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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 248 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Love is in the Air

188 contest entries /
78 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Feb 20 EST

Write a story in the form of a movie script or a video game.

– 48 stories

Tell a story using a graduation, acceptance, or farewell speech.

– 35 stories

Write a story in the form of a recipe, menu, grocery list, or product description.

– 72 stories

Tell a story using a series of diary or journal entries.

– 138 stories

It took a few seconds to realize I was utterly and completely lost.

– 73 stories

At the intersection, I could go right and head home — but turning left would take me...

– 81 stories

He looked between us once more and said, “It’s either her or me…”

– 37 stories

I stared at the crowd and told the biggest lie of my life.

– 56 stories

You know what? I quit.

– 103 stories

Set your story in a writing class, workshop, or retreat.

– 37 stories

Write about someone who can only find inspiration (or be productive) at night.

– 56 stories

Center your story around an author, editor, ghostwriter, or literary agent.

– 59 stories

Write a story in which the first and last words are the same.

– 96 stories

Write a story with the line “I didn’t have a choice.”

– 87 stories

Write about a character who becomes the villain in another character’s story.

– 40 stories

Write a story with the line “I don’t understand.”

– 87 stories

Write a story where someone gets into trouble and a stranger helps them out.

– 51 stories

Write a story about something getting lost in translation — literally or figuratively.

– 48 stories

Write a story that includes the line “This isn’t what I signed up for.”

– 98 stories

Center your story around a character whose biggest fear or worst nightmare comes true.

– 58 stories

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How to Write a Novel
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