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Writing Prompts

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

Showing 2740 prompts

Write a story that ends without answers or certainty.

– 127 stories

Write a story that includes the phrase “once upon a time…”, “in a land far, far away…”, or “happily ever after…”

– 88 stories

Tell a story using a series of journal entries, diary entries, or letters.

– 44 stories

Write a story in which someone is warned not to go into the woods or speak to strangers.

– 45 stories

Start or end your story with “It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark.” (From Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl”)

– 37 stories

Write a story from the perspective/POV of a non-human or fairy tale character sharing their side of the story.

– 79 stories

Write about someone who’s hungry — for what, is up to you.

– 56 stories

Include a scene in which a character is cooking, drinking, or eating.

– 84 stories

Start or end your story with an empty plate, empty glass, or something burning.

– 51 stories

Include the name of a dish, ingredient, or dessert in your story’s title.

– 48 stories

Write a story that includes a recipe, grocery list, menu, or restaurant review.

– 45 stories

Write a story that includes the phrase “under the weather” or “sick as a dog.”

– 31 stories

Start or end your story with a character standing in the rain.

– 70 stories

Write a story in which a character or object gets caught in a sudden gust of wind.

– 29 stories

Set your story before, during, or right after a storm.

– 93 stories

Write a story in which the weather takes an unexpected turn.

– 43 stories

Start or end your story with someone watching snow fall.

– 104 stories

Write about a character who receives an anonymous or unexpected gift.

– 28 stories

Set your story in a place where something valuable is hidden beneath the ice.

– 39 stories

Write about a secret that could thaw — or shatter — a relationship.

– 27 stories

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We made a writing app for you

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