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Best Short Story Writing Prompts

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

Showing 260 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

From the Ashes with Michael McConnell

13 contest entries /
8 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Apr 10 EST

Write a story about someone who finds a secret passageway in their house.

– 147 stories

Write a story about a character struggling to decide how to handle a problem that is morally gray.

– 41 stories

Write a short story about someone in the self-help aisle of a bookstore. What book do they pick up?

– 88 stories

Write about a character’s secret area of expertise, something most of their acquaintances would be surprised to learn they know tons about.

– 37 stories

It kicks off on a yacht with the delivery of an important letter.

– 35 stories

Write a story about a family road trip.

– 22 stories

Write a story about someone trying to find the perfect birthday gift.

– 19 stories

Write a story about a sweet sixteen.

– 13 stories

Write a story inspired by the last sentence of any book you own.

Write a story that starts someone announcing big news.

Write a story that starts with an argument between two siblings.

Write a story that ends with the word: "wrath."

Write a story that ends with the word: "life."

Write a story based on your favorite song.

Write a story based on a cartoon trope (an anvil or piano falls on someone’s head, someone’s eyes turn to hearts when they fall in love, etc.).

Write a story told from second person point of view (uses "you" language).

A day in the life of a paparazzi.

At the start of your story, mention object that doesn't seem important. By the end of the story, have this object play a surprisingly key role.

Your protagonist opens a purse or a desk drawer and finds three objects. By the end of your story there’s only one item left. What happens to the other two?

Write a story with seven characters — one for each of the seven sins.

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