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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 282 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Two Sides to Every Story with Emily Martin

25 contest entries /
16 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Jul 31 EST

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.”

– 41 stories

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

– 53 stories

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

– 58 stories

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

– 80 stories

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

– 41 stories

Write a story about a misunderstood monster.

– 89 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.

– 34 stories

Write a story where a background character steals the spotlight.

– 37 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.

– 30 stories

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

– 86 stories

Tell a story in the form of a police report, news article, or journal entry about an incredible (or impossible) event.

– 43 stories

Center your story around someone who has (or is given) the ability to time travel.

– 103 stories

Write a story that includes the line "Can you keep a secret?" or “My lips are sealed."

– 50 stories

Include the word “hero,” “mask,” or “truth" in your story’s title.

– 61 stories

Write about a second chance or a fresh start.

– 62 stories

Set your story before dawn or after midnight. Your character is awake for a specific reason.

– 70 stories

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