We’re rolling into the time of year when some folks have a little more free time. Holiday breaks. Time off. Slow work days.
(It’s worth noting that’s certainly not true for everyone. Thank you to everyone working seasonal jobs!)
If you have a little more time through the rest of the month, this could be the perfect time to do some fiction writing. And if you’re not sure how to start, I’ve got you covered with some killer flash fiction writing prompts.
Pick your length and roll with the prompt to get your creative process started. And if you publish your fiction online, please link back to this page. Thanks!
100-word prompt
Write a short story in any genre that’s 100 words or less and includes the following three words: suddenly, magnet, forget.
Advanced Challenge: Make your story drabble. Drabble is exactly 100 words, including the title.
500-word prompt
Write a short story in any genre that’s 500 words or less and includes the following elements:
Location: Somewhere designed for maximum fun
Item: A slightly damaged umbrella
Character: Someone who just found out they have exactly 24 hours left to complete a task
Feel free to get creative with how you include the elements. The story doesn’t have to be trapped in the location, for example. The way you interpret the character summary can be as unconventional as you like.
Just make sure you touch on each.
Advanced Challenge: Make your story microfiction. Microfiction is 300 words or less.
1,200-word prompt
Write a short story in any genre that’s 1,200 words or less and uses the following situation as a starting point:
Introduce a character who has been hiding a mundane but critical skill—like perfect knot-tying or remembering every license plate they’ve ever seen—only to have that skill become the sole catalyst needed to prevent a silent, looming disaster.
Advanced Challenge: Include the three words from the 100-word prompt.
Happy writing!