRINITY: ‘It’s the question that drives us, the question that brought you here. You know the question just as I did.’

“NEO: ‘What is the Matrix?’

Sharing stories from your life can be both cathartic for you and inspiring or instructive (or at least entertaining) for your readers.

From The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

“It was in fact the ordinary nature of everything preceding the event that prevented me from truly believing it had happened, absorbing it, incorporating it, getting past it. I recognize now that there was nothing unusual in this: confronted with sudden disaster, we all focus on how unremarkable the circumstances were in which the unthinkable occurred: the clear blue sky from which the plane fell, the routine errand that ended on the shoulder with the car in flames, the swings where the children were playing as usual when the rattlesnake struck from the ivy. ‘He was on his way home from work—happy, successful, healthy—and then, gone,’ I read in the account of the psychiatric nurse whose husband was killed in a highway accident… ”

From Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt:

“When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood.”

From Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s by Jennifer Worth:

“Nonnatus House was situated in the heart of the London Docklands… The area was densely-populated and most families had lived there for generations, often not moving more than a street or two away from their birthplace. Family life was lived at close-quarters and children were brought up by a widely-extended family of aunts, grandparents, cousins, and older siblings.

The purpose of most speeches is to inform, inspire, or persuade. Think of the last time you gave a speech of your own. How did you hook your listeners?

From “Is Technology Making Us Smarter or Dumber?” by Rob Clowes (Persuasive)

“It is possible to imagine that human nature, the human intellect, emotions and feelings are completely independent of our technologies; that we are essentially ahistorical beings with one constant human nature that has remained the same throughout history or even pre-history? Sometimes evolutionary psychologists—those who believe human nature was fixed on the Pleistocene Savannah—talk this way. I think this is demonstrably wrong…. “

From “Make Good Art” by Neil Gaiman (Keynote Address for the University of Fine Arts, 2012):

“…First of all: When you start out on a career in the arts you have no idea what you are doing.”

“This is great. People who know what they are doing know the rules, and know what is possible and impossible. You do not. And you should not. The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who had not tested the bounds of the possible by going beyond them. And you can.”

“If you don’t know it’s impossible it’s easier to do. And because nobody’s done it before, they haven’t made up rules to stop anyone doing that again, yet.”

21 Top Examples of Creative Writing

By Rofida Khairalla

Let’s be practical: anyone can be a writer.

Sure, practicing the skill and perfecting the art takes a certain modicum of natural interest in the profession.

But the thing that so many people can often overlook is that being a “writer” isn’t defined by how much you write.

So many times we can get hung up on trying to write a bestselling novel or groundbreaking book that we can forget that there are so many other types of writing out there.

Take a step back for a moment and think about it this way:

Whether you have a blog, a social media page, or spend all day texting that special someone, there’s probably an inner literary genius inside you waiting to burst out on the page.

Maybe you don’t have the time or the patience to write a novel, and that’s okay. There are plenty of different types of writing out there and you can most likely find one category, or several, that allow you to get your thoughts on paper in a way that works for you.

If you’re curious to know more, or are just interested in trying out a new writing genre, we’ve made it easier for you by compiling a list of the top 21 examples of creative writing.

1. Novel Writing

A novel is probably the most popular example of creative writing out there. When you think “creative writing” an image of Stephen King typing madly at his computer is probably the first thing that pops into your head. And that’s okay. Given that novels have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, it’s not surprising. Typically what distinguishes a novel from other forms of writing is that novels are usually works of fiction that are longer in length and follow a set of characters and plot structure.

2. Short Stories

When it comes to examples of imaginative writing, not unlike its longer counterpart, the novel, short stories also follow a set plot and typically feature one character or a selection of characters. However, the thing to keep in mind about short stories is that they typically resolve in fewer than 50 pages.

3. Flash Fiction

If you’re up for a real challenge, try your hand at some flash fiction . This type is similar to a short story or novel in the sense that it follows some form of a plot. However, flash fiction usually resolves within a few hundred words or less. There are a few kinds of flash fiction that exist: the six word story, the 50 word story, and the hundred word story. Additionally, flash fiction also has another faction known as sudden fiction, which usually tells a full story in about 750 words.

As an example of imaginative writing, the incredible thing about poetry is that there are so many kinds. From narrative to lyrical and even language poetry there’s so many different ways you can express yourself through a poem. You might be especially interested in pursuing poetry if you enjoy word play or experimenting with the musicality behind words.

Although rap is somewhat of a subcategory of poetry, it’s one of the few forms of poetry that can often get over looked in academic classes. However, it’s probably one of the more contemporary types of poetry available while still sticking to many of the classical rules (or tools) of poetry, including rhyme. Also, it’s one of the areas where the best writers are really produced. The reason for that is because rap forces writers to think on their feet in a way that many other genres don’t.

Playwriting is another great writing style to experiment with, especially if you enjoy the idea of seeing your work come to life. Typically, playwriting involves developing a script that both clearly sets the setting, plot, and characters while also minimizing the amount of description used. One of the key elements of a play is that it’s a collaboration of minds, even though they often don’t work together at the same time. Yet the final product, the performance, is always the end result of work done by the playwright as well as the director, actors and even set designers.

7. Scripts (T.V./Movies)

Like traditional plays, movie or T.V. scripts are often the result of collaboration between a team of people including the cast and crew. However, the big difference is that when you’re writing a T.V. or movie script , you’re often working together with the director and the actors as part of the production team.

Not a fiction writer? No problem! You probably have a unique story worth sharing: it’s called your life. Here’s the deal when it comes to memoirs: the biggest thing to remember is that not everything in your life is considered readership-worthy. In fact, most things probably aren’t. But, most likely, there is a unique angle or perspective that you can take when examining your life.

For example, if you have a really distinctive family history and you’re looking into exploring it, that could be a great subject for a memoir. Maybe you have a really interesting job that exposes you to lots of different people and events on a regular basis; you could write a book about your experiences in that field. The key to writing a good memoir is knowing what angle to take on any subject.

9. Non-Fiction Narratives

Of course, a memoir is just a subsection of a category known as the non-fiction narrative. But not all non-fiction narratives are memoirs. Take for example author Tim Hernandez, who wrote the book Mañana means Heaven . Hernandez writes in a style that is inherently descriptive and interesting, despite the fact that the book’s narrative is mostly based on research and interviews.

10. Songs/Lyrics

Another sector of poetry, songs and lyrics are also a great place where you can express your thoughts and emotions not only through words, but also through music. Whether you’re writing a love ballad or a hymn, there are lots of reasons to enjoy working in this genre. While a lot of this genre is relatively unrestrictive in terms of what you can create, it’s a really good idea to get familiar with the basics of song writing. Especially in an era where so much of the music we hear is impacted by technology, the more you know about the art of song writing, the freer you will be to experiment.

11. Speeches

Speech writing is another great way to express yourself and also reach a wider audience. The thing about speeches is that they are both a form of oral and written text, so the key to writing a really good speech is to take into consideration your phrasing, word choice and syntax. More importantly, the way a speech is delivered can really make or break its success. Practice strong enunciation, confident body language and invoking a clear voice.

12. Greeting Cards

You might hear a lot about greeting cards when people talk about how to make easy money as a writer. But the truth is, being a greeting card writer is anything but easy. You have to be able to keep the greeting card expressions short, catchy and, in a lot of cases, funny. However, if you’ve got the chops to try your hand at a few greeting cards, practice writing limericks and other forms of short poetry. More importantly, read lots of greeting cards to get an idea of how the best writers go about creating the really fun cards that you enjoy purchasing.

It used to be that blogs were the place where teenagers could go to express their teenage angst. But nowadays, blogs are also a great place to be if you’re a writer. There are an unlimited amount of topics you can successfully blog on that will garner attention from audiences. You can use your blog as a forum to share your writing or even reflect on current events, the stock market—really anything! The possibilities are endless, but the key is finding a subject and sticking to it. For example, if you decide to start a blog dedicated to rock music, stick to rock music. Avoid long tangents about politics or other unrelated subjects.

14. Feature Journalism

Feature Journalism is a great place to start if you want to get your feet wet if you’re interested in reporting. Why? Because there are a lot more creative aspects to feature journalism compared to news journalism. Feature stories typically allow you more flexibility with the kinds of details you put into the article, as well as more room for creativity in your lede.

15. Column Writing

If you like the idea of journalism but feel you could never be a journalist in light of your strong opinions, column writing is another avenue you can take. The thing about columns is that they’re typically based in ideas and opinions rather than fact. Yet, because columnists are considered experts in their respective fields, their opinion tends to hold more sway with readers.

As part of the non-fiction narrative family, the personal essay, or even the academic essay, has plenty of elements that are creative. Whether you’re writing about personal experiences or a science project, there are lots of opportunities you have to be creative and hook your reader. Even the most mundane reports have the opportunity to become interesting if you know how to present your topic. As with a lot of non-fiction writing, the secret to writing a good essay is all about your framing. When you begin writing, think about explaining the issue in the most engaging way possible. Just because your writing should cut to the chase doesn’t mean that it should be bland, boring or bogged down in technical jargon. Use anecdotes, clear and concise language, and even humor to express your findings.

17. Twitter Stories

With only 140 characters, how can you tell a story? Well, when you use Twitter, that’s exactly what you’re doing. However, a new phenomenon that’s currently taking over the site is a type of flash fiction called Twitterature, where writers tell a full story or write a poem in 140 characters or less.

18. Comic Strips

If you have a knack for writing and drawing, then you might be especially interested in working on a comic strip. Comic strips are harder project to tackle because they require a lot of preplanning before you start writing. Before you begin drafting you need to know the plot and have a strong outline for how the graphics will look.

19. Collaboration

This is typically a writing exercise that writers do with other writers to expand on their creativity. Essentially the way the exercise works is that one writer will start a story and another will finish it. You might be especially familiar with this kind of work if you’ve ever read the work of an author that was completed AFTER their death. However, collaboration is just another way you can bounce ideas off another person. You can also collaborate with other writers for world building , character development and even general brainstorming.

20. Novella

An example of creative writing, a novella is essentially the love child of a short story and a novel. Although the novella does feature a plot, the plot is typically less complicated compared to that of a novel. Usually novellas are about 50 pages.

21. Genre Writing

Another type of writing that fiction writers can do is genre writing. If you think of popular writers like Stephen King, Nora Roberts and James Patterson, then you’re probably familiar with genre writing. Essentially, genre writing is when a writer explores different stories in one particular genre, like romance, fantasy, or mystery. There’s a huge market out there for genre fiction, which makes it definitely worth pursuing if you a have preference for a particular kind of literature.

The important thing to keep in mind as a writer is that experimentation is never a bad idea. If you’re genuinely curious about one or more items on this list, give it a go! Some of the best literary works were created by accident.

What did you think of our list of 21 creative writing examples? Do you have experience in any of these types of creative writing? Do you know of any other creative writing examples? Please tell us more in the comments box below!

As a graduate from the University of Arizona in English and Creative Writing, Rofida Khairalla’s love for classical literature and post-modern fiction extends beyond the realm of books. She has provided her services independently as a freelance writer, and wrote on the news desk for the student-run newspaper, The Daily Wildcat. As an aspiring children’s book author, she’s refined her craft amongst the grand saguaros of the Southwest, and enjoys playing with her German Shepherd on the slopes of Mount Lemmon.

What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Bright, colorful creative writer's desk with notebook and typewriter -- What Is Creative Writing

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

Short stories
Screenplays
Flash fiction
Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Recommended Tools	Learn More
Jasper AI
Show Not Tell GPT
Dragon Professional Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition
Surface Laptop
Bluehost
Sqribble (eBook maker)

8 Creative Writing Examples That Will Spark Your Writing Genius

Jane Ng • 15 November, 2023 • 8 min read

Looking for some creative writing examples to ignite your imagination? You've come to the right place! Whether you're an aspiring writer searching for inspiration, or a student aiming to enhance your creative writing skills, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we'll provide creative writing examples, explore different styles, and techniques, and showcase some truly inspiring pieces.

So, let's begin our adventure into the world of creativity and expression.

What is creative writing.

Types of Creative Writing Styles

Key Takeaways

FAQs About Creative Writing Examples

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Creative writing is the art of using words to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions in imaginative and unique ways. It's a writing form that goes beyond the technical and conventional aspects of writing like grammar and structure, focusing instead on capturing the essence of storytelling and personal expression.

In creative writing, writers have the freedom to invent characters, settings, and plots, allowing their creativity to flow without the constraints of strict rules or guidelines. This form of writing can take various forms, including short stories, poetry, novels, plays, and more which we’ll explore in the next section.

Types Of Creative Writing Styles

Creative writing encompasses a variety of styles, each with its unique characteristics and purposes. Here are some common types of creative writing styles:

Fiction: Storytelling with invented characters, plots, and settings across genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, flash fiction and literary fiction.
Poetry: Expressive writing using rhyme, meter, and figurative language to convey emotions and imagery, including forms like sonnets, haikus, and free verse.
Drama/Playwriting: Crafting scripts for theatrical performances, incorporating dialogue, stage directions, and character development for stage productions.
Creative Nonfiction: Merging facts with narrative storytelling techniques to create engaging personal essays, memoirs, and travel writing.
Screenwriting: Developing scripts for movies and television, adhering to a specific format, and including scenes, dialogues, and camera directions.
Short Stories: Concise narratives exploring single themes with well-developed characters and plots within a limited word count.
Blogging: Creating conversational and relatable content, combining personal experiences, opinions, and information, covering a wide range of topics and formats.
Songwriting: Crafting lyrics and melodies to convey emotions and stories through music, blending language with melody in a unique creative form.

1/ Flash Fiction - Short Creative Writing Examples:

Ernest Hemingway's Six-Word Story:

" For sale: baby shoes, never worn. "

This poignant six-word story is often attributed to Hemingway, although its true authorship is debated. Regardless, it showcases the power of flash fiction to convey a complete narrative with just a handful of words. In this case, it tells a heartbreaking story of loss and unfulfilled hopes in a remarkably concise manner.

2/ GCSE Creative Writing Examples:

Here's a GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) creative writing example. GCSE creative writing tasks often require students to demonstrate their ability to craft engaging narratives.

Task: The Unexpected Visitor

“Imagine you are at home alone on a rainy evening. Your parents are out, and you're engrossed in a book. Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. You weren't expecting anyone, and the hour is late. Write a short story (around 300-400 words) about what happens next.”

3/ Haiku Poetry - Creative Writing Examples:

Haikus are a traditional form of Japanese poetry known for their brevity and focus on nature and the changing seasons. Each haiku typically consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, making them a concise yet evocative form of creative expression.

Matsuo Basho (1644-1694):

“An old silent pond...

A frog jumps into the pond—

Splash! Silence again.”

4/ Screen Writing - Creative Writing Examples:

Screenwriting is a unique form of creative writing that brings stories to life on big and small screens. Here are a few famous examples of screenwriting from iconic films and TV series:

1/ Movie - "Get Out" (2017) Script - Written by Jordan Peele:

Jordan Peele's screenplay combines horror and social commentary, making "Get Out" a thought-provoking and chilling cinematic experience.

2/ TV Series - "Breaking Bad" (2008-2013) - Created by Vince Gilligan:

Vince Gilligan's screenplay for "Breaking Bad" masterfully portrays the transformation of a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, into a drug lord. The series is celebrated for its character development and moral ambiguity.

5/ Playwriting - Creative Writing Examples:

These plays represent a diverse range of styles and themes within the world of playwriting. They have had a significant impact on the theater and continue to be performed and studied worldwide.

1/ "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare:

This timeless tragedy explores themes of love and conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets. It's one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, known for its poetic language and unforgettable characters.

2/ "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller:

Arthur Miller's classic play delves into the American Dream and the disillusionment of a traveling salesman named Willy Loman. It's celebrated for its exploration of the human condition and the pursuit of success.

6/ Personal Essay - Creative Writing Examples:

Personal essay examples showcase how writers can draw from their own life experiences to create engaging narratives that resonate with readers.

1/ "A Journey to Self-Discovery"

In this personal essay, the author reflects on a transformative backpacking trip through the mountains. They recount the physical and emotional challenges faced during the journey and how these challenges ultimately led to profound self-discovery and growth. The essay explores themes of resilience, introspection, and the power of nature to inspire personal change.

2/ "Lessons from My Grandmother's Kitchen"

This personal essay takes readers into the author's childhood memories of spending time with their grandmother in the kitchen. Through vivid descriptions of cooking rituals and family gatherings, the author reflects on the valuable life lessons and cultural heritage passed down through generations. The essay touches on themes of family, tradition, and the importance of preserving cultural identity.

7/ Blogging - Creative Writing Examples:

Here are a few famous examples of blogs known for their creative and engaging writing styles:

1/ Wait But Why by Tim Urban:

Wait But Why is known for its in-depth articles and entertaining infographics that explore a wide range of topics, from science and technology to philosophy and human behavior.

2/ Cup of Jo by Joanna Goddard:

Cup of Jo is a lifestyle blog that features thoughtful and relatable content on relationships, parenting, travel, and more. Joanna Goddard's writing style is warm and inviting.

8/ Songwriting - Creative Writing Examples:

Here are three famous examples of songwriting known for their creative and impactful lyrics:

1/ “Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen:

Queen's epic and operatic "Bohemian Rhapsody" features intricate lyrics that tell a complex narrative and create a timeless rock masterpiece.

2/ "Yesterday" by The Beatles:

"Yesterday" by The Beatles is a classic ballad with introspective lyrics that explore themes of nostalgia and lost love.

3/ "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye:

Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is a socially conscious song with lyrics that address issues like war, racism, and environmental concerns.

Through the power of words, writers can transport readers to distant worlds, evoke deep emotions, and share profound insights. Throughout this exploration of creative writing examples, we've witnessed the diverse tapestry of possibilities, from captivating personal essays to timeless poetry, from gripping screenplays to enchanting song lyrics.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting your creative journey, the key lies in unlocking your imagination and letting your ideas flow freely. So don't forget that AhaSlides provides a dynamic platform for creative writing, offering interactive features that can enhance your storytelling. Whether you're crafting a captivating presentation, conducting a workshop, or seeking feedback on your work, AhaSlides empowers you to engage with your audience in new and exciting ways.

FAQs About Creative Writing Examples

What is a good example of creative writing.

One famous example of creative writing is the opening paragraph of Charles Dickens' novel " A Tale of Two Cities ": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Is a verse example of creative writing?

Yes, a verse can be a good example of creative writing. Creative writing encompasses a wide range of forms and styles, and poetry or verse is certainly one of them.

Ref: Study.com

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10 Examples of Engaging and Well-Crafted Creative Writing Pieces for Inspiration

1. the great gatsby by f. scott fitzgerald, 2. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee, 3. pride and prejudice by jane austen, 4. catch-22 by joseph heller, 5. the catcher in the rye by j.d. salinger, 6. 1984 by george orwell, 7. the adventures of huckleberry finn by mark twain, 8. the hobbit by j.r.r. tolkien, 9. the handmaid's tale by margaret atwood, 10. animal farm by george orwell.

Searching for creative writing examples can be overwhelming, but fear not! We've compiled a list of ten engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces for you to gain inspiration from. These works will not only spark your imagination but also aid in developing your own unique writing style. So, let's dive into these fantastic examples of creative writing!

The Great Gatsby is a classic example of engaging and well-crafted creative writing that has stood the test of time. Set in the roaring 1920s, this novel offers a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and the pursuit of the American Dream. Here's what makes this piece a great source of inspiration for creative writers:

Imagery: Fitzgerald masterfully uses vivid descriptions to bring the opulent world of Gatsby to life. From the extravagant parties to the lavish mansions, his words paint a picture that transports readers to another era.
Symbolism: Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald employs various symbols, such as the green light and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, to convey deeper meanings and themes.
Character development: The complex and multifaceted characters in The Great Gatsby are what truly drive the story. As you read, you'll witness their motivations, desires, and flaws, making them feel like real people.
Themes: The Great Gatsby explores timeless themes such as love, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness, which continue to resonate with readers today.

As you explore this classic example of creative writing, take note of Fitzgerald's techniques and consider how you can incorporate them into your own work. Remember, the key to great creative writing is to read engaging and well-crafted pieces like The Great Gatsby and learn from the masters!

To Kill a Mockingbird is another remarkable example of creative writing that has captivated readers for generations. Set in the Deep South during the 1930s, the novel tackles themes of racial injustice and moral growth through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch. Here are some key aspects of this work that make it an excellent source of inspiration for aspiring creative writers:

Point of view: The story is narrated from Scout's perspective, giving readers a unique and innocent outlook on the events that unfold. This helps to create a powerful emotional connection between the reader and the characters.
Dialogue: Harper Lee skillfully crafts authentic and engaging dialogue that brings the characters to life. The conversations in the novel are a great example of how to create natural-sounding dialogue that advances the plot and reveals character traits.
Setting: The vivid descriptions of Maycomb, Alabama, provide a strong sense of place that is integral to the story. The well-drawn setting helps to immerse readers in the world of the novel and adds depth to the narrative.
Themes: To Kill a Mockingbird addresses important themes like racism, prejudice, and the loss of innocence, which remain relevant today. The novel serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shed light on social issues and challenge our perceptions.

As you read this creative writing masterpiece, observe how Harper Lee weaves these elements together to create a powerful and thought-provoking story. Keep in mind that learning from creative writing examples like To Kill a Mockingbird can help you develop your own engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces.

Pride and Prejudice is a timeless example of creative writing that continues to be popular more than two centuries after its publication. It is a delightful romantic comedy that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in 19th-century England. The novel is filled with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and humorous insights into human nature. Here are some key elements of Jane Austen's writing that you can learn from and apply to your own creative projects:

Characterization: Austen's characters are complex, relatable, and engaging. Each character has their own distinct personality, making them memorable and interesting to read about. Observe how Austen uses subtle details and dialogue to reveal her characters' traits, motivations, and flaws.
Humor and wit: Pride and Prejudice is known for its clever, witty dialogue and humorous observations about society and human nature. As you read, pay attention to how Austen uses irony, sarcasm, and wordplay to create humor and keep the reader entertained.
Structure and pacing: The novel is well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Notice how Austen masterfully builds tension, develops relationships, and resolves conflicts throughout the story, while maintaining a steady pace that keeps the reader engaged.
Themes: Pride and Prejudice explores themes such as love, marriage, social class, and individual growth that remain relevant today. Consider how Austen's exploration of these themes adds depth and meaning to the story, making it more than just a light-hearted comedy.

By studying creative writing examples like Pride and Prejudice , you can gain valuable insights into crafting engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces. Let Jane Austen's brilliant storytelling inspire you to create your own unforgettable characters and captivating stories.

Catch-22 is a satirical novel by Joseph Heller that is set during World War II. It tells the story of Yossarian, a bombardier who is desperately trying to avoid flying more missions. The novel is renowned for its unique blend of humor, absurdity, and dark themes, making it an excellent creative writing example to study and learn from. Here are some key aspects of Heller's writing that can inspire and inform your own work:

Unique narrative style: Heller's writing style is distinct, with frequent use of repetition, non-linear storytelling, and absurd situations. Observe how this unusual narrative approach adds to the overall impact and message of the story, and consider how you can experiment with different storytelling techniques in your own writing.
Humor and satire: Catch-22 uses humor and satire to explore serious themes such as war, bureaucracy, and the human condition. Notice how Heller's use of comedy and absurdity not only entertains the reader but also serves to emphasize the novel's deeper messages.
Strong characterization: The novel features a large cast of colorful, memorable characters. Study how Heller brings each character to life through their distinct personalities, quirks, and actions, and consider how you can create equally vivid characters in your own writing.
Themes and symbolism: Catch-22 is filled with symbolism, as well as overarching themes like the power of bureaucracy and the paradoxes of war. As you read, take note of how these themes and symbols enhance the story's impact and resonate with the reader.

When looking for creative writing examples, Catch-22 is a great choice to study and learn from. Joseph Heller's unique storytelling approach and expert use of humor, satire, and symbolism can inspire you to take risks and explore new ideas in your own writing.

The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel by J.D. Salinger that follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a troubled teenager who has just been expelled from his prep school. The novel is known for its raw, honest portrayal of teenage angst and alienation, making it a valuable creative writing example to learn from. Here are some aspects of Salinger's writing that can inspire you and help improve your own work:

First-person narration: The novel is narrated by Holden Caulfield, giving the reader an intimate look into his thoughts and emotions. Pay attention to how Salinger uses first-person narration to create a strong connection between the reader and the protagonist, and consider how you might use this technique in your own writing.
Authentic voice: Holden's voice is distinctive and authentic, capturing the thoughts and feelings of a disillusioned teenager. Study how Salinger develops Holden's voice through his use of language, tone, and colloquial expressions, and think about how you can create a unique, authentic voice for your own characters.
Character development: Throughout the novel, Holden experiences growth and change, revealing new facets of his character. Analyze how Salinger develops Holden's character over the course of the story, and consider how you can create dynamic, evolving characters in your own writing.
Themes and motifs: The Catcher in the Rye explores themes such as alienation, the struggle for identity, and the loss of innocence. As you read, take note of how these themes are woven into the narrative, and think about how you can incorporate meaningful themes into your own writing.

As one of the most powerful creative writing examples, The Catcher in the Rye can inspire you to develop authentic voices for your characters, experiment with first-person narration, and explore meaningful themes in your work. J.D. Salinger's novel is a testament to the power of engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces, and studying it can help you grow as a writer.

1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell that presents a chilling vision of a future society ruled by an oppressive government. As one of the most iconic creative writing examples, 1984 offers a wealth of inspiration for aspiring writers to learn from. Here are some key aspects of Orwell's writing that you can study and apply to your own work:

World-building: Orwell creates a vivid, immersive world in which the story takes place. Observe how he constructs the setting, incorporating elements like the oppressive government, the Thought Police, and the telescreens. Consider how you can create a rich, believable world for your own stories.
Characterization: The novel features memorable characters like Winston Smith and Julia, who struggle against the oppressive regime. Examine how Orwell brings these characters to life through their actions, emotions, and inner thoughts, and think about how you can create compelling, relatable characters in your own writing.
Symbolism: Orwell uses symbols like the omnipresent Big Brother, the telescreens, and the paperweight to convey deeper meanings and themes. Study how these symbols are woven into the narrative, and consider how you can use symbolism to enhance your own writing.
Exploration of themes: 1984 delves into themes such as totalitarianism, surveillance, and the power of language. Notice how these themes are developed throughout the story, and think about how you can explore important themes in your own work.

With its gripping story and thought-provoking themes, 1984 is a prime example of engaging and well-crafted creative writing. By studying George Orwell's novel, you can gain valuable insights into world-building, characterization, symbolism, and thematic exploration that will help you elevate your own writing.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic American novel written by Mark Twain that follows the adventures of a young boy named Huck Finn as he travels down the Mississippi River. This engaging and well-crafted creative writing piece is perfect for studying and drawing inspiration from. Here are some aspects of Twain's writing to focus on:

Distinctive voice: Twain writes in a unique, colloquial voice that brings the characters and story to life. Pay attention to the way he uses dialect and slang to create an authentic, engaging narrative. Think about how you can develop a distinctive voice in your own writing.
Memorable characters: In addition to the eponymous Huckleberry Finn, the novel is filled with memorable characters such as Tom Sawyer, Jim, and Pap. Study the way Twain crafts these characters and makes them feel real and relatable. Consider how you can create unforgettable characters in your own stories.
Humor and wit: Twain is known for his clever humor and sharp wit, which permeate the novel. Take note of how he uses humor to entertain the reader and to make serious points. Reflect on how you can incorporate humor and wit into your own writing to make it more engaging.
Exploration of social issues: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn addresses important social issues such as racism, classism, and moral values. Observe how Twain weaves these themes into the story without losing the narrative's sense of adventure. Think about how you can tackle significant issues in your own writing while maintaining an engaging plot.

By examining The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you can learn valuable lessons in crafting an engaging, well-written story. Studying Mark Twain's writing style, memorable characters, use of humor, and exploration of social issues will provide you with a wealth of inspiration for your own creative writing pieces.

The Hobbit is a beloved fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien that tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a small and unassuming hobbit who embarks on an unexpected adventure. This captivating and well-crafted creative writing piece is an excellent source of inspiration for aspiring writers. Here are some of the standout elements in Tolkien's writing that you can learn from:

Imaginative world-building: Tolkien created an entire world called Middle-earth, complete with its own history, geography, and languages. This level of detail makes the story immersive and believable. Consider how you can develop a rich, vivid setting for your own stories that will draw readers in.
Engaging plot: The Hobbit follows a classic quest narrative, with Bilbo and his companions facing numerous challenges and obstacles along their journey. Study how Tolkien crafts a compelling plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Think about how you can create an exciting, well-paced plot in your own writing.
Memorable characters: From the lovable Bilbo Baggins to the wise wizard Gandalf, Tolkien's characters are unforgettable and well-developed. Analyze how he brings each character to life through their actions, dialogue, and relationships. Reflect on how you can create your own memorable, multidimensional characters.
Themes of courage and personal growth: The Hobbit explores themes of bravery, self-discovery, and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Notice how Tolkien weaves these themes into the narrative without being heavy-handed. Think about how you can incorporate meaningful themes into your own stories that resonate with readers.

By studying The Hobbit and the way J.R.R. Tolkien crafted his engaging, well-written story, you will find a treasure trove of inspiration for your own creative writing pieces. Taking the time to analyze Tolkien's imaginative world-building, compelling plot, unforgettable characters, and thematic exploration will provide you with the tools you need to create your own captivating stories.

The Handmaid's Tale is a powerful and thought-provoking novel by Margaret Atwood that delves into the world of a totalitarian society where women's rights have been stripped away. This gripping and expertly crafted creative writing piece serves as a great source of inspiration for writers who want to explore complex themes and create compelling narratives. Here are some key elements of Atwood's writing that you can learn from:

Dystopian setting: Atwood creates a chilling, believable dystopia in the Republic of Gilead, where women's roles are strictly controlled. Consider how you can build your own unique and thought-provoking setting that challenges readers to think critically about societal issues.
Strong, complex characters: The protagonist, Offred, is a multidimensional character whose experiences and emotions are vividly portrayed. Examine how Atwood develops her characters, making them relatable and sympathetic even in a disturbing world. Reflect on how you can create complex, engaging characters in your own writing.
Addressing important themes: The Handmaid's Tale tackles themes such as gender inequality, power dynamics, and resistance. Notice how Atwood weaves these themes into the narrative without overwhelming the story. Think about how you can address important issues in your own writing, making your work both meaningful and engaging.
Powerful, evocative language: Atwood's writing is rich in imagery and symbolism, giving the story depth and emotional resonance. Study her use of language and how it adds layers to the narrative. Consider how you can use powerful, evocative language in your own creative writing pieces to bring your stories to life.

By analyzing The Handmaid's Tale and Margaret Atwood's skillful writing, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration for your own creative writing projects. Take note of her compelling dystopian setting, complex characters, exploration of important themes, and powerful language to help you craft engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces that will captivate your readers.

Animal Farm is a brilliant and engaging creative writing piece by George Orwell that uses allegory and satire to critique the events and ideas surrounding the Russian Revolution. This classic novel serves as an excellent example for writers who want to use symbolism and humor to convey deeper meanings and comment on societal issues. Here are some key aspects of Orwell's writing that you can learn from and apply to your own writing:

Allegorical storytelling: Orwell uses the story of farm animals rebelling against their human owner as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of communism. Consider how you can use allegory in your own writing to explore complex concepts or historical events in an accessible and engaging way.
Well-developed characters: The animals in Animal Farm are more than just talking farm animals—they represent various historical figures and social classes. Study how Orwell develops these characters, giving them distinct personalities and motivations, while also using them to symbolize larger ideas. Think about how you can create rich, multi-layered characters in your own writing that serve a symbolic purpose.
Sharp satire: Orwell uses satire to criticize the hypocrisy and corruption of the Russian Revolution, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking. Examine how he uses humor and irony to convey his message, and contemplate how you can incorporate satire into your own writing to comment on societal issues or human nature.
Clear, concise language: Orwell's writing is straightforward and easy to understand, making his message accessible to a wide range of readers. Pay attention to his use of simple vocabulary and sentence structures, and think about how you can employ clear, concise language in your own creative writing examples to ensure your message is effectively communicated.

By studying Animal Farm and George Orwell's clever writing techniques, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration for crafting your own engaging and well-crafted creative writing pieces. Utilize allegorical storytelling, well-developed characters, sharp satire, and clear language to create captivating stories that both entertain and provoke thought in your readers.

If you're looking to sharpen your writing skills and take your craft to new heights, don't miss the workshop ' Everything You Need To Be A Skilled Writer ' by Christina Wolfgram. This comprehensive workshop will provide you with valuable insights, tips, and techniques to become a skilled writer and excel in your creative endeavors.

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19 Popular Creative Writing Genres with Examples

Last Updated on October 23, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Dive into the diverse universe of creative writing, where the mind dances with words and ideas, forming a tapestry of tales. From the playful poems of Oxford to the mystic memoirs echoing the halls of the University of Northern Iowa , each stroke of the pen (or press of the key) adds a hue to the narrative of human experience. But where does one begin on this path of storytelling? The answer lies in exploring the genres with unique flavor and essence. Ready to journey through the genres and find your narrative niche?

Short Fiction

Short Fiction is like a quick, refreshing dive into a narrative pool. It’s brief yet leaves ripples in the reader’s mind. From compelling novelettes to succinct short stories , this genre is about telling a captivating tale with a tight word leash.

Characteristics:

Brevity : Short fiction is all about telling more in less. It’s the art of narrative economy.
Complete Story : Despite the brevity, the whole story unfolds with a beginning, middle, and end.
Character Arc : A succinct but clear character arc is often a hallmark.

Notable Examples:

‘A&P’ by John Updike : A snapshot of youthful rebellion.
‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson : A chilling tale that holds a mirror to society.

“The short story is the art of the glimpse” – William Trevor

Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)

Sci-fi is the canvas where imagination meets science. It’s about venturing into realms unbound by earthly laws, where the narrative is often driven by scientific or technological innovations.

Sub-genres:

Cyberpunk : Envisioning a high-tech, dystopian future.
Space Opera : Grand tales set against the cosmic backdrop.
Time Travel : Traversing the rivers of time, exploring ‘what if’ scenarios.
‘The War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells : An early epitome of alien invasion narrative.
‘Neuromancer’ by William Gibson : A seminal cyberpunk narrative.

“Science fiction is the most important literature in the history of the world, because it’s the history of ideas, the history of our civilization birthing itself.” – Ray Bradbury

Action Adventure

The heart-thumping, adrenaline-fueled narrative realm where heroes rise, villains fall, and every page is a battlefield or a chase against time.

Heroic Protagonist : A daring hero often drives the narrative.
High Stakes : The stakes are monumental, often a matter of life and death or the fate of the world.
‘The Odyssey’ by Homer : A quintessential adventure of heroism and homecoming.
‘ Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson : A timeless tale of pirates and treasure hunts.

“Adventure must start with running away from home” – William Bolitho

Drama, the mirror to human emotions and societal norms, is a genre where dialogues and character interactions drive the narrative against a backdrop of conflict.

Tragedy : Where heroes fall due to their own flaws, like in the tales of Euripides.
Comedy : The lighter side of drama, often with a happy resolution.
‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare : A tragic tale of revenge and existential dilemma.
‘ Pride and Prejudice ’ by Jane Austen : A comedic drama portraying love and societal expectations.

“Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” – Alfred Hitchcock

Mystery is the genre of the unknown, the unsolved, where every clue is a step towards unveiling the truth, and every red herring, a detour.

Detective Mystery : The sleuthing journey to resolve a crime.
Cozy Mystery : A lighter, often humorous take on the mystery genre.
‘Sherlock Holmes’ series by Arthur Conan Doyle : The epitome of detective mystery.
‘Agatha Raisin’ series by M.C. Beaton : A delightful series of cozy mysteries.

“The mystery story is two stories in one: the story of what happened and the story of what appeared to happen.” – Mary Roberts Rinehart

Thriller/Suspense

Thriller is the literary roller-coaster. It’s about the rush, the chase, and the narrow escapes from the jaws of peril.

High Tension : Thrillers maintain a high-wire tension throughout the narrative.
Unexpected Twists : The plot is laden with unforeseen turns, keeping readers on the edge.
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ by Stieg Larsson : A modern-day thriller intertwined with mystery and drama.
‘The Bourne Identity’ by Robert Ludlum : A thrilling chase of identity and conspiracy.

“The thriller is the most popular literary genre of the 20th century.” – Ken Follett

Ah, Romance, the genre that explores the many shades of love, with narratives often leading to a heartwarming union. It’s where hearts flutter, part, and reunite in a love story that stands the test of time.

Historical Romance : Love blooming in the backdrop of historical settings.
Comedic Romance : Love with a touch of humor, breaking the ice and warming the heart.
‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Brontë : A classic tale of love overcoming adversities.
‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen : A delightful dance of wit and romantic interest.

“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” – Robert Frost

Young Adult Fiction

Young Adult Fiction , a genre resonating with the vibrancy and uncertainties of youth. It’s where adolescence meets adulthood, paving the path of self-discovery amidst the societal and self-imposed expectations.

Fantasy YA : Where young adults navigate through magical realms.
Dystopian YA : The narrative of young rebellion in dystopian settings.
‘Harry Potter’ series by J.K. Rowling : A magical journey of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
‘The Hunger Games’ series by Suzanne Collins : A stark narrative of survival and rebellion.

“Young adult fiction is a genre that has captured the hearts of readers of all ages.” – Unknown

Ghost/Horror/Paranormal

Step into the eerie unknown, where each page might send a chill down the spine. This genre explores the supernatural, the fears lurking in the dark corners of the mind.

Supernatural Elements : Ghosts, spirits, and other paranormal entities drive the narrative.
Psychological Horror : It’s not just about the external ghosts but the internal demons too.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ by Shirley Jackson : A chilling narrative that dances on the edge of reality and supernatural.
‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker : A timeless tale of horror and the fight against the unearthly.

“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” – Stephen King

Speculative Fiction

Speculative Fiction is the canvas of ‘what if’, exploring narratives unbound by the conventional reality, often branching into various sub-genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian.

Alternate Realities : Creating worlds different from the known reality.
Innovative Concepts : Often presents novel ideas and perspectives.
‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley : An exploration of a dystopian future.
‘1984’ by George Orwell : A chilling narrative of surveillance and totalitarianism.

“Speculative fiction is the literature of change and discovery.” – Orson Scott Card

Fantasy, the genre where magic breathes and myths come alive. It’s a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, leading to narratives filled with adventure and wonder.

Magical Elements : Magic is an integral part of the narrative.
Mythical Creatures : The presence of beings from folklore and mythology.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R. Tolkien : An epic saga of good versus evil in a mythical land.
‘Harry Potter’ series by J.K. Rowling : A tale of magic, friendship, and courage.

“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” – Lloyd Alexander

Children’s Fiction

Children’s fiction is the nurturing ground for young minds, where each story is a blend of fun, lessons, and imagination. It’s where kids meet characters and scenarios that stay with them as they grow.

Picture Books : Visual narratives for the young minds.
Middle-Grade Fiction : Stories for the slightly older kids, often filled with adventure and lessons.
‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White : A heartwarming tale of friendship and loss.
‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson : A delightful tale filled with humor and cleverness.

“Children’s fiction is the bedrock on which we build our reading lives.” – Unknown

Memoir, Biography, and Autobiography

This genre is a reflection of real-life stories, a narrative mirror held up to the lives of individuals, showcasing the spectrum of human experience.

Memoirs : Personal narratives focusing on specific experiences or periods in one’s life.
Biography : The life story of a person as told by someone else.
Autobiography : The writer’s own life story, often from birth to the present day.
‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank : A poignant memoir of a life amidst war.
‘Steve Jobs’ by Walter Isaacson : A biography illuminating the life of the tech maestro.

“Memoir isn’t the summary of a life; it’s a window into a life.” – William Zinsser

New Adult Fiction

New Adult Fiction navigates the turbulent waters of early adulthood, exploring love, career, and self-discovery. It’s where the cocoon of adolescence unravels, revealing the challenges and charms of adult life.

Emotional Exploration : Delving into the emotional and personal growth of the characters.
Realistic Challenges : Facing real-world problems and learning to overcome them.
‘Beautiful Disaster’ by Jamie McGuire : A narrative exploring the tumultuous journey of love and self-discovery.
‘Easy’ by Tammara Webber : A poignant tale of overcoming personal tragedies and finding love.

“New Adult Fiction is the bridge between adolescence and adulthood, narrated with a fresh voice.” – Unknown

Novellas are the middle ground of narrative length, offering a canvas large enough for character development while retaining the charm of brevity.

Concise Narratives : A story told with precision, sans the extensive subplots.
Focused Themes : Centered around a specific theme or message.
‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad : A novella exploring the darkness within human souls.
‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck : A narrative encapsulating the themes of friendship and dreams.

“The novella is the stepchild of literary genres, too long for a short story and too short for a novel.” – Ian McEwan

Poetry is the garden where emotions bloom into verses. It’s a realm where every metaphor is a leaf, every rhyme, a blossom, and every stanza, a tree of expression.

Sonnet : A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.
Haiku : A 3-line poem with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5.
‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night’ by Dylan Thomas : A sonnet exploring the theme of death.
Various Haikus by Matsuo Basho : Delicate snippets capturing the essence of nature.

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” – Robert Frost

Historical genre is a time machine crafted with words, transporting readers to bygone eras, making history come alive through fictitious narratives.

Historical Accuracy : Incorporation of factual historical elements.
Period-Specific Dialogue and Settings : Reflecting the essence of the era being portrayed.
‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr : A tale set against the backdrop of World War II.
‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak : A narrative intertwined with historical events.

“Historical fiction is the closest thing we have to a time machine.” – Unknown

Family Saga

Family Saga is the narrative orchard where the seeds of past actions bear fruits for future generations. It’s a genre exploring the intertwining branches of familial bonds, legacies, and secrets over generations.

Multi-Generational Narratives : Stories spanning across several generations.
Character Complexity : The complexity of relationships and individual character arcs.
‘The Thorn Birds’ by Colleen McCullough : A saga spanning across three generations of a family.
‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez : A magical realist saga of the Buendía family.

“In family sagas, the past casts a long shadow over the present, each generation a ring in a mighty tree.” – Unknown

Literary Fiction

Literary Fiction is the genre of introspection, where the narrative dives deep into the human psyche, exploring the complex tapestry of emotions, relationships, and societal norms.

Exploration of Human Condition : Delving deep into the emotional and existential realms.
Stylistic Narrative : Often characterized by a unique or experimental narrative style.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee : A narrative exploring racial injustice and moral growth.
‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald : A tale reflecting the American dream and its disillusionment.

“Literary fiction explores the many layers of the human condition, narrated with an artistry that echoes the complexity of life.” – Unknown

Creative Nonfiction

Creative Nonfiction is where reality meets narrative artistry. It’s about painting the canvas of facts with the colors of personal storytelling and reflective insight.

Personal Essay : Expressive essays reflecting personal experiences or views.
Narrative Nonfiction : Factual stories told with a narrative flair.
‘In Cold Blood’ by Truman Capote : A groundbreaking narrative nonfiction exploring a real-life crime.
‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert : A personal essay exploring the author’s journey of self-discovery.

“Creative nonfiction is not making something up but making the most of what you have.” – John McPhee

Final Words

We hope this blog has helped you in understanding how different genres work and what makes them different from each other. While some of the genres mentioned above may not appeal to everyone, others have been successful time and again in capturing readers’ attention. What works for one person might not work for another but the key here is being sure about what kind of writing style suits you best before diving into the world of storytelling!

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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

Illustration of a writer getting ready for a creative writing contest

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.

Example of Reedsy's Creative Writing Prompts

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

Illustration of a writer journaling in autumn

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!

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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.

How to Start Creative Writing | Screenshot of a tweet by the Twitter account

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.

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4. Find an old photo and tell its story

Illustration of a photo-inspired journaling exercise

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?

Creative Writing | info card listing 5 headers below

5. Create a character from a random name

Illustration of a young poet and a warrior back to back

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

A writer observing a person and taking notes

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

Illustration of a haiku poet inspired by the four seasons

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.

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25 Creative Writing Prompts

by Melissa Donovan | Oct 23, 2018 | Creative Writing Prompts | 236 comments

Twenty-five creative writing prompts to inspire and motivate you.

Don’t you just hate writer’s block? Some say it’s a disease that only creative workers succumb to. Some say it’s a curse. Others argue that it doesn’t exist at all. But just about everyone has been there–sitting in front of a blank screen, fingers itching to create a masterpiece. And nothing happens.

For me, the most bizarre thing about writer’s block is that it strikes randomly. Most of the time, I’m overwhelmed with more ideas than I can possibly write about. But then I’ll sit down to write and my mind goes blank. Sure, I flip through my notebooks and review all the ideas I’ve stockpiled, but nothing feels right. I want something fresh. I need a new angle.

To help break through this block, I started turning to creative writing prompts. And then I started making up my own prompts. The result: 1200 Creative Writing Prompts , a book designed to spark ideas for writers.

Creative Writing Prompts

Today I’d like to share a mash-up of creative writing prompts, all of which come from 1200 Creative Writing Prompts . There are no rules. Write a poem. Write a short story. Write an essay. Aim for a hundred words or aim for a hundred thousand. Just start writing, and have fun.

The protagonist is digging in the garden and finds a fist-sized nugget of gold. There’s more where that came from in this hilarious story of sudden wealth.
Write a poem about something ugly—war, fear, hate, or cruelty—but try to find the beauty (silver lining) in it or something good that comes out of it.
An asteroid and a meteoroid collide near Earth, and fragments rain down onto the planet’s surface, wreaking havoc. Some of those fragments contain surprising elements: fossils that prove life exists elsewhere in the galaxy, for example.
The story starts when a kid comes out of the school bathroom with toilet paper dangling from his or her waistband. Does someone step forward and whisper a polite word, or do the other kids make fun? What happens in this pivotal moment will drive the story and have a deep impact on the main character.
Revisit your earliest memories of learning about faith, religion, or spirituality.
Use all of the following words in a poem: bit, draw, flex, perilous, bubble, corner, rancid, pound, high, open.
Write a poem about a first romantic (dare I say sexual?) experience or encounter.
Write a personal essay describing an exotic animal you’d like to have as a pet.
Silvery flakes drifted downward, glittering in the bright light of the harvest moon. The blackbird soared.
Write a tongue-in-cheek, satirical tribute. Tell bad drivers, rude customers, and evil dictators how grateful you are for what they’ve done. Do it with a wink and a smile.
Write a story about a detective solving a crime that was committed against his or her partner or a crime that his or her partner committed.
Three children are sitting on a log near a stream. One of them looks up at the sky and says…
There is a magic talisman that allows its keeper to read minds. It falls into the hands of a young politician.
We’ve seen cute and cuddly dragons, mean and vicious dragons, and noble dragons. Write a story about a different kind of dragon.
Use all of the following words in a poem: dash, hard, staple, billboard, part, circle, flattened.
Write a story set in the distant future when humanity is at a fork in the evolutionary road. Some humans are evolving; others are not.
The kids were raised on the mantra “Family is everything.” What happens when they find out their parents aren’t who they pretended to be? Will the family fall apart?
Write a poem about one (or both) of your parents. It could be a tribute poem, but it doesn’t have to be.
Turn ordinary animals into monsters that prey on humans: dog-sized rats, killer rabbits, or a pack of rabid mountain lions. Give the animals intelligence and set them loose.
A twinkling eye can mean many things. Write a poem about a twinkle in someone’s eye.
What determines an action or person as good or evil? Who gets to decide what or who is good or evil? Write a personal essay about it.
Write a poem about your body.
The protagonist is about to drift off to sleep only to be roused by the spontaneous memory of an embarrassing moment from his or her past.
Write about the happiest day of your life.
Use all of the following words in a poem: feast, fire, modify, squash, robbed, forgotten, understated.

Now It’s Your Turn

Did any of these prompts inspire you? Do you ever use creative writing prompts to ignite a writing session? Tell us what gets your pen moving by leaving a comment, and keep writing!

To get more prompts like these, pick up a copy of 1200 Creative Writing Prompts today.

236 Comments

Melissa, Wow, there’s something about this list that feels like a lightbulb went off! There are times when I feel stuck, like ideas aren’t there. And this list really shines what can be…limitless possibilities!

26. If my life were a cartoon… 27. Pick two crayons at random. What thoughts/feelings do two color stir up in you?

Ah, I love the feeling of a light bulb illuminating my mind! Thanks for adding to the list!

what about… That spark which seemed like a star, when it approached closer, my lips went white and body shivering despite the fact I knew I was placed in a desert – by them- and the sun shone directly above my head. Then at a distance of 1m probably, I got the sight of…

Thanks for sharing these.

If you have children, visualize one of them running the house for a day.

That’s a good one. Kids running the house…how very Dr. Seuss! Cat in the Hat without the cat, hehee.

Ooh, great prompts! Thanks for sharing these!

Thanks! Glad you like them!

A day in the life of a doormat

The adventures of a shooting star

Making friends with my enemy

Ooh, interesting! Thanks, Fouzia.

Hi Melissa,

Bought 3 of your books. 1. 101 Creative Writing Excercises 2.10 Core Practices For Better Writing and 3. 1,200 Creative Writing Prompts.

I decided to start with 1,200 Creative Writing Prompts.

So far, I have written 4 stories from the prompts. I guess I want to enquire as to whether I need to go through each prompt. Thank you

Wow, Kevin, thanks for getting three of my books. I truly appreciate that. You can use the prompts in any way that is comfortable for you. No, you do not have to go through each and every prompt. I encourage you to skip around, flip through book, and find prompts that inspire. I hope you have fun with it! Thanks again.

When I took my creative writing class in college the instructor gave us a really good one to use if we couldn’t think of what to write. She said to write the word Remember 3 times and that would prompt something. The entire class tried it and it worked and I have used it several times since then!

I like the use of remember . There are a lot of words that help people when they can’t think of anything to write about. Maybe I should do a list of single-word prompts. Hmm…

Wow. I was COMPLETELY stuck and this brought back a great story for me to write about, though only faintly attached to any memory of mine. Thanks!

That’s great, Camille! Good luck with your story!

I like to use the question “what would happen if …. ”

What would happen if your husband retired and your kid left home and you’re getting older? -> ” Always Faithful”

What would happen if a person moved back home to care for a relative after decades of living far away? -> “The Way Home”

What would happen if a person who has been divorced and alone for a long time suddenly met the most perfect mate imaginable … but it turns out the person may not be what she appears to be? -> “Baiting and Fishing”

In a way, I think “What Would Happen If…” is my novelist version of my favorite childhood game, “Let’s pretend that…..”

“What if” is the best creative writing prompt ever! You can apply it to just about any situation. Just look at any movie, book, or even real life and start asking, “What if things happened a little differently?” or “What if this person made a different decision?” Asking these questions can take your writing in all kinds of new and interesting directions! It’s great fun.

I love these. Here’s one:

“She was drifting off to sleep when there was a sharp knock at the door . . . “

Ooh, I like that one.

Fabulous list. I’ve been brainstorming all morning with no luck, and so I came online and VOILA, here you are. Loved the list, especially 22.

I’ve created several interesting works using my personal favourite “things to do on a rainy day”. I usually write from the perspective of a child, but rarely myself as a child. This one just opens up so many possibilities for make beleive!

Thanks, Melanie! Glad this list helped you in a time of need. My favorite “things to do on a rainy day” story is The Cat in the Hat . Of course, it’s a “day when mom’s away” rather than a “rainy day,” but it’s pretty much the same idea. Keep writing!

these are very great… i got this one off of True Jackson VP.. spin around and the first thing you see will give you an idea..

i just did this and i saw flowers…

i’m writing about “you are walking through a field with your best friend.. you spot a flower and pick it up.. it gives you super powers…

Ah, a flower that gives one super powers. I love that idea! You should definitely run with it!

I love True Jackson VP! Cool that you got an idea from it! 🙂

You’re suggestion really helped! Im doing imaginative writing for homework and I was so stuck but I’ve found the right one now!!

That’s awesome, Grace! Keep writing.

ooh those are cool… how about: He cradled her, taking in all of her burdens as he swept her hair back from her face and stroked her cheek in a gentle calming motion.

I do creative writing as an A level so it would be cool to know if this starter is ok! ty xoxo

Catherine, I think that’s a great starter line, especially for a romantic story or poem! My only suggestion would be the part “gentle calming motion.” There might be one too many adjectives there. If you keep both adjectives, be sure to add a comma after the first one: “gentle, calming motion.” Nice job!

A young man attempts to pull a robbery of some kind on an older man. Things go drastically wrong for the young man. Either viewpoint!

Either viewpoint, or both, could work!

what if the old man was a retired super spy and the young robber is homeless and broke. he tells this to the old man and the man trains him to be a good spy and lets the young robber live with him. then the old man gets the young robber a job as a spy and then they both find out that the retired spy is the young robbers father and the mother ran away while she was pregnant to go be with some rich guy but the rich guy killed the mother and the young robber has been living on the streets since he was 10.

Heres a gorgeous one! Write a story in the POV of a flower being given from person 2 person.

Interesting!

Wow! These are great, thanks for putting these up. I’m 12 and I really want to be a novelist when I grow up. One of my favourites is: the empty glass. It’s a bit over-used but I think that it’s so versatile, it doesn’t matter if it’s popular because you can take it in so many different directions!

That’s great, Katie! You’re off to an early start. Just stay focused and passionate, and you’ll become a novelist if that’s what you truly want. Good luck to you!

Katie, It is never too young to start living your dreams. Don’t ever let anyone get you down. Keep on writing and believe in yourself that one day you will make it! Best of luck!

I couldn’t agree more, AJ!

I’m 11 and everyone thinks I am a good writer and I love to write so much!

That’s wonderful, Maria. Keep writing!

I’m 16 and i wrote a great alternate ending for an assignment in english, and i wrote a short christmas story on christmas eve, but now i just don’t know what to write about. i have ideas and i have been reading prompts that are good but i just don’t know.

Kristi, give the prompts a try. There are also lots of writing exercises that you can use to spark writing sessions when you’re feeling uninspired. The trick is to write something (anything) rather than sit around waiting for something to write about.

Hi! I am 14 and just wanted to do some creative writing, but could not think of anything to write about. Thank you so much for the ideas! I will definitely be using some.

You’re so welcome! Good luck with your writing!

I’m 14 and writing is my whole life. I recently started a blog with my friend, but she’s not a writer. She just inspires me with ideas and stuff. I love your site, Melissa. I check it almost every day. Your prompts and tips are so completely helpful! Thanks so much!

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.

I’m fourteen, too, and writing is hard to juggle with school and everything else that’s going on. I know – such a teenager-y thing to say…but true nonetheless. I just wanted to say thank you for posting these prompts because they make for quick, satisfying writing that doesn’t end in frustration (at least, mostly). Thanks again!

Writing is hard to juggle at any age. It takes a lot of perseverance, but if you stick with it, you’ll succeed. Good luck to you, and keep on writing!

Im also fourteen and i love to write! i have won a national competition 2 years in a row and i never dreamed i would have won or anything but that just goes to show that youre never too young to write! Just keep believing in yourself and who knows where you might go!

I am thrilled when young people are so passionate about writing (or any craft, really). Congratulations on your success!

One good place to find good story prompts are the obituaries of a large newspaper. One true example: from the Arizona Republic years ago, an elderly gentleman got hit by a motorist one a late, rainy afternoon as he was crossing the street. He had been an immigrant from Norway, and had been a professor at ASU, and was retired and in his 80’s when he died. I have always imagined what his life had been, what he had experienced, etc.

Yes, newspapers are packed with story ideas!

Write a story from the perspective of a sock being separated from its twin in the laundry.

That would make a great children’s story.

a person went to the football stadium and was wearing manu shirt and came out with a barcalona shirt.why???

Well, I have no idea, but this certainly makes a good writing prompt!

I love these!! 😀 Here are a few I made: *Make up your own recipes for your favorite foods *Create your own list of idioms *Write stories of idioms literally happening *Write about something blue *What’s your idea of a perfect vacation? *List what you fear. pick a few and write how they came, why, and when you got the fear first *What would you say to an univited guest at your party *Draw a picture of the setting around you. Now look into your inner being. What do you truly feel? *Write from the point of view of a stack of paper waiting a few inches from the shredder *Her laugh broke the silence…

These are great! Thank you for adding them to the list.

By the way, I’m 11, love writing, and hope to publish fiction teen/children books one day

I wish you the best of luck! You have a head start, being such a young writer. Stick with it!

Lovarsnari,that’s kinda funny because l think the same thing! 🙂 My prob is that l start writing with great ideas,get stuck, and then start a new story/play….

same except that I’m 13 and mix my writing with my guitar playing and music

Well when i get stuck I like to think: What would I do if I were to die in a week? Once I picked everything and it turned quite an interesting story…

That’s a good one!

Hey I’m 14 years old and I love writing but I get writers block often and this really helped me. I love reading the ideas and other people’s ideas they are just very interesting. Number 19 seemed the most interesting to me and I’m almost done with my story. 🙂 thanks so much

Thanks, Violet. I often find that prompts and exercises can be used in different ways. You don’t always have to do the actual exercise. Sometimes, just reading through a book of exercises will generate ideas for a project I’m working on or help me understand a writing concept in a new way. Good luck with your story!

Hi Melissa 🙂 Last year i won junior writer of the year ( I’m 13) and I am entering this year as well and in the process of creating my first draft. I love your site and its wonderful, all-inclusive feel. So, here are my ideas for your list.

26. Post-War oppression & depression ( this was my winning topic last year – i wrote it from the perspective of a scarred war veterans’ emotionally abused child) I also commend you in your point concerning finding hope and light in darkness ( war, death, etc.) and i am going to write about that! Possibly with an Amish girl as the protagonist? thank you again for inspiring me. I also hope to be a great writer some day. Bee

Congratulations, Bee, and thanks for adding to these prompts. I wish you the best of luck in becoming a great writer. You are certainly well on your way!

POV of a toy sitting on a shelf in a toy store, hoping to be purchased.

your pet starts talking to you in perfect english and tells you what he/she really thinks of you…. what does he/she say?

Ha! That could be enlightening indeed!

I actually saw an animated short based on that premise (or something similar to it) and found it quite compelling. A great idea!

My contribution:

“When I look in the mirror, I don’t see what everyone else sees. What I see is…”

Nice! Thanks for adding this prompt, Nick.

My college English teacher gave my class this prompt. First Line: John closed his eyes. Last Line: It was a good day for the yellow crocuses. Anything in between. I easily made five pages with that prompt. Have fun guys.

Thanks for sharing that prompt, Jessy. It’s a good one.

Im a 17 year old living in the most secluded area of Kentucky, unfortunately. lol My dream is to pursue a career in filmmaking, my goal is to help people who are confused or unsure about life and what they want to do with their oppourtunity of life. I want people to think and find happiness in their lives by doing something they love. My idea of doing this came from being in a depressed state from the past few years as a teen and felt strong enough to overcome it without professional help which is progressing for the good. I found setting goals is a great strategy to stay focused and optimistic about life. I appreciate your time for reading this and if there is any advice you could influence me with id appreciate that as well. Thanks

It’s wonderful that you have set your sights on a clear career path at such a young age. Filmmaking is awesome! I sometimes wish I had taken up an interest in film or photography. The best advice I can offer is to never give up, stay focused, and pursue your goals with heart and soul. I would also advise studying film at college, if you can. The film industry is notoriously networked and you’ll benefit greatly by making friends and acquaintances who share your interest. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it’s very much appreciated and yes im going to film school out in LA next year.

Hi! I am 13 and have been writing since I was 7 or younger, and I am in love with writing. I am a very dedicated author and I have finished books in the past (about 11 or 12) but now I can’t seem to get into any longer stories! I write more short stories now, but it’s not satisfying anymore…and then, when I come up with a new idea, it’s useless, and my brain gets all cluttered! Help!

It sounds like you’re having trouble staying focused. The first (and most important) thing that can help with that is to stay healthy: eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. You may also need to break up your writing with other activities. Make sure you read regularly! For the time being, maybe you need to write short stories. I’m not sure you need to fight it.

thank you for the advice! 🙂

You are most welcome!

Hello 🙂 I am 17 and doing my HSC this year. I am attempting (unsuccessfully) to write a creative writing piece as practice for my exams, and thank you so much for these, they’re really helpful 🙂 I am not a writer (and never will be), but these have given me some great ideas that I can hopefully use to increase my writing skills for my exams. So thank you very much 🙂

You are very welcome, Emily, and best of luck on your exams.

I’ve found that this list, and peoples comments/ideas have been quite inspiring. I’m 21 and haven’t been in school for a few years and I have that desire to write, but never knew how to get started. I thank you all for these wonderful ideas and I’m hoping that writing will be a good outlet for me and my struggle with depression.

So really I’m just thanking you all 🙂

You’re welcome, Nicole, and thank you for joining in the discussion. Writing is a great way to work through emotions; I wish you the best of luck!

These are great!!!! My favourite starter would definetly have to be: “Sometimes a girl just has to run. Sometimes our feet take over. This was one of those times”

I think it holds a lot of suspense but it could also be happy and bright, like a sports day or carnival. Thanks for adding these, I am going to try to write a story for each one.

I’m not sure where that starter comes from, but it sounds good to me.

Hi! Thanks so much for these prompts. I especially like number two, because I feel like a little bit of positive thinking can go a long way. 🙂

I have a question, too, if you don’t mind.

What is your opinion on fanfictions? I know some creative writers don’t like them and feel they corrupt a series, while others think it’s a great creative exercise.

Thanks so much!

I think fan fiction is a great way for young and new writers to explore the craft. Some copyright holders are extremely strict about allowing fan fiction to be published. Others will actually develop and publish collections of fan fiction. There are also franchises in which fan fiction is encouraged. One of my all-time favorite writers, TV and film writer Damon Lindelof, said in a recent interview that he started out writing fan fiction. Now he’s writing for Ridley Scott and working on the Star Trek films as a fan-fic professional! It’s definitely an avenue worth pursuing if it interests you.

I’m fifteen and I want to write a book before the end of highschool. The problem is I can’t finish what I’ve started. I always find a “better” idea and write about that and the cycle begins again. Please help me!!!

The only way to finish what you’ve started is to simply finish it. When “better” ideas present themselves, make a note and file those ideas away for a future project. Part of being a writer involves developing self-discipline. I recommend setting up a reward system. For example, you have to work on the novel for 20 minutes before you can call or text your friends after school. Or you have to finish a scene before you go out to see a movie. These are self-imposed rewards, so you have to discipline yourself. Nobody else can do it for you.

You might also look into participating in NaNoWriMo. The timing is great because it starts in just a few weeks. That means you’ll have some time to prepare and check it out. Then you can write your novel in November, leaving plenty of time afterwards for you to clean it up (edit, proof, polish).

Finally, if you’re truly committed to writing, start looking at schools with good creative writing programs and plan to study at college. University instructors are quite helpful in teaching students self-discipline and good writing habits and practices.

Best of luck to you, Art!

Hi! Your prompts and the comments have really helped me! I can’t wait to start some stories from them:) Here are a couple that I’ve come up with: The Bell sounded. Workers froze in their places… Kay frowned as she opened her school locker after school. Down the hall, Alexis and Christine exchanged grins…

That’s great, Alyssa. Keep up the good work!

These are fantastic! I’m also 21 and have been out of school for awhile. I used to write all the time when I was in school but not so much these days. These ideas are really going to help once I get started writing again. I’m attempting to set a goal for myself. An hour a day, just writing whatever I want. Just to get me back in the habit.

Thank you so much!!!

One prompt my creative writing teacher in high school gave the class was “It was a smile that darkness could kill…”

That’s wonderful! An hour a day is enough to produce quite a bit of writing. I wish you the best of luck, Ashlee!

Obviously it is now 2011 haha, but these are great!! I have wanted to write a novel for quite some time but I can’t seem to get the creative juices flowing. So I set out on a quest across the World Wide Web and I am finding some amazing ideas!! Thank you so much for this website I look forward to writing now instead of despairing of that dreaded cursor blinking me to oblivion!!

I hope your quest for inspiration is fruitful! And keep writing!

I’ve just been inspired to start a personal blog full of my own creative writing, with the assistance of some of these wonderful writing prompts (both yours, and the ones left in the comment section). Thank you, thank you, thank you.

That’s wonderful! Blogs have been a boon for writers, and I think more writers should take advantage of the technology. I wish you the best of luck with your blog, Emily.

Hi, I’m 17. I started creative writing when I was about 10 or 11. I found myself writing more and more when I was troubled a few years back, so it was good stress relief for me. But now that I’m busy with college, I realize that I haven’t been writing as much as I used to. I reread some of my old work and I thought “Hey, why not? I’ll give it a try for old times’ sake.”

I was a bit confused with where to start off, but these prompts really got my creative juices flowing. After I post this comment, I think I’ll try one or two of them and see how far it takes me. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

I’m so glad that these prompts inspired you, Christi. I think many writers go through phases when they drift away from the craft, but when you’re called back to it, that might be a sign. Follow it and keep writing!

In my junior year of high school, we were given a creative writing assignment to expand on this sentence:

“A person walked into the room, looked around, sat down, and ate.”

That’s a great prompt. It would certainly be interesting to see what a whole classroom of people come up with. I imagine each piece of writing would be quite different from the others, even though they are all based on the same premise. Thanks for sharing it, Alli.

Here’s a prompt! Prop open the door. I can actually see my breathe tonight. But that doesnt mean im breathing.

Ooh, sounds like a zombie, robot, or vampire story.

These writing ideas helped a lot thank you. I really want to go to a creative writing school when I get older. One idea which I just came up with is Write from the perspective of your fish.( does each fish have there own personality, how does each fish react to the different members of the house, what is it like to be a fish) 😛 I hope you like I write often mostly stories with a more poetic base, but once in a while i will feel in the mood to write some thing different. Oh also try continuing after this sentence. Its eyes gleamed pitch black death, creeping into imaginary, azure skies. now continue it :3

Thanks for sharing your prompt, Samantha, and good luck to you!

For school, I have to enter a creative writing competition. I have two days and i was really panicking but then i found this website! It really helped! Thankyou Writing Forward!!

Hannah, I’m so glad you found help and inspiration here. Thank you!

Lately I’ve been trying to write a lot like Sarah Dessen! Were doing stories in class and I’m doin one about a girl who runs away, it starts out “I’m on the run! I don’t know where I’m going or where I’ll end up, but I’m not turning back!” 🙂 Do you like it?

I do like your opening line. It certainly grabs the reader’s attention and rouses curiosity. Nice job.

Thank you so much!!!! This got me over my terrible case of writer’s block. But now my muse is back!

Wow, thanks, Maria. That’s awesome!

I just want to say that this list of prompts has inspired me to take on a challenge of using one every day up until xmas on my blog… or at least until the end of the month!

Thanks for the great list 🙂

That’s awesome, Julz. Good luck with your December writing!

I haven’t tried it yet, but I think a fun way to mix these up even more would be to choose one of these, then draw the name of an author out of a hat, then write that prompt in the style of that author. That would really stretch your creativity.

That’s an excellent exercise and would definitely be challenging. You’d have to be deeply familiar with the author’s voice.

I have found these prompts really helpful for the English lessons that I teach.

Many thanks.

That’s great, Cass. I love the idea of these prompts helping students with reading and writing.

i have learnt English as a second language…writing is my passion…this page is REALLY inspiring!thanks for evoking our creative faculties… i want to suggest some topics and the list goes as: 1The beast in me 2Daily journal of a pair of shoes which is in the process of its making 3What the world be if gender roles get changed 4What if i were in the shoes of my English teacher 5How things at the high school are going to be if the concept of beauty gets altered altogether 6It is said that writing is all about pouring your mind on a piece of paper but what it your pen literally starts articulating your thoughts and you end up writing EVERRRRYTHING(What consequences are you going to face)

Thanks for adding your ideas to these prompts!

I haven’t tried the prompts yet but I have always wanted to be a writer since I was eight years old. However ever since graduating and entering the real world I find my muse being choked to death by the responsibility at home. I’ve had to give up my dream of writing for the past two years. I tried taking it up again and was drawing a huge blank, but just by reading a few of these prompts I’ve felt my muse start to breathe. Thank you!

Hi Rochelle. I remember graduating and entering the real world, and I had a similar experience. All of a sudden I just didn’t have the time or inspiration. It took a while, but I adjusted and my creativity returned. I’m so glad you found these prompts helpful!

I found like 5 great writing prompts thank u so much

You are so welcome!

you thought dragoons unicorns and monsters didnt exist? think again! write story of your pet unicorn

That’s a cute idea!

Thank you for these, I am a writer waiting to hear if a publisher is going to publish my novel. Waiting is so hard and my mind has gone blank. These help to stir the jucies again. I’m hand writing them in a note book and taking them with me when I’m out, to write on the go. When I have to wait for a kid to get to the car I can write and not have to figure out how to start a story. So thank you. so much.

That’s awesome. What is it about being in a car or shower that makes us more creative? I always get ideas in those two locations!

thanks sooo much! those were super helfull! you have the most helpfull website ive found! and i’m a picky writer! THANKYOU!!!

Thanks, Anna.

here are some more ideas: you inherit 1 million dollars your backpack grows wings on the way to school a zombie invasion stikes your small/big town a kidnapper captures you … hope these help 🙂

Thanks, Ebony!

Hey! These prompts really helped and I can’t wait to use some 🙂 I have started with the one about twinklling eyes and turned it into a story about creatures similar to werewolves XD

Sounds interesting, Molly! Good luck with your story, and keep writing!

My English teacher says she doesn’t believe in writer’s block. I on the other hand am not so sure. Sometimes I sit in the afternoon and stare out the window, unable to come up with anything good but I find that ideas flow like crazy at two in the morning with a cup of coffee in my left hand. That’s always my best remedy, though writing prompts like these always help me get going. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Some prompts:

10 things I hate about… What’s the recipe for those wonderful _______ muffins you baked last night? (Try filling that blank with ‘unicorn’.)

I believe in writer’s block, but I think that it’s presented as being unable to write whereas usually it’s just a case of needing to work a little harder at writing. Sometimes, we need to stop procrastinating, stop trying to force our ideas, or we just need to allow ourselves to write badly for a while. I believe there are ideas everywhere; the trick is to keep ourselves open to them and be willing to explore them. Having said all that, writer’s block still sucks. I’m like you, Maluly, the ideas flow like crazy at two in the morning (no coffee required!).

i dont believe in writiers block.. i think its more like an exuse to hide what we really want to write or say. Like sometimes peoploe wonder if it will be good enough so they put it off or they dont want people who read it to know something.. its all about the way you look at it i guess. Write what you feel. Write whatever you want. I love writing but i find myself wondering will this be good enough? What would someone think if they read it? Maybe thats just me. no self esteem… but, low selfesteem is what keeps creativity hidden…. my advice.. to everyone is to just go for it. if its not good try again you’ll get better(:

I agree: just go for it.

Thanks for these! I definitely believe in writer’s block!! In fact, I am just emerging from what I like to call writer’s ‘droubt’, since it lasted at least a year. But I don’t think you need to be blocked to use prompts. They are great exercises and get you to try new ways of writing. And sometimes, when I get burned out with the story I’m currently writing, it helps to focus on something completely different for a while, and you can come back to it with fresh eyes. Here are some prompts that I came up with and they helped me out: 1) ‘It all started with the cat…’ 2) ‘Have you ever seen something out of the corner of your eye, but when you turned to look, found nothing there? You dismiss it as an illusion, a trick of the light. You’re wrong…’ 3) Write something from the perspective of a ghost. 4) Write something using the five senses EXCEPT sight (hearing, smell, touch, taste) 5) Instead of using first or third person, write with second person point-of-view (in other words, use ‘you’ instead of ‘he/she’ or ‘I’. Or try writing in present or even future tense, instead of past tense.

Oh yeah, and one more: 6) Write something from the perspective of the BAD guy, instead of the hero

I love when stories do this! Thanks for adding it, CJM.

These are excellent prompts, especially well suited for speculative fiction writers. My favorite is the prompt about seeing something out of the corner of your eye (that happens to me sometimes!). Thanks for adding these.

Here’s one for those of you who have pets What do your pets do when you and other inhabitants of your house are not at home?

Ooh, that’s a good one, Lily. That could be great for a children’s story!

Thank you SO much for these exciting writing prompts! They really inspire me. I have one idea for a prompt: Write about a conversation that you would have if were stuck in an elevator with a celebrity or famous book character.

You’re welcome, Arieda. I love your elevator prompt! You could also do it with characters from your novel as a test to see how each would behave in an elevator with a celebrity. That could tell you a lot about your characters. Good one!

Lovely ideas, both of these! Arieda, that prompt gave me a short story idea, one that I’m pretty excited about, and I’m definitely going to have to do that with all my characters now, Melissa. 🙂 I thought up another twist on this prompt that intrigues me: Your characters get stuck in an elevator with you, their author. How do they react when they discover who you are and that you control their destinies? What sort of conversations would you have? Would you like interacting with your character? Would your character like you?

Hannah, I love your prompt idea. What a fun writing exercise: The Character Meets the Author. That’s quite brilliant!

Thank you so much for these, I’m trying to write a book…and I’ve been at a stand still lately, so this will help me more than ever.

You’re welcome, Alexis. I’m glad you found these prompts helpful.

Hi Ms. Donovan! thank you so much for the writing prompts! i’ve been using them for all my english creative writing assignments. it’s been my dream to be a writer since i was little. although i find it hard to write mysteries. ironically it’s my favorite genre to read though. any advice on how to get started on a good mystery?

I myself haven’t written mysteries, although I have read a few. My suggestion would be to read as many mysteries as you can, and watch mystery films and television shows, so you thoroughly know your genre (you should still read other stuff too!). Study the greats and ideas will come to you!

Wow i have writers block i have my charecter but i dont know what the problem is…… help any good title ideas?

When I’m stuck and can’t come up with a character or a title, I just skip it. The important thing is to keep writing. You can always come back later and add names and titles. Here’s how I do it:

GIRL said that there was no way out but OLD LADY knew otherwise…

I use all caps for characters who don’t have names yet. Many writers use a “working title” as they are developing their project. A working title can be anything. It’s just temporary.

You’ll find that as you work on your project (and if you work around these little setbacks), ideas will come to you. Good luck!

Awesome post:) Thanks so much, really helped! have a great day! Peace-Jeff

Thanks, Jeff!

A prompt could be : She started to fall over and _________( fill in the blank) picked her up.

or : The alien gaze stared from above the fence , and I blushed in embarrassment.

100 words about your favorite animal

a short story about a difficult topic like : war , famine , bullying .etc

a poem about the weather

Hi Melody! Thanks for adding your prompts to this ever-growing list!

Your prompts are definitely creative and helpful, but what I’m most impressed with is how you respond so positively and encouragingly to everyone who replied to this. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of encouragement or approval from even a complete stranger to shift a young writers thought from maybe being able to do something to just doing it. I haven’t written in months, and are still my having any real luck, but I know I will write again someday, and I just thought it should be mentioned that you are a good person for encouraging others to do what they love. Best of luck to you…

Thank you so much, Shannon. Your words mean a lot to me. I try to be an advocate for writers and encourage young and new writers to explore their ideas and find their voices. I believe the world would be a better place if we all followed our passions, and more importantly, encouraged others to do so as well.

“Conundrum”

The little girl cries with a lie on her lips The girl can’t remember her name The little boy’s laugh rings with hollow self-doubt The little girl feels just the same A little dog lost in the thick of the woods A little man sick with dismay A little boy born in the arms of the girl A little life born from a day A little death born from an ignorant choice A little boy crying away And a little God laughs at the sight of it all For this little herd has not a say

Thanks for sharing your poem with us, Conner. Keep writing!

It’s the first time that i’m gonna be doing an inter-school creative writing competition, and i found these prompts really helpful! Thanks a billion!

You’re welcome!

Really like the prompts! It was really helpful! My brother and I are always gonna use this website! I <3 it!

Thanks! I’m glad you like it here 🙂

Thanks Melissa for the writing prompts. I asked my students to develop their writing skill through these useful prompts. By the way, I have published my first fiction ‘Faith No More’. I’d be extremely glad if you could manage to read any of it and provide me with feedback.

Hi Afshin. Thanks for sharing these prompts with your students. Requests for feedback should be sent via email (you can use the “Contact” link at the top of this site).

i have been major struggling with writing my second book and when i found these i just opened up my mind more and i decided not to write a second book it was just fine without one and now i can be on a whole other spectrum thanks so much these has inspired me a lot i put a few of em together to get ideas 🙂 well done 🙂 highly appreciated

That’s awesome. Thanks for letting me know that these prompts helped you. Good luck with your writing projects!

I just got a typewriter at a great market the other day so I came looking for something to help me have fun and get inspired while I was using it. Thanks for the help! I ended up writing a thing about an embarrassing moment that helped me learn how to not sweat it when embarrassing moments happen. This particular one had to do with toilet paper… haha. Cheers!

Embarrassing moments always make for good storytelling. Enjoy your new typewriter!

I’ve been really into playwriting lately, but I’ve been stuck with writers block for the longest time. A couple of these prompts really caught my attention and I’ve already got so many new ideas, I don’t know where to begin! 🙂

That’s awesome. I’m glad you found this piece so helpful.

I have had writers block for months now. This site has helped me so much!

I’m thrilled to hear that! Keep writing!

My favorite way to start up a story is to listen to a song and think about the story of it. Sometimes I use the first part of the song as the first sentence of my story. I hope this helps.

That’s an awesome idea! I love music-literature crossovers.

Hi thank you so much for these ideas i have chosen an idea and i have a perfect picture of my idea . Thank you again and as you will see on all of your comments you have helped a lot of children or adults from this website . Thank you !

You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting.

Great prompts.

I shared #9 with my page for a fun writing exercise about an hour ago. Great response! 🙂

Thanks for sharing one of these prompts with your readers. I hope they have fun with it.

Thanks for the prompts! Reading other people’s ideas always makes me feel more hopeful about initiating my own. I have struggled to put my thoughts down on paper for as long as I can remember- there just seems to be a disconnect between the disorganized chaos of possibilities in my head and that little spot where the ink meets the paper. BUT- I wanted to offer an idea that has often provided many interesting and fun possibilities to me- Think of a time of day ( 7 pm, the sun setting, the day cooling off, night creatures beginning to stir), or a month ( August, the air laden with heat and damp, everything deep and green and vibrant), and then try to think of all the qualities that accompany that period of time ( do most people seem happy then? is it a relaxing time? a tense time? does the weather make life easier or harder?). Once you’ve collected as many descriptions and feelings about this time as you can, then begin to build a world where it is ALWAYS that time- how do people’s lives change? 🙂

Ooh, that’s a great exercise. I wasn’t expecting the twist at all! Love it.

This is awesme. i like these. i like writing prompts, and this is a very helpful website

Thanks! I’m glad you liked these prompts.

omg wow, this helped me so much, thankyou so much!! i love my writing and this just helped me ten fold. xxx

You’re welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful.

I’ve been writing since i was eight, [approximately (obviously – i haven’t been counting!)] but I started to loose it… flame was REIGNITED by my best friend. but despite the burning, I have never actually completed a story. It knaws at me all the time! I’m currently writing a revolutionary/Sci-fi, which is odd for me, I’m more into writing realist novels… but your prompts gave me such a PERFECT plot twist that I had to comment on it! this will give me motivation for at least a few weeks… (meanwhile dancing up and down with sheer joy and attracting VERY weird looks.) Though it IS kind of weird, because non of the prompts have anything to do with it… My, how strangely the mind works…

Yes, the mind works in mysterious ways. I’m glad one of these prompts inspired you. Best of luck with your story (I love sci-fi).

This website is a life saver. My brain just froze and I was trying to do a creative writing story, and my life and my school / collage life depended on it. Thanks to one of your prompts, it won my school a pride. Thanks a lot. 🙂 bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoops I meant prize

That’s awesome, Tierrney! Congrats on winning a prize. Keep writing!

wow great writing promts, ive already decided on the start of my story but I cant think of anything that can happen. I want something to happen. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try throwing some conflict at your main character. Good luck to you!

Wow!! I tried prompt number one just for fun one day, I have not exercised my creative mind in a long time, and I want to thank you for offering these prompts. I really surprised myself at the poem I wrote. It probably wouldnt go over to well with the grammar police because I used old english and standard english.. but the content just really surprised me. I was like, “where did that come from”? Thank you so much!!!! Blessings and Thanks to you for your website!

Thanks for your kind words, Kathleen. I’m so glad you found inspiration here!

thank you so much i found 3 ideas for a school project i am working on this is going to be one of my most big acomplishments!

You’re welcome! Good luck with your project.

i love this website because it helped me get an A on my project!!! i am soo thankfull to WRITING FORWARD!!! thank you sooo much and i am sooo confident that i will be sure to use this website again….thanX a million luv WRIGHTING FORWARD~~kbb

You’re welcome. Congratulations on getting such a good grade!

Writing comes from the mind and obviously the ideas comes from our real life….The story of mystery novels always comes from the fear we have in our minds and it can come from everything… I can remember the things…when I wrote my first poem ‘Rain’…it was raining in cats and dogs outside…..

I think writing comes from many places. I try not to over-analyze it, but it is interesting to examine our ideas and try to figure out where they came from.

I really like your ideas but I had some of my own that I think you could add to your list. You could add things like:

You’re outside cutting your grass when you come across a large hole in the ground. You’ve never noticed the hole before, but it looks to be some sort of tunnel to another world. You decide to peek through and see where it leads, only it leads you to a pivotal moment in your past—and it’s giving you an opportunity to change it. Write this scene.

A toy, stuffed animal, or game that once meant a lot to me

Why I deserve a larger allowance

The book that got me hooked on reading

This really bugs me.

One thing I want to do by the time I finish 8th grade

I would like to have lived during this time in history.

Thanks for adding these writing prompts, Shreya.

Start your story with: Jessica had no choice. She closed her eyes and jumped.

You might be surprised.

Ah, that’s an interesting prompt.

Here one possibly

What if you woke up one day with no memories in a strange world where nobody was who they said they were?

Wow! I really like this list of prompts! I’ve been looking for inspiration to write a short story and I especially liked the one about dragons! “We’ve all seen cute and cuddly dragons, mean and vicious dragons, and noble dragons write about a different dragon”

Thanks, Meredith! I’m glad you liked these writing prompts.

Anyone considered using visual (photos/paintings) prompts?

A scenic view, a city view, a beach, a hill, a house, a village, a car, a train, a plane, a boat, a castle, a body?

Yes, I’ve used visual prompts, and I’ve included them in my book, 1200 Creative Writing Prompts . The image prompts are described (rather than using images), but they’re a lot of fun.

Hi I’m Hallie I’m 13 years old and I love writing. Just for some reason I can never think of things to write about. I really like fantasy. I look online for writing prompt ideas and I find a lot of good ones but none of them really click. I really want to write something but I don’t know what. What should I do?

Hi Hallie. Thanks for visiting Writing Forward. What you’re experiencing is fairly common among writers. I have experienced it many times — when I want to write but I don’t know what to write and nothing clicks, I will look through prompts and my old notes, and I just don’t get fired up about anything.

I’ve found that in moments like these, the best thing to do is just write anyway. We can’t feel inspired and fired up all the time. And often, when I force myself to just follow some prompt or writing exercise, even when I don’t really feel like it, I start to get into it and eventually, something clicks.

There will be many times when writing is fun or even thrilling. But I’ve found that the people who stick with writing are those who write even when they’re not especially inspired. Sometimes it’s work. Stick with it, and you’ll experience all these highs and lows. Every single one of them is worth it.

Wow! I really like the diversity of your prompts, Mellisa. I’ve been writing a collection of short stories of my childhood experience of the Biafran War in Nigeria and struggled with some troubling memories but you’ve reminded me that I could just write everything as it comes to me and revise later. Also, I love your children stories prompts.

Thank you, Edit. That makes my day. I’m always glad when people find the articles here at Writing Forward useful. Good luck with your stories. That sounds like an important project.

is it weird that when i saw the one on dragons the first thought to my mind is ‘ i counld do one on a gay dragon, right?’ and then when i saw number 4 ( for all the twilight fans, just a heads up), i thought of jasper hale- i’m not calling him ugly- but i saw the fear part and thought to myself how he fears hurting someone/ losing control.

Is it weird? I don’t think it’s weird. The point of the prompts is to engage your imagination, so it seems like they are working, which is great.

I absolutely love these! I have been writing since I was able to talk. I told my dad exactly what to write down on little pieces of paper. Now that I’m fourteen, I was sure I wrote every idea imaginable. But these really gave me a fresh perspective, and for that, I am so grateful! It also inspired me to come up with a prompt of my own: She sprinted through the trees, quickly twisting around thick trunks as she dodged the sheriff’s arrows. Her stomach ached from the laughs that shook her entire body. Foolish sheriff. He thought he could catch a pirate?

I’m glad you enjoyed these writing prompts. Your prompt is awesome. Keep writing! It will take you places that only you can imagine.

I loved these prompts. I had my friends pick a number between 1 and 25 to chose which on to do. I think they improved my writing skills. Thank you!

I’m glad you enjoyed these prompts, Nora. Thanks for your comment.

I am a 13 year old and I love to write. I have a best friend and she always wants to see my writing, but I didn’t want her to see it because I didn’t think it was very good. She insisted on seeing it, and when I showed her the first chapter in a story I was writing just for myself, she thought it was brilliant. She then disguised it as an excerpt from an e-book app and showed it to our English teacher. My friend pretended that it was a real, published book by an actual author and asked for the teacher’s opinion. The teacher loved it and asked for the name of the book. When she discovered it was written by her own pupil, she was shocked and said i should send it to a publisher. Now I am confused. I didn’t think my writing was very good. What should I do now?

Hi Sam. I was your age when I started writing.

There are a few things you might want to do. First, continue working on your book until it’s finished. This will be hard. You will probably lose interest at some point. You’ll get stuck and feel unsure where to take the story. You’ll have other ideas that seem better, and you’ll be tempted to set this story aside. Don’t be deterred. Stick with it.

Do your parents know about your interest in writing? At 13, you would need their involvement in any publishing or submissions that you might want to do. You can also try talking to your teacher. Don’t be shy about this. It’s the job of teachers to guide their students. But keep in mind, not all English teachers are knowledgeable about the publishing industry. See if she can offer some guidance. You might be able to find literary magazine for kids your age and submit your writing so you can start getting some practice in the publishing world.

Beyond that, make sure you read a lot and write as much you can. If you love writing, it’s something that will always be with you. As you get older, you’ll be able to carve out the path you want, whether that’s to make writing a career or continue enjoying it as a hobby.

Best of luck to you!

I am 10 and I have written a few short stories of my own, and I really enjoy creative writing. I was very pleased when I found this website, now I won’t be struggling to think about what to write.

That’s wonderful, Kaiya. We love having young writers around here. Thanks so much!

I’m 12 and I also really like writing. I have always been trying to write short stories since I was six (I started with mostly seven page picture books). Finding how to start a story has always been pretty hard, but these prompts have really helped! I definitely have to explore some more of these prompts. There are so many! Thank you!!

Wow, Naomi, that’s wonderful. I was just a little older than you (13) when I started writing (poetry for me). You have a long and wonderful journey ahead of you, and I hope you enjoy all of it! You’re welcome for these prompts. I’m so glad you found them helpful.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us.

the one that has the tailsman remids me of “Wings of Fire” because one of the dragons named darkstalker put is animus magic on a scroll and called it his tailsman and he can read minds so it really reminded me of that book

I haven’t read Wings of Fire but it sounds interesting!

oh and it fell into the wrong hands or really talons but ya i just wanted to share that information thank you for this i really got some good ideas like the detective one

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The Only 10 Creative Writing Prompts You Need

by Joe Bunting | 55 comments

You get better at any skill through practice. Prompts are a great way to practice writing (as you might imagine, we're really into practice here), and in this post, I have ten of our best creative writing prompts.

Try a few out, and if you're ready to take the next step in your writing, check out our 100 Best Short Story Ideas .

How To Use These Creative Writing Prompts

At the end of every article on The Write Practice , we include a writing prompt so you can put what you just learned to use immediately. And we invite you to share your writing with our community so you can get feedback on your work.

The Write Practice is more than just a writing blog. It's a writing workbook , and we think it's the best one on the Internet (of course, we're a bit biased).

One of the most important parts of practice is getting feedback, and we want to help YOU get feedback on your writing. To do that, choose one of the prompts, write for 15 minutes, and then copy and paste your practice into the box at the bottom to post your practice in our forum for feedback. You'll be able to read others' practice and give feedback too.

And if you want even more prompts, you can download our workbook, 14 Prompts , for free here (it's normally, $5.99).

Our Most Popular Creative Writing Prompts

Why not try using two or three of these creative writing prompts in your writing today? Who knows, you might even begin something that becomes your next novel to write or short story. It's happened to Write Practicers before!

Enjoy the writing prompts!

My 3 Favorite Writing Prompts

Write about a time you felt out of place, awkward, and uncomfortable. Try not to focus on your feelings, but project your feelings onto the things around you.

Write about a ghost. How do they feel about the world? What do they see and hear? How did they become a ghost?

Your characters haven’t gotten any sleep. Write about why, and how they respond to being sleepless.

Now, let's look at the rest of our favorite prompts!

1. Grandfathers

Write about a grandfather, maybe your grandfather or your character's grandfather. What memories do you/does your character associate with him?

See the prompt: Grandfathers

2. Sleepless

Your characters haven’t gotten any sleep. Write about it.

See the prompt: Sleepless

3. Out of Place

See the prompt: Out of Place

Write about longing. How does it feel to go about a normal day when your character wants something else?

See the prompt: Longing

5. Write About Yourself

Write about yourself.

See the writing prompt: Write About Yourself

See the prompt: 3 Reasons to Write About Ghosts

7. Road Trip

Write about a road trip. Is your character escaping something? Is your character looking for something? Hint at the thing without telling us while describing what the character sees.

See the writing prompt: Road Trip

Write about the morning. What are your character's morning routines? What is special about this morning?

See the prompt: Morning

9. The Beach

Write about the beach. Is your character reflecting on something important that has happened to them? Describe the memory while overlaying the sights, sounds, and smells of the beach onto them.

See the prompt: The Beach

Write about autumn. Natural surroundings can bring up old memories and odd feelings. Describe what your character sees, feels, and most of all does.

See the prompt: Autumn

Do you use writing prompts in your writing? What is your favorite prompt for ideas? Share in the comments .

For today's practice, choose one of these prompts and write for fifteen minutes . When you're finished with your practice, share it in the Pro Practice Workshop . Don't forget to leave feedback for three other writers. Not a community member yet? Join us !

Happy writing!

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

Write About Yourself with blue hello name tag

55 Comments

It usually takes the living to confirm you’re dead. That’s why Saginaw didn’t know for months he’d passed. He was a hermit, had lived alone out in the woods for years. He still isn’t sure how or when he died.

After it happened, he continued to get up every morning and head out to the woodpile. Chopping was his release, his balance, his yoga. The repetitive grabbing and swinging and cracking and discarding brought him harmony.

Until the day he realized nothing was happening.

Like every other morning, he grabbed for the axe handle. This time, he noticed his hand passed right through it.

“What the hell?” he said to himself.

He looked down and saw the log cabin through his body, and knew he was dead. Thinking back, he realized he’d probably been dead for awhile. The familiar weight of the axe was a distant memory. He’d been grabbing and swinging and cracking and discarding nothing. He was going through the motions because they brought him peace.

Saginaw wasn’t sure what a ghost was supposed to do with his free time. He tried strolling through the woods and watching animals. They never spooked like he expected. It was boring.

Within days, he realized how much he missed his chopping. He returned home and tried doing it like a mime – empty hand reaching up and striking down on nothing. But now it made him feel useless.

According to the books he’d read during his life, the dead had the ability to interact with the real world. He practiced, trying to control things with his translucent body. He found that he could create a type of wind with his movements. Grass would sway as he ran by and dandelions would shed their cotton if he swooshed his hand over them.

That was the most he could do; wind would never carry his axe. Ghosts couldn’t shed tears but it didn’t stop Saginaw from crying.

He cried until he was angry. In a rage, he jumped up and, growling, grabbed the axe. It flew up with his hands.

“Oh my God!”

His anger vanished and the axe slipped through his fingers. He tried picking it up again, but it refused. Saginaw grew furious at his futility and kicked at the handle. His foot caught the wood and Saginaw realized what was happening.

His raw anger fueled the power to move objects. The only way to do what calmed him was to lose his calm. A total catch-22.

Sag fell to the ground. He’d never thought much about the afterlife. Glancing at the axe, he wondered, as dread lit fire to his insides, exactly where he was.

I like this piece a lot. It’s like a little story. That line, “Chopping was his release, his balance, his yoga.” is very telling, the yoga bit completing it beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

An interesting take on life after death. What is it? Even when dead, the dead don’t know. A question to be never answered. Adelaide

Brilliant post. I love just starting with a prompt and letting my muse find her way. I could pick any one of these starters and write a series of short pieces. And then voile I have a mini collection to create into a mini e-book. Wow. You’ve just experienced my ‘light-bulb’ moment. I now have an idea for some free giveaways to my potential readers.

After a couple of weeks of dull creative urge, this post has just put a surge of creative current back in my circuit. Thank goodness for that. Thanks Joe for the inspiration.

Thanks so much, Dawn. So glad this got your creative juices flowing! 🙂

I’m book marking this page, what a great post.

Here’s what I wrote.

The beach is empty. On a beautiful, perfect day, with a sky of crystal blue, the beach is empty. You can hear the surf slap against the sand, and the cry of gulls overhead. The white, fine sand stretches before you, so bright you have to squint against it. The day is hot, but not sweltering, and you marvel at the privilege of having the beach all to yourself. There is nothing here but, you, the gulls and the sound of the waves. The coconut smell of the lotion you are applying, the red of the beach towel laid down. You wonder if you should have brought a book, if you ought have left the ipod in the car, but then you sit down, watch the waves ebb and tide against the wet sand, and let the song of the sea lull you. A fleeting thought of awe wanders into your mind, at the quiet, extraordinary way that nature has, going on without human observation. The sea will always lap against the shore. The gulls will nest in the brush and seek their dinner from the sea. Even the fish, unseen, will make their homes and hatch eggs, all without anyone watching. It all continues without human eyes upon them, and it is marvellous. And then, in a moment like this, a perfect bubble in time, you might be allowed to witness it. Watch the gull walk along the rocks, its black shiny eye on you, watch the rhythmical way the waves roll and turn. See the crab burrow out from the sand, crawling along the shore.

And then in an instance, the bubble is broken. The moment shattered as the high voice of a child comes laughing into the sand. A couple follows close behind, their voices low. They make their place a distance away from you, but it is too late. The moment of grace with nature is over, the human world has once again inserted itself and the beach is no longer empty.

I love the beach. And I totally appreciate those moments/ times of immersion into the whole wonder of life at lands edge.

And then being slapped back into the moment by the sound and presence of humans.

Nice writing. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the feedback.

I loved this piece! Your wonderful word choice and clever phrasing helped to create a very vivid image of this gem of a beach, in my mind. It really sucked me in, so much so that I couldn’t help but feel a sharp twinge of sadness and disappointment when the human presence disrupted it all and popped the “perfect bubble in time”. Thank you for sharing such a lovely piece.

Thank you Catherine! That certainly is encouraging, and I appreciate the feedback.

You’re very welcome! I’m glad I could be of some help. Best of luck in all your writing endeavors!

No idea if you will find this a year later.

I was reading this and at first I was like thinking. I have read this before. Crystal blue sky. Generic.

And then I hit the line, “you ought have left the ipod in the car”. And it suddenly became personal.

In Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, the author talks about how children draw symbols. You say draw a person and they draw a stick figure. For an adult it is generic. They don’t actually look at what they are drawing.

The first part of that you write is like that and then suddenly small details, personal details, start to appear and the piece becomes much more powerful. In my opinion you drop out of the generic symbols of a beach and into your personal subjective view point, and the writing gets much better. More visceral.

For me I would encourage you to go back and either drop or rewrite all the generic parts like crystal blue sky, which sounds symbolic, to something personal.

I love this…..

I picked beach.

Soft morning mist Gently rises to kiss Fan of dawn’s rays And slicing through silky southern teal Nullakai’s finger, long dark green Invites me in. Briney effervescence clings To salty diamond necklace Criss-crossing my Summer freckled chest And aquamarine mesmerised My sleepy sea stained eyes Sting to a blur As swollen turquoise curve Breaks this office face Drowning the frown Before it begins I am fresh again fresh This Monday morning.

I’ve been intending to post a comment, but I don’t know much about blank verse or any other poetry other than Japanese short-form poetry such as haiku. What I notice about this poem is that some of the lines read awkwardly because of the lack of an article: a .

“Fan of dawn’s rays,” I think would read better if it were “A fan of dawn’s rays.” Same with “To salty diamond necklace” which would be better as “To a salty diamond necklace.” Again, a missing “a” with “As swollen turquoise curve.” Also, I don’t understand “And aquamarine mesmerised.” .

Otherwise, it’s a beautiful scene and a wonderful way to greet a Monday morning. Adelaide

Thanks Adelaide. Great feedback. Aquamarine should have been two words – aqua marine. I guess I was trying to imply ocean water in a sparklier, gem like way, and taking poetic licence/ freedom by playing with the two words.

Much appreciated. Dawn 🙂

… And I picked ‘morning’.

Dewey pearls lace the graceful dance of understory and spider webs weep fine filaments between sleeping boughs and awakening flowers. In hushed light creamy tones, sun softly shines awake dancing through curls of morning mist. And my body slips into the day, barefoot upon the forest floor.

Early birds sing through the dawning light, their excitement bouncing from leaf to branch. They pause to consider my gaze then flutter on their busy way.

This flesh of mine in autumn beige seeks a deeper walk, into the maze of awakening trees with liquorice trunks black and damp with dew.

Only the forest is talking; the world is yet to yawn and stretch it’s sleepy limbs out of night warmed sheets. I am alone in full company of the promise of a new day.

Strings of purple Hovea buds embrace my passing by, an ephemeral bracelet for one tiny moment, and leave a trace of sparkling silver pearls moist across my wrist. This freshness I bring to my lips. This gift I gently kiss. And I love myself awake.

This sort of reads like a poem, in fact a re-read proves it is! I almost missed that, I was reading too fast. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Giulia It was just a quick 15 minute muse, but yes, now that you’ve pointed it out it does read like poetry. Thanks for that feedback, I can have a play with it and offer it some shape.

Did you like it? Or was it a bit to poetic and slow? I’d appreciate your feedback. Thanks Dawn

Oh, I did like it! I think the structure shape of the poem needs a bit of polish, it might read more smoothly if the lines were shorter. I actually like the languid feel it has, it expresses morning and nature well, how everything seems expanded and slower when you’re really looking at the tiny marvels found in the natural world.

Grandfather.

He’s not a grandfather and I’m terrified he won’t become one. He’s be a great one. I’m positive.

I really shouldn’t be afraid of hospitals. I grew up in one–Dad’s a doctor. I’m familiar with the tile floors and nurses knowing my name and my nickname. But now I’m afraid. He’s not in scrubs but instead in a gown. A nasty butterfly needle is digging into his skin. They always say it’s a small needle and won’t hurt. Don’t believe them. I’ve had nightmares about this. About driving from Mississippi back home because he’s had a heart attack. He’s never had any heart problems so that fear should be irrational. I should have been praying a seemingly ridiculous prayer. It’s a good thing I was praying even though I didn’t know why. Unknown prayer saved his life. As I sat with him on the hospital bed I felt so strange. I felt 7 and still desperately needing my dad. I can’t do anything without him. I don’t know how to be me without him. At the same time I felt grief for my future children. If he’s not better then those make believe kids will only have my stories to go on. They’d never believe me when I told them their grandfather was the greatest man to ever live.

My brothers have stories. Absolutely hilarious stories of my dad that they both recounted on the way to the hospital room. As they did I realized I don’t have stories. I have facts, subjects, events. I have moments.

-Reading Harry Potter together and standing in line for each book release.

-Agatha Christie -Keeping Up Appearances -“I think I’ll go pay that bill.” “You know what I think you should do?” “What?” “Go pay that bill.” “Oh my gosh you’re brilliant!” -We are both left handed.

-How to swing a bat.

-How to replace a door.

-How to drive.

-Telling me his “M.D.” stood for “My Daddy.” -His Martin acoustic guitar -The smell of cedar wood and rain when he made duck calls in the basement.

I don’t have hilarious stories of my dad I just have a lot of lessons. He taught me in every moment we spent together. Those moments were hilarious but I don’t think I could recreate them to become stories.

I want him to be a grandfather because I didn’t know mine. He has to show my children how amazing he is because how could I possibly put that into words? He’s my very best friend. He thinks I can do absolutely anything. I know that I can because a quick phone call to him clears up any questions.

He always has the answers.

I need him to be a grandfather because I need him to keep being my dad.

That was wonderful, simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. I love it

Thank you!!!

A warm tribute to your father. I hope he got well. adelaide

I really love this piece.

I chose morning as it was a few weeks ago up here in upstate NY.

FROM MY WINDOW

Spring is gearing up. At the far end of the front yard, where it rises to meet the road, crocus splash yellow, white and purple. Stems on the lilac bushes are knobby with green tipped leaf buds. Daffodils, some just poking through the soil, some already at their full height with swollen flower buds ready to burst. Through the open window the breeze is damp,ripe with the fragrance of wet dirt, last year’s leaves and manure from the field around the bend. There are busy calls from unseen birds and announcing honks from another gaggle of geese. There is, in this moment, everything that there is.

coffee brewing the anticipation before the first sip

Lovely. I can almost feel myself standing beside you at the window. Great use of all the senses Adelaide. Thanks for sharing. Dawn

This post is in response to OUT OF PLACE

A sorority beach house. Full of surging hormones and testosterone from the young women and the visiting frat boys who have a house down the road. Some girls have wandered there to see what’s going on. Most likely the same things that are going on here.

It’s Easter Break at Laguna Beach. A week of fun, fun, fun! For some. For most. But not for the dark haired girl trying to play poker with two other girls and three guys. Trying to play because she is new at the game and loses every hand. She also loses at the witty, sexually laced repartee between the other five players. After four games and down to her last 10 pennies, she quits. It is not for her this game. The entire experience is not for her. She looks over the party goers. Beer, kisses and gropes are exchanged in corners. What goes on in the closed bedrooms is better not seen.

She takes a beer, her first, and her cigarettes and goes out to the beach. This is what she came for: the beach, swimming during the day, reading what she didn’t have time for when crushed with class assignments, girl talk with a few friends. Even that is a disappointment as the girl talk usually turns to boys, a topic which is foreign to her experience.

She’ll lie when she goes back to her classes. She’ll say the week was fun, a blast. Yeah. Partying every night. At least, she’ll have a tan to prove she was there.

Lovely demonstration of the odd teen, who out of place cannot even bare to bow to peer pressure. I liked the ending where she decided to lie to fit in.

Can you please tell me what a ‘sorority’ house is exactly. (I’m not from the USA.)

Thanks for sharing Dawn

Many colleges have sororities, a club of sorts to which candidates are invited to be a member. In some colleges they can be very snobbish, at least that was the situation when I was in college. My college, a small woman’s college, was more democratic, in that a student chose the soriety she wanted and was accepted in it. There was no voting on who could come in and who could not. Bigger colleges have special housing for sororities and fraternities (the male equvilent of sororities).I don’t know what other sororities did, but the ones at my college, in addition to organizing teas, parties, picnics, etc., had a commitment to do some social work for the community. Being a Catholic college we gave Catechism lessons to young childdren in poor parishes where there was a shortage of teachers to give these lessons after school

A sororiety beach house is just that: a house at the beach which the sorority rents for a time, the rent being paid for by charging a fee for each girl who wants to spend the week there. Easter week was usually a time of letting loose

I hope this answers your question. Adelaide

Thanks again Joe Due to the inspiration of this post and it’s kickstarting my creative flow (I’ve been editing my first novel), I have decided to do the NaNo July Camp.

Using some of the above prompts I am aiming to complete a collection of short stories, prose and poetic interludes. My goal is only 10,000 words. This will give me time to edit, shape and tease out detail. It’s winter in my part of the world. A cosy time to write beside the fireplace.

A brief synopsis: A collection of short stories, prose and poetic interludes that reflect on the shadows, woods, winds and ocean waves of a south coast winter.

Where nature walks deep into the rhythm of this human’s hibernating season and beckons her into conversation with looming clouds, long shadows and the low breathing reach of winter sun.

That she may see the beauty that dances between the tempest winter weather sweeping the landscape and her quiet resting inner world.

Of course I’ll still be visiting TWP daily. For ongoing inspiration and community to share with. Cheers Dawn 🙂

What a great, stimulating post! I chose the ‘Morning’ prompt.

My eyes slowly creaked open, only to squint in the sun beam that had smacked my face, arousing me from sleep. But I hadn’t been asleep…had I? I couldn’t be sure. As I groggily sat up in bed, a chill ran down my spine as the air conditioning kissed my back-drenched with sweat. The next thing I took notice of was the pounding in my chest. It seemed that my heart had been beating wildly only moments ago, and now it was doing its best to resume normality. Yet that wasn’t all. There was a dull, aching that had come with the wild beating. In my mind’s eye, I could see a face, slowly fading from sight. It’s features were slowly becoming more and more obscure. Who was he? Why did I care? Hardly a minute had passed before the man’s face vanished from my mind entirely. Birds began to chirp cheerily outside my window, and without knowing why- a tear slipped down my face and darkened the baby blue sheets. I struggled to search my mind for the image of his face once more, but there was nothing. There never would be- except for the lone tear that spotted my sheets.

Great start that draws your readers in; beginning of the day, mysterious dream image evoking intense emotion, loved it Catherine!

This is amazing.

I chose the sleepless prompt. I kind of went deeper than I was trying to.

She tossed. She turned. Her eyes wouldn’t stay shut. They would stay open either. She blinked. The dark of the night filled the room, and the smell of dust covered everything. The blankets on the bed were everywhere, and one the pillows had been thrown on the floor. The rest of the bedroom looked neat, beside the dark and glooming aroma.

She had a specific person on her mind. Someone she had been wondering about for awhile. She didn’t have a crush, nor were they enemies. The person was just very… normal. She tried getting her mind on something else, only to be reminded on him somehow. The smell was like him, the smell of the room.

She turned again, thinking of what happened that day. He had asked her a strange question; one that’s wasn’t like trying to know someone. It was just strange. “Do you like country music?” His words echoed in her mind. She had said no, and then he had left, without any sign.

He wasn’t exactly a normal boy, but he wasn’t weird either. He wears black often, but sometimes he’ll wear pink. His hair is often messy, but sometimes, for no reason, it’s perfectly neat. He manly sticks to keeping quiet, but sometimes, he’s the most active in class.

Thank’s, it is very creative! Besides I found this writing prompts tool http://youressayhelper.com/writing-prompt-generator.html very helpful!

Found this post and took a stab at the grandfather prompt.

I never knew my grandfather.

A man walks towards me. Top hat, suit. Black against white mist. He is smiling. He is a handsome man. He does not take a step but if he did they would be long strides. Purposeful, directed. He is tall but does not tower over me. And he is looking at me. Not at me, not through me. At me. At the deep sliver of me before the echoes of memory. And smiling. A smile that reaches from ear to ear. A smile that starts in the gut and ends in the eyes. A smile that leaves me quivering inside my own skin. He knows my secret.

How does he know. What if he tells someone.

He sees me. No, he sees him. The lie of lies. He sees past the lies. He sees the lies I tell myself and he laughs. A laugh from the belly that shakes the mists he reaches out from.

Small lies. Self-pity. Worthlessness. Fear. His eyes move past them, not even bothering to swat them aside.

Something rests on my heart.

I was inspired when I read this post and I immediately made a story. However, I came up with my own prompt: Jealousy.

I keep finding the wrong in her brown capturing eyes, hoping to see the darkness she has yet to reveal. I keep finding the treason in her refined movements, the plan in her bright smile, the sting in her sweet words yet I couldn’t find any. She is the sun, and everyone is flocking around her warmth but I am blinded. My eyes sting and my breath caught within my throat, afraid they will notice the insecurities blowing in and out of my lungs. Afraid to move for they might see the urge to block their words worshiping her, slowly pressing my stomach, burying me into the depths of the dark place I wouldn’t want to be in but I’m still falling, falling, and falling. I have to avoid the mirror and the vision of myself beside her, comparing and losing. I have to refrain from looking as it would pour fuel into the fire and I have to stay away, far away from her. She pleaded why am I keeping distance, as I remember how my stomach churns every time they prefer her, how I’m always in the shadow of her glow, and I retreated leaving her groping in the dark for an answer, like how I’m pathetically groping for salvation. I cry that night chanting apologies; I am lost and I have to find myself, hoping to be stable and solid so my molecules will not easily drown in hers. I am me and she is her as they point my parts apart from her. A heterogeneous system, as one, as sisters, as best friends. But not today. Today I’m lying on the thorns of my selfish inexcusable reasons devoid of any strength to get up. Today, I’m still avoiding the traces of her on my notebook and my map. I’m sorry, you are the best and the worst that has happened to me and for that pitiful reason, today at 10 am in our small warm coffee shop I will not be there. I will be somewhere else, a place cowards run off to, somewhere you wouldn’t have to go.

——-your undeserving best friend: jealousy

I just re-posted a post on my FB page about using images to help you write! https://www.facebook.com/A-Page-A-Day-Lets-all-write-just-one-page-a-day-103970129720405/?fref=ts I used many images to write my novel. El Salvador’s civil war was the most photographed war in history. I bet it still is! Thanks for a great post! Sherrie Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador: http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11Ch5chkAc

“Morning”

The sun shone through a small gap where the panels of curtains met. Usually the curtains did their job and blacked out any light, but the angle she laid in bed today was the perfect place for the sun to shine right on her face. It beamed like a laser through her eyelids. She turned over in bed attempting to evade the warm light. Her subconscious knew something wasn’t right. She bolted upright and scrambled to find her phone which served as her alarm clock. Dead. What time is it? She ran to the kitchen to look at the clock on the oven. It was blinking 3:38. This can’t be right, the sun is shining bright as noon. The power must have gone off sometime during the night. She hurried back to her room to plug in her phone. It seemed like hours as she waited for it to charge enough to turn on. Panic started to set in. Finally! The iPhone beamed back to life. The clock on the home screen read 7:22. She was late. Late for her first day at her new job.

I really enjoy creative writing and I hope to get better at it. I always have different ideas running through my head but I never actually put them on paper. I chose the “Morning” prompt and I feel like this is actually pretty good! Morning The warm rays of the sun filled the room as Vaughn lay their asleep. It was about 10:45 in the morning, and Vaughn was still exhausted from yesterday’s job searching. He had been fired about three months ago and has been budgeting his money the best he can. Natalie, his girlfriend, has been giving him small amounts of money here and there. Bzzz, Bzzz…his phone starts ringing, causing him to wake up from his deep sleep. His violet eyes scan the screen of the phone. Vaughn sighs, noticing it’s a text from Natalie. He puts the phone back where it was and snuggled back under the warm covers. As soon as his platinum hair hit the pillow- bzzz, bzzz, bzzz…this time it was a call. Vaughn released a sigh of annoyance, noticing it was Natalie again. “Hello”, he answered. “Vaughn I cannot believe you forgot again, you know as much as I help you, you could be a little better at remembering things”, Natalie yelled through the speaker. “What are you talking about, Natalie, we didn’t plan anything today! You said you were tired” Vaughn explained, his patients wearing thin. “I just texted you and said ‘Meet me at the new café’, I’ve been waiting here for thirty minutes and you’re still not here!”, Natalie whined. “Okay, okay, I’m on my way Naty” Vaughn threw the covers off himself and started getting ready. He wouldn’t have heard the end of it if he didn’t go. While he was pacing through his apartment, he knocked down a picture frame. He bent down and froze when he saw the picture it displayed. It was him standing beside a girl with brown hair and tan skin. Her smile was gentle and calming and her violet eyes sparkled with joy. Vaughn gently held the frame and whispered,” Cerene…”. *Flashback to High School* “Will we still talk like we are now, Florida seems like its pretty far”, Vaughn asked nervously. “Of course we will, silly, you’re my best friend!” Cerene Exclaimed. Vaughn and Cerene had been friends since elementary school. They were always together. Unfortunately, Cerene’s family traveled a lot. Her father’s job required them to move from time time. Vaughn didn’t like this at all, sure he had other friends, but they weren’t his best friends like Cerene was. She was always there for him, even when he was sick, she would bring tea, movies, or just sit and talk with him. Everyone at school thought the two liked each other. It was true Vaughn liked Cerene but he never knew how she felt about him. Cerene was leaving a week after graduation. As the day grew closer, Vaughn noticed that Cerene just wasn’t her cheery self anymore. Instead she seemed depressed and disconnected from the world. He’d find her staring off into the distance a lot like she was thinking. Three days before she was supposed to leave, Vaughn got a call from Cerene. “Hey, Cerene, how’s it goin’”, Vaughn answered. “Hey Vanya…I..um..I have some bad news” Cerene explained. Her voice was shaking, Vaughn wondered if she was about to cry. “What is it, Cerene” he asked, worried. “I’m…leaving earlier than I thought”, she said sadly. “But why, what happened to te week after graduation” he pleaded. “I’m sorry, Vanya, I tried to get extra time but my father said we have to leave earlier than expected!” she exclaimed. “Its okay, Cerene, its not your fault, but can I see you before you leave, please”, Vaughn asked with hope. “Of course, silly, you’re my best friend!” Vaughn snapped out of day dream when his phone started vibrating again.

Today was a fresh day, leaves crunching beneath my boots and the sun beams stretching out for a new morning. I usually had these walks by myself, oftenly I’d get looks from my friends of concern and they had always questioned me as to why I never invited them along. But me and the Autumn season are meant to be alone, we’re meant to be one.

My nose was red, and I had an occasional case of the sniffles not that I was really bothered about it. Nevertheless it might not be winter but the whispy breeze, and the coldness of the astomophere was indicating that it was near. I paused at the tree, in the middle of a meadow. A meadow packed with tall soft grass, flowers that were in the process of blooming and the silent birds that peacefully flew on by in the bright clear sky. I parked myself down, my back resting on the bark of the old tree my knees tucked into my chest while my arms rested on top of my knees.

I felt my hair blow with the sudden blast of wind, like waves of an ocean as I felt tears prick in the corners of my eyes. Truth is, Autumn was the sad season. The season where I lost my younger brother, Despite his falling sand the countless times he was called names and picked on by the other children, he always managed to smile and laugh with me, which you wouldn’t expect from a brother and sister. After he passed I always came here, somehow his presence lingered near. My eyelids eventually gave away to the tiredness from my sobs, my throat was sore, so just as I fell asleep, a small murmered whispered in my ear, “Sweet dreams, Sis.” And a small smile creeped onto my face, as well as the last falling tear.

This is lovely. I believe it to be true.

Beach Do you remember the last year when I called you and requested to see me at Clifton beach in the evening. You might have forget that call but tell me have you forgot that last meeting also? You might have forgot that meeting but tell me have you forgot our last dance on the sand. The sun was setting and the sky turned red as if it had not slept since many last nights. Do you remember when your left foot was kissing my right foot and your right my my left. Do you remember when we danced on the music of sew waves. Do you remember when a wave touched our feet took the sand from beneath our feet away with it. Since that day I am hanging in the air. I don’t have anything to place my feet on.

Using the prompt, “Road trip” and this is what I came up with.

11:00 in the morning, my wheelchair is securely locked in the mechanism. I’m semi nervous and excited, watching out the window as the bus pulls away from the depot. Out the corner of my eye, I notice one seat up and over, a young boy is looking back at me. I give him a quick smile before he turns to his mother. She looks back to me then nudges his shoulder. A scolding expression on her face and speaking quietly to him him. I don’t hear what is said but I’m sure I can imagine her words. Parents, how they stifle a child’s curiosity. 2:45 in the afternoon, the lift is shaky as I ride it down off the bus. I’m glad to have all four wheels on the ground. I have a couple of minutes before I have to board the next bus. Just enough time for a quick bathroom break. I’m passing the young boy again. We make eye contact. His mother is busy scrounging through her purse. Oops, I bet she lost her tickets. I pop a wheely as I ride pass the boy and a bright smile lights up his young face as he watches. I turn back around, looking at him and smile. Catching a glimpse of me, his mother grabs his hand and pulls him along toward a customer desk. My eyes are still on the little boy as he looks back to me once more. I quickly give him a thumbs up, then ride off toward the rest room, wheeling on my back tires. 3:00, I’d just exited the bathroom. Time to board. The bus will be leaving in 10 minutes bound for Philadelphia. I see the boy and his mother once more as I wheel myself toward the bus’s lift. Catching the mother’s eye, I remark, “He’s a bright young boy. He’s very inquisitive, nurture him well.” She manages a curt smile and hurriedly walks toward her destination and I can’t help to watch them as the lift raises me up to enter the bus. I can’t help but wonder about the man he’ll grow up to be.

this story really made my day and i would honestly consider you to become an author. I will forever cherish this story as i can relate being wheelchair bound and now have been inspired to “pop a wheely” which i will continue to do in my every day life.You are the reason i wake up in the morning

Robert i take a massive offence to this as i am also “wheelchair bound” and like to “pop a wheely” from time to time and would highly recommend deleting your comment

As a fellow wheeler, I too take great pride in ‘popping wheelies’ whenever free time shows face in my schedule. The W.A. society (wheelers anonymous) are a faction of like minded individuals who all have a great passion for the art that is ‘paralytic parkour’. I come from a long line of wheelers, must be in my genes-sorry future kids L0L! Not a singe soul has stood tall in my family for many of years now, everyday’s a struggle, all worse than the last, but my strong will and high admiration pulls me through with a little grass from my friends if you get what i mean 😉 anyway, maybe we could arrange a date sometime soon, ill send you my details for future reference.

Hey AJ, how you doing? cause im doing swell BUT i couldn’t help wondering about this faction im hearing of, i have some gnarly brain storms about a new stunt wheelchair as ive been having a lot of trouble going down the half pipe at my local skate park, i seem to be falling out my wheelchair every time i go down and cant get back up. approximately 1/3 paralytic parkourers die due to faulty wheelchairs, i hope you take my brain storms into deep consideration.

sincerely Lance.

WOW lance you seem to have caught my attention because this is a everyday common struggle of most wheelers. We wheelers have to stick together and have each others backs even when we are both struggling to find our feet quite literally! the only thing i have to live on is hope and you know what they say about hope ‘breeds eternal misery’ .

I found myself choosing the Grandfather Prompt. I felt my eyelids getting heavier as I placed my head on the car window. It was a quiet day. Even the sound of my mother and Grandmother talking seemed soothing. I was quickly brought back to reality by a voice message on my mother’s phone, from my grandfather. “I need..help…a hospital. Please come..” ,he whispered, then silence. I felt my heart drop to my stomach as his voice echoed in my head. I froze. I didn’t move. I couldn’t move… All I could do was sit there, listening to my mother trying to hold back her tears as she was speeding on a busy street. Only my younger sister shaking my arm snapped me back. “What’s going on? Why are they crying?”, she desperately asked. In that second, it hit me. We might not get there in time. I tried to hold back my tears, I tried to be strong, but I couldn’t. I could hear my heart pounding louder than my thoughts. I felt my temperature rising by the second. My tears sliding down my chin. The only thing I resorted to doing was pray. “Please, not today. I’m not ready. Not this soon, let me hug him one more time. Don’t take him from me yet.”,I prayed in silence. Then the thoughts began to come. What was the last thing I said to him? When is the last time I told him I loved him? My thoughts were interrupted as my mother slammed the breaks on my grandparents driveway. “Stay in the car.” ,my mother snapped as she ran out. The wait seemed endless. Everything felt unreal. I felt helpless. Was he dead? This can’t be how he leaves. I didn’t get to say goodbye. No more fighting over the t.v controller with him again. We would never share a piece of cherry pie again. I’ll never get another poem from him. My attention quickly turned to the door as my sister began to cry, as she realized the situation. My mother and grandmother came out struggling to carry my grandfather. I didn’t know what to think. “Where’s the nearest E.R?” , I hear my grandma yell. We made it on time. There seemed to be a weight off my chest. My grandfathers even SLIGHT breathing, was prayers answered.

After high school graduation we begin our journey, going to college; going here and there on vacations; work and exactly where we’re going isn’t clear. We can see down the road aways, sometime to the next turn, but our destination remains obscure. Often there are intersections and we glare down the different routes and make a choice and we’re off again. Job offers come and we change directions. We meet people and that may take is off in yet other directions. Then we start a family and the road seems to be long and hard. We wonder if we’re going down the right road. Will we get to nice place in the end? Will there be food and shelter waiting for us? Or will we run out of gas and be stranded, walking down the road? But we keep moving. Eventually the kids grow up and are in college and the road seems to open up and the scenery gets better. We start seeing what we think is our destination in the distance and our focus lands there. Are we going to make it – or can’t wait to make it. More intersections seem to keep the goal at bay, but we continue on. Kids are on their own road and we see them taking some of the same roads we travelled. But we make a turn and the goal is in view. We think back about the trip and how frustrating it was at the time and realize that it went by way too quickly. We long to be able to keep the trip going, taking in more sights and doing things that we didn’t stop and bother with previously. But we arrive as the sun sets. Out of gas. Cold. Hungry. Tired. And waiting for us is a huge lodge with a warm fireplace burning. A huge meal has been prepared. There is laughter, music and lots of people, many of whom we’ve known along the trip. It’s been a wonderful experience. And the talk is about the next road trip.

I absolutely love these! I just read a post about the benefits of using creative writing prompts and went looking for some to get started. Thanks so much for these!

Its been days since Ronda landed, maybe tonight she will get some sleep. Jet Lag has been a nightmare. Started the night befor the flight, woke up every 2-3 hours and could not fall back to sleep. Ronka always stresses before trips. Really she stresses before everything. The 13 hours on the plane were completely sleepless as well. Ronka rarely ever can sleep on a plane. She brought a book but did not read. She had some podcasts but didnt listen. Her focus was not good enough for any of those. Not even for random thoughts. She watched a few movies but probably doesnt remember much. At the last 2 hours she found Remi Cube on the airplane entertainment system and thats where she finally found solace. Went into a frenzy of playing until the plane landed. Ronda does most things in a frenzy. Now she’s in her parents home. Day 3 and she hasnt got much sleep. On the surface things are ok. She hasnt spiraled out of control yet. But deep inside she can feel the shift… She is not fully ok. Getting a little more grumpy and restless by the minute. A big total eclipse is happening in a few hours. The energies must be affecting. Ronda is always greatly affected with the universe arround her. The weather, The full Moons, the astrological signs. Ronda needs a good night sleep. A few good night sleeps. She needs to get back on track. She’s been doing relatively good lately.

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Western Technical College

Student life, you are here, creative writing samples.

A Substance-Free High , by Grace Asher a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Savage Beauty , by Caleb Brown a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Everything , by Jamie Holweger a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Journey Through Meter , by Naomi Miicke a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Whispering Pines/Fear , by Lori Pipkin a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
I Thought I'd Write A Poem Today, by Justin Sagler a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Fast Food Generation , by John Schmidt a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)
Loneliness , by Kelsey Shutter a poem (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)

Short Stories

Floating Away , by Jamie Holweger a short story (Creative Writing, Tracy Helixon)

Short Story

21 Great Writers and Their Great Writing Tips

I am always a sucker for writing tips, so here are some of the world’s greatest authors and what they recommend.

Of course, never forget the most important meta-rule: rules are made to be broken.

Stephen King - 20 Rules For Writing

Favorite Rule - “Reading at meals is considered rude in polite society, but if you expect to succeed as a writer, rudeness should be the second to least of your concerns. The least of all should be polite society and what it expects. If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered, anyway.”

Ernest Hemingway - Hemingway’s 4 Rules for Writing Well

Favorite Rule - “Use Vigorous English.”

George Orwell - Orwell's 6 Rules for Writing

Favorite Rule - “Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.”

William Faulkner - 20 Pieces of Writing Advice from William Faulkner

Favorite Rule - “The only rule I have is to quit while it’s still hot. Never write yourself out. Always quit when it’s going good. Then it’s easier to take it up again. If you exhaust yourself, then you’ll get into a dead spell, and you have trouble with it. It’s—what’s the saying—leave them while you’re looking good.”

J.K. Rowling - 10 Writing Tips From JK Rowling

Favorite Rule - “Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave into endless requests to have ‘essential’ and ‘long overdue’ meetings on those days. The funny thing is that, although writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it.”

Ray Bradbury - Ray Bradbury’s Top 13 Writing Tips

Favorite Rule - “I began to make lists of titles, to put down long lines of nouns. These lists were the provocations, finally, that caused my better stuff to surface. I was feeling my way toward something honest, hidden under the trapdoor on the top of my skull. The lists ran something like this:

THE LAKE. THE NIGHT. THE CRICKETS. THE RAVINE. THE ATTIC. THE BASEMENT. THE TRAPDOOR. THE BABY. THE CROWD. THE NIGHT TRAIN. THE FOG HORN. THE SCYTHE. THE CARNIVAL. THE CAROUSEL. THE DWARF. THE MIRROR MAZE. THE SKELETON.”

Mark Twain - Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses

Favorite Rule - “Use the right word, not its second cousin.”

Anne Lamott - Anne Lamott’s Top 13 Writing Tips

Favorite Rule - “I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do — the actual act of writing — turns out to be the best part.”

Robert Heinlein - Heinlein’s Rules: Introduction

Favorite Rule - “You must finish what you start.”

David Mamet - David Mamet’s Top 9 Tips For Writing Dialogue

Favorite Rule - “You have to write dialogue in a rhythmic way because human speech is rhythmic. And if you listen to people having a conversation, what they're doing is they're creating rhythmic poetry. They're filling in the pauses and capping each other's speech and so forth in a way which is rhythmic.”

Kurt Vonnegut - 8 Rules For Writing

Favorite Rule - “Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.”

Gustave Flaubert - Gustave Flaubert on Writing

Favorite Rule - “It is a delicious thing to write, whether well or badly – to be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating.”

Margaret Atwood - Margaret Atwood’s Top 13 Writing Tips

Favorite Rule - “Nobody knows where ideas come from, but let us say, if you immerse yourself in something, whether it be music, painting, or writing…you are going to get ideas about it. But you have to do the immersing first. You’re not just sitting there, waiting for lightning to strike.”

Tennessee Williams - Writing Tips From Tennessee Williams

Favorite Rule - “It is never as bad as you think.”

Ursula Le Guin - 10 Writing Tips from Ursula Le Guin

Favorite Rule - “Thanks to “show don’t tell,” I find writers in my workshops who think exposition is wicked. They’re afraid to describe the world they’ve invented. This dread of writing a sentence that isn’t crammed with “gutwrenching action” leads fiction writers to rely far too much on dialogue, to restrict voice to limited third person and tense to the present.”

John Steinbeck - 6 Writing Tips From John Steinbeck

Favorite Rule - “If you are using dialogue—say it aloud as you write it. Only then will it have the sound of speech.”

Vladimir Nabokov - Vladimir Nabokov’s Best Writing Advice

Favorite Rule - “A creative writer must study carefully the works of his rivals, including the Almighty. He must possess the inborn capacity not only of recombining but of re-creating the given world. In order to do this adequately, avoiding duplication of labor, the artist should know the given world. Imagination without knowledge leads no farther than the back yard of primitive art, the child’s scrawl on the fence, and the crank’s message in the market place. Art is never simple.”

Lorrie Moore - 5 Writing Tips from Lorrie Moore

Favorite Rule - “There are ways of taking pivotal central moments that are actually earlier on chronologically and sticking them at the end. The end of a story is really everything. It gives the whole meaning to the story. So the end of the story may not be the chronological one. It may be something that the author has to pull from earlier on and end with.”

Neil Gaiman - Neil Gaiman: 8 Good Writing Practices

Favorite Rule - “Remember: when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”

Zadie Smith - Zadie Smith’s 10 Rules of Writing

Favorite Rule - “Work on a computer that is disconnected from the internet.”

Philip Roth - Philip Roth, The Art of Fiction No. 84

Favorite Rule - “I don’t ask writers about their work habits. I really don’t care. Joyce Carol Oates says somewhere that when writers ask each other what time they start working and when they finish and how much time they take for lunch, they’re actually trying to find out “Is he as crazy as I am?” I don’t need that question answered.”

Other statistics for the month:

Free Subscribers: 9278

Total Cash Payout: $527.50

Total Stories Submitted: 221

Short Story Substack Winners (Paid Subscription Unlocks All 33 Stories)

Anomaly - Healing the world.

Seasons Change - Reverse chronology on the choices of life.

Less - Only keep things that spark joy.

A Gentleman of Sterling Character - Character can’t be bought.

Exit Duty - Old teaches young and young teaches old.

Becoming Cheyenne - Identity, friendship, and human nature.

The Imposter Carla Cluckins - Not all stakes must be huge.

Epilogue - It is only through evil that good can be known.

The Magnifying Tongue - Cult and subtext.

SIDESHOW - How many choices do we really have?

It’s Just a Rattlesnake - Magical realism in the desert.

Smiley’s Tavern - On listening and understanding what we hear.

Sweeter Than Honey - Love and magic and art.

One Brief Shining Moment - Conspiracy theory or conspiracy fact?

Ten Seconds - The Devil only wants ten seconds of your life. Do you take the deal?

Bear - Simple and beautiful love between a father, his daughter, and a stuffed bear.

Mr. Harold’s Gift - Not all gifts that are given are well received.

The Mummer’s Parade - Love that is real and true is often messy.

The Garden Club - The power of rumor to destroy. A story that is both fictional and educational.

Depression Séance - Magic is real in the eyes of a child.

Abrama’s Endgame - Sci-Fi look at artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and the struggle to survive.

Do-Over - What happens when you get to re-do your life? What does that answer say about the life that was lived?

Goodbye, Debbie Sue - Freedom on your own terms.

The Pawnshop of Intangible Things - The most valuable things aren’t physical.

Make It a Double - Comparison is the thief of joy.

Worms - Creeping horror.

Do Not Resuscitate - Life’s complex choices in end-of-life care.

I Hate Killing People in Kansas City - An action-packed story better than most movies in the past 20 years.

Sometimes, People Just Have Things They Have To Do - Getting the band back together.

There’s Not Much I Don’t Know - Fatherhood and the instinct to protect.

No Greater Love - Sacrifice in the face of slavery.

Oil On Canvas - The future, and regret, always come.

Blues For Rashid - Music turned into story.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary - Inspirational dictionary that appreciates the art and beauty of words.

Hemingway App - Online tool that will tighten your writing.

One Look Thesaurus - Wide-ranging thesaurus that goes beyond simple synonyms.

Free Online Short Stories

How To Tell A True War Story - Tale of violence and what it means to know the truth.

Good Old Neon - A look at life and death from a different perspective.

Hills Like White Elephants - One of the best uses of subtext ever.

The Egg - Mind-bending sci-fi look at the reason for humanity.

I Have No Mouth But I Must Scream - Sci-Fi horror about a malevolent AI.

Flowers For Algernon - Looking at the limits of intelligence and love.

To Build A Fire - Tale of survival in the bitter cold.

The Cask of Amontillado - Revenge.

The Garden Of Forking Paths - Spy thriller set in WW2.

Rikki Tikki Tavi - On courage in the face of danger.

Ready for more?

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.

Techniques To Inspire KS2 Children to Read For Pleasure

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Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing 101

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions.

Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action beneficial to the writer, creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

There are two kinds of creative writing: good and bad, effective and ineffective. Bad, ineffective creative writing cannot make any impression on the reader. It won’t achieve its purpose.

So whether you’re a novelist, a poet, a short-story writer, an essayist, a biographer or an aspiring beginner, you want to improve your craft. The question is: how?

When you write great fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, amazing things can happen. Readers can’t put it down. The work you wrote becomes a bestseller. It becomes famous. But you have to reach to that level… first .

The best way to increase your proficiency in creative writing is to write, write compulsively, but it doesn’t mean write whatever you want. There are certain things you should know first… it helps to start with the right foot.

To do exactly that, here we have a beginners’ guide from Writers’ Treasure on the subject:

An Introduction to Creative Writing
How to Get Started in Creative Writing in Just Three Steps
Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
Fiction Writing 101: The Elements of Stories
Poetry Writing: Forms and Terms Galore
Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?
Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
Common Mistakes Made by Creative Writers

For novelists: do you want to write compelling opening chapters?

Are you an aspiring novelist? Will your novel see the light of day? For that, you will need to make the first chapter of your story as compelling as possible. Otherwise, readers won’t even pick up your novel. That chapter can be the make-or-break point that decides whether your novel is published or not. It’s because good editors know how you write from the first three pages… or sometimes even from the opening lines.

To solve this problem, I created a five-part tutorial on Writing Compelling Opening Chapters . It outlines why you need to write a compelling opening chapter, my personal favourite way of beginning it, what should be told and shown in it, general dos and don’ts, and what you need to do after having written it. Check it out for more.

Need more writing tips?

Sometimes you reach that stage when you outgrow the beginner stage of writing but feel that you’re not yet an expert. If I just described you, no worries– Writers’ Treasure’s writing tips are here. Whether you want to make your writing more readable, more irresistible, more professional, we’ve got you covered. So check out our writing tips , and be on your way to fast track your success.

I offer writing, editing and proofreading , as well as website creation services. I’ve been in this field for seven years, and I know the tools of the trade. I’ve seen the directions where the writing industry is going, the changes, the new platforms. Get your work done through me, and get fast and efficient service. Get a quote .

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How to Plan a Creative Writing Piece

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lucy V. Hay . Lucy V. Hay is a Professional Writer based in London, England. With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucy is an author, script editor, and award-winning blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers, and Bang2Write has appeared in the Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life and is a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK. She received a B.A. in Scriptwriting for Film & Television from Bournemouth University. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 137,388 times.

Whether you are writing for fun or to satisfy a school assignment, planning a creative writing piece can be a challenge. If you don't already have an idea in mind, you will need to do a little brainstorming to come up with something that interests you. Once you have a general idea of what you want to write about, the best way to get started is to break your project into smaller, more manageable parts. When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your piece, the writing itself will come more easily.

Getting Started

You can find character sheet templates online, such as here: https://www.freelancewriting.com/copywriting/using-character-sheets-in-fiction-writing/ .

Writing Your Piece

Kurt Vonnegut grabs the reader's attention at the start of Slaughterhouse-Five quite simply, by saying, “All this happened, more or less.”
Tolstoy summed up the main theme of his novel Anna Karenina in its very first sentence: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

If you are writing a work of fiction, each of your main characters has something they want, which motivates them to make the choices that drive the plot forward.
If you are writing a non-fiction work about an actual person or event, include specific details about the key players to make them more interesting to your reader.

Step 3 Select a time and setting that appeal to you.

Think of a familiar place you encounter every day, but set the story 100 years in the future – or 1,000.
Set your story in the modern day world, but change one very key element – imagine that dinosaurs never went extinct, electricity was never invented, or aliens have taken over the planet.
Whatever time period you choose, make sure the reader has a firm understanding of it early in your story so that they can properly follow the story. The reader needs to know the time period in order to imagine that characters and scenes.

If you are writing something for the young adult market, focus on the things that matter most to teens and don't worry about whether older adults will like it.
If you want to write a particular type of fiction, like westerns or sci-fi, read the most popular works in that genre to understand what its readers expect.
Not everyone will appreciate your sense of humor, and that's okay – be yourself, and let your work speak to those who do.

Staying Motivated

Developing Your Concept

Novels. The novel is one of the most popular forms of creative writing, and also one of the most challenging. A novel is a large project, with most novels containing at least 50,000 words. Any topic can be the subject of a novel. Certain types of novels are so popular that they belong to their own category, or genre. Examples of genre fiction are romance, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.
Short stories. A work of fiction under 7,500 words is usually considered a short story. A short story usually has all of the elements of a novel, including a structured plot. However, experimental forms of short stories like flash fiction do away with ordinary narrative conventions and can take almost any form the author chooses.
Personal essay or memoir. A personal essay or memoir is a work of non-fiction based on your life. Drawing on your own life experiences can provide you with a wide array of story topics. Not only that, it can be an interesting way to better understand yourself and share your experiences with the world.
Blogs. The word blog is a shortened form of the term web log, which can refer to any type of writing that is published regularly on the internet. Blogs can be stories, factual pieces, or diaries.
Poetry. Poetry can take any number of forms, from traditional rhyming couplets to modern free-form verse. Poets typically develop their own unique writing style and write about any topic imaginable, from situations and emotions to current events or social commentary.
Screenplays or stage plays. These are detailed scripts written for a film or a play. This form of writing has very specific rules about structure and formatting, but the subject matter can be anything you like. [10] X Research source

Keep your eyes open for compelling stories in the news that could provide a starting point.
Observe what is happening around you and turn it into a story.
Adapt your thoughts into a story.
Draw on an interesting or unusual event that happened in your own life.
Search the web for “writing prompts” and you'll find lots of ideas to get you going, suggested by other writers. You could even use a random prompt generator website to get a unique suggestion just for you!

The popular 1990s teen movie Clueless is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel Emma .
The classic Greek myth The Odyssey has been re-imagined in countless ways, including James Joyce's Ulysses and the Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou? Many authors have adapted its basic story structure of a hero's quest.
Stories about vampires are all loosely adapted from Bram Stoker's Dracula, but many different writers have put their own unique spin on the concept.

Salinger's Catcher in the Rye contains themes of alienation and coming of age.
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series addresses themes of courage, and the triumph of good over evil.
Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy plays with themes about the absurdity of life, the interconnectedness of all things, and how seemingly minor incidents can have huge consequences.

Expert Q&A

Try to provide something of value to the reader, who is investing their time in reading your work. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
The best writing is always simple, clear, and concise. Overly complicated sentences can be difficult to follow, and you may lose your reader's interest. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/how_to_outline.html
↑ https://www.scad.edu/sites/default/files/PDF/Animation-design-challenge-character-sheets.pdf
↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/5-ways-to-start-writing-your-novel-today
↑ https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/creative_writing/characters_and_fiction_writing/writing_compelling_characters.html
↑ https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/writing-resources/prewriting/writing-for-an-audience
↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/goalsetting/how
↑ https://researchwriting.unl.edu/developing-effective-writing-habits
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/resources/writing_instructors/grades_7_12_instructors_and_students/what_to_do_when_you_are_stuck.html
↑ https://www.acs.edu.au/info/writing/creative-writing/creative-writers.aspx
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/choosing_a_topic.html

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Here are Some Really Good Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you're struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post - it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you’re struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post – it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Master storyteller that he is, Stephen King was gracious enough to admit that a writer tends to dread the moment when he actually begins writing any piece―this can be a bit of a make-or-break kind of a situation. A flying start tends to set the tone of the work, all positive, of course, whereas an unsure start only leads to the doomed path of redrafts.

You may have the entire concept of your story or essay in mind, but when it comes to the actual act of putting pen to paper, the enthusiasm tends to deflate a little. A rather strange phenomenon, this, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that most writers, at some point, have encountered this experience.

To our fellow budding writers, we’re offering a helping hand by providing a few sample starts to get that creativity rolling, followed by a little inspiration from the stalwarts of the business.

Sample Sentence Starters for Fiction

Fiction writing is a boundless category, and each author has his preferred style of beginning a story or a novel. It is obvious that the beginning of a story depends on the overall plot, but there are times when you can use all the inspiration you need to get the start you were looking for. Therefore, we’ve included 5 ideas you can use in your starter, along with 3 examples for each.

Describe the weather

► The warm Californian sunshine hit her face as she stepped outside for the first time as a free woman.

► It had been raining nonstop for the past six days.

► The night sky was exceptionally clear tonight.

Introduce a character

► Daniel hated reunions and all the fake camaraderie.

► Edie Brent’s gruesome murder made it to the front page of the New York Times.

► Alison loved to keep secrets.

Talk about the city

► The streets of London come alive during the Holidays.

► Springtime is the best time to be in New York.

► Rio de Janeiro was where his dreams were.

Add a little suspense

► Walking home in the dead of the night was not new to Carol, but tonight felt different.

► The key clicked in the lock as Alan opened the door to his apartment. Everything seemed to be in place, and yet, something wasn’t right.

► It was 3 a. m. and there was no sign of Tim. He always called to tell if he was getting late. Why hadn’t he called?

And some drama

► How do you react when you’re told that you have a mere hours left to live?

► Prom queen and head cheerleader, Jessica always loved to be the center of attention.

► “Get the hell out of my life!”, screamed Karen at the top of her lungs.

Sentence Starters for Formal Essays

Middle school and high school students have to draft varied writing assignments, including persuasive essays, arguments, and narratives. In case of essays, particularly, the kind of start you make depends entirely on the topic at hand. However, formal essays or presentations need to begin in a certain manner. We’ve listed a few examples here:

► (The topic) has fostered a debate on …

► There is growing support for the notion that …

► The data gathered in the study strongly suggests that …

► The focus of discussion in this paper is …

► The premise of (the topic) seems to be based on …

► Latest research corroborates the view that …

Learn from the Greats

Who doesn’t seek inspiration from the masters of the field? Agreed, we all do. Therefore, we’ve brought you a list of the first sentences of some of the most iconic novels ever written.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. ― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

Call me Ishmael. ― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. ― J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love. ― Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera

These sample sentence starters ought to have helped you get over your dry spell. Getting the right start is crucial when it comes to creative writing, and you need to give it your all to bring it up to standard.

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Library of Congress
Research Guides
American Folklife Center

Folklife and Creative Writing: Resources in the American Folklife Center

Introduction.

Cowboy poetry
Veterans poetry
Living Nations, Living Words
Brazilian Chapbooks
Veteran Memoirs
Plays and Novels
Non-Fiction
Library Blog Posts and Podcasts
Additional Resources
Searching the Collection
Maggie Jones, Folklife Intern, American Folklife Center
Melanie Kimball, Folklife Intern, American Folklife Center
Meg Nicholas, Folklife Specialist, American Folklife Center

Created: June 13, 2024

Last Updated: August 6, 2024

Ask a Librarian: American Folklife Center

American folklife center : ask a librarian.

Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.

color image of blue ink writing scrawled on a yellowed piece of paper

This guide provides an introduction to doing research on the topic of creative writing using American Folklife Center collections, and serves as a companion piece to an existing guide on Narrative and Verbal Arts in AFC collections. While the American Folklife Center archive contains primarily unpublished materials, in some cases a collection may include a manuscript or drafts of poems, essays or memoirs that were later published.

The Center's Collection Policy Statement lists nine areas of distinction for its collections, including "Narrative and Verbal Arts." The policy statement has this to say about this area of distinction:

Narrative and Verbal Arts encompass a wide range of genres including stories, myths, legends, jokes, fan literature, memes, proverbs, folk poetry, and cowboy poetry, as well as premier collections of American English regional dialects, plus collections of Gullah (Sea Islands Creole), Caribbean, and French-based Creole dialects.

For the purposes of this guide, "creative writing" encompasses examples of the written word found in AFC archival collections. This may refer to collections of materials written about AFC archival collections, or it may refer to a manuscript item that forms part of a donated collection. The items featured here often cross genres, including poetry, memoirs, and manuscripts for novels, essays and other non-fiction writing. To aid in navigation, collections have been grouped according to the following genres:

Autobiography and Memoir
Non-Fiction and Essays

Some collections may feature one creative writing style, while still others contain examples of multiple genres. In the latter case, the collection has been grouped according to the genre which best describes its contents.

In addition to these genre collections, the AFC archive also has items which pertain to the act of writing itself. These include interviews with notable authors which include descriptions of their writing process, as well as an exploration of writing for archival cataloguing.

Some of the collections and resources featured in this guide are available online. Others, including many non-digitized collections of note, require a visit to the American Folklife Center reading room. This guide is not intended to serve as a comprehensive record of all AFC archival collections relevant to this subject.

Writers Found in AFC Collections

Maya Angelou
Allen Ginsberg
Stetson Kennedy
Arthur Miller
Toni Morrison
Zora Neale Hurston

There is a digital presentation of this collection.

Creative Writing in the American Folklife Center

Richard Joseph Heh, author. "My Last Mission" poem written by Richard Joseph Heh. Richard Joseph Heh Collection (AFC 2001/001/87986), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

A man stands in front of a microphone holding a piece of paper, reading a poem to an unpictured crowd.

Lyntha Scott Eiler, photographer. John Russell, of Montcoal, reading a poem entitled "Keeper of the Forest" at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia. March 15, 1996. Coal River Folklife Collection (AFC 1999/008), American Folk

Digital scan of a draft scene written by Alan Lomax for an unpublished script about the characters Mind and Matter

Alan Lomax, writer. Draft of unpublished scene from a play about the embodied characters Mind and Matter. Alan Lomax Collection (AFC 2004/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Unrealeased outtake footage of an interview with poet Allen Ginsberg . Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian Collection (AFC 2011/009), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Bess Lomax Hawes, writer. Bess's early writing, from 1930. Bess Lomax Hawes Collection (AFC 2014/008), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

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Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 3:22 PM
URL: https://guides.loc.gov/folklife-creative-writing

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Best Gifts for Writers

By Hannah Yang

50 best gifts to give to a writer, conclusion on gifts to give writers.

If someone you care about loves to write, you might be wondering what kinds of presents to give them.

Finding the perfect gift for a writer can be a delightful challenge. Whether it’s for a birthday, a special occasion, or just because, the right gift is sure to put a smile on their face.

So, what are some of the best gifts you can give to a writer?

Here are 50 gift ideas for writers to help inspire your search.

In this list, we’ll be looking at several different categories of gifts you can consider:

Writing tools and accessories

Writing software and apps

Inspiration and motivation

Comfort and ergonomics

Writing retreats and courses

Personalized gifts

Fun and quirky gifts

Practical gadgets

Books and literature

Wellness and relaxation

Feel free to start with the category that sounds the most exciting to you.

Writing Tools and Accessories

First up, let’s talk about writing tools and accessories. Whether it’s a pen, a notebook, or an electronic device, having the right tools on hand can make a writer’s life a lot easier.

1. Luxury Fountain Pen

Using a fountain pen instead of a pencil or ballpoint pen can make writing feel more special and meaningful. A high-quality fountain pen can be used for decades.

2. Leather-bound Notebook

A writer can never have too many notebooks. A leather-bound notebook is elegant and timeless, perfect for jotting down ideas on the go.

3. Typewriter

Typewriters offer vintage charm combined with practical use, especially for people who love a tactile writing experience.

4. Portable Word Processor

If your writer friend often complains about getting distracted during writing sessions, consider giving them a portable word processor. These make distraction-free writing a lot easier.

5. Personalized Stationery

Personalized stationery adds a touch of professionalism and personality to your friend’s correspondence. Plus, you might be receiving a very beautiful thank-you note in return!

6. Mechanical Keyboard

A good mechanical keyboard can improve typing comfort and speed. Keyboards can even be customized in different colors and styles, so you can pick your friend’s favorite.

7. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones help writers stay focused in noisy environments. You could also make your friend a personalized playlist to make this gift even more special.

Image with list of tool and accessory ideas

Writing Software and Apps

Using the best writing software can make writing and editing much easier. There are some free apps out there, but the best apps usually require a subscription—which makes them a great gift option for the writers in your life.

8. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a digital toolkit that helps you craft your story and bring it to life. You can fix grammatical errors, improve sentence clarity, create more engaging prose, analyze your narrative, and even generate ideas.

9. Hemingway Editor

Hemingway is an app that helps improve writing style and readability. It’s available as an app for both Mac and Windows with a one-time purchase.

10. Scrivener

Scrivener helps writers keep their work organized. It’s a powerful writing software designed for long-form content creation, such as novel projects and full-length nonfiction manuscripts.

11. Grammarly

Grammarly is an advanced grammar checker and AI writing assistant which can help your friend polish their writing.

12. Evernote

Evernote is a note-taking app that’s useful for organizing notes, research, and ideas. This is useful software for helping your friends stay organized.

Inspiration and Motivation

The process of creative writing is a marathon, not a sprint, which means staying motivated is a crucial challenge. Many writers might appreciate an inspirational gift that reminds them to keep going.

13. Inspirational Tote Bag

There are lots of options for tote bags with inspirational writing quotes. Plus, a good tote bag can also be useful for carrying books, notebooks, and writing tools.

14. Motivational Posters

Consider getting your friend a poster with motivational quotes from their favorite authors. You can choose a serious one or a funny one, depending on your friend’s personality.

15. Literary Mugs

If your friend enjoys hot beverages, a literary mug is a great option. Mugs can come with inspirational quotes or bookish designs that your friend can appreciate while enjoying their coffee or tea.

16. Writer’s Block Journal

A writer’s block journal is full of prompts and exercises to help overcome writer’s block. These can be a fun way to help your friend get reinspired.

17. Literary Candles

Literary candles have scents inspired by classic books and famous authors. This is a fun way to add some olfactory charm to your friend’s book space.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Have you ever tried writing a book while sitting on an uncomfortable chair? We don’t recommend it.

A thoughtful gift designed to improve comfort and ergonomics can hugely improve a writer’s quality of life.

18. Ergonomic Chair

An ergonomic chair is essential for long writing sessions. If your friend’s ever complained about back pain or neck aches, consider getting them an ergonomic chair to enable healthier writing sessions.

19. Lumbar Support Cushion

A lumbar support cushion adds extra comfort to any chair. It’s much cheaper than buying an ergonomic chair, if you’re looking for a more affordable way to accomplish the same goal.

20. Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses

Writers often spend all day staring at a computer screen. Blue-light-blocking glasses reduce eye strain from screen time.

21. Desk Footrest

A desk footrest is an underrated device that helps maintain proper posture. You can pick a cute one that matches your friend’s existing decor.

22. Neck-and-Back Massager

A neck-and-back massager gives your writer friend a fun way to relax the next time they’re taking a break from their manuscript.

Writing Retreats and Courses

Many writers appreciate the opportunity to learn more about writing craft. The right book, course, or writing retreat can help your friend take their work to the next level.

23. Books on Writing

Books like On Writing by Stephen King or Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott offer wisdom and encouragement, as well as useful craft advice.

24. Local Writing Classes

Look for in-person workshops that can help your friend hone their craft. This can also be a great way for them to make new writing friends or meet a broader community.

25. Writing Retreat

Writing retreats are getaways focused solely on writing, often in picturesque locations. Retreats can be expensive, but if you can afford one, your friend is sure to appreciate it.

26. MasterClass Subscription

A MasterClass subscription gives your friend access to writing courses from famous authors, such as Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood.

27. Online Writing Workshop

If your friend doesn’t live in an area with in-person classes, an online writing workshop can be a fantastic alternative. This would still let them join a community of writers for feedback and support, with guidance from an experienced instructor.

Image with list of writing retreat and course ideas

Personalized Gifts

If you’re familiar with a specific project your friend has written, or the story they’re currently working on, you can give them a personalized gift that’s unique to their work. They’ll definitely be touched by the gesture.

28. Literary Map

If your friend writes fantasy novels, or another genre that features intensive world-building, you can consider giving them a literary map that features locations from their story.

29. Commissioned Portrait or Fan Art

Another option is to commission a portrait or some other artistic rendering of their story’s characters. One of my friends once made me a painting of the characters in my novel manuscript, and I still cherish that painting to this day.

30. Customized Bookmarks

Finally, consider giving your friend a set of customized bookmarks with quotes from their writing. If they’re a published author, they can also use these bookmarks to market their work.

Quirky Literary Gifts

If your writing friend loves nerding out over books, a quirky literary gift might be the way to go. Here are a few suggestions to look into.

31. Novel Teas

If your friend is a tea drinker, you can get them a set of tea bags with literary quotes and themes.

32. Story Cubes

Story cubes are dice with images to inspire creative storytelling. You and your writer friend can use them together to come up with new story ideas.

33. Book-Shaped Lamp

A book-shaped lamp can be a unique and stylish addition to your friend’s reading nook. Some of these lamps even come in multiple colors, like true white, warm yellow, and atmospheric purple.

34. Literary Board Games

Games like "Scrabble" or "Bananagrams" can appeal to a writer’s love of words. This also gives you and your friend a fun new way to spend time together.

35. Literary Socks

A good pair of literary socks is always a cute gift. There are many designs featuring different quotes and images from beloved books, so you can pick out your friend’s favorite.

Practical Gadgets

If your friend is more practical-minded, giving them a useful gift might be your best bet. These gifts might seem more boring than some of our previous suggestions, but to many people, functionality can be just as important as style.

36. Portable Charger

A portable charger ensures your friend’s devices never run out of battery while writing—which can be a lifesaver if they like writing outside of their usual workspace.

37. Document Scanner

A document scanner can digitize notes and manuscripts easily, helping your friend convert their work from handwritten formats to more accessible ones.

38. Smart Notebook

A smart notebook, like a reMarkable, lets your friend write by hand and then upload the notes to a digital format. It’s an easy way to transition between formats.

39. External Hard Drive

External hard drives provide extra storage for your friend’s manuscripts and research.

40. Voice Recorder

A voice recorder is handy for capturing ideas on the go. Some options even include built-in voice-to-text capabilities.

Books and Literature

Most writers are also avid readers, so gifts related to books and literature are definitely an option to consider.

41. Custom Book Embosser

A custom book embosser allows your friend to personalize their library with their own emblem. If they often lend books to other people, this is a useful way for them to keep track of which books are theirs.

42. Personalized Bookplates

Personalized bookplates can offer beautiful labels for their book collection.

43. Book Subscription Box

Book subscription boxes, like OwlCrate and Book of the Month, offer regular deliveries of new and exciting reads to fuel your friend’s imagination.

44. Special Edition Books

If you have the budget for it, consider giving your friend a collectible edition of their favorite novel. They’ll treasure it for a lifetime.

45. Audiobook Subscription

If your friend is an audiobook lover, services like Audible are great for listening to books on the go.

46. Literary Magazine Subscription

A subscription to a literary magazine can help your friend stay updated on industry trends.

Image with list of book and literature ideas

Wellness and Relaxation

There’s more to a writer’s life than just writing. Other activities that take care of their bodies and minds can help them "refill the creative well," so to speak.

So, here are some gift suggestions that don’t relate directly to writing but are still likely to feel meaningful to a lot of writers.

47. Desk Plants

Whether it’s a small succulent or a colorful flower, desk plants add a touch of nature to your friend’s writing space.

48. Aromatherapy Diffuser

A diffuser can create a calming atmosphere with essential oils, helping your friend create the perfect writing environment.

49. Yoga or Fitness Classes

Fitness classes can help your friend relax and stay fit, balancing the sedentary writing life with a more active routine.

50. Art Classes

Finally, art classes can be a great option too. Being creative in a different way can help writers unlock new sources of inspiration.

Finding the perfect gift for a writer doesn ’ t have to be daunting. From practical tools and luxurious accessories to inspirational reads and quirky finds, there’s something here to delight every wordsmith.

If you want to see how ProWritingAid works before investing in a subscription, check out the free version .

Keep in mind that writers aren’t a monolith. Different people appreciate different things, so you should always tailor your gift to the specific recipient.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Write like a bestselling author

Love writing? ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of your stories.

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.

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385+ world-class shop name ideas for any niche.

If you're starting a company and searching for your shop name ideas, it's important to remember that a name greatly has a significant influence on how people see your shop. It's a key part of your brand's identity, so choose it carefully.

In this blog, we’ll explore this topic further and offer you a list of 385+ shop name ideas that you can use or get inspiration from. We’ll also walk you through the process of choosing the perfect store name and share practical tips and steps to help you on your naming journey.

Why a Strong Shop Name Matter

(Image Source: EComposer’s Template )

So why does a strong shop name matter a lot? When you're starting a business, whether it's an eCommerce website or a physical store, choosing a great name is more than just a formality—it's a useful tool that can greatly influence your success.

Reflects Your Brand: Your store’s name is a key part of your brand identity. It's what customers will remember and link to your products or services. A well-chosen name makes your brand memorable and helps it stand out in a crowded market.
First Impressions Matter: In today’s fast-paced world, you have just a few seconds to make a good impression on potential customers. Often, your shop’s name is the first thing they see. A catchy name can grab their attention and make them want to learn more.
Shows Your Values: A strong store name can communicate your business’s values and mission. It can tell a story, stir emotions, or build trust. Customers are more likely to connect with shops that reflect their own values.
Sets You Apart: In a competitive niche , a unique store name helps you stand out from the competition. It gives you an edge and makes it easier for customers to find you among similar businesses.
Boosts Marketing: A good store name is a powerful marketing tool. It can be the center of your advertising efforts, making it easier to create memorable slogans, logos, and other promotional materials.

Key Elements to Consider for Shop Naming

Now that you understand the need for a strong name, let’s explore what creates an outstanding one.

There are many ideas and a few studies on what makes a good name. For example, a 2010 study from the University of Alberta found that people tend to respond more positively to brands with names that have a repetitive structure, like Coca-Cola, Kit Kat, and Jelly Belly.

While there isn’t a perfect formula, certain traits make a brand name easier for you to use and easier for others to remember. Ideally, a good name should be:

Meaningful : It should convey the essence of your brand, create an image, and build a positive emotional connection.
Distinctive : It should be unique, memorable, and stand out from your competitors.
Accessible : People should easily understand, pronounce, spell, or search for it. Even if the name is unusual, it should still be clear.
Protectable : You should be able to trademark it, secure the domain, and “own” it legally and in the public’s mind.
Future-proof : The name should be able to grow with your company, stay relevant, and be adaptable for different products or brand extensions.
Visual : The name should be easy to represent through design, including icons, logos, and colors.

These criteria can help you evaluate potential names, but the most important question is whether the name resonates with people. That’s the true measure of success.

385+ Creative Shop Name Ideas to Wow Customers

Unique shop name ideas.

Flux: Suggests constant change, innovation, and a dynamic product range.
Verve: Implies energy, enthusiasm, and a vibrant shopping experience.
Zenith: Conveys the concept of achieving the pinnacle by giving quality things.
Mirage: Creates intrigue and mystery, perfect for fashion or lifestyle stores.
Quirk: Highlights individuality and unique products, appealing to a niche market.
The Curiosity Shop: Suggests a treasure trove of interesting items.
Wanderlust Emporium: Implies a collection of items from around the world.
The Green Canopy: Ideal for eco-friendly or plant-based products.
Urban Oasis: Contrasts the city with a peaceful shopping environment.
The Secret Garden: Creates a sense of discovery and hidden gems.
Whimsy World: Suggests a fun and fantastical shopping experience.
Doodle Dandy: Implies creativity and a playful atmosphere.
Giggle Gear: Focuses on products that bring joy and laughter.
The Happy Hive: Suggests a community-focused shop with a positive vibe.
Sugar and Spice: Creates a warm and inviting image, perfect for food or home goods.
Monochrome: Suggests a clean and sophisticated aesthetic.
Echo: Implies resonance and impact, perfect for tech or audio products.
Nexus: Conveys a connection point or central hub for various products.
Axiom: Suggests a foundational or essential product range.
Ember: Implies warmth and passion, ideal for home or lifestyle goods.

Creative Shop Name Ideas

The Lollygaggery: A whimsical name suggesting a delightful browsing experience.
Wink and Nod: Implies a shared secret or inside joke with customers.
The Curious Case of: Creates intrigue and mystery about the products.
Oddity Emporium: Suggests a collection of unique and unusual items.
The Nook and Cranny: Implies a cozy, intimate shopping environment.
Minimalia: Suggests a focus on simple, clean designs.
Echo Chamber: Implies a strong brand identity and customer loyalty.
The Edit: Conveys a curated selection of high-quality products.
Monochrome: Emphasizes a minimalist color palette and design aesthetic.
The Collective: Suggests a collaboration of different brands or designers.
Terra Firma: Implies grounded, solid products or a focus on sustainability.
Ephemera: Suggests fleeting, trendy items or a vintage-inspired store.
Kaleidoscope: Implies a diverse and colorful range of products.
The Alchemist's Lab: Suggests a transformation or creation process.
The Trove: Implies a treasure chest of hidden gems.
Verge: Suggests being on the cutting edge of trends.
Nexus: Implies a central hub or meeting point for products.
Zen: Suggests a calm and peaceful shopping experience.
Ember: Implies warmth, comfort, and coziness.
Quill: Suggests creativity, writing, and intellectual pursuits.
Muse: Implies inspiration and creativity.

Catchy Shop Name Ideas

The Foundary: Implies a place where unique items are created or discovered.
Kaleidoscope Corner: Suggests a vibrant and diverse collection of products.
The Curiosity Cabinet: Evokes a sense of wonder and exploration.
Wanderlust Warehouse: Implies a global collection of goods.
The Mercantile: Classic and timeless, suggesting a general store feel.
Treasure Trove: Implies a collection of valuable or desirable items.
The Bazaar: Suggests a lively and exotic marketplace atmosphere.
Echoes of Yesterday: Implies vintage or antique items.
The Hive: Suggests a community-focused shop with a variety of products.
The Nook: Implies a small, cozy shop with carefully curated items.
The Cornerstone: Suggests a foundation or essential place for finding products.
The Emporium: Implies a large and diverse selection of goods.
The Haven: Suggests a peaceful and welcoming shopping experience.
The Atelier: Implies a place of creation and artistry.
The Galleria: Suggests a high-end and sophisticated shopping experience.
The Loft: Implies a trendy and modern atmosphere.
The Burrow: Suggests a cozy and inviting space.
The Arcade: Implies a playful and nostalgic atmosphere.
The Canopy: Suggests a protective and nurturing environment.
The Crucible: Implies a place of transformation and creation.
The Aviary: Suggests a collection of unique and beautiful items.
The Labyrinth: Implies a journey of discovery through the shop.

Stylish Names for Shops

Elegance Emporium: A place where elegance is the primary product.
Luxe Lane: Implies a luxurious journey or path, suggesting a high-end shopping experience.
Chic Canvas: A canvas is a blank space for creation; here, it suggests creating a chic look.
Timeless Trades: Indicates dealing in classic, enduring fashion items.
Opulent Outfit: Directly describes the nature of the products - luxurious clothing.
Vogue Venture: Suggests a daring and fashionable journey.
Stylish Stash: A hidden treasure trove of stylish items.
Urban Uptown: Combines urban modernity with upscale elegance.
ClassicChic Collections: Offers a blend of classic and contemporary style.
Elegant Essentials: Provides the fundamental pieces for an elegant look.
Graceful Garb: Implies clothing that is both elegant and comfortable.
Regal Rendezvous: A meeting place for luxurious and royal-inspired fashion.
Refined Rarities: Suggests exclusive, high-quality items.
ChicBoutique Bliss: A place of pure happiness for fashion lovers.
Elite Emporium: A high-end marketplace for exclusive items.
Opulence Oasis: A serene place offering luxurious products.
Modern Mystique: Combines contemporary style with an air of mystery.
Stylish Spectrum: Offers a wide range of fashionable items.
ChicCrafted Curations: Implies carefully selected, stylish products.
Prestige Plaza: A place of high standing and reputation for luxury goods.
Glamour Galleria: A showcase of glamorous items.
Luxe Lineage: Suggests a heritage of luxury and refinement.

Aesthetic Shop Name Ideas

(Image Source: EComposer’s Case study Template )

Monochrome Mirage: Suggests a simple yet captivating aesthetic.
Apex Atelier: Implies a high-end workshop for stylish items.
Capsule Collective: Focuses on a curated selection of essential items.
Form & Function: Emphasizes both style and practicality.
Neutral Nook: Conveys a serene and understated atmosphere.
Wanderlust Wardrobe: Implies a free-spirited and adventurous style.
Gypsy Soul Boutique: Suggests a bohemian and soulful aesthetic.
Terracotta Treasure: Evokes earthy, natural tones and unique finds.
Free Spirit Finds: Highlights individuality and eclectic taste.
Boho Bazaar: A marketplace of bohemian delights.
La Belle Époque: A nod to a romantic era of elegance.
Petal and Plume: Suggests delicate and feminine beauty.
Whimsical Wishes: Conveys a dreamy and enchanting atmosphere.
Lace and Liberty: Implies a classic and romantic style.
Velvet Vogue: Suggests luxury and sophistication.
Concrete Jungle: Combines urban vibes with a touch of nature.
Rebel Refinery: A mix of rebellion and refinement.
Neon Nights: Suggests a bold and vibrant aesthetic.
Edge and Elegance: Combines edgy style with sophistication.
Metropolis Maven: Implies a city-savvy fashionista.
Forest Finds: Suggests natural and earthy products.
Ocean Oasis: Evokes a calming and refreshing atmosphere.
Earthbound Elegance: Combines nature with luxury.
Golden Hour Glow: Implies a warm and inviting aesthetic.

Trendy Shop Name Ideas

Nostalgia Nook: Evokes a sense of longing for past trends.
Groovy Goods: Suggests a retro and fun vibe.
Millennial Market: Targets a specific demographic with trendy items.
Vintage Vibes: Highlights a classic yet contemporary style.
Throwback Treasures: Implies finding hidden gems from the past.
Green Goddess: Emphasizes eco-friendly and stylish products.
Conscious Closet: Focuses on sustainable fashion choices.
Eco Edit: Suggests a curated selection of environmentally friendly items.
Terra Firma: Implies a grounded connection to the earth.
Revive and Repurpose: Highlights sustainability and creativity.
Rebellious Retail: Suggests a daring and unconventional style.
Urban Outfitters: Implies a modern and edgy aesthetic.
Concrete Couture: Combines urban elements with high fashion.
Electric Avenue: Suggests a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Black Label Boutique: Implies exclusivity and a sophisticated edge.
Less is Luxe: Suggests that simplicity is the ultimate luxury.
Monochrome Magic: Emphasizes the power of a single color palette.
Clean Cut Collection: Implies a minimalist and refined style.
Geometric Glamour: Combines modern shapes with elegance.
Nordic Nirvana: Suggests a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
Universal Style: Emphasizes inclusivity and diversity.
Fluid Fashion: Suggests a flexible and adaptable style.
Unlabeled: Promotes individuality and self-expression.
Androgynous Avenue: Implies a blend of masculine and feminine styles.
Spectrum Shop: Suggests a wide range of styles and identities.

Cute Store Name Ideas

SweetPea Boutique: Suggests a charming and delicate store for baby or children's items.
Adorable Essentials: Implies necessary and extremely cute items.
Snuggle Spot: Conveys a cozy and comforting atmosphere.
Cuddly Corner: Suggests a place full of soft and huggable items.
LittleCharm Emporium: A place for small and enchanting treasures.
DarlingDelights: Implies delightful and endearing products.
WhimsiCritters: Suggests playful and imaginative items, often animal-themed.
TinyTreasures: Suggests small but precious items.
FurryFriends Finds: Implies products related to pets, especially dogs or cats.
PreciousPaws Plaza: A place for products related to pets, emphasizing their cuteness.
CharmingCubs Cove: Suggests a cozy place for baby or toddler items, often animal-themed.
HuggableHaven: Implies a place full of cuddly and lovable items.
LittleLovelies Loft: A place for adorable and beautiful items.
FluffyFeet Fancies: Suggests products related to babies or young children, emphasizing their cuteness.
DaintyDoodles: Implies delicate and charming designs.
CuteCompanions Corner: A place for products related to pets or children, emphasizing companionship.
SweetWhiskers: Suggests products related to cats, emphasizing their cuteness.
MiniMarvels Mart: A place for small but amazing products.
BunnyBuddies Bazaar: A place for products related to rabbits or other small animals.
CozyCubs Collectibles: Suggests collectible items for babies or toddlers.
LovableLoot: Implies adorable and desirable items.
TeenyTiny Treasures: Emphasizes the small size and preciousness of items.
The Snuggle Nook: A cozy place for babies or young children.
CharmingCritters Cove: A place for products related to animals, emphasizing their charm.
FuzzyFriends Finds: Implies products related to pets, emphasizing their softness.
DarlingPetite Plaza: Suggests a place for small and adorable items.

Funny Shop Name Ideas

PunnyGoods: Implies products with clever wordplay.
Chuckles & Charms: Suggests a mix of humor and appealing products.
QuirkWares: Indicates unusual and unique items.
Giggles Galore: Implies a place filled with laughter-inducing products.
SillyTrends: Suggests humorous and fashionable items.
ChuckleCraze: Implies a popular trend of funny products.
Laughing Loot: Suggests humorous and desirable items.
WackyWardrobe: Implies a collection of unusual and fun clothing.
ChuckleCart: Suggests a shopping cart filled with funny items.
Hootenanny Haven: Implies a fun and festive place with quirky products.
JestJewels: Suggests humorous and stylish jewelry.
GrinGoods: Implies products that induce smiles.
WhimsiComics: Implies whimsical and comic-inspired products.
Smiles & Styles: Suggests a combination of happiness and fashion.
LightheartedLux: Implies luxurious but fun items.
ChuckleChic: Suggests a blend of humor and sophistication.
GuffawGems: Implies products that provoke loud laughter.
WhimsiWearables: Suggests whimsical and fun clothing.
PunnyPosh: Implies clever and stylish products.
TickleTreasures: Suggests humorous and valuable items.
WhimsiWares: Implies whimsical and unique products.
HilariousHaven: Implies a place filled with humorous items.
GrinGallery: Suggests a collection of smile-inducing products.
ChuckleCharmers: Implies charming and humorous products.
LaughingLuxuries: Implies luxurious and funny items.
QuirkQuarters: Implies a place filled with unusual and quirky items.

Handmade Shop Name Ideas

Artisan Alley: Suggests a collection of handcrafted items.
Maker's Market: Implies a place where handmade goods are sold.
Crafted Corner: Conveys a cozy space for handmade items.
Handcrafted Haven: Suggests a peaceful place filled with handmade treasures.
Whimsical Workshop: Implies a place where creative handmade items are produced.
One-of-a-Kind Creations: Emphasizes the unique nature of handmade items.
Treasure Trove: Suggests a collection of valuable handmade finds.
Handmade Heirlooms: Implies handmade items with lasting value.
Custom Crafted: Highlights the personalized nature of handmade goods.
Artisan Atelier: Suggests a high-end workshop for handmade items.
Earthly Elements: Implies handmade items created with natural materials.
Forest Finds: Suggests handmade items inspired by nature.
Sustainable Style: Emphasizes eco-friendly handmade products.
Nature's Nook: Conveys a connection to nature through handmade items.
Green Crafted: Highlights the eco-conscious aspect of handmade products.
Simple & Handmade: Emphasizes the beauty of simplicity in handmade items.
Modern Makers: Suggests a contemporary approach to handmade crafts.
Minimalist Marvels: Implies beautiful handmade items with a minimalist aesthetic.
Clean Crafted: Suggests handmade items with a clean and fresh look.
Nordic Needlework: Implies Scandinavian-inspired handmade crafts.
Community Crafted: Emphasizes the collaborative nature of handmade goods.
Maker's Guild: Suggests a group of skilled artisans.
Village Vibes: Implies a sense of community and handmade traditions.
Handmade Harmony: Suggests a balance between craftsmanship and beauty.
Collective Creations: Implies a collection of handmade items from various makers.
Crafty Chaos: Suggests a fun and eclectic mix of handmade items.
Whimsical Wonders: Implies imaginative and playful handmade creations.

Shop Name Ideas for Clothes

Style Sanctuary: A place to find your personal style.
Trend Temple: A hub for the latest fashion trends.
Fashion Foundry: Where styles are created and refined.
Chic Collective: A gathering of stylish pieces.
Vogue Vault: A treasure trove of fashionable items.
Luxe Loft: A sophisticated space for high-end clothing.
Premium Picks: A selection of top-quality clothing.
Opulence Outlet: A place for luxurious fashion finds.
Elite Ensemble: A collection of exclusive clothing items.
Indulge Avenue: A destination for clothing indulgence.
Unique Universe: A collection of distinctive fashion pieces.
Personal Style Palace: A place to express your individuality.
Eccentric Edit: A curated selection of unique clothing.
Boho Bazaar: A marketplace for bohemian fashion.
Vintage Vogue: A blend of vintage and modern style.
Retail Retreat: A relaxing shopping destination.
Fashion Fiesta: A fun and exciting shopping experience.
Style Studio: A place to experiment with different looks.
Closet Confidante: A trusted source for fashion advice.
Dress Destination: The ultimate place to find the perfect outfit.
Minimal Muse: A collection of simple yet stylish clothing.
Capsule Collection: A curated selection of essential pieces.
Clean Cut Closet: A collection of minimalist clothing.
Modern Motif: A place for contemporary fashion.
Monochrome Magic: A focus on single-color fashion.
Fashion Frenzy: A lively and exciting clothing store.
Style Spree: A shopping adventure.
Dress Up Delight: A place for fun and fashionable clothing.

Shop Name Ideas for Food

Flavor Fiesta: Implies a vibrant and exciting food experience.
Tastebud Tango: Suggests a delightful dance of flavors.
Gourmet Gathering: A place for refined food choices.
Culinary Corner: A cozy spot for food lovers.
Epic Eats: Suggests extraordinary and memorable food.
Nourish Nook: A place for healthy and wholesome food.
Green Goodness: Implies fresh and organic food.
Vitality Vibe: Suggests food that promotes energy and well-being.
Pure Plate: Emphasizes clean and healthy eating.
Earth & Eatery: Connects food with nature.
Quick Bites: Suggests fast and convenient food.
Crave Cave: A place to satisfy cravings.
Munch Madness: Implies delicious and fun food.
Grub Garage: A casual and laid-back food spot.
Bite Squad: A team of delicious food options.
Spice Station: A place for flavorful seasonings and spices.
Cheese Corner: A dedicated spot for cheese lovers.
Sweet Symphony: A shop for delectable desserts.
Bread Basket: A place for fresh and artisanal bread.
Olive Oil Oasis: A haven for olive oil enthusiasts.
Tokyo Treat: Suggests authentic Japanese cuisine.
Mumbai Masala: Implies flavorful Indian food.
Italianissimo: A pure Italian food experience.
Mexico Magic: Suggests delicious Mexican cuisine.
Thai Temptations: Enticing Thai food options.
Foodie Frenzy: A lively and exciting food place.
Yum Yum Yummies: Suggests delicious and enjoyable food.
Chew Chew Corner: A playful and inviting food spot.
Tastebud Teaser: Implies food that excites the taste buds.

Small Business Name Ideas

The Solution Shop: Implies problem-solving expertise.
Growth Gateway: Suggests a path to expansion.
Efficiency Experts: Highlights a focus on productivity.
Brand Builders: Implies creating strong brand identities.
Innovation Incubator: Suggests a place for new ideas.
Pixel Perfect: Suggests attention to detail and precision.
Synergy Squared: Implies combined strengths and effectiveness.
Quantum Leap: Represents significant progress and advancement.
Catalyst Consulting: Suggests accelerating growth and change.
The Idea Forge: Implies a place where creative ideas are formed.
Client Care Collective: Suggests a focus on customer satisfaction.
Customer Champion: Implies strong advocacy for clients.
Success Seed: Suggests helping clients grow and succeed.
Partnered Progress: Implies working together for mutual growth.
Client Clarity Consultants: Suggests providing clear solutions.
Pivot: Implies adaptability and change.
Amplify: Suggests increasing impact and reach.
Optimize: Implies maximizing efficiency and results.
Elevate: Suggests taking things to the next level.
Propel: Implies driving forward momentum.
Digital Dynamo: Suggests energy and power in the digital world.
Tech Tonic: Implies a stimulating and energizing tech focus.
Code Craft: Suggests expertise in programming and development.
Innovate Ignite: Implies sparking innovation and growth.
Data Driven Decisions: Emphasizes using data for strategic choices.
Strategic Solutions: Implies providing effective plans.
Results-Oriented Experts: Highlights a focus on achieving goals.
Trusted Advisors: Suggests providing expert guidance.
Industry Insights: Implies deep knowledge of the market.
Performance Partners: Suggests working together for success.

eCommerce Shop Name Ideas

EcomGrove: Implies a thriving online marketplace.
ShopNest Quest: Suggests an exciting journey through online shops.
WebWhimsy World: Implies a fun and imaginative online shopping experience.
NovaNet Niche: Suggests a new and specific online market.
QuantumQuik Shop: Emphasizes speed and efficiency in online shopping.
BuzzBuy Boutique: Suggests a trendy and popular online store.
FlashFusion Finds: Implies quick and exciting product discoveries.
SparkleCart: Suggests a fun and exciting shopping experience.
ChicCraze Creations: Implies trendy and stylish products.
PopCart Pulse: Suggests a vibrant and energetic online shopping experience.
GlimmerGroove: Implies a glamorous and stylish online store.
SnapShop Selections: Suggests quick and easy product choices.
TrendyTraverse: Implies exploring the latest fashion trends.
BlissCart Bazaar: Suggests a happy and diverse shopping experience.
GlamourGaze Goods: Implies luxurious and eye-catching products.
VogueVenture: Suggests a fashionable and daring online store.
PremierWeb Retail: Implies a high-end online shopping experience.
EminentEshop Hub: Suggests a reputable and central online marketplace.
AscendCart Ventures: Implies growth and success in online retail.
PinnacleOnline Emporium: Suggests a top-tier online shopping destination.
SuperiorSelect Store: Emphasizes high-quality and exclusive products.
PrimeWeb Merchants: Implies leading online retailers.
OptiMarket Empowerment: Suggests an online marketplace that supports growth.
LuxeCommerce Network: Implies a network of luxury online stores.
SummitShop Central: Suggests a leading online shopping platform.
DriveDream Marketplace: Suggests fulfilling customer desires.
Time-Tested Tidbits: Implies products with a proven track record.
Ageless Allure Finds: Suggests classic and enduring products.
Relic Retailers Network: Suggests a network of stores selling vintage items.
Iconic Items Emporium: Implies a collection of famous and desirable products.
Endless Charm Collectibles: Suggests a wide range of charming collectibles.
Timepiece Treasures Store: Suggests a store specializing in watches.

Online Shop Name Ideas for Everything

Everything Everywhere: Clearly states the store's wide range of products.
The Grand Emporium: Suggests a vast and impressive selection.
Treasure Trove: Implies a collection of valuable and diverse items.
Wonderland Warehouse: Conveys a magical place filled with surprises.
Global Goods Gallery: Highlights the store's international offerings.
One-Stop Shop: Emphasizes the store as a single destination for all needs.
Your Wish, Our Shelf: Suggests fulfilling customer desires.
Click and Collect: Highlights the ease of shopping and pickup.
Daily Deals Depot: Implies frequent and attractive offers.
Quick Shop Quick Ship: Emphasizes speed and efficiency.
Quirky Quarters: Suggests a collection of unusual and fun items.
Oddity Outlet: Implies a store filled with unique and unexpected products.
Curiosity Corner: Suggests a place to explore and discover.
Gadget Galaxy: Implies a wide range of tech and electronic items.
Novelty Nook: Suggests a store filled with new and interesting products.
Happy Hunting Ground: Suggests a fun and rewarding shopping experience.
Customer Care Corner: Highlights a focus on customer satisfaction.
Your Shopping Buddy: Implies a helpful and friendly online store.
Satisfaction Station: Emphasizes customer happiness.
Joy Junction: Suggests a place to find happiness through shopping.
Digital Depot: Implies a wide range of digital products.
Tech Treasure Hunt: Suggests an exciting search for tech items.
Online Oasis: Suggests a relaxing and enjoyable shopping experience.
Cyber Cellar: Implies a vast collection of online products.
Virtual Vault: Suggests a secure and reliable online store.
Mega Mart: Suggests a large and comprehensive store.
Global Grab: Implies a wide range of products from around the world.
All-in-One: Clearly states the store's concept.

Store Name Ideas for Shopify

(Image Source: EComposer’s Template for Shopify stores )

East End Shop: Implies a trendy, urban location.
Park City Shop: Suggests a relaxed, outdoorsy atmosphere.
Seaside Shop: Conveys a coastal, relaxed vibe.
Shophouse: Refers to a traditional Southeast Asian shop house.
Krispy: Suggests a food product, possibly related to snacks or fried food.
Boxies: Implies a product sold in boxes, such as subscription boxes.
Snackish: Suggests a food product, focusing on snacking.
Orderdine: Implies a food delivery or ordering service.
Bevbox: Suggests a beverage delivery or subscription service.
Pressbox: Could refer to a media-related business or a product packaging format.
Leisurewear: Implies clothing for relaxation and casual activities.
ClearLuxe: Suggests luxury products with a clear focus on quality.
Rummage: Implies a store selling second-hand or discounted items.
Thrift: Similar to Rummage, suggests a store selling used goods.
Maximo Shop: Implies a maximum or best selection of products.
Resonance: Suggests a connection with customers or a strong brand identity.
Futura Shop: Implies a focus on the future and modern trends.
Blackbird: Could symbolize freedom, intelligence, or uniqueness.
Discovers: Implies a focus on helping customers discover new products.
Offmarket: Suggests a unique or alternative shopping experience.
Merchant Aisle: Implies a traditional marketplace or shopping experience.
New Life: Suggests new products, a fresh start, or a revitalized brand.
Takeaway: Implies a food service or a quick and easy solution.
Peregrine: Symbolizes speed, intelligence, and a global outlook.
Blue Star: Often associated with quality, trust, and stability.

5 Must-Know Tips To Name Your Shop

Finding the right name for your shop can be tricky. You want something catchy and memorable that truly represents your brand. Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect name:

Understand Your Target Audience

Knowing your target audience is key when naming your store. Research and answer these questions:

Who are you trying to reach? Consider their age, gender, interests, and budget.
What are they looking for in a shop? Think about their values, lifestyle, and the occasions they shop for.
What problems does your shop solve for them? Your name should connect with their needs and desires.

Also, look at your competitors to find areas where they fall short, so you can highlight how your shop addresses those gaps—even in your name.

Reflect Your Shop's Offerings

Your shop’s name should reflect what you sell and help customers understand what to expect.

Are your products/services unique, luxurious, practical, or fun?
Is it cozy, modern, or eclectic? Your name should evoke the right vibe.
Is your shop playful, sophisticated, or minimalist? Choose a name that matches this tone.
Emphasize Your Unique Selling Point

To stand out from other shops, your name should showcase what makes your business special.

Do you offer a special product selection, customization options, or outstanding customer service?
Use descriptive words to capture the essence of what makes your shop different.
Build a compelling narrative around your shop's concept and reflect it in the name.
Test Your Name Ideas

Write down all your thoughts and explore different word combinations, styles, and themes. After brainstorming, try out your name ideas:

Narrow down your list: Choose the names that best fit your criteria.
Get feedback: Ask friends, family, and potential customers for their opinions.
Test different names: Use social media or online surveys to see how people react.
Check Availability

Once you’ve chosen your favorite names, check their availability to avoid legal and trademark issues.

These steps will help you find the perfect name for your shop. To make the process easier, there are tools and resources available to guide you.

Tools & Resources for Naming Your Shop

When choosing a name for your shop, these tools and resources can be really helpful:

Use a Thesaurus

If your first choice of words does not feel right, a thesaurus might help you identify alternatives. For example, if you want a name that conveys a sense of "coziness," a thesaurus might suggest words like "warmth," "comfort," "snug," "homely," or "inviting." You can also use visual tools like Answer the Public to spark new ideas and gain inspiration.

Try Business Name Generators:

These tools can generate a variety of name ideas for your gift shop and even check if the domain name is available. Some good options include:

BusinessNameZone : Describe your brand to get name suggestions and check domain availability.
Shopify’s Business Name Generator : This tool generates name ideas and verifies if the domain is free to use.

Explore how these Business Name Generators work to find a name that fits your shop.

Research SEO-Based Keywords:

SEO tools can help you identify popular search terms to create a name that's both catchy and relevant. Some useful tools include:

Ubersuggest : This tool suggests related keywords and popular search terms.
Moz Keyword Explorer : This helps you find popular search terms related to your business.
Check Name Availability:

Once you have a name in mind, make sure it’s available:

Domain Name Lookup : Use tools like Network Solutions WHOIS, Namechk, or GoDaddy to see if the domain is available.
Trademark Check : Search the USPTO database and Google’s patent search to ensure the name isn’t already trademarked.

These tools and resources can help make the process of finding the perfect name for your gift shop much easier.

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Now that you've brainstormed some name ideas for your shop , it’s time to focus on creating your business plan. This plan should clearly outline what your brand represents, including its key features, values, and goals.

Building a website is also essential for your store. We recommend using EComposer , a top drag-and-drop tool that allows you to create attractive and user-friendly pages on Shopify, even if you’re not familiar with coding.

If you haven’t signed up for Shopify yet, you can start with a special offer: just $1 for the first month on any plan, giving you the chance to explore all of Shopify’s features.

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A lot falls under the term 'creative writing': poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is, it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at ...
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Think of some of the song lyrics you have misheard throughout the years. Pick your favorite, and use these misheard lyrics as the title of a new creative writing piece. Write a story, scene, or poem based on this title. 4. I'm Glad You Called. The person whom you or your character has been trying to talk to for ages finally answers the phone.
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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 ...
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A couple meets after one sideswipes the other in a car accident. A woman attends a destination wedding for her best friend (the Groom) and hopes to confess her feelings to him before he gets married. She falls in love with the Bride's best friend in the process. A couple meets on a five-hour bus ride.
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John Steinbeck - 6 Writing Tips From John Steinbeck. Favorite Rule - "If you are using dialogue—say it aloud as you write it. Only then will it have the sound of speech." Vladimir Nabokov - Vladimir Nabokov's Best Writing Advice. Favorite Rule - "A creative writer must study carefully the works of his rivals, including the Almighty.
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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.
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Creative writing excerpt from Alan Lomax collection. Alan Lomax Collection (AFC 2004/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. This guide provides an introduction to doing research on the topic of creative writing using American Folklife Center collections, and serves as a companion piece to an existing guide on Narrative and Verbal Arts in AFC collections.
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