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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

Center your story around a character who can’t tell the difference between their dreams and reality.

– 91 stories

Write a story that includes (or is inspired by) the phrase “like a fish out of water” or “still waters run deep.”

– 39 stories

Center your story around a character navigating uncharted waters — literally or figuratively.

– 59 stories

Write a story that includes someone swimming in water or diving into the unknown.

– 46 stories

Start or end your story with a character looking out at a river, ocean, or the sea.

– 131 stories

Write a story from the POV of someone waiting to be rescued.

– 71 stories

Write a story that includes the line "I don’t know how to fix this" or "I can't undo it."

– 63 stories

A character clings to a ritual until it transforms into something unexpected or dangerous.

– 36 stories

Someone’s most sacred ritual is interrupted. What happens next?

– 39 stories

A ritual meant to protect someone ends up putting them (or someone else!) in danger.

– 19 stories

Start or end your story with a character performing (or refusing to take part in) a ritual or tradition.

– 63 stories

Write a story inspired by the phrase, “A [wo]man’s worth is no greater than [their] ambitions.” — Marcus Aurelius

– 29 stories

Center your story on the moment a character realizes their (or someone else’s) intentions aren’t so good or noble.

– 53 stories

Write about the moment a character succeeds (or fails) from the POV of someone close to them.

– 26 stories

Center your story on a character who's about to give up, or who realizes that success feels unexpectedly empty.

– 55 stories

Write a story about two characters who are competing with each other. What’s at stake?

– 48 stories

Write a story that includes the line “You can see me?”

– 58 stories

Center your story around something that’s hidden.

– 36 stories

Write a story that only consists of dialogue.

– 48 stories

Include an unreliable narrator or character in your story.

– 34 stories

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