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Best Dramatic Writing Prompts

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

Showing 235 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Two Sides to Every Story with Emily Martin

40 contest entries /
19 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Jul 31 EST

Write a story with the line “You never know a good thing until it’s gone.”

– 41 stories

Center your story around a character who’s afraid of being forgotten.

– 71 stories

Center your story around a character who’s struggling to let go.

– 79 stories

Write a story with a character or the narrator saying “I remember…”

– 156 stories

Write a story about people preparing for Y2K.

– 29 stories

Set your story in a place where everything should be familiar to your character(s), but isn’t.

– 57 stories

Write a story that includes the line “I should’ve known better.”

– 82 stories

Write about someone who receives a gift or message that changes their life forever.

– 88 stories

Write a story with the line “I wasn’t expecting that.”

– 63 stories

Write a story that ends with a huge twist.

– 79 stories

Write a story where someone who has done something wrong seeks a fresh start.

– 25 stories

Write a story that begins with an apology.

– 77 stories

Write a story that includes the line “Be careful what you wish for.”

– 36 stories

Start or end your story with someone receiving a strange — and possibly sinister — gift.

– 52 stories

Write about a mysterious guest who arrives at a party — but no one knows who they are.

– 55 stories

Write a story that includes someone (or something) saying, “No, don’t!”

– 40 stories

Center your story around a character who overhears others talking about them.

– 37 stories

On their deathbed, a relative/friend/partner admits to a horrible crime. Will the narrator reveal the secret or keep it hidden?

– 59 stories

A court or disciplinary hearing is taking place — but the person accused does not know what they’re apologizing for.

– 24 stories

An apologetic letter or email from an old flame suddenly arrives — many years too late.

– 68 stories

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