creative writing exercises

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105 Creative Writing Exercises To Get You Writing Again

You know that feeling when you just don’t feel like writing? Sometimes you can’t even get a word down on paper. It’s the most frustrating thing ever to a writer, especially when you’re working towards a deadline. The good news is that we have a list of 105 creative writing exercises to help you get motivated and start writing again!

What are creative writing exercises?

Creative writing exercises are short writing activities (normally around 10 minutes) designed to get you writing. The goal of these exercises is to give you the motivation to put words onto a blank paper. These words don’t need to be logical or meaningful, neither do they need to be grammatically correct or spelt correctly. The whole idea is to just get you writing something, anything. The end result of these quick creative writing exercises is normally a series of notes, bullet points or ramblings that you can, later on, use as inspiration for a bigger piece of writing such as a story or a poem. 

Good creative writing exercises are short, quick and easy to complete. You shouldn’t need to think too much about your style of writing or how imaginative your notes are. Just write anything that comes to mind, and you’ll be on the road to improving your creative writing skills and beating writer’s block . 

Use the generator below to get a random creative writing exercise idea:

List of 105+ Creative Writing Exercises

Here are over 105 creative writing exercises to give your brain a workout and help those creative juices flow again:

• Set a timer for 60 seconds. Now write down as many words or phrases that come to mind at that moment.
• Pick any colour you like. Now start your sentence with this colour. For example, Orange, the colour of my favourite top. 
• Open a book or dictionary on a random page. Pick a random word. You can close your eyes and slowly move your finger across the page. Now, write a paragraph with this random word in it. You can even use an online dictionary to get random words:

• Create your own alphabet picture book or list. It can be A to Z of animals, food, monsters or anything else you like!
• Using only the sense of smell, describe where you are right now.
• Take a snack break. While eating your snack write down the exact taste of that food. The goal of this creative writing exercise is to make your readers savour this food as well.
• Pick a random object in your room and write a short paragraph from its point of view. For example, how does your pencil feel? What if your lamp had feelings?
• Describe your dream house. Where would you live one day? Is it huge or tiny? 
• Pick two different TV shows, movies or books that you like. Now swap the main character. What if Supergirl was in Twilight? What if SpongeBob SquarePants was in The Flash? Write a short scene using this character swap as inspiration.
• What’s your favourite video game? Write at least 10 tips for playing this game.
• Pick your favourite hobby or sport. Now pretend an alien has just landed on Earth and you need to teach it this hobby or sport. Write at least ten tips on how you would teach this alien.
• Use a random image generator and write a paragraph about the first picture you see.

• Write a letter to your favourite celebrity or character. What inspires you most about them? Can you think of a memorable moment where this person’s life affected yours? We have this helpful guide on writing a letter to your best friend for extra inspiration.
• Write down at least 10 benefits of writing. This can help motivate you and beat writer’s block.
• Complete this sentence in 10 different ways: Patrick waited for the school bus and…
• Pick up a random book from your bookshelf and go to page 9. Find the ninth sentence on that page. Use this sentence as a story starter.
• Create a character profile based on all the traits that you hate. It might help to list down all the traits first and then work on describing the character.
• What is the scariest or most dangerous situation you have ever been in? Why was this situation scary? How did you cope at that moment?
• Pretend that you’re a chat show host and you’re interviewing your favourite celebrity. Write down the script for this conversation.
• Using extreme detail, write down what you have been doing for the past one hour today. Think about your thoughts, feelings and actions during this time.
• Make a list of potential character names for your next story. You can use a fantasy name generator to help you.
• Describe a futuristic setting. What do you think the world would look like in 100 years time?
• Think about a recent argument you had with someone. Would you change anything about it? How would you resolve an argument in the future?
• Describe a fantasy world. What kind of creatures live in this world? What is the climate like? What everyday challenges would a typical citizen of this world face? You can use this fantasy world name generator for inspiration.
• At the flip of a switch, you turn into a dragon. What kind of dragon would you be? Describe your appearance, special abilities, likes and dislikes. You can use a dragon name generator to give yourself a cool dragon name.
• Pick your favourite book or a famous story. Now change the point of view. For example, you could rewrite the fairytale , Cinderella. This time around, Prince Charming could be the main character. What do you think Prince Charming was doing, while Cinderella was cleaning the floors and getting ready for the ball?
• Pick a random writing prompt and use it to write a short story. Check out this collection of over 300 writing prompts for kids to inspire you. 
• Write a shopping list for a famous character in history. Imagine if you were Albert Einstein’s assistant, what kind of things would he shop for on a weekly basis?
• Create a fake advertisement poster for a random object that is near you right now. Your goal is to convince the reader to buy this object from you.
• What is the worst (or most annoying) sound that you can imagine? Describe this sound in great detail, so your reader can understand the pain you feel when hearing this sound.
• What is your favourite song at the moment? Pick one line from this song and describe a moment in your life that relates to this line.
•  You’re hosting an imaginary dinner party at your house. Create a list of people you would invite, and some party invites. Think about the theme of the dinner party, the food you will serve and entertainment for the evening. 
• You are waiting to see your dentist in the waiting room. Write down every thought you are having at this moment in time. 
• Make a list of your greatest fears. Try to think of at least three fears. Now write a short story about a character who is forced to confront one of these fears. 
• Create a ‘Wanted’ poster for a famous villain of your choice. Think about the crimes they have committed, and the reward you will give for having them caught. 
• Imagine you are a journalist for the ‘Imagine Forest Times’ newspaper. Your task is to get an exclusive interview with the most famous villain of all time. Pick a villain of your choice and interview them for your newspaper article. What questions would you ask them, and what would their responses be?
•  In a school playground, you see the school bully hurting a new kid. Write three short stories, one from each perspective in this scenario (The bully, the witness and the kid getting bullied).
• You just won $10 million dollars. What would you spend this money on?
• Pick a random animal, and research at least five interesting facts about this animal. Write a short story centred around one of these interesting facts. 
• Pick a global issue that you are passionate about. This could be climate change, black lives matters, women’s rights etc. Now create a campaign poster for this global issue. 
• Write an acrostic poem about an object near you right now (or even your own name). You could use a poetry idea generator to inspire you.
• Imagine you are the head chef of a 5-star restaurant. Recently the business has slowed down. Your task is to come up with a brand-new menu to excite customers. Watch this video prompt on YouTube to inspire you.
• What is your favourite food of all time? Imagine if this piece of food was alive, what would it say to you?
• If life was one big musical, what would you be singing about right now? Write the lyrics of your song. 
• Create and describe the most ultimate villain of all time. What would their traits be? What would their past look like? Will they have any positive traits?
• Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: Every time I look out of the window, I…
• You have just made it into the local newspaper, but what for? Write down at least five potential newspaper headlines . Here’s an example, Local Boy Survives a Deadly Illness.
• If you were a witch or a wizard, what would your specialist area be and why? You might want to use a Harry Potter name generator or a witch name generator for inspiration.
• What is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday night? Write a short story centred around this activity. 
• Your main character has just received the following items: A highlighter, a red cap, a teddy bear and a fork. What would your character do with these items? Can you write a story using these items? 
• Create a timeline of your own life, from birth to this current moment. Think about the key events in your life, such as birthdays, graduations, weddings and so on. After you have done this, you can pick one key event from your life to write a story about. 
• Think of a famous book or movie you like. Rewrite a scene from this book or movie, where the main character is an outsider. They watch the key events play out, but have no role in the story. What would their actions be? How would they react?
• Three very different characters have just won the lottery. Write a script for each character, as they reveal the big news to their best friend.  
• Write a day in the life story of three different characters. How does each character start their day? What do they do throughout the day? And how does their day end?
•  Write about the worst experience in your life so far. Think about a time when you were most upset or angry and describe it. 
• Imagine you’ve found a time machine in your house. What year would you travel to and why?
• Describe your own superhero. Think about their appearance, special abilities and their superhero name. Will they have a secret identity? Who is their number one enemy?
• What is your favourite country in the world? Research five fun facts about this country and use one to write a short story. 
• Set yourself at least three writing goals. This could be a good way to motivate yourself to write every day. For example, one goal might be to write at least 150 words a day. 
• Create a character description based on the one fact, three fiction rule. Think about one fact or truth about yourself. And then add in three fictional or fantasy elements. For example, your character could be the same age as you in real life, this is your one fact. And the three fictional elements could be they have the ability to fly, talk in over 100 different languages and have green skin. 
• Describe the perfect person. What traits would they have? Think about their appearance, their interests and their dislikes. 
• Keep a daily journal or diary. This is a great way to keep writing every day. There are lots of things you can write about in your journal, such as you can write about the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of your day. Think about anything that inspired you or anything that upset you, or just write anything that comes to mind at the moment. 
• Write a book review or a movie review. If you’re lost for inspiration, just watch a random movie or read any book that you can find. Then write a critical review on it. Think about the best parts of the book/movie and the worst parts. How would you improve the book or movie?
• Write down a conversation between yourself. You can imagine talking to your younger self or future self (i.e. in 10 years’ time). What would you tell them? Are there any lessons you learned or warnings you need to give? Maybe you could talk about what your life is like now and compare it to their life?
• Try writing some quick flash fiction stories . Flash fiction is normally around 500 words long, so try to stay within this limit.
• Write a six-word story about something that happened to you today or yesterday. A six-word story is basically an entire story told in just six words. Take for example: “Another football game ruined by me.” or “A dog’s painting sold for millions.” – Six-word stories are similar to writing newspaper headlines. The goal is to summarise your story in just six words. 
• The most common monsters or creatures used in stories include vampires, werewolves , dragons, the bigfoot, sirens and the loch-ness monster. In a battle of intelligence, who do you think will win and why?
• Think about an important event in your life that has happened so far, such as a birthday or the birth of a new sibling. Now using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique describe this event in great detail. The 5 W’s include: What, Who, Where, Why, When and the 1 H is: How. Ask yourself questions about the event, such as what exactly happened on that day? Who was there? Why was this event important? When and where did it happen? And finally, how did it make you feel?
• Pretend to be someone else. Think about someone important in your life. Now put yourself into their shoes, and write a day in the life story about being them. What do you think they do on a daily basis? What situations would they encounter? How would they feel?
• Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: I remember…
• Write about your dream holiday. Where would you go? Who would you go with? And what kind of activities would you do?
• Which one item in your house do you use the most? Is it the television, computer, mobile phone, the sofa or the microwave? Now write a story of how this item was invented. You might want to do some research online and use these ideas to build up your story. 
• In exactly 100 words, describe your bedroom. Try not to go over or under this word limit.
• Make a top ten list of your favourite animals. Based on this list create your own animal fact file, where you provide fun facts about each animal in your list.
• What is your favourite scene from a book or a movie? Write down this scene. Now rewrite the scene in a different genre, such as horror, comedy, drama etc.
•  Change the main character of a story you recently read into a villain. For example, you could take a popular fairytale such as Jack and the Beanstalk, but this time re-write the story to make Jack the villain of the tale.
• Complete the following sentence in at least 10 different ways: Do you ever wonder…
• What does your name mean? Research the meaning of your own name, or a name that interests you. Then use this as inspiration for your next story. For example, the name ‘Marty’ means “Servant Of Mars, God Of War”. This could make a good concept for a sci-fi story.
• Make a list of three different types of heroes (or main characters) for potential future stories.
• If someone gave you $10 dollars, what would you spend it on and why?
• Describe the world’s most boring character in at least 100 words. 
• What is the biggest problem in the world today, and how can you help fix this issue?
• Create your own travel brochure for your hometown. Think about why tourists might want to visit your hometown. What is your town’s history? What kind of activities can you do? You could even research some interesting facts. 
• Make a list of all your favourite moments or memories in your life. Now pick one to write a short story about.
• Describe the scariest and ugliest monster you can imagine. You could even draw a picture of this monster with your description.
• Write seven haikus, one for each colour of the rainbow. That’s red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. 
• Imagine you are at the supermarket. Write down at least three funny scenarios that could happen to you at the supermarket. Use one for your next short story. 
• Imagine your main character is at home staring at a photograph. Write the saddest scene possible. Your goal is to make your reader cry when reading this scene. 
• What is happiness? In at least 150 words describe the feeling of happiness. You could use examples from your own life of when you felt happy.
• Think of a recent nightmare you had and write down everything you can remember. Use this nightmare as inspiration for your next story.
• Keep a dream journal. Every time you wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning you can quickly jot down things that you remember from your dreams. These notes can then be used as inspiration for a short story. 
• Your main character is having a really bad day. Describe this bad day and the series of events they experience. What’s the worst thing that could happen to your character?
• You find a box on your doorstep. You open this box and see the most amazing thing ever. Describe this amazing thing to your readers.
• Make a list of at least five possible settings or locations for future stories. Remember to describe each setting in detail.
• Think of something new you recently learned. Write this down. Now write a short story where your main character also learns the same thing.
• Describe the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your whole life. Your goal is to amaze your readers with its beauty. 
• Make a list of things that make you happy or cheer you up. Try to think of at least five ideas. Now imagine living in a world where all these things were banned or against the law. Use this as inspiration for your next story.
• Would you rather be rich and alone or poor and very popular? Write a story based on the lives of these two characters. 
• Imagine your main character is a Librarian. Write down at least three dark secrets they might have. Remember, the best secrets are always unexpected.
• There’s a history behind everything. Describe the history of your house. How and when was your house built? Think about the land it was built on and the people that may have lived here long before you.
• Imagine that you are the king or queen of a beautiful kingdom. Describe your kingdom in great detail. What kind of rules would you have? Would you be a kind ruler or an evil ruler of the kingdom?
• Make a wish list of at least three objects you wish you owned right now. Now use these three items in your next story. At least one of them must be the main prop in the story.
• Using nothing but the sense of taste, describe a nice Sunday afternoon at your house. Remember you can’t use your other senses (i.e see, hear, smell or touch) in this description. 
• What’s the worst pain you felt in your life? Describe this pain in great detail, so your readers can also feel it.
• If you were lost on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere, what three must-have things would you pack and why?
• Particpate in online writing challenges or contests. Here at Imagine Forest, we offer daily writing challenges with a new prompt added every day to inspire you. Check out our challenges section in the menu.

Do you have any more fun creative writing exercises to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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.

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• 43 Creative writing exercises

A selection of fun creative writing exercises that can be completed solo, or with a group. Some are prompts to help inspire you to come up with story ideas, others focus on learning specific writing skills.

I run a  Creative Writing Meetup  for adults and teens in Montpellier or online every week. We start with a 5 to 20 minute exercise, followed by an hour and a half of silent writing, during which each participant focuses on their own project. Every exercise listed below has been run with the group and had any kinks ironed out.  Where the exercises specify a number of people, if you have a larger group, simply split everyone up into smaller groups as appropriate.

The solo exercises are ideal to help stimulate your mind before working on a larger project, to overcome writer’s block, or as stand-alone prompts in their own right. If a solo exercise inspires you and you wish to use it with a larger group, give every member ten minutes to complete the exercise, then ask anyone who wishes to share their work to do so in groups of 3 or 4 afterwards.

Looking for something quick to fire your imagination? Check out these  creative writing prompts for adults .

Writing Retreat in South France

A note on running exercises remotely

While you can enjoy the exercises solo, they are also designed for online writing groups using Zoom, WhatsApp, or Discord.

If you're running a group and follow a ' Shut Up and Write ' structure, I recommend connecting on WhatsApp (for example) first, doing the exercise together, sharing writing samples as needed. Next, write in silence for an hour and a half on your own projects, before reconnecting for a brief informal chat at the end. This works great with small remote groups and is a way to learn new techniques, gain online support, and have a productive session.

If you have a larger online group, it's worth looking into Zoom, as this has a feature called  Breakout Rooms . Breakout Rooms let you split different writers into separate rooms, which is great for group activities. The free version of Zoom has a 40 minute limit, which can be restrictive, but Zoom Pro is well worth it if you're going to use it on a regular basis. In my experience, Zoom has a better connection than Facebook chat or WhatsApp.

A Letter From Your Character To You

Spend ten minutes writing a letter from a character in your novel to  you , the author, explaining why you should write about them. This serves three purposes:

• As you write, it helps you get into the mindset of the character. Ask yourself how they would language this letter and what they would consider important.
• It's motivating to know that your character wants you to write about them.
• If your goal is to publish a complete work of fiction one day, whether it be a novel, a play or a movie script, you will want to contact an agent or publisher. This helps you practice in an easy, safe way.

If you're doing this exercise with a group of teens or adults, and some of the group haven't already started working on their masterpiece, they can instead choose any fictional novel they love. Ask participants to imagine that a character within the book wrote to the author in the first place to ask them to write their story. How did they plead their case?

The Opening Sentence

The opening sentence has to grab the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading. Many authors achieve this by starting with an action scene. In modern literature, it's best to avoid starting with someone waking up, or a description of the weather. In this exercise the task is to write an opening sentence either to a book you're currently writing, or simply for an imaginary piece of literature.  Here are some of my favourite opening sentences to get you going:

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

George Orwell , 1984

The Golem's life began in the hold of a steamship.

Helene Wecker , The Golem and the Djinni

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Leo Tolstoy , Anna Karenina

It wasn't a very likely place for disappearances, at least at first glance.

Diana Gabaldon , Outlander

You better not never tell nobody but God.

Alice Walker , The Color Purple

The cage was finished.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez ,  Balthazar’s Marvelous Afternoon

Imagine that you are living your life out of order: Lunch before breakfast, marriage before your first kiss.

Audrey Niffenegger ,  The Time Traveler's Wife

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.

Douglas Adams ,  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

There are a plethora of ways you can start a book, however two ways that help engage the reader immediately are:

• Set the scene in as few words as possible, so the reader immediately knows what's happening and wants to know what happens next.  The scene must be original and create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
• Surprise the reader with an unusual event or usual point of view.

Spend 5 minutes working on your own opening sentence, then share it with the other participants.

Make your protagonist act!

Exercise for 2 writers, or can be done solo.

According to John Gardner:

"Failure to recognise that the central character must act, not simply be acted upon, is the single most common mistake in the fiction of beginners."

Spend 5 minutes writing a scene where the protagonist is passive in a conversation with one other character. It could be that the other character says something dramatic, and the protagonist just listens, or it could be anything else of your choice!

Once the 5 minutes is up, swap papers with another writer. If you're using Zoom, or working online, send it to each other in a private chat. Now the other person spends 8 minutes rewriting the scene to make the protagonist as active as possible. This might include:

Read both scenes together. Which makes you want to keep on reading?

If you're doing this as a solo writing exercise, simply complete both parts yourself.

• Showing the emotion this evokes.
• Getting them to disagree with the other character.
• Showing how they respond physically (whether it's as a physical manifestation of how they feel, or a dramatic gesture to make a point).

Overcoming writer's block

Are you staring at a blank page or stuck for any story ideas? This exercise will help anyone who's experiencing writer's block with a particular piece of writing. If this isn't you, that's great, others will value your input!

If anyone has a particular scene they're stuck with (a pool of blood on the floor they have no explanation for, a reason why the rich lady just walked into a particular pub, etc.) then at the start of the exercise everyone briefly describes their scenes (if working online with a large group, typing it into the chat might be best). Everyone then chooses one scene to use as a writing prompt to write a short story for 10-15 minutes.

Afterwards, split into small groups if necessary, and read out how you completed someone else's writing prompt. As everyone listens to everyone else's ideas, this can be a wonderful source of inspiration and also improves your writing. As an alternative solo exercise, try free writing. With free writing, simply write as quickly as you can on the topic without editing or censoring yourself - just let your creative juices flow. If you're not sure what happens next, brainstorm options on the page, jot down story ideas, or just put, "I don't know what happens next." Keep going and ideas will come.

Writing Character Arcs

There are several different types of character arc in a novel, the 3 most common being:

For this exercise choose either a positive or negative character arc. Spend 8 minutes writing a scene from the start of a novel, then 8 minutes writing a scene towards the end of a novel showing how the character has developed between the two points. Don't worry about including how the character has changed, you can leave that to the imagination.

The point here is to capture the essence of a character, as they will be the same, but show their development.

• Positive  - Where a character develops and grows during the novel. Perhaps they start unhappy or weak and end happy or powerful.
• Negative  - Where a character gets worse during a novel. Perhaps they become ill or give in to evil tendencies as the novel progresses.
• Flat  - In a flat character arc the character themself doesn't change much, however the world around them does. This could be overthrowing a great injustice, for example.

Sewing Seeds in Your Writing

In this exercise, we will look at how to sew seeds. No, not in your garden, but in your story. Seeds are the tiny hints and indicators that something is going on, which influence a reader's perceptions on an often unconscious level. They're important, as if you spring a surprise twist on your readers without any warning, it can seem unbelievable. Sew seeds that lead up to the event, so the twists and turns are still surprising, but make intuitive sense. Groups : Brainstorm major plot twists that might happen towards the end of the novel and share it in a Zoom chat, or on pieces of paper. Choose one twist each. Individuals : Choose one of the following plot twists:   -  Your friend is actually the secret son of the king.   -  Unreliable narrator - the narrator turns out to be villain.   -  The monster turns out to be the missing woman the narrator is seeking.   -  The man she is about to marry happens to already have a wife and three kids.

Write for ten minutes and give subtle hints as to what the plot twist is. This is an exercise in subtlety. Remember, when the twist occurs, it should still come as a surprise.

This is a fun writing activity for a small group. You’ve found a magic potion labelled ‘Cat Chat’ and when you drink it, you turn into whichever animal you’re thinking about; but there’s a problem, it also picks up on the brainwaves of other people near you!

Everyone writes down an animal in secret and then reveals it to the other writers.  The spell will turn you into a creature that combines elements of all the animals.  Each person then spends 5 minutes writing down what happens when they drink the potion.

After the 5 minutes is up, everyone shares their story with the other participants.

If you enjoy this exercise, then you may also want to check out our  Fantasy and Sci-Fi writing prompts  full of world building, magic, and character development prompts..

Joe Brainard wrote a novel called:  I Remember It contains a collection of paragraphs all starting with “I remember”.  This is the inspiration for this exercise, and if you’re stuck for what to write, is a great way to get the mental gears turning.  Simply write “I remember” and continue with the first thing that pops into your head.

Spend 5 minutes writing a short collection of “I remember” stories.

Here are a couple of examples from Joe Brainard’s novel:

“I remember not understanding why people on the other side of the world didn't fall off.”

“I remember waking up somewhere once and there was a horse staring me in the face.”

Giving feedback to authors

If you're running a workshop for more experienced adult authors and have at least an hour, this is a good one to use. This is the longest exercise on this page, but I felt it important enough to include.

Give each author the option to bring a piece of their own work. This should be double spaced and a maximum of 3 pages long. If you're running a workshop where not everyone is likely to bring a manuscript, ask everyone who wants to bring one to print two copies each. If someone forgets but has a laptop with them, the reader can always use their laptop.

Print out a few copies and hand them around to everyone in the workshop of the guide on: 'How to give constructive feedback to writers'

Each author who brought a sample with them then gives them to one other person to review. They write their name on the manuscript in a certain colour pen, then add any comments to it before passing it to a second person who does the same (commenting on the comments if they agree or disagree).

Then allow 5 minutes for everyone to discuss the feedback they've received, ensuring they are giving constructive feedback.

The Five Senses

Painting by Giovanni Battista Manerius -  The Five Senses

Choose a scene and write it for 5 minutes focusing on one sense, NOT sight. Choose between:

Hearing  Taste Smell Touch

This can be internal as well as external (I heard my heartbeat thudding in my ears, or I smelt my own adrenaline).

After the 5 minutes stop and everyone reads it out loud to each other. Now write for another 5 minutes and continue the other person's story, but do NOT use sight OR the sense they used.

You can use any sense to communicate the essentials, just focus on creating emotions and conveying the story with the specific sense(s).

If you need some writing prompts, here are possible scenes that involve several senses:

• Climbing through an exotic jungle
• Having an argument that becomes a fight
• A cat's morning
• Talking to someone you're attracted to

Show don't tell

2 or 3 people

A lot of writing guides will advise you to, "Show, don't tell". What does this actually mean?

If you want to evoke an emotional reaction from your reader, showing them what is happening is a great way to do so.  You can approach this in several ways:

Split up into pairs and each person writes down a short scene from a story where they "tell" it.  After this, pass the description of the scene to your partner and they then have 5 minutes to rewrite it to "show" what happened.  If there are an odd number of participants, make one group of three, with each person passing their scene clockwise, so everyone has a new scene to show.  After the 5 minutes, for small groups everyone reads their new description to everyone else, or for large groups, each person just reads their new scene to their partner.

• Avoid internal dialogue (thinking), instead have your protagonist interact with other people, or have a physical reaction to something that shows how s/he feels.  Does their heart beat faster?  Do they notice the smell of their own adrenaline?  Do they step backwards, or lean forwards?
• Instead of using an adjective like creepy, e.g. "Mary entered the creepy house", show why the house is creepy through description and in the way the protagonist responds - "The light streamed through the filthy skylight, highlighting the decomposing body of a rat resting on top of it.  As Mary stepped inside, she felt a gust of freezing air brush past her. She turned, but there was nothing there..."

World building

World building is the art of conveying the magic of living in a different world, whether it's a spaceship, a medieval castle, a boat, or simply someone's living room. To master world building, it's not necessary to know every intricate detail, rather to convey the experience of what it would be like to live there.

Choose one of the above images as a prompt and spend 10 minutes writing a scene from the perspective of someone who is seeing it for the first time. Now, move your character six months forward and imagine they've spent the last six months living or working there. Write another scene (perhaps with an additional character) using the image as a background, with the events of the scene as the main action.

Click the above image for a close-up.

Gossiping about a character as if they're a friend.

Judy Blume says that she tells her family about her characters as if they’re real people. 

Chris Claremont said, "For me, writing the 'X-Men' was easy - is easy. I know these people, they're my friends." 

Today’s exercise has 2 parts. First, spend 5 minutes jotting down some facts about a character you’ve invented that might come up if you were telling your friends about them. Either choose a character in something you’ve already written, or invent one from scratch now.

Answer the questions:

What are they up to? How are they? What would you say if you were gossiping about them?

Then split up into groups of 4 to 6 writers. 2 volunteers from each group then role-play talking about their character as if they were a friend (perhaps another character in the story).  The other participants will role-play a group of friends gossiping about the character behind their back and ask questions. If you don’t know the answer, invent it!

Degrees of Emotion Game

This is based on an acting game, to help actors understand how to perform with different degrees of emotion.

Ask everyone to write the following 4 emotions:

For groups of 5 or less, write down numbers starting with 1 and going up until everyone has a number, then give them out in order. For groups of 6 or more, divide groups into 3's, 4's or 5's.

Each person has to write a scene where the protagonist is alone and is only allowed to say a single word, e.g. "Banana".  The writer with number 1 should write the scene with a very low level of the emotion (e.g. happiness), number 2 increases the intensity a bit and the highest number writes a scene with the most intense emotion you can possibly imagine.

Once each writer has written about happiness, rotate the numbers one or two spaces, then move onto anger, then fear, then sadness.

It can help to give everyone numbers showing the intensity of the emotions to write about at the start of the exercise, in which case you may wish to print either the Word or PDF file, then use the ones corresponding to 3, 4 or 5 writers.

Everyone shares their scene with the other course participants.

Three birds, one line

The first paragraph of a surprising number of best-selling novels serves multiple purposes. These are to:

• Establish a goal
• Set the scene
• Develop a character

Nearly every chapter in a novel also serves all three purposes. Instead of establishing a goal though, the protagonist either moves towards it, or encounters an obstacle that hinders them from achieving it.

Some books manage to meet all three purposes with their opening lines, for example:  

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  

A little more than one hundred days into the fortieth year of her confinement, Dajeil Gelian was visited in her lonely tower overlooking the sea by an avatar of the great ship that was her home.

Iain M. Banks ,  Excession  

"We should start back," Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them.

George R.R. Martin ,  A Game of Thrones

For this exercise write a sentence or short paragraph that serves all three purposes. If you're already writing a novel, then see if you can do this for the first line in a chapter. If not, choose any combination from the following table:

Blind Date on Valentine's Day (Exercise for Adults)

In pairs one writer spends a minute or two describing a character they're writing about, or alternatively they can describe a celebrity or someone from a work of fiction.  The next writer then describes their character.

The story is that these 2 characters (or in my case, person and alien, as I'm writing a sci-fi) have accidentally ended up on a blind date with each other. Perhaps the waiter seated them in the wrong location, perhaps it's an actual blind date, or perhaps they met in some other fashion the writers can determine.

Now spend 10 minutes discussing what happens next!

A Success (Works best for online groups)

This exercise works best for online groups, via Zoom, for example.  The instructions to give are:

"In a few words describe a success in your life and what it felt like to achieve it. It can be a small victory or a large one."

Share a personal example of your own (mine was watching my homeschooled sons sing in an opera together).

"Once you have one (small or large), write it in the chat.

The writing exercise is then to choose someone else's victory to write about for 10 minutes, as if it was the end of your own book.

If you want to write for longer, imagine how that book would start. Write the first part of the book with the ending in mind."

This is great for reminding people of a success in their lives, and also helps everyone connect and discover something about each other.

Your dream holiday

You’re going on a dream holiday together, but always disagree with each other. To avoid conflict, rather than discuss what you want to do, you’ve decided that each of you will choose a different aspect of the holiday as follows:

• Choose where you’ll be going – your favourite holiday destination.
• Choose what your main fun activity will be on the holiday.
• Decide what mode of travel you’ll use to get there.
• If there’s a 4 th  person, choose what you’ll eat on the holiday and what you’ll be wearing.

Decide who gets to choose what at random. Each of you then writes down your dream holiday destination/activity/travel/food & clothes in secret.  Next spend 5 minutes discussing your dream holiday and add any other details you’d like to include, particularly if you’re passionate about doing something in real life.

Finally, everyone spends another 5 minutes writing down a description of the holiday, then shares it with the others.

A haiku is a traditional Japanese form of non-rhyming poetry whose short form makes it ideal for a simple writing exercise.

They are traditionally structured in 3 lines, where the first line is 5 syllables, the second line is 7 syllables, and the third line is 5 syllables again. Haiku tend to focus on themes of nature and deep concepts that can be expressed simply.

A couple of examples:

A summer river being crossed how pleasing with sandals in my hands! Yosa Buson , a haiku master poet from the 18 th  Century.

And one of mine:

When night-time arrives Stars come out, breaking the dark You can see the most

Martin Woods

Spend up to 10 minutes writing a haiku.  If you get stuck with the 5-7-5 syllable rule, then don’t worry, the overall concept is more important!

See  How to write a haiku  for more details and examples.

Unlike a haiku, which is profound and sombre, a limerick is a light-hearted, fun rhyming verse.

Here are a couple of examples:

A wonderful bird is the pelican. His bill can hold more than his beli-can He can take in his beak Food enough for a week But I'm damned if I see how the heli-can.

Dixon Lanier Merritt, 1910

There was a young lady named Bright, Whose speed was far faster than light; She started one day In a relative way, And returned on the previous night.

Arthur Henry Reginald Buller in  Punch,  1923

The 1 st , 2 nd  and 5 th  line all rhyme, as do the 3 rd  and 4 th  line.  The overall number of syllables isn’t important, but the 3 rd  and 4 th  lines should be shorter than the others.

Typically, the 1 st  line introduces the character, often with “There was”, or “There once was”. The rest of the verse tells their story.

Spend 10 minutes writing a limerick.

Time Travel - Child, Adult, Senior

Imagine that your future self as an old man/woman travels back in time to meet you, the adult you are today.  Alternatively, you as a child travels forward in time to meet yourself as an adult.  Or perhaps both happen, so the child you, adult you, and senior you are all together at the same time.  In story form write down what happens next.

Participants then share their story with other writers either in small groups, or to the whole group.

Focus on faces

Solo exercise.

One challenge writers face is describing a character. A common mistake is to focus too much on the physical features, e.g. "She had brown eyes, curly brown hair and was five foot six inches tall."

The problem with this is it doesn't reveal anything about the character's personality, or the relationship between your protagonist and the character. Your reader is therefore likely to quickly forget what someone looks like.  When describing characters, it's therefore best to:

• Animate them - it's rare that someone's sitting for a portrait when your protagonist first meets them and whether they're talking or walking, it's likely that they're moving in some way.
• Use metaphors or similes  - comparing physical features to emotionally charged items conjures both an image and a sense of who someone is.
• Involve your protagonist  - if your protagonist is interacting with a character, make it personal.  How does your protagonist view this person?  Incorporate the description as part of the description.
• Only give information your protagonist knows  - they may know if someone is an adult, or a teenager, but they won't know that someone is 37 years old, for example.

Here are three examples of character descriptions that leave no doubt how the protagonist feels.

“If girls could spit venom, it'd be through their eyes.” S.D. Lawendowski,  Snapped

"And Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war." Maggie Stiefvater,  The Dream Thieves

"His mouth was such a post office of a mouth that he had a mechanical appearance of smiling." Charles Dickens

Spend 5 minutes writing a character introduction that is animated, uses metaphors or similes and involves your protagonist.

If working with a group, then form small groups of 3 or 4 and share your description with the rest of the group.

Onomatopeai, rhyme and alliteration

Today's session is all about sound.

Several authors recommend reading your writing out loud after you've written it to be sure it sounds natural.   Philip Pullman  even goes as far as to say:

"When I’m writing, I’m more conscious of the sound, actually, than the meaning. I know what the rhythm of the sentence is going to be before I know what the words are going to be in it."

For today's exercise, choose the name of a song and write for 10 minutes as if that's the title for a short story. Focus on how your writing sounds and aim to include at least one onomatopoeia, rhyme or alliteration.  At the end of the 10 minutes, read it out loud to yourself, or to the group.

Alliterations

An alliteration example from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea.

Onomatopoeias

Buzz, woof, quack, baa, crash, purr, beep, belch,...

The alphabet story - creating a story as a group

This is a novel way to write a story as a group, one word at a time.  The first person starts the story that begins with any word starting with “A”, the next person continues the story with a word starting with “B”, and so on.

Keep going round until you have completed the alphabet.  Ideally it will all be one sentence, but if you get stuck, start a new sentence.  Don’t worry if it doesn’t make complete sense!

It can be tricky to remember the alphabet when under pressure, so you may wish to print it out a couple of times, so the storytellers can see it if they need to, this is particularly helpful if you have dyslexics in the group.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Here’s an example of an alphabet story:

A Band Can Dance Each Friday, Ghostly Hauntings In Jail Kill Lucky Men, Nobody Or Perhaps Quiet Rats, Still That Unifies Villains Who X-Ray Your Zebras.

As I mentioned, it doesn’t need to make sense!

A question or two

Small or large groups

The standard format in our group is a short writing exercise followed by an hour and a half of silent writing on our projects.

At one point I felt like we'd done a lot of small group exercises, and wanted to gain an insight into what everyone was working on, so we did the following exercise instead:

Go round the table and ask everyone to briefly talk about their writing.  Each person then asks one or two yes/no questions.

Everyone responds either by raising their hand for 'yes' or shaking their heads for 'no'. You can also leap up and down to indicate a very strong 'yes'.

Questions can be about anything, and you can use them either to help guide your writing or to help find other people in the group who have similar interests.

Here are some random examples you might ask:

• I want to write a romance novel and am considering setting it in Paris, a traditional romantic setting, or Liverpool which is a less obvious setting. Who thinks Liverpool would be best?
• I need to know more about the life of a farmer. Has anyone got farming experience who I can interview in exchange for a drink?
• My character gets fired and that night goes back to his office and steals 35 computers. Does that sound realistic as the premise of a story?

This works best when you give participants some advance notice, so they have time to think of a question.

Murder Mystery Game

Groups of 3 or 4

This exercise takes 20-30 minutes and allows participants to create a murder mystery outline together.

Phase 1 (3 minutes)

• Split into groups of 3 or 4
• Decide as a group where the murder occurs (e.g. the opera house, a bar, a casino)
• Decide one person who will write the details of the victim and the murder itself.  Everyone else writes the details of one suspect each.
• The ‘victim author’ then invents a few extra details about the scene of the crime, who the victim was (a teenage punk, an adult opera singer, etc.) and the murder weapon and summarises this to the others.

Phase 2 (10 minutes)

Each person then writes a police report as if they are either describing the scene of the crime, or recording the notes from their interview with a single suspect:

Write the following:

• 1 line description of the victim.
• When they were last seen by a group of witnesses (and what they were doing).
• How the murder occurred in more detail based on the evidence available.

Write the following (from the perspective of the investigator):

• 1 line description of the suspect
• What they said during the interview (including what they claim to have doing when the murder occurs).
• A possible motivation (as determined by the police from other witnesses).

Phase 3 (5 minutes)

• Each person reads out their police reports to the other members of their small group
• As a group, decide who the murderer was and what actually happened

See more ideas on  creating murder mystery party games

The obscure movie exercise

Pick a famous movie and spend 5 minutes writing a scene from it from an unusual perspective.  Your aim is to achieve a balance between being too obscure and making it too obvious.  Feel free to add internal dialogue.

At the end of the 5 minutes, everyone reads their movie scene to the others and all the other participants see if they can guess what the movie is.

How to hint at romantic feelings

Write a scene with two people in a group, where you hint that one is romantically interested in the other, but the feelings aren’t reciprocated.

The goal of this exercise is to practice subtlety. Imagine you are setting a scene for the future where the characters feelings will become more important. Choose a situation like a work conference, meeting with a group of friends, etc. How do you indicate how the characters feel without them saying it in words?

Some tips for hinting at romantic feelings:

• Make the characters nervous and shy.
• Your protagonist leans forward.
• Asks deeper questions and listens intently.
• Finds ways to be close together.
• Mirrors their gestures.
• Gives lots of compliments.
• Makes eye contact, then looks away.
• Other people seem invisible to your protagonist.

A novel idea

Take it in turns to tell everyone else about a current project you’re working on (a book, screenplay, short story, etc.)

The other writers then brainstorm ideas for related stories you could write, or directions your project could take.  There are no right or wrong suggestions and the intention is to focus on big concepts, not little details.

This whole exercise takes around 15 minutes.

Creative writing prompts

Exercise for groups of 3-5

If you're in larger group, split up into groups of 3 or 4 people.

Everyone writes the first line of a story in the Zoom chat, or on paper. Other people can then choose this line as a writing prompt.

For this exercise:

• Say who the protagonist is.
• Reveal their motivation.
• Introduce any other characters

Once everyone's written a prompt, each author chooses a prompt (preferably someone eles's, but it can be your own if you feel really inspired by it.)  Then write for 10 minutes using this prompt. See if you can reveal who the protagonist is, what their motivation is (it can be a small motivation for a particular scene, it doesn't have to be a huge life goal), and introduce at least one new character.

Take turns reading out your stories to each other.

• Write in the first person.
• Have the protagonist interacting with an object or something in nature.
• The challenge is to create intrigue that makes the reader want to know more with just a single line.

Creative story cards / dice

Cut up a piece of paper and write one word on each of the pieces of paper, as follows:

Give each participant a couple of pieces of paper at random.  The first person says the first sentence of a story and they must use their first word as part of that sentence.  The second person then continues the story and must include their word in it, and so on.  Go round the group twice to complete the story.

You can also do this creative writing exercise with story dice, your own choice of words, or by asking participants to write random words down themselves, then shuffling all the cards together.

Alternative Christmas Story

Every Christmas adults tell kids stories about Santa Claus. In this exercise you write a Christmas story from an alternative dimension.

What if every Christmas Santa didn't fly around the world delivering presents on his sleigh pulled by reindeer? What if gnomes or aliens delivered the presents? Or perhaps it was the gnomes who are trying to emulate the humans? Or some other Christmas tradition entirely that we humans have never heard of!

Group writing exercise

If you're working with a group, give everyone a couple of minutes to write two possible themes for the new Christmas story. Each theme should be 5 words or less.

Shuffle the paper and distribute them at random. If you're working online, everyone types the themes into the Zoom or group chat. Each writer then spends 10 minutes writing a short story for children based on one of the two themes, or their own theme if they really want to.

If working alone, choose your own theme and spend 15 minutes writing a short story on it. See if you can create the magic of Christmas from another world!

Murder Mystery Mind Map

In a murder mystery story or courtroom drama, there's often conflicting information and lots of links between characters. A mind map is an ideal way to illustrate how everything ties together.

Split into groups of 3 or 4 people each and place a blank piece of A3 paper (double the size of A4) in the middle of each group. Discuss between you who the victim is and write their name in the middle of the piece of paper. Then brainstorm information about the murder, for example:

Feel free to expand out from any of these, e.g. to include more information on the different characters involved.

The idea is that  everyone writes at the same time!   Obviously, you can discuss ideas, but anyone can dive in and write their ideas on the mind map.

• Who was the victim? (job, appearance, hobbies, etc.)
• Who did the victim know?
• What were their possible motivations?
• What was the murder weapon?
• What locations are significant to the plot?

New Year’s resolutions for a fictional character

If you’re writing a piece of fiction, ask yourself how your protagonist would react to an everyday situation. This can help you to gain a deeper insight into who they are.

One way to do this is to imagine what their New Year’s resolutions would be.

If completing this exercise with a group, limit it to 3 to 5 resolutions per person. If some participants are historical fiction or non-fiction writers, they instead pick a celebrity and either write what their resolutions  will  be, or what their resolutions  should  be, their choice.

Verb Noun Fiction Exercise (Inspired by Stephen King)

Stephen King said, "I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops."

He also said, "Take any noun, put it with any verb, and you have a sentence. It never fails. Rocks explode. Jane transmits. Mountains float. These are all perfect sentences. Many such thoughts make little rational sense, but even the stranger ones (Plums deify!) have a kind of poetic weight that’s nice."

In this fiction writing exercise, start by brainstorming (either individually or collectively) seven verbs on seven different pieces of paper. Put those aside for later. Now brainstorm seven nouns. Randomly match the nouns and verbs so you have seven pairs. Choose a pair and write a piece of fiction for ten minutes. Avoid using any adverbs.

It’s the end of the world

It’s the end of the world!  For 5 minutes either:

If working as a team, then after the 5 minutes is up each writer reads their description out to the other participants.

• Describe how the world’s going to end, creating evocative images using similes or metaphors as you wish and tell the story from a global perspective, or
• Describe how you spend your final day before the world is destroyed.  Combine emotion and action to engage the reader.

7 Editing Exercises

For use after your first draft

I’ve listened to a lot of masterclasses on writing by successful authors and they all say variants of your first draft won’t be good and that’s fine. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman summarise it the best:

“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”  

Terry Pratchett

“For me, it’s always been a process of trying to convince myself that what I’m doing in a first draft isn’t important. One way you get through the wall is by convincing yourself that it doesn’t matter. No one is ever going to see your first draft. Nobody cares about your first draft. And that’s the thing that you may be agonising over, but honestly, whatever you’re doing can be fixed… For now, just get the words out. Get the story down however you can get it down, then fix it.”

Neil Gaiman

Once you’ve written your first draft, it will need editing to develop the plot, enhance the characters, and improve each scene in a myriad of ways – small and large. These seven creative editing exercises are designed to help with this stage of the process.

The First Sentence

Read the first paragraph of the novel, in particular the first sentence. Does it launch the reader straight into the action? According to  On Writing and Worldbuilding  by Timothy Hickson,  “The most persuasive opening lines are succinct, and not superfluous. To do this, it is often effective to limit it to a single central idea… This does not need to be the most important element, but it should be a central element that is interesting.” Ask yourself what element your opening sentence encapsulates and whether it’s the best one to capture your readers’ attention.

Consistency

Consistency is crucial in creative writing, whether it’s in relation to location, objects, or people.

It’s also crucial for personality, emotions and motivation.

Look at scenes where your protagonist makes an important decision. Are their motivations clear? Do any scenes force them to choose between two conflicting morals? If so, do you explore this? Do their emotions fit with what’s happened in previous scenes?

As you edit your manuscript, keep the characters’ personality, emotions and motivation in mind. If their behaviour is inconsistent, either edit it for consistency, or have someone comment on their strange behaviour or be surprised by it. Inconsistent behaviour can reveal that a character is keeping a secret, or is under stress, so characters don’t always need to be consistent. But when they’re not, there has to be a reason.  

Show Don’t Tell One

This exercise is the first in  The Emotional Craft of Fiction  by Donald Maass. It’s a writing guide with a plethora of editing exercises designed to help you reenergize your writing by thinking of what your character is feeling, and giving you the tools to make your reader feel something.  

• Select a moment in your story when your protagonist is moved, unsettled, or disturbed… Write down all the emotions inherent in this moment, both obvious and hidden.
• Next, considering what he is feeling, write down how your protagonist can act out. What is the biggest thing your protagonist can do? What would be explosive, out of bounds, or offensive? What would be symbolic? … Go sideways, underneath, or ahead. How can your protagonist show us a feeling we don’t expect to see?
• Finally, go back and delete all the emotions you wrote down at the beginning of this exercise. Let actions and spoken words do the work. Do they feel too big, dangerous, or over-the-top? Use them anyway. Others will tell you if you’ve gone too far, but more likely, you haven’t gone far enough.

Show Don’t Tell Two

Search for the following words in your book:

Whenever these words occur, ask yourself if you can demonstrate how your characters feel, rather than simply stating it. For each occasion, can you use physiological descriptors (a racing heart), actions (taking a step backwards) or dialogue to express what’s just happened instead? Will this enhance the scene and engage the reader more?

After The Action

Find a scene where your characters disagree – in particular a scene where your protagonist argues with friends or allies. What happens next?

It can be tempting to wrap up the action with a quick resolution. But what if a resentment lingers and mistrust builds? This creates a more interesting story arc and means a resolution can occur later, giving the character development a real dynamic.

Review how you resolve the action and see if you can stretch out the emotions for a more satisfying read.

Eliminating the Fluff

Ensure that the words used don’t detract from the enormity of the events your character is going through. Can you delete words like, “Quite”, “Little”, or “Rather”? 

Of “Very” Florence King once wrote: “ 'Very' is the most useless word in the English language and can always come out. More than useless, it is treacherous because it invariably weakens what it is intended to strengthen .” Delete it, or replace the word after it with a stronger word, which makes “Very” redundant.

“That,” is another common word used in creative writing which can often be deleted. Read a sentence as is, then reread it as if you deleted, “That”. If the meaning is the same, delete it.

Chapter Endings

When talking about chapter endings, James Patterson said,  “At the end, something has to propel you into the next chapter.”

Read how each of your chapters finish and ask yourself does it either:

• End on a cliff hanger? (R.L. Stine likes to finish every chapter in this method).
• End on a natural pause (for example, you’re changing point of view or location).

Review how you wrap up each of your chapters. Do you end at the best point in your story? Can you add anticipation to cliff hangers? Will you leave your readers wanting more?

How to run the writing exercises

The editing exercises are designed to be completed individually.

With the others, I've always run them as part of a creative writing group, where there's no teacher and we're all equal participants, therefore I keep any 'teaching' aspect to a minimum, preferring them to be prompts to generate ideas before everyone settles down to do the silent writing. We've recently gone online and if you run a group yourself, whether online or in person, you're welcome to use these exercises for free!

The times given are suggestions only and I normally get a feel for how everyone's doing when time's up and if it's obvious that everyone's still in the middle of a discussion, then I give them longer.  Where one group's in the middle of a discussion, but everyone else has finished, I sometimes have a 'soft start' to the silent writing, and say, "We're about to start the hour and a half of silent writing now, but if you're in the middle of a discussion, feel free to finish it first".

This way everyone gets to complete the discussion, but no-one's waiting for ages.  It's also important to emphasise that there's no wrong answers when being creative.

Still looking for more? Check out these creative writing prompts  or our dedicated Sci-Fi and Fantasy creative writing prompts

If you've enjoyed these creative writing exercises, please share them on social media, or link to them from your blog.

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The best writing exercises bring out our latent creativity. Especially if you ever feel stuck or blocked, making creative writing exercises part of your daily writing practice can be a great way to both hone your skills and explore new frontiers in your writing. Whether you’re a poet, essayist, storyteller, or genre-bending author, these free writing exercises will jumpstart your creative juices and improve your writing abilities.

24 of the Best Free Writing Exercises to Try Out Today

The best creative writing exercises will push you out of your comfort zone and get you to experiment with words. Language is your sandbox, so let’s build some sand castles with these exercises and writing prompts.

Write With Limitations

The English language is huge, complicated, and — quite frankly — chaotic. Writing with self-imposed limitations can help you create novel and inventive pieces.

What does “limitations” mean in this context? Basically, force yourself not to use certain words, descriptions, or figures of speech. Some writing exercises using limitations include the following:

• Write without using adverbs or adjectives.
• Write without using the passive voice – no “being verbs” whatsoever. (Also called “E-Prime” writing.)
• Write a story without using a common letter –  just like Ernest Vincent Wright did .
• Write a poem where each line has six words.
• Write without using any pronouns.

Among exercises to improve writing skills, writing with limitations has the clearest benefits. This practice challenges your brain to think about language productively. Additionally, these limitations force you to use unconventional language – which, in turn, makes you write with lucidity, avidity, and invention.

Freewriting & Stream of Consciousness

What do you do when the words just don’t come out? How can you write better if you can’t seem to write at all? One of the best poetry exercises, as well as writing exercises in general, is to start your day by freewriting.

Freewriting, also known as “stream of consciousness writing,” involves writing your thoughts down the moment they come. There’s no filtering what you write, and no controlling what you think: topicality, style, and continuity are wholly unnecessary in the freewriting process. While the idea of freewriting seems easy, it’s much harder than you think – examining your thoughts without controlling them takes a while to master, and the impulse to control what you write isn’t easy to tame. Try these exercises to master the skill:

• Do a timed freewrite. Start with five minutes.
• Freewrite until you fill up the entirety of something – an envelope, a receipt, a postcard, etc.
• Freewrite after meditating.
• Freewrite off of the first word of today’s newspaper.

Among daily writing exercises, freewriting is one of the best writing exercises. Poets can use freewritten material as inspiration for their poetry. Prose writers can also find inspiration for future stories from the depths of their consciousnesses. Start your writing day with freewriting, and watch your creativity blossom.

Copy What You Read

Plagiarism is still off the table; however, you can learn a lot by paying attention to how other people write. This is what we call “reading like a writer.”

Reading like a writer means paying attention to the craft elements that make an excellent piece of literature work. Good writing requires different writing styles, figurative language, story structures, and/or poetry forms, as well as key word choice.

When you notice these craft elements, you can go ahead and emulate them in your own work. As a fiction writer , you might be drawn to the way Haruki Murakami weaves folklore into his stories, and decide to write a story like that yourself. Or, as a poet, you might be inspired by Terrance Hayes’ Golden Shovel form — enough so that you write a Golden Shovel yourself.

• Read a favorite poem, and write your own poem in the same poetic form.
• Blackout poetry: take another poem, cross out words you don’t want to use, circle words you do, and write a poem based on the circled words.
• Copy a single sentence from a favorite novel, and write a short-short story with it.

Among free writing exercises, this is a great way to learn from the best. The best kinds of exercises to improve writing skills involve building upon the current canon of works — as Isaac Newton said, you achieve something great by “standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Write From Different Perspectives

The conventional advice given to writers is to “write what you know.” We couldn’t disagree with that statement more. The best creative works force both the writer and the reader to consider new perspectives and learn something new; writing from a new point-of-view makes for a great exercise in expanding your creative limits.

Try these ideas as daily writing exercises:

• Write a story with the same plot, but with two or more perspectives. For example, you could write a lover’s quarrel from two different view points.
• Write from the point-of-view of a famous historical figure.
• Write a story or poem from the perspective of an object: a statue, a doll, a roomba, etc.
• Write from the perspective of a person you dislike.

While playing with perspective makes for a great fiction writing exercise , poets and essayists can do this too. Patricia Smith’s poem “Skinhead,” for example, is a persona piece written from the perspective of a white nationalist, but the poem clearly condemns the speaker’s beliefs.

Thus, perspective writing also works as a poetry exercise and an essay writing practice exercise . If you’re stuck in your own head, try writing in someone else’s!

Write Metaphor Lists

All creative writers need figurative language. While metaphors, similes, and synecdoches are more prominent in poetry , prose writers need the power of metaphor to truly engross their reader. Among both exercises to improve writing skills and fun writing exercises for adults, writing metaphor lists is one of the best writing exercises out there.

A metaphor list is simple. On a notebook, create two columns. In one column, write down only concrete nouns. Things like a pillow, a tree, a cat, a cloud, and anything that can be perceived with one of the five senses.

In the other list, write down only abstract ideas. Things like love, hate, war, peace, justice, closure, and reconciliation — anything that is conceptual and cannot be directly perceived.

Now, choose a random noun and a random concept, and create a metaphor or simile with them. Delve into the metaphor and explain the comparison. For example, you might say “Love is like a pillow — it can comfort, or it can smother.”

Once you’ve mastered the metaphor list, you can try the following ideas to challenge yourself:

• Create a coherent poem out of your metaphor list.
• Turn your metaphor list into a short story.
• Try making lists with a different figurative language device, such as personification, pathetic fallacy, or metonymy.

Any free creative writing exercise that focuses on figurative language can aid your writing immensely, as it helps writers add insight and emotionality to their work. This is an especially great creative writing exercise for beginners as they learn the elements of style and language.

Daily Journaling

Of course, the best way to improve your creative writing skills is simply to write every day. Keeping a daily journal is a great way to exercise your writing mind. By sitting down with your personal observations and writing without an agenda or audience, a daily writing practice  remains one of the best writing exercises , regardless of your genre or level of expertise.

Consider these ideas for your daily journal:

• Track your mood and emotions throughout the day. Write those emotions in metaphor — avoid commonplace adjectives and nouns.
• Write about your day from the second- or third-person.
• Journal your day in verse. Use stanzas, line breaks, and figurative language.
• Write about your day backwards.
• Write about your day using Freytag’s pyramid . Build up to a meaningful climax, even if nothing significant seemed to happen today.

Learn more about keeping a journal here:

How to Start Journaling: Practical Advice on How to Journal Daily

Writing Exercises: Have Fun with Them!

Many of these writing exercises might feel challenging at first—and that’s a good thing! You will unlock new ideas and writing strengths by struggling through these creative challenges. The main point is to have fun with them and use them to explore within your writing, without indulging too many monologues from your inner critic.

Are you looking for more exercises to improve your writing skills? Our instructors can offer prompts, illuminating lectures, one-to-one feedback, and more to help you improve your craft. Check out our upcoming creative writing courses , and let’s put these skills to practice.

Sean Glatch

Thank you for this. I’ve been stuck for months—more than that, actually, and you’d think that a pandemic stay-at-home would be the perfect time to do some writing. But no. I’m as stuck as ever. In fact, the only time I seem able to write consistently and well is when I’m taking one of your classes! I’m still saving my pennies, but these exercises will hopefully get me writing in the meantime. Thanks again!

Hi Kathy, I’m glad to hear some of these tips might spark your creativity 🙂 I feel the same way, I was hoping the stay-at-home order might spark some creativity, but we shouldn’t push ourselves too hard – especially in the midst of a crisis.

The best part about writing: all you have to do is try, and you’ve already succeeded. Good luck on your writing endeavors!

Bravo….!What a great piece! Honestly I learnt a lot here!

I picked interest in poetry just a week ago after reading a beautiful piece which captivated my mind into the world of writing. I’d love to write great poems but I don’t know anything about poetry, I need a coach, a motivator and an inspiration to be able to do this. This piece really helped me but I will appreciate some more tips and help from you or anyone else willing to help, I am really fervid about this.

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for your comment! I’m so excited for you to start your journey with poetry. We have more advice for poetry writing at the articles under this link: https://writers.com/category/poetry

Additionally, you might be interested in two of our upcoming poetry courses: Poetry Workshop and How to Craft a Poem .

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected] . Many thanks, and happy writing!

[…] 24 Best Writing Exercises to Become a Better Writer | writers.com  […]

Hi, kinsey there. Thanks for giving information. it is a very informative blog and i appreciate your effort to write a blog I am also a writer and i like these type of blogs everyone takes more knowledge to check out my essay writing website

As a writer, I often struggle to break free from the chains of writer’s block, but this blog has gifted me with a map of inspiration to navigate through those creative storms. It’s like being handed a box of enchanted writing exercises

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11 Creative Writing Exercises To Awaken Your Inner Author

I believe there’s a writer inside of all of us.

Even if you don’t think you write well, you do have something to say.

You have a story to tell, knowledge to impart , and experiences to share.

You’ve lived a full life that’s packed with observations and adventures, and you shouldn’t exit this Earth without chronicling them in some way.

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, your life is the laboratory for creating a great book or story.

If you can talk, you can write — even if you need to brush up on grammar and spelling. You’ll naturally become a better writer the more you write.

You’ll learn how to organize ideas, make smooth transitions, and expand your vocabulary.

Reading also improves your writing, so if you have the tiniest desire to write well, read a wide variety of books in different genres.

You can accelerate your writing competence with some simple writing exercises.

Your inner creative muscle needs exertion to stay fit and strong — but writing exercises don’t need to be drudgery.

They can be fun and exciting as you see how much creative juice you have just waiting to be squeezed.

These creative exercises should be practiced without self-judgment, inner filters, or concern about what a reader might think.

The purpose is to allow your creative mind complete freedom to cut loose.

You don’t have to show these writing exercises to anyone if you don’t want to.

It’s a good weekly practice engage in writers exercises to what catches your imagination and awakens your inner author .

1. Answer 3 questions.

2. write a letter to your younger self., 3. use writing prompts., 4. write about your expertise. , 5. write a stream of consciousness page., 6. write a story told to you., 7. pretend to be someone else. , 8. write about something or someone who changed your life., 9. describe your surroundings., 10. pick a number., 11. describe a dream of yours — or the life of your dreams., what are creative writing exercises.

“Perfect” writers don’t exist. Even Ernest Hemingway and Alice Walker honed the craft right up to their waning days. Growth, improvement, and experimentation are the clarion calls of professional and aspiring scribes. And those who succeed put in the work.

That’s where creative writing exercises come in, as they’re designed to help you play with words in a non-judgmental environment.

Common “craft-sharpening” writing games and tools include:

• Prompt prose
• Timed freewriting
• Stream-of-consciousness exercises
• Vocabulary teasers / mad libs
• Restricted writing (i.e., every sentence must start with a verb, certain words cannot be mentioned, et cetera)

Serious writers — and people serious about becoming better writers — are perpetually composing pieces that will never see the light of day. But just as a tennis player hits thousands of serves during practice sessions, writers scribe thousands of short language exercises. To continue the sports analogy: Writing exercises are the equivalent of an athlete stretching before a game or match.

Here are 11 creative writing exercises to get you started:

In this exercise, you’ll use three questions to stimulate creative thought. You can write these questions yourself, but I’ll give you some examples to show you what to do.

You want to answer the questions as quickly as you can, with whatever ideas pop into your mind.

Write as much or as little as you wish, but just allow the words to flow without pondering too much what you want to say.

• Who just snuck out the back window?
• What were they carrying?
• Where were they going?
• Who is Ethan?
• Why is he crying?
• What is he going to do about it?
• Whose house is Julia leaving?
• Why was she there?
• Where is she going now?

In this exercise, you are writing to yourself at a younger age. It can be your childhood self or yourself just a few years back.

You can offer advice, compassion, explanation, forgiveness, or praise.

Or you can simply recount an experience you had and how it impacted you as your adult self now.

Try to see this younger self as a real and separate person when you write the letter. This exercise helps you think about your reader as a real person with emotions — a person who can be moved and inspired by your writing.

Again, try not to overthink this exercise. Spend a few minutes deciding the core message of the letter, and then just start writing without filters.

A writing prompt is an idea that jumpstarts the writing process.

The prompt can be a short sentence, a paragraph, or even a picture, but the purpose is the same — to ignite your creativity so you’ll begin writing.

Writing prompts can help you when you feel stuck while writing your book.

If you take ten minutes to work on a writing prompt, you can go back to your book writing primed to get down to business. It stimulates ideas for a writer and releases the creative process.

Here are a few prompts you can use:

Think about something you know how to do well. It can be anything from washing the dishes to selling stocks.

Write a few paragraphs (or more if you wish) explaining some aspect of how to do what you do.

Assume your reader is completely ignorant about the subject.

This writing shouldn’t sound like a dry instruction manual. Try to write in a conversational style, as though you’re verbally explaining the process.

Break down the steps in a way that makes the reader understand exactly what to do, without using business jargon or buzzwords.

This is an easy and fun exercise. You want to write it in longhand rather than typing on your computer, as handwriting slows down the process and allows more time for your creative brain to do its work.

Grab a pen and blank pad and simply start writing. Write down whatever comes into your brain, no matter how nonsensical or disjointed.

There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages — they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.

In this exercise, you want to recount a story told to you by another person.

It can be a story one of your parents or grandparents shared about something that happened many years ago, or it can be a more recent event a friend or family member recounted.

Or you can tell a story you learned in school or through reading about a well-known person or event.

The story can be funny, sad, or educational — but it should be interesting, entertaining, or engaging in some way.

Whether your book is fiction or non-fiction, readers love stories.  They enjoy relating to the lives and experiences of other people.

When you share stories in your writing, you humanize your writing and take your readers on a small journey.

In this exercise, you’ll practice writing from another person’s perspective. You can choose a person you know well, or you can write from the point of view of an imagined character.

Put yourself in this person’s shoes, see things through their eyes, and react the way they would react.

Choose one situation, encounter, or setting, and write what you see, hear, think, and feel about the scenario. Get inside of this person’s brain, and try to be as descriptive as possible.

You can write a paragraph or several pages if you’re inspired.

In this exercise, rather than telling the story of someone else or pretending to be another person, you want to share your story from your perspective.

Write about a person or event that has profoundly impacted you and changed your life.

Rather than simply recounting the situation, talk about how it made you feel, what your reactions were, and how you were changed on the inside as well as the outside.

Pour your heart into this writing. Remember, you don’t have to show it to anyone, so be completely vulnerable and real in this exercise.

More Related Articles

27 Powerful Writing Tips For Your First Book

252 Of The Best Writing Prompts For All Writers

17 Things to Write About For Your Next Nonfiction Book

Simply write a paragraph or two about your surroundings.

You can write in first person (“I am sitting at my desk, which is littered with papers and old coffee cups.”), or write in third person, simply describing what you see (“The room is bleak and empty except for one old wooden chair.”).

Challenge yourself to use descriptive language to set the scene.

Rather than saying, “The light is shining through the window,” you might say, “The morning sun is streaming through the window, spotlighting a million dancing dust particles and creating mottled shadows on my desk.”

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction , you want to write intriguing descriptions that invite the reader into the setting so they can “see” what you see.

Even numbers can serve to inspire writing. This exercise combines numbers with something else you probably have at your disposal.

Pick a random number between 1 and 30. We’ll call it number n. Then look to your bookshelf (real or virtual) and choose the nth book.

( Note: If you have more than 30 books on your shelf, you can choose a bigger number).

Then you’d open that book to the nth page and go to the nth sentence on that page.

Write that sentence down and make it the first sentence of a new freewriting exercise. Just write whatever comes to mind for the next sentence and the one after that, and so on.

Write at least as many sentences as the number you chose.

Think of a dream you remember and describe it in as much detail as you can recall.

From there, you can take that dream and turn it into a story or play with possible interpretations — serious or just for fun.

Or you can write about the life you dream of living. Describe a perfect day in that life, from the time you wake up to the time you lie back down.

Describe the home in which you live or the places you want to go. Imagine you’re living there in the locale of your choice for as long as you wish.

Don’t bother trying to make it sound realistic.

Just let the words flow, and enjoy the ride. Part of the fun of learning how to practice writing fiction is letting your imagination take over — without any heckling from your inner editor.

How These Exercises Can Make You a Better Writer 

At first explanation, writing exercises may sound a tad tedious. But people who do them improve by leaps and bounds. 

For starters, it all comes down to the human brain’s wiring. In short, every thought and idea we have is conducted by electrical impulses that torpedo around our nervous systems. When we practice something, the associated “circuits” grow myelin, a biological cushion that protects nerves. The added shielding optimizes the relevant electrical paths, rendering them more efficient. 

In other words: The more you do something, the better you’ll get. It doesn’t matter if you have an IQ of 80 or 180. Practice yields results. With writing, the more you do it, the better work you’ll produce. 

Specifically, creative prose lessons also:

• Keep your creativity muscles limber
• Help exercise your vocabulary
• Present opportunities to think about ideas and situations from different perspectives
• Help writers workshop characters, plots, and ideas

Final Thoughts

No matter how experienced you are as a writer, you can always improve and tap deeper into the wellspring of your own creativity.

You can always learn new ways to express yourself and delight your reader.

View these writing exercises as a means to opening doors of insight and imagination and enjoy the process of becoming a better writer.

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100 Writing Practice Lessons & Exercises

by Joe Bunting | 50 comments

Start Your Story TODAY! We’re teaching a new LIVE workshop this week to help you start your next book. Learn more and sign up here.

Want to become a better writer? How much time do you spend on your writing practice? Perhaps you want to write novels, or maybe you just want to get better grades in your essay writing assignments , or maybe you'd like to start a popular blog .

If you want to write better, you need practice. But what does a writing practice actually look like? In this post, I'm going to give you everything you need to kick off your writing practice and become a better writer faster.

What Is Writing Practice?

Writing practice is a method of becoming a better writer that usually involves reading lessons about the writing process, using writing prompts, doing creative writing exercises , or finishing writing pieces, like essays, short stories , novels , or books . The best writing practice is deliberate, timed, and involves feedback.

How Do You Practice Writing?

This was the question I had when I first started The Write Practice in 2011. I knew how to practice a sport and how to practice playing an instrument. But for some reason, even after studying it in college, I wasn't sure how to practice writing.

I set out to create the best writing practice I could. The Write Practice is the result.

I found that the best writing practice has three aspects:

Deliberate . Writing whatever you feel like may be cathartic, but it's not an effective way to become a better writer or build your writing skills. You'll get better faster by practicing a specific technique or aspect of the writing process each time you sit down to write.

This is why we have a new lesson about the writing process each day on The Write Practice, followed by a practice prompt at the end so you can put what you learned to use immediately.

Timed . It's no secret writers struggle with focus. There are just too many interesting distractions—Facebook, email, Kim Kardashian's Instagram feed (just kidding about that last one, sort of)—and writing is just too hard sometimes.

Setting a timer, even for just fifteen minutes, is an easy and effective way to stay focused on what's important.

This is why in our writing practice prompt at the end of each post we have a time limit, usually with a link to an online tool egg timer , so you can focus on deliberate practice without getting distracted.

Feedback . Getting feedback is one of the requirements to deliberately practice writing or any other craft. Feedback can look like listening to the reactions of your readers or asking for constructive criticism from editors and other writers.

This is why we ask you to post your writing practice after each lesson, so that you can get feedback from other writers in The Write Practice community. It's also why we set up The Write Practice Pro community , to provide critique groups for writers to get feedback on each finished piece of writing.

Our 100+ Best Creative Writing Practice Exercises and Lessons

Now that you know how we practice writing at The Write Practice, here are our best writing practice lessons to jumpstart your writing skills with some daily writing exercises, for beginner writers to even the most expert writers:

All-Time, Top 10 Writing Lessons and Exercises

These ten posts are our most viewed articles to boost your writing practice:

1. What is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot and How to Use Them . Great stories use similar elements in wildly different ways to build page-turning stories. Click here to read what they are and learn how to start using them !

2. Top 100 Short Story Ideas . Here are over a hundred writing prompts in a variety of genres. If you need ideas for your next story, check this out!

3. How To Use Neither, Nor, Or, and Nor Correctly . Even good writers struggle figuring out when to use neither/nor and either/or. In this post, our copy-queen Liz Bureman settles the confusion once and for all. Click to continue to the writing exercise

4. Ten Secrets To Write Better Stories . How does Pixar manage to create such great stories, year after year? And how do you write a good story? In this post, I distill everything I've learned about how to write a good story into ten tips. Click to continue to the writing exercise

5. 35 Questions To Ask Your Characters From Marcel Proust . To get to know my characters better, I use a list of questions known as the Proust Questionnaire, made famous by French author, Marcel Proust. Click to continue to the writing exercise

6. How a Scene List Can Change Your Novel-Writing Life . Creating a scene list changed my novel-writing life, and doing the same will change yours too. Includes examples of the scene lists from famous authors. Click to continue to the writing exercise

7. Why You Need to be Using the Oxford Comma . Most people I've met have no idea what the Oxford comma is, but it's probably something that you have used frequently in your writing. Click to continue to the writing exercise

8. Six Surprising Ways to Write Better Interview Questions.  The interview is the most-used tool in a journalist's bag. But that doesn't mean novelists, bloggers, and even students can't and don't interview people. Here's how to conduct a great interview. Click to continue to the writing exercise

9. Why You Should Try Writing in Second Person . You've probably used first person and third person point-of-view already. But what about second person? This post explains three reasons why you should try writing from this point-of-view. Click to continue to the writing exercise

10. The Secret to Show, Don't Tell . You've heard the classic writing rule, “Show. Don't Tell.” Every writing blog ever has talked about it, and for good reason. Showing, for some reason, is really difficult. Click to continue to the writing exercise.

12 Exercises and Lessons To Become a Better Writer

How do you become a better writer? These posts share our best advice:

• Want to Be a Better Writer? Cut These 7 Words
• What I Mean When I Say I Am A Writer
• How to Become a Writer: 3 Simple Steps
• 72% of Writers Struggle With THIS
• 7 Lies About Becoming a Writer That You Probably Believe
• 10 Questions to Find Your Unique Writing Voice
• The Best Writing Book I’ve Ever Read
• The Best Way to Become a Better Writer
• The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Tools You Can’t Write Without
• Should You Write More or Write Better: Quantity vs Quality
• How to Become a Better Writer in One, Simple Step
• 11 Writing Tips That Will Change Your Life

6 Lessons and Exercises from Great Writers

If you want to be a writer, learn from the great writers who have gone before you:

• 23 Essential Quotes from Ernest Hemingway About Writing
• 29 Quotes that Explain How to Become a Better Writer
• 10 Lessons Dr. Seuss Can Teach Writers
• 10 Writing Tips from Ursula Le Guin
• Once Upon a Time: Pixar Prompt
• All the Pretty Words: Writing In the Style of Cormac McCarthy

12 Genre and Format Specific Writing Lessons and Exercises

Here are our best writing lessons for specific types of writing, including essays, screenplays, memoir, short stories, children's books, and humor writing:

• Writing an Essay? Here Are 10 Effective Tips
• How To Write a Screenplay: The 5 Step Process
• How to Write a Great Memoir: a Complete Guide
• How to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish
• How to Write a Thriller Novel
• How to Write a Children's Book
• How to Write a Love Story
• How to Write a Coming of Age Story or Book
• How to Write an Adventure Book
• 5 Key Elements for Successful Short Stories
• 4 Tips to Write a Novel That Will Be Adapted Into a Movie
• Humor Writing for People Who Aren’t Funny

14 Characterization Lessons and Exercises

Good characters are the foundation of good fiction. Here are our best lessons to create better characters:

• Character Development: How to Create Characters Audiences Will Love
• Writing Villains: 9 Evil Examples of the Villain Archetype
• How NOT to Introduce a New Character
• The Strongest Form of Characterization
• The Most Important Character Archetype
• How Do You Build A Strong Character In Your Writing?
• 75+ Antihero Examples and How to Use Them
• How to Explore Your Characters’ Motivations
• 8 Tips for Naming Characters
• The Protagonist: How to Center Your Story
• Heroes vs. Anti-Heroes: Which Is Right For Your Story?
• The Weakest Form of Characterization
• How to Write With an Accent
• How To Create a Character Sketch Using Scrivener

15 Grammar Lessons and Exercises

I talk to so many writers, some of whom are published authors, who struggle with grammar. Here are our best writing lessons on grammar:

• Is It Okay To End A Sentence With A Preposition?
• Contractions List: When To Use and When To Avoid
• Good vs. Well
• Connotation vs. Denotation
• Per Se vs. Per Say
• When You SHOULD Use Passive Voice
• When Do You Use “Quotation Marks”
• Polysyndeton and Asyndeton: Definition and Examples
• The Case Against Twilight
• Affect Versus Effect
• Stop Saying “Literally”
• What Is a Comma Splice? And Why Do Editors Hate Them?
• Intra vs. Inter: Why No One Plays Intermural Sports
• Alright and Alot: Words That Are Not Words
• The Poor, Misunderstood Semicolon

5 Journalism Lessons and Exercises

Want to be a journalist? Or even use techniques from journalism to improve your novel, essay, or screenplay? Here are our best writing lessons on journalism:

• Six Ways to Ask Better Questions In Interviews
• How to Conduct an Author Interview
• Interview In Person or Via Email?  
• What If They Don’t Want to Talk to You?
• Eleven Habits of a Highly Effective Interviewers

16 Plot and Structure Lessons and Exercises

Want to write a good story? Our top plot and structure lessons will help:

• The Nine Types of Story and How to Master Them
• Points of a Story: 6 Plot Points Every Story Needs
• How to Shape a Story: The 6 Arcs
• 7 Keys To Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel
• The Secret to Creating Conflict
• 4 Tips to Avoid Having Your Short Story Rejected by a Literary Magazine
• 7 Steps to Creating Suspense
• 5 Elements of Storytelling
• 3 Important Rules for Writing Endings
• A Writer’s Cheatsheet to Plot and Structure
• Overcoming the Monster
• How to Satisfy Your Reader With a Great Ending
• Pow! Boom! Ka-Pow! 5 Tips to Write Fight Scenes
• The Dramatic Question and Suspense in Fiction
• How to Write a Memorable Beginning and Ending
• How to Write the Perfect First Page

6 Lessons and Exercises to Beat Writer's Block

Writer's block is real, and it can completely derail your writing. Here are six lessons to get writing again:

• How To Write Whether You Feel Like it Or Not
• This Fun Creative Writing Exercise Will Change Your Life
• When You Should Be Writing But Can't…
• What to do When Your Word Count is Too Low
• 7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower
• When You Don’t Know What to Write, Write About Your Insecurities

7 Literary Technique Lessons and Exercises

These writing and storytelling techniques will teach you a few tricks of the trade you may not have discovered before:

• 3 Tips to “Show, Don’t Tell” Emotions and Moods
• 3 Reasons to Write Stream of Consciousness Narrative
• 16 Observations About Real Dialogue
• Intertextuality As A Literary Device
• Why You Should Use Symbolism In Your Writing
• 6 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Poetry and Prose
• 3 Tips To Write Modern Allegorical Novels
• Symbol vs. Motif: What’s the Difference

3 Inspirational Writing Lessons and Exercises

Need some inspiration? Here are three of our most inspiring posts:

• Why We Write: Four Reasons
• You Must Remember Every Scar
• 17 Reasons to Write Something NOW

3 Publishing Blogging Lessons and Exercises

If you want to get published, these three lessons will help:

• The Secret to Writing On Your Blog Every Day
• How to Publish Your Book and Sell Your First 1,000 Copies
• How to Submit a Short Story for Publication

11 Writing Prompts

Need inspiration or just a kick in the pants to write. Try one of our top writing prompts :

• Grandfathers [writing prompt]
• Out of Place [writing prompt]
• Sleepless [writing prompt]
• Longing [writing prompt]
• Write About Yourself [writing prompt]
• 3 Reasons You Should Write Ghost Stories
• Road Trip [writing prompt]
• Morning [writing prompt]
• The Beach [writing prompt]
• Fall Writing Prompts
• How to Use Six-Word Stories As Writing Prompts

Is It Time To Begin Your Writing Practice?

It's clear that if you want to become a writer, you need to practice writing. We've created a proven process to practice your writing at The Write Practice, but even if you don't join our community, I hope you'll start practicing in some way today.

Personally, I waited  far  too long to start practicing and it set my writing back years.

How about you? Do you think practicing writing is important?  Let me know in the comments section .

Choose one of the writing practice posts above. Then, read the lesson and participate in the writing exercise, posting your work in the Pro Practice Workshop . And if you post, please give feedback to your fellow writers who also posted their practices.

Have fun and happy practicing!

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.

Work with Joe Bunting?

WSJ Bestselling author, founder of The Write Practice, and book coach with 14+ years experience. Joe Bunting specializes in working with Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, How To, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science Fiction, and Self Help books. Sound like a good fit for you?

50 Comments

You have THE BEST content for writing on this blog!!

Thank you, Kristen. This made my morning. 🙂

Thanks Mitch. 🙂

I can’t remember when I started following this website. I have to look in my notebooks because that’s where I did these practices. I didn’t have access to a computer when I did them, so I wrote them out, setting the time limit. But even when I do get to a computer, I have my reservations about putting my practices on the page. even though it’s practice, I want them to be the best, almost perfect. But I know it won’t be. I’ve gotten feedback before that says so. It still gets to me that I didn’t put something together that not everyone liked. I need to get over it. After all, that is what these practices are about: to learn and improve on our craft.

I don’t know either, George, but it’s been several years. Perfectionism is something so many of us face, and it’s made worse when you don’t have a critique community as warm and encouraging as ours is. I hope you and everyone here are always willing to try something new, even if it comes out a little messed up, because you know we’ll support you and try to make you better.

What a great share! Thanks so much!

You’re so welcome, Elizabeth. Thank you for commenting.

when I ran writing classes I wrote. when I am “a member of writing classes” the teacher/leader/facilitator is NOT MY AUDIENCE and so I don’t write as well/as much. I don’t get the feedback I need from fellow students because most of them have never run their own writing projects/workshops. So many people expect you to write their story for them. I’ve actually got quite a few stories of me own. I have finally decided I like owning them. 😉

It sounds like you need a new critique group, Patience! Hope you can find a place where you get the feedback you need.

Wow! Terrific round-up of resources. 🙂

Thanks Stephanie. 🙂

Practice is necessary, period. It doesn’t matter what you want to learn. If you want to improve, practice is vital.

It’s odd. I’ve known and applied that principle for years on a variety of things. Painting. Drawing. Blogging. Gardening. Laundry.

But never writing.

Like you, I had the notion that just writing every day was all it took to improve. Why not the same level of dedication to writing?

Perhaps it’s time to change that!

I can relate, Carrie. It’s easy to confuse the craft of writing with journaling, thinking that you can just write whatever you feel like and you’ll get better, write something worth reading. The truth is that writing interesting things to read is a skill, but the good news is that you can get better at it with practice. Thanks for practicing with us! 🙂

I love these suggestions , and have set Writing Practice as my homepage so the first 15 minutes of my day is spent writing, whether its a practice or exercise here or another that is sprinkled through out this site, Thank you for all you do everyone here at The Write Practice

This is great Debra. I want to write the first 15 minutes of my day too!

I agree with Joe, Do it. Could be your to do list… ( that could lead to something else story wse later)

I love that, Debra. Such a good way to start your day.

Thanks Joe!

The best! Thank you so much for this.

You’re very welcome!

I simply LOVE all the tips and suggestions given on this blog. They are super helpful!

THANK you. We love sharing them with you. 🙂

Hi! You forgot the link to How to Write a Story a Week: A Day-by-Day Guide.

Thanks a lot for your work! This post is amazing.

It’s a great post Thiago. Definitely one of our most shared. Thanks for mentioning it! BTW here’s the link:

https://thewritepractice.com/a-story-a-week/

Wow!! There are so many exercises…. I just love it..! I am gonna really enjoy it..!

Awesome! Thank you for reading and practicing with us. 🙂

I only read halfway , My tootie is jumping all over me, and typing this is a struggle when a 3yr old wants his Toy Story movie on Youtube in this computer. Thank you for this article, will come back later to finish reading.

I know the feeling! Good luck!

Can’t wait to get stuck in with this! 🙂

Very helpful! Thank you!

I’ve just bookmarked this page. Thanks for this wonderful list.

This is awesome! So many helpful tips. I will be coming back to this often. Thanks for posting this!

Wow, so many goodies! Thank you for always providing such amazing content!!

I have enjoyed all these articles. Thank you for the help an inspiration to get my writing on its way. My creativity is boosting with confidence. Tootle loo.

Amazing contents for beginners like me Joe. I am highly inspired by your commitment. Thank you.

Hey, thanks!

Although I have only read half of thisc article, the practice exercises are excellent. Some of them are exactly what a beginning writer like myself needs. I am committing to at least try ALL of them. Thanks Joe!!

very helpful! thank you..

Amazing articles! Thanks so much for sharing!

My god this article made me love this site . You know it’s kinda hard for a beginner writer, who don’t know where to start and fixing goals, even samll ones give us a direction . A place to go , an aim for our creativity so thanks you , this community and this site. Love you all . At your pens ! 😉

Wow. This is great. I find all your posts informative, but this one is the best for me to use as a guide to get my self starting to write….Thank you.

I’m an old lady who wants to publish one more book before I die — have published several, all non-fiction, and done two under contract to a major publisher (reference books). So help me, the BIGGEST problem I have all along, is keeping track of the damned paper work and research that goes into a book!!! Yet I never ever see articles on something as simple as “How to file” — Oh I know, there’s wonderful software these days so probably I will never find a way to get paper organized — everybody will use software and do it on the computer. I’m too old for that — just one look at the learning curve for software, even putting the damned stuff into computer files is even MORE frustrating than paper!! Oh well, somehow I managed in the past to get books published, I may be able to do it one more time.

you enjoy writing more than anything else and you do indeed care to help others write. I love writing but translation from Arabic into English and English into Arabic is taking all of my time from the early hours of the morning till the evening. I will soon get all of your books in order to read them as soon as possible. One thing I am sure of. You know what you are doing very well. Hamzah

Excellent! Many useful tips. Many thanks!

Liz and Joe, I have only looked at a few exercises. Already, I am convinced that your site is one of the best sites out there. Thank your for sharing your wisdom.

Wow, these are the best lessons and exercises for writing. Actually i’m participating in a compitition this wendsday. so, i’m quite nervous and exited. this helped me a lot

Magnificent post ever I have read. This article will help me a lot to write a right way. Thank you.

i need your help to improve to become a better writer please. i think i usually commit moist of these errors and i don;t pay attention to many advices too.

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Welcome to Writing Exercises and Prompts.

This site provides (completely free) creative writing prompts and exercises to help you get started with creative writing and break through writing blocks - as well as some fun anagram vocabulary games.

Generate random story ideas, plots, subjects, scenarios, characters, first lines for stories and more. Did I mention it's all free? Have fun :-)

- Update March 2024: Random First Line - lots of new prompts and you can now choose a genre Creative Writing - First Steps - dive right in with some practical tasks to get you started.

- Update November 2023: New 'Guess The Word' game

- Update August 2023: Bite-size Writing Tips and Tricks. 3-minute reads

Random List of Contents:

Random first line prompts.

Generate a random first line for a story.

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Prompts to encourage freewriting.

Generate a plot-line at the click of a button.

Random Plot Generator

Generate two characters, a setting, a situation and a theme. Change the elements until you are happy with your plot.

Generate elements for a murder plot. Change the elements until you get an interesting mystery to solve.

'Take Three Nouns'

Another freewriting exercise. Make connections between random nouns.

Random First Line of Dialogue

Writing prompts to help with dialogue writing.

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Create a 'What If?' scenario to write about.

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Browse my random list of writing exercises.

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Generate a selection of words and use the suggestions to kick-start your writing.

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Create your own story title.

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Create some interesting aspects to your character.

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Use images to help you write.

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Creative Writing Prompts

26 Remarkable Comments

Welcome to the creative writing prompts page! What you can find here is a MASSIVE collection of 63 quality writing exercises (basically, each one is a mini-story of its own, with a twist). This is going to be so much fun, and all while you improve your story writing skills.

You can find all kinds of creative writing exercises here. All of them are fiction writing prompts, and they cover almost every genre, plus you can find creative writing prompts about dialogue, characters, plot, for writer’s block, and much, much more…

Interesting Writing Prompts

This is not the usual stuff. I tried to make these writing prompts intriguing. Most of them are complete scenes and even mini-stories.

You can have them. Yes, you own all the rights, even if you base your entire novel on them and get it published and earn a million dollars for the movie rights. They are all yours.

To become a really good story writer, there is only one thing you need to do: Write! And these creative writing prompts should inspire you to write. They should fire your brain up and make your fingers itch.

With each of these prompts, you can train one specific aspect of your writing; either a genre, or your dialogue or story starter skills, etc…

Post Your Prompt

Also, pick your favorite creative writing prompt, do it, and post it in the comments! Let’s make this a page for everybody to share their creative writing. The more you guys comment and actually do these prompts, the more prompts I will add in the future.

Creative Writing Prompts PDF

To top it all off, you can also download these prompts. Find a neat PDF collection of all the prompts here:

Fun Creative Writing Prompts – Index

(Click on the genre to get to the prompts)

1. Romance Writing Prompts

2. Mystery Writing Prompts/Suspense Writing Prompts

3. Fantasy Writing Prompts

4. Science Fiction Writing Prompts

5. Horror Writing Prompts

6. Thriller Writing Prompts

7. Adventure Writing Prompts

8. Action Writing Prompts

9. Historical/Medieval Writing Prompts

10. Dialogue Writing Prompts

11. Character Writing Prompts

12. Plot Writing Prompts

13. Short Story Writing Prompts

14. Writing Prompts with Pictures

15. Writing Prompts for Writer’s Block

16. Story Starters Writing Prompts

17. Unusual Creative Writing Prompts

Bonus: Other Writing Prompts Websites

Writing Prompts that don’t suck: List of Writing Prompts

Romance writing prompts.

[ Read detailed tips about how to write a romantic scene her e . ]

Writing Prompt 1:

On the night before his marriage, Robert gets a visit. It’s Rachel, the girl that grew up next door and has been his best friend ever since. They had always pushed back any feelings for each other, “we are just friends.” (Yeah, right…!).

Now Rachel bursts into is home in a last, unexpected try to convince Robert he is marrying the wrong woman and she and he are meant for each other. But a ceremony for 150 guests is already arranged. After a lot of passionate talk and tears, Rachel gets him to agree to a game: “Can you guess what I would do…?” They both jot down 10 questions plus their hidden answers. Whoever can guess more of the other’s answers right, wins.

Will Rachel win and they will spend the night on a bus, escaping the wedding? Or will Robert win and watch devastated Rachel walk off into the night, frustration in his heart and tears in his eyes? You decide!

How you can make this scene shine:

Make the scene captivating by showing the reader why these two are meant for each other: Let them remember what they appreciate so much in each other (show, don’t tell), the special moments they shared, show the missed romantic opportunities, and how they complement each other perfectly.

Your reader will hope and fear with them and be hooked to your scene like it was her own love story.

Writing Prompt 2:

Gwen and Christopher have been married for 20 years. One night Gwen finds bright red lipstick on the collar of his jacket. Infuriated, she grabs one of his golf clubs, and swings at his car till it looks worse than a bicycle under a freight train.

When she is exhausted and breaks down crying, Christopher can finally explain what happened: Christopher had been with his Chinese language student group. They all had been on their way to a Chinese restaurant for a change, and it had been raining. He lent his jacket to one of his Chinese language students to protect her from the rain. That’s when the lipstick got on the shirt.

Will Gwen believe him and end up sobbing and relieved in his arms? Or will she not believe one word and soon continue with Chris’ Chinese porcelain collection? You decide!

Leave the reader in the dark about why the lipstick really is on the jacket as long as possible, keep the suspense vibrant. Describe Gwen’s pain and the destruction of Chris’ beloved car in energetic detail, so the reader will live with them as if it was their own (heart and car).

Writing Prompt 3:

King Kong, the giant, roaring ape, falls in sweet love with his female counterpart, Queen Kong. While he was terrorizing New York, she was keeping Chicago on its toes. They meet for a date somewhere in the middle, in a dreamy forest (burning trees instead of candlelight, etc…).

They share a romantic dinner (living cattle, farmers…) and discover their common interests: They both love tearing down skyscrapers, putting police cars on top of billboard ads and eating humongous bananas. And oh, don’t even get me started on the sex…

Will these lonely apes form a bond that helps their love survive against all odds/outer resistance? Or will the egomaniacs in them gain the upper hand and tear their love apart? You decide!

How do you express your love when you are a hairy monster the size of a skyscraper? What would be different, what would be absurd? Emphasize the strange contrast between tender feelings and a gigantic physique. Your reader will find their obstacles very different, but equally painful to his own, and love you for it.

Writing Prompt 4:

Lucas has fallen in love with his dentist. His teeth are very healthy, but he is coming into Jasmin’s practice for the third time within three months, in the hope he will be capable of asking her out in a quiet moment, when nobody is listening.

Unfortunately, the doctor has three assistants and one secretary, and even the door to the waiting room doesn’t look too soundproof… Lucas feels like he is on stage in a Shakespearian comedy. Jasmin, on the other hand, lightly makes fun of him, calling him a hypochondriac.

Will Lucas finally have the balls to follow through with his plan? Or will he have to come for a fourth time? Will Jasmin sense what’s up, and will she be attracted or just annoyed? You decide!

Emphasize the contrast between the nonchalant everyday business of the doctor and her assistants, and Lucas’ timid desire to ask her out. Whatever angle he takes, he is running out of time and of Jasmin’s professional attention. How does he feel? Describe his troubled inner life, and your reader will identify strongly and feel for him.

Additional Romance Writing Prompt:

Also see the SF bonus prompt here . It’s a double prompt for two genres, romance and science fiction.

Mystery Writing Prompts/Suspense Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 5:

Animal-loving Naomi is at her parents’ holiday home. She is observing a small hut at the forest edge. A van shows up there on three nights back to back. Each time, it seems to pick up something. Naomi sees dark silhouettes sneaking around with flashlights.

One night she decides to sneaks closer, and through a gap in the curtains sees a stack of antlers and fur: She has discovered the sinister doings of poachers. Will Naomi alert the police, or will she be so furious she decides to act on her own? Will she stay undiscovered once the van’s headlights show up on the hill? You decide!

Make the readers wonder “What the heck is going on…?” as often as possible, it will make for a suspenseful story. Show how kind, smart and brave Naomi is, so readers fear for her life. Then make the bad guys come.

Writing Prompt 6:

Paris, 19 th century: Detective Beaumont follows his suspect Forestier, who is wearing a long trench coat. He believes Forestier to be the long hunted for “rose murderer.” That murderer always leaves the rare rose variety “Farewell” on his victims’ bodies. The rose can only be bought in one shop in Paris, and if Forestier walks to that shop today, it is almost certain he is the murderer.

Indeed Forestier’s ways lead him to the flower shop in question. When he comes out, the detective follows him into a narrow street to arrest him. He lays his hands on his shoulders, but once he turns him, he sees that it’s not Forestier – he has been played! The real Forestier must have left the flower shop through a back door, and is now up to who-knows-what…

Will that second person have another trap in store for Detective Beaumont? Will the detective get to Forestier before bad things happen? You decide!

Get into the detective’s head! Show his enthusiasm about finding the long sought-after murderer, his doubts, his shock at the discovery! Show the looming danger he is in. It will make for a terrifyingly good scene…

Writing Prompt 7:

Jeremy has a neighbor whose wife has been missing for months. Jeremy is sitting in his living room, watching a documentary about the most beautiful graveyards of the world. It says that the human body and bones are excellent fertilizers and make plants grow like crazy.

He looks out the window and that huge, blooming rose bush in his neighbor’s garden catches his eye. It’s elevated on a small hill of loose soil, and it’s even more striking, as the rest of his garden is barren ground. Suddenly, Jeremy remembers that the name of his neighbor’s wife is Rose…

In this scene, a lot is happening on a mental level, and little on a physical level. Dive into Jeremy’s somber thoughts and his shocking suspicion. But at the same time, remain some outside stimulus going: E.g. Describe images of the documentary, the landscape of the garden, a clock striking ten, etc… It makes for a well-balanced scene.

Fantasy Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 8:

The four goblins Hukput, Paddycest, Nixxle and Klozzik are on their way to the cave of the Redwing dragon Isidur. They carry a delicious moore rabbit steak with minty potatoes. They plan to present it to him as humble offering of submission, but in reality the dish is soaked with a sleeping potion so they can rob his enormous pile of golden cups, chains and ducats. Will Isidur smell the bait? Or will his loud snoring fill the cave while the goblins hastily get away with as much gold as they can carry? You decide!

Describe how the deceitful goblins try to get suspicious Isidur to devour their dish. Which tactics do they employ? They are so small, and the dragon is so powerful, but will they nevertheless outsmart him? Describe the wide, majestic nature of the landscape and the cave. Tricky and powerful creatures as well as moody sceneries make for a great fantasy story.

Writing Prompt 9:

Magician Axius is potent, old and absent-minded. He wants to put a spell on his best cooking spoon so it should cook his favorite meal, chicken with sweet pepper. But he gets a detail in the spell wrong. The spoon starts to brutally attack all of the chickens in the patio.

Which unlikely places does the spoon go to while Axius is after it? How does Axius make his way through the terrified flock of chickens? And which spells does he use when trying to calm down his good spoon? You decide!

Time to try some “cute,” homespun fantasy! Lay out the small worries of a big magician. Even he needs to take care of overexcited pets and unruly household goods some time. It’s just that he has more powerful ways to deal with them…

Writing Prompt 10:

Two bored dwarfs, Onyx and Hafax, guard a castle’s entrance. They get into an argument who can throw stones further. While they prove their skills to each other, unfortunately a stone hits a giant who is sleeping in the castle ditch. She comes after them furiously. Will she smash their surprised faces to porridge, or can the resilient dwarfs talk her out of it? You decide!

Show the simple, but competitive nature of the dwarfs. They feel strong and then suddenly very weak… Describe the frightening power of the giant. Show your readers a world of many wonders that only exist in fantasy.

Writing Prompt 11:

The ogre Grawczak is invited to a talk show about strange creatures. Believing in the best intentions of TV and eager to help make races understand each other better, he accepts. The vicious questions on air take him by surprise: “Why do ogres smell so bad; don’t they care other people are disgusted?” and “What does human flesh taste like?”

Will Grawczak just freeze in face of the bright studio lights and endure the process? Will he let them provoke him and look really bad? Or will he just eat the moderator with some spices? You decide!

Describe how helpless the big ogre feels in face of the media. Contrast it with the sensational malice of the moderator. If you can paint the ogre as a likeable being, your readers will root for him strongly. If only we understood ogres better, the world would be a more peaceful place!

Science Fiction Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 12:

It’s an intergalactic poker tournament. Different races from different galaxies have come together. On one of the tables, the only players left are Froggosaurus, The Big Dust, Rhonda Seventeen-Tentacle and the Red Snailman.

Snailman is doing really well, too well for Rhonda. She suddenly reaches out behind his ear and pulls out a mindreader chip! Will the angry players grill Snailman, or will he be able to flee? Maybe an angry/apologetic dialogue ensues that ends with a bargain? You decide!

Writing Prompt 13:

In 2230, humans have conquered Mars. Automated skytrains run through its red desserts. One of these is stopped by a technical glitch at rush hour. The doors are stuck. When the passengers hear the voice of the control system robot through the loudspeakers, they realize the full extent of the disaster…

The system has come to the conclusion that it’s now superior to its creators, and it is planning to take over. It will open the hydraulic doors for the passengers and allow them to leave, under one condition: They have to chain three programmers in the group to a grabpole in the train and leave them behind. It becomes obvious that the system wants to eliminate the last persons that could still endanger its rule: The most talented programmers…

Will the passengers yield to the insane robot’s demand in order to save their lives? Will they try a trick and risk it all? You decide!

Writing Prompt 14:

Zwooshers look like fluffy, pink, door-high pet giraffes – you just want to cuddle them. But their looks are deceiving! They are actually plundering, reckless space pirates.

In the meeting hall, their captain Haab (eye patch, ruffled plush fur, wooden foot, spacemaid tattoo…) holds an inflammatory speech to hype up his crew. They are about to take the freight space ship that showed up on their radar. The ship must carry at least 65 tons of wood shavings, and Haab wants to take them all!

The crew is all hyped up and ready to go, when Haab trips over his wooden leg and falls off the stage. It looks pretty pathetic for a heroic leader. Will the crew just take this as a sign that chaos and plundering can now ensue, and storm forward? Or will this end the captain’s authority and make the horde want to feed him to the Spacephins? You decide!

Writing Prompt 15:

In 2075, the company Cryptofreeze™ offers the simplest, most effective method to time-travel into the future: They freeze your complete organism and defrost you after the desired period of time. Raul Morales was president of Payadua for 12 years. The laws state that he can’t run for office again for the following 4 terms (24 years). His solution is to get frosted for that period.

He is unfrozen in a big televised show that is transmitted directly into the communication chips of the population’s brains. The show features his frozen body in a transparent casket, lasers, dancers, etc… It should be one huge campaign appearance for the upcoming election.

His rivals do their best to make him look bad though: They smuggle in their own audience to boo and ask the wrong questions, they sabotage the lightning, etc… Will they succeed in derailing his campaign, or will Morales’ reputation shine brighter than ever before? You decide!

Bonus Prompt 16: Romance/Science Fiction Writing Prompt

But Cryptofreeze™ also attracts clients with a completely different set of problems: Henry loves Leila and is sure she is the girl he wants to be with. The problem is that she is 19 and he is 58.

Write two scenes:

Henry wants to talk to Leila and finds her on the running track (where the inner track travels less distance than the outer track, but they are still running side by side…). They jog next to each other, which painfully exposes their age difference. He confesses his love to her, she tells him she can’t live with the age difference, and he tells her he has booked his spot with Cryptofreeze™ and that she should make sure she will be free in 30 years. They say farewell in tears.

Henry is unfrozen, but something has gone horribly wrong: Because of a technical failure he has been frozen double time, for 60 years. Leila is now 79, while he is still 58. Roles are reversed, but it’s not as fun as it was supposed to be… Devastated, Henry visits Leila in her nursery home. She is kept in a large metal box, taken care of by robots who drive her out into the garden once per day.

Will they rediscover their love for each other, or will the circumstances have changed them too much? Will the thought of having missed out on all that precious time just kill them? Or will the make the best of it and find happiness? You decide!

Writing Prompts PDF

You can download a complete collection of all the prompts on this page on a neat sheet. Save them for whenever you need them! Enter your email here for your PDF of printable writing prompts:

Horror Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 17:

Joanna has won a vacation weekend in an old castle. Not many guests are there. Wandering the wide halls, she learns about Count Brookhart, the 16 th century owner of the castle. He stole another nobleman’s wife, started a war, and was beheaded. He is rumored to be roaming these halls as a ghost. The castle’s ancient chronicles state that he will only be redeemed if a living woman kisses him on her knees. Sounds pretty strange, doesn’t it…?

At night, Joanna gets up to look for the bathroom. She only hears wind; a book falls from a shelf out of nowhere. And these heads on the old portraits all seem to turn after her…

She looks into a mirror – and freezes. Behind her is the Count, his eyes beseeching her for a kiss. And she would have to kneel to kiss him, because he is carrying his head under his arm, blood-dripping… Does Joanna feel like redeeming the count? What will happen if she does/doesn’t? You decide!

Describe the setting, the emptiness and the uneasy details. Let Joanna wonder what is going on and show her fear. In the end, go for the terrible shock effect!

Writing Prompt 18:

Gina’s beloved cat Tiger has been feverish and dizzy lately. At a fair, Gina sees a tent with a sign “Voodoo Healings $5.” Inside, she finds an old, hunched woman. She sits down in a strange chair with split rods, and her hair gets caught. The hag speaks a spell and gestures with her hands, then motions Gina to leave.

Outside at the fruit stands, Gina suddenly feels very sick, and it occurs to her what her hair could have been used for… Will she return to demand every single one of her strands back? Or will she already feel too sick and go for a more extreme solution? Will the old woman be gone or deny everything? You decide!

Don’t describe Gina’s fear, but instead describe what makes her scared: Show details of the witch’s looks and how the witch acts, describe Gina’s physical condition. Show how awful it is not to know where the horror is coming from. It will make your readers feel it strongly.

Writing Prompt 19:

When Lucy comes home, she finds her daughter Luna sitting on the floor sobbing, surrounded by broken glass. Luna has just smashed every single mirror in the house. She tells her mother that she saw ‘The Eater’ appearing behind her shoulder in the mirrors: Some dark silhouette that was coming to take a huge bite out of her.

Lucy tries to calm down her hysterical daughter, and is already going through a list of psychiatrists in the back of her head. In the evening, after cleaning up the house, she is applying make-up to go out for an important business dinner. Suddenly she notices huge black teeth appearing behind her in the little mirror…

Will Lucy shake it off as her imagination running wild? Or will she smash the make-up kit? How will she try to save herself and her daughter? And for how long can you avoid mirrors, which surround us… everywhere. You decide!

Have you ever had the feeling that you don’t know what’s going on? Pretty unsettling, right? Give disturbing, moody details about the silhouette, its appearances and effects, but don’t explain the why this is happening. We don’t know why terrible things happen to good people. And that’s scary.

Writing Prompt 20:

Zombie apocalypse has arrived. TV stations finally have the audience they deserve… For the zombies, it’s one huge party, and the humans are desperately holding onto their arms and socio-economic systems.

Four zombies are robbing a bank. Their advantages: Bullets don’t bother them, they really don’t need masks, and they have a natural gift to scare the shit out of the employees. Disadvantages: They are just so damn slow. Imagine a bank robbery in slow motion, and a couple of limbs falling off the robbers on their way out… Will the rotten gang get away thanks to their ‘Shock and Awe’? Or will the guards be quick-witted and find a way to protect themselves and attack? Where is the hunt going? You decide!

Show how absurd this scenario is. How is it different from an ordinary bank robbery? Think it through, and you will get to a couple of interesting scenarios.

Thriller Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 21:

Jeff is the bloodhound type of a prosecutor. He is currently prosecuting the big ice cream company “Freezelicious.” They are accused of using harmful ingredients. Since Jeff took on that trial, he has been having the feeling that somebody is following him. Yesterday at the gas station, today during the break at a restaurant, and now this Mercedes has been behind him for 20 minutes.

He makes two daring and illegal maneuvers with his car, but just as he thinks he got rid of the Mercedes, it appears in his rearview mirror. He parks at a shopping center and disappears into the bathroom. After a while, the Mercedes driver comes in, and Jeff smashes him against the wall and starts to interrogate him. Turns out the guy isn’t sent by Freezelicious, but by their cheaper competitor Mega Cream. They want to make sure nothing bad happens to Jeff, because they are afraid Freezelicious wants to get him out of the way. Will Jeff just be pissed and throw the guy out? Or will he be secretly grateful? Has Freezelicious indeed planned an assassination? You decide!

Write Jeff’s inner dialogue in short sentences throughout the scene, and alternate it with action bits. Let him wonder whether somebody is following him (yes, no, yes, no) and what they could want. Show his anxiety and uncertainty.

Writing Prompt 22:

Seems like Amanda’s new co-worker Gregory does not waste any time: On his second day in office he asked her out. She declined, and the next week he asked her again with flowers in his hand. She explained he wasn’t her type, no hard feelings.

Today, when she leaves her house, she finds a shocking image: Somebody nailed her cat to the trashcan! In tears, she pulls her lose and buries her in the backyard. On the bus to work, dreadful thoughts race through her head: How can a human be capable of doing something like this? Did Apple suffer for long? Was it just some cruel and mindless kid? Is she in danger? And did she forget to close the bathroom window…?

At work, Gregory sticks his head into her office: “So how is your cat?” he asks… How will this terrible poker game continue? Can Amanda keep cool? You decide!

Again, get into Amanda’s head and play with her uncertainty. How would it make you feel if your co-worker was a dangerous maniac? Grief, terror, vengefulness, remorse… you can draw from all of these strong emotions.

Writing Prompt 23:

Herbert wants to call his son Gerd in from playing in the garden. But he only finds Gerd’s teddy with the head missing, and a note to bring 100,000 € to the Zombie House at the amusement park. If he informs police or doesn’t pay, he will get his son back like his teddy…

Four days later, police are waiting outside the Zombie House, while Herbert roams its eerie corridors, with a backpack filled with 100,000 €. Suddenly, out of the dark, a moldy looking hand grabs his backpack, while his son appears at the end of the corridor. He lets the backpack go and walks towards his son, who suddenly disappears… Will a wild chase between zombie masks ensue? What is waiting in the dark? Will the kidnappers notice the police, and what will they do then? You decide!

Uncertainty and mood! Describe the horrible thoughts of a father fighting for his son. Describe the dark, frightening atmosphere of the Zombie House. Here, your worst nightmares come true…

Adventure Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 24:

An expedition into the jungle has gone wrong. Desmond is an intrepid, bearded explorer who set out with his team to explore the tropical wild. But they got caught by aborigines.

Then something strange happens: Affectionately, they are asked to put on shoes made of parsley and onion necklaces… Seems like these aborigines are hungry.

Jungle-smart Desmond knows their best bet is to make themselves look toxic. He orders his team to rub violet berries and black roots all over their bodies, to punch a couple of each other’s teeth out and to writhe and babble like an insane person. Will the wild tribe be disgusted, and what will they decide to do with them? Or will they just laugh and proceed to produce a tasty casserole? You decide!

Writing Prompt 25:

Four women are stranded on a small, rocky island. To their dismay, the boat they came in is leaky. The extreme situation makes their masks come off and exposes the true nature of each one:

Ellen freaks out. She blames Ruth for booking a damaged boat and Mary for forgetting to take walkie-talkies with them, even though she had been in charge of equipment.

Ruth can’t stop sobbing, she is pale and shaky and can’t be moved from the rock she is sitting on.

Mary tries to bring all of them onto the same page, so they can work together. She holds Ruth in her arms and sings to her.

Bethany makes a list of possible actions to take and tries to assign tasks to everyone (look for food, try to repair boat, look for material for smoking signal, etc…).

Describe the group dynamics. It could be an upward or a downward spiral. Will the women work together and find a way out of this? Or will they become worked up against each other and start to fight? Will a rescuing boat show up once they are at their lowest point and make them all feel shocked about themselves? You decide!

Writing Prompt 26:

Tobias and Rafael, two colleagues, are trying to reach the top of a mountain in the Himalayas. They are close to the peak, but Tobias knows it’s too dangerous to continue. Once they reached the top, it would get dark and cold, and the descent would be very dangerous. He decides to turn around, but he can’t get Rafael to come with him.

At night he is in his tent and hears Rafael asking for help over the walkie-talkie. The poor guy is sitting high up there in a freezing cold cave without food, and it’s not clear whether he will survive the night. Will Tobias risk his life for a colleague who has disregarded all safety rules? Or will he just encourage him over radio and pray? Will there be calm conditions the next day? You decide!

Action Writing Prompts

[ Read detailed tips about how to write an action/fight scene her e . ]

Writing Prompt 27:

Alfredo is a celebrity cook who loves the good life. That’s why he owes the mafia money.

One day, two gentlemen shaped like bull dozers in suits pay him a visit. They quickly surround him and send him friendly reminders to pay with their brass knuckles and baseball bats. But Alfredo is quick and flexible. He rams a cucumber into their ribs, then quickly jumps over the big counter in the middle of the kitchen.

The weapon of a cook is food… He throws some butter at their feet, so they slide and stumble, and scatters pepper into their eyes. Howling, disorientated and furious, they speed in opposite directions around the block. Alfredo quickly jumps onto the counter, and coming from opposite directions, they crash into each other like colliding trains and stay on the floor unconscious. Alfredo goes on to cook a celebratory cake.

Will the two suddenly wake up and go for Alfredo again? How will he get their heavy bodies out of there? Or is this won already? You decide!

Mix the threat and pain of the cold-blooded torturers with quick dynamic phrases of action (verbs of movement; commas not full stops; graphic descriptions).

Writing Prompt 28:

Prison break time is the best time of the year: Hector, Axl, and Hans have been digging their way to freedom for months. Tonight, they lift the tiles for the last time, hastily crawling through the narrow tunnel. Stuck in the middle, they hear an alarm going off. How were they discovered so quickly? When they block the tunnel behind them with earth and debris, it feels like filling their own graves.

They hear guards crawling after them while rapidly digging the last tunnel part. Once out in the forest, they run! They discuss splitting up, but Hans refuses. They hide in trees, but are discovered by police quickly. They jump into a river, hearing police dogs behind them. Flushing down the river, a waterfall comes up. Whaaaam, freefall! Surely no policeman or dog can follow them here, so they feel safe finally! Until they are washed right into the arms of police waiting at the shore… How is that possible?

The cops have handcuffs for Hector and Axl, and a towel for Hans, who takes a tracker out of his sock… Will the other two try to strangle him? What will be his reward, and how could he have the guts to betray his companions? You decide!

Make it a big surprise and mystery how the cops always know where they are. And give us a taste of what it feels like to be human prey: Use short, quick, hectic sentences to give a sense for the quick pace of the hunt.

Writing Prompt 29:

The “Three Apples” hospital is in flames. On the 9 th floor, nurses Jenny and Linda try to save the babies of the preemie ward. The way downstairs is already blocked by flames, and there is only one way left: Up!

The girls are on the rooftop with the babies, and Jenny brought a container, and a sheet they use as a “cable.” She ties one end around a chimney and sails over the gap onto the neighbor building with a blood-freezing jump. They push the babies safely to the other side one by one like on cable cars, until only Linda is left. But she has major fear of heights, and now the babies are safe, her body has time to panic. The flames come closer.

Will Jenny be able to help her out with another trick? Will she find her courage, or will a helicopter rescue her at the last moment? You decide!

Babies and puppies are your best pawn! Make your reader fear for these helpless little creatures, and fall in love with their brave and quick-thinking helpers. You can heighten that effect by giving the girls very distinctive personalities, and showing their inner struggles. They are no superheroes, they have to earn this!

Historical/Medieval Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 30:

The middle ages. One of the famous “morality plays” is played in the village. These are basically thinly veiled guidelines for the people on how to behave. This one is for kids though, and very short to allow for their attention span. It tells kids how to behave properly, so mom and dad will love them and they won’t go to hell.

The play features Adam, the good kid, clean and in white like an angel; and Roger, the bad kid, looking nasty in rugs and always misbehaving. Several allegories are also around: Obedience is a thin figure in a long, flowing dress, always looking down. Diligence is a muscular guy with rolled up sleeves and leather apron; Adam tries to be like him, while Roger bites his leg. In the end, Adam is showered with candy toys and even a pet calf, while Roger gets a bloodletting and an ass-whipping. But suddenly the kids in the audience start to cheer and stamp: The calf has lifted its tail and peed all over Adam!

Do the kids get their own morality out of that play? How will the director and authorities turn this around to keep them in line? Will independent thinking or order prevail? You decide!

Create a couple more figures for the “play within the play.” If you constantly switch between the reality of the village and the reality in the play, it will make for nice variety. Get creative on both ends!

Writing Prompt 31:

Francis is a troubadour all girls have a crush on, kind of the Justin Bieber of the 12 th century. He has been courting charming Amalia night after night under her window. Tonight, he sings her his romantic poem “Thou Art the Bellows of Mine Heart.”

Amalia is enchanted, but soon rumbling is heard in the house: Her father has woken up, and that usually leads to him chasing Francis around the house with a rolling pin. He is a wealthy merchant and doesn’t approve of her tie to a penniless poet. The rumbling becomes louder while they speak.

Finally, merchant Robertson rips open the front door and screams up at his daughter: “What happened to the rolling pin!!?” Turns out Amalia has wisely hidden it… Will merchant Robertson get even angrier now? Or will he be charmed by his baby’s wit? Will he do damage to her poor suitor? You decide!

Love is in the air, so describe how and why these two are sighing/yearning for each other: The longing, the flirting, the plans. Draw from romances in your own life, because love never changed throughout the centuries. Disrupt that romance with an angry, drowsy man for great effect!

Writing Prompt 32:

Ancient Rome: On a big “forum” (square), a slave auction is held. Huno, a big, muscular Alemannic slave in heavy chains is next in line. Gaius, a newly rich plebeian, wants to acquire him so he can wear himself out on his construction sites by pulling heavy blocks. Gracelanus, a town clerk, would treat Huno much better and use him as a body guard.

Huno is ordered to demonstrate his power, and he breaks thick logs of wood over his thighs. Gaius lets out humiliating comments like “Work it, proud animal!” or “All the brains are in his upper arms.” He gives him the whip several times to test his resilience. Gracelanus, on the other hand, remains quiet, only to applaud the demonstrations.

When the bid goes to 800 sesterces, these two are the only bidders left. Gaius is hesitating for a moment, and suddenly Huno turns to the side of the stage and lets a heavy log fall on Gaius’ feet. Screaming and swearing, Gaius jumps in circles, while the bid goes to Gracelanus. Will Gaius accept his defeat, or will he get back at them? If Huno is provoked further, can he keep his cool? You decide!

Slavery is disgusting to the modern reader. It has an even bigger effect, if you, the author, don’t judge. Just present the auction as everyday life. Huno’s humility to his own fate, Gaius’ cruelness… try to describe it without emotions.

Dialogue Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 33:

Punker girl Samantha (pierced tongue, “Anarchy” tattoo, etc…) is detained for stealing a skateboard bit by bit from a sports store (wheels first, then axle, etc…). Her attorney George is a seasoned vet. At his office, he tries to explain to the stupid brat what’s about to happen and what he wants her to do in front of court: Explain that she had just been bored and curious how to dissemble a skateboard, wanting to prove herself, and that she would have brought the complete skateboard back. Samantha is not too concerned about all of this and wishes the old man was a little more chill.

Write their dialogue and show how differently they speak about their agendas, different words they use, tone, rhythm, etc… Will George hammer some sense into the teenager? Or will Samantha stay unimpressed and make him lose his cool? You decide!

What it’s good for:

It’s important your characters’ voices sound different from each other. This exercise trains you to give each character their distinctive voice.

Writing Prompt 34:

Greta has lent her pick-up truck to her cousin Iris to transport some furniture. Unfortunately, a little accident happened: The truck perfectly fit around the pillar of the gateway.

Iris enters the kitchen, where Greta is cooking. At first, she is afraid to confess and wants to cheer up Greta’s mood with some enthusiastic compliments. She hesitates and finally confesses.

Greta is busy and hectic when Iris enters, to get dinner ready before guests arrive. She is happy to see Iris return and asks about the furniture buying, then wants to rush her out of her kitchen. After Iris confesses, Greta feels like everything is going wrong on that day and becomes hysteric. Will Iris be able to calm her down? Or will the two women get into a big fight, just before the guests arrive? You decide!

This scene takes the two protagonists through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It will train you to always let your characters express their feelings and to insert a lot of emotions into your scenes.

Writing Prompt 35:

Fibby & Fozzy are twins. Their mom has died recently, and their uncle Gerald wants to trick them out of the largest part of their inheritance. He just presented a new, fake will that would only leave them a small heritage. They discuss what steps they could take against their uncle’s scam, and they speak about it at their mom’s favorite place on earth, the zoo.

Show them walking through the scenery in a way that the animals provide some subtle subtext for whatever they are talking about. E.g. when they talk about how ruthless their uncle is, they watch a lion tearing his meat apart; when they talk about how they love their mother, they are watching a cute baby panda, etc…

This should improve your sense to connect what your characters are talking about with their environment. Adding a bit of subtext is easy and makes your scene deep and rich.

Writing Prompt 36:

A popular comedian sits on a park bench. He is the type that shocks and amuses his audience with outrageous ideas. A bum sits down next to him. The comedian asks the bum for change. Is this just a lighthearted joke that will ease out into a philosophical discussion about humanity? Or will the bum be seriously offended and react? You decide!

Train your characters to sound real with this one. When the erratic, playful, ruthless comedian clashes with the tired bum, you can lend your characters raw and realistic voices.

Character Writing Prompts

A. Writing Prompt 37:  Shading

Jeff is a very analytical-thinking stock broker; people call him cold-blooded. Sheryl is an elementary school teacher with a big heart. Andy is an always positive and slightly naive flight attendant.

Describe their characters and add one trait to each of them that doesn’t look like them at all. Describe why they have this trait.

Giving your characters an unexpected trait is called “Shading.” E.g. the wealthy, stingy man, who often gives to charity, so he can have the feeling his life has more meaning. If the unexpected trait makes sense, it will give your character a lot of depth and make her look very three-dimensional.

B. Writing Prompt 38: Description

Romeo is a young private detective who dresses like a college boy, with baseball cap and saggy clothes (excellent disguise!). Lana is a stressed restaurant manager. Hannah is a street-artist selling her artwork on a busy corner.

You are having coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon and are observing each of them separately. Describe their looks, clothes, movements, etc…, so we get a sense for who they are.

Train to describe your characters with this one. Give your readers a sense for who your figures are, simply by listing observations about them. This is pure “Show, don’t tell!” and satisfying for your reader, as she feels like the observer herself.

C. Writing Prompt 39: Backstory

Mariella is an arrogant high-society lady with an expensive fur coat and a little poodle. Henry is a pickpocket with the body language of a beaten dog. Susan is a “speedy reporter,” always driven by the desire to get the latest news first.

Describe their backstories in a couple of sentences each: How did they grow up? What are their biggest fears and desires? What made them who they are? How were they hurt?

This prompt will get you into the habit of rooting your characters in a strong backstory. It will make them look as embraceable as your best friend.

D. Writing Prompt 40: Behavior

Hans is a funny hot-dog street vendor who likes to entertain his customers. Tia is a tax inspector who always welcomes expensive jewelry from companies. Laura is a waitress who is really good at making her customers feel welcome.

Show us how each of these characters would react to the following situations: Somebody carelessly shoving them on public transport. An acquaintance (not friend) asking them to borrow some money. Finding a beautiful rare snail during a bike trip.

Here you are letting your characters act out of their distinctive personalities. We all react very differently to the same situations. Let your figures express themselves!

Plot Writing Prompts

Take the following words and construct a story plot around them. Use them in any order. Describe a short plot summary. Try to add something: Characters, locations, subplots, details, twists. The more you add, the more colorful your story will become. The only rule is that you must use all of the words. Slashes mean you can pick between words.

Writing Prompt 41:

Suitcase – traffic jam – star – contract – drug – celebration – stairs/piano/autograph – beggar – apple

Writing Prompt 42:

Library – rodent – love/hobby/fanatic – magic – flowers – legend/fairy tale/rumor – birthday pie – clock

Writing Prompt 43:

Monastery/Brewery/Pet shop – breeding – tears – wheel – green – rebel – friend – cozy/thick/dirty

Writing Prompt 44:

Cigar – anger – policeman – pill – polite – celebrate/encourage/humiliate – husband – double-edged

Short Story Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 45:

James and Agnes are throwing their engagement dinner. James’ ex Dina is invited too. Secretly, she still loves him and hates Agnes. During the dinner, she spreads the rumor that Agnes scammed her boss Dimitri out of money/cheated on her fiancée with several of her co-workers/infected people at her office with some disgusting disease. At the after-dinner reception, Dimitri shows up unexpectedly, which leads to really awkward situations for a couple of people.

How will the guests look at Dimitri, Agnes and James? Which awkward misunderstandings and accusations will it lead to? Will somebody clear this up and get Dina kicked out, or will James lose all his trust in his fiancée? You decide!

Writing Prompt 46:

Bruno and Benedict are two kids selling lemonade at their street stand. It’s not going well. A stranger in a trench coat, with a wig and huge sunglasses stops by. He offers to buy all of their lemonade, if they do him a quick favor: Over there on the park bench, a guy with a big sports bag/lady with an expensive jewelry necklace/businessman with a black briefcase is sitting. They should threaten him/her with the knives they use for cutting lemons, and bring him the sports bag/necklace/briefcase. He says it’s a prank for a TV show.

Will the kids agree, and will they actually pull through? If yes, will the wigged guy escape untroubled? Or will the little ones be smart, maybe talk to the guy/woman on the bench? You decide!

Writing Prompt 47:

Randolph is a casino supervisor. He has a crush on that new croupier Lara. Lara on her part has a plan to take her own extra salary from the casino… The two stay after closing hours and get into a risky game: They will play one hour of roulette. If Lara wins, Randolph will turn a blind eye in the upcoming month while chips “disappear.” If James wins, Lara will sleep with him.

Who will come out in front? Or will they call it a draw and declare two winners? And how will the dynamics between the two of them develop during the game? You decide!

Writing Prompt 48:

Gary has been sleepwalking lately. When he wakes up in his bed, he doesn’t remember where he has been, but he finds oily car parts/squashed chocolate/earthy bones in his bed (depending on the genre you want to write in).

Gary’s nephew Walter is working at the car repair shop/chocolate factory/graveyard of the village. Gary asks him to stay at night after his shift, and observe what he is doing in his sleep. But is it even a coincidence Walter is working there? Is Gary subconsciously trying to tell his nephew something, to warn him, help him, or even sabotage him? Will Walter discover something funny or terrible, and can he even tell his uncle the truth the next day? You decide!

Writing Prompts with Pictures

Write a story around the following image:

Writing Prompt 49:

Writing Prompt 50:

Image: Interior Design/Shutterstock

Writing Prompt 51:

Image: LaCozza/Fotolia

Writing Prompt 52:

Image: anibal/Fotolia

Writing Prompts for Writer’s Block

If you are troubled by writer’s block, try one of these exercise. You will find your mind flowing freely again.

Writing Prompt 53:

Think of a very happy day in your life. Describe what happened on that day and how it made you feel. Were you anticipating it when you woke up, or did you have no idea? What did the people around you say or do?

Just write and don’t overthink. What you write really doesn’t matter. This exercise is designed to get you excited and get your juices flowing, and that’s the only thing that matters.

Writing Prompt 54:

Hansel walks up to Gretel and asks her if she wants to go to the lake with him. She says yes. They dance off into the sunlight.

The most commonplace plot in the world.  Your job is to write the entire scene as badly as you can. Uninteresting characters, predictable dialogue, action that makes no sense… Please make sure to mess it all up. The worse, the better! If everybody who reads it cringes, you have succeeded. And if you want, send it to me, and I will tell you how awesome it is you finally got back to writing: alex at ridethepen dot com.

Writing Prompt 55:

Pick the window that’s closest to you right now, as you read this. Look through it. Describe what you see in detail!

For this exercise, completely turn around at least one of your writing rituals: If you usually write at a desk, write on the couch or the floor; if you usually write by computer, write by hand; etc… The new approach will give you a fresh start.

Story Starters Writing Prompts

[ Read a post with 31 ways to start your story here . ]

Write a story starting with the following sentences:

Writing Prompt 56:

Anderson knew Amanda as a cheerful person. But on that Wednesday, when she came into the office, she was carrying a big basket, and she looked really sad.

Writing Prompt 57:

Kai looked up at his scary task. This was the craziest thing any contestant of “Where there’s a will, there is a million” ever had to do. It was because he was first! Nobody had ever gotten one step from the million…

Writing Prompt 58:

“Once bitten, twice shy.” That’s all Emma could think while looking at handsome Luis and his bullterrier with the huge jaws. “Once bitten, twice shy.”

Writing Prompt 59:

The day Iggy came into Jasmine’s life, the postman rang twice. That was very unusual, and the reason why it happened was unusual too.

Writing Prompt 60:

Getting stood up at the altar is every bride’s worst nightmare. But what if it happens the other way around? On the day of her wedding, Sophie was nowhere to be found.

Writing Prompt 61:

“I’m so happy, Uncle Albert!” Priscilla screamed into her cell phone as her train was speeding towards London. At that moment, nobody knew that a far-reaching confusion would take place on the train soon.

Unusual Creative Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 62:

Imagine you are a dog. Now tell me about a day in your life from your perspective. How do you spend your time? Waiting, going for a walk with your owner, hunting a cat? Which emotions do you feel? What concerns you, what makes you happy? What matters? What do you want? Follow your wet snout and describe a typical day.

Writing Prompt 63:

Kurt and Sarah are neighbors in the same building, and they are arguing in the hallway. Kurt thinks he lent Sarah three eggs she never replaced. Sarah claims she replaced them a long time ago.

Emma, an elderly lady, passes by and feels obligated to join: Sarah owes an egg, but it’s just one. The two of them tell her to keep walking, as it’s none of her business.

Erin, a student, passes by, and tries to get all of them to make up in the name of peaceful neighborhood.

Charles, a stressed dad, shouts at all of them to shut up.

Finally, the police comes by and issues a citation against all of them because of public disturbance.

Describe this absurd scene, in which each new participant tries to resolve the quarrel, but tops it up by one additional level. What a mess! Show the good intentions of every party, and how the dialogue finally draws them into the argument. Have fun!

Creative Writing Exercises PDF

You can download a complete collection of all the prompts on this page on a neat sheet. Enter your email here for your PDF of printable writing prompts:

For Your Consideration…

Check Out These Interesting Writing Prompt Pages As Well:

The Wealthy Writers Club  features a list of over 100 very creative prompts (most of them are short ideas).

26 Remarkable Comments. Join in!

26 Comments

Hey Riders,

I wrote this sometime back, and thought it’d be best if I shared it with y’all. I’d already gotten a review from (the amazing) Alex, and he encouraged me to put it up here for all to see. Anyway, hope you like it. comments and recommendations are welcome (positive, and if cutting, then constructive).

Happy riding!

P.S. I had some of the stuff for Gwen’s inner dialogue written in italics… not so sure how to do that here, though. Hoping you will get the drift though. P.P.S. This is prompt #2 ————————————————————————————————————————– Gwen sat at the dining table, sipping her coffee, choking back the bitter taste it left in her mouth. Not as bitter as what I am feeling now. She gazed at the large window that would fill the house with glorious, golden light on bright, sunny days. Now, the storm that was raging outside clouded the skies, and the panes dripped with rain whose fate was sealed. She sipped at the coffee, and swallowed painfully, forcing the black liquid to pass the lump that had formed in her throat, and fan out hotly behind her heart which she felt sure was turning to ice. By the window was Chris’ seat. His wickerwork chair he had bought from China during a trip with his student group. She snickered. How long did he think I was not going to find out? Idiot. She sipped at the coffee, and swallowed. The jacket she had bought for him was sprawled on it. Prime leather, as black as sin. And his heart, too. Twenty years of loving the man poured into buying that jacket, only for it to be poured out like spent coffee grounds. She sipped at her coffee, and looked at the clock. Two minutes past six. He always left the bathroom at two minutes past six. As if on cue, he walked into the room, clad in his thick cotton bathrobe. “Whew, what a day it’s been!” he sighed, slipping his hands into the pockets of the robe. Gwen chose not to listen to him; her attention was fully on the jacket. “Sweetie, is there any more coffee? I need the warmth,” he continued, before his voice became as smooth as oil. “Or will you substitute the coffee?” “Why have coffee, when you have the option of green tea?” Gwen sipped at her coffee, slowly turning to face him. His rich brown eyes were puzzled for a moment, before the corners crinkled in amusement. That did it. She flung the coffee mug at him, and he ducked just as fast. The mug exploded on the glossy white wall, coffee streaming down it like rotten blood from a sore wound. “How dare you find this funny?” she screamed, rising up and walking to the wicker chair. She picked up the jacket, sodden and heavy, and tossed it at him across the length of the room. “Explain that, Chris. Explain why you would do this to me!” “Sweetie, what do you mean?” His voice was filled with worry, fear; did she detect a slight quiver? He turned over the jacket, then his eyes widened in realisation. He knows I know, the lying bastard. The lipstick on the collar, red as his neck would be in a few minutes. “Honey, I can explain…” he started, but Gwen could not bear hearing him call her that. How many more has he called sweetie, or honey? She screamed, anger almost blinding her. Or was it the tears? The hurt? She couldn’t say. “Chris, how could you? Twenty years is nothing to you, is it? All we’ve been through, all we’ve faced, and you decide to have it with a whore. A whore, Chris! A slut whose name you can’t even remember!” She picked up a fine porcelain vase Chris had gotten for her birthday. “Gwen, please, calm down, and I can explain everything.” His tone wa soft, almost pleading. Pleading for forgiveness, which I won’t give today. She flung the vase at him. either he didn’t see it coming, or was slow to react. The vase shattered against his head, the shards burying deep into the thick black locks of his hair. He cried out in pain, then crouched down low. Gwen felt a shocking stab of triumph. Why am I enjoying this? “Gwen, what’s gotten into you? Trust me, it’s not what it seems!” Chris got up, a tiny rivulet of blood oozing across his forehead, into his left eye. “Give me a chance to explain everything!” “As far as I know Chris, you have never gotten into me, for as long as I can remember, and you decided to, what’s the word, get ¬into someone else.” She picked up a golf club from its bag – his bag – next to the chair of iniquity. She glowered as she saw him cower back in fear. “Gwen…” “No, Chris, this isn’t meant for you, though the thought of crushing your cunning serpent, along with his nest of eggs, would greatly satisfy me.” She saw his neck muscles cringe at the description. “Gwen, please. I can explain everything – JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE, WOMAN!” She screamed, a feeble attempt at drowning him out, before pushing past him and running out of the house, through the door and into the rain. She spotted his car; his beloved Kia. Did he do it in our car, with that slut? She yelled in anger, anger that seemed to seep out of every pore and element of her being. A scream she felt must have been last used by a Viking berserker; primal and raw. She smashed in the window, the shards mixing with the rain like diamonds. The next swing landed on the bonnet, denting it and taking a big scrape out of the primer. The third shattered the windscreen, and it fell like a delicate fractal plate of ice. She stopped counting after eight, and by the time she was done, the rain had soaked the interior, the system console was cracked, and the steering wheel was awkwardly askew. She was taking in deep gulps, gasping for air. It’s cold, invisible barbs poked at her throat, mixed with the taste of coffee, rage and blood. She realised she had bit her lip, and the blood was dripping onto the wet driveway in big splotches, mingling with the rain. Chris came up from the dry safety of the porch. If he was angered about the car, she couldn’t see it. She began to sob, and fell to the paved driveway, too exhausted to keep standing. She felt Chris’ warmth, smell and presence surround her. “Gwen, it’s alright. Just give me a chance to explain, please.” “I told you, no, Chris. I can’t keep on living if you were to leave me for another.” She let out another sob, and suddenly felt cold. She held on to Chris, even though he was as drenched as she. Still, she needed to feel if he was real; the Chris she knew would never cheat on her. “Gwen, I was with my students, and for a change, we decided to go have our classes at Wong’s over a light lunch.” His voice was soothing, comforting, real. She pulled him closer. She needed that reality more than anything. “The day began so wonderfully, Gwen; the sky was as blue as your eyes, and I felt it would be best to wear the jacket, and think of you and us.” Now my eyes are red, and puffy. Could he still want me? She felt his tender hand push away wet strands of her hair from her face. She didn’t want to look at him; the very idea of seeing his lips mention that he had slept with another woman – or one of those students? – revolted her. “When we were leaving, it started to rain, and I had to make sure my students got home dry and safe. I gave Nessa my jacket – you remember Nessa; she came to see you at the hospital – to cover herself as we walked to the bus stop. I saw her off, then rushed to my parking spot at the café we always use for our meetings. She had some lipstick on; she was from a date with her fiancé before the class began. It must have rubbed off on my jacket” He wrapped her in his big arms, and she could smell the fragrance of the soap he had used. “I swear, I would never walk out on you, Gwen. Never.” “But I had a miscarriage, Chris. Twenty years, and no children. I thought you didn’t want me anymore, now that we can’t have children…” she sniffled, pushing back the memories of the hospital. The smell of antiseptic, green walls, overly sympathetic nurses… the pain associated with them haunted her still. Haunting me to a point where I’d think my husband would never love me? Yet here he is, with me in the rain, even though I’ve smashed our car to pieces. “Chris, I’m sorry I could never be the wife you wanted. You always wanted kids, even before we got married, you’d say how much of a father you wanted to be. Because of me, you can’t have that dream become a reality.” She began to cry, before Chris gently shushed her. “Before I wanted kids, I wanted you. And as long as I have you, Gwen, well – this is cheesy, but – I don’t need anything else. You’re the most perfect, most amazing woman I know. You are the wife I’ve always wanted.” He chuckled at his feeble attempt of professing love. She found herself giggling. He had always made her laugh with his corny declarations of affection. Probably that’s what I’ve always about him; he is real, and honest, and true. “Can we stay here a bit longer?” She nuzzled up to him. “We haven’t done this since college; our vain attempt at recreating The Notebook.” “Oh, yeah; remember when we almost got struck by lightning?” He laughed, and Gwen smiled up at him. What more could I ask for?

Hey Eddie, good to see you posting this here, because… somebody has to go first, right?

And like I wrote to you via email, this is a great piece of writing. Love the psychology, the dynamics and the details. Plus, you have a wonderful feeling for metaphors, similes, images, etc… Nice!

So who’s next…?

I want to post my prompt and to get it published too. I have two prompts I have finished writing.

Sounds good, just post your prompts here in the comments. Go for it, I’m curious to see what you have got!

Alex, these are the best ever!

Prompt 52 I think is my favorite. Two of the subjects I enjoy are stone-age fiction and science fiction. What nice marriage that prompt brings. Oh, hmm, maybe there could be a real one in that story, seed and egg age difference of 40,000+ years and still viable. No, I gotta quit now. Too much on my desk to handle immediately.

I’ll try to come up with a good prompt in perhaps a week. Kinda busy here at the moment.

Number 16, perhaps Cryptofreeze™ could have a companion, Cryptoflow™ to un-age. Wouldn’t that be really something, the two of them keeping on missing each other by several decades; ironing out their schedule and venue misunderstandings and trying again.

Eddie, I’m going to come back and read yours.

Thanks, Will! Oh, you are thinking along the lines of a love child in space and stone. And number 16, yes, that would be awkwardly tragic and funny. Imagine the thought of just waking up from a couple of decades in the freezer, slowly learning to move your limbs again, and buying some flowers to show up at her doorstep – only to learn that you have to do the freezing all over again…

I know, these exercises take more time than the prompts I usually publish in my posts. But when you are ready, I would love to read yours.

Hey, Alex, writing writing prompts is hard. I feel an urge to keep writing rather than stopping at the prompt. When I promised I’d make one, many days ago, I didn’t know what I had let myself in for.

Your blog sends me a copy of every comment posted on this page. They’ve served as prompts to write a writing prompt.

Writing Prompt # (no particular genre):

He knew he shouldn’t do it, even as he did it. But it was too delicious a thought to be abandoned. It simply had to be created to share with others.

It was a bad, bad habit, he had. A divine idea would arrive, an idea so clear and insightful and, well, full of awesomeness, that it must be manifested. Somehow. And the first step in the direction of that “somehow” was to make a promise to do it. Not a self-promise that nobody else knows about and is easy to neglect, but a promise to someone whose goodwill was important.

As expected, he did it again, true to his habit.

Immediately after he stated the promise, making it irrevocable, he had a sinking feeling.

Your assignment, dear reader who is also a writer, should you choose to accept it, is to unveil the promise and the consequences the poor bloke experiences because of it.

And now, Alex, let me make another promise. That I’ll write a short little story from one of your prompts. Perhaps the cave man prompt I mentioned earlier.

Hey Will, it happens to the best. Your prompt now is to take your time and write whenever you are ready. It doesn’t have to be very long, btw. Sometimes a couple of imaginative paragraphs create a great story in the reader’s mind.

Well, if it happens to the best, then I must be the best, right? :)

This story simply would not cooperate. It refused to become a “stone-age human meets space-suited human”. And insisted to finalize at 1700+ words.

Be all that as it may, here is what the story insisted it must be.

=====================================

Wzzt, the Martian

If they were translated, the whistles and grunts would have meant, “Wzzt, it has been decided that you will welcome the interlopers.”

Wzzt’s protest sounded like a wounded pig. A foreign listener would not have been much deceived.

——

“Base, I see tracks.”

Mars. Every dream, every night since he could remember, from little boy to adult at expedition training, Sam dreamed about Mars — although he could never recall specific details. And here he was.

“Well, I hope you see tracks. You’re following Opportunity’s path.”

“No, these are light tracks on top of what the dust storm left way back in 2018. Round, about the width of my hand, with marks that might be toes or claws.”

“Well, take some pictures and we’ll figure it out when you get back.”

Joe smirked, thinking his trainer was making a fool of himself. On this, their very first mars external operation. He gloried in anticipation of discrediting Sam. Joe had seen the tracks, too, but Sam reported it to base before he had a chance to do so. For once, he was happy not to be first.

It’s impossible, of course, Sam thought. Decades of satellite and robot explorations had proved Mars habitat is inimical to life more complex than bacteria. The track must be something else.

Sam and Joe, trainer and trainee, proceeded along Opportunity’s path, approaching the base of a cliff. In the shadow of the cliff, the two stopped short.

Sam forgot to draw a breath until his body reminded him.

“Base, there is a creature in front of us. It is about half my height with a roundish body, no neck, three short legs with feet that could have made the tracks we saw earlier. It waddles. And it is slowly approaching us.”

“Shit. Pull your weapons, but don’t shoot unless you are in danger. Raise the gain of your mikes. And activate those external speakers we were told we had to have.”

The thing waddled to a comfortable distance, about five times its own height.

It said, “The first humans have arrived on Mars.”

Joe, wanting to be first with the asounding fact, reported, “It speaks English!”

Sam thought, “Shit. This one has tech.”

He followed his thought with, “Base, it played a recording of our arrival transmission to Earth. On our very own comm channel!”

Base responded with, “Yes, we heard it. It seems we have a spheroid waddler with enough tech to intercept our radio transmissions to Earth, record them, and play them back to us on our comm channel. What the hell is it!”

Joe felt deflated. “Well, it did speak English!”

Base ignored Joe, following Sam’s lead like it always had during training and practice.

The thing said, “It speaks English! Base, it played a recording of our arrival transmission to Earth. On our very own comm channel! Yes, we heard it. It seems we have a spheroid waddler with enough tech to intercept our radio transmissions to Earth, record them, and play them back to us on our comm channel. What the hell is it! Well, it did speak English!”

Base told Sam, “That was not a recording. The same voice repeated what all three of us said. There is high intelligence.”

The things said, “Wzzt.”

Base, “What the hell was that!”

Sam, “Base, I think it refers to itself, it’s species or perhaps it’s name.”

Sam bent his knees, pointed at himself, and said,”Sam.”

The thing raised one of its legs and clumsily pointed at itself. “Wzzt.”

“Base, it seems that it’s name is however that word is pronounced.” Sam chuckles and continues, “Maybe we can introduce vowels to its language.”

Wzzt used a leg to point at Joe.

Sam looked at Joe. Joe was shaking.

For the millionth time Sam wondered how Joe got past the psych tests this mission put them all through. Maybe somebody really was bought off, someone who knowingly endangered the first manned mission to Mars by letting Joe slide into the team.

Sam activated Joe’s speaker and said, “Joe.”

Wzzt said, “Sam. Joe. Follow me to my cave,” turned around, and started waddling back the way it had come.

Sam grimmaced as the thought about psyche tests flitted through his mind. An utterly irresistible compulsion contrary to his innate sense of integrity had compelled him to ensure without doubt that he would be posted as head of Mars External Operations.

Sam said, “Base, it originated something. None of us ever said ‘Follow me to my cave,’ or at least not on a radio. It must have learned by listening to us.

Base, “Follow it. But carefully!”

Sam hurried forward, saying “Yes, Base.”

But Joe didn’t move. He seemed to be rooted.

Suddenly, Joe yelled, “It’s an abomination! Humans are the only intelligence! I’ll rid the world of this mad disease!”

Joe raised his weapon to do just that. Base, alert, deactivated it before it could fire.

Base, “Sam, proceed. Please be carefull. I don’t want to lose you.”

Base continued. “Joe, stay where you are. That is an order. Sam will accompany you back to base on his return.”

Then, “Sam, this is private. As you suspected, there were psyche test anomalies. Confirmation came in just before you met Wzzt, however that thing is pronounced.”

“I realize you have no first contact training,” Base continued. “Who would have thunk you’d need it; here, of all places! Use your own judgement and do what you think is right. If we delay for a partner to join you, this opportunity may be lost.”

Wzzt led the way to the cliff.

“Base, there’s a small hole in the cliff, behind a jut and under a rock shelf. Surveilance would have found it only by being within sight on ground level.

Wzzt held up a foot, a clear signal to stop. Then pointed his foot toward the hole.

“This is my cave.”

Wzzt lowered its foot, re-balanced itself, and continued, “If you come in, radio is lost.”

“You are welcome to come in.”

“Base, you heard Wzzt. It is civilized enough to give me a choice. I’m going in, if I can squeeze through that hole.”

“I don’t like this, Sam!”

“Base, you gave me authority.”

“Agreed.”

Wzzt entered the hole.

When Sam entered, it seemed as if the hole expanded to let him through.

Once inside, the light was dim. But he sensed it was a large cavern.

When his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Sam got a surprise. There was Opportunity, taken apart; but not haphazardly. The pieces were laid out in an orderly fasion, each piece labeled.

A dozen creatures of Wzzt’s shape were standing along the wall.

“Base,” Sam started. Then remembered he had no comm signal.

Two of the creatures along the wall stepped forward with an apparatus, setting it near Sam. A dial was turned.

Wzzt said, “Radio found.”

Tentatively, Sam says, “Base, Wzzt tells me we have comm.”

“Clear and no distortions, Sam.”

“Base, Opportunity is in this cave. Taken apart. By experts. No wonder we couldn’t find it after that dust storm. I’ll send you some visual.”

“Sam, are you okay? There are a lot of Wizzes in that cave.”

“Base, they are friendly. They provided the unit that established our comm from within the cave.”

“Sam! Joe has moved. He is running toward your cave. He’s going inside.”

Joe popped through the entrance hole. He grabbed Sam’s weapon, pointing it at Wzzt. Before Sam had a chance to react, Wzzt shriveled into char.

Sam launched himself toward Joe to take him down.

Suddenly, he halted in mid-flight, suspended. He didn’t and couldn’t move. Neither could Joe, being frozen in a leaning-back defense stance. The two were in a static space of some kind, a total absence of motion.

One of the creatures walked over to Wzzt’s ashes and collected them with a deep bag on a handle reminisent of a butterfly net.

The creature waddled over and forcefully put the bag over Joe’s head all the way down to his shoulders.

In less than a minute, the bag was removed and Joe was able to move. He almost fell down, then regained his balance.

When Joe spoke, it was Wzzt’s voice, “Sam, I am Wzzt. The Joe entity forfeited its right to exist when it tried to take my life.”

The Wzzt/Joe bent, straightened, and twisted, as he got familiar with the new body.

“Humans have strange bodies.”

Then from the radio, blared a frantic, “Sam! Base is lifting! The rockets are firing. According to the instruments we’re headed for rendezvous with Orbiter.”

“Sam, we have no control of the rockets or our trajectory.”

“Sam? Are you there? Talk to me!”

Sam desperately wanted to respond. But he couldn’t move. Nor could he make a sound.

“Base, this is Wzzt speaking through the body you knew as Joe. The life essence that was Joe is no more. It used its every effort to kill me, reducing my body to ashes.”

“We will no longer tolerate you and your kind on or near our planet. Except Sam, who we have chosen to learn from.”

“For decades we have watched you and learned about you. Monitoring established your Earth citizens to be capricious and destructive, at odds with each other, and focused on individual benefit, a mad melee reminding us of the animals that finally reduced themselves to extinction on this very planet you call Mars.”

“Do not come back. If in the future Sam wishes to return to Earth, he will be provided with transportation.”

The communicator was removed and Sam’s stasis was released. He noticed his gun was fully charged. He felt normal, healthy, energetic.

He looked at Wzzt, who was still becoming familiar with his new body.

“What now, Wzzt?”

Suddenly, with a silent, thunderous mental bang, Sam remembered everything.

Wzzt said, “Now you remember, friend Zzzt. Your mission was a success. It will be a long time before humans land on our planet again. We will be fully prepared.”

Sam/Zzzt suddenly felt awkward in his body, but quickly regained control.

In a moment, Zzzt emitted whistles and grunts that meant, “You know, friend Wzzt, they really are a strange species. There is little cohesion.”

Zzzt looked around. All the creatures in the cavern, his people, his friends and some new ones, were ringed around him, one leg raised pointing at him in a silent salute.

Will Bontrager

Oh how strange we have become. We are the aliens.

That was a fun read, Will!

All of those writing prompts sound fun and wonderful. it is going to hard to pick just one to write on. 

 Thank you 

That’s great to hear, Bruce.

Have fun with them!

Really useful…. 🙏thanks

Awesome! You are welcome!

Thank you for all the great resources. I am new to writing and have written a couple of pieces for the Show don’t Tell section on your site. Cheers, Tilly

Kayla was a talented piano player Kayla Vlasov sat at the grand piano, her back straight, her delicate hands poised on the shiny black and white octaves. The audience in the front row noticed how Kayla’s legs hung demurely from the stool, her feet barely reaching the pedals. Kayla’s expression was focussed. Nothing else existed when she was about to play the piano. With her right index finger, she struck middle C. The vibration went through to the audience’s marrow and sent a shiver down their backs. Thunderous applause. This would be an evening to remember.

Winny felt shy Winny held her mother’s hand, as they walked through the gates of Newtown Primary School. A teacher with a warm smile and auburn hair bouncing along with each step came towards them. The child hid behind her mother, wishing she could disappear between the folds of her skirt. Warm tears gathered in Winny’s eyes and she lifted her other hand to her mouth, hoping the teacher wouldn’t notice her quivering bottom lip.

Hi Tilly, these are excellent!

Not only do you “show” what’s the matter, but these are also fun pieces full of atmosphere.

If anybody is wondering where the prompts come from, it’s this post about “Show, don’t tell”: https://www.ridethepen.com/show-dont-tell/

Thank you Alex for the great prompts

You are welcome, Maria! :)

I would like to use Freezelicious. For a villain name.

Sounds like evil ice cream!

Lol it is. I want Freezelicious. To be a villain in a spy book I’m writing.

I really have a problem with prompt 24 on the adventure prompts. It feels very dehumanizing to indigenous peoples to portray them in that way and it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I would suggest removing it because it is insensitive.

Hi Jessica, your comment is heard, but I would consider this excessive political correctness, of which the world already is seeing too much nowadays.

Everything is a stereotype – especially in a writing prompt! Your job as a writer is to then lay out a colorful story that draws the reader in, precisely because it’s so far away from any stereotype, which makes it interesting.

Looking for something else?

Hi Alex. Paragraph

I live in a senior residence and have taken on the adventure of coordinating a creative writing group. We have completed a year and I am very enthusiastic about the level of commitment and effort the students have put into all the assignments. This coming year we will be offering to include more people in the group. but since a number of people will be returning I have been looking for some different kinds of exercises to prompt and teach the students.

The prompts seem like a splendid opportunity for all the people in the group to try their hand without having to create new material right off the bat. I will let you know the kind of responses I get. Thanks for putting this together

Hey Pat, sounds great, I imagine in a senior residence people have plenty of time to write. Plus, you are living next door to your critique partners. Would be interesting to hear what came out of it and which prompts were used the most.

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50 Fantastic Creative Writing Exercises

Good question.

Creative writing exercises are designed to teach a technique. They are highly specific, more specific than creative writing prompts, and much more specific than story generators.

Creative writing exercises for adults are not designed to lead the writer into crafting a full story, but are only designed to help them improve as a writer in a narrow, specific category of writing skills.

I’ve broken the exercises below into categories so you can choose what category of skill you’d like to practice. Can you guess which category in this list has the most prompts?

If you guessed characters, then you’re right. I think characters are the heart blood of every story, and that a majority of any writing prompts or writing exercises should focus on them.

But I also think any of these will help you create a narrative, and a plot, and help you generate all kinds of dialogue, whether for short stories or for novels. These writing exercises are pretty much guaranteed to improve your writing and eliminate writer’s block. 

Also, if you’re a fledgling writer who needs help writing their novel, check out my comprehensive guide to novel writing.

Enjoy the five categories of writing exercises below, and happy writing!

1. Think of the most deafening sound you can imagine. Describe it in great detail, and have your character hear it for the first time at the start of a story.

2. Have a man cooking for a woman on a third date, and have her describe the aromas in such loving and extended detail that she realizes that she’s in love with him.

3. Pick a line from one of your favorite songs, and identify the main emotion. Now write a character who is feeling that emotion and hears the song. Try to describe the type of music in such a beautiful way that you will make the reader yearn to hear the song as well.

4. Have a character dine at a blind restaurant, a restaurant in pitch blackness where all the servers are blind, and describe for a full paragraph how the tablecloth, their clothing, and the hand of their dining partner feels different in the darkness.

5. Select a dish representative of a national cuisine, and have a character describe it in such detail that the reader salivates and the personality of the character is revealed.

7. Describe two characters having a wordless conversation, communicating only through gestures. Try to see how long you can keep the conversation going without any words spoken, but end it with one of them saying a single word, and the other one repeating the same word.

8. In a public place from the last vacation you took, have two characters arguing, but make it clear by the end of the argument that they’re not arguing about what they’re really upset about.

9. Write a scene composed mostly of dialogue with a child talking to a stranger. Your mission is to show the child as heartbreakingly cute. At the same time, avoid sentimentality. 

10. Have two character have a conversation with only a single word, creating emphasis and context so that the word communicates different things each time it is spoken. The prime example of this is in the television show “The Wire,” where Jimmy and Bunk investigate a crime scene repeating only a single expletive.

11. Pick an object that is ugly, and create a character who finds it very beautiful. Have the character describe the object in a way that convinces the reader of its beauty. Now write a second version where you convince the reader (through describing the object alone) that the character is mentally unstable.

12. Write down five emotions on slips of paper and slip them into a hat. Now go outside and find a tree. Draw one emotion from the hat, and try to describe that tree from the perspective of a character feeling that emotion. (Don’t mention the emotion in your writing — try to describe the tree so the reader could guess the emotion).

13. Describe a character’s bedroom in such a way that it tells us about a person’s greatest fears and hopes.

14. Root through your desk drawer until you find a strange object, an object that would probably not be in other people’s drawers. Have a character who is devastated to find this object, and tell the story of why this object devastates them.

15. Go to an art-based Pinterest page and find your favorite piece of art. Now imagine a living room inspired by that flavor of artwork, and show the room after a husband and wife have had the worst fight of their marriage.

16. Pick a simple object like a vase, a broom, or a light bulb, and write a scene that makes the reader cry when they see the object.

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17. Make a list of the top five fears in your life. Write a character who is forced to confront one of those fears.

18. Write an entire page describing the exact emotions when you learned of a happy or calamitous event in your life. Now try to condense that page into a single searing sentence.

19. Think about a time in your life when you felt shame. Now write a character in a similar situation, trying to make it even more shameful.

20. Write a paragraph with a character struggle with two conflicting emotions simultaneously. For example, a character who learns of his father’s death and feels both satisfaction and pain.

21. Write a paragraph where a character starts in one emotional register, and through a process of thought, completely evolves into a different emotion.

Characters:

22. Create a minor character based upon someone you dislike. Now have your main character encounter them and feel sympathy and empathy for them despite their faults.

23. Have a kooky character tell a story inside a pre-established form: an instruction manual, traffic update, email exchange, weather report, text message.

24. Write about a character who does something they swore they would never do.

25. Have a character who has memorized something (the names of positions in the Kama Sutra, the entire book of Revelations) recite it while doing something completely at odds with what they’re reciting. For instance, bench pressing while reciting the emperors in a Chinese dynasty.

26. Write a paragraph where a character does a simple action, like turning on a light switch, and make the reader marvel at how strange and odd it truly is.

27. Have a couple fight while playing a board game. Have the fight be about something related to the board game: fighting about money, have them play monopoly. Fighting about politics, let them play chess.

28. Write about two characters angry at each other, but have both of them pretend the problems don’t exist. Instead, have them fight passive-aggressively, through small, snide comments.

29. Describe a character walking across an expanse field or lot and describe how he walks. The reader should perfectly understand his personality simply by the way you describe his walk.

30. Write a first-person POV of a character under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and try to make the prose as woozy and tipsy as the character.

31. Describe the first time that a character realizes he is not as smart as he thought.

32. Describe an hour in the life of a character who has recently lost their ability to do what they love most (a pianist who has severe arthritis; a runner who became a quadriplegic).

33. Write an argument where a husband or wife complains of a physical ailment, but their spouse refuses to believe it’s real.

34. Write a scene where a stranger stops your main character, saying that they know them, and insisting your main character is someone they are not. Describe exactly how this case of mistaken identity makes your character feel.

35. Describe a small personality trait about a person you love, and make the reader love them, too.

36. Write a personality-revealing scene with a character inside a public restroom. Do they press a thumb against the mirror to leave a subtle mark? Do they write a plea for help on the inside of the stall door? Do they brag about the size of what they’ve just dumped off?

37. Give your character an extremely unusual response to a national tragedy like a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Maybe have them be aware their response is unusual, and try to cloak it from others, or have them be completely unaware and display it without any self-consciousness.

38. Have one of your main characters come up with an idea for a comic book, and tell a close friend about the idea. What about this idea would surprise the friend, upsetting what he thought he knew about your main character? Also, what would the main character learn about himself from the comic book idea?

39. Think of an illness someone you love has suffered from. How does your character respond when someone close to them has this illness?

40. Have your main character invent an extremely offensive idea for a book, and show their personality faults through discussing it with others.

41. Have your character write down a list considering how to respond to their stalker.

42. Write a scene where a man hits on a woman, and although the woman acts repulsed and begs her friends to get him away from her, it becomes apparent that she likes the attention.

43. Write about a 20-something confronting his parents over their disapproval of his lifestyle.

44. Have your character write a funny to-do list about the steps to get a boyfriend or girlfriend.

45. Have a risk-adverse character stuck in a hostage situation with a risk-happy character.

46. For the next week, watch strangers carefully and take notes in your phone about any peculiar gestures or body language. Combine the three most interesting ones to describe a character as she goes grocery shopping.

47. Buy a package of the pills that expand into foam animals, and put a random one in a glass of warm water. Whatever it turns out to be, have that animal surprise your main character in a scene.

48. Have your character faced with a decision witness a rare, awe-inspiring event, and describe how it helps them make their decision.

49. Imagine if your character met for the first time his or her long-lost identical twin. What personality traits would they share and which ones would have changed because of their unique experiences? 

50. If a character got burned by a hot pan, what type of strange reaction would they have that would reveal what they value most?

Once you’ve taken a stab at some of these exercises, I’d recommend you use them in your actual writing.

And for instruction on that, you need a guide to writing your novel . 

That link will change your life and your novel. Click it now.

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34 comments

John Fox, you have some excellent resources, and I thank you. I read your comments, then scrolled down to glance at the list of 50 exercises. The FIRST one, “loud noise’ is already in my head. My Hero is going to be side swiped in my Cozy. I was side swiped on a state highway here in Virginia a couple of weeks ago and, although the damage was minor, the sound of that big SUV “glancing” off my little car was SCARY!!! I once heard a fast-moving car REAR-END is stand-still car; that sound was something I’ll never forget. So, your exercise is very timely. THANK YOU!!!

This is a great list! Thanks!

You know what would be motivating? If we could turn these in to someone and get like a grade lol

I can really see the benefit of doing these writing exercises. (Versus using prompts) The purpose is so much clearer. Some I can imagine my response fairly easily. (Though the task of not jumping on the obvious might make it harder than I imagine at this point) Some however I would struggle with ( number 42 for example), where I have zero sympathy for the main character’s plight. Hhhmmmm. But maybe they are the very ones I should be tackling – to see if I can develop them in a way that explains their behaviour and so creates sympathy. Thank you. Much food for thought.

I’ve been thinking a lot about “how to master writing,” and this is the first time that I found an article that makes it clear the difference between prompts and exercises. I fully agree with you. These are bound to make you a better writer if you focus on doing a variation of them daily.

An excellent list – thank you very much. I run a small writing group and we’ll be trying some.

Yes, thank you. I too run a small writing group and you got me out of a slump for tomorrow’s group!

yes,thank you . It’s good for improve your writing skills.

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What a lovely list! I am working on the final draft of my very first novel, and am constantly working at improving the final product. Your exercises are just what I need to kickstart my writing day. Thank you so very much.

Thank you very much When I turned50 I received my diploma from Children’s Institute in West Redding Ct I got my inspiration from being near water however now that I am in Oregon I have had a writing block thanks to your list my creative juices are flowing

I suppose I better have good punctuation, seeing this is about Writing. Thank you for this great list. I am the Chair of our small Writing group in Otorohanga and we start again last week of Feb. I have sent out a homework email, to write a A4 page of something exciting that has happened over the holiday break and they must read it out to the group with passion and excitement in their voices. That will get them out of their comfort zone!

A formidable yet inspiring list. Thank you very much for this. This is really very helpful. I am from India, and very new to writing and have started my first project, which I want to make it into a Novel. This has been very helpful and is very challenging too. Prompts look sissy when compared to this, frankly speaking. Thank you very much again.

Where can I get the answers for these?

There aren’t “answers.” You create responses to these exercises.

Thank you so much for the detailed suggestions focusing on HOW to put the WHAT into practice; really helpful & inspiring.

Just started rough drafting a story I’ve always wanted to write. Do you have any advice for someone writing their first real story? I’m having trouble starting it; I just want it to be perfect.

I consider this very helpful. Just started my journey as a creative writer, and will be coming back to this page to aid my daily writing goal.

I have always loved writing exercises and these are perfect practice for my competition. I have tried lots of different things that other websites have told me to try, but this by far is the most descriptive and helpful site that i have seen so far.

This is really a creative blog. An expert writer is an amateur who didn’t stop. I trust myself that a decent writer doesn’t actually should be advised anything but to keep at it. Keep it up!

I’ve always enjoyed writing from a little girl. Since I’ve been taking it a bit more seriously as does everybody else it seems; I’ve lost the fun and sponteneity. Until now…..this is a marvelous blog to get back the basic joy and freedom in writing. Or should that be of?:) These exercises are perfect to get the creative juices flowing again…..thank you:)

These are interesting exercises for writing.

These are fantastic! I started reading a really awesome book on creative writing but it just didn’t get any good or easy to follow exercises. So I found your site and having been having a lot of fun with these. Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

creative and inspiring, thank you

I always wanted to have an exercise where a friend and I each wrote a random sentence and sent it to each other to write a short story from that beginning sentence, then exchange the stories for reading and/or critique. Maybe both writers start with the same sentence and see how different the stories turn out.

Thanks for these exercises. Some are really challenging. To truly tackle them I’m having to spend as long beforehand thinking “how the HECK am I going to do this?” as I do with ink on paper. Would be a great resource if other authors submitted their replies and thoughts about how they went about each exercise.

Start the conversation: submit one of yours.

I think I can use these to inspire my students.

Hi there. Thank you for posting this list- it’s great! Can I ask you to consider removing number 42 or perhaps changing it somewhat? I teach sex ed and every year am shocked by how many young people don’t understand issues around consent. Stories about woman who ‘say no but really mean yes’ are deeply unhelpful. Really appreciate your post but felt I had to ask. Thanks.

What’s wrong with the number 42?

It promulgates the belief that when a woman says no, she doesn’t mean it, potentially resulting in sexual assault.

I just make this list a part of my teaching in Creative Writing Classes. Very good list of ideas!

Thank you so much for posting this! I have used it to create a creative playwriting activity for my high school creative writing class–so much good stuff here for me to pick through and select for my kiddos that will allow them to shine and improve their knowledge of writing as a craft!

These exercises are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

Every writer NEEDS this book.

It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.

Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.

Table of Contents

1. Set Small Daily Goals

2. writing prompt: treasure hunt, 3. writing prompt: what are you holding back.

• 4. Writing Exercise: Tell Your Avatar's Transformation Story

5. Structure Each Section Like a Presentation

6. give yourself permission to vomit your writing out, 7. exercise: self-care, 7 creative writing exercises that actually work (& which ones you should avoid).

One of the biggest misconceptions about writing a book is what it takes to be a good writer.

People think that if they want to be a better writer, they’re supposed to write a certain way or follow certain writing rules.

They try countless writing prompts and creative writing exercises designed to help them “ find their voice ” (with little success).

Others will try to practice the mechanics of writing , hone their writing skills , and get their “creative juices” flowing—all before they even start their book.

But I’ll tell you right now: pretty much all of that is worthless . Or worse, it results in bad writing.

Why? Because most writing exercises make your writing worse. They make Authors sound like generic, fake-academic copycats. Or, at best, they waste your time.

But you don’t need to do special exercises to find your writing style .

Writing “problems” like voice, mechanics, and style are all solved once you focus on 1 thing: ​clear, simple writing that’s focused on the reader.

Being a good writer is being a good communicator. It’s about making sure you’re being heard the way you intended.

And the best way nonfiction Authors can do that is by—I’ll say it again—being clear, simple, and reader-focused.

That said, there are a few practices you can follow that will help you communicate your ideas clearly and simply.

In this post, I’ll give you 7 exercises and practices that can actually help you write a great book. They’ve worked for hundreds of Scribe Authors, and they’ll work for you.

7 Writing Exercises That Will Help You Write a Great Book

When you sit down with the intention to write thousands of words at once, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

It’s easy to feel intimidated when you think, “I have to write a whole book.” And that kind of anxiety is the quickest way to hit writer’s block .

Don’t do that to yourself.

It’s called a “writing process” for a reason. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

If you want to finish your book, my best advice is to create a writing plan and set small daily goals.

Psychology research shows that the most effective goals are ones that are achievable. Set a 250-word per day minimum and start writing. It’s a relatively easy goal to reach, so you’re less likely to ignore it.

Plus, with 250 words, you don’t have any excuses—you can type that much on your phone while waiting for your coffee to brew.

It may not sound like much, but it adds up. If you keep up that pace, you can write a 40,000-word draft in less than 6 months. And if you happen to write more, you’ll feel motivated.

But if you set a high goal (like a thousand words per day), you’re more likely to end up discouraged when you fall short.

Remember this for the rest of the exercises in this post. Always approach your writing with a small, easily achievable minimum.

For many Authors, there’s nothing more frightening than a blank page. If that sounds like you, give yourself an easy first assignment to get going.

Run through your house (or office), and find something that’s associated with your book journey.

There are 2 basic kinds of nonfiction books .

Knowledge-share nonfiction is what it sounds like. You’re writing to share your knowledge. This might come in the form of a how-to or thought leadership book.

The goal with any knowledge-share nonfiction book is to help people solve a problem or create a transformation.

The second type of nonfiction is memoir. A memoir is always about you, and its intent is to tell the reader about your life. Readers read memoirs because they want to learn about themselves through your story.

If you’re writing a knowledge-share nonfiction book, collect objects related to your work. This could include product samples, promotional materials, or reports from completed projects. Or, maybe even a memento from a mentor or client.

If you’re writing a memoir , go through photos or objects from your past. Try writing about the emotions or memories that come up when you look at them.

I mentioned that a lot of writing prompts are worthless, but this one can work.

That’s because, unlike many other creative writing prompts, this one encourages you to write material that can eventually go into your book.

Objects connect us directly to the memories and stories that happened throughout our development.

Sharing these stories can create a powerful connection between you and your reader. Chances are, they’re experiencing something similar to what you went through.

You want to write a book because you want to share your wisdom with readers. So why waste time on random words or writing exercises that have nothing to do with that mission?

The best way to practice writing is to actually start writing your book.

What is the one fail-safe way to be interesting to your reader?

Tell the truth. ​

Maybe that’s the truth about your younger self, your relationship with a family member, what’s happening in your industry, or mistakes you’ve made.

Whatever it is, be honest. Readers can smell bullshit a mile away. But when an Author is vulnerable and authentic, that’s when their books make an impact .

Telling the truth might sound easy, but a lot of Authors struggle with it. They don’t want to tell the world about their failures. Or reveal their most radical ideas. Or share their most painful moments.

But that’s exactly what readers want when they pick up your book. They want to read about real life, not a picture-perfect version of the truth.

If you find yourself struggling with honesty, here’s my advice: write about whatever it is you’re struggling with.

You don’t have to publish it. You can always decide on that later.

But write it.

The most valuable books are the ones that are willing to go there.

If you’re writing a memoir, here’s your homework assignment: write 3 pages of any story that you’re afraid of or that feels uncomfortable to tell.

If you’re writing a knowledge-share nonfiction book, pick 1 thing to teach your reader that breaks the rules of your industry.

For example, you could pick a lesson you learned by making a big mistake. Recount that mistake in all its grisly detail. Don’t hold back.

4. Writing Exercise: Tell Your Avatar’s Transformation Story

This exercise will look radically different for memoir-writers, so I’ll focus on knowledge-share writers first.

Think about who your primary audience is, and write it down.

Within that group, isolate one person. Be specific. It’s even better if you know this person in real life.

Take a moment to describe what’s going on in their life, in at least one paragraph. What’s the hurdle in their life you could help them solve, and what are all the pain points around that? Is work stressful, and it’s bleeding into their home life? Are they sacrificing their health by spending all their time in front of the computer? Really try to get into this person’s point of view.

Now, flesh out the transformation they’ll get after they know what you’re going to tell them.

What ripple effects will flow into their personal life and their sense of self?

The answers you come up with during this writing exercise are going to be integral to your book introduction .

One of the main things a good introduction does is connect to the reader’s pain and tell them what you’re going to do to help. By completing this writing exercise, you’ll be able to do that in a super personalized way.

You also get the added benefit of having this document to refer to when you’re writing. Anytime you get a little lost, come back and remind yourself who you’re writing for, what matters to them, and how you can help.

If you’re writing a memoir, ignore everything I just said.

Don’t write to anyone else at first. Just write for yourself.

Before you publish your book, you’re going to have to decide who you’re sharing it with and why. But that’s a later decision your future self will handle.

Anne Frank did nothing but write to her journal, and it ended up being one of the most powerful memoirs in the world.

She was totally honest and wrote it only for herself.

The best way to make sure you’re being honest and telling the deepest, most important parts of your story is to dig deep into yourself and then put that on the page.

This writing exercise is tied to the psychology of small, achievable goals I mentioned earlier.

Tackle one section of your book at a time, and structure each section like a presentation.

First, outline the major points of the presentation. What are the takeaways you want your audience to have?

Write through that content as if you’re speaking directly to the person you’re teaching. This is a place where the earlier avatar exercise can come in handy.

When you’re giving a presentation, you’re always limited by time. But in writing, you have more leeway to dive into things.

So, ask yourself, “What do I leave out of my presentations that might still be useful to my reader? If I had more time, what else would I say?”

If you’re writing about something that feels too personal for a presentation, you can frame this exercise differently. Think of the book as a private space between you and your reader. They’re by themselves with your words. It’s one-on-one.

That gives you more leeway to be vulnerable. You can think about a single person you trust and write directly to them.

Instead of imagining an “audience,” like you might when you’re blogging, imagine writing an email to your closest confidante.

What information would they need to be able to follow along on your journey? And how can you tell it in a way that draws you closer together?

I know this sounds gross. But I’m serious.

The best thing you can do if you want to write a great book is to start writing and let it all come out.

Nobody expects vomit to look good. It’s supposed to be bad. The first draft of your book should be the exact same way.

Every great book starts with a terrible first draft. Some people call this free writing. I call it the vomit draft.

Why am I encouraging you to puke on a page? Because a lot of first-time Authors get hung up on trying to write the perfect book.

They write a section, scrap it, rewrite it, scrap it, and rewrite it again. They agonize over every single word. Three weeks later, they’re staring at a blank page for the fiftieth time.

That’s why many writers give up the first time they try to write a book.

But if you know in advance that you’re going to write badly, it takes the pressure off.

You can let stream of consciousness be your guide without second-guessing how great your writing skills are, whether you’re keeping a consistent point of view, or whether it’s good enough to be an Amazon bestseller.

Like I said earlier, it’s called a “writing process” for a reason. Bad writing is all part of the process.

Your vomit draft isn’t the final product. It’s a work in progress. It’s much easier to edit and improve a bad draft than a nonexistent one.

I know a lot of writers understand the concept behind the vomit draft but have a hard time putting it into practice. The delete key is too tempting.

Here are some tactics you can try to remind yourself TO NOT EDIT:

• Make your typeface white so you can’t see it.
• Turn your screen down so you can’t see it.
• Write with strikethrough turned on.
• Put a sticker on your backspace key. I recommend a lava-spewing volcano, so you won’t be tempted to touch it.
• Or, if you have an external keyboard, pop the backspace key off.
• Handwrite your draft. This isn’t lost time because you can type it during your first editing pass. It will force you to read the text closer.
• Writing doesn’t necessarily mean writing. You can always make the first draft by recording yourself and using a transcription of the recording . For more tips on this method, see this post .

This might sound a little “woo-woo,” but the fact that I’m the person talking about it should tell you how important self-care is for writing.

If you want to be a published Author , self-care is important.

You are about to go on a journey, and you are going to be using your brain a lot.

Writing is hard. Books take an emotional and mental toll.

If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s not impossible to finish your book. But it will be much, much harder.

The writing process is long, and it’s easy to get discouraged when things aren’t going well. In order to help mitigate this, you can take care of yourself. For example, you can:

• Sleep 8 hours a night
• Eat healthy and clean
• Take a walk daily
• Use an energy healer. This may sound weird, but I found one who makes me feel like a million dollars. It could be a placebo effect, but I don’t care. It works.
• Try acupuncture
• Go for regular float sessions
• Sit in a sauna or go to a spa
• Take epsom salt baths
• Go to therapy

There are a million different ways to take care of yourself. Listen to what your body and emotions tell you. Go with whatever method works for you.

This may not seem like a writing exercise, but it is.

Even if the content of your book doesn’t seem emotional, the writing process itself will be.

You’re stepping up and putting yourself out there. It will have an effect on your emotions.

You will be a better writer if you make time to take care of yourself.

Self-care has the power to recharge and revitalize you so you can come back the next day, fresh and ready to go.

The Scribe Crew

Read this next.

Never Stop Launching [How to Make Your Book Successful]

Authors Receive Authority – What does ‘The Medium Is the Message’ Really Mean?

Audiobooks: Who Benefits Most and Why Authors Should Consider Them

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How to Write a Novel

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✍️ Plot Development Writing Exercises

Curated with love by Reedsy

We found 15 plot development exercises that match your search 🔦 reset

Write a list of images you associate with your theme. Now do the same for each of your main characters. Keep these images in mind as a way to present your theme metaphorically through symbolic motifs.

Plot Development

Any questions.

There's one powerful motivator that led your reader to your book - curiosity. Our brain doesn't stop asking questions because it knows that's how it learns and evolves. Questions raise uncertainty. Unknowns. And if there's an unknown, then humans want to make it known. There will be a big question that drives your story, so take a couple of minutes to consider the mother-question that propels your book from beginning to end.Your manuscript also needs to be powered by lots of little questions. Your book will need a variety of whos, whens, whys, and wheres to keep your reader engaged. In fact, every scene in your book needs to have a question define it. It's what will keep your reader turning those pages. Review each of your scenes and identify the question/s hanging over it, because once you nail that, their mind will be asking the most important question of all - what happens next?

The Outsider

If you're working on a novel or short story, write a pivotal scene from an outside observer's perspective who has no role in the story.

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Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more →

Grab Your Red Pen

Pick a scene or passage you've written that you feel dissatisfied with. Take a short time - maybe 10 or 20 minutes - to read the passage as though it were someone else's work. Take a red pen and make notes in the margins. If you didn't know anything else about the story, where else could this scene go? Try to get a feel for how malleable the words and the story can be.

Lost The Plot?

How do you start a story - or get a story back on track? If you're feeling lost or blocked, try templating to get your plot on course.Here's what to do: bullet point your initiating incident, your rising action, your crisis, and your resolution for both your main plot and subplots. Make a table to see events running parallel, remembering subplots exist to enhance, complicate _ ultimately, compliment _ your main action. Listing like this highlights any irrelevancies, keeping your tale on track, and makes all you write intertwined and significant to your protagonist's journey. Plan out using this framework as your reference.

A New Chapter

Pick up one of your favorite novels. Open it to a random page. Whatever chapter you land on, rewrite it your own way. Take it in a totally different direction than how it actually plays out in the book.

Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So began Seth Grahame-Smith's book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which (you guessed it) re-imagined Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in a world with zombies. Sometimes one big twist is all it takes to get you thinking about a story in a different way. How would the introduction of zombies shake things up in your world? How would it affect the relationships between your characters? How would it change priorities? Which parts of your world would stay the same, and which parts would be different? Detail this in a short story of 1,000-2,000 words.

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27 Creative Writing Exercises That’ll Punch Up Your Writing

by Mel Wicks

on Dec 8, 2023

Creative writing exercises are a great way to train your writing muscles. Ready to flex? Read on.

Wouldn’t you love to smash your content out of the ring every time?

To always land that knockout blow, just like your writing idols?

Imagine having the same audience of cheering fans, clamoring to read your next post (or to buy your first book as a published author).

Yep. That’s the dream, alright.

But let’s face reality. When you sit down to write new content, it never quite measures up to the greats. (How do they make it look so easy? )

You’d love to write like the heavyweight blogging champions that inspired you to start a blog in the first place, but right now you feel more like the puny guy at the punching bag. You may as well grab another soda and flop in front of the TV.

But don’t throw in the towel just yet.

You may not write like those blogging champions now , but that doesn’t mean you never will. If you exercise your writing muscles, you too can make money blogging and become one of the greats.

How to Exercise Your Writing Muscles and Become a Blogging Heavyweight

Exercise. (Groan.) Who needs it?

You do. We all do.

If you want to be physically fit, you need to exercise your body. And if you want to produce powerful, punchy content, you need to exercise your writing muscles. It’s a no-brainer.

But that doesn’t mean you just write every day without any training regimen.

Sure, daily writing practice might get you there eventually, but creative writers and copywriters will exercise with precision.

They will take 15-30 minutes every day to train specific skills. And they won’t just train once and think they’re done. They will go back and train the same writing skill over and over, until they have it down pat.

That’s how you want to approach the writing tips below.

When you do them for the first time, you might feel clumsy and unnatural. But after a few weeks of hard work, you’ll quickly notice a difference.

That’s how exercise works.

Ready to get started?

Then take town that poster of Arnold Schwarzenegger and pin-up William Shakespeare, because we’re about to max out on creative writing prompts and story inspiration.

Let’s the writing gym!

27 Creative Writing Exercises (Broken Down by Category)

7 writing exercises that’ll make you fearless in the writing ring, 6 writing exercises that’ll get your writing style in perfect shape, 2 writing exercises that’ll give your writing a hilarious left hook, 4 writing exercises that’ll beef up your scene-painting skills, 3 writing exercises that’ll make you pack a more persuasive punch, 5 writing exercises that’ll strengthen your creative muscles.

Most writers hold back when they write. They’re afraid to open up and show all of themselves, terrified they’ll be rejected or ridiculed. And if it’s a paid writing assignment for a client? Forget about it. It’s a recipe for writer’s block and staring at a blank page.

The most powerful writers are fearless. They bleed everything they have onto the page, making people wince, gasp, sob or seethe. Every blog post, poem , or story idea connects on a deep level because they’re not scared to be vulnerable.

If you want your writing to connect like that, you must train yourself to release your suppressed emotions, embrace your creative flow, and write with brutal honesty.

It’s hard to put all of yourself out there, but once you master the technique, it’s like unshackling the chains. You will connect with your readers on an entirely new level.

Every creative writing exercise listed below will train you to be fearlessly vulnerable.

1. Tell Your Best Friends Why They Suck

I’m sure you love your friends dearly, but let’s be honest, sometimes they annoy the heck out of you.

Write a letter to each of your friends, telling them what you hate about them. Tell them everything you wish they’d stop doing and saying.

Don’t actually send it — I don’t want to be responsible for ruining all your friendships — but don’t hold anything back.

And when you’re done, move on to family members, coworkers, and so on.

2. Confront the First Person Who Broke Your Heart

Write them the letter you’ve been penning in your head since the day they reached into your chest, ripped out your heart, and left it bleeding at your feet.

Tell them about the physical pain and every emotion you felt at that moment. The ones that are seared into your brain forever.

3. Recall Your Most Painful Experiences

Think about the most painful experiences in your life — the ones that didn’t just make you shed a tear or two, but made you bawl bucketloads.

Try freewriting them. Write an account of those occasions and let all the emotions flood out.

You should be dripping tears onto your keyboard while you do this.

4. Confess Your Deepest, Darkest Secret

Write about a secret that you’ve kept locked away out of embarrassment — something about yourself that nobody knows and that you don’t want anybody to know. Now’s the time to unleash the beast.

Remember, whatever you write is for your eyes only, and once you’re done, you can tear it up right away.

5. Write Down the Worst Thing That Could Ever Happen

What’s that one thing that you constantly worry will happen? What’s that one recurring nightmare that makes you wake up screaming and sobbing?

Whatever it is, write about it. Get it all on the page and face your monsters.

6. Put it All Down on Paper

Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Start writing.

Don’t edit your words. Heck, don’t even pay attention to the words you’re writing. Just get them down on paper and let the creative juice flow.

In The Artist’s Way (affiliate link), Julia Cameron recommends creating three pages of “stream of consciousness” writing (also known as “free writing”) every single morning. She calls this writing exercise “Morning Pages” and it’s a great way to flex your creative muscles.

7. Describe Your Most Mortifying Moment

Everyone has a moment they wish they could erase. The shame and indignity of something you said or did. The toe-curling embarrassment that still makes you groan in agony whenever the memory pops into your head.

Put it down in writing. Remember every mortifying detail. Relive the humiliation and spew it all onto the page.

When you talk, you use more than your voice. You use inflections, hand gestures and body language to add emphasis and personality. But as a creative writer, your words must have power . Each one has to count.

Your content shouldn’t just get the message across, it should do so with flair and gusto. It should be so pleasing to read that readers flow from line to line.

That’s why every serious writer should spend serious time honing their writing style until it’s almost flawless.

1. Copycat Your Writing Heroes

One of the best ways to develop a strong writing style is to copy your favorite writers by hand — as in, pen to paper.

Pick a blogger or bestseller whose voice you admire and copy their content, word for word; every long emotional paragraph to every simple sentence. Don’t think too hard about it. Just go with it.

As you write out their words, you’ll internalize their writing style, their pace and rhythm, their grammar , their word choice, and their sentence structure.

Make no mistake. This is one of the most powerful ways to sharpen your writing skills  and build creative muscle.

2. Replicate the Rhetoric from JFK and MLK

Famous speeches, like those from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, often use rhetorical devices to strengthen their message.

See this example, where JFK repeats the same phrase at the beginning of each sentence .

Or see this example, where MLK uses several rhetorical devices in a row:

These are marvelous writing tools you can use to make your content explode with power.

To get a good feel for them, google the transcripts of famous speeches, see if you can spot where they use rhetorical devices like the ones above, and then rewrite them to fit into five different contexts.

For example, you might rewrite JFK’s words as such:

The goal of this writing exercise is to practice these techniques until your brain absorbs the rhythm and inflection and it becomes second nature to recognize where to include rhetorical devices in your writing.

3. Eliminate 20%

Rambling sentences are a turn-off. Powerful content uses short and pacey sentences that are easy to read and simple to grasp.

That’s why you should train yourself to write concisely.

Select one of your old posts and rewrite it , paragraph by paragraph. Your goal is to cut around 20% of your total word count without changing the meaning or deleting a point.

Focus on shortening each paragraph itself. Cut flabby words and adverbs , remove redundancy, merge sentences, and replace long-winded phrases with shorter alternatives. You won’t be able to do it for each one, but try.

Do this enough, and eventually conciseness will become a natural part of your writing process.

4. Write Your 400-Word Life Story

Nobody likes reading posts that go off on endless tangents and drag on and on about irrelevant nonsense.

You need to train yourself to omit the fluff and get to the point. You should only ever share the minimal amount that’s needed for the reader to get the picture.

In this exercise, write a story that paints a complete picture of your life, but limit yourself to 400 words. This forces you to focus on the most important events.

You can repeat this exercise with different topics as well. For instance, you might write a 400-word summary of the last movie you watched or the last nonfiction book you bought on Amazon.

5. Write a Movie Dialogue

You don’t want your content to read like an instruction manual. It should read like you’re having a conversation with your readers. This makes them feel more engaged with the content.

Writing fiction can help with this. So, before you write your next post , write a dialogue between yourself and an audience member on the same topic.

Think about how two people would chat (like in the scene of a movie), and reflect this natural flow in your writing.

6. Find Analogies for Everyday Life

Want to be a better writer? Analogies (and their cousins, similes and metaphors ) are a writer’s best friend.

They can create powerful imagery , make complex ideas easy to understand, and add color and fun to your writing. But coming up with a great analogy is hard — unless you consistently practice writing them.

So make a list of everything you did or experienced yesterday such as getting up from bed, brushing your teeth, walking the dog, doing yoga, and so on. Now, for each activity, come up with a metaphor or analogy.

• Every day I get up, I feel like a zombie. Some dark and evil force (the alarm) wakes me from my ‘rest in peace’. I claw myself out from under the covers and shuffle to the kitchen, moaning and probably drooling a little. I have only one drive at that moment: I must eat (breakfast, not brains), and I won’t stop until my hunger is sated.
• Brushing with an electric toothbrush is like taking your teeth to the carwash. You push the brush onto each side of your teeth until they’re clean and then you rinse.

Training your brain to make connections between two unrelated things will get your creativity flowing and make you more imaginative. Practice it enough and you’ll find that metaphors and similes will come to you naturally as you tackle your next post or writing project.

Hint: Finding great analogies is crazy-hard. Use this guide to make sure you’re doing it right.

Your content shouldn’t just teach and inspire your audience, it should also entertain. And sprinkling in the odd joke here and there can go a long way.

Humor helps you connect with your audience . It makes your content stand out in what may be an otherwise humorless niche, and this means it’s more likely to be remembered.

Don’t worry — you don’t have to become the next Jerry Seinfeld. But with these exercises, you can train yourself to find the funny in the mundane.

1. Look at the World Through Distorted Glasses

One reliable way to make people laugh is to put everything in the world into new and absurd contexts.

You pretend you don’t know what an object or custom is actually for, and then guess at what its true purpose is.

• Frisbee for square people
• Skating rink for mice
• Chopping board for the insanely wealthy

See how that works?

Don’t worry about sounding silly. After all, creativity is all about thinking completely outside the box (like, way outside the box).

2. Pile on the Exaggeration

Another good way to go for laughs is to exaggerate something to the point of absurdity.

If you want an example of this in action, see this video of Phyllis Diller talking about her mother-in-law:

Get the picture?

Good. Now brainstorm twenty endings to each of these sentences:

• My house is so small…
• My cat is so lazy…
• My wife is so bossy…
• My home town is so hick…
• My job is so boring…

Don’t worry if they’re not all comedy gold. The idea is to practice. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

And when you’re done with this list, continue practicing. Use things you own or people you know, define a few of their characteristics (e.g., my car is red, tiny, old, guzzles gas, has powerful brakes, etc.), and then make a list of exaggerations.

Dry content is boring. If you want to evoke a powerful response, you must evoke your reader’s senses .

You must paint tangible scenes, using visual and sensual language to make your words burst off the page in glorious technicolor.

Take this extract from one of Jon Morrow’s most inspiring posts, An Open Letter to Writers Struggling to Find Their Courage . It’s chock-full of words that paint a graphic picture of a fish:

You go fishing one day with your rod and reel, hook a fish, and reel it in, dragging it out of the water so you can get a better look at your catch. It’s lying on land, its gills pumping furiously, its eyes bulging, its mouth opening and closing in silent screams. Every once in a while, it flips around, trying to work its way back into the water, but it’s no use; the poor thing is hooked.

When you read that, can’t you just see the fish flip-flopping in front of you?

Powerful, isn’t it?

Use these exercises to practice painting vivid scenes yourself.

1. Describe the Best (and Worst) Date You Ever Had

What were you wearing? Where did you meet up? What were the first words out of your mouth?

Describe your memories of the date, making them as vivid and tangible as possible.

Don’t tell us she was pretty. Tell us how her sparkling eyes made you tingle from head to toe. Make us picture the scene, hear the sounds, and feel your sensations.

2. Write About Meeting Your In-Laws for the First Time

Was it terrifying? Funny? Heartwarming?

Did your mother-in-law’s eyes laser your heart before her tongue lashed at your soul? Or was she as welcoming as fried chicken at a family barbeque?

3. Recall Your Most Vivid Memory of School

This one speaks for itself. So I’ll just give you an example of my own:

At primary school, I hated rice pudding with a passion . One day I refused to eat it, so my teacher refused to let me leave the table. It was a battle of wills. I sat, arms crossed, staring at the cold, congealed, white mush, with cheap jelly splodged across its yucky skin. Beside me, my teacher cajoled, pleaded, threatened, and silently cursed. I won.

What’s your most vivid memory of school? Describe every detail.

4. Write About Your Greatest Sporting Moment

Write an account of your most glorious sporting achievement, whether you’re an Olympic champion, or you and your brother won the under-fives’ three-legged race at your community fair.

Relive every triumphant moment as you realized you were about to make your own personal version of sporting history.

Your writing must be persuasive if you want it to stick in people’s minds.

It must persuade your readers to see your point of view. It must persuade your readers to believe in themselves. Sometimes, it must persuade readers to buy what you’re selling.

So here are some exercises to practice your persuasion skills.

1. Give Your Younger Self a Pep-Talk

Everyone is a work in progress, which is why one of the best ways to persuade people is to show them a better version of themselves. If you can inspire someone, you can persuade them.

But not everybody is naturally inspirational. That’s why you should practice.

You must have had moments in your past when you could’ve used some words of encouragement — moments when you felt scared, or concerned, or defeated.

Find these moments in your life, and write your younger self a pep-talk. Write down what you needed to hear in that moment. Inspire your younger self to keep their head up and keep going. Show them that better version of themselves.

2. Write a Super-Slick Sales Page for a Dinner Plate

You may not have any products or services on offer yet, but at some point, you probably will. That means you won’t just have to know how to sell, but you’ll have to get over whatever hangups you have about being “salesy.”

Pick an object from your house — something mundane, like a dinner plate, a pencil, or a towel — and write an over-the-top sales pitch for it.

Think about the benefits of the object, and what features it has that makes it stand out against other similar objects. By picking a mundane object, you force yourself to get creative when you think of its unique selling points.

3. Write an Assertive Op-Ed Piece for the New York Times

When you write a blog post, you must write with authority. That means you can’t be wishy-washy with your language and you can’t hold back your opinions because you’re afraid they might rub people the wrong way. (Remember, you have to be fearless.)

Train yourself to be assertive in your writing by picking a controversial topic you feel strongly about and pretending the New York Times asked you to write an op-ed on it.

State your opinion clearly and proudly, avoid ambiguity , and explain in no uncertain terms why you feel the way you feel.

Everyone loves a good story. And understanding the mechanics of telling a good story will make you a far more engaging writer.

Did you know, for instance, that most great stories follow a three-act structure?

• Act 1: The Set-Up. This act introduces us to the hero and the world they live in. It sets up the status quo and sets up the story’s main conflict by giving the hero a problem to solve or an antagonist to beat.
• Act 2: The Confrontation. The hero confronts the problem. This act also typically includes the hero gathering the skills, tools, and/or alliances they need to confront the problem.
• Act 3: The Resolution. The hero solves the problem. Their world has changed for the better.

When you do the exercises below, try and mix things up by writing shorter and longer stories. Write a multi-page short story, then write a three-paragraph story. But apply the three-act structure every time, until you have it down pat.

1. Write Your Own Superhero Story

Imagine you’re a superhero who has to save the world from a terrible evil. Use your real life for inspiration, but sprinkle in fantastical elements to make things more exciting.

Where do you come from? What’s your superpower? Who or what gave you your powers? What’s your kryptonite? Who’s your evil arch-enemy?

Have fun with this one!

2. Write a Series of Café Stories

Sit in a café and observe the people around you. Pick someone who looks interesting. Now, use every ounce of your imagination and write his or her story.

What brought them to this coffee shop? Are they in the first act of their story and about to set off on an adventure, or are they in the third act and recuperating from the adventure they had?

3. Write Crime Thrillers About Your Neighbors

Did you ever see the movie Rear Window? Or have you read this year’s literary thriller, The Woman in The Window? Both follow a similar compelling storyline of someone witnessing a crime in a neighboring house… or did they?

Next time you’re walking your dog around your neighborhood, pay more attention to the homes you pass or look at them in a different way. Now write a synopsis of a short thriller inspired by any of the houses you see (or can see into). Let the front yard, architecture, and possibly the people drive your twisted tale.

4. Write a Graveyard Tale

Go to your local graveyard and wander around the tombstones. Take inspiration from the inscriptions and write a series of short stories about the characters you find.

How did they die? Who did they leave behind? Are they connected to anyone else in the graveyard?

5. Write a Fairy Tale about the Big Bad Wolf

Think of your favorite fairy tales ( Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel ) and rewrite them from the bad guy’s point of view.

Put yourself in their shoes. Think about what motivated them, what they were trying to achieve, and whether they cared what other people thought of them.

Do the same for each of the main characters in the story (e.g., the mom, the grandma, the woodcutter). And finally, create a new disinterested observer and write the same fairy tale from their point of view.

This will teach you to think more deeply about character development in your stories.

Which of These Creative Writing Exercises is Your Favorite?

You made it!

You’ve completed a full run-through of your writing workout.

All you have to do now is start practicing these exercises for real.

Every day. Every week and every month.

Find two or three exercises or a creative writing prompt that appeals to you and start a regimen for 15-20 minutes a day. After a couple of weeks, pick another two or three and start again.

Keep refreshing them. Keep enthused and keep at it.

Before you know it, you’re going to go from that puny guy at the punching bag to heavyweight writing champion of the world.

Yeah! (Cue Rocky music!)

The ultimate toolkit for becoming one of the highest-paid writers online. Premium training. Yours for free.

Written by Mel Wicks

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ThinkWritten

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

Need a creative lift as a writer? Try these 7 creative writing exercises for writers to boost your writing skills.

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Has your creative well run dry? Are you struggling to find inspiration for your next written work? Creative writing exercises could be the answer.

Just like any other skill, the art and craft of writing will benefit from the frequent working and reworking of your practices and habits. Creativity exercises for writers could unlock that writer’s block that you have been struggling to overcome and spur you on to new and exciting creative directions. 

What are Creative Writing Exercises?

Creative writing exercises can take on many forms and can mean different things to different people. However, certain elements are common to most examples of creative writing exercises.

They are often produced in short, intense bursts, for one thing, and they are often entirely improvised. Improvisation is one of the earmarks of the creative writing exercises employed by many writers.

One other factor that most creative writing exercises have in common is that they often encourage the exploration and expounding of familiar subject matters in novel ways.

Many classes and guides that focus solely on developing creative writing techniques involve adopting short and spontaneous approaches. 

How often should writers practice creative writing exercises?

Regardless of what form a creative writing exercise takes, it is smart for writers to adopt these practices and incorporate them into their daily routines. The goal is to expand their writing skills and develop the ability to tell the same story in as many different ways as possible. 

Start by writing a few lines once or twice a week, spending only a few minutes each session. Gradually increase the length of each session and how many times you sit down to write per week.

Eventually, you could work up to about ten minutes per session, performing these exercises several times throughout the week. 

Here are 7 Creative Writing Exercises for Writers

If you feel like taking a break from a writing assignment or are between projects, you can try your hand at these creative writing exercises. They can also serve as inspiration for your next opus or strengthen your creative muscles. 

1. Follow your stream of consciousness.

Many writers have become conditioned to feel a great deal of stress or worry about being confronted by a blank page. This exercise will help you address this fear head-on. 

Get a piece of paper and start writing the first thing that comes to mind. Don’t even think about what you are writing or edit your thoughts. This type of writing is known as “free writing”. Author Julia Cameron referred to this as the “morning pages” in her award-winning book, The Artist’s Way . 

2. Work with different points of view.

If you find yourself struggling with expressing yourself, try switching up your point of view. Take a chapter from your favorite book, or even just a scene if you want to start slow. Write everything that takes place from the point of view of another character. The goal here is to communicate the story in another way. 

You could also vary this exercise by writing as if you are the main character by changing their point of view. If the story is written in the first person, try writing it from the third person. Be aware of the details that are omitted when you switch viewpoints. This frequently leads to an interesting new twist to the story. 

3. Take advantage of writing prompts.

Writing prompts or story starters can be invaluable writing tools that could encourage you to explore unfamiliar but interesting creative directions. These are sentences or short passages that could serve as springboards for writing spontaneous stories. 

We have many writing prompts lists here at ThinkWritten you can use for inspiration, including 365 Creative Writing Prompts , 42 Fantasy Prompts , and 101 Poetry Prompts .

4. Have a Conversation With Yourself

See what it’s like to write a letter or converse with yourself. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a conversation with your younger self, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

You can choose any subject you want, from a significant social or political event or some words of wisdom to your younger version. Try to be as honest and as forthcoming as possible. The results might surprise you.

5. Try Writing Flash Fiction

Try to crank out a piece of flash fiction. As with other creative writing exercises, don’t spend too much time at it. Simply sit down in front of the computer or a piece of paper, and begin writing. Flash fiction doesn’t usually go beyond 500 words, so try to keep it short.

Note: It might be helpful to differentiate flash fiction from the freewriting exercise discussed earlier. While freewriting involves generating words and ideas in an unbridled stream of consciousness, flash fiction is more about writing within a set of guidelines. In this particular exercise, try incorporating structural elements such as plots, conflicts, and character development, all in the goal of developing a logical story arc. 

6. Practice writing fake ads

Writing fake advertisements is another potentially useful exercise. Few tasks can flex your creative muscles than trying to sell a product, person, company, or idea. You don’t need a lot to get started either. All you have to do is to select a word at random from a magazine or newspaper and get started writing an ad for it. 

It might help to write one ad in a more formal tone, similar to the classified ads published in newspapers. This exercise will train you in using a few words effectively to sell your subject. You can then write another ad in a style similar to that published in online marketplaces, which allow for longer text. In both exercises, try to convince your readers to purchase the product in as definitive terms as possible. 

7. Rewrite someone else’s story

Consider adopting a story from someone else and making it your own. Unlike the exercise that involves writing a story from another point of view, this one involves telling the same story from the same viewpoint but using your own words.

It could be any story you want to write about, from something a family member told you about or an urban legend that has long made the rounds of your town.

Whichever story you choose, try to write it as if it happened to you. If certain details are missing–which is often the case with old stories–don’t hold back from adding your own touches. You could even take a well-known story and write it as if you were there when the events took place. 

There are only a few of the creativity exercises for writers you can try. There are many more variations that you could use to help you get back into the pattern of writing creatively.

If you ever find yourself stuck and unsure of what your next step should be, consider taking some time off and working on some creative writing exercises instead. After some time, you might find yourself becoming more eager to get back into it and more inspired than ever. 

Tell us what you think! Do you enjoy creative writing exercises? Do you have any additional ideas for ways writers can continue to build and work on their writing skills? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Eric Pangburn is a freelance writer who shares his best tips with other writers here at ThinkWritten. When not writing, he enjoys coaching basketball and spending time with his family.

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57 Genius-Sparking Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

The best writing exercises for fiction writers are the ones that help you tap into the story you already wanted to tell.

Sometimes we writers get ourselves overwhelmed by the thought that there’s something we “should” be writing. We play fill-in-the-blanks with the supposed formula for a bestseller or obsess over style rules until writing is more confusing than fun. That’s why we need writing exercises.

To be clear, I’m not against formulas. Plot structures , character archetypes , and genre tropes exist to help us create seamless, compelling stories that satisfy expectations.

But writing exercises allow us to step away from the formulas, think purely in terms of creation, and harvest our inner fields of genius.

After all, you are a writer because the urge to tell stories is already within you. There is something you want to communicate, even if you haven’t quite put your finger on it, yet.

A great writing exercise helps a fiction writer like you pinpoint that something. It helps you find inspiration in the world around you and connect it with the deeper purpose that drives you. It can even help you improve your voice and style without having to analyze the living daylights out of these elements.

And lucky you! We’ve put together 57 writing exercises just for you. Whether you need help finding story ideas, fleshing out a work in progress, or advancing your prose, you’ll find something here that does the trick.

What’s the Point of Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers?

Unlike, say, math exercises, writing exercises are designed to spark unique responses. There are no correct answers here. There’s only the vast sea of your imagination, washing magical objects up onto the shore when you summon its waves.

Or whatever.

Writing exercises can fulfill a wide range of purposes (more on that in a moment), but one thing they all have in common is they’re meant to inspire new ideas. In many cases, they also challenge you to add complexity or nuance to your storytelling.

And—my favorite benefit—they help you stay connected to the joy of creativity even through the tedious, pride-crushing editing process .

When to Do Writing Exercises

Do writing exercises whenever you need them! Seriously. All writing exercises fulfill at least one of these four needs:

• Inspiration to get started
• Help getting unstuck
• A guide for perfecting your craft
• Something to reignite creative enthusiasm

That pretty much covers every conceivable goal you might have when you sit down to write.

Not sure what to write about? Do a writing exercise. Your scene description reads like you vomited a thesaurus onto the page? Writing exercise. Discouraged, bored, or distracted? You know what to do.

You can even use a writing exercise as a warm-up before every writing session. The possibilities are endless.

Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

Okay, let’s get to the goods. Here are 57 writing exercises for fiction writers, organized by category. Some prompts are designed to help you come up with new ideas, while others are meant to help you go deeper on an existing project.

Try the exercises that speak to you, skip the ones that don’t, and adapt anything to meet your needs.  

Story Ideas

• Start a story folder. Anytime you come across an article, social media post, or even an ad that sparks thoughts like, “I wonder what that was like,” or “I wonder what happened next,” cut it out or print it out. Put it in a folder. When you need inspiration, open the folder, pick an item, and write the part of the story the article doesn’t show.
• Look at your own life and ask “What if?” Imagine if you’d made a different decision or if your biggest worry (or biggest dream) actually had come true. Write that story.
• Try a modern day retelling of a myth or fairy tale.
• Here’s a fun question: what’s going on in your life right now in a parallel universe? Write that story.
• Wander an art museum and find a work of art that speaks to you. What’s the story here? Even if the art is three hundred years old and you don’t write historical fiction, identify a narrative, theme, or emotion. Place it in the modern day (or whenever your stories take place) and get writing. 
• Choose three objects at random, then look them up in a dream dictionary . Write down what each object symbolizes and imagine the person who would dream about them. What is the dreamer going through? Build a story from there.
• Start with a character goal . Write down an obstacle that makes reaching that goal hard. Think of a bigger obstacle that makes it even harder. Do that again three more times. Find an obstacle so big you’re not sure how your protagonist can get around it. Build your story from there.
• Write the last line of your favorite book. This is the first line of your story. Keep writing.
• Think of an invention you wish existed. Who would invent it? Tell their story.
• Start with a problem. A shocking murder, a struggling marriage, melting ice caps… anything. Now create a character who seems like the least likely person to solve this problem. Explain why they’re actually the best candidate for the job. 
• Search your soul. What ideas do you feel strongly about? What societal issues weigh on your mind? What do you think is the best or worst thing about being a human in the world? What makes you laugh? What does it mean to hope? Love? Rescue someone else? Rescue yourself? Once you find the themes that tug at you, find the story.
• Someone is cleaning out their garage, and it’s a bigger deal than it seems. What are they hiding, clearing out, or preparing for?
• A hurricane has trapped two people together in a tiny island airport. They have opposing goals, personalities, or viewpoints. What happens?

• Take a walk or go to a park. Find a really cool tree. Write about its shape, angles, health, stature, movement, scent… whatever stands out to you. Then use the same descriptions to write about a new character .
• Eavesdrop on a conversation in a public place. Zero in on one specific person. Listen until you have a grasp on their voice. Then write a completely different conversation involving that person.
• Remove a random object from your junk drawer. This is the most important thing to someone. Write about that person and why the object is so valuable to them.
• Explore your character’s signature style. Take inspiration from television characters, magazines, and friends as needed. Write a description of your character’s three favorite outfits and how they feel in those clothes. (For a little help, check out our article on clothing description.)
• What was the defining moment that made your character the person they are at the start of your story? Write that scene.
• What’s something your character feels very strongly about? Write their rant.
• Someone else is toasting (or roasting) your character. Write their speech.
• What is the opinion, desire, fear, or behavior that makes your character unique? Write about it from their point of view. Keep digging until you hit on the universal emotion at the core of that seemingly unusual trait.
• Imagine someone who would be the polar opposite of your character. Describe them: how they look, what they love, what they hate, what they believe… everything. Then pick one trait and make it part of your character. 
• Write a dialogue between you and your character . You’re giving them a heads-up about the flaws they can’t see in themselves. How do they take it? Are they ready for this conversation?
• Write your protagonist’s one-sentence definition of love. Do the same for every character in your story.
• Who does your character love most in the world? Write a scene showing where that relationship is ten years after the story ends. If that person is no longer in the character’s life, write a scene from each person’s life without the other.

• Rewrite the climactic scene of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view.
• Write a tense, dialogue-only scene where your characters never really say what they’re really mad about.
• What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist? Write a scene where it happens and make their most trusted friend the reason it happens. (I know it hurts. Try it, anyway.)
• What is something your protagonist would never, ever do. Now make it something they have to do to reach their goal.
• Write a scene that makes your reader think everything is going to be okay. Put it immediately before the most devastating scene of your story. See what that does.
• Write about the biggest mistake your protagonist has ever made in their pre-story life. Then decide what mistake they can make within the story that is even bigger than that.
• Revisit a scene where a character gets bad news. Make the news worse. See what happens.
• Write an apology letter to your character. Tell them you’re sorry for all the misery you are about to put them through. Explain why it’s necessary for the story—why you can’t hold back or solve all their problems immediately. Let them forgive you. Forgive yourself. Writing is brutal.
• Write a monologue in which your character confesses what they hate most about themselves. Don’t add the monologue to your book, but see what happens if you give that same quality to the antagonist.
• Write the villain’s most painful memory from their point of view. Keep writing at least until you feel genuine empathy for your villain . Read the memory every time you are about to write a scene between your villain and hero.
• Pick a scene that’s already heavy with conflict and throw a little nature into the mix. It can be as small as an obnoxious gust of wind or as destructive as a tornado. It just has to be an antagonistic force that cannot be controlled or persuaded to back off.

• Think about your favorite vacation spot. Look up their local online newspaper and get a sense of what life is like there. Write about a community event from the perspective of someone who was born there. 
• Think of a place that is incredibly familiar to you. Imagine it, or—if you can—go there. Describe it like you’re discovering it for the first time.
• Write about the place where your character feels the safest.
• Write about the place where your protagonist feels like an outsider.
• Take a tour of your home like you’re at an estate sale or open house. Draw conclusions about the people who live here.
• Write a scene where something huge happens in a small place or something small happens in a huge place.
• Write a scene in which the setting is important. You can describe exactly five details about the setting. Which five do you pick to give the reader the most vivid image? How can you use dialogue or character actions to deepen the sense of place?
• Think of a place that makes you feel big feelings. Describe that place, trying to get the reader to feel what you feel without using any emotion words.
• Describe a setting that embodies isolation. Terror. Hope. Anticipation. Security. Adventure. Menace.
• Do an Internet search for “abandoned places.” Pick one. Write a scene that takes place there either in the present day, in that location’s heyday, or at the time when it became abandoned.

• Pick a scene from your story. Find every abstract description in your narration—any instance where you talk about an emotion or a “vibe.” Replace it with something concrete that creates the same feeling. (Example: “The guy was creepy” becomes, “He didn’t break eye contact as he wiped his hands on his bloodstained shirt.”)
• Highlight all the adverbs in one scene. Delete each one. If it feels like they’re needed to clarify the adjectives or verbs they describe, try finding better adjectives or adverbs.
• Try the exercise above but with adjectives. When you remove an adjective, can you replace the noun it describes with a more specific noun? “Louboutins” instead of “expensive shoes”?
• Get wild and reckless with language. Make a list of ten nouns. Then write a scene using all ten nouns as verbs. Have your protagonist “flashlight” a memory or attempt to “drywall” someone’s reputation. Don’t worry if it works; just play. 
• Think of a real-life person whose voice you know very well. Rewrite the first page of your story as in that voice. Then write the page one more time in your own narrative voice. Has anything changed from your original version? 
• Rewrite a scene as a poem, twelve lines maximum. When you have to recreate your scene as something much shorter and (probably) more emotionally driven, what do you discover? What is the core story at the heart of this scene? How do you draw that out of your prose?
• Choose a mundane thing you do every day. Write a story or scene where this action takes center stage as a symbol of something greater.
• Choose ten textbooky words from a textbook. Words like “theorem,” “chlorophyll,” or “gerrymandering.” Work them into a scene that is not about that topic.
• Buy a postcard. Write a message on it from an imaginary sender. In that one message, tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end .
• Go to your local hardware store and get a bunch of color chips from the paint section. Organize them by character. Who would wear cupcake pink ? Whose apartment would be painted in glacial stream ? Add one color to each of your characters’ worlds. 
• Read. Write down sentences that stun you. Explain what you like about them. Read them again before your next writing session.

When in Doubt, Try Fanfiction

On a grand, philosophical level, fanfiction is a beautiful testament to the way we connect with one another’s stories. On a practical, writerly level, it’s a darn good way to sharpen your storytelling skills.

I was about to disclose that I have never actually written fanfiction myself, but then I remembered that Anne of Green Gables / Little House on the Prairie hybrid play I wrote when I was about nine. My cousin and I performed it for our grandma, and I’ll have you know: she loved it. As for me, it was a useful writing exercise, because it allowed me to play with elements that already worked.

With fanfiction, you’re starting with compelling characters whose rich backstories are already known to you. The world and its rules are clear as day. You’re clear on motivations and goals. All the pieces are there for you to play with. You can take things apart, rearrange them, and reconstruct them.

It’s a hands-on way to understand why things work. Not to mention, it’s not unheard of for a work of fanfiction to morph into its own successful series .

Where Do Your Best Ideas Come From?

People will ask you this someday. A lot. When you’re on your book tour or being interviewed on television, people will want to know where you get your ideas.

For most writers, this is a semi-impossible question. Our best ideas are often a weird soup made from childhood memories, song lyrics, and the evening news. And of course, writing exercises.

If you need somewhere to manage that mess of ingredients, I recommend Dabble . Between the Character Notes, Story Notes, Plot Grid, Comments, and Stickies, there are plenty of tools for organizing your bursts of inspiration as you plan and as you draft. Bonus: you can try all the Premium Features for free for fourteen days without involving your credit card. Just click here.

‍ And even if you’re not ready to become a full-fledged Dabbler, you can still find inspiration and support in the Story Craft Café community. It’s free, and it rocks.

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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What's the defining line between sci-fi and fantasy? There's actually a lot more to it than magic versus technology.

Does science fiction alone feel too limiting for your vast imagination? Do you feel like your fantasy world could use a dash of futuristic technology?

Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.

101 Creative Writing Exercises

55 Creative Writing Activities and Exercises

Have you ever heard these questions or statements from your students?

• I don’t know where to begin.
• How can I make my story interesting?
• I’m just not creative.
• What should my story be about?

If so, you won’t want to miss these creative writing activities. 

What Are Creative Writing Activities?

Activities that teach creative writing serve as drills to exercise your student’s writing muscle. When used effectively, they help reluctant writers get past that intimidating blank paper and encourage the words to flow. 

When I think of creative writing exercises , writing prompts immediately come to mind. And, yes, writing from a prompt is certainly an example of a creative writing activity (a highly effective one). 

However, writing prompts are only one way to teach creative writing. Other types of activities include games, collaboration with others, sensory activities, and comic strip creation to name a few.

Unlike writing assignments, creative writing activities aren’t necessarily meant to create a perfectly polished finished project. 

Instead, they serve as more of a warmup and imagination boost.

Picture-based writing exercises are especially fun. You can download one for free below!

get this picture prompt printable for free!

How to use creative writing exercises effectively.

When teaching creative writing , the most effective exercises inspire and engage the student. 

Remember that worn-out prompt your teacher probably hauled out every year? 

“What I Did This Summer…” 

Cue the groaning. 

Instead of presenting your student with lackluster topics like that one, let’s talk about ways to engage and excite them. 

For Kids or Beginners

Early writers tend to possess misconceptions about writing. Many picture sitting down for hours straight, polishing a story from beginning to end. 

Even for experienced writers, this is next-to-impossible to do. It’s preconceived ideas like these that overwhelm and discourage students before they’ve even started. 

Instead of assigning an essay to complete, start with simple, short writing exercises for elementary students such as:

• Creating comic strips using a template
• Talking out loud about a recent dream
• Writing a poem using rhyming words you provide
• Creating an acrostic from a special word

Creative writing exercises don’t have to end in a finished piece of work. If the exercise encouraged creative thinking and helped the student put pen to paper, it’s done its job. 

For Middle School

Creative writing activities for middle school can be a little more inventive. They now have the fundamental reading and writing skills to wield their words properly. 

Here are some ideas for middle school writing exercises you can try at home:

• Creating Mad Lib-style stories by changing out nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their favorite tales
• Storyboarding a short film
• Writing a family newsletter
• Creating crossword puzzles

For High School 

Your high school student may be starting to prepare for college essays and other important creative writing assignments. 

It’s more critical than ever for her to exercise her writing skills on a regular basis. 

One great way to keep your high schooler’s mind thinking creatively is to have her make “listicles” of tips or facts about something she’s interested in already. 

Another fun and effective creative writing exercise for high school is to have your student retell classic stories with a twist. 

List of 55 Creative Writing Activities for Students of All Ages

No matter what age range your students may be, I think you’ll find something that suits their personality and interests in this list of creative writing ideas. Enjoy! 

• Using only the sense of hearing, describe your surroundings. 
• Write a paragraph from your shoes’ point of view. How do they view the world? What does a “day in the life of a shoe” look like?
• Imagine what the world will be like in 200 years. Describe it. 
• Write a letter to someone you know who moved away. What has he or she missed? Should he or she move back? Why? 
• Make up an imaginary friend. What does he or she look like? What does he or she like to do?
• Create a story about a person you know. Use as many details as possible.
• Write a poem that describes a place you have been.
• Soak up the season you’re in with seasonal creative writing prompts. Here are some ideas for fall and winter .
• Write a song where each line starts with the next letter in the alphabet. 
• Create a list of words related to something you love.
• Write a short story based on a true event in your life.
• Rewrite a chapter of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view. 
• Write a letter to your future self. What do you want to make sure you remember?
• Go on a five-senses scavenger hunt. Find three items for each sense. Create a story using the items you found. 
• Create a story around an interesting picture ( try these fun picture writing prompts! )
• Find an ad in a magazine or elsewhere and rewrite the description to convince people NOT to buy the advertised item.
• Write a story using the last word of each sentence as the first word of the next.
• Describe everything you’re sensing right now, using all five senses.
• Write a list of animals A to Z with a one-sentence description of each one. Feel free to include imaginary animals.
• Design your dream room in detail.
• Write a script of yourself interviewing a famous person. Include his or her answers.
• Describe what high school would be like if you lived on the moon. What would you be learning about? How would you be learning it?
• Describe a day in the life of a famous person in history. Include both mundane and exciting details of things they may have experienced on a normal day.
• Pick up something on a bookshelf or end table nearby. Now write a commercial script for it to convince your audience that they absolutely must own this thing.
• Plan a birthday party for your best friend. Describe the decorations, food, and everything else.
• Write a very short story about three siblings fighting over a toy. Now rewrite it twice, each time from a different character’s perspective.
• Tell a story from the point of view of a pigeon on a city street.
• Create a menu for a deli you’ll be opening soon. Name each sandwich after something or someone in real life and list the fillings and type of bread.
• Pretend you just became famous for something. Write 3 exciting newspaper headlines about the topic or reason behind your newfound fame.
• Keep a one-line-a-day journal. Every day, write down one thought or sentence about something that happened that day or how you felt about the day.
• Have you ever had a nightmare? Write what happened but with a new ending where everything turns out okay (perhaps the monster was your dad in a costume, preparing to surprise you at your birthday party).
• Write a “tweet” about something that happened to you recently, using only 140 characters. 
• Take an important event in your life or the life of someone in your family. Write one sentence answering each of the 6 journalistic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes and write nonstop, starting with the words “I remember.” If you get stuck, write “I remember” again until you get unstuck.
• Pick something you use often (a toothbrush, your desk, etc). Then tell the story of how it was invented. If you don’t know, make something up.
• Choose a princess or hero and write a one-paragraph story about him or her traveling to a distant land.
• Pretend you are a tour guide for a local attraction. It can be a library, a park, or a museum, but it could also be a place that wouldn’t normally hold tours (such as an arcade). Write a speech about what you tell your tour group as you walk around the attraction.
• Create a marketing brochure for your favorite activity or fun place to go.
• Make a list of 10 future story settings. Write one sentence describing each. For example, “ in the dark, musty cellar of my grandmother’s house, surrounded by dried-up jars of canned peaches… ”
• Make a list of foods included in a dinner party catered by the world’s worst cook, describing how each course looks, smells, and tastes. Include your reactions while eating it.
• Write out your own version of instructions for playing your favorite game.
• Pretend you’ve lost your sight for one night. Describe going out to eat at a restaurant, using smells, textures, and sounds to tell your story.
• Write a script for an interesting phone conversation in which the reader can only hear one side. 
• Tell the story of an object someone threw away from the perspective of the person who tossed it out. Then tell the story of that same object from the perspective of a person who finds it and deems it a treasure.
• List your 3 least favorite chores. Pick one and write a one paragraph detailing why you can’t possibly complete that chore ever again.
• Write an excerpt from your dog’s diary (pretend he keeps one).
• Write the script for a movie trailer—real or imagined.
• Create an acrostic for a holiday of your choice. 
• Pretend you’re the master of a role-playing game, describing a sticky situation in which the other players now find themselves. Describe the scenario in writing.
• Compose a funny or dramatic caption for a photo.
• Parents, place a textured object in a box without letting your student see it. Have him or her reach in, touch the object, and then describe how it feels.
• Write lyrics for a parody of a song.
• Make a list of 10-20 songs that would be played if a movie was made about your life.
• Describe the sounds, smells, sights, and textures you’d experience if you went to the beach for the day.
• Write an election speech with ludicrous and impossible campaign promises.

One of the best ways to encourage students to write regularly is by providing fun creative writing activities . 

They serve to encourage both the habit and mindset of writing with imagination. If you need extra help with that, check out Creative Freewriting Adventure :

bring excitement into your student’s writing – no prep required!

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

16 Daily Writing Exercises to Unblock You, Improve Your Craft, and Trigger Your Next Big Idea

Writing can be grueling.

Some days you feel you have what it takes.

Other days, you want to go back to bed.

Even after writing almost 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers, some mornings the blank page just stares at me.

I feel like a fraud, fear I’ve lost it or never had it to begin with.

Can you relate? Few writers escape it. Not even the legends.

Hemingway wrote, “There’s no rule on how it is to write … Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly. Sometimes it is like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”

Margaret Atwood says, “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.”

Yet fear holds back so many.

Am I good enough? Will I ever be?

You’re not alone. There’s no magic to successful writing.  It’s all about hard work.

Even when you don’t have the energy.

Even when you’re second-guessing yourself.

All writing is rewriting, and you can’t rewrite a blank page.

So what to do?

Some writers motivate themselves with prompts or other exercises, just to start getting words onto the page. Might that work for you? Try these and see.

Here is a writing exercise for each day of the week, designed to keep you at the keyboard and producing.

• Daily Writing Exercises 

1: Answer these Questions

See if these stimulate you.

• Who just entered your office?
• What is he or she carrying?
• What does he or she want?

2: Write a Letter To Your Younger Self

Tap into your emotions and imagine this as a real, separate person you might be able to move with your words.

3: Imagine a Scene

• An ex-love walks into a coffee shop but hasn’t yet noticed you. Should you greet them? What do you say to someone whose heart you broke five years ago?
• You’re a child who’s been told Santa isn’t real. Write about your feelings and how you might interact with younger kids who still believe.
• You find a peculiar device in your pocket and have no idea how it got there. You feel someone’s watching you. What do you do?
• In fewer than 250 words, describe a defining moment in your life.
• Write about how your character’s best friend’s body shows up in front of their house. What will they do to find out who’s responsible?

4: Write a Story Someone Once Told You

Exercise your storytelling muscles.

5: Write From a New Point of View

If you find yourself most often writing from the same perspective, try a different voice .

• First-person ( I, Me, My ).
• Second-person ( You, Your ). This POV is more common in non-fiction, rarely used by novelists .
• Third-person limited ( He, She ). Common in commercial fiction, the narrator uses the main character as the camera.
• Third-person omniscient. The narrator has access to the thoughts of ALL characters (not recommended except as a writing exercise).

6: Write About Someone Who Inspires You

• a family member
• a historical figure
• any hero of yours

Try writing a short story in first-person from their perspective.

7: Write About Someone You Know

With this exercise, you create a story with a lead character based on a family member, best friend, or anyone else you know well.  

8: Free Write

Set a timer.

Write the first thing that comes to your mind.

No agenda, no filter. Ignore the urge to self edit, and don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, or spelling.

Just write.

9: Omit needless words

Find a piece you’ve written and edited but still needs work.

Ferociously excise every extraneous word and see if that doesn’t add power. This is a fun exercise that should be the hallmark of every writer.

Blogging is a great way to get yourself in the habit of writing regularly and sharing your work with an audience.

11. Analyze Your Favorite Book 

Evaluate what kept you interested.

• Favorite character? Why?
• The writing style?

12: Create a Timeline of Significant Moments for Your Protagonist

The better you know your main character , the richer your story will be.

Go beyond birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries. Focus on events that make a real difference in her life and how you tell her story.

13: Write About Somewhere You’ve Been

Mine your memory for every sensory detail.

14: Use Writing Prompts for Practice

They’re all around you. In real life, in magazines, online lists, even six-word stories.

A writing prompt is simply a starting place. An idea.

The rest is up to you.

15: Write About Something You’re Good At

What’s your expertise? Write about it in detail.

16: Play Devil’s Advocate

Write a strong argument for the other side of an issue about which you’re passionate.

These exercises should get you unstuck and writing like never before.

Are You Making This #1 Amateur Writing Mistake?

Faith-Based Words and Phrases

What You and I Can Learn From Patricia Raybon

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How to maximize your writing time.

2,500 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

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

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

Writing Prompts for Adults

Table of Contents

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

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

Cool Writing Prompts

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

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

Opinion Writing Prompts

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

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

Writing Prompts for College

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

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

Writing Prompts for High School

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

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

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

Writing Prompts for Middle School

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

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

Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Third graders are full of imagination and curiosity.

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

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

Writing Prompts for 4th Grade

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

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

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

Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

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

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

Writing Prompts for Work

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

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

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

Holiday Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Bizarre Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Nature Writing Prompts

Nature is a source of endless inspiration.

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

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

Romance Writing Prompts

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

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

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

History Writing Prompts

History is rich with stories waiting to be told.

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

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

Faith-Based Writing Prompts

Faith is a powerful force that shapes lives and communities.

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

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

Animal Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Poetry Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Biography Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Sci-Fi Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Mystery Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Dialogue-Only Writing Prompts

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

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

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

First-Person Writing Prompts

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

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

Dystopian Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Flash Fiction Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Character-Driven Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Food-Related Writing Prompts

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

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

Dream-Inspired Writing Prompts

Dreams can be strange, surreal, and symbolic.

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

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

Self-Reflection Writing Prompts

Self-reflection prompts encourage introspection and personal growth.

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

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

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Adventure Writing Prompts

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

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

Alternate Reality Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Philosophical Writing Prompts

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

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

Inspirational Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Humor Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Journalistic Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Technology-Themed Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Sensory Detail Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Writing Prompts Based on Art

Art can spark imagination and lead to countless stories.

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

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

Survival Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Time-Travel Writing Prompts

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

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

Cultural Writing Prompts

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

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

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

Prompt Mashups (Combining Genres or Themes)

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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