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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 266 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Better in Color

199 contest entries /
121 stories

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Closes at 23:59 - May 01 EST

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.

– 137 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.”

– 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.”

– 86 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.

– 57 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

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