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Are you ready to write but don’t know what to write about? Prepare to kick your writing into gear by browsing through our list of 200+ short story ideas. New prompts are added each week, and you can search by genre. But don’t let our categories stop you from putting your own spin on a writing prompt: if you find a short story idea tagged as sci-fi, but you think it would make a great romance plot, run with it! For tips on how to come up with your own story ideas, scroll to the bottom of the page.

41 Best Narrative Short Story Ideas

Showing 41 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

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Someone just knocked on the door late at night, but you weren't expecting anyone. When you open the door... no one's there.

Narrative

Pick one of your Instagram photos. Write about the story behind it.

Narrative

Describe your definition of a good life.

Narrative

Write a story based on an experience from your childhood... but set it in a different time period. (Yes, the future counts!)

Narrative

Describe yourself to a stranger.

Narrative

Write about a time that you were lost (metaphorically or literally).

Narrative

Write a story based on an experience from your childhood... but have that experience happen to a person or group of people who are nothing like you or your family.

Narrative

Think about a moment in your life that elicited very strong emotions. Write about a character going through a different experience that leads to the same emotions.

Narrative

Write about a time that you found out something surprising about somebody else.

Narrative

41 Best Narrative Short Story Ideas

Someone just knocked on the door late at night, but you weren't expecting anyone. When you open the door... no one's there.

Pick one of your Instagram photos. Write about the story behind it.

Describe your definition of a good life.

Write a story based on an experience from your childhood... but set it in a different time period. (Yes, the future counts!)

Describe yourself to a stranger.

Write about a time that you were lost (metaphorically or literally).

Write a story based on an experience from your childhood... but have that experience happen to a person or group of people who are nothing like you or your family.

Think about a moment in your life that elicited very strong emotions. Write about a character going through a different experience that leads to the same emotions.

Write about a time that you found out something surprising about somebody else.

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