Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog
Directory
Weekly Prompts Contest
Reedsy Literary Prize
Magazine
FAQ

Best Short Story Writing Prompts

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

Showing 248 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Love is in the Air

175 contest entries /
72 stories

--

days

--

hours

--

mins

--

secs

View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Feb 20 EST

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

– 40 stories

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

– 60 stories

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

– 133 stories

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

– 40 stories

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

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

– 58 stories

Write a story that includes (or is inspired by) the phrase "Out of the woods.”

– 42 stories

Center your story around a character discovering a hidden door or path.

– 54 stories

Write a story from the POV of someone (or something) living in a forest.

– 61 stories

Write a story from the POV/perspective of a non-human character.

– 82 stories

Center your story around someone who turns into the thing they’ve always hated.

– 41 stories

Write a story about a misunderstood monster.

– 90 stories

Write a story that includes the line “I don’t belong here” or “Don’t mind me.”

– 76 stories

Center your story around someone who’s secretly running the show.

– 37 stories

Write a story where a background character steals the spotlight.

– 39 stories

Center your story around someone who’s tired of always being second best (or second choice).

– 60 stories

Start or end your story with a character preparing for someone else’s big moment.

– 31 stories

Write a story with the line “Don’t you remember me?” or “You haven’t changed…”

– 89 stories

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

How to Write a Novel
RBE | Illustration — We made a writing app for you | 2024-02

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. All for free.