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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 278 prompts reset

This week's contest:
Win $250

Before Summer’s End

51 contest entries /
37 stories

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Closes at 23:59 - Jul 03 EST

Start or end your story with a character making food or a drink for themself or someone else.

– 70 stories

Write a story inspired by the phrase "It was all just a dream."

– 54 stories

Write a story about someone reminiscing on something that happened many summers ago.

– 75 stories

Set your story at a party, festival, or local celebration.

– 43 stories

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.

– 81 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.

– 88 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.

– 101 stories

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

– 37 stories

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