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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 274 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Against All Odds with Jessica Brody

2 contest entries /
0 stories

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Closes at 23:59 - Jun 12 EST

Write a story in which the natural and the mystical intertwine.

– 81 stories

Start or end your story with somebody stepping out into the sunshine.

– 82 stories

Write a story about a secret group or society.

– 87 stories

Write a story about a test or exam with a dangerous or unexpected twist.

– 47 stories

Write a story about someone who discovers a mysterious object in a seemingly ordinary place.

– 74 stories

Tell a story with a series of emails, calls, and/or text messages.

– 89 stories

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.

– 136 stories

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

– 72 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.

– 55 stories

You know what? I quit.

– 102 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.

– 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.”

– 86 stories

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