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Best Character Writing Prompts

Join our ongoing contests and win up to $1,500. Flex those creative muscles with these writing prompts.

Showing 165 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Better in Color

116 contest entries /
76 stories

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Closes at 23:59 - May 01 EST

Center your story around two strangers who bond over their shared love of photography.

– 27 stories

Write a story about an underdog, or somebody making a comeback.

– 41 stories

Write about someone who has trained all their life for one moment.

– 44 stories

Write a story about someone finding acceptance.

– 90 stories

Write a story about a someone who's in denial.

– 68 stories

Write a story about a highly-strung character learning to slow down, or someone pursuing a quieter way of life.

– 55 stories

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”

– 54 stories

Write a story in which one of the characters is a narcissist.

– 38 stories

Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.

– 32 stories

Write a story about a tennis match between two rivals.

– 15 stories

Write a story that begins with someone dancing in a bar.

– 63 stories

Center your story around a character’s personal exploration, whether it's trying a new hobby, visiting an unfamiliar place, or learning something completely new.

– 85 stories

Write about a character who treats everything like a game and struggles to be serious when they most need to, or vice versa.

– 17 stories

Write a story about someone who takes a joke way too far.

– 24 stories

Write about a character who suddenly cannot run anymore.

– 42 stories

Write a story about someone who wishes they could turn back time.

– 67 stories

Your character, having abstained from their worst vice (big or small), finds new clarity.

– 48 stories

Write a story about a character participating in Dry January.

– 33 stories

Write a story about someone who has been tasked to keep a flame burning, surrounded by total darkness.

– 83 stories

Write about someone trying something completely new.

– 33 stories

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