Welcome!
Building a routine is essential for any writer looking to grow. But sometimes it’s hard to get things going.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, these prompts offer a straightforward way to dive into your next story. Let these ideas serve as the catalyst for your writing time today.
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: ticket, follow, hungry
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 overgrown with plants
Item: A pair of scissors
Character: Someone who believes they can talk to animals
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:
Every screen in the room suddenly flickers. A voice begins reciting your character’s most private thoughts in chronological order.
Advanced Challenge: Include the three words from the 100-word prompt.
Happy writing!