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WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS

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Shakespeare, set your story during rehearsals for a production of a shakespeare play..

LIVE – High School

Write a story about a tragic hero.

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Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.

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Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.

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Write a story named after, and inspired by, one of Shakespeare's plays. Think modern retellings, metanarratives, subversions, etc.

Write a story about two sporting rivals having to work together., write about a moment of defeat., write a story about an underdog, or somebody making a comeback., write about someone who has trained all their life for one moment., set your story in the stands at a major sporting event., write a story about someone finding acceptance., start your story with a character in despair., center your story around a character bargaining for something that's important to them., write a story about anger., write a story about a someone who's in denial., write a story in the format of a gossip column., write a story where an important conversation takes place during a dance., write a story about two characters who start as mortal enemies but learn to embrace their differences., write a story where a rumor starts to spread. your protagonist is either the topic or the source., set your story at a regency-themed fair., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

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ThinkWritten

365 Creative Writing Prompts

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to help inspire you to write every single day! Use them for journaling, story starters, poetry, and more!

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If you want to become a better writer, the best thing you can do is practice writing every single day. Writing prompts are useful because we know sometimes it can be hard to think of what to write about!

To help you brainstorm, we put together this list of 365 creative writing prompts to give you something to write about daily.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire:

Whether you write short stories, poems, or like to keep a journal – these will stretch your imagination and give you some ideas for topics to write about!

1. Outside the Window : What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?

2. The Unrequited love poem: How do you feel when you love someone who does not love you back?

3. The Vessel: Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.

4. Dancing: Who’s dancing and why are they tapping those toes?

5. Food: What’s for breakfast? Dinner? Lunch? Or maybe you could write a poem about that time you met a friend at a cafe.

6. Eye Contact: Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.

7. The Rocket-ship: Write about a rocket-ship on its way to the moon or a distant galaxy far, far, away.

8. Dream-catcher : Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.

9. Animals: Choose an animal. Write about it!

10. Friendship: Write about being friends with someone.

11. Dragon : Envision a dragon. Do you battle him? Or is the dragon friendly? Use descriptive language.

12. Greeting : Write a story or poem that starts with the word “hello” or another greeting.

13. The Letter: Write a poem or story using words from a famous letter or inspired by a letter someone sent you.

14. The Found Poem : Read a book and circle some words on a page. Use those words to craft a poem. Alternatively, you can cut out words and phrases from magazines.

15. Eavesdropper : Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you’ve overheard.

16. Addict: Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are things you can’t go without?

17. Dictionary Definition : Open up a dictionary to a random word. Define what that word means to you.

18. Cleaning: Hey, even writers and creative artists have to do housework sometimes. Write about doing laundry, dishes, and other cleaning activities.

19. Great Minds: Write  about someone you admire and you thought to have had a beautiful mind.

20. Missed Connections: If you go to Craigslist, there is a “Missed Connections” section where you can find some interesting storylines to inspire your writing.

21. Foreclosure : Write a poem or short story about someone who has lost or is about to lose their home.

22. Smoke, Fog, and Haze: Write about not being able to see ahead of you.

23. Sugar: Write something so sweet, it makes your teeth hurt.

24. Numbers:  Write a poem or journal entry about numbers that have special meaning to you.

25. Dread: Write about doing something you don’t want to do.

26. Fear: What scares you a little? What do you feel when scared? How do you react?

27. Closed Doors: What’s behind the door? Why is it closed?

28. Shadow: Imagine you are someone’s shadow for a day.

29. Good Vibes: What makes you smile? What makes you happy?

30. Shopping:  Write about your shopping wishlist and how you like to spend money.

31. The Professor: Write about a teacher that has influenced you.

32. Rewrite : Take any poem or short story you enjoy. Rewrite it in your own words.

33. Jewelry: Write about a piece of jewelry. Who does it belong to?

34. Sounds : Sit outside for about an hour. Write down the sounds you hear.

35. War and Peace: Write about a recent conflict that you dealt with in your life.

36. Frame It: Write a poem or some phrases that would make for good wall art in your home.

37. Puzzle: Write about putting together the pieces of puzzles.

38. Fire-starters: Write about building a fire.

39. Coffee & Tea: Surely you drink one or the other or know someone who does- write about it!

40. Car Keys: Write about someone getting their driver’s license for the first time.

41. What You Don’t Know: Write about a secret you’ve kept from someone else or how you feel when you know someone is keeping a secret from you.

42. Warehouse : Write about being inside an old abandoned warehouse.

43. The Sound of Silence: Write about staying quiet when you feel like shouting.

44. Insult: Write about being insulted. How do you feel? Why do you think the other person insulted you?

45. Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you? What might the mirror say?

46. Dirty: Write a poem about getting covered in mud.

47. Light Switch : Write about coming out of the dark and seeing the light.

48. The Stars : Take inspiration from a night sky. Or, write about a time when “the stars aligned” in your horoscope.

49. Joke Poem : What did the wall say to the other wall? Meet you at the corner! Write something inspired by a favorite joke.

50. Just Say No : Write about the power you felt when you told someone no.

51: Sunrise/Sunset : The sun comes up, the sun goes down. It goes round and round. Write something inspiring about the sunrise or sunset.

52. Memory Lane : What does Memory Lane look like? How do you get there?

53. Tear-Jerker : Watch a movie that makes you cry. Write about that scene in the movie.

54. Dear Diary: Write a poem or short story about a diary entry you’ve read or imagined.

55. Holding Hands : The first time you held someone’s hand.

56. Photograph : Write a story or journal entry influenced by a photograph you see online or in a magazine.

57. Alarm Clock: Write about waking up.

58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.

59. Refreshed: Write a poem about a time you really felt refreshed and renewed. Maybe it was a dip into a pool on a hot summer day, a drink of lemonade, or other situation that helped you relax and start again.

60. Handle With Care : Write about a very fragile or delicate object.

61. Drama: Write about a time when you got stuck in between two parties fighting with each other.

62. Slip Up: Write about making mistakes.

63. Spice: Write about flavors and tastes or a favorite spice of yours.

64. Sing a New Song: Take a popular song off the radio and rewrite it as a poem in your own words.

65. Telephone: Write about a phone call you recently received.

66. Name: Write a poem or short story using your name in some way or form.

67. Dollhouse: Write a poem or short story from the viewpoint of someone living in a doll house.

68. Random Wikipedia Article : Go to Wikipedia and click on Random Article . Write about whatever the page you get.

69. Silly Sports: Write about an extreme or silly sport. If none inspire you, make up the rules for your own game.

70. Recipe : Write about a recipe for something abstract, such as a feeling.

71. Famous Artwork: Choose a famous painting and write about it.

72. Where That Place Used to Be : Think of a place you went to when you were younger but it now no longer there or is something else. Capture your feelings about this in your writing.

73. Last Person You Talked to: Write a quick little poem or story about the last person you spoke with.

74. Caught Red-Handed: Write about being caught doing something embarrassing.

75. Interview: Write a list of questions you have for someone you would like to interview, real or fictional.

76. Missing You: Write about someone you miss dearly.

77. Geography: Pick a state or country you’ve never visited. Write about why you would or would not like to visit that place.

78. Random Song: Turn on the radio, use the shuffle feature on your music collection or your favorite streaming music service. Write something inspired by the first song you hear.

79. Hero: Write a tribute to someone you regard as a hero.

80. Ode to Strangers: Go people watching and write an ode to a stranger you see on the street.

81. Advertisement: Advertisements are everywhere, aren’t they? Write using the slogan or line from an ad.

82. Book Inspired: Think of your favorite book. Now write a poem that sums up the entire story in 10 lines.

83. Magic : Imagine you have a touch of magic, and can make impossible things happen. What would you do?

84. Fanciest Pen: Get out your favorite pen, pencils, or even colored markers and write using them!

85. A Day in the Life: Write about your daily habits and routine.

86. Your Muse: Write about your muse – what do they look like? What does your muse do to inspire you?

87. Convenience Store : Write about an experience you’ve had at a gas station or convenience store.

88. Natural Wonders of the World: Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.

89. Status Update: Write a poem using the words from your latest status update or a friend’s status update. If you don’t use sites like Facebook or Twitter, you can often search online for some funny ones to use as inspiration.

90. Green Thumb: Write about growing something.

91. Family Heirloom: Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.

92. Bug Catcher: Write about insects.

93. Potion: Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?

94. Swinging & Sliding: Write something inspired by a playground or treehouse.

95. Adjectives: Make a list of the first 5 adjectives that pop into your head. Use these 5 words in your story, poem, or journal entry.

96. Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

97. Whispers: Write about someone who has to whisper a secret to someone else.

98. Smile: Write a poem about the things that make you smile.

99. Seasonal: Write about your favorite season.

100.  Normal: What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal?

101. Recycle : Take something you’ve written in the past and rewrite it into a completely different piece.

102. Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what’s currently in your closet or drawers.

103. Secret Message : Write something with a secret message hidden in between the words. For example, you could make an acrostic poem using the last letters of the word or use secret code words in the poem.

104. Vacation: Write about a vacation you took.

105. Heat: Write about being overheated and sweltering.

106. Spellbinding: Write a magic spell.

107. Collection : Write about collecting something, such as salt shakers, sea shells, or stamps.

108. Taking Chances: Everyone takes a risk at some point in their life. Write about a time when you took a chance and what the result was.

109. Carnival: Write a poem or story or journal entry inspired by a carnival or street fair.

110. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

111: Questions: Write about questions you have for the universe. Optional: include an answer key.

112. Rushing: Write about moving quickly and doing things fast.

113. Staircase : Use a photo of a staircase or the stairs in your home or a building you love to inspire you.

114. Neighbors: Make up a story or poem about your next door neighbor.

115. Black and Blue: Write about a time you’ve been physically hurt.

116. All Saints: Choose a saint and create a poem about his or her life.

117. Beach Inspired: What’s not to write about the beach?

118. Shoes: What kind of shoes do you wear? Where do they lead your feet?

119. The Ex: Write a poem to someone who is estranged from you.

120. My Point of View: Write in the first person point of view.

121. Stray Animal: Think of the life of a stray cat or dog and write about that.

122. Stop and Stare : Create a poem or story about something you could watch forever.

123. Your Bed: Describe where you sleep each night.

124. Fireworks : Do they inspire you or do you not like the noise and commotion? Write about it.

125. Frozen: Write about a moment in your life you wish you could freeze and preserve.

126. Alone : Do you like to be alone or do you like having company?

127. Know-it-all: Write about something you are very knowledgeable about, for example a favorite hobby or passion of yours.

128. The Promise: Write about a promise you’ve made to someone. Did you keep that promise?

129. Commotion: Write about being overstimulated by a lot of chaos.

130. Read the News Today : Construct a poem or story using a news headline for your first line.

131. Macro: Write a description of an object close-up.

132. Transportation : Write about taking your favorite (or least-favorite) form of transportation.

133. Gadgets: If you could invent a gadget, what would it do? Are there any gadgets that make your life easier?

134: Bring on the Cheese: Write a tacky love poem that is so cheesy, it belongs on top of a pizza.

135. Ladders: Write a story or poem that uses ladders as a symbol.

136. Bizarre Holiday : There is a bizarre holiday for any date! Look up a holiday for today’s date and create a poem in greeting card fashion or write a short story about the holiday to celebrate.

137. Blog-o-sphere : Visit your favorite blog or your feedreader and craft a story, journal entry, or poem based on the latest blog post you read.

138. Mailbox: Create a poem, short story, or journal entry based on a recent item of mail you’ve received.

139. Sharing : Write about sharing something with someone else.

140. Cactus: Write from the viewpoint of a cactus. What’s it like to live in the desert or have a prickly personality?

141. It’s a Sign : Have you seen any interesting road signs lately?

142. Furniture: Write about a piece of furniture in your home.

143. Failure: Write about a time you failed at something. Did you try again or give up completely?

144. Mystical Creatures: Angels or other mystical creatures – use them as inspiration.

145. Flying: Write about having wings and what you would do.

146. Clear and Transparent: Write a poem about being able to see-through something.

147. Break the Silence : Record yourself speaking, then write down what you spoke and revise into a short story or poem.

148. Beat: Listen to music with a strong rhythm or listen to drum loops. Write something that goes along with the beat you feel and hear.

149. Color Palette: Search online for color palettes and be inspired to write by one you resonate with.

150. Magazine: Randomly flip to a page in a magazine and write using the first few words you see as an opening line.

151. The Grass is Greener : Write about switching the place with someone or going to where it seems the “grass is greener”.

152. Mind & Body: Write something that would motivate others to workout and exercise.

153. Shaping Up : Write something that makes a shape on the page…ie: a circle, a heart, a square, etc.

154. Twenty-One: Write about your 21st birthday.

155. Aromatherapy: Write about scents you just absolutely love.

156. Swish, Buzz, Pop : Create a poem that uses Onomatopoeia .

157. What Time is It? Write about the time of day it is right now. What are people doing? What do you usually do at this time each day?

158. Party Animal: Have you ever gone to a party you didn’t want to leave? Or do you hate parties? Write about it!

159: Miss Manners : Use the words “please” and “thank you” in your writing.

160. Cliche: Choose a common cliche, then write something that says the same thing but without using the catch phrase.

161. Eco-friendly : Write about going green or an environmental concern you have.

162. Missing You: Write about someone you miss.

163. Set it Free: Think of a time when you had to let someone or something go to be free…did they come back?

164: Left Out : Write about a time when you’ve felt left out or you’ve noticed someone else feeling as if they didn’t belong.

165. Suitcase: Write about packing for a trip or unpacking from when you arrive home.

166. Fantasy : Write about fairies, gnomes, elves, or other mythical creatures.

167. Give and Receive : Write about giving and receiving.

168. Baker’s Dozen: Imagine the scents and sights of a bakery and write.

169. Treehouse: Write about your own secret treehouse hideaway.

170.  Risk: Write about taking a gamble on something.

171. Acrostic : Choose a word and write an acrostic poem where every line starts with a letter from the word.

172. Crossword Puzzle: Open up the newspaper or find a crossword puzzle online and choose one of the clues to use as inspiration for your writing.

173. Silver Lining : Write about the good that happens in a bad situation.

174. Gloves: Write about a pair of gloves – what kind of gloves are they? Who wears them and why?

175. All that Glitters: Write about a shiny object.

176. Jealousy: Write with a theme of envy and jealousy.

Want to Download these prompts?  I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The  printable version  includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

177. How Does Your Garden Grow? Write about a flower that grows in an unusual place.

178. Jury Duty : Write a short story or poem that takes place in a courtroom.

179. Gifts: Write about a gift you have given or received.

180. Running: Write about running away from someone or something.

181. Discovery: Think of something you’ve recently discovered and use it as inspiration.

182. Complain:  Write about your complaints about something.

183. Gratitude: Write a poem or journal entry that is all about things you are thankful for.

184. Chemistry: Choose an element and write a poem or story that uses that word in one of the lines.

185. Applause: Write about giving someone a standing ovation.

186. Old Endings Into New Beginnings:  Take an old poem, story, or journal entry of yours and use the last line and make it the first line of your writing today.

187. Longing: Write  about something you very much want to do.

188. I Am: Write a motivational poem or journal entry about positive traits that make you who you are.

189. Rainbow : What is at the end of a rainbow? Or, take a cue from Kermit the Frog, and ask yourself, why are there so many songs about rainbows?

190. Museum: Take some time to visit a nearby museum with your journal. Write about one of the pieces that speaks to you.

191. Cartoon: Think of your favorite cartoon or comic. Write a poem or story that takes place in that setting.

192. Copycat: Borrow a line from a famous public domain poem to craft your own.

193. From the Roof-tops:  Imagine you could stand on a rooftop and broadcast a message to everyone below – what would you say?

194. Time Travel: If there was a time period you could visit for a day, where would you go? Write about traveling back in time to that day.

195. Changing Places: Imagine living the day as someone else.

196. Neighborhood: Write about your favorite place in your neighborhood to visit and hang out at.

197. Pirates: Write about a pirate ship.

198. Interview : Write based on a recent interview you’ve read or seen on TV or heard on the radio.

199.  Hiding Spaces : Write about places you like to hide things at. What was a favorite hiding spot for you as a child playing hide-and-seek?

200. Extreme Makeover: Imagine how life might be different if you could change your hair color or clothing into something completely opposite from your current style.

201. Empathy: Write about your feelings of empathy or compassion for another person.

202. Opposites: Write a poem or story that ties in together two opposites.

203. Boredom: Write about being bored or make a list of different ways to entertain yourself.

204. Strength : Think of a time when you’ve been physically or emotionally strong and use that as inspiration.

205. Hunger: Write from the perspective of someone with no money to buy food.

206. Greed: Write about someone who always wants more – whether it be money, power, etc. etc.

207. Volcano: Write about an eruption of a volcano.

208. Video Inspiration : Go to Vimeo.com or YouTube.com and watch one of the videos featured on the homepage. Write something based on what you watch.

209. Sneeze: Write about things that make you sneeze.

210. Footsteps on the Moon:  Write about the possibility of life in outer-space.

211: Star-crossed: Write a short modern version of the story of Romeo and Juliet or think of real-life examples of lovers who are not allowed to be together to use as inspiration for your writing.

212. Font-tastic: Choose a unique font and type out a poem, story or journal entry using that font.

213. Schedule: Take a look at your calendar and use the schedule for inspiration in writing.

214. Grandparents: Write about a moment in your grandparent’s life.

215. Collage: Go through a magazine and cut out words that grab your attention. Use these words to construct a poem or as a story starter or inspiration for your journal.

216. Oh so Lonely: Write a poem about what you do when you are alone – do you feel lonely or do you enjoy your own company?

217. Waterfall: Think of a waterfall you’ve seen in person or spend some time browsing photos of waterfalls online. Write about the movement, flow, and energy.

218. First Kiss: Write about your first kiss.

219. So Ironic: Write about an ironic situation you’ve been in throughout your life.

220. Limerick: Write a limerick today.

221. Grocery Shopping: Write about an experience at the grocery store.

222. Fashion : Go through a fashion magazine or browse fashion websites online and write about a style you love.

223. So Close: Write about coming close to reaching a goal.

224. Drinks on Me: Write a poem or short story that takes place at a bar.

225. Online Friends: Write an ode to someone online you’ve met and become friends with.

226. Admiration: Is there someone you admire? Write about those feelings.

227. Trash Day: Write from the perspective of a garbage collector.

228. Mailbox: Open your mailbox and write something inspired by one of the pieces of mail you received.

229. Fresh & Clean: Write about how you feel after you take a shower.

230. Energized: Write about how you feel when you’re either at a high or low energy level for the day.

231. Rhyme & No Reason: Make up a silly rhyming poem using made up words.

232. Tech Support: Use computers or a conversation with tech support you’ve had as inspiration.

233. Hotel: Write from the perspective of someone who works at a hotel or staying at a hotel.

234. Underwater: Write about sea creatures and under water life. What’s under the surface of the ocean? What adventures might be waiting?

235. Breathing: Take a few minutes to do some deep breathing relaxation techniques. Once your mind is clear, just write the first few things that you think of.

236. Liar, Liar: Make up a poem or story of complete lies about yourself or someone else.

237. Obituaries: Look at the recent obituaries online or in the newspaper and imagine the life of someone and write about that person.

238. Pocket: Rummage through your pockets and write about what you keep or find in your pockets.

239. Cinquain: Write a cinquain poem, which consists of 5 lines that do not rhyme.

240. Alphabetical: Write a poem that has every letter of the alphabet in it.

241.  Comedy Club: Write something inspired by a comedian.

242. Cheater: Write about someone who is unfaithful.

243. Sestina: Give a try to writing a sestina poem.

244. Fight: Write about witnessing two people get in an argument with each other.

245. Social Network : Visit your favorite Social Networking website (ie: Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Twitter, etc.) and write a about a post you see there.

246. Peaceful: Write about something peaceful and serene.

247. In the Clouds: Go cloud watching for the day and write about what you imagine in the clouds.

248. At the Park: Take some time to sit on a park bench and write about the sights, scenes, and senses and emotions you experience.

249. Sonnet: Write a sonnet today.

250. Should, Would, And Could: Write a poem or story using the words should, would, and could.

251. How to: Write directions on how to do something.

252. Alliteration: Use alliteration in your poem or in a sentence in a story.

253. Poker Face: Write about playing a card game.

254. Timer: Set a timer for 5 minutes and just write. Don’t worry about it making sense or being perfect.

255. Dance: Write about a dancer or a time you remember dancing.

256. Write for a Cause: Write a poem or essay that raises awareness for a cause you support.

257. Magic : Write about a magician or magic trick.

258. Out of the Box: Imagine finding a box. Write about opening it and what’s inside.

259. Under the Influence: What is something has impacted you positively in your life?

260. Forgotten Toy : Write from the perspective a forgotten or lost toy.

261. Rocks and Gems: Write about a rock or gemstone meaning.

262. Remote Control: Imagine you can fast forward and rewind your life with a remote control.

263. Symbolism: Think of objects, animals, etc. that have symbolic meaning to you. Write about it.

264. Light at the End of the Tunnel: Write about a time when you saw hope when it seemed like a hopeless situation.

265. Smoke and Fire : “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Use this saying as inspiration to write!

266. Railroad: Write about a train and its cargo or passengers.

267. Clipboard: Write about words you imagine on an office clipboard.

268. Shipwrecked: Write about being stranded somewhere – an island, a bus stop, etc.

269. Quotable: Use a popular quote from a speaker and use it as inspiration for your writing.

270. Mind   Map it Out: Create a mind map of words, phrases, and ideas that pop into your head or spend some time browsing the many mind maps online. Write a poem, story, or journal entry inspired by the mind map.

271. Patterns : Write about repeating patterns that occur in life.

272. Scrapbook : Write about finding a scrapbook and the memories it contains.

273. Cure: Write about finding a cure for an illness.

274. Email Subject Lines: Read your email today and look for subject lines that may be good starters for writing inspiration.

275. Wishful Thinking: Write about a wish you have.

276. Doodle : Spend some time today doodling for about 5-10 minutes. Write about the thoughts you had while doodling or create something inspired by your finished doodle.

277. Chalkboard: Imagine you are in a classroom. What does it say on the chalkboard?

278. Sticky: Imagine a situation that’s very sticky, maybe even covered in maple syrup, tape or glue. Write about it!

279. Flashlight : Imagine going somewhere very dark with only a flashlight to guide you.

280. A Far Away Place : Envision yourself traveling to a fictional place, what do you experience in your imaginary journey?

281. On the Farm : Write about being in a country or rural setting.

282. Promise to Yourself: Write about a promise you want to make to yourself and keep.

283. Brick Wall : Write a poem that is about a brick wall – whether literal or figurative.

284. Making a Choice: Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice.

285.  Repeat: Write about a time when you’ve had to repeat yourself or a time when it felt like no one was listening.

286. Outcast : Write about someone who is not accepted by their peers. (for example, the Ugly Ducking)

287. Scary Monsters: Write about a scary (or not-so-scary) monster in your closet or under the bed.

288. Sacrifice: Write about something you’ve sacrificed doing to do something else or help another person.

289. Imperfection: Create a poem that highlights the beauty in being flawed.

290. Birthday Poem: Write a poem inspired by birthdays.

291. Title First : Make a list of potential poem or story titles and choose one to write from.

292. Job Interview : Write about going on a job interview.

293. Get Well : Write a poem that will help someone who is sick feel better quick!

294. Lost in the Crowd: Write about feeling lost in the crowd.

295. Apple a Day: Write about a health topic that interests you.

296. Cravings: Write about craving something.

297. Phobia: Research some common phobias, choose one, and write about it.

298. In the Moment: Write about living in the present moment.

299. Concrete : Write about walking down a sidewalk and what you see and experience.

300. Battle: Write about an epic battle, whether real, fictional or figurative.

301. This Old House : Write about an old house that is abandoned or being renovated.

302. Clutter: Is there a cluttered spot in your home? Go through some of that clutter today and write about what you find or the process of organizing.

303. Go Fly a Kite: Write about flying a kite.

304. On the TV: Flip to a random TV channel and write about the first thing that comes on – even if it is an infomercial!

305. Fruit: Write an ode to your favorite fruit.

306. Long Distance Love: Write about a couple that is separated by distance.

307. Glasses: Write about a pair of eyeglasses or someone wearing glasses.

308. Robotic : Write about a robot.

309. Cute as a Button: Write about something you think is just adorable.

310. Movie Conversation: Use a memorable conversation from a favorite movie to inspire your writing.

311. Easy-Peasy : Write  about doing something effortlessly.

312. Idiom: Choose from a list of idioms one that speaks to you and create a poem around that saying or phrase. (Ie: It is raining cats and dogs)

313. Playground: Whether it is the swings or the sandbox or the sliding boards, write about your memories of being on a playground.

314. Romance: Write about romantic things partners can do for each other.

315. Rock Star: Imagine you are a famous rock star. Write about the experience.

316. Come to Life: Imagine ordinary objects have come to life. Write about what they do and say.

317. Airplane: Write about meeting someone on an airplane and a conversation you might have.

318. Health & Beauty: Take some time to peruse your medicine cabinet or the health and beauty aisles at a local store. Write a poem, short story, or journal entry inspired by a product label.

319. Determination: Write about not giving up.

320. Instrumental Inspiration: Listen to some instrumental music and write a poem that matches the mood, beat, and style of the music.

321. Wait Your Turn: Write about having to wait in line.

322. Personality Type : Do you know your personality type? (There are many free quizzes online) – write about what type of personality traits you have.

323. Decade: Choose a favorite decade and write about it. (IE: 1980’s or 1950’s for example)

324. I Believe: Write your personal credo of things you believe in.

325. Lost and Found: Write about a lost object.

326. Say it: Write a poem or story that uses dialogue between two people.

327. The Unsent Letter: Write about a letter that never made it to its recipient.

328. The Windows of the Soul: Write a poem about the story that is told through someone’s eyes.

329. Trial and Error: Write about something you learned the hard way.

330. Escape : Write about where you like to go to escape from it all.

331. What’s Cooking: Write something inspired a favorite food or recipe.

332. Records : Go through your file box and pull out old receipts or records…write something inspired by what you find!

333. Banking: Write about visiting the bank.

334. Sweet Talk: Write about trying to convince someone of something.

335. Serendipity: Write about something that happened by chance in a positive way.

336. Distractions: Write about how it feels when you can’t focus.

337. Corporation: Write about big business.

338. Word of the Day: Go to a dictionary website that has a word of the day and use it in a poem, story or journal entry you write.

339. Pick Me Up:  What do you do when you need a pick me up?

340. Unfinished: Write about a project you started but never completed.

341. Forgiveness: Write about a time when someone forgave you or you forgave someone.

342. Weakness: Write about your greatest weakness.

343. Starting: Write about starting a project.

344. Mechanical: Think of gears, moving parts, machines.

345. Random Act of Kindness : Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone or someone has done for you, no matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed.

346. Underground: Imagine living in a home underground and use that as inspiration for writing.

347. Classic Rock: Pick a classic rock love ballad and rewrite it into a story or poem with a similar theme.

348. Night Owl : Write about staying up late at night.

349. Magnetic : Write about attraction to something or someone.

350. Teamwork: Write about working with a team towards a common goal.

351. Roller-coaster : Write about the ups and downs in life.

352. Motivational Poster: Look at some motivational posters online and write a poem or journal entry inspired by your favorite one.

353. Games: Write about the games people play – figuratively or literally.

354. Turning Point: Write about a point in life where things turned for the better or worse.

355. Spellbound: Write about a witch’s spell.

356. Anniversary: Write about the anniversary of a special date.

357. Gamble:  Be inspired by a casino or lottery ticket.

358. Picnic: Write about going on a picnic.

359. Garage: Write about some random item you might find in a garage.

360. Review: Review your week, month, or year in a journal entry or poem format.

361. Detective: Write about a detective searching for clues or solving a mystery.

362. Camera: Take your camera for a walk and write based on one of the photographs you take.

363. Visiting : Write about visiting a family member or friend.

364. Trust: Write about putting trust in someone.

365. Congratulations : Did you write a poem, short story, or journal entry every day for a whole year? Write about what you’ve learned and celebrate your achievement!

We hope you enjoy these creative writing prompts! And of course, if you write anything using these prompts, we’d love to know about it! Tell us how you’ll use these everyday creative writing prompts in the comments section below!

And of course, if you’d like the printable ad-free version of these prompts to reference again and again or to use in your classroom, you can find them at our Etsy shop !

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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193 comments.

I have been on a reading binge since being on vacation from school. By rereading Little House, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women among others, one wonders about writing a book. I stumbled across this while looking up unit supplements for my kiddos, and thought, hey, write a page a day and see what happens! Thank you for this collection of prompts! I’ve linked back to this page several times so others can try their hand at writing. Thank you again!

The Flicker, The Teeth, and A Warehouse in the Dark (the warehouse prompt)

I am in a large abandoned warehouse with a flickering light The only light in the whole room. It flickered leaving me in temporal darkness It flickered again and as it was dark I swore I saw something glowing It looked like glowing teeth The lights return and I see nothing Flickers on Flickers off I see the teeth closer Flickers on I see nothing Flickers off The teeth so close Flickers on An empty warehouse Flickers off The glowing teeth are inchings away bright red blood drips from their tips Flickers on Panic rises in my chest but nothing is there Turns off The mouth of bloody teeth is before my eyes I wait for the light to flicker back on I wait in complete darkness I wait And wait And wait The teeth open wide I try to scream by the darkness swallows it A hear the crunch of my bones I see my blood pore down my chest But I wait in darkness for the pain I wait And wait And wait The mouth of teeth devours my lower half I wait for pain and death I wait And wait And wait The light flickers on I see no monster Only my morphed body And blood And blood And blood And so much blood The light flickers off The monster eats my arm Flickers on I wait for pain Flickers off I watch as the creature eats my limbs Flickers on I wait for death Flickers off Slowly the teeth eat my head All I see is dark I wait for it to flicker on Where is the warehouse light? Where is the only light in the room? Where is the flicker? Where am I? Where are the bloody teeth? I wait for the light to come back And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait And wait in eternal darkness

WOW. Thank you!

This is such a helpful tool! I’ve learned a lot about my self through picking a random prompt and writing the first thing that comes to mind. I’d love to see a follow up list of possible! Definitely a recomended sight!

I agree. Very helpful.

I am new at the blogging game. You have provided some wonderful ideas for blog posts. Great ideas just to get used to writing every day. Thanks

This list is really impressive and useful for those of us who are looking for good topics to blog about. Thanks!

Thank you! That somes in handy

Very nice list. Thanks for compiling and posting it. It’s not only good for bloggers, but poets, as well.

yess im using it for my new years resolution, which is to write a poem daily!

Wow, thanks so much for all these wonderful prompts! They are lots of fun and very helpful. I love how you’ve provided 365 of them–A prompt for every day of the year! 🙂

Not if it’s a leap year…

Haha. Yea. This is great though all the same.. ;-;

Lol actually there’s 364 days in a year and 365 in a leap year so……yeah

are you fucking stupid

There are actually 366 days in a leap year so… yeah

I use this for my homeschooling-I love it! Thank you so much!! This is a wonderful list. So creative! 🙂 🙂

Thanks! I’m preparing for writing every day next year and this will come in really handy. It’s just 364 writing prompts though. 164 is missing. 😉

MiMschi is wrong 164 is there i looked

I think they meant that as a joke, 164 is called left out…

Good it is useful

no its not you nonce

You Don’t Love Me, Damn You

things left unsaid

and then some

anger strangles the baby

in its crib,

flowers wilt,

rivers dry up

harsh words clatter upon the day,

echo unfortunately

till silence smothers

in its embrace

you wish you could take it back

what’s done is done

never to be undone

though things move on

part of you remains

locked in the middle of protesting

one last thing,

mouth open,

no words emerging

why must you be misunderstood?

why must everything you say

no way of straightening things out

gestures halted mid-air

an accusatory finger

shoulders locked

in sardonic shrug

dishes smash on the floor

spray of fragments

frozen mid-air

slam the door

it doesn’t open

but in spite of yourself

you turn and look

one last time…..

(Greg Cameron, Poem, Surrey, B.C., Canada)

Love these. Thank you!

This is really amazingly deep. I love it so much. You have so much talent!!

Thanks SOOO much for the prompts but I have another suggestion!

A Recipe for disaster- write a recipe for a disastrous camping trip…

that one sounds awesome.

Haha. Reminds me of the old twin’s show.. what was it.. where the two girls switch places when they meet at camp?

Pretty sure I know what you’re talking about. The Parent Trap, right? Never seen the whole movie, but it seems funny.

and also #309, everyone should have thought of a hamster “write” away XD!

May I have permission to use this list at my next Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers meeting. Thank you for consideration.

Hi Leah, please send some more info here: https://thinkwritten.com/contact

i am using it for my homeschooling and i love it

i am using it for my homeschooling

where is prompt 165?

sorry I meant 164, my mistake.

well kay, there is a 164 AND 165. So your head is clearly ????????????

What I like most about these is how you can combine them and get really weird ideas. For example, empathy from the rooftops: what if you shouted something positive in public every day – or if everyone did so? It might be fun to try, and then write a diary about it. Online time travel: if people could live virtually in incredibly well=constructed versions of different time periods, what would the effects be on today’s society? Could it change our language or customs?

It would be cool if we could have goggles that showed places during a certain time period. Like Seattle 1989. And you could buy special plugins, like specific people you want to hang out with, famous or non.

That one about online time travel is crazy brilliant!!! And highly thought-provoking.

It is amazing what creative writing could do to you. Daily prompts have proven to be very inspiring and overtime writers develop their own style of writing depending on how passionate they are about it. I would love to write about all 3, online, space, and time travel. cheers! and Don’t stop writing!

I belong to a writing club. We seem to have a lot of prompts to use. I love stories having to do with rain. Would you join me. I am jim

Wow! Inspiration right here.

May I use this list for a speech at my Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers?

Love the inspiration

THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THANK YOU.

What about a leap year? You’re missing one topic.

Wonderful! I love writing and these prompts are very helpful. Thank you very much! ♥

It’s been really useful in getting me to write again! Thank you very much!

I really love the list of writing ideas you have compiled here. I will be using it and others to get myself back into writing every single day if I can be away with it. Also, I have noticed a few problems with this list. One is a repeat topic. Those are numbers 76 and 162. And you skipped a number. And have only 364 days of writing. Still through! All these ideas are absolutely amazing and awesome ideas! I commend you for putting it all together in an easy to read format too. Thank you so very much.

I think we have the list all fixed now, but thanks for catching a couple of early mistakes!

Thank you for helping me edit Lora! I don’t always have a second pair of eyes + appreciated this to fix + update the post! I always say my readers are my best editors. 🙂

these days get brighter, mine gets darker, why does it has to be me , why not life.

Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you?

u r awesome man

Wonderful compilation of ideas! I will send your blog along to my many Creative Writing students. I’m enjoying reading your posts.

wow!! great tips! but how long did it take you to write that? its a lot of words!! lol great stuff though..

This is so cool! I love these prompts and will definitely recommend some to my teacher!!

The promise “I made a promise with my best friend, I said i’d never break, Our personalities really did blend, But then I lied awake, The people disappearing, Her gaze was always leering. I never thought she was serious, I always took it as a joke, But it really made me curious, When she was digging around that oak, My best friend is a serial killer, And i knew the truth, My life turned into a thriller, And eating at me took away my youth, I couldn’t take it any long living with this weight, To the police I went to tell my tale, Looking at me with eyes of hate, she smiled and said, without her I would fail. Now i sit in the prison cell, Waiting for my call My friend across the room smiling, my eyes begin to swell, My neck snapping on the, from my sides my hands fall

Although my writing style is dark, that’s the way I enjoy writing, and thank you for this list, even though I didn’t do one per day, scrolling through I was able to see keywords that formed ideas in my mind

I love this <3 It's amazing :))

These are really nice I absolutely love them.

This is very helpful and I’ve been finding a way to help improve my creative writing!!! Thank you very much!

You are such a life developer, who can virtually transform a life busy with unnecessary activities humans are posted to through internet. And who can restore the appetite of people to purchase pen and paper which have considered the last commodity in the market at the expense of that great vampire ‘social media’ that left both old and young paralyzed. Thanks to the proponent of this great idea.

These are great. The Closed door one gives me a great idea for a new story! Thank you so much!

man what the fuck is this shit! i was looking for short story writing prompts and I get stuck with shit like “write about the weather outside”. Damn this shit is disappointing.

Hi John, the weather might seem boring, but there are a lot of ways you can springboard from that – maybe you write a story about a character who despises the sunshine or melts if they get rained on or they live in a underground tunnel and the house gets flooded…You can also use it as an exercise in developing more descriptive writing that shows, not tells for the scenes in your story. Writing about the weather seems “easy and boring” but seriously challenge yourself to write about it in a way that makes it interesting – it is not so easy to avoid the cliches as you might think!

I LOVE IT SO MUCH i do not know why but my kids, they will just like come on this website every time it is time to have a little bit of video games! XD

The weather outside that day was dark.

It was a perfectly reasonable sort of darkness. The kind of darkness you might get if you wake up an hour before sunrise. But it was late in the morning.

He had to make sure of that. He checked his alarm clock, his microwave oven clock, and his cell phone.

The sun was supposed to be out. But the moonlit sky was starlit and clear.

And as he looked outside again, he saw that people were out, going about their business, as if none of this really mattered at all.

What was he missing here?

(There. Now you have a short story writing prompt..)

You know what “John” i think this website is great so fuck you.

yeah you tell him john

It depends on how you view it. That one topic for instance has given me a beautiful story telling. I am currently about to round up with it and trust me the feedback has been amazing.

That is great! I’m glad it helped inspire you!

Dude kids go on here so stop swearing “John”

Maybe you need to work on improving the quality of your writing. Your use of expletives is totally uncalled for. I see nothing wrong with “writing about the weather outside”. In fact, this is a great topic and can lead to awesome discussions.

Very useful indeed. Thank u

i think this is a good prompted

I think it’s awesome, I looked for inspiration, I found inspiration, thank you

well! i fall in love with all these ideas! i loved this page! thanks for sharing these amazing ideas!

Great stuff mat Keep up the good work

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH IT IS VERY HELPFUL BUT FOR A SUGGESTION YOU COULD DO DIARY STUFF MAYBE

When I read your comment, I thought you said “DAIRY,” not “DIARY.”

So… why not both? Write something based on a dairy farmer’s diary. Or… a dairy COW’S diary. Tell their stories, their private dreams. Or hidden shame…

That’s the way to think + use this list 🙂

Great idea!

Awesome list! Thank you!

Thanks so much! I’ve always been told I’m a great writer and should publish. I haven’t done a lot of leisure writing because I’m afraid I might realize I’m NOT a good writer. My therapist wants me to write more and these prompts are perfect!

This is fun i will keep doing this no matter what every year. I can’t stop writing either. Thanks for making this, it is very fun.

This helps so much! love these ideas

Can this website give me a write on the following topic. –

Imagine that the scientists could replace the human brains with computers or invent the computers with human feelings. What do you think would happen?Would the world become a better place to live in???

I’ve been looking for prompts to work through my creative art/collage journal for 2017…and love the ones you offer here….LOVE THEM! I like that they are more than just one word and give me something to think about before I start creating each day as a warm up to what is ahead.

I hope don’t mind, but I shared them on both Instagram and my FaceBook page in hopes to get my artist/creative friends to follow along with me in creating each day. I would like to include a link to your page in a near future blog post about my creative journal.

Thank you for posting and sharing you prompts…I’m excited to get started!

I’m on number 43 and I’ve already discovered a whole bunch about myself! These prompts are amazing and I can’t wait for the next 322 of them. I’ve recommended this to several of my friends. Totally worth several notebooks chock full of prompts and a years worth of writing 🙂

Very inspiring….

Hello! Is it alright if I add some of these to a little book I’m making for my Grandmother? She hasn’t opened a computer in her life but I know these prompts would do her a world of good. I believe in the importance of asking permission to use the creative property of another person 🙂 Cheers!

Hi Maxx, of course you may share with your grandmother – the only thing we would worry about is if you were to publish them for monetary gain. Enjoy! 🙂

This is really helpful. I’m glad I saw it first. ♥

OMG!! I’ve never been in this website before!!

Thank u so much this was so helpful. Idk how u came up with all thoughts prompts. It was very helpful. Thank u again.

For the first time in a long time it finally felt like I knew was going to happen next. I was gazing into her eyes and she was gazing back. I remember it like it was just yesterday, when she was still the one for me but never forgave me. I miss the sweet sound of her laughter and now all i hear are friends. I have tried to go back and apologize to her just to see if the answer will change but even I know that it will never change because I will never be enough for her. But if she ever decides that she wants me back she can have me because a life without love is one not worth living.

gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

can u give me one using the prompt “normal”

Thanks for this!!!!! Will definitely help me in learning to tap into my creative writing genius 🙂

Thanks, this helped me a lot!

u have a typo!!!! 364

Thanks for pointing out, got it fixed 🙂 Sometimes my brain goes faster than the computer. 🙂

I wrote this, tell me what you think; prompt #4-dancing You see her tapping her toes, always listening to music. Although she doesn’t like the music, what she doesn’t know yet is it will be stuck in her head for the next year. She’s as graceful as a butterfly yet as strong as a fighter. Many only see a pretty face yet those close enough to the fire know the passion burning deep inside of her. At home she’s quiet, always in her room yet making loud noises through the floorboards. Her parents know what she’s up to but her little brothers don’t quite understand yet. All they know is that when she goes up there she’s listening to music and soon she will play it for the whole neighborhood to hear. They don’t know that she’s practicing, practicing for the most important day of the year. The one she’s been waiting for since she’s been a little girl. Tapping her toes at the table only stops when her parents beg her to rest. Even in her dreams she on stage, dancing like a swan. Yet deep down she’s scared of the failure that she will feel if this one day goes a bit to south. Tapping her toes to the beat of her music gives her a bit of pip in her pep when she walks down the halls. No one quite understands the stress she’s going through. Through her smile she’s worries, scared that one misstep might end it all for her. But she won’t let anyone see that she’s nervous. She’s used to getting bruises, she falls on the ground but always gets back up. Because she’s a dancer, the show must go on.

Brilliant. Loved it.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m working on a site in Danish about writing and I would love to translate these awesome prompts into Danish and use it on the site. Would that be OK? I’ll credit with links of course!

Hi Camilla, you cannot copy + post these on your site, but feel free to link to the article – our site is compatible with Google translate 🙂

Hi Camilla, this list cannot be republished, even if translated into another language. However, if you would like to link to our website that would be great, your readers are able to translate it into any language if they use a web browser such as Google Chrome.

My goal is to write all of these prompts before 2018

This is amazing! I am writing for fun and this is a list of amazing prompts!

Ha, Ha . I see what you did , #164 was missing and now it say write about being left out .

Thanks a ton !!!

This link has been really helpful for my blog, loved the ideas.

Thanks for not publishing my email address

You are welcome! We never publish email addresses. If you’d like to learn more about how we collect and use information you may provide us with on this website, you can read more on our privacy policy page. Hope that helps! https://thinkwritten.com/privacy/

I have another suggestion, What about “The Secret Journey to the Unknown”. I reckon it’s awesome!

I was wondering if you could please send new ideas to me, much appreciated thanks.

I love all of these so much and i try to write referring to these at least once everyday thank you so much for these!

Trust, It is a beautiful thing. You give it to others, For them to protect. They can keep it forever, Or they can destroy it.

Wow what a treasure! Am glad I have found the right place to begging my writing journey.Thanks guys

Super awesome! Thanks so much for this collection of writing prompts!!

Today is the last day of the year 2017. I’m proud to say that I was able to complete this challenge. Thank you for the inspiring prompts! 🙂

That is awesome! We might just have to think of some new ones!!

how about one with sports like the NBA

I thought my life was over when I couldn’t access this for a couple weeks. These prompts are excellent. I write two page short stories on one every day. I hope you guys never take down this site but I’m printing these for insurance because it truly was devastating. I’m very emotionally attached to this list. Thank you so much for sharing.

Yes, we did have a small glitch in our hosting services for a few days! Fortunately, it was only temporary and unexpected! {Though I’m sure it did feel like 2 weeks!} Good to hear you are using the prompts!

Very nice article. Very useful one for improving writing skills

Thank you Sid! Glad it is useful for you!

Oh my god.. This is something a different, thought provoking and a yardstick to those who cultivated passion on writing, like me, beginners. Wishes for this website. I really wanted to try this 365 days of writing. Thanks in tons.

Glad you find it helpful! I hope it keeps you inspired to keep growing as a writer!

i love writing too! i am writing a book and this website inspired me too!

i have been writing lots of things and am getting A + on writing

thxs for your time with the web

i am making a epic book. it is because of this website. you really help. i will share a link of my book once i am done with it to your awesome cool really helpful website! thank you for your time

That is great to hear Christopher! Would love to see some of your work when you are ready to share! 🙂

WOOOOOOOOW BEST SITE!

I’m going to write few marvelous essays based on ideas in your impressive list. Thanks!

Just to tell some people that 165 or 164 is not missing because some people probably can’t see but just to let u know that 164 is a prompt called “Left Out”

Dang. The second idea about writing about what it feels like to love someone who doesn’t love you back, I wrote something like that BEFORE I found this website.

You can always try writing it again, maybe from the other person’s perspective this time? That is the beauty of the open-ended writing prompts – you can always interpret them in a way to push and challenge you as a writer!

Thank you for these prompts! I enjoyed looking through them and writing them! They gave me great ideas and inspired me so much.

This is my favorite website to find inspiration to write. I had run out of ideas and i had a huge writers block but this made it all go away. Here’s something i wrote:

He is a mess She is beautiful He has tears streaming down his face She glides across the room as if it were her kingdom And she’s The reigning queen He’s curled up in a ball In the corner of the room He looks at me I wonder what he thinks I can’t take my eyes off her The way she subtly smiles when she realizes Someone is looking She seems to be happy all the time But I can see through the smile It’s my first time noticing It’s not complete That was the first time I wanted to say hi But I thought Why would he look at me? The nerd with all the answers in her head All the books in her hands And Her sleeves full of hearts She looked at me From the corner of her eye She saw me looking The boy with the tear stains She saw me His tears were no longer streaming He had finally stood up Tall and handsome As he is Eyes Bluer than the blue jay that sat outside my bedroom window She had opened a book and started reading She hadn’t changed pages for a while Safe to assume She was distracted She looked up and Without knowing I was in front of her “Hi” Her brown eyes Stared in to my soul Erased the memory of why the tears Were streaming in the first place “Hi”

I love it Cynthia, thank you for sharing and glad that it inspired you to keep writing! 🙂

Thank you for so many amazing ideas! I love the sound of mirror, mirror!

Glad you found it inspiring Ar!

read the whole thing and didn’t find anything I’d enjoy writing 🙁

What kinds of things do you like to write? We have a whole collection of additional writing prompts lists here. Sometimes challenging yourself to write something you don’t like all in its own can be a good exercise for writing. Hope that helps!

These are ingenious!

I love these prompts! They’re inspiring! I’ve chosen to challenge myself by using one of these prompts every day of this 2019 year. I posted my writings for the first prompt on my Tumblr and Facebook pages with the prompt and a link back to this article- I hope that’s alright. If not, I can take it down, or I would love to discuss a way I could continue to do this. I hope more people can see and use these prompts because I have already found joy in using the first one.

Hi Elizabeth! Glad you are enjoying the prompts! You can definitely post what you write with these prompts as long as you do not copy the entire list or claim them as your own. Linking back to our website or this post will help others find the prompts so they too can use them for writing! If you have any questions feel free to contact us anytime using our contact form. Thanks!

Amazing original prompts Thank you so much!

Good list, but you’re not supposed to mistake it’s for its. Not on a website for writers, of all places!

I appreciate your comment, especially because after triple checking the article AND having a few grammar-police personality type friends do the same we could not find any typos. All of the instances of its and it’s are the correct usage.

However, one thing we did remember is that it is very easy for the person reading to accidentally misunderstand and not interpret it the way as the writer intended.

To clarify when we should use it’s vs. its:

We use it’s when we intend the meaning as the contraction. This is a shortened way of writing it is . We use its without an apostrophe when we use it as a possessive noun. Any instances you may note here are correct for their intended meaning.

Some examples:

Prompt #141 It’s a Sign : In this case we intend it to be interpreted as IT IS a Sign , where the usage is a contraction.

Prompt #7 The Rocket Ship : In this case we intend it to be interpreted as the possessive form.

I hope that helps clear up any possible confusion for you!

Thank you soooo much! That helped me a lot!

You’re welcome Keira! Glad you enjoyed our list of writing ideas!

It is so rich in bright and thought-provoking ideas. Thank you so much. Get inspired to have more, please

Thanks for this. I love to write things like this. Some of these though, weren’t as interesting as I wanted it to be, not saying that they aren’t interesting. I like the help you’ve added in, such as being led into a dark room with only a flashlight to help so it gets us started. Great job!

Thanks Maya, I’m glad you like the prompts. Sometimes the prompts that seem boring are the best ones to help you practice your skills as a writer to make them interesting topics. Some of the best writers can make the most mundane topics fun!

Nice….I don’t think I’ll ever lack something to write on … I so appreciate your ideas ..,they are great

Thank you, glad you enjoyed them!

Thank you for providing these writing prompts! They are great!

Thank You so much, these are amazing to start of with to get the creative juices flowing

Thank you very much

Sweet! Thank you so much! I plan to use some of these for some creative writing on CourageousChristianFather.com

I’m glad they inspired you Steve! I always love seeing what everyone writes with these prompts – I really enjoyed your post about the cookie ad jingle! 🙂

Thanks so much for this list. I needed something to kickstart my writing. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I just wrote #1. WooHoo!!

Thank you for your list. This is great!

I write feature articles for our church library’s monthly newsletter. Perusing this list has helped me come up with a couple dozen ideas to consider for future issues! Thanks much for putting this together – it is being used beyond the scope of what you intended, I think!

That’s wonderful Debbie! There are so many ways to apply these prompts to any sort of project – thank you for sharing how you are using them!

Thanks for your prompts, an idea I have for a prompt is write a story based on your favorite story for example I’m writing a fantasy book based on the game dungeons and dragons…

i guss its ok

cgv hbvkd vjvhsvhivhcickbcjh

Just needed to ask: I’d like to think these prompts are for free writing with no pauses? But, does one edit and polish the piece after that? I keep reading about writing every day…like brain dumping. But, there is never a mention of what one does with the piece after that??

This article has been written with sheer intelligence. Such 365 creative writing prompts has been written here. This article is worth marking as Good. I like how you have researched and presented these exact points so clearly.

Thank you for this list! You’ve inspired me to take up the challenge, though I haven’t written anything in years!

I have even created a blog to post my ideas, and keep myself accountable. I hope this is okay, I will credit, and provide a link back to this page on each post. https://thefishhavegotitright.blogspot.com/

I love it Ariadne, I’ll definitely come check out your site! Keep at it!

This is really Helpful thanks I love it😊

I never knew how much I had to write about. This should definitely keep me busy! Thank you so much for the list.

Hi! I saw a note saying this had been updated for 2020. I was curious if there are plans to update it for 2021. If so, when would the 2021-updated list become available?

Hi Gabrielle, I am not sure when we will next update this list, but feel free to check out some of our other writing prompts lists if you’ve exhausted this one! Writing Prompts for Kids {which is for grown-ups too!} and Poetry Writing Prompts are two great ones to check out. Hope that helps!

Loved this a lot! I would like to ask permission for using these prompts for my poetry and stories page on Instagram. Kindly let me know if I can use these and let my followers write on them too.

Hi, Piyusha, I’m just a user of the site like you, so I’m not “official”. But if you hit CTRL + F in your browser, that should open the “Find” dialog. Search on “Camilla”, and that will take you to a post and response concerning your request. Have a great and productive writing day. K. B. Tidwell

very informative thank you

I have always had problems finding something to write about. My problem is solved🥰 Thank you

I love this

Oh great. Good for everyone who enjoys picking the pen and writing something readable

Love these prompts. I am going to write a story about a group of people creating and building a city where homeless people can live, where everyone has access to as much money as they need because money is in endless supply. Where no one has too little or too much of anything.

I decided to write a poem about prompt 41, I have been writing poetry for 2 years now and haven’t had much inspiration so I appreciate these prompts!

“WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW”

They don’t know. They don’t know the dread I feel, The pain I feel, The crippling anxiety And the depression that I feel.

For I have worn this mask, Sealed to my face with wax, To make sure no one knows That I am suffering, Every Single Day.

Telling someone these feelings I feel, Well that would surely Be a relief, But if something goes wrong, If they send my thoughts Throughout everyone I know, And anyone I could know.

Well, if that happens, I’ll have to travel abroad. To a distant land, Start over.

And hope and make sure, No one finds out what Might be under this mask Sealed with wax. And that they won’t know how I feel.

Because I’d rather deal with being a Trainwreck, A teenage disaster, And keeping everything about me a secret, Then having everyone Look at me as if I’m not human For having problems just like them.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 105 creative writing prompts to try out.

General Education

The most common advice out there for being a writer is, "if you want to write, write." While this is true (and good advice), it's not always that easy, particularly if you're not writing regularly.

Whether you're looking for help getting started on your next project, or just want to spend 20 minutes being creative, writing prompts are great ways to rev up your imagination. Read on for our list of over 100 creative writing prompts!

feature image credit: r. nial bradshaw /Flickr

10 Short Writing Prompts

If you're looking for a quick boost to get yourself going, these 10 short writing prompts will do the trick.

#1 : Write a scene starting with a regular family ritual that goes awry.

#2 : Describe exactly what you see/smell/hear/etc, right now. Include objects, people, and anything else in your immediate environment.

#3 : Suggest eight possible ways to get a ping pong ball out of a vertical pipe.

#4 : A shoe falls out of the sky. Justify why.

#5 : If your brain were a tangible, physical place, what would it be like?

#6 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "The stage was set."

#7 : You have been asked to write a history of "The Summer of [this past year]." Your publisher wants a table of contents. What events will you submit?

#8 : Write a sympathetic story from the point of view of the "bad guy." (Think fractured fairy tales like Wicked or The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! , although the story doesn't have to be a fairy tale.)

#9 : Look at everyday objects in a new way and write about the stories one of these objects contains.

#10 : One person meets a stranger on a mode of transportation. Write the story that ensues.

11 Writing Prompts for Kids

Any of these prompts can be used by writers of any age, but we chose the following 11 prompts as ones that would be particularly fun for kids to write about. (Most of them I used myself as a young writer, so I can vouch for their working!)

#1 : Include something falling in your writing.

#2 : Write a short poem (or story) with the title, "We don't know when it will be fixed."

#3 : Write from the perspective of someone of a different gender than you.

#4 : Write a dumb internet quiz.

#5 : Finish this thought: "A perfect day in my imagination begins like this:"

#6 : Write a character's inner monologue (what they are thinking as they go about their day).

#7 : Think of a character. Write a paragraph each about:

• An important childhood experience that character had.
• The character's living situation.
• Two hobbies or things the character likes to do.
• The room where the character sleeps.
• An ambition of the character.
• Two physical characteristics of the character.
• What happens when a second person and this character meet.
• Two important defining personal traits of this character.

#8 : Start a story with a quote from a song.

#9 : Begin a story with, "It was the summer of ______ when ______"

#10 : Pretend everyday objects have no names. Think about what you would name them based on what they do, what you can use them for, and what they look like.

#11 : Start a story with the phrases "My grandparents are/were," "My parents are/were," or "My mother/father/parent is/was."

15 Cool Writing Prompts

#1 : List five issues that you're passionate about. Write about them from the opposite point of view (or from the perspective of a character with the opposite point of view).

#2 : Walk around and write down a phrase you hear (or read). Make a story out of it.

#3 : Write using no adjectives or adverbs.

#4 : Write a character's inner dialogue between different aspects of a character's self (rather than an inner monologue).

#5 : Write a true story from your past that involves light or darkness in some way.

#6 : "Saying goodbye awakens us to the true nature of things." Write something in which someone has to say goodbye and has a realization.

#7 : Begin by writing the end of the story.

#8 : Write a recipe for an intangible thing.

#9 : Write a horror story about an ordinary situation (e.g., buying groceries, going to the bank, listening to music).

#10 : Write a story from within a bubble.

#11 : Write down 2-3 short character descriptions and then write the characters in conversation with one another.

#12 : Write a story in second person.

#13 : Write a story that keeps contradicting itself.

#14 : Write about a character with at least three big problems.

#15 : Write something that takes place on a Friday, the 13th (of any month).

15 Funny Writing Prompts

#1 : Write a story which starts with someone eating a pickle and potato sandwich.

#2 : Write a short script where the plot has to do with evil dolls trying to take over something.

#3 : Write about writers' block.

#4 : List five election issues that would be ridiculous to includes as part of your election platform (e.g. outlawing mechanical pencils and clicky pens, mandating every person over the age of 30 must own an emergency last rites kit). Choose one of the ridiculous issues and write a speech in favor of it.

#5 : Write a children's story that is insanely inappropriate but can't use graphic language, curses, or violence.

#6 : List five careers. Write about someone with one of those careers who wants to quit it.

#7 : Write down a list of murder methods. Choose one at random from the list to use in a story.

#8 : Write a romance story in which the hero must have a last name corresponding with a physical characteristic (e.g. Jacques Hairyback or Flora Dimple).

#9 : Come up with 10 different ways to:

• order a pizza
• congratulate someone on a job well done
• return to the store something that's broken

#10 : Search for "random Renaissance painting" (or any other inspirational image search text you can think of) on any online internet image search engine. Picking one image, write half a page each of:

• Statements about this image (e.g. "I meant bring me the BREAD of John the Baptist").
• Questions about this image (e.g. "How many of those cherubs look like their necks are broken?").
• Explanations of this image (e.g. "The painter ran out of blue paint halfway through and had to improvise for the color of the sky").
• Commands said by people in this image or about this image (e.g. "Stop telling me to smile!" or "Bring me some gasoline!").

#11 : Write starting with a word that sounds like "chute" (e.g. "chute," "shoot," "shooed").

#12 : Write about a character named X "The [article of clothing]" Y (e.g. Julie "The Yellow Darted Skirt" Whyte) or simply referred to by their clothing (e.g. "the man in the brown suit" or "the woman in black").

#13 : Write down a paragraph each describing two wildly different settings. Write a story involving both settings.

#14 : Think of a fictional holiday based around some natural event (e.g. the Earth being at its farthest point from the sun, in memory of a volcanic eruption, that time a cloud looked like a rabbit riding a bicycle). Write about how this holiday is celebrated.

#15 : Write a "Just-So" type story about a fictional creature (e.g. "how the dragon got its firebreath" or "how the mudkip got its cheek gills").

54 Other Writing Prompt Ideas

#1 : Borrow a character from some other form of media (or create your own). Write from that character's perspective.

#2 : Write for and against a non-consequential controversy (e.g., salt vs. pepper, Mac vs. PC, best kind of door).

#3 : Choose an ancestor or a person from the past to write about or to.

#4 : Write a pirate story with a twist.

#5 : Have a character talk about another character and their feelings about that other character.

#6 : Pick a season and think about an event in your life that occurred in that season. Write a creative nonfiction piece about that event and that season.

#7 : Think of something very complicated and long. Write a page about it using short sentences.

#8 : Write a story as a dream.

#9 : Describe around a food without ever directly naming it.

#10 : Write a monologue (one character, talking to the audience/reader) (*not* an inner monologue).

#11 : Begin a story with the phrase, "It only took five seconds to..."

#12 : List five strong emotions. Choosing one, write about a character experiencing that emotion, but only use the character's actions to convey how they are feeling (no outright statements).

#13 : Write a chapter of the memoir of your life.

#14 : Look through the (physical) things you're currently carrying with you or wearing. Write about the memories or emotions tied with each of them.

#15 : Go be in nature. Write drawing your story from your surroundings (both physical, social, and mental/emotional).

#16 : Write from the perspective of a bubble (or bubble-like creature).

#17 : A person is jogging along an asphalt road. Write a story.

#18 : Title your story (or poem, or play, etc) "Anti-_____". Fill in the blank and write the story.

#19 : Write something that must include an animal, a mineral, and a vegetable.

#20 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "6 weeks later..."

#21 : List 5-10 office jobs. Pick one of them and describe a person working in that job as if you were a commentator on an Olympic sporting event.

#22 : Practice your poetic imagery: overwrite a description of a character's breakfast routine.

#23 : Write about a character (or group of characters) trying to convince another character to try something they're scared of.

#24 : Keep an eye out in your environment for examples of greengrocer's apostrophes and rogue quotation marks. Pick an example and write about what the misplaced punctuation implies (e.g., we have the "best" meat or we have the best "meat" ).

#25 : Fill in the blank with the first word that comes to mind: "_______ Riot!" Write a newspaper-style article describing the events that that took place.

#26 : Write from the point of view of your most-loved possession. What does it think of you?

#27 : Think of five common sayings (e.g., "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"). Write a horror story whose plot is one of those common sayings.

#28 : Write a scene in which two characters are finally hashing out a long-standing misunderstanding or disagreement.

#29 : You start receiving text messages from an unknown number. Tell the story of what happens next.

#30 : Write one character bragging to another about the story behind their new tattoo.

#31 : Superheroes save the world...but they also leave a lot of destruction in their wake. Write about a normal person in a superhero's world.

#32 : Sometimes, family is who we are related to; sometimes, family is a group of people we gather around ourselves. Write a story about (some of) a character's found family and relatives meeting for the first time.

#33 : Write a story that begins in the middle of the plot's action ( en media res ).

#34 : Everyone says you can never have too much of a good thing. Write a story where that isn't true.

#35 : What do ghosts do when they're not creating mischief? Write about the secret lives of ghosts.

#36 : Every year, you dread the last week of April. Write a story about why.

#37 : Write a story about what it would be like to have an animal sidekick in real life.

#38 : Heists don't just have to be black-clad thieves stealing into vaults to steal rare art or money. Write about a group of people (adults or children) who commit a heist for something of seemingly little monetary value.

#39 : "Life is like a chooseable-path adventure, except you don't get to see what would have happened if you chose differently." Think of a choice you've made and write about a world where you made a different choice.

#40 : Write a story about a secret room.

#41 : You find a message in a bottle with very specific directions. Write a story about the adventure you embark upon.

#42 : "You'll always be okay as long as you know where your _______ is." Fill in the blank and write a story (either fictional or from your life) illustrating this statement.

#43 : Forcing people into prolonged proximity can change and deepen relationships. Write about characters on a road trip together.

#44 : In music, sonata form includes three main parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation. Write a short story that follows this format.

#45 : Begin writing with a character saying, "I'm afraid this simply can't wait."

#46 : Write a story with a happy ending (either happily-ever-after or happy-for-now).

#47 : Write about a character before and after a tragedy in that character's life.

#48 : Choose an object or concept you encounter in everyday life (e.g. tables, the feeling of hot or cold, oxygen) and write an infomercial about it.

#49 : "Life is a series of quests, whether important or mundane." Write about a quest you've gone on (or would like to go on, or will have to go on).

#50 : List 10 different ways to learn. Choose one (or more) and write a story where a character learns something using that one (or more) method.

#51 : You've been called to the principal's office for bad behavior. You know what you did. Explain and justify yourself.

#52 : A character discovers their sibling owns a cursed object. Write about what happens next.

#53 : Write a character description by writing a list of items that would be on a scavenger hunt about them.

#54 : The slogan for a product or service you're advertising is, "Kid-tested, _____." Fill in the blank and write the copy for a radio or podcast advertisement for your product.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts

There's no wrong way to use a creative writing prompt (unless it's to harass and hurt someone)—the point of them is to get you writing and your imagination flowing.

To help you get the most out of these writing prompts, however, we've come up with the six tips below. Try them out!

#1: DON'T Limit Yourself to Prose

Unless you're writing for a particular assignment, there's no reason everything you write in response to a writing prompt has to be prose fiction . Instead of writing your response to a prompt as a story, try writing a poem, nonfiction essay, play, screenplay, or some other format entirely.

#2: DON'T Edit as You Write

The purposes of writing prompts is to get you writing, typos and weird grammar and all. Editing comes later, once you've finished writing and have some space from it to come back to what you wrote.

It's OK to fix things that will make it difficult to read what you've written (e.g., a weird autocorrect that changes the meaning of a sentence), but don't worry too much about typos or perfect grammar when you're writing; those are easy enough to fix in edits . You also can always insert asterisks or a short note as you're writing to remind yourself to go back to fix something (for instance, if as you're writing it seems like you want to move around the order of your paragraphs or insert something earlier).

#3: DO Interpret the Prompt Broadly

The point of using a writing prompt is not to write something that best exemplifies the prompt, but something that sparks your own creativity. Again, unless you're writing in response to an assignment with specific directions, feel free to interpret writing prompts as broadly or as narrowly as you want.

For instance, if your prompt is to write a story that begins with "The stage was set," you could write about anything from someone preparing to put a plan into motion to a literal theatre stage constructed out of pieces of old sets (or something else entirely).

If you're using a writing prompt, it doesn't have to be the first sentence of your story or poem, either; you can also use the prompt as a goal to work towards in your writing.

#4: DO Try Switching Up Your Writing Methods

If it's a possibility for you, see if you write differently in different media. Do you write the same kind of stories by hand as you would typing at a computer? What about if you dictate a story and then transcribe it? Or text it to a friend? Varying the method you use to write can affect the stories you're able to tell.

For example, you may find that it's easier for you to tell stories about your life to a voice recorder than to try to write out a personal essay. Or maybe you have trouble writing poetry, but can easily text yourself or a friend a poem. You might even find you like a writing method you've not tried before better than what you've been doing!

#5: DO Mix and Match Prompt Ideas

If you need more inspiration, feel free to combine multiple prompts (but don't overwhelm yourself with too much to write about).

You can also try switching genres from what might be suggested in the prompt. For instance, try writing a prompt that seems funny in a serious and sad way, or finding the humor in something that otherwise seems humorless. The categories we've organized the prompts into are by no means limiters on what you're allowed to write about.

#6: DO Try to Write Regularly

The more regularly you write, the easier it will be to write (with or without writing prompts).

For some people, this means writing daily; for others, it means setting aside time to write each weekend or each month. Set yourself an achievable goal (write 2x a week, write 1000 words a month) and stick to it. You can always start small and then ramp your wordcount or frequency up.

If you do better when you have something outside yourself prompting to write, you may also want to try something like morning pages , which encourages you to write at least 750 words every day, in any format (story, diary entry, social media postings, etc).

What's Next?

Thinking about attending college or grad school for creative writing? Our articles on whether or not you should major in creative writing and the best creative writing programs are there for you! Plus, if you're a high schooler, you should check out these top writing contests .

Creative writing doesn't necessarily have to be fiction. Check out these three examples of narrative writing and our tips for how to write your own narrative stories and essays .

Just as writing prompts can help give form to amorphous creative energy, using specific writing structures or devices can be great starting points for your next story. Read through our discussion of the top 20 poetic devices to know and see if you can work at least one new one into your next writing session.

Still looking for more writing ideas? Try repurposing our 100+ easy drawing ideas for characters, settings, or plot points in your writing.

Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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100 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Writing

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

By Natasha Khullar Relph

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

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

What is a writing prompt?

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

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

100 creative writing prompts for writers

Fiction writing prompts.

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

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

Nonfiction writing prompts

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

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

Journal prompts

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

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

Fun writing prompts

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

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

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

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25 Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

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

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

The Importance of Creative Writing

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

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

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

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

Understanding Creative Writing Prompts

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

How Prompts Can Ignite Creativity

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

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

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

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

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

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

Types of Creative Writing Prompts

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

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

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

25 Creative Writing Prompts

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

Fiction Writing Prompts

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

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

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

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

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

Poetry Writing Prompts

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

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

Dialogue Writing Prompts

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

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

Story Starter Writing Prompts

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

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

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

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

Making the Most of Your Creative Writing Prompts

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

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts Effectively

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

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

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

Tips to Expand on a Prompt

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

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

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

The Right Prompts Grow Your Skills

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

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

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

Brooks Manley

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

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

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

Is a Degree in Creative Writing Worth it?

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59+ Creative Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Inspiration

As a creative individual, you may occasionally find yourself facing the infamous writer's block, searching for that spark of inspiration to ignite your storytelling. I've gathered an extensive selection of writing prompts that aim to fuel your creativity and offer new perspectives on your characters, settings, or plot lines.

Since launching these prompts on YouTube in October 2022, I have compiled over 140 short videos, each presenting a unique prompt that taps into a variety of genres. These range from the magical realms of fantasy to the intimate nuances of romance, the boundless possibilities of science fiction and thrillers, and even the familiar territory of everyday life.

The prompts have resonated with audiences in different ways, and while some have gained more traction than others, each one presents a unique challenge and opportunity for storytelling.

To showcase the diversity and potential of these prompts, I'd like to share some of my personal favorites with you.

These top picks journey through various scenarios—imagine an undiscovered animal species, engage with woodland spirits, explore the powers of a water god, or dive into the complexities of futuristic love affairs.

The intention is to provide you with a versatile toolkit, enhancing both your writing skills and your imaginative capacity.

Key Takeaways

• Writing prompts serve as a tool to overcome writer's blocks and enhance storytelling elements.
• A wide range of genres are covered, offering diverse opportunities for creative exploration.
• The prompts propose intriguing scenarios that challenge and inspire writers to craft compelling narratives.

Writing Stimulus Overview

Creative blocks are common, and one effective strategy to trigger inspiration is the use of writing stimuli . They not only help break through blocks but can also enrich elements such as characters, settings, or storylines.

A variety of these stimuli have been synthesized and shared as YouTube short videos since mid-October 2022, with a library now exceeding 140 shorts. These prompts span various genres, from high fantasy and science fiction to slice-of-life scenarios.

Favorites for Fantasy Enthusiasts:

• Invent a new animal species, an extraterrestrial being, or an entirely fictional creature.
• Craft a tale about an individual who can converse with forest critters.
• Narrate the story of a deity or spirit associated with water.
• Explore the life of someone whose fate was predicted at birth, yet skepticism lingers.

Intriguing Plot Twists:

• Your protagonist makes a living through counterfeit psychic abilities, but one day, genuine powers manifest.
• Discover a mystical passageway in an unexpected place—the comfort of your own home.

Romantic Fiction Ideas:

• Stories of culinary expressions of affection ending in a romantically timed embrace.
• Chance encounters between solitary globetrotters in the most unforeseen locations.
• Narrate an impossible love between a mermaid and a prince, or between a witch and her liberator from a curse.

Science Fiction for the Curious Mind:

• Amidst a variety of universes, there still persists the constant presence of Adam Sandler.
• A dystopian setting where literacy has vanished, but a machine reignites these lost abilities.

Everyday Oddities and Thrills:

• A casual mention of a store aisle that doesn't exist brings about a puzzled reaction.

Mystery and Suspense Elements:

• Coin an account involving internet friends who are clueless about their real-life acquaintance.

Historical and Alternative World Settings:

• A narrative taking place in a realm where conventional currency is obsolete.
• Write from the perspective of an inadvertent time-traveler due to an erroneous clock adjustment.

Creative Challenges:

• Describe a chance meeting in a graveyard involving peculiar characters and a menacing revelation.
• Envision a summer camp that becomes a backdrop for uncovering grim secrets.

Creative Sparks for Your Imagination

Engaging fantasy scenarios.

• Concoct a tale regarding a species of animal that does not exist.
• Craft a fairy tale focused on a person who can converse with forest wildlife.
• Imagine a water deity and build a story revolving around them.
• Challenge the concept of destiny by creating a character who knows their future but doubts its veracity.
• Mix reality with fantasy as your character pretends to be a psychic, only to truly become one.

Romantic Escapades with a Twist

• Explore magnetism in love and write about a world where electromagnetic bracelets lead to soulmates.
• Whip up a romantic meal as a character who expresses affection through cooking, culminating in a midnight kiss.
• Destined encounters unfold as solo travelers meet repeatedly in the most surprising places.
• Turn the tale of Cupid's arrow on its head, examining lost affections when preexisting love meets myth.

Sci-fi Encounters and Anomalies

• Tackle interdimensional consistency with the peculiar notion that Adam Sandler exists uniformly across multiverses.
• Picture a future where reading and writing are lost arts, revived through an unlikely mentor.
• Voice a robot rebellion as NASA's Curiosity Rover suddenly deviates from its mission, sparking intrigue with a cryptic message.

Mysterious and Macabre Twists

• Devise a murder mystery with an unusual weapon – a pumpkin-carving knife.
• Envision a self-aware zombie and explore the apocalypse from its unique perspective.
• Unveil sinister secrets as friends discover more than they bargained for in a hidden room within an old mansion.

Collection of Creative Writing Ideas

Top Fantasy Concepts :

• Invent a non-existent animal species or a fantasy being.
• Write a fairy tale about a character who converses with woodland creatures.
• Create a narrative featuring a deity or spirit tied to water.
• Describe a protagonist whose future has been predicted since birth and their skepticism.
• Your character, initially a charlatan psychic, wakes up with genuine abilities.
• Formulate a tale about discovering a magical portal at home.
• Design a story based around a character experiencing former or future lives.
• Detail the antics of a mischievous fairy or deity.
• Pen a scene where a chat with the ghost of a friend over tea is a routine affair.
• Craft a scenario where, upon alerting to a mess in a nonexistent supermarket aisle, a mystery unfolds.

Romantic Sparks and Twists :

• Magnetic bracelets are designed to draw one to their soulmate; narrate the activation day.
• Feature a character expressing love through culinary masterpieces, culminating in a kiss at the stroke of midnight.
• Weave tales of two wanderlust individuals repeatedly crossing paths.
• Introduce Cupid and the consequences of his arrow to a tale of unrequited love.
• A mermaid and a prince defy the ban on their affection; spin their narrative.
• Conjure a witch whose curse can only be broken by one man; chart their tale.

Sci-Fi and Dystopia :

• Depict Adam Sandler's surprising presence across various universes.
• In a world reliant on vocal commands, a machine reteaches a girl to read and write.
• Imagine someone hearing disobedient thoughts from an unkown voice during an illness.
• The Curiosity Rover curiously alters course; what comes next?
• In a longevity-driven society with a dark catch, you receive a life-or-death letter.

Mystery and Thriller :

• Craft a murder mystery with an unusual pumpkin-carving weapon.
• Unearth a dark secret guarded by an enigmatic mansion from its sinister rooms.
• A serene summer camp becomes the stage for harrowing revelations.

Unique Story Elements :

• Narrate from a zombie's perspective during an apocalypse.
• Investigate a neighbor's façade, leading to a terrifying discovery.
• Engage readers with a tale of internet anonymity and real-life acquaintance.

Suggestions for Love-Inspired Narratives

Top Romantic Plot Ideas:

• Imagine your daily visit to the grocery store leads to a mysterious discovery when the cashier informs you there's no such place as aisle 24.
• Picture a world where bracelets with electromagnetic properties draw people to their destined partners—yours just activated.
• Craft a tale where a character expresses affection through homemade meals, culminating in a significant kiss as a new day begins.
• Envision two solitary globetrotters whose paths keep intersecting in the most unanticipated areas.

Forbidden and Enchanted Loves:

• Think of a mermaid and a prince, their liaison deemed illicit, yet their attraction is inescapable.
• Contemplate a powerful enchantress whose only salvation from a haunting curse is a most unexpected individual.

Sci-Fi Romance Twists:

• Develop a narrative around a human-shaped automaton, created for perfection, learning about the beauty in flaws from an unanticipated teacher.
• Inhabit a universe of many dimensions where one humorous and consistent figure makes an appearance: a familiar comedian named Adam Sandler.

Unexpected Encounters:

• Bring to life a story about a machine in a dystopian future that imparts to a girl the forgotten arts of reading and writing.
• Explore the chilling reality of a voice that commands you while you're unwell, proclaiming the game you're living is defective.

Bullet Points:

• Concoct a romantic scenario where food is the language of love, ending with a pivotal moment at the stroke of midnight.
• Dream up an encounter with Cupid, where his arrow has the power to erase pre-existing affections.
• Write about the unexpected and humorous omnipresence of a celebrity in every conceivable universe or timeline.
• Frame a love story within a technologically advanced world where a simple machine revives the lost art of literacy.
• Envision a species that enters your narrative, one that's yet to be seen in the natural world.
• Whether extraterrestrial beings or imaginary entities, the horizon for creation is boundless.
• Imagine a universe where Adam Sandler exists in every possible reality, providing a constant thread of humor regardless of the circumstances.
• Think about creating a murder mystery revolving around an unconventional murder weapon, like a pumpkin-carving knife, weaving a tale of intrigue and unpredicted twists.
• Consider a plot set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop, where a protagonist awakens to find that voice-command technology has caused humanity to lose its ability to read and write, until one machine sparks a change.
• While settling the bill at the grocery store, casually mention a spill in aisle 24. The cashier's baffled response—they have no aisle 24—sparks a curious tale.
• You take a sick day and stay in, only to hear an internal voice questioning your actions as if you were a character in a game with a glitch.
• Narrate the tale of two solo wanderers who serendipitously cross paths across the globe.
• Cupid offers a love-struck trade: an arrow for your love, with the condition that their current feelings might vanish upon impact.
• Mankind has foregone the art of reading and writing in a dystopian future where machines communicate through voice, but one machine's choice to teach a girl these lost skills can change everything.
• In a world where Adam Sandler is the universal constant across multiverses, describe an encounter with this timeless figure.
• Invent a story around the meeting with a woodland spirit or a trickster deity.
• Compose a narrative where a character wakes as a reincarnation of themselves, facing the joys and trials of a new life cycle.
• Delve into a murder mystery where a seemingly innocuous pumpkin carving knife becomes the central clue.
• Create tension as a group of friends uncovers a chilling secret in an abandoned room of an old mansion.
• Enthralling Beasts : Imagine an entirely new species; an unearthly creature, perhaps a vividly unique animal, or even an extraterrestrial organism. Let the bounds of reality be stretched by your creation.
• Woodland Whispers : Craft a narrative about a character who can exchange thoughts with creatures of the forest. Detail their interactions in the hidden enclaves of nature.
• Mystical Waters : Conjure up a tale about a deity or spirit presiding over water. Narrative waves should ebb and flow with their ancient, fluid power.
• Prophecy Pondering : A future is written at birth for a character. Doubt clouds their belief. What will they choose when fate beckons?
• Sudden Sight : What happens when someone who fakes psychic abilities wakes to find they possess real ones? Describe their initial shock and ensuing choices.
• Dimensional Doorways : A character uncovers a magical portal within the confines of their residence—adventure into what lies beyond.
• Historical Echoes : Your protagonist awakes within a past life or as a future incarnation. Weave the story of their metaphysical journey.
• Pixie Mischief : Tell the tale of a playful pixie or a cunning trickster deity. What chaos and laughter will they bring?
• Ghostly Reunions : Visualize a character engaging in periodic tea encounters with a spectral old friend.
• Nonexistent Aisles : While paying for groceries, your character mentions a spill in aisle 24, only to be told it doesn't exist—what mystery unfolds?
• Attraction Amplified : In a world where electromagnetic bracelets draw your soulmate to you, narrate the anticipation of the moment they turn on.
• Culinary Affection : A protagonist expresses their love through cooking. Finish their story with a midnight kiss.
• Unexpected Encounters : Two travelers intent on solitude repeatedly meet. Detail their growing relationship spun by serendipitous events.
• Cupid's Caveat : Cupid can shoot the love arrow, but pre-existing affection could vanish upon impact. Decide whether the risk is worth the reward.
• Forbidden Merfolk Love : Amidst a strict divide between land and sea, a prince and a mermaid resist the rules that keep them apart.
• Hex and Heartbreak : An empowered witch is tormented by a curse—paint a picture of the only one capable of releasing her from this spell.
• Multiversal Constant : Adam Sandler exists in every reality of the Multiverse. Chronicle the absurdities in both utopian and dystopian worlds.
• Forgotten Literacy : Humanity has lost the skills to read and write, until one machine reveals these lost arts to a young girl.
• Glitch in the System : A sick day leads to a voice stating disobedience from a character's head. What's the source of this ominous game glitch?
• Curiosity's Choice : NASA's rover on Mars takes an unplanned route and sends a cryptic message. What are the implications?
• Mortal Lottery : Eternal life is feasible but at a deadly cost. Your chosen protagonist receives notice—they are to die. How will they face this?
• Uncharted Economies : Set a story within a world where the currency is unconventional. Explore the nature of value and exchange.
• Daylight Shift : After adjusting the clock for daylight savings, a character finds they've leaped through time. Elaborate on their temporal misadventure.
• Lab Lilliputian : A lab accident leaves a scientist minuscule. Chronicling a bug-sized adventure to revert the mishap is your task.
• Creation Catastrophe : A scientist's new life form leads to dire outcomes. Spell out the repercussions of such an invention.
• Graveyard Stories : Incorporate a mysterious blue-veined hand, a graveyard setting, and the phrase "all that spit and sweat" in a chilling narrative.
• Unseen Dangers : A character discerns their neighbor's menacing nature. What darkness lies hidden next door?
• Imagine a non-existent animal species—an extraterrestrial find or mystical entity—and create its story.
• Craft a fairy tale centered around a character who communicates with forest animals.
• Envision a tale about a deity associated with water.
• Explore the life of someone whose future was predicted from birth, questioning their belief in that destiny.
• Create a scenario where your character, a sham psychic, gains genuine psychic abilities one day.
• Invent a story involving the discovery of an enchanted portal within one's abode.
• Consider a protagonist who experiences life in a past or future reincarnation.
• Develop a narrative featuring a playful pixie or a cunning deity.
• Write about an encounter with the spirit of a past acquaintance over tea.
• Depict a world where electromagnetic bracelets draw people to their soulmates, and examine the experience.
• Conceive a character expressing love through culinary creations, culminating in a kiss as a new day begins.
• Describe the serendipitous meetings of two single travelers in unexpected locales.
• Delve into the choice presented by Cupid to risk a current affection for guaranteed love.
• Illustrate a forbidden love between a mermaid and a prince, transcending boundaries.
• Narrate the tale of a witch whose curse can only be broken by a particular individual's love.
• Narrate a universe where Adam Sandler exists as a constant across a multiverse, maintaining his distinctive persona.
• Picture a dystopian future where humans no longer read or write until one individual relearns these lost arts.
• Imagine a day at home interrupted by a voice in your head, suggesting a reality beyond your understanding.
• Conjure a scenario where the Curiosity Rover acts against command, leading to an unthinkable revelation.
• Envision a society with eternal youth, but at a steep and ethical cost.
• Weave a narrative where the story unfolds in an undefined world, featuring alternative currencies to money.
• Tell a tale of unintended time travel due to a simple act of changing a clock for daylight saving.
• Design a murder mystery revolving around an unexpected murder weapon, like a pumpkin-carving knife.
• Imagine a world where you are 'Big Brother,' overseeing all.
• Picture an undead apocalypse from the perspective of a frightened zombie.
• Fabricate a story about internet friends who are unaware of their real-life acquaintance.
• Initiate a story with the discovery of a secret leading to significant ramifications.
• Portray a character resolving a mystery with the help of a local library or librarian.
• Depict someone orchestrating a cookie exchange masking a deeper purpose for the gathering.
• Start a narrative with the finding of a peculiar inscription on the back of a painting, leading to small-town secrets.
• Craft a dialogue recalling an event that seems impossible, considering the person involved vanished years ago.
• Write about an individual who magnifies minor events, turning them into dire conundrums.
• Describe an extensive road trip filled with self-discovery, starting from a decisive "I quit."
• Imagined Worlds of Tomorrow In a universe where fantastical beings roam, you might invent a myth about an unrecorded species—an extraterrestrial marvel, perhaps. Imagine a world where you can interact with forest animals, or a realm dominated by a deity of water. Picture a life where your destiny has been predicted since birth, yet skepticism lingers. You could lead a deceptive life, pretending to have psychic abilities—until one morning, you awaken with genuine powers. Consider discovering a passageway to other realms within your abode, or picture yourself as your own ancestor or successor reincarnated. Envision tales of mischievous sprites or capricious divinities, or encountering a spectral old friend for regular teatime. You're at the store, and as you alert the clerk to a spill in aisle 24, they respond with confusion—there is no aisle 24. Sci-Fi Encounters and Cosmic Oddities In realms beyond, romantic allure becomes tangible. Imagine bracelets that magnetically draw soulmates together, igniting on a day of eager anticipation. Think of savoring culinary creations as a love language, ending with a kiss as the clock strikes midnight. Envision paths repeatedly crossing with another lone traveler in serendipity's embrace. Cupid offers a perilous choice: shoot your love with an arrow, but risk extinguishing any affection they may hold for you. Mystical love stories unfold between mermaids and princes, witches and mortals. A novice author might fall for a mysterious writer, unraveling past secrets to understand their bond. You could risk all for a fervid quest, or learn that imperfection holds its own beauty in a romance with a cyborg. Parallel Realities and Existential Musings Imagine a Multiverse with one constant: Adam Sandler. Humorous or grim, his presence remains in every reality. In a bleak future, voice-operated machines lead humanity to discard the written word, leaving generations illiterate until a single machine revives forgotten skills. Perhaps, one day at home, unwell, you hear an inner voice—as if you're a glitch in a game, not adhering to unseen controls. Deep space exploration takes a turn as the Curiosity Rover veers off-script and, shockingly, communicates. What if science uncovers the secret to cease aging, but for each life extended, another must end, maintaining a balance albeit with a cruel twist? Dystopian Visions and Chilling Discoveries In a nameless, dystopian society, currency evolves beyond mere money. Time leaps forward due to a single twist on your clock—and not by a mere hour. A scientist shrinks to an insect's scale following an experiment gone awry and must brave a now colossal laboratory. Murder mysteries can hinge on the flip of a coin, or occur in an environment where Big Brother truly watches. A zombie experiencing fear sheds light on an apocalypse, while friends in the digital realm unknowingly intertwine their fates in the physical world. Imagine yourself as a harbinger of truth or deception, beguiling with knowledge or leading astray. The simple act of removing a painting could reveal chilling engravings, hinting at a small town's hidden turpitudes. Tales of Survival and Suspense A hot air balloon operator battles prehistoric predators to provide thrills for passengers. A tale of betrayal might begin with the revelation of an affair, leading to trust tested by gunfire. Lives transform over a single meal, while a misidentified delivery driver races against time, encumbered by pizzas and dodging criminal entanglements. Potential Endings and Narrative Inspirations Imagine a life devoted to achieving culinary greatness, hindered only by absent taste. Or perhaps, you'll choose to navigate the poignant musings of an overthinker, spiraling over the minuscule. Whether through embracing a final round in a familiar fight or revealing your grandmother as an unlikely cult figurehead, stories await your crafting. The end of one journey or the change wrought in the time it takes to share a meal harbors the potency to reshape a character's world—in your hands, these moments are yours to mold. Enigmas and Homicide Motifs
• If you've ever fantasized about unearthly entities , consider penning a tale about an imagined beast —complete freedom to define its form and nature.
• Weave a narrative centered on someone who holds conversations with forest-dwelling creatures , akin to the classic structure of fairy tales.
• What about crafting an epic about a deity of the waters ? Place this spirit within your fantasy universe and explore its interactions.
• Imagine you're the prime subject of an ancient prophecy since birth, yet skepticism clouds your belief in this set fate.
• Your life's work has revolved around fabricating psychic talents—until the day arrives when you awaken to genuine supernatural capabilities.
• A hidden mystical gateway within your abode serves as an invitation to otherworldly adventure. What lies beyond it?
• Reflect on waking up intertwined with a prior life or perhaps as a future self reborn, incorporating elements of reincarnation into your plot.
• Conjure up tales of mischief, brought about either by a pixie with a penchant for chaos or a deity known for their trickery .
• Old companionship and the supernatural merge when you write about periodic meetings with a spectral friend over tea.
• Envision informing a store clerk about a mess in a non-existent Aisle 24, and the narrative possibilities spiral from there.
• Engage with these top literary ventures that I've personally enjoyed crafting:
• Envision a fantastical race of beings that have no parallel in nature or mythology. Their existence is yours to define.
• Write a fable centered on a character who possesses the rare ability to converse with forest animals.
• Conceive a tale about a deity of the waters and the mysteries they guard.
• What if your fate was written at birth? Create a character grappling with their predestined future.
• Imagine what would happen if a phony clairvoyant awoke to genuine psychic gifts.
• Spin a yarn about discovering an enchanting gateway within the confines of one's dwelling.
• Explore the life of someone who navigates through their former or forthcoming incarnations.
• Conjure a story about a playful sprite or deity known for their antics.
• What intrigue unfolds when an old ghostly acquaintance is routinely met over tea?
• You've just alerted the cashier to a mess in nonexistent aisle 24. Where does the story lead from there?
• In an age where magnetic bracelets theoretically lead you to your soulmate, what transpires on the day they are activated?
• Create a character whose greatest expression of love is through culinary creations, culminating in a kiss as the clock strikes midnight.
• Narrate the serendipitous encounters of two independent wanderers in the most unlikely locales.
• What if Cupid warned that his arrow could erase existing affections? Would you still take the risk?
• Dive into a forbidden romance between a mermaid and a prince.
• A witch bound by a curse finds solace in the one man who can break it.
• An aspiring novelist unravels the mysteries of a reclusive author's past to grasp the nature of their bond.
• Portray a character who hazards everything in the pursuit of what their heart desires.
• A narrative where a cyborg, designed for flawlessness, learns the beauty of imperfection from an unexpected source.
• In every universe of a vast Multiverse, one constant remains: Adam Sandler.
• Imagine a dystopian future where reading and writing are relics of the past—until one machine revives these lost arts.
• You've called in sick only to hear a voice in your mind demanding you obey—suggesting your life may be a video game glitch.
• When Mars' Curiosity rover deviates from its course and communicates, "We'll save Opie," unravel the mystery.
• Conceive a world where halting the aging process has a lethal catch: for every person who gains this benefit, another must perish.
• Invent a story where the currency is something other than money—something we wouldn't recognize as currency today.
• What happens when a time change for daylight savings unwittingly propels you far beyond an hour?
• Craft a tale around the chaos unleashed by a scientist who accidentally miniaturizes herself.
• Or a scientist whose creation of new life yields catastrophic results.
• Picture a murder mystery where a pumpkin-carving knife is the unexpected weapon.
• Fantasy beings : You might write about the interaction between creatures of your own design and the human world.
• Woodland communicators : Characters may have abilities to converse with forest animals, presenting unique relational challenges.
• Aqua deities : Stories could involve water gods or spirits, highlighting the difficulties of relationships crossing the natural and supernatural realms.
• Fortune's weight : Explore a character's skepticism about their destiny as foretold at birth.
• Supernatural shifts : Imagine making a living faking supernatural abilities, only to awaken with genuine ones.
• Temporal dissonance : Characters face personal strife waking up as past or future incarnations of themselves.
• Ethereal bonds : Perhaps a tale where a human communes with the spirit of an old friend.
• Magnetic attraction : Delve into a world where love is quantified and brought to life through technology, complicating the notion of soulmates.
• Gastronomic affection : A character expresses love through preparing food , culminating in a storybook kiss at midnight.
• Serendipitous encounters : Two solo travelers repeatedly meet, raising questions of fate and choice in their connection.
• Mythical love : A mermaid and a prince find love despite societal barriers, or a witch finds redemption through an unlikely relationship.
• Technological dependence : In a dystopia where speech has supplanted literacy, one young girl learns to read and write, transforming her relationships.
• Multiverse constant : Humorous narratives where a familiar personality, like a famous actor, appears in every imaginable universe.
• Mandatory sacrifice : Imagine a world where immortality is achievable, but at a grim cost to another, affecting personal morals and societal values.
• Envision a species unfamiliar to our world: might be alien, mystical, or undefined.
• Craft a fable of a person conversing with forest animals.
• Create a narrative centered around a deity tied to water.
• Tell the tale of a protagonist, whose destiny was predicted at birth; yet, they are skeptical.
• Your main character, known for simulating psychic abilities, awakens to genuine ones.
• Literal Attraction : An electromagnetic bracelet designed to lead you to your soulmate.
• Culinary Affection : A story ending with a shared kiss—a testament to love expressed through cooking.
• Intertwined Paths : Two travelers coincidentally meet across unusual locations.
• Multiversal Constant : Across various universes, there's one invariant—Adam Sandler.
• Dystopian Dynamic : In a world where humans converse with machines and have forgotten to read and write, one machine teaches a girl these lost skills.
• Unexpected Dialogue : Your usual workday is upended by a mysterious voice in your head.
• Martian Mystery : When the Curiosity Rover deviates unexpectedly, a cryptic message is received.
• In a world that has mastered the prolongation of youth and life, the balance of population demands a high price.
• A World Nameless and Currency Strange : A realm where what is valued isn't money as we perceive it.
• Twist of Time : An hour adjustment for daylight savings thrusts you far beyond the intended time span.
• Pumpkin Carving Peril : A murder mystery pivoting around an autumn festive tool.
• Graveyard Tales : Craft a narrative steeped in a cemetery, weaving in specific eerie elements.
• Airborne Antics : Navigate a hot air balloon amidst prehistoric predators.
• Culinary Cover-Up : Organize a quaint cookie exchange with ulterior motives.
• Hidden Messages : Discovering enigmatic inscriptions behind mundane items reveals hidden truths.
• An unexpected visitor in a downpour bears uncanny resemblance to a long-lost child, yet something is amiss.
• Fantasy Beginnings : Craft stories on unconventional animal species, that aren't bound by the constraints of reality.
• Woodland Dialogues : Spin a yarn where someone holds conversations with forest denizens.
• Watery Deities’ Tales : Weave a story centered around a deity or spirit of the aquatic realm.
• Portents from Birth : Explore the life of someone whose future has been predicted since their infancy.
• Accidental Mystic : Create a narrative where a fraudulent psychic unexpectedly acquires genuine abilities.
• Portals at Home : Describe the discovery of a mystical gateway in a domestic setting.
• Lives Reexamined : Delve into the conscious experience of a character linked with past or future existences.
• Sprite and Deity Mischief : Spin tales about crafty pixies or mischievous deities.
• Phantom Companions : Write of a protagonist who enjoys periodic, spectral tea sessions with a departed companion.
• Mysterious Store Layouts : Picture a grocery store scenario where a non-existent aisle becomes the subject of conversation.
• Magnetically Drawn Together : Visualize a future where electromagnetic bracelets hypothetically draw you to your soulmate.
• Cuisine of Affection : Craft a narrative that culminates with an intimate gesture, using acts of culinary love as its language.
• Travelers' Serendipity : Write about nomadic souls crossing paths in the most serendipitous encounters.
• Cupid's Consequence : Contemplate the repercussions of Cupid's intervention on existing affections.
• Meta-human Romance : Explore a forbidden love story between a mermaid and a prince or a witch seeking redemption through relationship.
• Writerly Affections : Develop a story where passion and the unraveling of a mysterious past intertwine.
• Quest for Love : Concoct a tale of a character's arduous journey towards their heart's true yearning.
• Beauty in Imperfection : Ponder the romantic connection between a cyborg and an individual who shows them the beauty in flaws.
• Multiverse Constant : Imagine a universe, no matter how diverse or absurd, where a familiar comedian’s presence is the only certainty.
• Lost Skills in the Future : Envision a dystopia where digital interfaces usurp traditional reading and writing until a significant re-education.
• Misbehaving Simulation : Fathom a reality where virtual commands and responses take new, unexpected tangents.
• Rover’s Rebellion : Picture NASA's Curiosity Rover inexplicably deviating from its path, leading to an unprecedented communication.
• Curious Longevity : Conceive of a future where eternal youth is attainable but at a consequential price.

Final Thoughts and Steps Forward Harness the power of imagination to break free from creative stagnation. The inception of over 140 unique shorts on YouTube has led to a mosaic of genres awaiting your pen. Venture into the uncharted with early fantasy prompts; craft tales of unearthly beasts, or spin yarns of enchanted dialogues with forest inhabitants. Imagine the whispers of a water deity or the weight of a predestined future gently nudging at your protagonist's skepticism. Embrace the peculiar with scenarios that fuse the mundane with the magical, like finding accidental doorways to other worlds within your abode, or tackling the unnerving reality of an accurate prophecy. Envision the thrill, or perhaps the terror, of awakening latent psychic abilities under the guise of deceit. Revel in the peculiarities of romance that defy worldly norms, where destinies entwine through the magnetic pull of technology or the culinary gestures that symbolize deep affection. Imagine chance encounters spiraling into once-in-a-lifetime adventures, or the perils of love through Cupid's precarious assistance. In the realms of science fiction and dystopian futures, contemplate the constant of one celebrity's presence across all universes or the sacrifices required for eternal youth. Consider the conundrums of tech-fueled oblivion or the chaos when sentient machines challenge the status quo. Your creative journey may lead to fantastical murders with peculiar weapons, sympathizing with the fears of an undead creature, or unearthing grim secrets in unsuspecting places. The choice to explore is yours, and the prompts are plentiful, totaling 60 with even more to discover. This collection is designed to not only challenge your creative boundaries but also to ignite a narrative spark. Engage with these prompts and weave your stories. Share your creations and inspirations, and remember, an expanse of at least 80 additional prompts awaits your exploration.

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305 Creative Prompts for Writing: Explore a World of Imagination

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 17, 2023

Categories Writing

You’ve hit a wall in your writing and can’t find the ladder to climb over? Don’t fret! Dive into this treasure trove of creative prompts we’ve assembled just for you.

They’ll not only spark your imagination, but also fuel your passion for storytelling. So buckle up, let’s venture into the world of creative prompts together and watch as they transform your writing journey.

Are you ready to unleash your creativity?

Key Takeaways

• Creative prompts serve as an oasis in the face of writer’s block.
• Mind mapping techniques, such as doodling and connecting random words, can boost creativity.
• Unconventional techniques, like writing with the non-dominant hand or narrating to an imaginary audience, can overcome writer’s block.
• Enhancing writing skills involves finding the perfect adjective, expanding vocabulary, and using metaphors.

Creative Prompts for Writing

Here are creative writing prompts for all kinds of creative writing:

Love & Relationships

• Write about your first crush. What did you like about them?
• Imagine you wake up one day as the opposite sex. Describe your day.
• Write a love letter to your partner apologizing for a fight.
• Describe the perfect date you’d take your crush on.
• Write a break-up letter to someone who hurt you.

Nature & The Outdoors

• Describe your favorite place in nature and what you like to do there.
• Imagine you’re camping and hear strange noises at night. Write the scene.
• You’re hiking and come across a beautiful waterfall. Describe it.
• Write about getting lost in the woods and how you found your way out.
• On a nature walk you discover a hidden grove or beach. Describe it.

Challenges & Overcoming Adversity

• Write about a injury or illness you recovered from.
• Describe a time you failed and what you learned from it.
• Imagine you switched places with someone very different from you. Write about your day in their shoes.
• Write about a challenge you overcame that made you stronger.
• Describe a time someone helped you when you were struggling.

Interests & Hobbies

• Explain how to play your favorite sport or game.
• Write a story featuring your favorite book or movie character.
• Describe the process of creating your favorite craft or art project.
• Imagine you could have any superpower. What would it be and how would you use it?
• Write a song or poem about one of your hobbies.

Imagination & Fantasy

• Describe a day in the life of your fantasy self (rockstar, wizard, princess, etc).
• Make up and describe a new mythical creature.
• Write a scene featuring a magic portal that leads somewhere unexpected.
• Craft a story featuring time travel.
• Imagine you find a magic lamp. The genie grants you 3 wishes – what do you wish for?

Travel & Culture

• Write a travel guide for your hometown. What landmarks and activities would you recommend?
• Describe your dream vacation – where would you go and what would you do?
• Imagine you wake up in a foreign country with no idea how you got there. What happens next?
• Narrate a day exploring a new city for the first time.
• Pick a cultural festival or holiday and describe celebrating it.

Memories & Reflection

• Write about your earliest childhood memory.
• Describe a family tradition or celebration.
• Recollect the house or neighborhood where you grew up.
• Pick an object that reminds you of an important memory and write about it.
• Reflect on a major milestone or accomplishment in your life.

Daily Life & Routines

• Explain your morning routine.
• Describe your commute to work or school.
• Narrate a typical day in your life. Don’t leave out any details!
• Write about getting ready for and going to a party or social event.
• Pick an everyday object and write a story about its origins and history.

Food & Cooking

• Write a descriptive essay about a family recipe and its significance.
• Imagine you are a food critic reviewing a new restaurant.
• Describe the most delicious meal you’ve ever eaten.
• Explain, step-by-step, how to cook your specialty dish.
• Craft a story featuring a magic fridge that can produce any food you ask for.

Personal Growth & Goals

• Write a letter to your future self with goals and predictions.
• List 10 things you want to accomplish in the next 5 years.
• Describe a personal quality, skill or virtue you want to cultivate.
• Explain a topic you want to learn more about and why it interests you.
• Write about a place you want to visit and what you would do there.

School & Work

• Imagine you could switch your career or calling. What would you do?
• Describe the most interesting class or workshop you ever took.
• Explain how you overcame a big challenge or obstacle at school or work.
• Narrate a typical day for you at school or your job.
• Describe your dream school, college or workplace. What’s it like?

Family & Friends

• Write a letter to a family member you haven’t seen in a long time.
• Describe a quirky or funny family tradition.
• Craft a story about a childhood adventure you had with friends.
• Write about a friend who impacted your life in a positive way.
• List 10 traits or qualities you appreciate in your best friend.

Neighborhood & Community

• Imagine you are leading a tour of your neighborhood or town. What landmarks would you include?
• Craft a story about discovering something unexpected down the street.
• Pick a local small business and write a positive review.
• Write about a community service experience that had an impact on you.
• Describe your ideal community. What’s it like?

Current Events & Social Issues

• Write a letter to a newspaper about a current event issue you care about.
• Describe how an important news story impacted you or your community.
• Craft a poem expressing your perspective on a social problem.
• Imagine yourself in a leadership role. How would you address a pressing issue?
• Explain why a certain cause or nonprofit matters to you.

Science & Technology

• Speculate on likely future technology and how it will change people’s lives.
• Describe your role model or inspiration in the sciences or tech field. Why do they inspire you?
• Craft a story set 100 years in the future featuring new, imagined technology.
• Explain a complex scientific concept or theory in simple, everyday language.
• Write a poem or metaphor to describe a process in nature.

Good & Evil

• Tell the story of an epic battle between good and evil.
• Craft a tale featuring magic used for good purposes.
• Imagine you can erase one evil person or event from history. Which do you choose and why?
• Write a superhero story featuring a character with an unlikely weakness or vulnerability.
• Describe a villain’s backstory showing how they became evil.

Mysteries & Suspense

• You’re a detective investigating a puzzling crime or mystery. Describe your findings.
• Craft a ghost story set in a haunted house or castle.
• Write a scene where a character realizes they’re being followed. Build suspense.
• Imagine you discover a secret room, passageway or object with a hidden history.
• Narrate a story where an ordinary object turns out to be more than meets the eye.

Humor & Satire

• Describe a comical day where everything goes wrong.
• Craft a scene featuring outrageously bad customer service.
• Imagine a world with silly laws. What funny laws would you make up?
• Write a playful poem or song making light of some everyday annoyance.
• Compose a humorous dialogue between two fictional characters arguing about something trivial.

Historical Fiction

• Rewrite a key historical event from an unusual perspective, like a soldier, servant, etc.
• Imagine yourself as part of an ancient civilization. Describe your daily life.
• Craft a fictional tale featuring figures from mythology or folklore.
• Set a story within a key event or era from history.
• Pick a historical landmark and write a fictional account of its beginnings.

Dystopias & Alternate Worlds

• Describe daily life in a future dystopian society.
• Craft a scene showing the moment a character realizes their “perfect” world isn’t so perfect after all.
• Imagine you discover life is just a simulation. Describe how you uncover the truth.
• Write a tale about someone encountering a portal to an alternate universe or dimension.
• Design your own fantasy or alien world. Describe key elements like geography, culture, creatures, etc.

Self-Improvement & Growth

• List 10 things you appreciate about yourself and why they make you special.
• Imagine your life 5 years from now if you make positive changes. How is it different?
• Describe a personal struggle and how you overcame it.
• Explain how an inspiring figure or mentor impacted your life in a positive way.
• Write about a place you visited or experience you had that led to self-discovery.

Learning & Education

• Outline the plot for an educational children’s book that teaches a lesson.
• Explain a complex idea or theory in your own words as if teaching it.
• Write a how-to guide about one of your skills or areas of expertise.
• Describe the most rewarding class, workshop or training you ever took. Why was it meaningful?
• Imagine you can take any course at a university. What do you study and why?

Loss & Grief

• Write a letter to someone you lost, saying the things you wish you could have said.
• Describe going through the stages of grief after a significant loss.
• Craft a story featuring a support group for people dealing with loss.
• Write about an object or memento that reminds you of a loved one.
• Reflect on how a loss changed your outlook or priorities.

Freedom & Confinement

• Imagine yourself in jail writing about your experience and dreams of freedom.
• Craft a story about someone trapped on a deserted island, trying to escape.
• Describe a character confined to a hospital or their home, and their changing perspective.
• Narrate a prison break scene from the point of view of the escapee.
• Write about finding freedom after an abusive or controlling relationship.
• Compose a tale about a deal with the devil. What are the terms and consequences?
• Craft a redemption story about a villain who turns over a new leaf.
• Imagine being able to peer into someone’s soul. Whose would you look into?
• Write about the gray area between good and evil.
• Describe a character realizing they were on the wrong side of good and evil.

Coming of Age

• Write about a rite of passage or milestone marking your transition to adulthood.
• Craft a bildungsroman novel featuring a character’s journey to maturity.
• Describe moving away from home for the first time.
• Narrate a scene where a character rebels against his or her parents for the first time.
• Reflect on a key life lesson you learned growing up.

Relationships

• Describe the meeting of two characters destined to be together.
• Craft a story centered on a lifelong friendship.
• Write about reconnecting with an old friend or relative after many years apart.
• Imagine characters with contrasting personalities becoming unlikely friends.
• Narrate a scene where two characters have an intense heart-to-heart talk.

Nature & Animals

• Personify an animal or object in nature and write its perspective.
• Craft a mythical legend explaining a natural phenomenon.
• Imagine you can communicate with animals. What do they say?
• Write a poem inspired by a natural object or scene.
• Describe encountering magnificent wildlife on a hike or safari.

Horror & Suspense

• Write a scary campfire story.
• Craft a horror scene using vivid sensory details and suspenseful build up.
• Imagine you notice something sinister about a seemingly ordinary object or place. Describe it.
• Write a thriller featuring mistaken identity or an unreliable narrator.
• Describe the creepy atmosphere of an abandoned building using vivid details.

Fantasy & Dreams

• Describe a vivid dream where magic felt real.
• Craft a fantasy tale set in a world unlike our own.
• Tell the story of someone caught between magical and ordinary worlds.
• Imagine discovering you have supernatural abilities. How do you react?
• Write about a prophecy coming true against all odds.

Culture & Tradition

• Write about a holiday, festival or celebration in your family or culture.
• Craft a legend or fable from another culture explaining something about their values or history.
• Imagine you wake up in another country. How do you manage day-to-day life?
• Write a fish out of water story featuring someone experiencing a foreign culture.
• Describe visiting a cultural landmark. Transport the reader there.

Slice of Life

• Pick an ordinary object and describe its significance in your life.
• Craft a story where small moments build to create meaning.
• Narrate a quiet scene showing time passing.
• Describe a nostalgic memory surrounding food.
• Capture the atmosphere and conversations at a local café or bar.

Flash Fiction

• Write a 50-100 word story with a beginning, middle and end.
• Craft a miniature flash fiction fantasy or sci-fi tale.
• Describe a scene from an unusual perspective in micro fiction form.
• Capture a relatable moment or emotion in a paragraph.
• Challenge yourself to very short fiction – stories under 15 words.

Poetry & Free Verse

• Try your hand at a form like haiku, limerick, sonnet or villanelle.
• Craft a free verse nature poem.
• Use metaphor and imagery to describe a feeling, place or memory.
• Experiment with sound and rhythm in a poem.
• Write a nostalgic poem about childhood.

Fan Fiction

• Explore “what if” scenarios by rewriting scenes from a favorite work.
• Craft a crossover story combining characters from different fictional worlds.
• Write a prequel or sequel to a favorite story.
• Describe a ficitional character’s childhood or backstory.
• Pick an interesting relationship between characters to focus on.
• Record your thoughts, feelings and experiences over a day or week.
• List goals and dreams for the future in a journal entry.
• Describe memories surrounding an old photo, letter or memento.
• Write about your shifting perspective on an important issue.
• Capture a description of someone important in your life.
• Write about a significant or life-changing event from your past.
• Craft a personal essay about an important lesson, insight or realization.
• Describe a place that shaped your childhood or a key period in your past.
• Recount an impactful conversation that stuck with you.
• Reflect on a personal habit, quirk or trait and its origins.

Creative Non-Fiction

• Write a profile of someone fascinating, like a local character in your town.
• Craft a thoughtful review of a book, movie, play or piece of music.
• Describe a place you’ve visited using all five senses. Transport the reader.
• Research an interesting historical figure and write a creative biography.
• Pick a topic that interests you and write an informative guide or “how to” article about it.

Screenwriting

• Outline a plot for a short film or indie movie. Don’t forget key elements like conflict and character arcs.
• Craft a scene showing character relationships through realistic dialogue.
• Imagine a film adaptation of a book. Write or adapt an important scene.
• Describe an opening scene that sets the tone and introduces the story.
• Brainstorm interesting characters, settings and themes that would come together in a compelling story.

Playwriting & Scripts

• Draft a scene for a playscript. Remember stage directions and line breaks for dialogue.
• Craft a monologue revealing a character’s inner thoughts and emotions.
• Imagine a comedic skit parodying everyday life. Outline the premise.
• Write a script for a video project you’d like to create on YouTube or TikTok.
• Plan interviews with interesting people for a podcast episode. Draft sample questions.

Advertising & Marketing

• Craft catchy slogans for imaginary products or campaigns.
• Imagine a commercial for an unlikely or absurd product. Describe the angle.
• Outline a viral social media campaign for a brand.
• Write basic copy for a brochure, mailer, or digital ad. Focus on benefits and persuasive language.
• Brainstorm creative guerilla marketing ideas and stunts that grab public attention.

Business Writing

• Draft a professional email corresponding with a colleague or client.
• Outline a proposal for improving operations at a company.
• Compose meeting minutes, agendas, and notes.
• Create basic templates for documents like expense reports, presentations, etc.
• Practice writing snappy social media posts that promote a brand’s voice.

Technical Writing

• Explain a technical process in simple, clear steps.
• Draft a FAQ page or user manual for a product. Anticipate reader questions.
• Outline a tutorial for software, tools, or a system at work.
• Describe specs for a new technology idea. Get creative.
• Write basic instructions for assembling or repairing a common device or object.
• Write a news article on an imaginary event, with attention to factual detail.
• Craft an editorial or letter to the editor on a current issue.
• Compose a profile of a compelling public figure.
• Interview someone in your field and write up the Q&A.
• Investigate an interesting local place or event and report your findings.
• Draft a blog post that announces news in your industry or niche.
• Create a list-based post with tips and advice for your target readership.
• Write a thoughtful review of a product or service.
• Compose an inspirational personal essay for your blog.
• Outline an idea for a video blog or vlog. What would you discuss on camera?

Other Genres

• Craft a Western, romance, thriller, sci-fi, cozy mystery or other genre tale.
• Outline a plot for a best selling epic novel.
• Describe the climax or key suspenseful scene in a fictional work.
• Imagine key characters and setting details for a future book idea.
• Draft a passage of witty dialogue between fictional characters.

Alternate Storylines

• Explore an alternate storyline for characters from a favorite fictional world.
• Compose a piece of fanfiction focused on “missing moments” from a story.
• Write a crossover scene combining two fictional worlds or characters.
• Create a prequel story about how two characters first met.
• Imagine one fictional world colliding with our real world.

Research Topics

• Outline key points and sources for a research paper.
• Draft an opening thesis statement and outline main arguments.
• Write an informative abstract summarizing your research and findings.
• Craft an annotated bibliography with summaries and assessments of sources.
• Brainstorm research questions on a topic you want to study further.

Persuasive Writing

• Compose a persuasive letter advocating for a cause or issue you care about.
• Outline arguments you would make in a debate speech.
• Draft an op-ed style column making an argument on a current event topic.
• Write a petition to leadership calling for a change or action.
• Craft a script for a video advocating your position on an issue.

Speech Writing

• Draft text for a commencement or graduation speech. Include inspiring advice.
• Compose a tribute speech highlighting someone’s achievements and character.
• Outline main points for a motivational speech to persuade and inspire an audience.
• Script remarks for an awards ceremony or charity gala.
• Brainstorm funny stories, quotes and anecdotes to include in a wedding toast.

Comedy & Humor Writing

• Craft a funny monologue in the style of a standup comedy routine.
• Parody modern life in a satirical news article or sketch.
• Pen a witty dialogue between two oddball characters.
• Describe an absurd imaginary scenario in vivid detail.
• Outline ideas for a comedic YouTube video, TikTok or webcomic.

Freewriting

• Set a timer and write freely without stopping about whatever comes to mind.
• Fill several pages fast with stream-of-consciousness writing.
• Scribble or type any words, thoughts, or phrases that arise.
• List random memories, ideas, dreams, worries, and interests.
• Let your mind wander loosely and follow where it leads.

Morning Pages

• Write 2-3 pages discussing plans, thoughts, and feelings to start your day.
• Jot down dreams you remember from the previous night. Analyze meanings.
• Vent about worries, frustrations, anger or other emotions cluttering your mind.
• Free write about what you hope to accomplish today.
• Make a gratitude list of things you appreciate in your life.

Dream Journaling

• Record any dreams you recall upon waking up. What details can you remember?
• Sketch images, scenes, or symbols that appeared in the dream.
• Reflect on possible meanings, messages, or interpretations of the dream.
• Note emotions you experienced or changes in the dream mood.
• Log any real life concerns that may have sparked dream themes.

Brainstorming

• Make lists of ideas related to a creative project or endeavor.
• Populate mind maps with related concepts and key words surrounding a central topic.
• Fill pages with raw material to gather thoughts on a subject.
• Outline potential scenes for a story- draw inspiration from memories, issues, and imagination.
• Define ongoing lines of inquiry to deeply explore over time in your creative work.

Observation

• Sit somewhere public and write detailed notes about the setting, people, and overheard conversations.
• Pick an object and describe it using all five senses with fresh, vivid language.
• Capture portrait-like descriptions of interesting looking strangers.
• Notice and record small oddities and curiosities around you.
• Document an eavesdropped exchange between two people word for word.

Travel Writing

• Chronicle impressions of a city or country you visited – sights, sounds, people, feelings.
• Compose a virtual tour depicting landmarks and atmosphere of a place you know well.
• Plan an ideal itinerary for visiting a new location – what would you want to do and see?
• Outline a local guide on hidden gems and favorite spots off the tourist trail.
• Capture a particularly impactful or transporting travel experience.

Nature Writing

• Paint a vivid wilderness landscape in words like anature poet. Transport the reader.
• Personify an animal, plant, body of water, land formation or natural force. Give it a voice.
• Reflect on a powerful personal experience in nature and what it meant to you.
• Describe encountering and interacting closely with a wild creature.
• Craft a micro-story from an unusual perspective like a tree, mountain, insect etc.

Food Writing

• Create mouthwatering descriptions of a delicious homecooked meal.
• Compose an ode or love letter to your favorite childhood dish.
• Review a local restaurant like a professional critic.
• Outline a recipe for your personal food specialty. Include prep and cooking instructions.
• Describe the experience and memories surrounding a meaningful family or cultural food tradition.

Wellness Writing

• Explain tips, practices, or philosophy from your particular approach to wellness and self-care.
• Describe your personal struggle and breakthrough with a health challenge.
• Outline a regimen or routine that helps you thrive in body, mind, or spirit.
• Craft a manifesto for living well – what would be the key principles?
• Tell the story of a wellness journey that radically changed your life.

Spirituality & Religion

• Imagine having a conversation with your higher power – what would you say?
• Compose a personal prayer, meditation, or reflection.
• Describe attending a moving religious service or spiritual community gathering.
• Analyze teachings and ethical models from faith traditions you admire. What wisdom resonates?
• Unpack the meaning behind a favorite quote, poem, or passage of spiritual literature.

Exploring the Concept of Creative Prompts

You’re now delving into the concept of creative prompts, aren’t you? It’s like entering an enchanted forest where each tree carries a unique story.

The prompt origin, akin to the seed from which these trees sprout, is often humble – a simple thought or word. Yet, it grows and branches out in your mind, creating a labyrinth of imaginative pathways.

This is the beauty of prompt evolution. What starts off as a vague idea evolves into intricate narratives dancing vividly within your thoughts. It’s akin to watching a magic trick unfold; one moment there’s nothing but silence and emptiness, then suddenly, there’s an explosion of color and life in your mind.

The Importance of Creative Prompts in Writing

Imagine yourself standing at the precipice of a creative drought. Your mind is as barren as a desert, with words refusing to take form. You’re not alone in this battle against the infamous writer’s block!

Now, let’s plunge into this riveting discussion on how creative prompts become your oasis. They boost your creativity, shatter the invisible walls of writer’s block, and enhance your writing skills like never before.

Boosting Creativity

Boosting creativity isn’t just about thinking outside the box. It’s also about embracing your unique perspectives and ideas. You’re a wellspring of originality waiting to be tapped.

Creativity cultivation is an art, not a science. Each person has their own way of getting those creative juices flowing.

Consider these mind mapping techniques:

• Doodling or sketching your thoughts
• Connecting random words and seeing what ideas form
• Using colors to categorize different concepts
• Associating images with specific thoughts
• Incorporating physical movement to stimulate brain activity

These aren’t just exercises; they’re journeys into the heart of imagination. Each color, word, image, or movement can spark an idea that could transform into a brilliant story.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Overcoming writer’s block isn’t just a struggle, it’s an opportunity to delve deeper into your thoughts and redefine your narrative. It’s like standing at the edge of a dense forest, baffled about which path to take. Unconventional solutions dance around you like fireflies in this darkness.

A quirky idea could be writing with your non-dominant hand or narrating your story to an imaginary audience. Your creativity is a wild beast that sometimes needs goading, and unconventional Block Busting Techniques can help tame it.

Picture yourself inking stories on frosted windows or carving them into sand at the beach. These visualizations activate untouched corners of your imagination, lighting up new pathways in this daunting forest of writer’s block, leading you towards unexplored territories of creativity.

Enhancing Writing Skills

You’re not just battling writer’s block, you’re also honing your skills as an author. This isn’t a mere struggle; it’s a dance with words, a journey of language improvement and vocabulary expansion.

• The euphoria of finding the perfect adjective to paint your scene.
• Your mind, blooming like a flower on a spring day as new words take root.
• The satisfaction when you deftly weave complex sentences together.
• Being lost in the forest of metaphors, only to find your way out with an elegant turn of phrase.
• The thrill when the puzzle pieces fall into place forming a captivating narrative.

See it as mastering an art form rather than overcoming an obstacle. Embrace this process, for each word penned is a step closer to becoming the writer you aspire to be.

Different Types of Creative Writing Prompts

Imagine yourself diving into the vibrant world of visual prompts, exploring every pigment and pattern that could spark your creativity. Feel the thrill of sensory prompts as they engage not only your eyes but also your other senses, sending you on a journey through tastes, smells, sounds, and textures.

You’re about to embark on an expedition through these diverse landscapes of creative writing prompts – it’s time to embrace the adventure.

Visual Prompts Exploration

In your exploration of visual prompts, you’ll find they can spark wildly imaginative story ideas.

Through picture interpretation exercises, you’ll delve into a universe of visual inspiration sources that transcend the ordinary.

The warm hues in an autumn landscape painting, birthing tales of seasonal change

An old black and white photograph, whispering stories from bygone eras

A graffiti wall in a cityscape photo, screaming social commentary

The haunting eyes in a portrait, echoing untold sadness or unspoken joy

A surreal digital art piece, challenging the boundaries of reality

Each image is a doorway to countless narratives. They aren’t just pictures; they are worlds waiting to be explored and stories begging to be told.

Sensory Prompts Use

Diving into sensory cues, you’ll discover they’re a powerful tool to enhance your storytelling, stirring emotions and painting vivid images in the reader’s mind. You can almost taste the salty tang of sea air on your protagonist’s lips, or feel the gritty dust beneath their boots.

Sensory immersion techniques aren’t just for setting scenes, they’re vital for character development too. Imagine applying sensory-based character development strategies. How does your character react to the scent of fresh bread? Do they squint in bright sunlight or savor its warmth?

These details breathe life into characters, making them real and relatable. So next time you write, don’t just tell your story; let readers smell it, see it, touch it… live it!

How to Use Creative Prompts for Story Ideas

Using creative prompts can really help spark your imagination and generate unique story ideas. Picture this process as a treasure hunt for inspiration, where each prompt pushes you toward unexplored territories of your creativity.

• Prompt inspired characters with unheard stories waiting to be unveiled.
• Mystical lands or futuristic cities born from prompt generated settings.
• Unexpected plot twists that turn common narratives into captivating tales.
• Intricate relationships between characters that add depth to their personas.
• Striking dialogues that breathe life into these characters.

These elements collectively weave the vivid tapestry of your narrative, turning abstract thoughts into tangible words.

Boosting Creativity With Unique Writing Prompts

Harnessing unique stimuli for your narratives can significantly boost your creative prowess and help unearth exciting story ideas. Imagine a world where prompts personalization is at the core of every tale you weave, each prompt tailored to spark new dimensions within your storytelling sphere. The potential for prompt inspired artistry is boundless, as diverse as a painter’s palette.

Consider prompts that touch on forgotten dreams or hidden fears. Let them stir up memories drenched in emotion or transport you to unexplored territories of the mind. Picture yourself weaving such richly textured tales, fueled by these personalized cues.

Creative Prompts for Poetry Writing

Dive into the rhythmic ocean of words, where we’ll explore the diverse islands that form Poetry Prompt Categories. Each one is a unique muse to ignite your poetic prowess.

You’ll unearth techniques to seamlessly implement these prompts, transforming them from mere sentences into vibrant verses dancing on your page.

Poetry Prompt Categories

Exploring different poetry prompt categories can really expand your creative horizons and enhance your writing skills. Let’s delve into ‘Metaphor Mastery’ and ‘Emotional Elicitation’.

These aren’t just classifications, but invigorating pathways to artistic development.

Imagine a world where feelings take physical shapes; that’s the essence of Metaphor Mastery. You’re not just penning words, you’re sculpting emotions.

Emotional Elicitation is about stirring up hidden sentiments within your readers.

Consider these prompts:

• Craft a poem where love is a starved lion or courage, a towering mountain.
• Write about grief as an endless ocean.
• Describe joy as a blooming sunflower field.
• Convey anger like a volcanic eruption.
• Evoke nostalgia as an old, dusty attic.

Prompt Implementation Techniques

Let’s shift our focus to how you can effectively implement these poetic ideas into your verses.

Picture yourself in a vibrant landscape, wielding words as an artist uses colors. Each stroke of the brush is guided by prompt categorization, helping you navigate the vast palette of emotions and experiences.

Now imagine adding a personal touch—prompt personalization. It’s like infusing your own essence into the canvas, making every verse pulsate with authenticity. Feel the rhythm of words dancing to your unique beat, painting vivid images that echo your inner world.

Remember, it’s not about fitting into predefined boxes; it’s about shaping them around you. So let loose and weave stories with unabashed creativity and veracity.

Trust me, there’s no better way to make poetry truly yours!

Creative Prompts for Fiction Writing

You’ll find that using creative prompts for fiction writing can significantly boost your creativity and storytelling skills. Through exploring prompt variations, you’re given the freedom to mold concepts into your unique narrative.

Picture this:

• A deserted island where shadows whisper secrets.
• An antique locket holding a timeless curse.
• A city beneath the sea, untouched by human civilization.
• Two strangers locked in an elevator during a power outage.
• A diary detailing future events, written in an unknown language.

These genre-specific prompts stir something inside of you, don’t they? Your imagination begins to unravel storylines from these seeds of inspiration. Like the painter before his canvas, you have all you need to create your masterpiece.

Creative Prompts for Non-fiction Writing

You’ve danced with fiction, spun tales of fantasy that flirted on the edges of reality. Now, it’s time to pivot and explore the terrain of truth—non-fiction themes.

Brace yourself for a journey that is raw and real, where your pen uncovers life’s myriad hues and nuances.

Imagine standing at the cusp of an autobiography. You’re its inspiration; each chapter unfolds from your experiences. Your stories are not borrowed or imagined but distilled from your struggles and triumphs. It’s more than just writing—it’s reliving moments you’ve etched in memory lanes.

Non-fiction writing prompts guide you into this uncharted territory, shedding light on forgotten corners of your past. You’ll need courage because these writings excavate truths hidden beneath layers of consciousness.

The canvas awaits—paint it with words from your world!

Overcoming Writer’s Block With Creative Prompts

Battling writer’s block can be tough, but using thought-provoking stimuli can help you break through those frustrating barriers. Consider the effectiveness of creative prompts, which offer a diverse range of ideas to ignite your imagination.

• Picture a wave crashing against a lonely lighthouse. What story does it tell?
• Imagine being an ant in a bustling city park.
• Visualize the last dream you remember; could it be a surreal short story?
• Ponder about what lies beyond the edge of the universe.
• Think about an old woman’s secrets hidden inside her vintage locket.

These prompts are not just words or phrases; they’re keys unlocking uncharted territories of your mind. They embody prompt diversity and effectiveness, serving as lifelines when creativity seems elusive.

Creative Prompts for Improving Writing Skills

Don’t underestimate the power of these stimuli. They’re not only great for sparking ideas but also for honing your language skills.

Picture this: a wellspring of creativity, bubbling with potential, right at your fingertips through carefully chosen prompts.

Prompt selection isn’t random; it’s an art. It’s about selecting situations or phrases that ignite the dormant imagination within you, pushing you to weave stories in ways never thought before.

Creativity measurement is subjective yet invaluable in this context. You’re not just jotting down words; you’re painting vibrant tapestries of thoughts and emotions using nothing but alphabets as your colors.

Tips to Create Your Own Writing Prompts

Let’s delve into some strategies on how to craft your own inventing cues for better storytelling and improved language skills. Prompt personalization is key, allowing you to tailor prompts that resonate with your unique voice and perspective.

Consider the following:

• Envision ‘Genre specific prompts’. Imagine you’re a detective in a noir novel or an explorer charting uncharted territories.
• Use abstract concepts. Think about emotions, philosophies, or social issues that stir you.
• Get inspired by existing works. A line from a poem or scene from a film can spark marvelous ideas.
• Play with hypothetical scenarios. What if gravity stopped working?
• Incorporate memories or personal experiences. Your past can be full of captivating stories waiting to be told.

These strategies ignite creativity, enhance writing prowess, and make storytelling an enjoyable art form for you.

Real-Life Examples of Effective Creative Prompts

You’ve probably encountered real-life instances where effective cues have sparked great ideas. For example, a memorable quote from a book or an impactful scene in a movie. The trick is to harness these moments and transform them into creative prompts through prompt personalization.

Consider the whiff of your grandmother’s apple pie, the rustle of leaves underfoot on an autumn day, or the evocative imagery of a sunset over the ocean. These experiences are more than just memories; they’re potential narrative goldmines.

Prompt sourcing doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as jotting down snippets of overheard conversations or noting peculiar events around you. And remember, it’s all about making your prompts personal. Invest them with emotions and images that resonate with you on a profound level.

So, you’ve explored the realm of creative prompts. You’ve seen their value and used them in different styles to ignite story ideas. They’ve helped you overcome writer’s block and improve your writing game.

You even know how to craft your own prompts! Now, it’s time for you to dive into the world of words, armed with these creative catalysts. Remember, imagination is your playground. Let these prompts be your swing set!

Home › Study Tips › Creative Writing Resources For Secondary School Students

308 Creative Writing Prompts To Unlock Your Writing Skills

• Published November 23, 2022

You want to start creative writing but how? It’s hard to be creative on demand. Most people need some inspiration or a push in the right direction. That’s why we teach our creative writing summer courses with various techniques to conquer your fear of the blank page. 

And we’ve put together a stimulating list of Creative Writing prompts to get those creative wheels turning! But, if you want to niche down then feel free to check out our high school writing prompts .

General Writing Prompts

• An envelope from a passing plane falls out of the sky and lands on your character. What would the contents of the envelope be?
• You’re invulnerable except for one weakness. What’s your weakness?
• Create a character that abhors your favourite hobby, and explain why.
• Create a story that revolves around the main character, “the girl with the red balloon.”
• What’s the most boring job you can imagine? Write a sports commentary on a person doing it. 
• Describe a character’s morning routine as if you’re writing an inspiring script for a personal development Youtube channel. 
• Your character is dancing in the rain. What’s the backstory?
• Write a story beginning with the climax, then proceed to give flashbacks. 
• Who is your least favourite person? What do you dislike most about them? Write a backstory on how they may have developed these negative traits.
• Two characters are talking about a topic. Write the same dialogue twice, each from two different perspectives.
• You have 7 days to complete a mission. Should you fail, the world ends. What’s the mission about?
• Think about a person you want to be with. What do you wish they’d tell you? Write the scenario.
• Your character is making a magic potion that steals 5 years of life from the maker. Why are they willing to give up their time for the potion?
• Is there a moment in your life you wish would last forever? Capture it with your writing.
• Write a story that begins with a tribal ritual. What’s the ritual about? How is it performed?
• Choose a random holiday on the calendar, and write a greeting card about it. 
• Rewrite the lyrics to a song with a good beat. 
• Write a pokemon battle from the pokemon’s perspective.
• Write about a character suffering from a disease without mentioning the disease.
• If you had 1 hour left to live, what would you do?

Before moving on, creative writing examples can also help you conquer the fear of the blank page. We highly recommend reading through our resource, as well as our tips for creative writers like you.

Mythical Creatures/Places Prompts

• You meet a dragon. How would the story go? Describe the dragon as much as you can.
• Your character is running away from a perilous situation. Suddenly, a pegasus and their rider swoop down from the sky to their rescue.Who is the rider?
• Losing your way while travelling, you accidentally stumbled on a golden city. You think it’s El Dorado! Before you take one more step, large soldiers materialise, golden spears pointed at your throat. How do you escape?
• Write a poem about a mythical place that has always fascinated you.
• If you could choose one mythical creature to meet in real life, who would it be?
• You heard a beautiful melody while walking through a forest on a guided tour. You wandered off on your own and found a group of fairies singing a ritual song. Suddenly, they all turn to you and say in unison, “We have been waiting for you.” What’s happening?
• You’re in a submarine on the ocean floor. When a mermaid approaches you with open curiosity. Describe the mermaid in as much detail as you can.
• Describe the underworld from Cerberus’ perspective.
• Your character went island hopping on vacation. When they encounter the irresistible song of the sirens. What happens next?
• Write about Hades from Zeus’ perspective.
• You just found out you’re a reincarnated Egyptian god/goddess. How do you react?

Superpower Writing Prompts

• If you could choose any superpower, what would it be? Why?
• You just discovered you have the power of invisibility. What would you do with this power?
• What responsibilities come with having superpowers?
• How would the world be different if everyone had superpowers?
• You’re at a party, and you can read everyone’s mind. How will the scene go?
• Write about what it would be like to have the power of flight.

Tired yet? Keep going or take a break by reading through the top UK universities for creative writing – maybe that will provide some extra motivation to keep you racing through these prompts.

“For the First Time” Prompts

• A tourist from a tropical country encounters snow for the first time. How would they react?
• Write about a person who grew up in a desert and saw the sea for the first time. 
• What was the most crucial decision you made? Write a story of what would’ve happened if you chose differently. 
• A colourblind person sees colour for the first time. How did the experience go?
• Write about a deaf toddler who hears their mommy for the first time. 
• Write a romantic story about first-time lovers.
• How was your experience riding the boat for the first time?
• You eat a foreign fruit for the first time. Describe the taste in a way that makes the reader’s mouth water.
• Write about a character who skydives for the first time. 
• What would Christopher Columbus have felt seeing America for the first time? 
• Write about a character who experiences the death of an immediate family member for the first time. 
• It was your first time seeing a Kangaroo. Write the experience from the Kangaroo’s perspective. 
• Write about a character who gets caught up in a riptide for the first time. 

Creative writing has, and always will be, a popular university course. Knowing exactly what the a-level requirements for creative writing are helps ensure you have the best chance of getting into a top university of your choice.

Unfortunate Events

•  Write a story wherein a character experiences 3 unfortunate events in quick succession within 24 hours. 
• A businessman loses all his money in one day. What happens next?
• Burglars break into your home 4 consecutive times in one month. Write a thrilling narrative.
• You wake up to your empty garage. Someone stole your car. The carnapper happens to be the leader of an infamous gang, and you happen to be a CIA agent. Write an action-packed story.
• Write about an innocent character framed to be the murderer. 
• You entered the class with all your classmates glaring at you with anger and indignation, except one. Who smiles at you in evil triumph. What happened?
• A character starts the day wrong and ends up ruining the rest of the day because of a bad mood. They go to bed screaming in frustration, “THE WORST DAY EVER!” Write what transpired in a way that’ll make your readers laugh. 
• Your protagonist has a goal. But every time they try to achieve it, something bad happens. Is it a coincidence, or is someone sabotaging their efforts?

Alternate Ending/Path

• Write an alternate ending to a movie or story you wished ended differently.
• Write a character who’s born into a military family, and who is expected to follow their father’s footsteps. But they feel called to a different path. 
• Who would you be if you could be anyone you want to be?
• Julius Caesar survived his assassination. How will his story continue after the betrayal?
• An heir to the throne chose to run away and travel the world in disguise. Write about their journey. 
• Romeo and Juliet didn’t die. So how will their romance continue?
• Harry Potter ended up marrying Hermione. Write the alternate ending.
• Augustus didn’t die in the Fault in Our Stars. Write a happy ending. 
• How would you have wanted the Game of Thrones to end instead? Write the script.
• Gatsby was discovered to be innocent, and his life was spared. What happens next? 
• If Jack didn’t die, how would his romance with Rose continue?

From the Object’s Perspective

• Your character is an expert samurai. Write about the samurai from the sword’s perspective. 
• Write a story with art materials as the main characters.
• What is your most prized possession? Write from its perspective about how it thinks and feels about you.
• Write about a family’s history from an heirloom’s perspective.
• Write a scene from Dr Strange from his cape’s perspective.
• Write about the Elder Wand’s previous masters before it became Dumbledore’s, from the wand’s perspective.
• Narrate a Percy Jackson scene from Riptide’s perspective.
• Write a scene from Dr. Strange from his cape’s perspective.
• If Gandalf’s staff could talk, what legendary tales would it tell you? 
• A castle houses multiple generations of nobles. What secrets does it know?

Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?

• Write a story about two characters who wish they live the other person’s life without the other knowing. 
• A character believes the grass is greener on the other side. Turns out it isn’t. How did the story go?
• Write about a little girl who wanted to be a mermaid, and her wish was granted.
• A character thought having instant millions could make them happy. It didn’t. Write about their inner monologue on their deathbed. 
• You had the opportunity to live the life of your favourite Hollywood star in a day. How will it go?
• Do you think abundant money can buy happiness? Why or why not?
• If you could shift into any career in the world, what would it be? Why? 
• Your character’s best friend just got engaged. They’re happy for them, but they can’t help feeling a little jealous. Write about the internal struggle. 

Time Travel/History

• Choose a historical event, and insert a fictional character who experiences it and has no idea how significant it is in human history. 
• If you could travel back in time as a mere observer, what 3 historical events would you want to witness in person?
• What would you tell your younger self from 10 years ago?
• If you could change one event in human history, what would it be? Why?
• What would you tell a parent if you could meet them before they had you?
• You travel back in time but can’t return to your own time. What happens next?
• If you could save one person from dying at their appointed time, who would it be? Why?
• What would you tell your great-grandchild if you could travel to the future?
• If you could relive an event that happened in the past without changing it, what would it be? Why?
• Choose one decision you wouldn’t make if you could go back in time. How will your life change?
• Your character travels through time, but they keep getting stuck in the same year. What year is it, and what’s happening?
• You’re travelling back in time, but you accidentally go too far and land in the middle of a prehistoric jungle. Describe your experience.

Describe ___ To A Blind Person

If you were to describe the:

• Northern Lights
• Empire State Building
• Mona Lisa Painting
• Pyramids of Giza
• Most beautiful person you met

How would you go about it?

The Villain/Wrongdoing

• Write about a bully who undergoes a change of heart after being bullied. 
• A mad scientist concocted a deadly solution in their lab to eradicate a huge percentage of the human race. What events pushed them to such measures?
• Write a story about a manipulative character who always found a way to escape problems unscathed. Until they meet their match.
• An important event is going on. A biassed journalist creates fake news. What events made the journalist regret what they did?
• Write about a character who is falling in love with the villain.
• Write a scene from Narnia from the White Witch’s perspective.
• What would the final Lord of the Rings battle look like from Sauron’s perspective? Write the scene.
• Write a Star Wars scene from Darth Vader’s perspective. 

Inner Monologue

• You’re waiting in line to buy pizza. And you see a person reading the menu. What would their inner monologue be?
• What goes on in the mind of a traitor?
• Write a character who’s about to end their life. But they changed their mind at the last minute. Why?
• Write the inner monologue of a genius taking a maths exam.
• What goes on inside a gamer’s mind while playing Mobile Legends? 
• Write about what Martin Luther must have been thinking while writing his momentous speech “I Have A Dream.”
• What do you think were the thoughts of Julius Caesar during his assassination?
• Write about what Taylor Swift’s inner monologue must have been while she wrote her famous song “All Too Well.”
• Write about a character’s internal monologue while on a blind date.
• What went on in the mind of the Titanic’s captain as they sunk?

Family and Friendship

• Think about your top 5 friends. Make them characters in your story with you as the antagonist. 
• You want to give a favourite book to a friend. Write the dedication note.
• Recall a favourite moment you had with your best friend. Write the event from their perspective.
• A family was eating dinner as usual. But something happened that changed their lives forever. What was the life-changing event?
• Write a story about a hero who gave their lives to protect their loved ones against a powerful foe.
• If a friend were to introduce you in an essay, what would they write?
• Write an essay convincing your close friends to watch a movie they haven’t watched before. 
• If you and your family were the main characters of an alien invasion story, how would it go? 
• Two friends have been debating a topic for years. One dies first at a young age. How does the remaining person live his remaining life in reaction to his friend’s untimely death?
• Write about a character who looks back on their life and discovers how they’ve hurt the people closest to them. How will they try to repair these relationships?
• What’s your favourite bread? Describe its deliciousness without using the word delicious or any of its synonyms.
• What’s your favourite dish? Narrate a chef preparing it in a suspenseful way.
• Start your story with someone drinking their usual morning coffee at a local coffee shop.
• How would the dialogue go if you were to instruct a younger sibling on how to prepare a dish through the phone?
• Write a romantic story about food lovers who met at a restaurant. 
• Describe how a stew smells so tasty as to make your readers’ mouths water. 
• Brewed vs 3-in-1-Coffee, why is one better than the other?
• You watch a person eating food with such satisfaction that it makes you hungry. Describe how they ate the food. 
• Describe a dish without revealing its name.
• Write about a character suffering from depression, then they taste food that reminds them of happy childhood days. 
• What’s a vegetable you hate? Write an inner monologue from its perspective, detailing how it hates you back.
• A mother receives the last letter from her son before he dies in the war. What does the letter say?
• A couple parts ways. A year later, one of them decides to win back the relationship and proceeds to search. Only to discover the other died a week ago. What happens next? 
• In a snap, your young character’s life takes a cruel turn because every family member dies in one day. What will they do in the aftermath of the tragedy?
• A superhero shines bright. But what about the normal person who lost a loved one because of the superhero’s rash action in saving the world? Write a story about the normal person.
• Your character is dying, and their life is flashing before their eyes. What are they seeing?
• Write a character who has to let go of a loved one who recently passed away. 
• What would you say if you could talk to someone you desperately want to talk to, but can’t?
• Write about a character who goes through the motions but is frozen in the past. What situation forces them to move on?
• Write about a war veteran struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• A young student suffers from bullying. What development do they go through that allows them to stand up for themselves later in the story?
• You stumbled upon a mostly empty house with a picture frame hanging on a wall. Who’s in the picture?
• An old woman walks by every 3pm in the afternoon. Where is she going?
• You look out and see a couple fighting behind a closed window. What are they arguing about?
• Who do you find most mysterious? Imagine what their inner monologue sounds like. Write it down. 
• Someone gave you a key necklace. You later discovered it’s an actual key to a secret door. What happens next?
• Write a story about a character surfing on the beach. When they stumbled upon a message in a bottle. The very next day, they leave everything behind to go someplace else. What’s the message?
• A locket has been passed down multiple generations and ended up with you. Little did you know it was hiding a secret yet to be discovered. What is the secret? How did you find out?
• You sit at a playground and notice a young girl looking sullen and withdrawn. What do you think is her story?
• Someone played the public piano at the airport. Your character watched as a tear ran down their face. Why?
• Choose a painting of a deceased painter. What are they trying to tell you?
• Your great-grandchild went back in time to meet you. Why?
• There’s a secret room that’s been walled off. Why?
• You find a hidden door in your apartment. Where does it lead to? 
• “With his last breath, he uttered a name.” Continue the story.
• You’re walking down a street, and you see someone who looks exactly like you. Your eyes meet, and both freeze in astonishment. What happens next?
• Every year, a character dreads June 13th. Why?
• What’s your most hated insect? Describe the expression of disgust on your face from the insect’s perspective.
• Your character lands in a new world, and they encounter an animal they never saw before. How would you describe the animal?
• The wolves sing to the moon. Write a song about it. 
• Write the inner monologue of a cat intent on world domination.
• Two cats are playing a mock fight. What would their dialogue be?
• Write the inner monologue of a dog waiting for its owners to return.
• A dog jumped on you. And you hear a voice say, “Sorry, sorry!” Who is it?
• Write from the perspective of a porcupine. What does it feel like to have a soft body covered with spikes?
• Write a war scene from the horse’s perspective. 
• A male bird is courting a female bird. Write a dialogue. 
• An ocean diver gets surrounded by a hundred squids. What happens next? 
• Write what blood tastes like to a female mosquito. 
• What’s the daily life of an ant in a colony like? Write a story. 
• Ravens have a mourning ritual for their dead. Write about the ritual from a raven’s perspective. 
• A male lion searches for his brother and finds him right before he’s about to be killed by hyenas. Write the suspenseful scene from the searching lion’s perspective.

Funny/Comedy

• You pass by a restaurant and see two people laughing their heads off. What is making them laugh?
• Write a comedy with your neighbour as the main character.
• A character tries a new hobby but is really bad at it. What is their hobby, and how do they fail?
• Your character goes on a date with someone who has a strange quirk. Describe the quirk and the date.
• You’re at a job interview, and the interviewer asks you an absurd question. How do you answer it?
• Write a funny story about a man who is either always early or always late. 
• Your character is in a meeting, but they keep dozing off. What’s the meeting about, and how do they stay awake?
• You’re at a party, but you’re really bored. How do you entertain yourself?
• Write about a character explaining that the dog ate their homework, with the line “true story.”
• A man discovered an unknown bird species. It happens to be a parrot. And it scared the man senseless when it heard the bird talk. Write about the details of the horrifying encounter. 
• You’re stuck in traffic, but you must hit the loo quickly. What do you do?
• Write a detailed essay that makes a mundane object sound massively life-changing. 
• You’re about to eat food you abhor, but you must act like it’s the best thing ever. What is the food, and how do you react?
• Write about a character who can read minds and cannot help but answer unspoken thoughts, garnering horrified and bewildered glances. 
• Your character falls in love. But they had no clue it was the child of their sworn enemy! How do they untangle the mess?  

New/Parallel World 

• Create a world where the currency is food. 
• You see a planet at night that glows especially bright. If it housed living creatures, what would it be like?
• Who’s your favourite fictional character? Imagine they came to life in the real world. How would they adjust? What would their reaction be to the modern world? 
• You stumbled upon a parallel universe. What happens next?
• A portal opens up and transports you to another world. What is the world like, and how do you get back home now that the portal’s closed? 
• Write Snow White’s story from the Evil Queen’s perspective. 
• What would you ask if you had access to the Evil Queen’s Mirror on the Wall?
• Write Mulan’s story from her father’s perspective.
• Write Ariel’s story from King Triton’s perspective. 
• If the Prince in Sleeping Beauty wrote a poem for Princess Aurora, how would it go?
• Write Cinderella’s story from the lost shoe’s perspective.
• Narrate Cinderella’s story from the Evil Stepmother’s perspective. 
• Write Simba’s story from Scar’s point of view.
• Write Elsa’s story from Olaf’s perspective.
• A war broke out in an ancient era, and a runner bolts out, carrying a crucial message. Write a story about the journey. 
• You woke up to people screaming, “Invasion! RUN!” What will you do next?
• Your character is a soldier who’s captured by the enemy. How do they escape?
• You find a wounded soldier on the battlefield. What happens next?
• People are falling sick with a new, unknown disease. A doctor tries to find a cure amidst all the chaos. Did the doctor succeed?

Thriller/Horror

• Your character encounters a monster in an alley. Write the scene. 
• You open your door, and there’s a note on the floor that says, “I’m watching you.” What happens next?
• Write a character that stumbled upon a human corpse while exploring a cave. Who is it?
• You live in a new home, and you discover it’s haunted. By whom?
• You watch a beautiful lady receive a bouquet of roses. She reads the attached note and drops it in an expression of utter horror. What did she read?
• Write a story about an attractive man with a dark secret. 
• You’re riding the train. Suddenly, someone who looks familiar approaches you and says with alarm, “Quick, we have to get off this train now .” What happens next?
• Write a horror story about a character going to the grocery store. 
• Someone shares a secret with you that has a huge impact on your circle of friends. You promise to keep it. But the owner of the secret dies the next day. Unable to carry the burden, you reveal the secret. Only to end up being haunted by the owner’s ghost. How does the story resolve itself?
• You had a nightmare about a character chasing you. You wake up remembering only one detail: a tattoo. As you go about your day, you notice a stranger with the same tattoo. What happens next?
• A series of events led to you receiving a cursed package. Why did it choose you? How do you get rid of it?
• Write a story about a character who wakes up with someone shaking their shoulders and looking into their eyes, asking frantically, “What happened?!”
• If a zombie apocalypse broke out right now, what are the first 3 things you would do? Why?
• A character in your story wants to confess to someone they fell in love with by sending them a text message. How would the message go?
• Write about a character looking for love on a dating site…and finding it. 
• Write a story about two people falling in love, only to discover they are closely related. 
• Two characters meet on a pilgrimage together. Write about how they fell in love.
• “Wherever you are in the world, I will find you.” Write a romantic story starting with this sentence.
• Two lovers are separated by war. They swore to get married after, but they both died before they could reunite. Write their story via the letters they exchanged with each other. 
• You held the hand of someone you’re attracted to for the first time. What does it feel like?
• Write about two characters who like each other in secret. Did they end up confessing their mutual attraction?
• A character goes on a journey to understand what love means. How did it go? 
• What’s your favourite poem? Write a poem responding to it. 
• Compose a poem about falling for someone who doesn’t return your affections.
• Write a short poem about your name.
• A sailor is wrestling against a stormy ocean. Write a poem from the ocean’s perspective.
• Write a poem about an object or a place you once had access to when you were a child. But it’s no longer there today. 
• Planet Earth has many beautiful places. Choose one and write a poem praising its beauty.
• What is the most beautiful building you’ve ever laid eyes on? Write a poem about it. 
• What does your favourite perfume smell like? Describe the scent in a poem.
• Use lots of onomatopoeia in a poem. 
• Write a poem about the colour green.
• Who’s the most attractive person you met in your life? Write a poem about them.
• What are you most afraid of? Why? 
• Someone is trying to convince you to try something you’re scared of. How would the dialogue go?
• A character is afraid of public speaking. But they end up being a world-renowned public speaker. Write a story about the journey. 
• Write about a character who’s terrified of the deep ocean. 
• Your character is afraid of aliens. But they proceed to fight them anyway to protect others. Write the story from the first-person point of view.

General Personal Essay

• What is the greatest regret of your life? Write an essay about it. 
• How would you define “love”?
• Who do you admire the most today? Why?
• How would your day go if you were someone’s shadow for a day?
• What is your happy place? Why?
• What do you feel, hear, smell, or see right now? Describe it in as much detail as you can.
• Write about your favourite hobby and how it affects your life.
• If you could create a national holiday, what would it be? How would the country celebrate it?
• What’s your favourite season? Why?
• What makes you happy? Write the answer from the perspective of a very young person or a very old person.
• What are three personal weaknesses you want to improve on? How do you plan on improving?
• What are the top 3 words that describe you best? Why?
• Write a story about a character falling for a narcissist, then finding a way out. 
• What are your 3 greatest achievements in life? Write an essay about it.  
• You’re nominated for an award. The host reads out the winner’s name, and it’s you! Write your 1-minute speech. 
• What’s your favourite piece of clothing? What are the memories you’ve made while wearing it?
• What’s your favourite mode of transportation? Write an essay convincing the readers why it’s the best option. 
• If you could invent anything, what would it be? Why?
• If you had wings, how would you take care of them? Write an essay entitled “Top 10 Tips for Wing-care.”
• If you were the president of the country, what 3 policies would you reinforce first? Why?

A Line in the Story

• Include this line in your story: “It wasn’t…what I wanted.” 
• Write about a character who lives their life according to this statement by Nelson Mandela, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
• Write a short story that begins with “My life was never the same since.”
• What’s your favourite song? Write a story that begins with the first verse. 
• Write a story that ends with “she never looked back.”
• “Practice makes perfect,” the common saying goes. Write a thriller story with the line repeated at least 3 times throughout. 
• “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” Write a story from the perspective of someone who lives by this quote.
• Start your story with this quote by Michael Jordan, “I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
• You meet someone who wants to lose weight but easily gets discouraged. Write 5 inspiring letters to motivate them to keep going. 
• You see “Reach out to a friend” posters hanging everywhere to advocate for mental health. Write a letter to someone who is lonely and desperately needs a friend. 
• What would you write if you could send a letter to a renowned historical person?
• If you could send a letter to a politician, what would you write?
• Write a letter to your younger self, convincing them not to give up on their dreams.
• Your character finds an old love letter from a previous relationship. What do they do with it?
• A Gratitude Letter: You’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, and you’re going through chemotherapy. Write a letter to your body, thanking it for everything it’s been through.
• Create an essay around the theme, “It’s not about how much you earn, but how much you spend.”
• A character undergoing a financial crisis wins the lottery. Did their life improve? Or did it become worse?
• Write an orphan character who rises through the ranks and becomes a millionaire. What’s their motivation?
• A rich man gives away all his money and lives a life of poverty. Why?
• A carefree couple racks up a large amount of debt, and they have to face the consequences. How do they go about reforming their lives?
• Your character has to choose between love and money. Which do they choose and why?

Out of This World

• You’re on a space mission when you suddenly find yourself stranded on an unknown planet. Describe the planet and your experience.
• You’re a space shuttle pilot, and you encounter a black hole. What happens next?
• Your character is the first human to make contact with aliens. How does the meeting go?
• You’ve been chosen to be the first human to live on Mars. Describe your experience.
• You wake up one day to find that you’ve been turned into an alien. What happens next?
• You’re an alien who is observing humans for the first time. Write your observation notes.

There you have it! A wealth of writing prompts to help get you started. Whether you’re aiming to write a story, poem, or personal essay, we’ve got you covered.

And if you’re looking to go deeper into honing your skills then try out some creative writing exercises to get the brain juices flowing.

Don’t forget to bookmark this post for future reference!

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A Big, Bold List of Creative Writing Activities

by Melissa Donovan | Jan 4, 2024 | Creative Writing | 24 comments

Try some of these creative writing activities.

Are you looking for writing motivation, inspiration, or ideas that will give your latest project an extra boost?

Below you’ll find a massive list of creative writing activities. Some of these activities will keep you writing when you’re in need of ideas and inspiration. Others will improve your writing skills and techniques through practice. Some will give you experience with forms and genres you haven’t tried. And others will help you promote your writing once it’s published.

Pick any activity and use it as a creative outlet. Bring a few activities to your writing group or do one with your kids. Use these creative writing activities in any way you want.

Start a Journal

Journaling is an excellent way to maintain a steady writing practice, and there are lots of different journals you can write: gratitude journals, dream journals, media journals, poetry journals, and idea journals, to name a few.

Image Prompts

Flip through some images on Instagram or Pinterest and see what sparks an idea. Don’t place limitations on your writing—just let the words flow.

Character Letters

Writing letters in your characters’ voices can help you get inside their heads and understand them better so you can write them with more depth and realism. Create an ongoing correspondence to explore character relationships and group dynamics within your cast.

Write Your Bio

Write a series of short bios for your social media accounts and a longer one for your author website. Don’t forget to make a bio for your press kit and another to include in your books.

Rhyme and Meter Exercises

Set your inner musician free by composing lines and couplets in metrical patterns with rhymes. Establish the parameters before you start writing, or just let the words flow and note the meter and rhyme afterward.

Memory Prompts

Grab an old photo album or flip through the photos on your phone—or use recall to bring forth memories that you can write about. Use this as an exercise in writing description or crafting a narrative about something you experienced or witnessed—ideal if you’re interested in writing a memoir.

Writing Exercises

Writing exercises keep your skills sharp and your creativity flowing even when inspiration is fleeting. They are excellent for keeping up your writing practice between projects. Pick up a book of creative writing exercises so you’ll have plenty to choose from.

What-if List

Create a repository of ideas by writing a list of what-if questions that could spark characters, plots, and settings for your future works of fiction or provide ideas you can explore in poetry and nonfiction writing projects.

Newsletters

A mailing list is one of the best ways for an author to connect with a readership. Start planning yours now. You can fill your newsletter with behind-the-scenes material from your books or excerpts from your work in progress. Or write a poem or piece of flash fiction for your newsletter.

Character Diary

The best characters feel like real people, which means the writer has fully gotten into their heads and hearts. One way to do that is to keep a diary in your character’s voice, which will help you establish their innermost thoughts and feelings. And who knows? Maybe a character diary will turn into a novel written in first person!

Your Future Self

Jump at least ten years into the future and write a letter from your current self to your future self, write a letter from your future self to your current self, or write a diary entry as your future self.

Try Writing for Comics

Comics are often partnerships between artists and writers. Give the writing side of comics a try. If you don’t want to draw, just make notes about what the illustrations will depict. Focus on character, plot, and dialogue. Flip through a few comics if you need examples to guide you.

Dream Vacation

Write a few pages describing your dream vacation. Where will you go? How long will you stay? What will you do there? If you’ve already experienced a dream vacation, write about that instead.

Blurb Your Favorite Books

A book blurb is a short statement endorsing a book, often written by another author. Choose a few of your favorite titles and write blurbs for them.

Focus on dialogue by writing a script. It could be a script for a play, a TV series, or a movie, or it can simply be an exercise in practicing or exploring dialogue.

Imagined World History

Create a fictional history for a fantastical or sci-fi story world. What were the origins of the civilization? What are their customs and traditions? Their laws and beliefs?

Write a Recipe

Start with an introduction that makes the reader’s mouth water, and then deliver the recipe, complete with an ingredient list and cooking instructions.

Propose an Adaptation of Your Favorite Book

Do you have a favorite book that’s never been made into a film or television series? Put together a two-page pitch convincing studio executives that this story needs to be seen on a screen.

Write a Letter You’ll Never Send

Write a letter to someone who’s gone, someone who’s upset you, or someone you admire from afar.

Find Poetry

Found poetry is when we use words and phrases from source material to create a poem. This is most often seen as a page of printed text with various words and phrases circled, or all text blacked out except the portions that make up the found poem.

Write a Speech

Write an award acceptance speech; a campaign speech, or a graduation or wedding speech.

Make an Outline

Create an outline for a large-scope project, such as a book or series of books.

This is Like That

Practice writing similes and metaphors. Similes are when one thing is like another (your smile is like sunshine) and metaphors are when one thing is another (your smile is sunshine).

Make a Chapbook

If you’ve written a lot of short pieces, like essays, poems, and short stories, collect them into a chapbook. Bring it to an open mic and take along copies you can sell or give away, or offer it on your blog, website, or social media as a free or premium download.

Create a Motivation Journal

Fill it with things that make you want to write — positive affirmations, favorite lines from poems, quotes of wisdom, and useful reminders. Crack it open whenever you catch yourself procrastinating when you should be writing.

Give Fan Fiction a Whirl

Write a few scenes in your favorite story world. Create new characters or use existing characters. Just remember — you don’t own the intellectual property, so you can’t commercially publish it.

Write a Critique

A critique should start by highlighting the strengths in a piece of writing, and then it should gently but constructively offer feedback that is meant to show the author how to make improvements. You can critique any work, but it would be ideal if you can find a writer friend to swap critiques with.

Write Log Lines for Your Favorite Stories

A log line is a sentence or two that summarizes a story and entices readers. If you’re working on a project, write a log line about it. Log lines are excellent for crystallizing your vision, and they’re also useful for pitching and selling written works.

Start a Legacy Book

A legacy book is a collection of writings and other materials (letters, photos, ephemera, etc.) that can be passed down as a family heirloom. Write about your family history and document significant or memorable family events.

Speculate the Future

What do you think the world will look like in twenty-five years? Fifty? A hundred? A thousand? Write an essay or short story, or create a world-building document for a futuristic civilization.

Write a Film Treatment

Written like a short story in present tense, a film treatment is an overview of an entire film; it’s usually written before the first draft and used for pitching film ideas throughout the industry.

Write a Blog Post

If you write nonfiction, this should be easy; just write a post about one of your usual topics. If you’re a poet or a fiction writer, write about the craft, the industry, or use subject matter from your written works.

Practice Description

Writing description is an important skill. Create a one-page description for a story setting, or describe a location you’ve visited, or write a description of a real person or a fictional character.

Turn Memories Into Magic

Memories can provide a wealth of ideas for any type of writing, from poetry to fiction and a variety of essays. Choose an early memory and write it as a story, essay, or poem.

Social media is ideal for people who can write snappy, witty, and entertaining or engaging vignettes. Social media is an excellent tool for writers to find readers and connect with one another, so mastering a couple of these social platforms is a good idea if you hope to build a career as a writer.

Rewrite What You Don’t Like

Dig through your old, discarded writings and find a piece that had some potential. Then rewrite it.

Analyze a Written Work

Choose a piece of writing (it can be a book, an article, an essay — anything) and then write an analysis of at least 2,000 words (or about four pages).

Read and Resemble

Read a handful of poems by a single poet and then attempt writing a poem in that poet’s voice. This is not an exercise in copying; it’s an exercising in studying the voice of a writer. If you’re feeling ambitious, try it with works of fiction and write a scene in an author’s voice.

Write a Review

Choose a book that you’ve read recently and write a detailed review of it. What worked? What didn’t work? What did you like? What didn’t you like? Remember, a review should help a book find its readers. Who is this book for, if not for you?

Get Busy with These Creative Writing Activities!

What are some of your favorite creative writing activities? Have you done any of the activities on this list? Which ones would you want to try? Can you think of any writing activities to add to this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing!

24 Comments

Thank you for all these wonderful ideas. After a very long hiatus from the writing world (mostly because of health) I am feeling a bit rusty. Using some of these ideas will certainly prime the pump! I really enjoy your blog and appreciate the basics of grammar, etc. I find that I have slipped into some old habits just in my everyday writing and your tips help me get back on track.

Thanks, Ann. I’m always touched by comments like yours. It keeps me going when people let me know this blog is helpful or inspiring. So thank you for taking the time. Best of luck and keep writing!

The character journal is a great idea!!!

The problem with the character journal is that it could be time consuming, but I love it as a way to get to know a character, and more specifically, to get inside a character’s head.

All of these ideas are wonderful. I’m especially attracted to the last two suggestions. Both of those activities are fun for me and certainly bound to be helpful concerning my writing skills.

When I must wait in the car (with a sleeping grandchild, for instance) I’m only happy if I can see folks as they come and go.

We play word games on a regular basis and have found it strengthens the writing skills of even those of us who do not call ourselves wordsmiths.

Keep up the excellent work.

Thanks so much for your kind words, Yvonnne. I’m looking forward to the day when the little ones in my family (niece and nephew) are old enough to play word and letter games.

Hi Melissa, Thanks for these wonderful ideas. I ‘m taking a couple of days off from writing my memoir, and will try them out.’Writing as one of my characters’ and ‘sitting in some heavily populated place for observations’ are intriguing.

Those are my two favorites as well. Good luck, Margaret, and enjoy your hiatus. I hope it refreshes you so you can return to your memoir.

Love the character journal idea! To keep my vocab going I choose pages out of the dictionary/thesaurus to keep my brain working. It also does wonders for my muse. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this list.

I write a lot of scenes and backstory for my characters, which are never included in the book. Exploring the characters outside of the narrative has proven to be very helpful in better understanding them.

Hi, Melissa!

Well, I’ve been absent for quite a long while. But I have been busy. A spec piece submitted to my local daily newspaper landed me a column. (Who couldda guessed?) I also write theater reviews for them; write what you know has never been more true.

Consequently, I find that my creative writing has slowed quite a bit. The sequel to my debut needs, maybe, two more chapters yet there it sits, though a production company asked for it. Even reading the preceding few chapters doesn’t help me get into the character’s heads in order to finish the thing.

Got any ideas?

Congrats on landing a column, Paul. That’s awesome. I’m not sure why you’ve been unable to finish your sequel, so I can’t offer any specific suggestions, but you can start by fguring out why you’re not finishing it (no time, lost interest, etc.), and then you can probably rectify the problem.

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing these great ideas.

You’re welcome. Thanks for commenting!

It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. Every writer needs to step away.

I live near the University of Oregon. Every now and than I take a walk through campus. I try to time it during a busy school day. I wish I could bottle the youthful energy that is floating in the wind.

If any of you live near a school try it.

Thank you for the list. It helps a lot.

Yes, breaks are great refreshers for a creative mind. You’re lucky to live near a beautiful place for walks.

I don’t speek english so, sorry if i write wrong, but i need to tell you that your blog is amazing. Your write it’s soo good and make me wanna write. I have 15 years old and i love write, maybe I become a writter when I grew up, and I don’t know how to make my ideias go for the paper but your blog has helped me. Thank you!!

Hi Isabella. Thanks for sharing your passion for writing. I’m glad you’re enjoying this blog. Keep writing!

Thank you for your useful ideas! You have inspired me to try out new formats. I’m not a professional writer, it’s more my hobby. But still, I want to improve myself by writing texts and short stories.

You’re welcome. I’m glad this inspired you, and I’m thrilled that you’re working toward improvement. That’s wonderful!

Hi Melissa! I just wanted you to know that I recently bought some of your books and I absolutely love them and carry them around with me everywhere. Keep up the amazing work! Best wishes, Sandra Harris.

Wow, you just made my day, Sandra. That’s one of the nicest things anyone has said about my books. I’m so glad you like them. Keep writing!

Thank you for those amaing ideas. I’m not exactly stuck, as I know where my latest book is going, but I’m a bit lacking in motivation right now. Some of your suggestions might just get my juices flowing again.

Hi Vivienne. You’re welcome. I’m glad you found some motivation here. Keep writing!

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50 Creative Writing Ideas to Combat Writer’s Block

A lack of creative writing ideas often leads to a writer’s worst fear: writer’s block.

It’s so easy to fall into its clutches, spending hours at your laptop (or notebook or typewriter) writing sentence after sentence only to cross every one out. Or even worse—to sit an an empty page and write nothing at all. Sometimes it takes time and hard thinking to get out of the rut once you become stuck. Sometimes, however, it takes a little more than that. Sometimes it just might take some outside help.

It can be exceedingly difficult to find solid, mature creative writing ideas on the internet. If you Google “creative writing ideas,” most of what comes up is directed at children or casual writers looking to practice a hobby. But what about creative writing ideas for adults? What about when you have the dedication, passion, and experience with writing, but you just don’t have the  ideas ?

And if these don’t work, check out my other two posts on Writer’s Block (and second Writer’s Block article ).

The next time you’re at a loss for what to write about, try using these creative writing ideas and prompts below. Maybe you’ll be inspired enough to propel you straight out of your writer’s block, or maybe it’ll just be enough to get the gears turning in your head again.

50 Creative Writing Ideas (with Prompts) to Boost Your Inspiration

1. Try Writing Magical Realism

Write a story from a universe similar to this one but possessing one specific magical quality.

1. Write about two people who grow up together, eventually part ways, move to different sides of the country, and somehow still end up unintentionally running into each other very frequently for the rest of their lives.

2. Write about someone who is reincarnated over and over again and remembers all of his/her past lives, but no one else on earth remembers theirs.

3. Write about two people who are physically unable to be awake at the same time.

4. Write about a contract killer literally haunted by his first hit.

5. Write about a prophet who knows the exact day, time, and occurrence of his death years in advance.

6. Write about a character who can taste people’s emotions through the food they prepare.

7. Write about two people who dream about each other before they actually meet.

8. Write a post-apocalyptic story and explain only your main character’s coping mechanism: creating a fantasy world in his/her head and living there.

9. Write about a person who goes to the theater with friends multiple times but always sees a different movie than his/her friends see on the same screen.

10. Write about a person who grows a new finger every time he/she acts cruelly to someone.

If you want help writing your novel, I’ve got the best novel-writing guide in the universe:

12 Steps to Write a Bestselling Novel.

That link will give you advice on characters, plotting, point of view, and more.

2. Write from a Different Perspective

Use a voice and background different from your own to write something unfamiliar and fresh.

1. Write from the perspective of an advanced AI.

2. Write from the perspective of a person in the year 2550.

3. Write from perspective of a mythological siren stuck on the rocky shore of an ocean, trying to lure sailors to their deaths.

4. Write from the perspective of an “inside guy” (jury member, lawyer, judge, etc) during an important court case.

5. Write from the perspective of a family pet whose fate is decided when its owners split up.

6. Write from the perspective of a different gender when subjected to explicit sexual objectification.

7. Write from the perspective of an inanimate object in nature, like a rock or the wind.

8. Write from the perspective of someone with a chronic but not fatal illness (diabetes, OCD, Lyme disease, etc).

9. Write from the perspective of a blind person who comes home to find all the furniture in his/her apartment rearranged.

10. Write from the perspective of a fed-up guardian angel whose designated human is prone to self-sacrificial acts.

3. Write About What’s Around You

Get inspired by ordinary objects in your home.

1. Find a small object in your junk drawer (stapler remover, chewed-up pen cap, paperweight, etc) and write about how it could be used as a weapon to kill.

2. Imagine you have to hide documents essential to national security somewhere in your office or bedroom and write a story about wherever you think is the best place.

3. If the room you’re in has windows, write a story in which the room is exactly the same but with no windows, and vice versa.

4. Imagine you’re cleaning out your desk and find a secret message carved or written on the bottom of one drawer.

5. Open a book in your office, turn to a random page, blindly point to a word, and use it as the very first word of your story.

6. Find a photo of yourself and write a narrative about the photographer in that moment.

7. Pick a room in your house and recount a story, real or fictional, about how a particular object in that room came to be there.

8. Mentally (or physically, if you want to) rearrange all the furniture in your office or bedroom and write about how that changes the overall mood of the room.

9. Search your coat pockets for old recipes, notes, or trinkets and write a story centered around something you find. (If you find nothing, write about why you empty your pockets so frequently.)

10. Pick a small item from your desk drawer and write about a character who carries it around as a talisman.

4. Let Your Reading Inspire Your Writing

Use your favorite books as a launching pad to create something original.

1. Write a scene borrowing the protagonist of a book you’ve read, but cast as a different gender.

2. Research an author you enjoy, then combine his/her life with the life of a character from one of his/her books to create a new character.

3. Take a familiar scene from a book and rewrite it, adding yourself in as a character (spectator, narrator, background figure, etc).

4. Reset a scene from a book in a drastically different time period.

5. Write a different story using the same title as a familiar book.

6. If the book you’re using has a first person narrator, rewrite a scene either from the perspective of another character or in the third person.

7. Write about a fictional person who has an intense reaction (either positive or negative) to a book you’ve read.

8. Write a story using only words found in the first and last sentences of each chapter of a book.

9. Take a book you know well and write an alternate ending that is the exact opposite of the real ending (whatever you think “opposite” means).

10. If the book you’re using has a third person narrator, rewrite a scene in the first person (as one of the author’s characters or a new character).

5. Take a Plot and Write It Multiple Ways

Take a well-defined prompt and write it multiple times, each with a different ending.

1. Write about a Japanese steakhouse chef who accidentally cuts him/herself while cooking in front of a family.

2. Write about a painter who is commissioned by a family member to paint a dead man/woman using no pictures, only descriptions from other people.

3. Write about a group of truckers who all frequent the same truck stops and form a book club for when they see each other again.

4. Write about a seasoned model who shows up to her agency one day with inexplicable cuts all over her legs.

5. Write about two strangers who each grab one end of extremely rare record at the same time in a secondhand vinyl shop.

6. Write about a manic-depressive linguist who conveys his/her emotions to friends using words from other languages that aren’t translatable into English.

7. Write about a group of whalers who accidentally discover mermaids the size of blue whales.

8. Write about someone who mistakenly picks the lock to the wrong apartment at two in the morning when trying to get into a friend’s apartment.

9. Write about a strictly Shakespearian actor who loses all of his/her money and has to take modern comedic roles to stay afloat.

10. And finally: Write about a writer struggling with long-term writer’s block who desperately searches the internet for ideas and prompts.

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78 comments

oh my gosh this was really helpful – thank you! :))

SAME WITH ME. EVEN THOUGH I AM JUST 13 YEARS OLD, I AM CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR NEW IDEAS TO WRITE. THANKS SO MUCH.

YES THIS IS ALSO VERY HELPFUL WHICH IS WHY I AM WRITING IN CAPITAL LETTERS

No it wasnt.

Really helpful and cool, thank you!!!

YESSSSS!!!!!!

Thiz is terrible!

so helpful I really needed this

Super helpful

These were soooooooooooooooo random prompts! They didn’t help me at all! 🙁

well maybe you shouldn’t become a writter then because if you look it was helpful to the other writters boom .

i dont think this means they shouldnt be a writer, writers block can be really difficult to get over and maybe these ideas didnt help them get over it, i know they didnt help me yet ive been writing for nearly 5 years constantly. each author is different, so its great if it helped others but that doesnt guarantee itll help everyone

That’s really rude becoming a writer means working towards your goal. Some ideas don’t inspire some people. Progress takes work and the ability to write doesn’t come easy to some people. Who knows he/she could become a great writer. We just don’t know it. We choose are destiny.

what a geek

wow look at that. you are telling people off but you can’t spell the word writer! look into a dictionary.

Maybe you guys should be nice. It’s hard to be a writer, and putting other people down because they didn’t find anything helpful isn’t right. Please remember we all want to change the world.

I think random prompts are good prompts.

I agree. If they’re random that means that there’ more variety

keep looking, I’m sure there’s something there.

I think that it was the point tp be random ideas. I personally think that these were amazing ideas and I think you might need to try to be a bit more creative.

the point is to just getting you to write something versus nothing. So if you start getting your creativity flowing it will help you with your personal work.

Same I agree

I hope you come up with even better ones!

Same . It was like you have to find something and it takes ages

Honestly, I’ve been to 3 different sites before this one looking for some decent writing prompts. Don’t be fazed if they don’t help you 🙂

That’s fine, they might not help everyone! It also might not be what you’re used to, try writing with one of the prompts, if you don’t end up liking it, it’s still an exercise for your mind. Good luck!

Good fodder for insight, topics . Curious what other readers used these to for ??

Good ideas and it helped me!

Thank you so much for these! I usually see such generic prompts on other sites, but these were very original and inspiring! I would love more if possible 😉

love these ideas I would like more if possible!

This helped me with school a lot!!

I feel personally attacked by that last one.

“and finally…” LOL. Agreed

Ha- me too!

Thank You! Your ideas are really quite wonderful. 🙂

If these don’t help you, then try procrastination. You subconscious is working on your story, so when you sit down, it is so much easier to continue writing. (Works for me!)

Someone that has used one of these prompts should be super nice and let me read what they came up with. I’m super curious as to how some of you are using them.

I’ve only managed to use one so far, there are some very great prompts here.

I am 12 years old and I am confused on where my life is going… either a vet actor, or a book writer. I need advice from some adults.

dear ADVICE PLEASE [or anyone really] you should get to be whatever your heart desires. I think that you could be a vet or actor as well as an author. The world needs writers, so get out there and spread some joy! Oh btw, I’m sure we’re all on this site for the same reasons, but don’t give up on your writing dreams

I am using it for a random report I wanted to write about something. It was just kind of boring until I realized… there IS a positive side to COVID 19! I mean c’mon guys there is a positive side to everything so search for the positive sides not the negative ones. So the positive side was… WE COULD IMPROVE OURSELVES!!! Literally just by working on something we like during COVID 19 will make it seem better and BE better!! Some people had no time to improve because they were too busy with some other job but NOW.. We could spend our whole day on something we like and trust me it will benefit each and every one of you!!! ( And your day won’t be AS boring and sad because there WILL be something to do. There is always something to do!!! )

These are some helpful ideas but I don’t agree with a few but that doesn’t matter because some of them helped me. Anyway thank you for them!

Thanks this really helped as I had something set to write to so randomness helped!

These were helpful! ( And by the way…One of your probmpts scared me, I often dream about people sometimes and then meet them later. It’s very complicated about how and why. )

I want to read what other people wrote now

That last one had me cracking up.

i second that eva

Really good ones! the last one got me smiling!

Spider girl – why not all of them? You have a long life ahead of you and to only focus one career your entire life is dreary for some people such as myself. I have been a firefighter, preschool teacher, sales person, and am currently a writer and a music teacher.

they’re really good ideas, none of them really appealed to me specifically, but it seems like someone could still make a good story out of them! 🙂

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was exactly what I needed thanks so much

These have really have been a good use for me. I have been in a writer’s block for at least two weeks now and just by looking at some of these creative writing ideas, it has helped a lot. I know some of them may not appeal to all of you specifically, but it does give more confidence in your writing and your stories just by looking at some. For instance, if you were to look at one of the Magical Realism writing ideas, it could open a whole door to new writing possibilities. You can take one of the ideas and turn it into your own. You may not all agree that these ideas can help you, but it can definitely give you the confidence that you may lack when writing stories or maybe just inspire you. These ideas are helpful. Thank you!

Okay Hi, I was looking for a random prompt to write about, and I didn’t find one can anyone give me some ideas for one? I would be so grateful. Just for a little info, I am 13 and in 8th grade and just felt the need to start writing. Anyway, whoever sees this I hope you have a wonderful afternoon (or morning) Be safe throughout this week okay.

You could write about your dream for when you grow up. Like Martin Luther King Jr.

Thanks so much this helped

The 2nd one in the very first idea is one I think I’m going to use. Thanks so much!

omg this is fantastic…Thank you so much. I can relate to so many of these prompts but never really thought of them…

these were so good it inspired me to write:)

Thank you for this. I’ve been working on the same project for ages and this was a wonderful break from it.

Lot of love. Thank you. This is great help.

Wow! I could never have thought of these ideas even if I was given a million years. Thanks.

This took YEARS of me

This was so much help the thing is can you add some easy and fun ones?

This is very helpful thank you 🙂

These have been very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing these. The last one was hilarious and made me realize in many cases I was blocking myself, lol. It was great!

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most of these really did help me. I put them on to a word doc and kept going back on them and then went to different webs. now if I have writer’s block I have 64 pages of things to try.

I needed this

Some were a bit sus but ok

SOOOOOOOOOO HELPFUL!!!!!

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.

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25 Books with Big Ideas

Caroline Jackson

Many readers find plenty of reasons to shy away from non-fiction writing, whether essays, cultural criticism, or academic analysis. But peel away layers of jargon and bluster, and you’ll eventually reach some truly path-breaking ideas. This is a list of 25 path-breaking works that will change the way you see the world. Let us give you 25 reasons to read, and keep reading, non-fiction.

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

Greek and Roman history still inform contemporary philosophy, political theory, and government. Mary Beard writes vividly and compassionately about ordinary Romans’ social and cultural environments and the “great men” whose names appear in history books, making the case for their continued importance.

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

With These Truths , Jill Lepore has produced the first comprehensive one-volume work on American history in more than a generation. Lepore is a keen political observer and an historian of early America. She brings contemporary American anxieties and aspirations to this readable and illuminating account of the American story.

Politics, Culture, and Class in the French Revolution by Lynn Hunt

Even more than American War of Independence, the French Revolution epitomized the spirit of the age and represented the apotheosis of the Enlightenment. Though a bloody and ultimately failed experiment, the French Revolution took a truly radical view of racial and sexual equality, illustrating an ideal of citizenship that many countries would fail to realize until nearly two centuries later.

Sweetness and Power by Sidney Mintz

In a single slim volume, Mintz draws together analysis on capitalism, slavery, consumer culture, food history, and industrial work. Sugar, one of the earliest and most profitable luxury goods first shipped to Europe from the New World, underpinned the burgeoning American plantation system, forever linking consumption and exploitation, early capitalism and slavery.

River of Dark Dreams by Walter Johnson

The Mississippi, the dark river in question, ran through southern planters’ political and economic ambitions, slaves’ dreams of freedom, and capitalism’s increasingly globalized networks. Johnson has written a true opus, a work that unwinds intertwined global economies and nineteenth century American politics while underscoring the paramount significance of enslaved individuals’ brutal lived experience to the viability of emerging industrialism.

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

In Second Sex , de Beauvoir chronicles women’s social and political oppression through human history. This masterpiece of feminist philosophy helped propel the new wave of women’s rights activism that began in the 1950s and 1960s, which culminated in a slate of precedent-setting judicial rulings and equal rights legislation. Though written in 1949, Second Sex sill stands as one of the most influential feminist texts of all time.

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf developed this cornerstone feminist text from a series of lectures she delivered at a two women’s colleges in 1928. Woolf’s writing here feels like the earnest advice she delivered face-to-face: women must seek money and space of their own to find creative success.

Gender Trouble by Judith Butler

Contemporary activists’ understandings of gender identity owe a significant debt to Judith Butler’s revolutionary analysis. Individuals constantly perform gender and even biological sex; categories such as “man” and “woman” are ultimately composites of each individual’s experience of race, class, sexuality, and particular cultural milieu. Though the field Butler helped define is called queer theory, her analysis broadly applies to everyone seeking to understand their own identities and environment.

Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault

The radical changes in penal systems and law that states undertook during the course of the Enlightenment, from public execution and torture toward confinement and discipline, did not stem from humanitarianism. Rather, Foucault argues, states sought to wield their power more strategically, trading spectacular but unstable displays of violence for systems of control that exert increasing force over citizens’ bodies and individuality, as they have become less visible.

Industry and Empire by Eric Hobsbawm

The history of the Industrial Revolution foregrounds the entire globalized modern economy, an epochal process that certainly constitutes one of the most significant events in human history. Britain found itself on the leading edge of industrialization. Hobsbawm explains how and why Britain’s dominance rose and fell, and what their trajectory as an industrial power means for other superpowers that have followed them.

The Making of the English Working Class by E.P Thompson

E.P. Thompson adds a human dimension to the story of the Industrial Revolution and the history of the modern working class. The new working class, having emerged from the rural peasantry, guided their own destiny rather than passively accepting the course of events. Thompson’s work reminds us that modern working people are not ground-down drones, but heirs to scrappy revolutionaries.

The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin

This foundational anarcho-Communist text will challenge modern readers, taking aim as it does at capitalism’s necessity and inevitability. Kropotkin dares to imagine a completely new society, one without hierarchies, defined by its capacity and willingness to share. Even if you don’t agree with his vision, you might find yourself similarly inspired to challenge the status quo.

Fictitious Capital by Cédric Durand

The rise in public and private debt, exploding financialization, and widespread social assumptions about the nature of value and stability each underpinned the events that led to the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Durand walks readers through a clear and enlightening blueprint to the collapse, its international implications, and its relationship to political power.

Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis

Race, gender, and class hold enormous political significance, and the intersections and clashes between each of these identities have revolutionary as well as calamitous potential.

The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon

Fanon’s writings on colonialism’s psychic destruction has influenced countless activists and thinkers for decades, though his name has largely remained unknown to the general public. Decolonization is always a violent process, according to Fanon, but the success of anti-colonialist movements depends on individuals’ cultivation of a national culture and collective self-realization.

Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

A literary as well as civil rights icon, James Baldwin remains an essential voice for anyone interested in American identity. Notes of a Native Son constitutes a personal memoir and autobiography of black communities in America, documenting violence and oppression endemic to the black experience but also the potential and power inherent in blackness and black historical experience.

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

Part essay collection, part poetry, Citizen explores racism in its pervasive and ubiquitous detail, delving into the nature of memory and language as they pertain to black identity. This book is a critical meditation on the contemporary moment - “moving on is not synonymous with letting go.”

Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power by Ann Laura Stoler

Stoler’s seminal work on the embodied mechanics of colonial power draws heavily on Michel Foucault’s insights on the nature of state control. Stoler argues that racialized social relations and classifications are not not benign givens, but political acts. Stoler’s work constitutes a basic framework for understanding the lived experiences of colonial power.

The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi

Most former high school students read Elie Wiesel’s personal account of the Holocaust in Night , but far fewer have read fellow survivor Primo Levi’s thoughts on the subject. The Drowned and the Saved is not a memoir about his imprisonment (see: If This Is A Man ), but Levi’s analysis of the phenomena behind the Shoah and the motivations of the Nazis and their collaborators. Levi grounds his reflections more fully than any other writer on the topic in the reality of the human condition, and the brutality, shamefulness, and compromise in the camps.

The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt

Early 20th century imperial expansion required states to accumulate capital and wield ever-expanding political power. Imperialist currents within 20th century nation states, such as the pan-German and pan-Slavic movement eventually gained power and sought to subjugate the political process to the imperial project. The results: Nazism and Stalinism.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

American identity splintered some time at the end of the 1960s. Slouching Towards Bethlehem evocatively examines and interprets the places, events, and fleeting scenes that bore witness to the end of the era of free love and revolution.

Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag

Sontag’s breakout work, Against Interpretation contains some of her best-known and most influential essays. In them, Sontag argues for a more sensitive modernism and a return to aesthetic appreciation in the arts (the “erotics of art”) as opposed to strict analysis of content, which Sontag argued strangled artistic experience.

The Mūlamadhyamakakārikā,or The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way by Nagarjuna

Written in the 2nd century C.E. by a quasi-mythical figure, The Mūlamadhyamakakārikā strongly influenced the subsequent development of Buddhism, exploring the essential unreality of all existence, especially the self. This concept, sometimes translated as voidness, is far from nihilistic, however. Instead, reaching the void means utterly dissolving perceived boundaries between the self, others, and the natural world.

Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature by Richard Rorty

Richard Rorty was one of the most significant American philosophers of the last several decades. However, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature caused substantial controversy among academic philosophers upon its release in 1979 because Rorty urged his readers to abandon traditional philosophical attitudes towards objectivity and truth. The groundbreaking thesis: Truth exists only as collective agreement.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

Dillard has said that she considers Pilgrim a work of theology; critics have called her the Henry David Thoreau’s true heir. An immersive meditation on solitude, the natural world’s amorality, and transcendentalism, Pilgrim is best read outside and near water, where your hands can reach grass and feel life.

What’s your favorite books with big ideas? Let us know in the comments!

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10+ GCSE creative writing ideas, prompts and plot lines

Getting a good GCSE creative writing plot going can be difficult, here are some ideas to help you out.

Ahead of your exams, here are a selection of GCSE creative writing ideas and prompts to hopefully provide some inspiration.

The Lost Timepiece

Prompt: In an old, dusty attic, a teenager discovers a mysterious pocket watch that doesn’t seem to tell the correct time.

Potential Story Directions:

• The watch could transport the teenager to different moments in history whenever it's wound.
• The watch might belong to a long-lost relative, leading to a family mystery.
• The watch could be counting down to a significant event, and the protagonist must figure out what is about to happen.

The Secret Garden Door

Prompt: Behind the overgrown ivy in the school's garden, a student finds a door that wasn't there before.

• The door could lead to a magical world, offering an escape from everyday life but with challenges of its own.
• It might be a portal to the past, showing the school's history and secrets.
• The door could be a metaphorical passage to self-discovery, revealing hidden aspects of the character’s personality.

The Last Message

Prompt: A character receives a mysterious message in a bottle on the beach, written in a cryptic language.

• Deciphering the message could lead to an adventure, perhaps a treasure hunt or a rescue mission.
• The message might be from a distant land or time, offering insights into an ancient or futuristic world.
• It could be a personal message from someone significant in the character’s past, triggering a journey of emotional growth.

Midnight at the Museum

Prompt: A night guard at a museum notices that the exhibits come to life after midnight.

• The guard could interact with historical figures, learning about history firsthand.
• There might be a plot to steal an exhibit, and the living exhibits help to thwart it.
• The phenomenon could be linked to a supernatural event or an ancient curse that needs resolving.

The Forgotten Melody

Prompt: A pianist discovers an old, unplayed piano in a neglected music room that plays a melody no one seems to recognize.

• The melody could be a key to unlocking forgotten memories or a hidden past.
• It might be a magical melody, having various effects on listeners.

Each of these prompts offers a starting point for creative exploration, allowing students to develop their storytelling skills in imaginative and engaging ways.

Galactic Storm

Prompt: Astronauts on a mission to a distant planet encounter a bizarre, otherworldly storm.

• The storm could have strange, mind-altering effects on the crew.
• It might be a living entity, communicating in an unprecedented way.
• The crew must navigate through the storm to discover a hidden aspect of the universe.

Unearthed Powers

Prompt: A teenager suddenly discovers they have a supernatural ability.

• The power could be a family secret, leading to a journey of self-discovery.
• It might cause conflict with friends and society, forcing the protagonist to make difficult choices.
• The ability could attract unwanted attention, leading to a thrilling adventure.

Reflections of Reality

Prompt: A story that mirrors a significant real-life experience involving friendship or a pet.

• The story could explore the depth of human-animal bonds or the complexities of friendship.
• It might involve a heartwarming journey or a challenging ordeal.
• The protagonist learns valuable life lessons through these relationships.

Chronicle of Times

Prompt: A character discovers a way to travel through time.

• Traveling to the future, they encounter a radically different world.
• In the past, they might inadvertently alter history.
• The story could explore the moral and emotional implications of time travel.

Apocalyptic Event

Prompt: A natural disaster of unprecedented scale threatens humanity.

• The story could focus on survival, resilience, and human spirit.
• It might involve a journey to avert the disaster.
• The narrative could explore the societal changes that occur in the face of such a disaster.

The Unsolved Case

Prompt: A detective starts investigating a complex and mysterious murder.

• The investigation uncovers deep secrets and conspiracies.
• The detective's personal life might intertwine with the case.
• The story could have a surprising twist, challenging the reader's expectations.

Retold Fable

Prompt: Modernize a classic fable or story, such as the Boy Who Cried Wolf, in a contemporary setting.

• The story could be set in a modern city, exploring current social issues.
• It might be told from a different perspective, offering a fresh take on the moral of the story.
• The narrative could blend the original fable with current events, creating a powerful commentary.

Forbidden Love

Prompt: Two characters from vastly different worlds fall in love, against all odds.

• Their love could challenge societal norms and expectations.
• The story might explore the sacrifices they make for each other.
• It could be a journey of self-discovery and acceptance in the face of adversity.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > 5 writing exercises you should try to improve your creativity

5 writing exercises you should try to improve your creativity

As we continue to develop our writing skills, occasionally we need to reacquaint ourselves with a creative boost. That’s where these five creative writing exercises can come in: they are designed to loosen up the blocks that might get in the way of our creative process. See what you can do to overcome the fear of the blank page with these fun ideas for getting the creative juices flowing.

What are creative writing exercises?

Sometimes, we can be stymied by our writing process: it is easy to fall into the all-or-nothing mentality that demands that we write a masterpiece right from the start. That’s why a creative writing exercise is a useful tool. They’re meant for writers to brainstorm and ideate potential new ideas for projects. Whether the ideas and words that we generate lead to something publishable is not the end goal: instead, they’re meant to provoke the improvisational skills that can lead to fun new ideas.

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Creative exercises to improve writing skills

Here are some ways to begin putting pen to paper:

Freewriting

Freewriting is the easiest creative writing exercise that can help with creative blocks. Simply write down anything that comes to your mind, without any attention paid to structure, form, or even grammar and spelling mistakes.

For example, if you’re working from a coffee shop, write based on what you notice around you: the potent smell of the barista’s latest batch of coffee… the furrowed eyebrows of the local students hard at work on their assignments.

Or, if you’re in your home office , perhaps you can observe the light that pours from your window in the morning hours as you start your 9 to 5. Or reminisce about the dusty, ill-used pens and paper clips sitting in the back of your desk drawer.

Do this for 10-15 minutes per session, uninterrupted: the Pomodoro technique can help with this.

Story starter prompts

Use an otherwise mundane phrase or sentence to kickstart a writing session and create a short story or character description. Try these sentences as story starters:

• The old man had a look of frustration.
• It felt like my husband had woken up angry.
• “Open a window,” Lucinda said, “it’s mighty hot in here.”

Letter to your younger self

This exercise asks the question: what would you say to your teenage self? Or a version of you 5, 10, or 20 years younger? In this exercise, you can recast your life in a different light and offer advice, reassurance, or reexperience a special moment again. Maybe you can write from a perspective of optimism: now that you are successful, for example, you can be excited to share your accomplishments. This highly personal exercise can help you tap into all manners of emotions that can then go into character development.

Take two characters from your work, or a book that you love and rewrite their experiences and plot points while switching their points of view. Perhaps one character knows something more than the other, or another character’s perspective and thoughts have been unwritten. Switching these POVs can help you see how a storyline shifts, taking on different tones and emotional beats.

Flash fiction

Flash fiction is a type of short fiction that is 500 words or less. The objective of this exercise is to craft a narrative or a character portrait all within a highly limited constraint. Flash fiction differs from freewriting in that you write with focus, aiming towards a fully-formed story that can include plot, conflict, and a character portrait. Writing flash fiction seems deceptively easy, but it can be a challenge—which is why literary magazines and writing contests often have opportunities to publish and award great flash fiction.

If you’re looking for more ways to tap into your creativity, check out more writing tips here .

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27 Pantry Door Ideas to Keep Your Food Out of Sight and Your Kitchen Looking Stylish

Your kitchen pantry, of course, provides valuable storage, but just because it’s practical doesn’t mean that it has to look boring. That’s where these stunning pantry door ideas come into play. Like the rest of your decor, pantry door styles are abundant, from vintage-inspired wood doors, barn doors, double doors, or set of pocket doors, just to name a few options.

“The goal is for the pantry to blend in naturally with the rest of the kitchen so it becomes an unobtrusive part of the space,” says Andrea Schumacher, the Denver-based founder of Andrea Schumacher Interiors . “At the same time, it should provide value. This approach makes the pantry an integral part of the kitchen’s design narrative rather than an afterthought.”

Should a pantry door match cabinets?

Pantry doors do not have to complement the cabinets, per se, but they should directly tie into your kitchen to some degree, says Marnie Oursler, founder of Marnie Custom Homes in Bethany Beach, Delaware. For example, if you don’t want to match doors to the cabinetry, consider playin to the island color or window trim. “I love to exercise our creative license with pantry doors and depart from the surrounding cabinet styles,” adds Kate Figler, the founder of Kate Figler Interiors in Nashville. In her work, she has opted for fabric fronts, swinging doors, and even vintage pantry doors.

What kind of door is best for pantries?

The most important factor to consider when choosing the type of door to use for your pantry is functionality, Figler says. “This is a door that will be heavily used—we don’t like to incorporate details that are too precious and could wear over time,” she explains. Additionally, be mindful to select a door that will allow you to hide clutter seamlessly. As Figler adds, “We never specify doors with see-through glass fronts as these spaces can get messy and no client likes to stare at their pantry's insides.” If your kitchen is short on square footage, a sliding door is a great space-saving solution full of practicality, Mann says, adding, “They can also serve as a statement piece in your kitchen.

What can I use instead of a pantry door?

If you’re not a fan of traditional pantry doors, there are other options. For example, instead of using a swinging door, Oursler likes the idea of opting for pocket doors that slide open. To add architectural interest, she recommends trying an arch-shaped door. Mann appreciates the functionality of sliding doors such as barn doors, commenting that they “allow the pantry to remain open, showcasing the open shelving inside, or to be closed when things need to be tidied up.”

Below, take a look at 27 stylish pantry door ideas to inspire as you perfect your own kitchen design. You’re sure to find a door design that complements your home decor aesthetic to a T, whether you’re a minimalist , a modernist , or fall into another camp entirely.

Don’t be afraid of color and pattern

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to your pantry doors, says Figler. She was eager to incorporate color and pattern into this kitchen and decided to use shirred fabric panels—made from a fabric remnant the client already had on hand—in the space. “The fabric not only completely hides what's going on within the pantry but also layers color into the space in an unexpected and fresh way,” Figler says.

Try pocket doors

Shea McGee , the founder of Studio McGee in Salt Lake City, sourced the pocket doors shown here on eBay. The doors, which are shown in McGee’s own home, are over 100 years old. “Adding character and materials with history was an important part of designing our new kitchen that still referenced the past,” she comments. “They tuck in and can hide our pantry and mudroom when they get messy, or open them up like they are most days to easily go in and out,” she says of the pocket doors.

Believe it or not, the pantry shown here is not actually vintage—rather, it’s a custom Peñamade piece that AD PRO Directory Member Kristen Peña of K Interiors designed. “We wanted the piece to feel as though it could have been designed for the house as built in 1890,” says the San Francisco–based designer. “The fabric panel is a Zoffany textile and is used to add a soft layer to what is otherwise normally a hard surface room and to hide the contents of the pantry so that things inside do not need to stay perfectly organized.”

Display bockmatched wood

Kevin Kaminski and Alexis Pew, the husband and wife team behind Kaminski + Pew in Philadelphia, worked with a local millworker to custom fabricate this kitchen and landed on pantry doors made of vertical grain bookmatched walnut. “Our client wanted to add warmth to a modern interior,” the duo shares. “This home had a small kitchen footprint and a very narrow entryway.”

Find the perfect vintage addition

Oursler’s client discovered these pantry doors at a salvage yard. “Its distressed black and wood finish perfectly complements the adjacent island, black windows, and countertops,” says the designer. Oursler added a custom decal to the door to nod to the homeowner’s last name. “It adds a cool design element and character to the space,” she says. “The door is mounted on a butler’s hinge, effectively concealing everyday kitchen items and keeping the space clutter-free.”

Style bi-fold doors

Due to limited space resulting from her client’s HVAC system, Jocelyn Polce, the founder of August Oliver Interiors , decided to opt for large bi-fold pantry doors. “If guests are coming or you want to hide all the ugly, you can easily close them up,” the New Haven, Connecticut–based designer says.

Combine the classic and contemporary

Blair Moore, the founder of Moore House Design based in NYC and Rhode Island selected antique pantry doors for a Barrington, Rhode Island, home. “We restored the hardware to its original charm and opted for brass accents to add a touch of elegance,” she says. Consider incorporating glass inserts, the designer says—doing so “can blend classic charm with contemporary style, making your pantry a true focal point in your kitchen.”

Use cafe curtains

Nicole Arruda, the founder of Nicole Alexandra Design Studio in NYC, made an effort to prioritize as much closed kitchen storage as possible in her client’s small kitchen. “We didn’t have the depth to accommodate drawers or cabinets so Euro pleat cafe curtains were a great option,” she says. “I have always been a lover of this style so this wasn’t a tough decision for me—they are just so charming!” She used the same fabric for the kitchen’s Roman shade.

Camouflage pantry doors

In what she refers to as her client’s “dining lounge,” designer Emily Janak installed a hidden pantry that sits under the stairs and houses a breakfast bar as well as storage for entertaining. “In order to conceal it, we continued the white oak paneling on the doors,” says the founder of Emily Janak Interiors in Jackson, Wyoming.

Find space-saving solutions

Dealing with a client’s kitchen that lacked upper cabinets, Erin Paige Pitts carved out a pantry beneath the home’s stairs to provide essential storage and kitchen organization adjacent to the cooking space. “It was the best solution given our space constraints,” says the founder of Erin Paige Pitts Interiors , who is based in Annapolis, Maryland.

Build a secret pantry

This “secret” pantry is built into the oak cabinetry located within this kitchen belonging to a family of seven. “The owners wanted something more creative than just an interior door into a pantry closet,” says Shannon Murray, the founder of Shannon Murray Interiors . “The pantry is its own experience with a funky light fixture, oak shelving, floor to ceiling handmade tiles and cabinetry in a beautiful avocado green,” explains the Rye, New York, designer.

Disguise pantry doors with beadboard

Lauren Caron, the founder of Studio LALOC in Seattle, built this scullery with her husband, transforming a space that was formerly a pass-through area into a multipurpose space. “We built out a hidden door in an old doorway that we use as a broom closet,” Caron says. “An easy way to disguise it was to add beadboard paneling.”

Add barn doors

Andrew Mann, the founder of Andrew Mann Architecture in San Francisco, incorporated sliding barn doors when designing this outdoor kitchen’s pantry. “This design allows the walk-in pantry to open to the outdoors, integrating it with the larger pavilion,” he says. “The pantry doors are constructed of Western Red Cedar, a local material that is faithful to the Northern Californian agrarian architecture of the pavilion, fostering a connection with the surrounding landscape.”

Play with a fun wallpaper

Combine practicality and pleasure. A whimsical donut print brightens up this small pantry and is even incorporated on the back of the door. “The pantry itself has two sections, and using a fun, custom wallpaper across them helped to unify the areas,” shares designer Courtnay Tartt Elias, the founder of Creative Tonic in Houston, Texas. Elias and photographer Julie Soefer designed this wallcovering together based on Soefer’s work. “Knowing we wanted to use a white background to keep the room airy, but also wanted repetitive use of color, the donut motif was the perfect solution,” Elias adds.

Match doors to the kitchen’s aesthetic

Denise Morrison, the founder of Morrison Interiors in Costa Mesa, California, appreciates how the black metal pantry doors she selected complement the kitchen’s contemporary aesthetic. “We chose these black framed doors to introduce an element of transparency and lightness to the space, allowing a glimpse into the pantry while maintaining a sense of privacy,” she says. “These pantry doors not only serve a functional purpose but also add an understated elegance to the space, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding design elements.”

Add a mirror

Grayson Knight, principal designer at Layered Dimensions Interior Design in Dallas, notes that he selected pantry doors with an antiqued mirror front to “help bounce light throughout the area while also obscuring the reflection slightly for a bit of drama and interest.” He adds, “Since we didn’t use many materials in this space, the antique mirror was a subtle compliment to the more architectural interests in the room.”

Incorporate glass panel doors

Rebecca Driggs, the founder of Rebecca Driggs Interiors  in Raleigh, North Carolina, wanted to infuse a new home with old world charm. “One of our discoveries was a pair of stunning antique glass panel doors, which we used to separate the main kitchen from the prep kitchen,” she says. “These doors allow light to flow between the two spaces while offering a charming peek-a-boo view.” She didn’t want to disguise the doors’ patina but did apply a fresh coat of stain so that they would better complement the remainder of the kitchen.

Channel the front door’s aesthetic

Holli Esmundo, a senior designer with Dallas’s Angeline Guido Design , opted for an antique leaded-glass pantry door. “We worked closely with the client to achieve a timeless design throughout the house, and when it came time to select a door for the pantry we knew we wanted to go vintage,” she says. “This door was the perfect option because its finish evokes the entry door of the home and the geometric pattern of the glass catches the light and your eye perfectly.”

Dial up the charm

Hayden Dendy, project designer with BRNS Design in Westlake, Texas, explains that her team wanted this kitchen space to feature “something unique to add character and charm.” They ended up scoring big in the form of this arched pantry door, which they found after combing through multiple antique markets and salvage yards. “A fresh coat of paint helped to seamlessly blend the older door with the newer, modern element of the home,” Dendy says.

Highlight an arched door

Ashley Martin, the founder of Ashley Martin Home in Orlando, also opted for an arched pantry door in order to “add subtle charm and soften the transitional approach that we took with this home.” She adds, “We highlighted the arch door with a contrasting paint color and reeded glass to create an unexpected and effortless character.”

Introduce light with a glass door

Rosanna Bassford, the founder of Memmo Interiors in Campbell, California, finds that a reeded glass door like this one is the perfect solution for a pantry. “Adding glass to the pantry door keeps it feeling light and open, but it would defeat the purpose of a door if it was completely clear,” she says.

Carry pantry door details throughout the rest of the kitchen

Jeffrey Dungan, the founder of Jeffrey Dungan Architects in Birmingham, Alabama, stuck to neutral colors when designing this kitchen. “This pantry is wood tongue and groove with a lime wash, which extends throughout the rest of the kitchen so that the space feels quiet and serene,” he says of the textural door.

Looking to go mod? Take a cue from this kitchen. “The pantry door is a custom steel unit that was designed to tie in some of the modern architectural elements seen around the home,” says Megan Newman, an interior designer at Accentrics Interiors  in Tampa, Florida. “We also love how the dark steel accents coordinate with the island pendants and kitchen plumbing, as well.” The designer selected frosted glass to allow for privacy without blocking the flow of natural light.

Make a statement

Schumacher says that these wood pantry doors “are designed to be a staple feature of the kitchen, much like a piece of art or a high-quality countertop.” Don’t neglect your door hardware, either. Schumacher selected gold circular handles to add a statement-making touch. “Distinctive hardware is crucial in transforming pantry doors into a design element that stands out and complements the overall decor,” she notes.

Spotlight old-world charm

Zoe Feldman, AD PRO Directory member and the founder of Zoe Feldman Design in Washington, DC, and New York City, drew inspiration from her client’s home country of Portugal when transforming their town home “from old to old-world.” She says, “Built-ins and hidden closet doors were strategically placed to optimize storage without interfering with the home’s heritage aesthetic.”

Use the pantry door as a backdrop

Dave Sturm, senior associate at Butler Armsden Architects in San Francisco, shares that his team decided upon a frosted-glass and blackened steel pantry—the materials are also used in the home’s laundry room and on the top floor. In addition to providing storage, the pantry “served as a solid backdrop for a very sculptural kitchen island,” Sturm says.

Search for inspiration

When designing these door, Paul Wiseman, the founder of the Wiseman Group in San Francisco, was inspired by a pantry he saw while traveling to France. “It was a wall of glass French doors exposing all the dishes and dry goods,” he shares. “So, I adapted this to what otherwise would have been boring doors in this rather spectacular kitchen.”