Here we are, folks. The first prompts of the new year!
Speaking of the new year, if you resolved to write more this year, flash fiction prompts are a great way to follow through with that resolution. They make it far easier to develop a regular writing habit by giving you a starting point. Plus, there’s something fun about the challenge of fulfilling the prompt.
It gamifies writing in a way that’s creative, engaging, and inspiring. I encourage you to give it a try.
Just 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: cloud, shiver, brightly
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 abandoned
Item: A set of rusty keys
Character: Someone who is pretending to be much wealthier than they actually are
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:
Write a scene where a character is performing a mundane daily task. Introduce a single, minute error that threatens to unravel their entire sense of control.
Advanced Challenge: Include the three words from the 100-word prompt.
Happy writing!