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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 258 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Final Destination

30 contest entries /
25 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - Mar 20 EST

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

– 55 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.

– 39 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.”

– 97 stories

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

– 58 stories

Center your story around something that doesn’t go according to plan.

– 125 stories

Write a story about a place that hides something beneath the surface.

– 81 stories

Start or end your story with someone arriving somewhere for the first or last time.

– 92 stories

Write a story about a place that no longer exists.

– 62 stories

Set your story in your favorite (or least favorite!) place in the world.

– 34 stories

Write a story about someone who sets off in one direction and ends up somewhere else.

– 47 stories

Write a story from the POV of a child or teenager.

– 85 stories

Center your story around a comedian, clown, street performer, or magician.

– 59 stories

Write a story with the aim of making your reader laugh.

– 134 stories

Center your story around two (or more) characters who strike up an unlikely friendship.

– 71 stories

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