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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 2670 prompts

Set your story inside a character’s mind, literally.

– 58 stories

Write a story about someone who overthinks every single thing, blowing the tiniest incidents out of proportion.

– 16 stories

Start your story with a daydream sequence, before snapping back to reality.

– 63 stories

Write about someone who has long since quit but decides to go another round for old time’s sake.

– 36 stories

Set your story at a retirement or leaving party.

– 18 stories

Write about a rivalry between two coworkers that has unforeseen consequences.

– 26 stories

Write a story about someone who knows it’s time to retire or change jobs, but is hesitating.

– 43 stories

Start your story with someone saying “I quit!”

– 55 stories

Start your story with a character telling their best friend that their spouse is having an affair, only for their friend to “shoot the messenger”.

– 29 stories

Write a story about a corrupt politician trying to avoid blame at all costs.

– 10 stories

Write a story where a murder occurs — and the suspects are all pointing the finger at one another.

– 26 stories

Write a story that includes the phrase “This is all my fault.”

– 94 stories

Begin your story with somebody getting (or taking) the blame for something they didn’t do.

– 40 stories

Think of someone who stood on the periphery of your childhood memories (a classmate, a teacher, a neighbor) and cast them as the main character of your story.

– 31 stories

Write a story where a local takes a newcomer under their wing.

– 24 stories

Write a story about coming of age in a big city.

– 14 stories

Write a story in which someone returns to their hometown.

– 80 stories

Start your story with a character saying “Where I come from, …”

– 84 stories

Write a story in which someone says “You'll never be content.”

– 51 stories

Write a story about someone facing death for the first time in their life.

– 85 stories

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