Sometimes writers get stuck. It happens to all of us. One way to get over a slump is to use a writing prompt. A writing prompt is a topic that provides a starting point for writing ideas. It gets the creativity flowing, helps you practice the craft of writing, and provides a cue to physically put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). You can use a prompt for morning pages, for practice, to create an original composition, or to warm up so you get back to your work in progress.
To help you in your writing journey (and out of a slump), here are 75 writing prompts to get you started.
Write a story that begins with:
- “The last time I saw my sister was eight years ago….”
- “For the next 24 hours, I will be invisible….”
- “Today I met my celebrity crush….”
- “I almost died today….”
- “I can’t believe it’s finally happened….”
Write a story based on your own experience:
- The most enthralling day of your life.
- Falling out of friendship with a long-time friend.
- The day you felt the most attractive.
- The moment you realized you were a grownup, with adult responsibilities.
- The best lie you ever told.
Describe a scene from your childhood:
- Your most memorable birthday.
- The first time you watched a scary movie.
- Your earliest memory.
- A perfect day with your best friend.
- The most embarrassing day at school.
Write a story as if you were:
- The main character in a fairy tale.
- Working in your childhood dream job.
- The owner of a winning lotto ticket that’s not yet cashed.
- Forced to win over your least favourite person.
- A presidential candidate with a secret to hide.
Create a story around your favourite:
- Pair of shoes.
- Piece of art.
- Photograph of yourself.
- Family story.
- Physical attribute.
Describe a “meet cute” from the point of view of the:
- Heroine.
- Hero.
- Rival.
- Best friend.
- Stranger.
Describe a bank robbery from the point of view of the:
- Robber.
- Bank teller.
- Security guard.
- Bank customer.
- Hostage negotiator.
Write a journal entry by:
- A werewolf on the night before a full moon.
- The Mona Lisa, dated today.
- Shakespeare on the opening night of Hamlet.
- Eve on the day she ate the forbidden fruit.
- King Tutankhamun on coronation day.
Create an original poem about:
- A lonely bumblebee.
- A haunted typewriter.
- A unicorn obsessed father.
- An abandoned glove on the side of the road.
- A pet cat with amnesia.
Describe a scene where two historical figures meet:
- Jane Austen and Leonardo da Vinci
- Plato and George W. Bush.
- Elvis Presley and Joan of Arc.
- Rosa Parks and Anne Frank.
- Amelia Earhart and Christopher Columbus.
Describe a scene where two fictional characters meet:
- Big Foot and Dracula.
- Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker.
- Captain Hook and Captain James T. Kirk.
- Lady Macbeth and Cookie Monster.
- Mary Poppins and Bart Simpson.
What would you do if you were:
- Trapped in an elevator with a stranger.
- The subject of a tell-all book.
- Arrested for murder.
- The next Nobel prize winner.
- Abducted by aliens.
Describe the perfect:
- Romantic date.
- Night out with friends.
- Meal.
- Day alone.
- Dream home.
Describe a moment you felt:
- Ashamed of someone in your family.
- Perfectly and incandescently happy.
- Proud of a seemingly minor accomplishment.
- Scared of something for no reason.
- Jealous of a romantic partner.
Using all the tropes you can, write a cliché story about:
- True love’s kiss.
- Discovering you have superpowers.
- A love triangle.
- Discovering you are the “chosen one.”
- An evil twin.
Allison Gorner 