creative writing topics for adults

140 Creative Writing Prompts For Adults

Learning how to become a better writer includes knowing how to come up with a solid idea. With so many elements to consider when starting your novel, the plot itself may begin to slip away from you. Use these creative writing prompts for adults to get you started on the right path to a successful story and suffer from writer’s block for the last time.

This list of writing prompts for adults can be taken and used in any way you want. Details can be changed, and characters can be added or removed.

They are meant to be a fun way to get your creativity flowing and your next story developing. For even more writing ideas, check out the writing prompt generator . Here, you will find 500+ prompts of all kinds that will give you some ideas. Take control of that blank page and create something awesome.

Dramatic Writing Prompts for Adults

Nothing beats some good old-fashioned drama once in a while. You can turn these writing prompts into a dramatic love story , an exciting short story, or morph them into a different genre. How you use them is up to you.

For a novel that is specifically romance, we have created an exclusive list of exciting and genre-bending romance writing prompts . Try choosing a writing prompt from the below list:

A young boy discovers that he is the only adopted child among his four siblings. Feeling confused and betrayed, he runs away to find his birth parents. After two months on the road, he runs out of money and still hasn’t found them. Does he go home? Or does he continue his quest?
Two couples are feuding and haven’t spoken in years. It is discovered that their two children have become best friends at school, and they want a playdate. Will this increase tension between them or lead to reconciliation?
Identical twins are attending the same college. They switch places and take each other’s classes depending on their strengths and weaknesses. They’ve gotten away with it for two years until their observant professor of a father is transferred to the school they attend.
Two childhood best friends stopped talking after a huge fight in high school. Five years later, they find themselves sitting next to each other on the same 16-hour international flight.
Write about a passionate romance that crosses religions.
He’s only been in office for a year. He is already being tempted by a corrupt group of criminals who want him to sabotage a series of public safety projects in exchange for funding his entire reelection campaign.
Your main character is being offered a promotion from the high school principal to the district director. Sadly, she knows her replacement will cut funding for all of the art programs. How does she manage the situation?
A high-profile general learns that the opposing army will surrender if he hands himself over. Will he prioritize his own safety or sacrifice himself for his country?
Write about a successful businesswoman who has built herself from the ground up. The business is suddenly threatened by the son of a rich local contractor who started a similar business out of boredom.
A successful lawyer knows that his client is guilty of the murder for which he has been charged. He is a good liar and could easily win the case. The case is getting constant media coverage and would guarantee him making a partner at his firm.
Your main character has lived a sheltered, isolated life. When their delusional and overbearing father dies. They are thrown into the real world and unsure of how to cope.
The doorbell rings, and your character answers it – finding nothing but an envelope with nothing on it. They open it and follow the instructions to attend a secret underground event. Afterward, they become a part of a huge resistance that the rest of the world knows nothing about.
After a family member’s funeral, you arrive home to a stranger on your doorstep, claiming the person is not really dead. The funeral was open-casket.
It is your character’s wedding day. While the vows are being said, someone from the crowd yells, “I object!”
A huge storm has stopped traffic. Your character is stuck in the car with someone for an unknown amount of time. The person chooses this moment to confess their undying love. The feeling is not mutual.
Your character finds an old, disposable camera on the ground. Feeling, they get the photos developed. What they see tells an unsettling story.
Two old friends are reminiscing on a prominent and life-changing event. They have very different memories from that day.
Your main character is a world-traveling nature photographer. She stumbles upon a small tribe of indigenous people who have found the cure for all cancer in a small local plant.
A young man has been homeschooled all his life and is ready to start college. An attack on his small hometown has him being drafted into the army. He is away from home for the first time ever and is terrified. However, he becomes a key strategist due to his unique perspective and undiscovered scientific talents.
A middle-aged man is tired of his career in a corporate office. He takes all his vacation and sick days at once for an excursion in the Appalachian Mountains. Everything is fine until a blizzard hits.
A shy and reserved web designer thinks she has found the man of her dreams online. She is actually being catfished by a competing company that wants to get information from her.
A man and woman work for two neighboring rival fast food companies. They always take their lunch breaks together on the bench right in the middle of the two.
An ongoing murder investigation takes an unexpected turn when it is discovered that a prolific group of corrupt police officers is behind the whole thing.
A television star is renowned and respected for his “method” acting. He only interviews or appears on TV in character. But this is because he doesn’t have a personality outside of his three most famous characters.
A professional gymnast is under fire for her supposed use of performance-enhancing steroids. She leaked the story herself to draw attention away from the fact that she is the leader of a high-profile drug ring.
An older couple on the brink of retirement keeps their life savings in the pages of the books in their home. They are just about to start looking for a retirement home to live in when a fire destroys their house and their cash.

Tips for Writing Drama

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Drama is usually character-driven , so make use of both your round and flat characters .
Introduce the conflict right away and keep it prominent. A drama will thrive off conflict.
Don’t let the resolution come easily.
Don’t be afraid to kill characters and write difficult situations.
Always show, don’t tell.

Supernatural Writing Prompts for Adults

Supernatural stories are popular. The entire world is in love with vampires. Write something interesting and unique enough that you might be writing their next favorite book. Use these supernatural story starters for your basic premise. Some writing prompts related to the genre of supernatural creatures are as follows:

On her 16th birthday, your main character miraculously survives a deadly car crash without a scratch. Later that week, she watches as a small scratch heals and disappears right before her eyes. Where did this new power come from, and what will she do with it?
There is an elite society of high education that wants to test a new drug. They give it to highly gifted students, and it allows them to stay awake for 48 hours and record everything they see, hear, and feel in that time. Unfortunately, some unexpected side effects set in two weeks later.
A middle-aged man is the only one in his famous and high-profile family without a superpower. The local police rely on his super-powered family to help them catch and fight crime. However, the powers are failing them during a specific investigation. Your protagonist’s “normal” perspective might just save the day.
Your main character suffers a terrible concussion. After recovering, they cannot control the vivid nightmares about the accident. However, they can also take images from their mind and project them into the real world. Doctors think they are crazy and keep them heavily sedated.
Write about a world where technology has given animals the ability to speak.

Tips for Writing Supernatural Stories

Setting the story in the real world will make your supernatural species more believable.
Create the origins of your species and supernatural characters.
Create the physical limitations for your species and beings.
Avoid the cliches of the genre.
Understand your reasons for using supernatural creatures. You shouldn’t be writing them in simply due to their popularity.

Thriller Writing Prompts for Adults

Thrillers can come in many forms and can be incorporated into many genres. Regardless of the details, though, they are always meant to excite. Suspense and tension are crucial – it’s always more fun when you don’t know. Writing a good thriller requires a strong set of writing skills. These prompts will give you a good base. If you think you need to improve, try some writing exercises.

If your thriller can get hearts racing, you’ve done a good job. Some writing prompts related to the thriller genre are as follows:

The body of your main character’s best friend is dumped on their doorstep. They make it their mission to find out who is responsible, even if it means crossing some lines and breaking some laws.
A murderer is on the loose in your character’s hometown. For 10 weeks, they have killed one person on the same day at the same time. Your main character is the next victim. They are abducted exactly three days before the planned kill time.
Strange things start happening around town. Your main character decides to find out for themselves what is going on. They do learn the truth, but now they aren’t allowed to leave.
Your character suffers from a condition that causes seemingly random blackouts for varying amounts of time. The only thing they ever remember before these episodes is a yellow car with a dent on the side. One day, that car is parked outside their house. This time, there is no blackout.
Your main character and their friends take an unsolicited mini-vacation to an off-limits island off the coast of their seaside town. Shortly after arrival, they discover the island’s inhabitants and the reason why it was off-limits.
Your protagonist is in intensive therapy due to extremely vivid nightmares detailing someone’s gruesome death. Many have said it’s just their twisted imagination, but this new therapist seems to think it’s much more than that.
You are legally allowed to kill someone one time in your life. You must fill out a series of paperwork, and your intended victim will be given notice of your plan.
A brilliant serial killer has been getting away with murder for decades. His only weakness is his acute inability to tell a lie. He is finally caught and tried for all the murders. Write about how he still manages to walk free with no charges laid.
Your character is a host at a restaurant. A couple comes in and says they have a reservation. You look it up in the system and find that the reservation was booked 40 years ago.

Tips for Writing a Thriller

Have a story that suits a thriller. This usually involves the protagonist falling victim to someone else and being caught in impossible situations.
Different points of view can add a lot of value to a thriller. It gives several perspectives and allows the reader to get into the heads of many characters.
Put action as close to the beginning as possible.
Don’t be afraid to make your characters miserable.

Thriller Book Writing Template

Squibler has a book writing template that was created specifically for writing a thriller:

It will walk you through each section of a typical thriller. It includes the basics of a thriller structure without stifling your creativity. The guidelines are easy to understand but loose enough that you can insert the details of your story with ease.

Horror Writing Prompts for Adults

The horror genre has always had a cult-like following. Several fictional killers have become household names. Some horror fans will spend their whole lives chasing the adrenaline that comes with a good scare.

If you’re learning how to become a better writer to scare your readers, these writing prompts will get you started. A book writing template may be helpful in creating a true horror, as setting the stage properly is crucial. Some horror writing prompts that you can write a story are as follows:

It’s Halloween night, and a group of rowdy teenagers break into an infamously haunted house in their town. They soon discover it is not the ghosts they have to fear, but the madman who lives upstairs is poisoning them with hallucinogenic gas.
There is a disease outbreak at a school. It appears at first to be chicken pox, but it is actually a virus that is causing violent outbreaks in the children who begin to terrorize the town.
Your main character attends a meditation retreat. It turns out to be a recruiting process for an extremist cult that convinces members to commit dangerous acts of terror. Your protagonist is the only one in the room who is immune.
So overcome by his nightmares, your main character attacks anyone who comes near him. He cannot distinguish between loved ones and the monsters in his head.
A young man has to dive 300 feet into the ocean to rescue his girlfriend caught in a broken submarine. He must cross through a genetically modified shark breeding ground.
An old time capsule is about to be opened and the whole town is present for the celebration. When opened, the only thing found inside is a detached human hand with a threatening note in the grasp. The note is written in your character’s handwriting but dated 50 years before they were even born.

Master horror writer Stephen King reveals some of his thought processes: “So where do the ideas—the salable ideas—come from? They come from my nightmares. Not the night-time variety, as a rule, but the ones from everyday life that hide just beyond the doorway that separates the conscious from the unconscious.”

Horror doesn’t always have to be fantastical and dreamy in nature. Sometimes horror exists in the real world, within people.

Tips for Writing Horror

Don’t be afraid to give that gruesome, bloody description.
Aim to create extreme emotions.
Make sure the readers care about your characters. This will make their horrible situations more impactful.
Consider what scares you the most. Keep this in mind when writing.
Set the stakes high.
Some comic relief or brief periods of peace are okay – necessary even. It can help build suspense.

Crime and Mystery Writing Prompts for Adults

Stories of crime and mystery have been told for ages. There are some classic crime dramas that will never get old. Many non-fiction books have been written on this topic as well.

Creating a proper mystery takes time and much planning. When done correctly, though, it makes for a most memorable story. Some crime and mystery writing prompts are as follows:

Your main character discovers another woman’s clothes tucked in the back of her boyfriend’s closet. She plans an elaborate fishing trip to get him far away for a weekend so she can teach him a lesson.
A new serial killer is on the loose, killing one person every other day within 500 feet of a museum. There must be a connection and a reason, but how will they catch him when he keeps destroying the cameras and escaping?
A young officer is three years sober and committed to getting back on track. That is until he is called to the scene of a high-profile drug bust and is in charge of collecting evidence. Can he control himself around so many drugs?
Abandoned cars start randomly appearing throughout the city. No license plates and nothing inside. That is until one is found to contain several dismembered human limbs.
Your character has been receiving nasty, lifelike drawings in the mail. They ignore them at first, thinking it is some kids being silly. Until the drawings start coming to life. Since they have the drawings, they know what is going to happen next and in what order.
Your main character and her husband awake one night in the early hours of the morning, both recalling a horrific dream from the night before. They soon learn the dream to be true as they discover a fresh, painful brand in between each of their shoulder blades.
Your character never wakes up feeling rested, no matter how long they sleep. Medication doesn’t help. They decide to film themselves one night. The next morning, they watch as they get out of bed around midnight, smirk at the camera, and wave before disappearing out the door for hours.
Your protagonist is a member of a small religious group. When a precious artifact goes missing, the head elder’s daughter is blamed for it. Your character knows she couldn’t be responsible because the two of them were romantically involved at the time of the theft. Such activities are strictly forbidden, and the daughter would rather go down for the theft than admit to breaking that law.
There is a serial killer going after the children of rich and notable families in the area. Your main character is the child of one such family and is terrified every waking moment. Tired of living in fear, they decide to figure out who the killer is and stop them
Your character gets a DNA test just for fun. After getting the results and doing some more research, they discovered that members of their ancestry from all over the world were once all gathered in the same place. The reason is unknown.
Your character receives a strange voicemail from an unknown number. The voicemail ends up changing the course of their entire life.
Your character is in an accident and loses the memory of the last year of their life. There are so many things that don’t make sense. They must retrace their steps to find answers.
The entire town has started sleepwalking together every night.
Your character has a short but friendly encounter with a stranger in an elevator. The next day, they are all over TV as the victim of a brutal murder.
Your character is redecorating and takes down a painting. They notice something strange engraved on the back of the frame.
Your character goes to their usual coffee shop and orders “the usual.” The Barista smiles, nods, and slides something entirely different across the counter. She has never made a mistake before.
Your character opens a random book at the library when the cover page falls out. It says, “if you are reading this, you have been chosen.”
When looking through some old family photos – going back generations – your character notices a cat in almost every photo. The very same colorful spotted cat with a single docked ear that is sitting on their lap.
When paying for their groceries, your main character mentions to the clerk that there is a mess in aisle 11. The clerk is confused and explains that there is no aisle 11.

Tips for Writing Crime and Mystery

This is a genre where a book writing template can come in handy. The plots are often so complex it can be overwhelming to keep it all straight.
Draw inspiration from real-life crimes. This will make your story believable.
Also, draw your inspiration from real-life people and give them realistic motives behind their crimes. Crime and mystery are rarely set in a fantasy world, so being realistic is important.
Know how the mystery is solved before you start writing.
Include a few cliffhangers – usually at the end of a chapter.

Science Fiction Writing Prompts for Adults

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Science fiction is similar to fantasy in that you can make up a lot of stuff, which is a fun way to write.

This is a versatile genre that can be molded into anything you want.

Sometimes, it is rooted in truth with elements of real scientific and technological advances. Other times, there are many assumptions made about the future of science, and lots of make-believe takes place. Some of the best sci-fi writing prompts and a few ideas to explore in this genre are as follows:

A spaceship that can surpass the speed of light is allowing a few humans on board to escape our solar system and its dying sun. How does the world decide who gets to survive?
A shy, introverted tech guy develops a virus that can control human desires, impulses, and choices.
A pet store becomes overrun with kittens and sells them off at a low price. However, these cats are actually an alien hybrid that can body jump. It begins, causing the owners of these cats to commit suicide within 24 hours of adoption.
A live TV broadcast from the White House experiences some technical difficulties. They end up broadcasting a top-secret meeting about a pending alien invasion.
Science has developed a brain scanning software that can read thoughts. Before they can decide what to do with it, someone has hacked the system and stolen it.
Your character wakes up on a spaceship with no memory.
The world has developed a genetic system that engineers everyone for a specific job in the community. Your character hates what they were created to do. This never happens.
The world has finally reached a state of all-encompassing peace thanks to a technical system that keeps things regulated. Your character is in charge of keeping the system running. When they discover exactly how the system is kept running, they consider abandoning their post and never turning back.
Your character accidentally traps themselves in an alternate universe that hasn’t discovered electricity or technology yet.

Tips for Writing Science Fiction

Make your story complex, but don’t rush it. Let your audience process information before adding more.
Keep the language simple and easy to understand even if the world isn’t. The majority of your readers will not be scientists or tech experts.
Be consistent in terms of the universe. Physical laws, social classes, etc. Know your own world.

Dystopian Writing Prompts for Adults

The 20 best dystopian novels of all time

Dystopian stories are growing in popularity. The genre itself is growing and evolving all the time as people figure out what works and what entertains.

Dystopian is a fun genre to read and experience, but writing it can be just as enjoyable. Having fun while learning how to become a better writer is of utmost importance.

Be careful you’re not writing Dystopia just because it sells well. Make sure you have a real story to tell and that it’s one you believe in. Some dystopian writing prompts are as follows:

A newly married couple becomes pregnant with twins. Due to growing overpopulation, they are told they must make a choice when the babies are born. Only one will live. Rather than submit to this, they plan their escape across the border.
An amateur teen scientist accidentally discovers an impending alien attack set to destroy Earth within a month. He becomes the unwilling leader of the evacuation and defense coalition.
A hacker discovers that the new iPhone can be remotely detonated. Many corrupt political leaders are assassinated in this way on the same day. The world breaks into chaos.
World War III has come and gone. Governments are a thing of the past, and money is useless. Survival is the objective. Your main character also has a medical condition to keep under control.
A horrible outbreak of disease devastated the wildlife population 100 years ago. A scientist has recently created a virus that will strengthen the immune systems of the remaining animals. It works too well, and the animals are starting to overtake the human population.
After mental illness devastates a generation, scientists create an airborne substance that balances the levels of all people on the earth. Your character is one of the few who is immune.
Rampant wildfires are taking over the surface of the earth. Your character is part of a group that is trying to find a rumored ocean-deep settlement. The settlement doesn’t really exist.
Nature extremists have taken over the government. Any and all activities that are harmful to the land or plants are forbidden and outlawed.
Natural farming is a thing of the past. All food is manufactured artificially and distributed. There is no flavor, and it’s the same thing every day. Your character takes a stress-relieving trip to the mountains. Here, they find the remnants of some real plants with a few berries on them.

Tips for Writing Dystopian Fiction

Know what the message of the story is. What is the main character trying to achieve?
A dystopian society is usually one that has taken the current problems of the world and projected them into the future.
Dystopian realities are never good ones – make sure you have enough doom, gloom, and darkness for your readers to understand the state of the world.

Historical Writing Prompts for Adults

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Historical fiction can be whimsical and charming. It can be dark and spooky. It can be funny and ridiculous. Stories of history span many genres.

Historical fiction can be a combination of educational and entertaining. It tests a writer’s research skills as well as knowledge. The better depiction you can create of your desired time period, the more effective your story will be.

Learning to research is crucial to know how to become a better writer. Some historical fiction writing prompts are as follows:

From a first-person perspective, write about the showdown between a criminal and a lion in the Roman Colosseum.
Abraham Lincoln is famous for his top hat. Where did the top hat come from? Who was the president without it? Write a story about the infamous top hat and its life.
The Berlin Wall has crashed to the ground, and it is love at first sight for one lucky couple – whose parents aren’t so impressed.
Your character is a talented composer whose direct competition is Beethoven.
Write about a dinner party where three famous historical figures are in attendance.
Your best friend has invented the very first time-travel machine.
Write about a well-known war, but give it a different outcome.
Write a happy ending for Dracula.
Your character’s husband of ten years has just confessed that he has traveled through time from the fourteenth century. He decided to stay because he fell in love with her.
Write about the thoughts of someone who is secretly watching Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel.
Your character is the only one who knows who really killed JFK. It wasn’t Oswald.
Your character is working under William Shakespeare as his apprentice.
Write about a pair of detectives who solve their cases by traveling back and forth in time.
Write about the experience of someone who has just learned of the Titanic’s sinking. They had a loved one on board.
Choose a major historical event. Write from the perspective of a witness.
Your character wants to travel across the land. No forms of transportation have been invented yet.
Write about someone who worked at one of the first printing presses during the printing revolution of the 15th century.

Tips for Writing Historical Fiction

Do your research! Inaccuracies or incorrect facts about the time you are writing will break trust of your readers and decrease your credibility.
Choose a specific time period and location. “Early twentieth century” is too broad.
In addition to setting and facts, characters need to match the time period. This includes dress, behavior, and language.
Small details will matter.
Balance the historical facts with the drama and fictional elements.

Humorous Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

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Another genre that is especially fun to write, as well as read, is comedy. Nothing beats throwing your head back in full laughter.

The goal here is to make people laugh as much as possible while still balancing a good story and believable characters. Check out the best creative writing prompts with a funny twist:

Substitute teachers are tired of not being taken seriously. They come together and form a secret society with plans to revolt.
An Elvis impersonator is so good that many start to believe Elvis has actually come back to life. Soon, he has been recruited to lead a superstitious Elvis-loving cult.
Three friends are out on the town for a night. Write about the most ridiculous series of events you can think of.
Life has gotten tough, and your character is considering moving back in with their parents. Before they are able to make a decision, their parents show up at their door asking if they can move in.
Your character wakes up one day, and everything they say rhymes. They can’t control it.
The climate is changing, and your main character’s city gets snow for the first time in their entire life. She and her friends are recruited for clean up.
Your main character has never had a real job before. They are starting a job at the biggest, busiest store in town on the busiest day of the year.
Your character is set up on a blind date with their sworn enemy.
Every morning, you have a package delivered that contains an item you end up needing that day.
Struggling with writer’s block, an author decides to sit at a local train station for information. They get some good material.
Your characters are holding a high-stakes rock-paper-scissors tournament.
Your main character gets backstage at a concert. What happens back there is much more interesting than the show.
Your protagonist decides to buy an old school bus and travel across the country. Being single without any close friends, they post an ad asking if anyone wants to join. They end up having their pick of travel partners.
Write a story about a low-profile, insignificant, but long-unsolved crime that is finally cracked.
Your character is a serial killer who kills anyone who hitchhikes along the mountain they live on. One day, they pick up a hitchhiker who kills whoever picks him up.
The world’s greatest detective finally meets his match: A criminal so stupid and so careless that the detective can’t ever predict what he is going to do next.

Tips for Writing Comedy

Test the humor on others. You might find something hilarious, but if no one else is going to laugh, it will be useless to include.
Observe comedy. Your ability to write it will hinge on your experience with it. Watch, read, listen, and speak comedy.
Have fun with it. Comedy is fun. If you’re not laughing at yourself along the way, you’ll never get through to the end.

Fantasy Writing Prompts for Adults

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Fantasy is one of the most popular genres of the time. It’s growing every day because of its creative and immersive nature. People love to preoccupy themselves with something with magical powers.

Being transported into another world for a little while – that’s what fantasy can do. Some of the best creative writing prompts for fantasy fiction are as follows:

In a world of advanced technological and magical advancements, one group keeps their practice of ancient spells a secret. One day, they are discovered, and it leads to a fight. What is more powerful – old magic or new technology?
A large, protected national forest is secretly home to werewolves. One summer, there is an especially bad flea epidemic, and the werewolves are greatly affected. The fleas from the werewolves infect the town’s water supply and start turning everyone into werewolves. The only ones not affected are children under 13.
The world is overrun with vampires, and humans are dying out. Different races and factions of vampires are beginning to go to war over the limited supply of human blood.
Your character finds a strange-looking egg in the forest. Thinking it will make a great decoration, they take it home. What hatches from that egg surpasses their wildest imagination.
A city has spent centuries living in peace with the water-dwellers who reside in their lakes. Suddenly, the water dwellers declare war, and no one knows why.
Your character has always been able to alter their appearance. They hide unattractive features. Suddenly, their powers stop working, and their true appearance is revealed.
Your main character has a fascination with untouched societies – such as hidden tribes in the Amazon. She sets out to study them as a living. One day, she accidentally allows herself to be seen by one of the members. What this person does is beyond what your character ever thought to be real.
The earth itself is dying, and all life on the planet is dying with it.
Some people in the world have magic, others don’t. No one knows why. Your main character has magic, but his best friend doesn’t. The friend is exceptionally jealous and is growing more and more desperate to make the magic his.

Tips for Writing Fantasy

Focus on being unique
Don’t neglect worldbuilding. Inconsistencies will be obvious to readers. This is where a book writing software like Squibler can come in handy. It helps you stay organized and efficient.
Create unique names.
Don’t be afraid to make the journey long and the outcome unexpected.

Fantasy Novel Writing Template

Fantasy is one of the most complicated genres due to the necessity of building a brand-new world. Squibler’s fantasy writing template will help you through this daunting process:

This template offers guidelines and suggestions for building your world as well as structuring and creating your storyline. It’s helpful but loose enough to allow your creativity to keep flowing.

Dialogue-Inspired Writing Prompts

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Sometimes, all it takes is a small exchange or a witty one-liner to get your brain working. Take these words and start something new. Or, insert them into an existing project and see what happens. Some of the best dialogue-based creative writing prompts are as follows:

“As she stepped onto the train, I fought every urge to jump on after her.”
“He was expensive. Please be more considerate of my money the next time I hire an assassin to kill you.”
“You say that like it was a struggle.”
“I’m your conscience. That is literally my one job.”
“Well, I wish you didn’t love me. I guess no one is getting what they want today.”
“I guess it didn’t take.”
“I was bored so I blew up my house.”
“I taught you how to pick locks, and THAT is how you’re choosing to use the skill?”
“They thought I would forget everything. I remember even more than when they started.”
“Yes. But I don’t care.”
“I killed my mother. Are you really questioning what I can do to you right now?”

Tips That Every Writer Should Remember

If you want to create compelling stories with fiction writing prompts, remember the following things:

Create a Proper Writing Schedule

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To succeed in the demanding task of following fiction writing prompts, treat yourself and your writing with importance. Establish and consistently adhere to a designated writing schedule. Maintaining a regular writing routine prevents the project from fading into obscurity.

It’s challenging to retain the novel’s details in your mind for quick and efficient writing. Allowing substantial intervals between writing sessions and working haphazardly only increases the difficulty and likelihood of abandoning the endeavor.

Don’t Expect Your Words to Be Perfect

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Many writers start working on fiction writing prompts with excitement, but upon rereading, their work may not meet their expectations, leading to deleting it entirely. Avoid being overly critical of your writing.

Excessive self-editing can halt your progress and prevent you from writing beyond the initial pages. Instead, focus on writing and avoid scrutinizing it until you have completed the story. Rewriting is essential for crafting great novels, and most writers would not share their first drafts with others.

Relax a Little

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Are you unable to follow fiction writing prompts because the thought of it overwhelms you? Start by loosening up with some free writing. Dedicate five or ten minutes to jotting down whatever pops into your mind, and don’t pause or edit.

This exercise helps remove the mental block between your thoughts and your writing. It will help you to prepare for the actual writing process, akin to stretching before a workout.

Explore Your Ideas

When you first come across your fiction writing prompts, document all your notions and ideas regarding your desired novel. Jot down even the vaguest thoughts and concepts that come to mind. Identify any compelling questions you want to delve into.

Take notes on any particular setting, historical period, or topic that captivates you. Through this free-form writing, ideas will gradually emerge and take form.

Switch Between Plotting and Writing

As you begin working on your fiction writing prompts, engage in a simultaneous process of developing the plot and crafting the actual text. Planning the plot provides structure and direction for your writing.

However, immersing yourself in the writing allows you to experience the story on a deeper level, discovering new insights and nuances. This interactive approach enhances both aspects of the creative process.

Think About Your Characters

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Delve into the depths of your characters beyond their actions and names while working on writing prompts. Consider creating character profiles and mood boards with images that resonate with them. Test their limits in challenging situations to witness their reactions.

Engage in dialogue to develop their unique voices. Remember, characters in a novel should not be mere pawns in your narrative. They require motivation to drive their actions and make them more relatable and compelling.

Focus on the Structure

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As you progress with your fiction writing prompts, consider the overall structure of your novel. Determine the timeline of your story. Will it cover a short period or an entire lifetime? Divide it into chapters or sections based on significant events or time periods.

Choose a narrative perspective to follow the writing prompts. Will the events be narrated by a first-person character reflecting on the past or unfold in real time? These structural decisions will provide a framework for your story and ensure it flows smoothly.

Set Some Targets

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Some people prefer setting goals and deadlines while following fiction writing prompts. Consider setting writing goals that you can reasonably achieve, such as writing 3,000 words weekly or 1,000 words daily.

Alternatively, you could aim for broader deadlines, like completing a third of your first draft by the end of the year. Choose targets that feel manageable and adjust them as needed to ensure success.

Try to Use the Active Voice

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To captivate readers with your fiction writing prompts, aim for page-turners that hook them from the first page to the last. Employ the active voice predominantly in your stories. Construct sentences using the clear and concise order of nouns (subject) performing an action (verb) and affecting an object. Passive voice can be useful occasionally but use it sparingly in your fictional works.

How to Get Rid of Writer’s Block

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You might often encounter writer’s block while working on creative writing prompts. Here are some ways to get rid of writer’s block:

Most writers find their passion for writing through reading. To enhance your writing skills and get creative outputs for your writing prompts, revisit your literary roots by reading extensively. Focus on contemporary and acclaimed works within your specific genre or area of interest. By immersing yourself in the latest literature, you’ll gain inspiration, identify gaps in the market, and determine how you can make a unique contribution to the field.

Take Breaks

To avoid burnout while working on writing prompts, take frequent breaks. Step away for a quick coffee break when feeling stuck. If needed, take longer breaks, like an afternoon drive or even a full day off. These breaks allow your mind to relax, giving you a refreshed perspective when you return to writing.

Avoid Comparison

Even if you are skilled in writing, there will always be individuals with greater proficiency or who have been writing for longer. Each person’s writing journey and experiences are different. Is it fair to contrast your writing abilities with someone who may have gained more experience?

Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on improving your own writing. Embrace the uniqueness of your voice. By honing your skills and sharing your perspective, you will attract an audience that resonates with your writing style.

Try Different Writing Methods

Changing your writing tools can refresh your approach and overcome writer’s block. If you typically write on a computer, try writing by hand. If you have a typewriter, use it for a unique sensory experience.

If you’re still stuck, walk outside and talk your ideas into a recorder or your phone. The physical activity and verbalization can spark new creativity.

Discover Your Peak Creativity Hours

Identify if your mind is most alert for creative writing in the morning or evening. Adjust your schedule of working on writing prompts accordingly.

Explore different locations to find where you write best, whether it’s a bustling coffee shop, a serene beach, or a secluded bedroom. Choose the environment that fosters your creativity.

Eliminate distractions by turning off Wi-Fi, removing your phone from your workspace, and requesting quiet time from others. This allows you to focus and tap into your creative flow.

Write Your Next Masterpiece With These Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

Whether you have a book writing templat e all filled out or you are starting from scratch, these writing prompts will get your imagination going and make your writing time more productive.

Beat the writer’s block, get your groove back, or just be inspired. Figure out how to love writing again. Whatever you’re looking for, hopefully, these ideas have helped form the story you need to tell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s take a look at some questions and answers:

Is following fiction writing prompts difficult?

You might come across creative ideas when you get fiction writing prompts. But transforming them into captivating narratives is a complex endeavor. This is because crafting a story that resonates with readers requires more than simply assembling words and sentences until a book is completed.

What is the hardest genre of fiction writing prompts?

When it comes to following fiction writing prompts, writers often struggle with the horror genre. It necessitates a t horough comprehension of human nature and its psychological intricacies and the capacity to evoke primal fears and anxieties within readers. Moreover, following creative writing prompts for the horror genre requires proficiency in crafting believable, immersive characters and settings that resonate with the audience.

What are common literary techniques to include in creative writing prompts?

Fiction writers should choose the right literary techniques to enhance their writing. Some common types of literary devices to use include alliteration, personification, and symbolism.

What is the genre of realistic fiction for creative writing prompts?

Realism in fiction depicts events that could potentially happen in real life. The setting is believable, fostering a sense of familiarity. Characters in realistic stories behave in ways that align with human experiences, making them relatable and believable.

Can I profit from writing fiction?

Typically, authors receive a book advance and a percentage of royalties (usually between 5% and 15%) from the sale of traditionally published works. However, the actual earnings can vary significantly.

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Creative Writing Prompts

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Welcome to the creative writing prompts page! What you can find here is a MASSIVE collection of 63 quality writing exercises (basically, each one is a mini-story of its own, with a twist). This is going to be so much fun, and all while you improve your story writing skills.

You can find all kinds of creative writing exercises here. All of them are fiction writing prompts, and they cover almost every genre, plus you can find creative writing prompts about dialogue, characters, plot, for writer’s block, and much, much more…

Interesting Writing Prompts

This is not the usual stuff. I tried to make these writing prompts intriguing. Most of them are complete scenes and even mini-stories.

You can have them. Yes, you own all the rights, even if you base your entire novel on them and get it published and earn a million dollars for the movie rights. They are all yours.

To become a really good story writer, there is only one thing you need to do: Write! And these creative writing prompts should inspire you to write. They should fire your brain up and make your fingers itch.

With each of these prompts, you can train one specific aspect of your writing; either a genre, or your dialogue or story starter skills, etc…

Post Your Prompt

Also, pick your favorite creative writing prompt, do it, and post it in the comments! Let’s make this a page for everybody to share their creative writing. The more you guys comment and actually do these prompts, the more prompts I will add in the future.

Creative Writing Prompts PDF

To top it all off, you can also download these prompts. Find a neat PDF collection of all the prompts here:

Fun Creative Writing Prompts – Index

(Click on the genre to get to the prompts)

1. Romance Writing Prompts

2. Mystery Writing Prompts/Suspense Writing Prompts

3. Fantasy Writing Prompts

4. Science Fiction Writing Prompts

5. Horror Writing Prompts

6. Thriller Writing Prompts

7. Adventure Writing Prompts

8. Action Writing Prompts

9. Historical/Medieval Writing Prompts

10. Dialogue Writing Prompts

11. Character Writing Prompts

12. Plot Writing Prompts

13. Short Story Writing Prompts

14. Writing Prompts with Pictures

15. Writing Prompts for Writer’s Block

16. Story Starters Writing Prompts

17. Unusual Creative Writing Prompts

Bonus: Other Writing Prompts Websites

Writing Prompts that don’t suck: List of Writing Prompts

Romance writing prompts.

[ Read detailed tips about how to write a romantic scene her e . ]

Writing Prompt 1:

On the night before his marriage, Robert gets a visit. It’s Rachel, the girl that grew up next door and has been his best friend ever since. They had always pushed back any feelings for each other, “we are just friends.” (Yeah, right…!).

Now Rachel bursts into is home in a last, unexpected try to convince Robert he is marrying the wrong woman and she and he are meant for each other. But a ceremony for 150 guests is already arranged. After a lot of passionate talk and tears, Rachel gets him to agree to a game: “Can you guess what I would do…?” They both jot down 10 questions plus their hidden answers. Whoever can guess more of the other’s answers right, wins.

Will Rachel win and they will spend the night on a bus, escaping the wedding? Or will Robert win and watch devastated Rachel walk off into the night, frustration in his heart and tears in his eyes? You decide!

How you can make this scene shine:

Make the scene captivating by showing the reader why these two are meant for each other: Let them remember what they appreciate so much in each other (show, don’t tell), the special moments they shared, show the missed romantic opportunities, and how they complement each other perfectly.

Your reader will hope and fear with them and be hooked to your scene like it was her own love story.

Writing Prompt 2:

Gwen and Christopher have been married for 20 years. One night Gwen finds bright red lipstick on the collar of his jacket. Infuriated, she grabs one of his golf clubs, and swings at his car till it looks worse than a bicycle under a freight train.

When she is exhausted and breaks down crying, Christopher can finally explain what happened: Christopher had been with his Chinese language student group. They all had been on their way to a Chinese restaurant for a change, and it had been raining. He lent his jacket to one of his Chinese language students to protect her from the rain. That’s when the lipstick got on the shirt.

Will Gwen believe him and end up sobbing and relieved in his arms? Or will she not believe one word and soon continue with Chris’ Chinese porcelain collection? You decide!

Leave the reader in the dark about why the lipstick really is on the jacket as long as possible, keep the suspense vibrant. Describe Gwen’s pain and the destruction of Chris’ beloved car in energetic detail, so the reader will live with them as if it was their own (heart and car).

Writing Prompt 3:

King Kong, the giant, roaring ape, falls in sweet love with his female counterpart, Queen Kong. While he was terrorizing New York, she was keeping Chicago on its toes. They meet for a date somewhere in the middle, in a dreamy forest (burning trees instead of candlelight, etc…).

They share a romantic dinner (living cattle, farmers…) and discover their common interests: They both love tearing down skyscrapers, putting police cars on top of billboard ads and eating humongous bananas. And oh, don’t even get me started on the sex…

Will these lonely apes form a bond that helps their love survive against all odds/outer resistance? Or will the egomaniacs in them gain the upper hand and tear their love apart? You decide!

How do you express your love when you are a hairy monster the size of a skyscraper? What would be different, what would be absurd? Emphasize the strange contrast between tender feelings and a gigantic physique. Your reader will find their obstacles very different, but equally painful to his own, and love you for it.

Writing Prompt 4:

Lucas has fallen in love with his dentist. His teeth are very healthy, but he is coming into Jasmin’s practice for the third time within three months, in the hope he will be capable of asking her out in a quiet moment, when nobody is listening.

Unfortunately, the doctor has three assistants and one secretary, and even the door to the waiting room doesn’t look too soundproof… Lucas feels like he is on stage in a Shakespearian comedy. Jasmin, on the other hand, lightly makes fun of him, calling him a hypochondriac.

Will Lucas finally have the balls to follow through with his plan? Or will he have to come for a fourth time? Will Jasmin sense what’s up, and will she be attracted or just annoyed? You decide!

Emphasize the contrast between the nonchalant everyday business of the doctor and her assistants, and Lucas’ timid desire to ask her out. Whatever angle he takes, he is running out of time and of Jasmin’s professional attention. How does he feel? Describe his troubled inner life, and your reader will identify strongly and feel for him.

Additional Romance Writing Prompt:

Also see the SF bonus prompt here . It’s a double prompt for two genres, romance and science fiction.

Mystery Writing Prompts/Suspense Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 5:

Animal-loving Naomi is at her parents’ holiday home. She is observing a small hut at the forest edge. A van shows up there on three nights back to back. Each time, it seems to pick up something. Naomi sees dark silhouettes sneaking around with flashlights.

One night she decides to sneaks closer, and through a gap in the curtains sees a stack of antlers and fur: She has discovered the sinister doings of poachers. Will Naomi alert the police, or will she be so furious she decides to act on her own? Will she stay undiscovered once the van’s headlights show up on the hill? You decide!

Make the readers wonder “What the heck is going on…?” as often as possible, it will make for a suspenseful story. Show how kind, smart and brave Naomi is, so readers fear for her life. Then make the bad guys come.

Writing Prompt 6:

Paris, 19 th century: Detective Beaumont follows his suspect Forestier, who is wearing a long trench coat. He believes Forestier to be the long hunted for “rose murderer.” That murderer always leaves the rare rose variety “Farewell” on his victims’ bodies. The rose can only be bought in one shop in Paris, and if Forestier walks to that shop today, it is almost certain he is the murderer.

Indeed Forestier’s ways lead him to the flower shop in question. When he comes out, the detective follows him into a narrow street to arrest him. He lays his hands on his shoulders, but once he turns him, he sees that it’s not Forestier – he has been played! The real Forestier must have left the flower shop through a back door, and is now up to who-knows-what…

Will that second person have another trap in store for Detective Beaumont? Will the detective get to Forestier before bad things happen? You decide!

Get into the detective’s head! Show his enthusiasm about finding the long sought-after murderer, his doubts, his shock at the discovery! Show the looming danger he is in. It will make for a terrifyingly good scene…

Writing Prompt 7:

Jeremy has a neighbor whose wife has been missing for months. Jeremy is sitting in his living room, watching a documentary about the most beautiful graveyards of the world. It says that the human body and bones are excellent fertilizers and make plants grow like crazy.

He looks out the window and that huge, blooming rose bush in his neighbor’s garden catches his eye. It’s elevated on a small hill of loose soil, and it’s even more striking, as the rest of his garden is barren ground. Suddenly, Jeremy remembers that the name of his neighbor’s wife is Rose…

In this scene, a lot is happening on a mental level, and little on a physical level. Dive into Jeremy’s somber thoughts and his shocking suspicion. But at the same time, remain some outside stimulus going: E.g. Describe images of the documentary, the landscape of the garden, a clock striking ten, etc… It makes for a well-balanced scene.

Fantasy Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 8:

The four goblins Hukput, Paddycest, Nixxle and Klozzik are on their way to the cave of the Redwing dragon Isidur. They carry a delicious moore rabbit steak with minty potatoes. They plan to present it to him as humble offering of submission, but in reality the dish is soaked with a sleeping potion so they can rob his enormous pile of golden cups, chains and ducats. Will Isidur smell the bait? Or will his loud snoring fill the cave while the goblins hastily get away with as much gold as they can carry? You decide!

Describe how the deceitful goblins try to get suspicious Isidur to devour their dish. Which tactics do they employ? They are so small, and the dragon is so powerful, but will they nevertheless outsmart him? Describe the wide, majestic nature of the landscape and the cave. Tricky and powerful creatures as well as moody sceneries make for a great fantasy story.

Writing Prompt 9:

Magician Axius is potent, old and absent-minded. He wants to put a spell on his best cooking spoon so it should cook his favorite meal, chicken with sweet pepper. But he gets a detail in the spell wrong. The spoon starts to brutally attack all of the chickens in the patio.

Which unlikely places does the spoon go to while Axius is after it? How does Axius make his way through the terrified flock of chickens? And which spells does he use when trying to calm down his good spoon? You decide!

Time to try some “cute,” homespun fantasy! Lay out the small worries of a big magician. Even he needs to take care of overexcited pets and unruly household goods some time. It’s just that he has more powerful ways to deal with them…

Writing Prompt 10:

Two bored dwarfs, Onyx and Hafax, guard a castle’s entrance. They get into an argument who can throw stones further. While they prove their skills to each other, unfortunately a stone hits a giant who is sleeping in the castle ditch. She comes after them furiously. Will she smash their surprised faces to porridge, or can the resilient dwarfs talk her out of it? You decide!

Show the simple, but competitive nature of the dwarfs. They feel strong and then suddenly very weak… Describe the frightening power of the giant. Show your readers a world of many wonders that only exist in fantasy.

Writing Prompt 11:

The ogre Grawczak is invited to a talk show about strange creatures. Believing in the best intentions of TV and eager to help make races understand each other better, he accepts. The vicious questions on air take him by surprise: “Why do ogres smell so bad; don’t they care other people are disgusted?” and “What does human flesh taste like?”

Will Grawczak just freeze in face of the bright studio lights and endure the process? Will he let them provoke him and look really bad? Or will he just eat the moderator with some spices? You decide!

Describe how helpless the big ogre feels in face of the media. Contrast it with the sensational malice of the moderator. If you can paint the ogre as a likeable being, your readers will root for him strongly. If only we understood ogres better, the world would be a more peaceful place!

Science Fiction Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 12:

It’s an intergalactic poker tournament. Different races from different galaxies have come together. On one of the tables, the only players left are Froggosaurus, The Big Dust, Rhonda Seventeen-Tentacle and the Red Snailman.

Snailman is doing really well, too well for Rhonda. She suddenly reaches out behind his ear and pulls out a mindreader chip! Will the angry players grill Snailman, or will he be able to flee? Maybe an angry/apologetic dialogue ensues that ends with a bargain? You decide!

Writing Prompt 13:

In 2230, humans have conquered Mars. Automated skytrains run through its red desserts. One of these is stopped by a technical glitch at rush hour. The doors are stuck. When the passengers hear the voice of the control system robot through the loudspeakers, they realize the full extent of the disaster…

The system has come to the conclusion that it’s now superior to its creators, and it is planning to take over. It will open the hydraulic doors for the passengers and allow them to leave, under one condition: They have to chain three programmers in the group to a grabpole in the train and leave them behind. It becomes obvious that the system wants to eliminate the last persons that could still endanger its rule: The most talented programmers…

Will the passengers yield to the insane robot’s demand in order to save their lives? Will they try a trick and risk it all? You decide!

Writing Prompt 14:

Zwooshers look like fluffy, pink, door-high pet giraffes – you just want to cuddle them. But their looks are deceiving! They are actually plundering, reckless space pirates.

In the meeting hall, their captain Haab (eye patch, ruffled plush fur, wooden foot, spacemaid tattoo…) holds an inflammatory speech to hype up his crew. They are about to take the freight space ship that showed up on their radar. The ship must carry at least 65 tons of wood shavings, and Haab wants to take them all!

The crew is all hyped up and ready to go, when Haab trips over his wooden leg and falls off the stage. It looks pretty pathetic for a heroic leader. Will the crew just take this as a sign that chaos and plundering can now ensue, and storm forward? Or will this end the captain’s authority and make the horde want to feed him to the Spacephins? You decide!

Writing Prompt 15:

In 2075, the company Cryptofreeze™ offers the simplest, most effective method to time-travel into the future: They freeze your complete organism and defrost you after the desired period of time. Raul Morales was president of Payadua for 12 years. The laws state that he can’t run for office again for the following 4 terms (24 years). His solution is to get frosted for that period.

He is unfrozen in a big televised show that is transmitted directly into the communication chips of the population’s brains. The show features his frozen body in a transparent casket, lasers, dancers, etc… It should be one huge campaign appearance for the upcoming election.

His rivals do their best to make him look bad though: They smuggle in their own audience to boo and ask the wrong questions, they sabotage the lightning, etc… Will they succeed in derailing his campaign, or will Morales’ reputation shine brighter than ever before? You decide!

Bonus Prompt 16: Romance/Science Fiction Writing Prompt

But Cryptofreeze™ also attracts clients with a completely different set of problems: Henry loves Leila and is sure she is the girl he wants to be with. The problem is that she is 19 and he is 58.

Write two scenes:

Henry wants to talk to Leila and finds her on the running track (where the inner track travels less distance than the outer track, but they are still running side by side…). They jog next to each other, which painfully exposes their age difference. He confesses his love to her, she tells him she can’t live with the age difference, and he tells her he has booked his spot with Cryptofreeze™ and that she should make sure she will be free in 30 years. They say farewell in tears.

Henry is unfrozen, but something has gone horribly wrong: Because of a technical failure he has been frozen double time, for 60 years. Leila is now 79, while he is still 58. Roles are reversed, but it’s not as fun as it was supposed to be… Devastated, Henry visits Leila in her nursery home. She is kept in a large metal box, taken care of by robots who drive her out into the garden once per day.

Will they rediscover their love for each other, or will the circumstances have changed them too much? Will the thought of having missed out on all that precious time just kill them? Or will the make the best of it and find happiness? You decide!

Writing Prompts PDF

You can download a complete collection of all the prompts on this page on a neat sheet. Save them for whenever you need them! Enter your email here for your PDF of printable writing prompts:

Horror Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 17:

Joanna has won a vacation weekend in an old castle. Not many guests are there. Wandering the wide halls, she learns about Count Brookhart, the 16 th century owner of the castle. He stole another nobleman’s wife, started a war, and was beheaded. He is rumored to be roaming these halls as a ghost. The castle’s ancient chronicles state that he will only be redeemed if a living woman kisses him on her knees. Sounds pretty strange, doesn’t it…?

At night, Joanna gets up to look for the bathroom. She only hears wind; a book falls from a shelf out of nowhere. And these heads on the old portraits all seem to turn after her…

She looks into a mirror – and freezes. Behind her is the Count, his eyes beseeching her for a kiss. And she would have to kneel to kiss him, because he is carrying his head under his arm, blood-dripping… Does Joanna feel like redeeming the count? What will happen if she does/doesn’t? You decide!

Describe the setting, the emptiness and the uneasy details. Let Joanna wonder what is going on and show her fear. In the end, go for the terrible shock effect!

Writing Prompt 18:

Gina’s beloved cat Tiger has been feverish and dizzy lately. At a fair, Gina sees a tent with a sign “Voodoo Healings $5.” Inside, she finds an old, hunched woman. She sits down in a strange chair with split rods, and her hair gets caught. The hag speaks a spell and gestures with her hands, then motions Gina to leave.

Outside at the fruit stands, Gina suddenly feels very sick, and it occurs to her what her hair could have been used for… Will she return to demand every single one of her strands back? Or will she already feel too sick and go for a more extreme solution? Will the old woman be gone or deny everything? You decide!

Don’t describe Gina’s fear, but instead describe what makes her scared: Show details of the witch’s looks and how the witch acts, describe Gina’s physical condition. Show how awful it is not to know where the horror is coming from. It will make your readers feel it strongly.

Writing Prompt 19:

When Lucy comes home, she finds her daughter Luna sitting on the floor sobbing, surrounded by broken glass. Luna has just smashed every single mirror in the house. She tells her mother that she saw ‘The Eater’ appearing behind her shoulder in the mirrors: Some dark silhouette that was coming to take a huge bite out of her.

Lucy tries to calm down her hysterical daughter, and is already going through a list of psychiatrists in the back of her head. In the evening, after cleaning up the house, she is applying make-up to go out for an important business dinner. Suddenly she notices huge black teeth appearing behind her in the little mirror…

Will Lucy shake it off as her imagination running wild? Or will she smash the make-up kit? How will she try to save herself and her daughter? And for how long can you avoid mirrors, which surround us… everywhere. You decide!

Have you ever had the feeling that you don’t know what’s going on? Pretty unsettling, right? Give disturbing, moody details about the silhouette, its appearances and effects, but don’t explain the why this is happening. We don’t know why terrible things happen to good people. And that’s scary.

Writing Prompt 20:

Zombie apocalypse has arrived. TV stations finally have the audience they deserve… For the zombies, it’s one huge party, and the humans are desperately holding onto their arms and socio-economic systems.

Four zombies are robbing a bank. Their advantages: Bullets don’t bother them, they really don’t need masks, and they have a natural gift to scare the shit out of the employees. Disadvantages: They are just so damn slow. Imagine a bank robbery in slow motion, and a couple of limbs falling off the robbers on their way out… Will the rotten gang get away thanks to their ‘Shock and Awe’? Or will the guards be quick-witted and find a way to protect themselves and attack? Where is the hunt going? You decide!

Show how absurd this scenario is. How is it different from an ordinary bank robbery? Think it through, and you will get to a couple of interesting scenarios.

Thriller Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 21:

Jeff is the bloodhound type of a prosecutor. He is currently prosecuting the big ice cream company “Freezelicious.” They are accused of using harmful ingredients. Since Jeff took on that trial, he has been having the feeling that somebody is following him. Yesterday at the gas station, today during the break at a restaurant, and now this Mercedes has been behind him for 20 minutes.

He makes two daring and illegal maneuvers with his car, but just as he thinks he got rid of the Mercedes, it appears in his rearview mirror. He parks at a shopping center and disappears into the bathroom. After a while, the Mercedes driver comes in, and Jeff smashes him against the wall and starts to interrogate him. Turns out the guy isn’t sent by Freezelicious, but by their cheaper competitor Mega Cream. They want to make sure nothing bad happens to Jeff, because they are afraid Freezelicious wants to get him out of the way. Will Jeff just be pissed and throw the guy out? Or will he be secretly grateful? Has Freezelicious indeed planned an assassination? You decide!

Write Jeff’s inner dialogue in short sentences throughout the scene, and alternate it with action bits. Let him wonder whether somebody is following him (yes, no, yes, no) and what they could want. Show his anxiety and uncertainty.

Writing Prompt 22:

Seems like Amanda’s new co-worker Gregory does not waste any time: On his second day in office he asked her out. She declined, and the next week he asked her again with flowers in his hand. She explained he wasn’t her type, no hard feelings.

Today, when she leaves her house, she finds a shocking image: Somebody nailed her cat to the trashcan! In tears, she pulls her lose and buries her in the backyard. On the bus to work, dreadful thoughts race through her head: How can a human be capable of doing something like this? Did Apple suffer for long? Was it just some cruel and mindless kid? Is she in danger? And did she forget to close the bathroom window…?

At work, Gregory sticks his head into her office: “So how is your cat?” he asks… How will this terrible poker game continue? Can Amanda keep cool? You decide!

Again, get into Amanda’s head and play with her uncertainty. How would it make you feel if your co-worker was a dangerous maniac? Grief, terror, vengefulness, remorse… you can draw from all of these strong emotions.

Writing Prompt 23:

Herbert wants to call his son Gerd in from playing in the garden. But he only finds Gerd’s teddy with the head missing, and a note to bring 100,000 € to the Zombie House at the amusement park. If he informs police or doesn’t pay, he will get his son back like his teddy…

Four days later, police are waiting outside the Zombie House, while Herbert roams its eerie corridors, with a backpack filled with 100,000 €. Suddenly, out of the dark, a moldy looking hand grabs his backpack, while his son appears at the end of the corridor. He lets the backpack go and walks towards his son, who suddenly disappears… Will a wild chase between zombie masks ensue? What is waiting in the dark? Will the kidnappers notice the police, and what will they do then? You decide!

Uncertainty and mood! Describe the horrible thoughts of a father fighting for his son. Describe the dark, frightening atmosphere of the Zombie House. Here, your worst nightmares come true…

Adventure Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 24:

An expedition into the jungle has gone wrong. Desmond is an intrepid, bearded explorer who set out with his team to explore the tropical wild. But they got caught by aborigines.

Then something strange happens: Affectionately, they are asked to put on shoes made of parsley and onion necklaces… Seems like these aborigines are hungry.

Jungle-smart Desmond knows their best bet is to make themselves look toxic. He orders his team to rub violet berries and black roots all over their bodies, to punch a couple of each other’s teeth out and to writhe and babble like an insane person. Will the wild tribe be disgusted, and what will they decide to do with them? Or will they just laugh and proceed to produce a tasty casserole? You decide!

Writing Prompt 25:

Four women are stranded on a small, rocky island. To their dismay, the boat they came in is leaky. The extreme situation makes their masks come off and exposes the true nature of each one:

Ellen freaks out. She blames Ruth for booking a damaged boat and Mary for forgetting to take walkie-talkies with them, even though she had been in charge of equipment.

Ruth can’t stop sobbing, she is pale and shaky and can’t be moved from the rock she is sitting on.

Mary tries to bring all of them onto the same page, so they can work together. She holds Ruth in her arms and sings to her.

Bethany makes a list of possible actions to take and tries to assign tasks to everyone (look for food, try to repair boat, look for material for smoking signal, etc…).

Describe the group dynamics. It could be an upward or a downward spiral. Will the women work together and find a way out of this? Or will they become worked up against each other and start to fight? Will a rescuing boat show up once they are at their lowest point and make them all feel shocked about themselves? You decide!

Writing Prompt 26:

Tobias and Rafael, two colleagues, are trying to reach the top of a mountain in the Himalayas. They are close to the peak, but Tobias knows it’s too dangerous to continue. Once they reached the top, it would get dark and cold, and the descent would be very dangerous. He decides to turn around, but he can’t get Rafael to come with him.

At night he is in his tent and hears Rafael asking for help over the walkie-talkie. The poor guy is sitting high up there in a freezing cold cave without food, and it’s not clear whether he will survive the night. Will Tobias risk his life for a colleague who has disregarded all safety rules? Or will he just encourage him over radio and pray? Will there be calm conditions the next day? You decide!

Action Writing Prompts

[ Read detailed tips about how to write an action/fight scene her e . ]

Writing Prompt 27:

Alfredo is a celebrity cook who loves the good life. That’s why he owes the mafia money.

One day, two gentlemen shaped like bull dozers in suits pay him a visit. They quickly surround him and send him friendly reminders to pay with their brass knuckles and baseball bats. But Alfredo is quick and flexible. He rams a cucumber into their ribs, then quickly jumps over the big counter in the middle of the kitchen.

The weapon of a cook is food… He throws some butter at their feet, so they slide and stumble, and scatters pepper into their eyes. Howling, disorientated and furious, they speed in opposite directions around the block. Alfredo quickly jumps onto the counter, and coming from opposite directions, they crash into each other like colliding trains and stay on the floor unconscious. Alfredo goes on to cook a celebratory cake.

Will the two suddenly wake up and go for Alfredo again? How will he get their heavy bodies out of there? Or is this won already? You decide!

Mix the threat and pain of the cold-blooded torturers with quick dynamic phrases of action (verbs of movement; commas not full stops; graphic descriptions).

Writing Prompt 28:

Prison break time is the best time of the year: Hector, Axl, and Hans have been digging their way to freedom for months. Tonight, they lift the tiles for the last time, hastily crawling through the narrow tunnel. Stuck in the middle, they hear an alarm going off. How were they discovered so quickly? When they block the tunnel behind them with earth and debris, it feels like filling their own graves.

They hear guards crawling after them while rapidly digging the last tunnel part. Once out in the forest, they run! They discuss splitting up, but Hans refuses. They hide in trees, but are discovered by police quickly. They jump into a river, hearing police dogs behind them. Flushing down the river, a waterfall comes up. Whaaaam, freefall! Surely no policeman or dog can follow them here, so they feel safe finally! Until they are washed right into the arms of police waiting at the shore… How is that possible?

The cops have handcuffs for Hector and Axl, and a towel for Hans, who takes a tracker out of his sock… Will the other two try to strangle him? What will be his reward, and how could he have the guts to betray his companions? You decide!

Make it a big surprise and mystery how the cops always know where they are. And give us a taste of what it feels like to be human prey: Use short, quick, hectic sentences to give a sense for the quick pace of the hunt.

Writing Prompt 29:

The “Three Apples” hospital is in flames. On the 9 th floor, nurses Jenny and Linda try to save the babies of the preemie ward. The way downstairs is already blocked by flames, and there is only one way left: Up!

The girls are on the rooftop with the babies, and Jenny brought a container, and a sheet they use as a “cable.” She ties one end around a chimney and sails over the gap onto the neighbor building with a blood-freezing jump. They push the babies safely to the other side one by one like on cable cars, until only Linda is left. But she has major fear of heights, and now the babies are safe, her body has time to panic. The flames come closer.

Will Jenny be able to help her out with another trick? Will she find her courage, or will a helicopter rescue her at the last moment? You decide!

Babies and puppies are your best pawn! Make your reader fear for these helpless little creatures, and fall in love with their brave and quick-thinking helpers. You can heighten that effect by giving the girls very distinctive personalities, and showing their inner struggles. They are no superheroes, they have to earn this!

Historical/Medieval Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 30:

The middle ages. One of the famous “morality plays” is played in the village. These are basically thinly veiled guidelines for the people on how to behave. This one is for kids though, and very short to allow for their attention span. It tells kids how to behave properly, so mom and dad will love them and they won’t go to hell.

The play features Adam, the good kid, clean and in white like an angel; and Roger, the bad kid, looking nasty in rugs and always misbehaving. Several allegories are also around: Obedience is a thin figure in a long, flowing dress, always looking down. Diligence is a muscular guy with rolled up sleeves and leather apron; Adam tries to be like him, while Roger bites his leg. In the end, Adam is showered with candy toys and even a pet calf, while Roger gets a bloodletting and an ass-whipping. But suddenly the kids in the audience start to cheer and stamp: The calf has lifted its tail and peed all over Adam!

Do the kids get their own morality out of that play? How will the director and authorities turn this around to keep them in line? Will independent thinking or order prevail? You decide!

Create a couple more figures for the “play within the play.” If you constantly switch between the reality of the village and the reality in the play, it will make for nice variety. Get creative on both ends!

Writing Prompt 31:

Francis is a troubadour all girls have a crush on, kind of the Justin Bieber of the 12 th century. He has been courting charming Amalia night after night under her window. Tonight, he sings her his romantic poem “Thou Art the Bellows of Mine Heart.”

Amalia is enchanted, but soon rumbling is heard in the house: Her father has woken up, and that usually leads to him chasing Francis around the house with a rolling pin. He is a wealthy merchant and doesn’t approve of her tie to a penniless poet. The rumbling becomes louder while they speak.

Finally, merchant Robertson rips open the front door and screams up at his daughter: “What happened to the rolling pin!!?” Turns out Amalia has wisely hidden it… Will merchant Robertson get even angrier now? Or will he be charmed by his baby’s wit? Will he do damage to her poor suitor? You decide!

Love is in the air, so describe how and why these two are sighing/yearning for each other: The longing, the flirting, the plans. Draw from romances in your own life, because love never changed throughout the centuries. Disrupt that romance with an angry, drowsy man for great effect!

Writing Prompt 32:

Ancient Rome: On a big “forum” (square), a slave auction is held. Huno, a big, muscular Alemannic slave in heavy chains is next in line. Gaius, a newly rich plebeian, wants to acquire him so he can wear himself out on his construction sites by pulling heavy blocks. Gracelanus, a town clerk, would treat Huno much better and use him as a body guard.

Huno is ordered to demonstrate his power, and he breaks thick logs of wood over his thighs. Gaius lets out humiliating comments like “Work it, proud animal!” or “All the brains are in his upper arms.” He gives him the whip several times to test his resilience. Gracelanus, on the other hand, remains quiet, only to applaud the demonstrations.

When the bid goes to 800 sesterces, these two are the only bidders left. Gaius is hesitating for a moment, and suddenly Huno turns to the side of the stage and lets a heavy log fall on Gaius’ feet. Screaming and swearing, Gaius jumps in circles, while the bid goes to Gracelanus. Will Gaius accept his defeat, or will he get back at them? If Huno is provoked further, can he keep his cool? You decide!

Slavery is disgusting to the modern reader. It has an even bigger effect, if you, the author, don’t judge. Just present the auction as everyday life. Huno’s humility to his own fate, Gaius’ cruelness… try to describe it without emotions.

Dialogue Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 33:

Punker girl Samantha (pierced tongue, “Anarchy” tattoo, etc…) is detained for stealing a skateboard bit by bit from a sports store (wheels first, then axle, etc…). Her attorney George is a seasoned vet. At his office, he tries to explain to the stupid brat what’s about to happen and what he wants her to do in front of court: Explain that she had just been bored and curious how to dissemble a skateboard, wanting to prove herself, and that she would have brought the complete skateboard back. Samantha is not too concerned about all of this and wishes the old man was a little more chill.

Write their dialogue and show how differently they speak about their agendas, different words they use, tone, rhythm, etc… Will George hammer some sense into the teenager? Or will Samantha stay unimpressed and make him lose his cool? You decide!

What it’s good for:

It’s important your characters’ voices sound different from each other. This exercise trains you to give each character their distinctive voice.

Writing Prompt 34:

Greta has lent her pick-up truck to her cousin Iris to transport some furniture. Unfortunately, a little accident happened: The truck perfectly fit around the pillar of the gateway.

Iris enters the kitchen, where Greta is cooking. At first, she is afraid to confess and wants to cheer up Greta’s mood with some enthusiastic compliments. She hesitates and finally confesses.

Greta is busy and hectic when Iris enters, to get dinner ready before guests arrive. She is happy to see Iris return and asks about the furniture buying, then wants to rush her out of her kitchen. After Iris confesses, Greta feels like everything is going wrong on that day and becomes hysteric. Will Iris be able to calm her down? Or will the two women get into a big fight, just before the guests arrive? You decide!

This scene takes the two protagonists through a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It will train you to always let your characters express their feelings and to insert a lot of emotions into your scenes.

Writing Prompt 35:

Fibby & Fozzy are twins. Their mom has died recently, and their uncle Gerald wants to trick them out of the largest part of their inheritance. He just presented a new, fake will that would only leave them a small heritage. They discuss what steps they could take against their uncle’s scam, and they speak about it at their mom’s favorite place on earth, the zoo.

Show them walking through the scenery in a way that the animals provide some subtle subtext for whatever they are talking about. E.g. when they talk about how ruthless their uncle is, they watch a lion tearing his meat apart; when they talk about how they love their mother, they are watching a cute baby panda, etc…

This should improve your sense to connect what your characters are talking about with their environment. Adding a bit of subtext is easy and makes your scene deep and rich.

Writing Prompt 36:

A popular comedian sits on a park bench. He is the type that shocks and amuses his audience with outrageous ideas. A bum sits down next to him. The comedian asks the bum for change. Is this just a lighthearted joke that will ease out into a philosophical discussion about humanity? Or will the bum be seriously offended and react? You decide!

Train your characters to sound real with this one. When the erratic, playful, ruthless comedian clashes with the tired bum, you can lend your characters raw and realistic voices.

Character Writing Prompts

A. Writing Prompt 37: Shading

Jeff is a very analytical-thinking stock broker; people call him cold-blooded. Sheryl is an elementary school teacher with a big heart. Andy is an always positive and slightly naive flight attendant.

Describe their characters and add one trait to each of them that doesn’t look like them at all. Describe why they have this trait.

Giving your characters an unexpected trait is called “Shading.” E.g. the wealthy, stingy man, who often gives to charity, so he can have the feeling his life has more meaning. If the unexpected trait makes sense, it will give your character a lot of depth and make her look very three-dimensional.

B. Writing Prompt 38: Description

Romeo is a young private detective who dresses like a college boy, with baseball cap and saggy clothes (excellent disguise!). Lana is a stressed restaurant manager. Hannah is a street-artist selling her artwork on a busy corner.

You are having coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon and are observing each of them separately. Describe their looks, clothes, movements, etc…, so we get a sense for who they are.

Train to describe your characters with this one. Give your readers a sense for who your figures are, simply by listing observations about them. This is pure “Show, don’t tell!” and satisfying for your reader, as she feels like the observer herself.

C. Writing Prompt 39: Backstory

Mariella is an arrogant high-society lady with an expensive fur coat and a little poodle. Henry is a pickpocket with the body language of a beaten dog. Susan is a “speedy reporter,” always driven by the desire to get the latest news first.

Describe their backstories in a couple of sentences each: How did they grow up? What are their biggest fears and desires? What made them who they are? How were they hurt?

This prompt will get you into the habit of rooting your characters in a strong backstory. It will make them look as embraceable as your best friend.

D. Writing Prompt 40: Behavior

Hans is a funny hot-dog street vendor who likes to entertain his customers. Tia is a tax inspector who always welcomes expensive jewelry from companies. Laura is a waitress who is really good at making her customers feel welcome.

Show us how each of these characters would react to the following situations: Somebody carelessly shoving them on public transport. An acquaintance (not friend) asking them to borrow some money. Finding a beautiful rare snail during a bike trip.

Here you are letting your characters act out of their distinctive personalities. We all react very differently to the same situations. Let your figures express themselves!

Plot Writing Prompts

Take the following words and construct a story plot around them. Use them in any order. Describe a short plot summary. Try to add something: Characters, locations, subplots, details, twists. The more you add, the more colorful your story will become. The only rule is that you must use all of the words. Slashes mean you can pick between words.

Writing Prompt 41:

Suitcase – traffic jam – star – contract – drug – celebration – stairs/piano/autograph – beggar – apple

Writing Prompt 42:

Library – rodent – love/hobby/fanatic – magic – flowers – legend/fairy tale/rumor – birthday pie – clock

Writing Prompt 43:

Monastery/Brewery/Pet shop – breeding – tears – wheel – green – rebel – friend – cozy/thick/dirty

Writing Prompt 44:

Cigar – anger – policeman – pill – polite – celebrate/encourage/humiliate – husband – double-edged

Short Story Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 45:

James and Agnes are throwing their engagement dinner. James’ ex Dina is invited too. Secretly, she still loves him and hates Agnes. During the dinner, she spreads the rumor that Agnes scammed her boss Dimitri out of money/cheated on her fiancée with several of her co-workers/infected people at her office with some disgusting disease. At the after-dinner reception, Dimitri shows up unexpectedly, which leads to really awkward situations for a couple of people.

How will the guests look at Dimitri, Agnes and James? Which awkward misunderstandings and accusations will it lead to? Will somebody clear this up and get Dina kicked out, or will James lose all his trust in his fiancée? You decide!

Writing Prompt 46:

Bruno and Benedict are two kids selling lemonade at their street stand. It’s not going well. A stranger in a trench coat, with a wig and huge sunglasses stops by. He offers to buy all of their lemonade, if they do him a quick favor: Over there on the park bench, a guy with a big sports bag/lady with an expensive jewelry necklace/businessman with a black briefcase is sitting. They should threaten him/her with the knives they use for cutting lemons, and bring him the sports bag/necklace/briefcase. He says it’s a prank for a TV show.

Will the kids agree, and will they actually pull through? If yes, will the wigged guy escape untroubled? Or will the little ones be smart, maybe talk to the guy/woman on the bench? You decide!

Writing Prompt 47:

Randolph is a casino supervisor. He has a crush on that new croupier Lara. Lara on her part has a plan to take her own extra salary from the casino… The two stay after closing hours and get into a risky game: They will play one hour of roulette. If Lara wins, Randolph will turn a blind eye in the upcoming month while chips “disappear.” If James wins, Lara will sleep with him.

Who will come out in front? Or will they call it a draw and declare two winners? And how will the dynamics between the two of them develop during the game? You decide!

Writing Prompt 48:

Gary has been sleepwalking lately. When he wakes up in his bed, he doesn’t remember where he has been, but he finds oily car parts/squashed chocolate/earthy bones in his bed (depending on the genre you want to write in).

Gary’s nephew Walter is working at the car repair shop/chocolate factory/graveyard of the village. Gary asks him to stay at night after his shift, and observe what he is doing in his sleep. But is it even a coincidence Walter is working there? Is Gary subconsciously trying to tell his nephew something, to warn him, help him, or even sabotage him? Will Walter discover something funny or terrible, and can he even tell his uncle the truth the next day? You decide!

Writing Prompts with Pictures

Write a story around the following image:

Writing Prompt 49:

Writing Prompt 50:

Image: Interior Design/Shutterstock

Writing Prompt 51:

Image: LaCozza/Fotolia

Writing Prompt 52:

Image: anibal/Fotolia

Writing Prompts for Writer’s Block

If you are troubled by writer’s block, try one of these exercise. You will find your mind flowing freely again.

Writing Prompt 53:

Think of a very happy day in your life. Describe what happened on that day and how it made you feel. Were you anticipating it when you woke up, or did you have no idea? What did the people around you say or do?

Just write and don’t overthink. What you write really doesn’t matter. This exercise is designed to get you excited and get your juices flowing, and that’s the only thing that matters.

Writing Prompt 54:

Hansel walks up to Gretel and asks her if she wants to go to the lake with him. She says yes. They dance off into the sunlight.

The most commonplace plot in the world. Your job is to write the entire scene as badly as you can. Uninteresting characters, predictable dialogue, action that makes no sense… Please make sure to mess it all up. The worse, the better! If everybody who reads it cringes, you have succeeded. And if you want, send it to me, and I will tell you how awesome it is you finally got back to writing: alex at ridethepen dot com.

Writing Prompt 55:

Pick the window that’s closest to you right now, as you read this. Look through it. Describe what you see in detail!

For this exercise, completely turn around at least one of your writing rituals: If you usually write at a desk, write on the couch or the floor; if you usually write by computer, write by hand; etc… The new approach will give you a fresh start.

Story Starters Writing Prompts

[ Read a post with 31 ways to start your story here . ]

Write a story starting with the following sentences:

Writing Prompt 56:

Anderson knew Amanda as a cheerful person. But on that Wednesday, when she came into the office, she was carrying a big basket, and she looked really sad.

Writing Prompt 57:

Kai looked up at his scary task. This was the craziest thing any contestant of “Where there’s a will, there is a million” ever had to do. It was because he was first! Nobody had ever gotten one step from the million…

Writing Prompt 58:

“Once bitten, twice shy.” That’s all Emma could think while looking at handsome Luis and his bullterrier with the huge jaws. “Once bitten, twice shy.”

Writing Prompt 59:

The day Iggy came into Jasmine’s life, the postman rang twice. That was very unusual, and the reason why it happened was unusual too.

Writing Prompt 60:

Getting stood up at the altar is every bride’s worst nightmare. But what if it happens the other way around? On the day of her wedding, Sophie was nowhere to be found.

Writing Prompt 61:

“I’m so happy, Uncle Albert!” Priscilla screamed into her cell phone as her train was speeding towards London. At that moment, nobody knew that a far-reaching confusion would take place on the train soon.

Unusual Creative Writing Prompts

Writing Prompt 62:

Imagine you are a dog. Now tell me about a day in your life from your perspective. How do you spend your time? Waiting, going for a walk with your owner, hunting a cat? Which emotions do you feel? What concerns you, what makes you happy? What matters? What do you want? Follow your wet snout and describe a typical day.

Writing Prompt 63:

Kurt and Sarah are neighbors in the same building, and they are arguing in the hallway. Kurt thinks he lent Sarah three eggs she never replaced. Sarah claims she replaced them a long time ago.

Emma, an elderly lady, passes by and feels obligated to join: Sarah owes an egg, but it’s just one. The two of them tell her to keep walking, as it’s none of her business.

Erin, a student, passes by, and tries to get all of them to make up in the name of peaceful neighborhood.

Charles, a stressed dad, shouts at all of them to shut up.

Finally, the police comes by and issues a citation against all of them because of public disturbance.

Describe this absurd scene, in which each new participant tries to resolve the quarrel, but tops it up by one additional level. What a mess! Show the good intentions of every party, and how the dialogue finally draws them into the argument. Have fun!

Creative Writing Exercises PDF

You can download a complete collection of all the prompts on this page on a neat sheet. Enter your email here for your PDF of printable writing prompts:

For Your Consideration…

Check Out These Interesting Writing Prompt Pages As Well:

The Wealthy Writers Club features a list of over 100 very creative prompts (most of them are short ideas).

26 Remarkable Comments. Join in!

26 Comments

Hey Riders,

I wrote this sometime back, and thought it’d be best if I shared it with y’all. I’d already gotten a review from (the amazing) Alex, and he encouraged me to put it up here for all to see. Anyway, hope you like it. comments and recommendations are welcome (positive, and if cutting, then constructive).

Happy riding!

P.S. I had some of the stuff for Gwen’s inner dialogue written in italics… not so sure how to do that here, though. Hoping you will get the drift though. P.P.S. This is prompt #2 ————————————————————————————————————————– Gwen sat at the dining table, sipping her coffee, choking back the bitter taste it left in her mouth. Not as bitter as what I am feeling now. She gazed at the large window that would fill the house with glorious, golden light on bright, sunny days. Now, the storm that was raging outside clouded the skies, and the panes dripped with rain whose fate was sealed. She sipped at the coffee, and swallowed painfully, forcing the black liquid to pass the lump that had formed in her throat, and fan out hotly behind her heart which she felt sure was turning to ice. By the window was Chris’ seat. His wickerwork chair he had bought from China during a trip with his student group. She snickered. How long did he think I was not going to find out? Idiot. She sipped at the coffee, and swallowed. The jacket she had bought for him was sprawled on it. Prime leather, as black as sin. And his heart, too. Twenty years of loving the man poured into buying that jacket, only for it to be poured out like spent coffee grounds. She sipped at her coffee, and looked at the clock. Two minutes past six. He always left the bathroom at two minutes past six. As if on cue, he walked into the room, clad in his thick cotton bathrobe. “Whew, what a day it’s been!” he sighed, slipping his hands into the pockets of the robe. Gwen chose not to listen to him; her attention was fully on the jacket. “Sweetie, is there any more coffee? I need the warmth,” he continued, before his voice became as smooth as oil. “Or will you substitute the coffee?” “Why have coffee, when you have the option of green tea?” Gwen sipped at her coffee, slowly turning to face him. His rich brown eyes were puzzled for a moment, before the corners crinkled in amusement. That did it. She flung the coffee mug at him, and he ducked just as fast. The mug exploded on the glossy white wall, coffee streaming down it like rotten blood from a sore wound. “How dare you find this funny?” she screamed, rising up and walking to the wicker chair. She picked up the jacket, sodden and heavy, and tossed it at him across the length of the room. “Explain that, Chris. Explain why you would do this to me!” “Sweetie, what do you mean?” His voice was filled with worry, fear; did she detect a slight quiver? He turned over the jacket, then his eyes widened in realisation. He knows I know, the lying bastard. The lipstick on the collar, red as his neck would be in a few minutes. “Honey, I can explain…” he started, but Gwen could not bear hearing him call her that. How many more has he called sweetie, or honey? She screamed, anger almost blinding her. Or was it the tears? The hurt? She couldn’t say. “Chris, how could you? Twenty years is nothing to you, is it? All we’ve been through, all we’ve faced, and you decide to have it with a whore. A whore, Chris! A slut whose name you can’t even remember!” She picked up a fine porcelain vase Chris had gotten for her birthday. “Gwen, please, calm down, and I can explain everything.” His tone wa soft, almost pleading. Pleading for forgiveness, which I won’t give today. She flung the vase at him. either he didn’t see it coming, or was slow to react. The vase shattered against his head, the shards burying deep into the thick black locks of his hair. He cried out in pain, then crouched down low. Gwen felt a shocking stab of triumph. Why am I enjoying this? “Gwen, what’s gotten into you? Trust me, it’s not what it seems!” Chris got up, a tiny rivulet of blood oozing across his forehead, into his left eye. “Give me a chance to explain everything!” “As far as I know Chris, you have never gotten into me, for as long as I can remember, and you decided to, what’s the word, get ¬into someone else.” She picked up a golf club from its bag – his bag – next to the chair of iniquity. She glowered as she saw him cower back in fear. “Gwen…” “No, Chris, this isn’t meant for you, though the thought of crushing your cunning serpent, along with his nest of eggs, would greatly satisfy me.” She saw his neck muscles cringe at the description. “Gwen, please. I can explain everything – JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE, WOMAN!” She screamed, a feeble attempt at drowning him out, before pushing past him and running out of the house, through the door and into the rain. She spotted his car; his beloved Kia. Did he do it in our car, with that slut? She yelled in anger, anger that seemed to seep out of every pore and element of her being. A scream she felt must have been last used by a Viking berserker; primal and raw. She smashed in the window, the shards mixing with the rain like diamonds. The next swing landed on the bonnet, denting it and taking a big scrape out of the primer. The third shattered the windscreen, and it fell like a delicate fractal plate of ice. She stopped counting after eight, and by the time she was done, the rain had soaked the interior, the system console was cracked, and the steering wheel was awkwardly askew. She was taking in deep gulps, gasping for air. It’s cold, invisible barbs poked at her throat, mixed with the taste of coffee, rage and blood. She realised she had bit her lip, and the blood was dripping onto the wet driveway in big splotches, mingling with the rain. Chris came up from the dry safety of the porch. If he was angered about the car, she couldn’t see it. She began to sob, and fell to the paved driveway, too exhausted to keep standing. She felt Chris’ warmth, smell and presence surround her. “Gwen, it’s alright. Just give me a chance to explain, please.” “I told you, no, Chris. I can’t keep on living if you were to leave me for another.” She let out another sob, and suddenly felt cold. She held on to Chris, even though he was as drenched as she. Still, she needed to feel if he was real; the Chris she knew would never cheat on her. “Gwen, I was with my students, and for a change, we decided to go have our classes at Wong’s over a light lunch.” His voice was soothing, comforting, real. She pulled him closer. She needed that reality more than anything. “The day began so wonderfully, Gwen; the sky was as blue as your eyes, and I felt it would be best to wear the jacket, and think of you and us.” Now my eyes are red, and puffy. Could he still want me? She felt his tender hand push away wet strands of her hair from her face. She didn’t want to look at him; the very idea of seeing his lips mention that he had slept with another woman – or one of those students? – revolted her. “When we were leaving, it started to rain, and I had to make sure my students got home dry and safe. I gave Nessa my jacket – you remember Nessa; she came to see you at the hospital – to cover herself as we walked to the bus stop. I saw her off, then rushed to my parking spot at the café we always use for our meetings. She had some lipstick on; she was from a date with her fiancé before the class began. It must have rubbed off on my jacket” He wrapped her in his big arms, and she could smell the fragrance of the soap he had used. “I swear, I would never walk out on you, Gwen. Never.” “But I had a miscarriage, Chris. Twenty years, and no children. I thought you didn’t want me anymore, now that we can’t have children…” she sniffled, pushing back the memories of the hospital. The smell of antiseptic, green walls, overly sympathetic nurses… the pain associated with them haunted her still. Haunting me to a point where I’d think my husband would never love me? Yet here he is, with me in the rain, even though I’ve smashed our car to pieces. “Chris, I’m sorry I could never be the wife you wanted. You always wanted kids, even before we got married, you’d say how much of a father you wanted to be. Because of me, you can’t have that dream become a reality.” She began to cry, before Chris gently shushed her. “Before I wanted kids, I wanted you. And as long as I have you, Gwen, well – this is cheesy, but – I don’t need anything else. You’re the most perfect, most amazing woman I know. You are the wife I’ve always wanted.” He chuckled at his feeble attempt of professing love. She found herself giggling. He had always made her laugh with his corny declarations of affection. Probably that’s what I’ve always about him; he is real, and honest, and true. “Can we stay here a bit longer?” She nuzzled up to him. “We haven’t done this since college; our vain attempt at recreating The Notebook.” “Oh, yeah; remember when we almost got struck by lightning?” He laughed, and Gwen smiled up at him. What more could I ask for?

Hey Eddie, good to see you posting this here, because… somebody has to go first, right?

And like I wrote to you via email, this is a great piece of writing. Love the psychology, the dynamics and the details. Plus, you have a wonderful feeling for metaphors, similes, images, etc… Nice!

So who’s next…?

I want to post my prompt and to get it published too. I have two prompts I have finished writing.

Sounds good, just post your prompts here in the comments. Go for it, I’m curious to see what you have got!

Alex, these are the best ever!

Prompt 52 I think is my favorite. Two of the subjects I enjoy are stone-age fiction and science fiction. What nice marriage that prompt brings. Oh, hmm, maybe there could be a real one in that story, seed and egg age difference of 40,000+ years and still viable. No, I gotta quit now. Too much on my desk to handle immediately.

I’ll try to come up with a good prompt in perhaps a week. Kinda busy here at the moment.

Number 16, perhaps Cryptofreeze™ could have a companion, Cryptoflow™ to un-age. Wouldn’t that be really something, the two of them keeping on missing each other by several decades; ironing out their schedule and venue misunderstandings and trying again.

Eddie, I’m going to come back and read yours.

Thanks, Will! Oh, you are thinking along the lines of a love child in space and stone. And number 16, yes, that would be awkwardly tragic and funny. Imagine the thought of just waking up from a couple of decades in the freezer, slowly learning to move your limbs again, and buying some flowers to show up at her doorstep – only to learn that you have to do the freezing all over again…

I know, these exercises take more time than the prompts I usually publish in my posts. But when you are ready, I would love to read yours.

Hey, Alex, writing writing prompts is hard. I feel an urge to keep writing rather than stopping at the prompt. When I promised I’d make one, many days ago, I didn’t know what I had let myself in for.

Your blog sends me a copy of every comment posted on this page. They’ve served as prompts to write a writing prompt.

Writing Prompt # (no particular genre):

He knew he shouldn’t do it, even as he did it. But it was too delicious a thought to be abandoned. It simply had to be created to share with others.

It was a bad, bad habit, he had. A divine idea would arrive, an idea so clear and insightful and, well, full of awesomeness, that it must be manifested. Somehow. And the first step in the direction of that “somehow” was to make a promise to do it. Not a self-promise that nobody else knows about and is easy to neglect, but a promise to someone whose goodwill was important.

As expected, he did it again, true to his habit.

Immediately after he stated the promise, making it irrevocable, he had a sinking feeling.

Your assignment, dear reader who is also a writer, should you choose to accept it, is to unveil the promise and the consequences the poor bloke experiences because of it.

And now, Alex, let me make another promise. That I’ll write a short little story from one of your prompts. Perhaps the cave man prompt I mentioned earlier.

Hey Will, it happens to the best. Your prompt now is to take your time and write whenever you are ready. It doesn’t have to be very long, btw. Sometimes a couple of imaginative paragraphs create a great story in the reader’s mind.

Well, if it happens to the best, then I must be the best, right? :)

This story simply would not cooperate. It refused to become a “stone-age human meets space-suited human”. And insisted to finalize at 1700+ words.

Be all that as it may, here is what the story insisted it must be.

=====================================

Wzzt, the Martian

If they were translated, the whistles and grunts would have meant, “Wzzt, it has been decided that you will welcome the interlopers.”

Wzzt’s protest sounded like a wounded pig. A foreign listener would not have been much deceived.

——

“Base, I see tracks.”

Mars. Every dream, every night since he could remember, from little boy to adult at expedition training, Sam dreamed about Mars — although he could never recall specific details. And here he was.

“Well, I hope you see tracks. You’re following Opportunity’s path.”

“No, these are light tracks on top of what the dust storm left way back in 2018. Round, about the width of my hand, with marks that might be toes or claws.”

“Well, take some pictures and we’ll figure it out when you get back.”

Joe smirked, thinking his trainer was making a fool of himself. On this, their very first mars external operation. He gloried in anticipation of discrediting Sam. Joe had seen the tracks, too, but Sam reported it to base before he had a chance to do so. For once, he was happy not to be first.

It’s impossible, of course, Sam thought. Decades of satellite and robot explorations had proved Mars habitat is inimical to life more complex than bacteria. The track must be something else.

Sam and Joe, trainer and trainee, proceeded along Opportunity’s path, approaching the base of a cliff. In the shadow of the cliff, the two stopped short.

Sam forgot to draw a breath until his body reminded him.

“Base, there is a creature in front of us. It is about half my height with a roundish body, no neck, three short legs with feet that could have made the tracks we saw earlier. It waddles. And it is slowly approaching us.”

“Shit. Pull your weapons, but don’t shoot unless you are in danger. Raise the gain of your mikes. And activate those external speakers we were told we had to have.”

The thing waddled to a comfortable distance, about five times its own height.

It said, “The first humans have arrived on Mars.”

Joe, wanting to be first with the asounding fact, reported, “It speaks English!”

Sam thought, “Shit. This one has tech.”

He followed his thought with, “Base, it played a recording of our arrival transmission to Earth. On our very own comm channel!”

Base responded with, “Yes, we heard it. It seems we have a spheroid waddler with enough tech to intercept our radio transmissions to Earth, record them, and play them back to us on our comm channel. What the hell is it!”

Joe felt deflated. “Well, it did speak English!”

Base ignored Joe, following Sam’s lead like it always had during training and practice.

The thing said, “It speaks English! Base, it played a recording of our arrival transmission to Earth. On our very own comm channel! Yes, we heard it. It seems we have a spheroid waddler with enough tech to intercept our radio transmissions to Earth, record them, and play them back to us on our comm channel. What the hell is it! Well, it did speak English!”

Base told Sam, “That was not a recording. The same voice repeated what all three of us said. There is high intelligence.”

The things said, “Wzzt.”

Base, “What the hell was that!”

Sam, “Base, I think it refers to itself, it’s species or perhaps it’s name.”

Sam bent his knees, pointed at himself, and said,”Sam.”

The thing raised one of its legs and clumsily pointed at itself. “Wzzt.”

“Base, it seems that it’s name is however that word is pronounced.” Sam chuckles and continues, “Maybe we can introduce vowels to its language.”

Wzzt used a leg to point at Joe.

Sam looked at Joe. Joe was shaking.

For the millionth time Sam wondered how Joe got past the psych tests this mission put them all through. Maybe somebody really was bought off, someone who knowingly endangered the first manned mission to Mars by letting Joe slide into the team.

Sam activated Joe’s speaker and said, “Joe.”

Wzzt said, “Sam. Joe. Follow me to my cave,” turned around, and started waddling back the way it had come.

Sam grimmaced as the thought about psyche tests flitted through his mind. An utterly irresistible compulsion contrary to his innate sense of integrity had compelled him to ensure without doubt that he would be posted as head of Mars External Operations.

Sam said, “Base, it originated something. None of us ever said ‘Follow me to my cave,’ or at least not on a radio. It must have learned by listening to us.

Base, “Follow it. But carefully!”

Sam hurried forward, saying “Yes, Base.”

But Joe didn’t move. He seemed to be rooted.

Suddenly, Joe yelled, “It’s an abomination! Humans are the only intelligence! I’ll rid the world of this mad disease!”

Joe raised his weapon to do just that. Base, alert, deactivated it before it could fire.

Base, “Sam, proceed. Please be carefull. I don’t want to lose you.”

Base continued. “Joe, stay where you are. That is an order. Sam will accompany you back to base on his return.”

Then, “Sam, this is private. As you suspected, there were psyche test anomalies. Confirmation came in just before you met Wzzt, however that thing is pronounced.”

“I realize you have no first contact training,” Base continued. “Who would have thunk you’d need it; here, of all places! Use your own judgement and do what you think is right. If we delay for a partner to join you, this opportunity may be lost.”

Wzzt led the way to the cliff.

“Base, there’s a small hole in the cliff, behind a jut and under a rock shelf. Surveilance would have found it only by being within sight on ground level.

Wzzt held up a foot, a clear signal to stop. Then pointed his foot toward the hole.

“This is my cave.”

Wzzt lowered its foot, re-balanced itself, and continued, “If you come in, radio is lost.”

“You are welcome to come in.”

“Base, you heard Wzzt. It is civilized enough to give me a choice. I’m going in, if I can squeeze through that hole.”

“I don’t like this, Sam!”

“Base, you gave me authority.”

“Agreed.”

Wzzt entered the hole.

When Sam entered, it seemed as if the hole expanded to let him through.

Once inside, the light was dim. But he sensed it was a large cavern.

When his eyes adjusted to the dim light, Sam got a surprise. There was Opportunity, taken apart; but not haphazardly. The pieces were laid out in an orderly fasion, each piece labeled.

A dozen creatures of Wzzt’s shape were standing along the wall.

“Base,” Sam started. Then remembered he had no comm signal.

Two of the creatures along the wall stepped forward with an apparatus, setting it near Sam. A dial was turned.

Wzzt said, “Radio found.”

Tentatively, Sam says, “Base, Wzzt tells me we have comm.”

“Clear and no distortions, Sam.”

“Base, Opportunity is in this cave. Taken apart. By experts. No wonder we couldn’t find it after that dust storm. I’ll send you some visual.”

“Sam, are you okay? There are a lot of Wizzes in that cave.”

“Base, they are friendly. They provided the unit that established our comm from within the cave.”

“Sam! Joe has moved. He is running toward your cave. He’s going inside.”

Joe popped through the entrance hole. He grabbed Sam’s weapon, pointing it at Wzzt. Before Sam had a chance to react, Wzzt shriveled into char.

Sam launched himself toward Joe to take him down.

Suddenly, he halted in mid-flight, suspended. He didn’t and couldn’t move. Neither could Joe, being frozen in a leaning-back defense stance. The two were in a static space of some kind, a total absence of motion.

One of the creatures walked over to Wzzt’s ashes and collected them with a deep bag on a handle reminisent of a butterfly net.

The creature waddled over and forcefully put the bag over Joe’s head all the way down to his shoulders.

In less than a minute, the bag was removed and Joe was able to move. He almost fell down, then regained his balance.

When Joe spoke, it was Wzzt’s voice, “Sam, I am Wzzt. The Joe entity forfeited its right to exist when it tried to take my life.”

The Wzzt/Joe bent, straightened, and twisted, as he got familiar with the new body.

“Humans have strange bodies.”

Then from the radio, blared a frantic, “Sam! Base is lifting! The rockets are firing. According to the instruments we’re headed for rendezvous with Orbiter.”

“Sam, we have no control of the rockets or our trajectory.”

“Sam? Are you there? Talk to me!”

Sam desperately wanted to respond. But he couldn’t move. Nor could he make a sound.

“Base, this is Wzzt speaking through the body you knew as Joe. The life essence that was Joe is no more. It used its every effort to kill me, reducing my body to ashes.”

“We will no longer tolerate you and your kind on or near our planet. Except Sam, who we have chosen to learn from.”

“For decades we have watched you and learned about you. Monitoring established your Earth citizens to be capricious and destructive, at odds with each other, and focused on individual benefit, a mad melee reminding us of the animals that finally reduced themselves to extinction on this very planet you call Mars.”

“Do not come back. If in the future Sam wishes to return to Earth, he will be provided with transportation.”

The communicator was removed and Sam’s stasis was released. He noticed his gun was fully charged. He felt normal, healthy, energetic.

He looked at Wzzt, who was still becoming familiar with his new body.

“What now, Wzzt?”

Suddenly, with a silent, thunderous mental bang, Sam remembered everything.

Wzzt said, “Now you remember, friend Zzzt. Your mission was a success. It will be a long time before humans land on our planet again. We will be fully prepared.”

Sam/Zzzt suddenly felt awkward in his body, but quickly regained control.

In a moment, Zzzt emitted whistles and grunts that meant, “You know, friend Wzzt, they really are a strange species. There is little cohesion.”

Zzzt looked around. All the creatures in the cavern, his people, his friends and some new ones, were ringed around him, one leg raised pointing at him in a silent salute.

Will Bontrager

Oh how strange we have become. We are the aliens.

That was a fun read, Will!

All of those writing prompts sound fun and wonderful. it is going to hard to pick just one to write on.

Thank you

That’s great to hear, Bruce.

Have fun with them!

Really useful…. 🙏thanks

Awesome! You are welcome!

Thank you for all the great resources. I am new to writing and have written a couple of pieces for the Show don’t Tell section on your site. Cheers, Tilly

Kayla was a talented piano player Kayla Vlasov sat at the grand piano, her back straight, her delicate hands poised on the shiny black and white octaves. The audience in the front row noticed how Kayla’s legs hung demurely from the stool, her feet barely reaching the pedals. Kayla’s expression was focussed. Nothing else existed when she was about to play the piano. With her right index finger, she struck middle C. The vibration went through to the audience’s marrow and sent a shiver down their backs. Thunderous applause. This would be an evening to remember.

Winny felt shy Winny held her mother’s hand, as they walked through the gates of Newtown Primary School. A teacher with a warm smile and auburn hair bouncing along with each step came towards them. The child hid behind her mother, wishing she could disappear between the folds of her skirt. Warm tears gathered in Winny’s eyes and she lifted her other hand to her mouth, hoping the teacher wouldn’t notice her quivering bottom lip.

Hi Tilly, these are excellent!

Not only do you “show” what’s the matter, but these are also fun pieces full of atmosphere.

If anybody is wondering where the prompts come from, it’s this post about “Show, don’t tell”: https://www.ridethepen.com/show-dont-tell/

Thank you Alex for the great prompts

You are welcome, Maria! :)

I would like to use Freezelicious. For a villain name.

Sounds like evil ice cream!

Lol it is. I want Freezelicious. To be a villain in a spy book I’m writing.

I really have a problem with prompt 24 on the adventure prompts. It feels very dehumanizing to indigenous peoples to portray them in that way and it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I would suggest removing it because it is insensitive.

Hi Jessica, your comment is heard, but I would consider this excessive political correctness, of which the world already is seeing too much nowadays.

Everything is a stereotype – especially in a writing prompt! Your job as a writer is to then lay out a colorful story that draws the reader in, precisely because it’s so far away from any stereotype, which makes it interesting.

Looking for something else?

Hi Alex. Paragraph

I live in a senior residence and have taken on the adventure of coordinating a creative writing group. We have completed a year and I am very enthusiastic about the level of commitment and effort the students have put into all the assignments. This coming year we will be offering to include more people in the group. but since a number of people will be returning I have been looking for some different kinds of exercises to prompt and teach the students.

The prompts seem like a splendid opportunity for all the people in the group to try their hand without having to create new material right off the bat. I will let you know the kind of responses I get. Thanks for putting this together

Hey Pat, sounds great, I imagine in a senior residence people have plenty of time to write. Plus, you are living next door to your critique partners. Would be interesting to hear what came out of it and which prompts were used the most.

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100+ Writing Prompts for Adults: Unleash Your Creativity and Imagination

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on October 18, 2023

Categories Inspiration , Writing

Writing prompts can be an excellent tool for sparking creativity and overcoming writer’s block. Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting your literary journey, these prompts can guide you in discovering new ideas and refining your writing skills.

As an adult, you might prefer prompts that cater to your unique interests, experiences, and perspective.

There’s a vast array of writing prompts available, catering to a wide range of genres and themes. From exploring interpersonal relationships to delving into fantasy worlds, these prompts can help you break free from the constraints of everyday life and find inspiration in unexpected places.

Moreover, writing prompts can push you to experiment with different styles and techniques, enabling you to grow as a writer.

Ultimately, writing prompts for adults allow you to get lost in your imagination, create vivid characters, and tell captivating stories. By engaging with various prompts, you can challenge your writing habits, ignite your creativity, and develop a stronger connection to your unique voice as an author.

Key Takeaways

Writing prompts for adults spark creativity and overcome writer’s block.
Wide range of themes and genres cater to adults’ unique interests and perspectives.
Engaging with prompts helps develop writing skills, styles, and techniques.

100 Writing Prompts for Adults

Here are 100 writing prompts for adults:

Write about a time you felt truly happy. What made you feel that way?
If you could go back in time and change one decision you made, what would it be?
Write a letter to your 20-year-old self giving advice.
Describe the house you grew up in. What memories do you have there?
What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done? Why did you do it?
Who has had the biggest impact on your life? Describe how they influenced you.
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Would you do it again?
What’s your biggest regret in life? How has it impacted you?
Describe a time you failed at something. What did you learn?
What are you most proud of achieving in your life so far?
What’s the kindest act you’ve ever witnessed? How did it make you feel?
What small moments bring you the most joy in life?
If you could have a do-over for one day in your life, which day would you choose?
When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone? What was the experience like?
What’s your biggest dream that you hope to achieve in the future?
What has been the greatest obstacle you’ve had to overcome? How did you do it?
What person has shaped you into the person you are today?
What is your greatest strength? How has it helped you in life?
Describe a time you felt truly at peace. What were you doing and who were you with?
What is your biggest insecurity? How has it negatively impacted your life?
What one piece of advice would you offer your younger self?
What do you hope people say about you after you die?
Who do you miss the most and why?
What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it in detail.
What is something you lost that you wish you could have back? Why?
Describe your perfect weekend from start to finish.
What is the most courageous act you’ve ever witnessed?
What is your biggest pet peeve and why does it bother you so much?
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your life? Was it worth it?
What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself over the years?
What is the wisest piece of advice you’ve ever received? Who gave it to you?
Describe a time you felt like you failed. How did you bounce back?
What brings you true joy in life? Describe how it makes you feel.
What rules do you live your life by? Where did they come from?
What is your favorite childhood memory involving your family?
Who is your role model? How have they influenced your life?
What is the most spontaneous trip you’ve ever taken? What made you decide to go?
What is the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
What are you most thankful for in your life right now?
What is the wisest life lesson an elderly person has taught you?
Describe a time you felt immense gratitude. What triggered this feeling?
What is the most surprising act of kindness you’ve ever witnessed?
What old photos bring back the sharpest memories for you? Describe the images.
What smell brings back childhood memories for you? Describe the memory.
When was the last time you felt pure joy? What triggered this feeling?
What is your favorite quote or saying? What meaning does it hold for you?
Who is the most inspirational person you know? How have they inspired you?
Describe the last time you tried something new. How did it make you feel?
When was the last time you had a really good belly laugh? What caused it?
What is your favorite family tradition? Why is it meaningful to you?
What is the most memorable gift you’ve ever received? Who gave it to you?
Describe a time you felt a strong emotional connection with someone.
What is the greatest accomplishment in your career so far?
What is the most thrilling experience you’ve had? What made it so exciting?
Describe the last time you felt butterflies in your stomach. What caused the feeling?
What is your favorite place in nature? Describe how it makes you feel.
When was the last time you stepped way outside your comfort zone? What motivated you?
What is the wisest advice your mother ever gave you?
Describe a time you felt truly proud of yourself or someone else.
What is the most insightful or wise observation you’ve made about life?
What makes you laugh the hardest? Describe the situation.
What small things brighten your day when you encounter them?
When was the last time you felt pure contentment? Describe the moment.
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life? How have they inspired you?
What is the most meaningful or insightful conversation you’ve ever had? Who was it with?
If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it? Who would you spend it with?
What is the greatest single day you’ve ever experienced? Describe it from start to finish.
What is the biggest lesson failure has taught you? How has it shaped you?
What places have shaped who you are? Describe how they impacted you.
What is the greatest act of generosity you have either given or witnessed?
What advice would you offer your 20-year-old self about love and relationships?
What is the hardest life lesson you’ve had to learn as an adult? How did you finally understand it?
Describe a time in your life when you felt truly alone. How did you get through it?
What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited? Describe how it made you feel.
What is the most significant change you have made in your life in the past five years?
What is the most valuable life lesson your father ever taught you?
Describe the most fascinating person you have ever met. What captivated you about them?
What has been the most surprising twist in your life story so far?
What is the bravest thing you have done that no one knows about?
Describe a time you saw someone going through a difficult time. How did you help them?
What unpopular opinion do you hold? Why do you think many disagree with you?
What does your ideal future look like? Describe your life in detail.
What book or movie changed your perspective on something? How so?
What is the most spontaneous trip or adventure you ever embarked on?
Describe a time you failed at something. How did it change your perspective?
What would your childhood self be surprised to learn about your adult life?
Who had the biggest positive influence on the person you have become?
When was the last time you felt pure joy? What caused this feeling?
What do you wish your 16-year-old self knew? What advice would you give?
When was the last time you felt you were living your true purpose? What were you doing?
What is the greatest obstacle you overcame as an adult? How did you do it?
Describe the best birthday you ever had. What made it so memorable?
When was the last time you felt proud of a family member? What did they achieve?
What is your definition of true friendship? How has your definition evolved?
Who do you miss the most who is no longer in your life? Why are they special to you?
What is the wisest or most insightful observation about life you have come up with?
If you could instill one core value or belief in the next generation, what would it be?
When was the last time you felt you made the absolute right choice? What decision did you make?
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out their adult life?

Writing Prompts: Taking the First Step

Writing prompts can be an excellent way for you, as an adult writer, to take the first step towards unleashing your creativity.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned writer, prompts can help you break through writer’s block, develop new ideas, and explore different genres.

There are numerous sources to find creative writing prompts for adults, with many websites offering free and engaging ideas designed to spark your imagination. You can use these prompts as either the starting point for your writing or simply as an exercise to get your creative juices flowing.

Remember, when working with a writing prompt, don’t hesitate to adapt it to your personal style and preferences. You can change details, add or remove characters, and even alter the setting to make the stories your own.

Here are some ways to approach writing prompts:

Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping.
Use the prompt as a warm-up exercise before you start working on your main writing project.
Share your completed prompt with a writing buddy or in a writers’ group to gather feedback and suggestions.
Give yourself permission to write without worrying about grammar or punctuation, focusing on the ideas and emotions you want to convey instead.

Types of Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Prompts

Creative writing prompts can help you break through writer’s block or simply spark your imagination. They often involve a fun or intriguing situation, character, or setting, which you can use as a starting point for your own story.

For example, you might find a prompt asking you to write a short story about an unexpected encounter at a coffee shop or a magical object found in your attic.

To make the most of these prompts, try writing without worrying about word count or perfect grammar. Focus on getting your ideas down and exploring your creativity.

Keep in mind that you can always edit and revise later. By engaging with creative writing prompts, you’ll build your storytelling skills and gain confidence in your abilities.

Essay Writing Prompts

Essay writing prompts, on the other hand, are aimed at testing your critical thinking, research, and argumentative skills. They usually require you to explore a specific topic or issue, using evidence and logic to present a well-reasoned point of view.

Some examples of essay prompts might include exploring the benefits and drawbacks of a particular technology, discussing the morality of a controversial topic, or analyzing a historical event.

When responding to an essay prompt, you’ll want to focus on creating a clear and organized structure for your work, providing supporting examples and evidence for your claims, and ensuring your language is clear and concise.

Writing Prompts Based on Themes

Writing Prompts of Family

When it comes to family, there is an endless trove of memories and stories. Try writing about a cherished family tradition or that one time you couldn’t stop laughing at a family gathering. You can also take a more introspective approach and write about your relationship with a specific relative and how it influenced your life.

Exploring Emotions Through Prompts

Writing about emotions can be a powerful way to gain insight into your own feelings and experiences. Consider prompts that explore anger, joy, grief, and desire. For example, write about a time when you felt really fulfilled or challenged by a situation that led to intense feelings of anger. See how these emotions can shape your stories and personal growth.

Prompts on Money and Financial Themes

Money often shapes our lives and affects our decisions. Share your experiences with saving for a specific goal or a time when you had to make a tough financial decision. It could also be a fictional scenario where an unexpected windfall forces reconsideration of your character’s priorities.

School-related Writing Prompts

School forms a significant part of our lives and provides a rich environment for stories. Recall a memorable event from your school days, a favorite teacher, or a challenging assignment. You can also dive into issues such as school friendships and rivalries.

Prompts relating to Social Media

Social media has become a key part of our daily lives. Write about your experiences navigating social media, how it affects your relationships, and its impact on your self-esteem. Alternatively, you can create a story about the consequences of a social media post gone wrong or an unexpected connection made through online platforms.

Travel-themed Prompts

Traveling often leads to unique and interesting stories. Write about a memorable trip you took, an interesting encounter you had on your journey, or even a dream destination. Don’t be afraid to let your creativity roam in these prompts!

Food-related Writing Prompts

Food can evoke powerful memories and emotional connections. Write about a dish that means a lot to you or the experience of learning to cook something with a loved one. You could also explore the culture, history, and emotions associated with a specific type of cuisine.

Health Themed Writing Prompts

Health plays a vital role in our lives and can serve as a great source of inspiration. Write about a personal health challenge you faced, the importance of self-care, or even an experience witnessing someone else’s health journey. These prompts can encourage reflection and understanding of various realities we face with wellness.

Remember to keep it brief and maintain a friendly tone throughout. Happy writing!

Interpersonal Themes and Writing Prompts

When it comes to writing prompts for adults, interpersonal themes can provide inspiration and opportunities for self-discovery, especially when focusing on relationships and dating. In this section, we will delve into writing prompts related to dating, offering a few ideas to help you get started.

Writing Prompts for Dating

Your Ideal First Date: Imagine you are going on a perfect first date. Describe the setting, the activities, and how both of you interact with each other. What would make this date unforgettable for you?
The Unexpected Match: Write a story about two people who are complete opposites but somehow find each other and connect on a deep level. How do they meet, and what challenges do they face in their relationship?
A Lesson in Love: Think about a time when you learned something significant about love or relationships, either from personal experience or through observing others. Share the story and describe how it has impacted your view on dating.
The Five Senses: Choose one of your past dates or create a fictional date scenario. Write a scene incorporating all five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) to help the reader experience the date as if they were present.
An Unlikely Romance: Write a story where two characters from different backgrounds or lifestyles find love in an unexpected place or situation. Explore how their preconceptions and biases are challenged as they get to know each other.

Remember, writing prompts related to dating can help you explore new perspectives, spark your creativity, and foster a deeper understanding of your own experiences and emotions. By engaging in these exercises, you’re not only honing your writing skills but also reflecting on your own interpersonal connections. Happy writing!

The Art of Getting Lost in Writing

As you explore different writing prompts for adults, allow your imagination to wander. Embrace new ideas, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

By leaving your comfort zone, you’ll discover fresh perspectives and interesting avenues for your writing.

One way to get lost in writing is to let go of self-doubt and criticism.

Silence your inner editor, and give yourself the freedom to write without constantly worrying about making mistakes. As a friendly reminder, remember that your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect.

Incorporating elements of the unknown, such as the feeling of being lost, into your stories can help you tap into your reader’s emotions and encourage them to lose themselves in your words.

Use vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue to paint a vivid picture of the world you’re creating. The more you can draw your readers in, the easier it will be for them to get lost in your work as well.

Finally, give yourself permission to take breaks when needed. Sometimes stepping away from your writing can give you fresh insight and a renewed sense of direction. Once you return, you may find it easier to get lost in the story again and let your words flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some unique prompts for adult writers?

Exploring unique writing prompts can help unleash your creativity and inspire new ideas. A few standout prompts for adult writers can include writing about a dream you’d love to return to or crafting a story set in a casino. Feel free to change details, add characters or put your own twist on these prompts to make them truly special.

How can I find writing prompts focusing on mental health?

Writing prompts that focus on mental health can offer a therapeutic space for self-reflection and emotional exploration. To find these prompts, try searching websites, blogs, and forums that specifically target mental health and wellness topics. You’ll come across a variety of prompts, ranging from writing about your feelings and emotions to exploring strategies for self-care and personal growth.

What are engaging poetry prompts for adults?

Engaging poetry prompts can often draw from personal experiences, emotions, or current events. Consider writing a poem about a cherished memory, a strong emotion you’ve recently experienced, or something that affects you deeply. Feel free to play with different poetic structures and styles to discover which resonates with you the most.

Which nonfiction writing prompts are popular for adults?

Nonfiction writing prompts can encompass journaling, essays, or opinion pieces on a variety of subjects. Popular nonfiction prompts might include writing about a significant event in your life, offering your perspective on a current issue, or discussing how personal experiences have shaped your beliefs. The key to exploring nonfiction writing prompts lies in relating your unique thoughts, perspective, and experiences to broader themes and ideas.

Where can I find funny prompts suitable for grown-ups?

Humor can add a fresh and enjoyable element to your writing. To find funny writing prompts suitable for adults, explore websites like Reddit or online writing communities that share comedic short stories, jokes, or funny personal anecdotes as prompts. Remember to have fun and let your inner comedian shine through your writing!

How can beginners find simple yet inspiring writing prompts?

As a beginner, finding writing prompts that are both simple and inspiring may seem challenging. However, there are countless resources available, from writing websites to online forums that cater specifically to novice writers. Start with a basic prompt that encourages you to explore your feelings, experiences, and ideas, and don’t be afraid to modify prompts to suit your personal writing style and interests.

Love To Write? Check Out These 51 Creative Writing Prompts For Adults

An essential part of being a writer is daily practice —even if that practice is only a few minutes.

And even when the results are less inspired than you hoped.

As long as you’re committed to building a writing habit and practicing your craft, you’re a writer—not just an “aspiring” one.

Sometimes, all you need is a generous supply of fun writing prompts for adults to get you started.

We’re happy to help with that.

What Are Some Interesting Writing Prompts?

The best, most effective writing topics for adults are those you enjoy. They should stimulate your memory and imagination and create connections in the mind. All you need to do at that moment is to let the words flow onto the page.

Writing prompts can do this in one or more of the following ways:

Remind you of a significant event in your own life;
Trigger a powerful emotion about a particular event or relationship;
Connect to a meaningful experience you’d like to dwell on for a bit;
Connect to other disjointed details in your memory;
Relate to universal themes you’d like to explore.

How You Can Use Daily Writing Prompts for Adults

Here are a few ideas for using adult writing prompts:

Start a creating writing journal using these as daily prompts ;
Take one prompt and break it down into smaller installments;
Start a creative writing group and share 1-3 prompts per week;
Play music that fits the mood of a particular prompt;
Set a timer and commit to writing for at least five minutes straight.

The best ideas for using the list of prompts below are those you’ll actually use and enjoy.

51 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

Read through the following list of adult writing prompts and let your imagination respond to each one. Some will get your mind going more quickly than others. Some will have a stronger effect at different times.

You’re welcome to keep this whole list handy or make a smaller list with your favorites.

1. You’ve just been jolted out of a dream you’d give all your worldly possessions to return to. What was it about?

2. Someone you look up to makes an unexpected and hurtful remark about your body. What goes through your head, and how do you respond?

3. You’re alone at night in your apartment in the city, and the doorbell starts ringing repeatedly. You look through the peephole and…

4. You write an anonymous advice column and one day discover the unintended consequences of advice you thought was helpful.

5. By day, you’re a responsible, if reclusive, college student. By night, you fly over your city as a dragon.

6. On the advice of her therapist, you write about a character from her dreams, and they show up at your door.

7. Your significant other interrupts your work one day to say, “I need to tell you something.” What goes through your mind?

8. You don’t really want a pet, but when a friendly stray follows you home, your tender heart wins out and you let it in.

9. You meet someone with whom you feel not only safe but wanted and cherished. One day you catch them with someone else.

10. You wake up in a different place lying next to someone else and, for some reason you feel more at home. But which life is real?

11. You’re a few short hours away from facing your worst nightmare. What is it, and how do you prepare?

12. You wake up with a headache in a coffin-size box and hear voices outside it speaking a different language.

13. What comes to mind with the words, “What were you thinking ?”

14. For some reason, everyone is giving you strange looks and tip-toeing around you.

15. Figures. Just when you get good at coding, the internet shuts down — everywhere.

16. You were digging in your yard when you found it. And you fully intend to keep it secret.

17. You’re comfortable with anonymity, so it’s unsettling when, one day, everyone you meet acts as if they’ve known you all your life.

18. Your spouse thinks you’re leaving for work, but you know the truth. Maybe, one day, you’ll tell them—if you survive today.

19. Someone slips a note underneath your apartment door. You unfold it to find a phone number and a brief, urgent message.

20. Your spouse asks if you’re interested in trying something different with your marriage. And it’s not fantasy role-play.

21. You wake up one day, and everyone seems shocked to see you alive. You look in the mirror and understand why.

22. You wake up in the body of a famous historical figure you’ve been studying. How does your day go?

23. Ever since the accident, you’ve been hearing voices—not all the time but often when it’s least convenient.

24. You show up alone at an old friend’s funeral to pay your respects, but when you reach the coffin, the face you see is your own.

25. You’ve always taken comfort in the presence of your own shadow, but it’s started taking on a life of its own.

26. You have one day to do whatever you want without any consequences. What do you do?

27. You’re visited one night by the disembodied spirit of someone you know (still living). Why do they visit you?

28. You’re on the worst vacation ever. And you’re about to do something crazy to change it for the better.

29. An evil genius hires you as his personal assistant. Your first day on the job is life-changing.

30. Your life is the subject of a favorite TV show. Describe your character and write about an important scene of your own making.

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Write a story about an unsung hero., write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly., write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for., write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone., write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream., write a story that includes the line, "i didn't see that one coming.", write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path., write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well., write a story with a big twist., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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ThinkWritten

365 Creative Writing Prompts

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to help inspire you to write every single day! Use them for journaling, story starters, poetry, and more!

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If you want to become a better writer, the best thing you can do is practice writing every single day. Writing prompts are useful because we know sometimes it can be hard to think of what to write about!

To help you brainstorm, we put together this list of 365 creative writing prompts to give you something to write about daily.

Want to Download these prompts? I am super excited to announce due to popular demand we now have an ad-free printable version of this list of writing prompts available for just $5. The printable version includes a PDF as a list AND print-ready prompt cards. {And all the design source files you could ever need to customize any way you would like!}

Here are 365 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire:

Whether you write short stories, poems, or like to keep a journal – these will stretch your imagination and give you some ideas for topics to write about!

1. Outside the Window : What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?

2. The Unrequited love poem: How do you feel when you love someone who does not love you back?

3. The Vessel: Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.

4. Dancing: Who’s dancing and why are they tapping those toes?

5. Food: What’s for breakfast? Dinner? Lunch? Or maybe you could write a poem about that time you met a friend at a cafe.

6. Eye Contact: Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.

7. The Rocket-ship: Write about a rocket-ship on its way to the moon or a distant galaxy far, far, away.

8. Dream-catcher : Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.

9. Animals: Choose an animal. Write about it!

10. Friendship: Write about being friends with someone.

11. Dragon : Envision a dragon. Do you battle him? Or is the dragon friendly? Use descriptive language.

12. Greeting : Write a story or poem that starts with the word “hello” or another greeting.

13. The Letter: Write a poem or story using words from a famous letter or inspired by a letter someone sent you.

14. The Found Poem : Read a book and circle some words on a page. Use those words to craft a poem. Alternatively, you can cut out words and phrases from magazines.

15. Eavesdropper : Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you’ve overheard.

16. Addict: Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are things you can’t go without?

17. Dictionary Definition : Open up a dictionary to a random word. Define what that word means to you.

18. Cleaning: Hey, even writers and creative artists have to do housework sometimes. Write about doing laundry, dishes, and other cleaning activities.

19. Great Minds: Write about someone you admire and you thought to have had a beautiful mind.

20. Missed Connections: If you go to Craigslist, there is a “Missed Connections” section where you can find some interesting storylines to inspire your writing.

21. Foreclosure : Write a poem or short story about someone who has lost or is about to lose their home.

22. Smoke, Fog, and Haze: Write about not being able to see ahead of you.

23. Sugar: Write something so sweet, it makes your teeth hurt.

24. Numbers: Write a poem or journal entry about numbers that have special meaning to you.

25. Dread: Write about doing something you don’t want to do.

26. Fear: What scares you a little? What do you feel when scared? How do you react?

27. Closed Doors: What’s behind the door? Why is it closed?

28. Shadow: Imagine you are someone’s shadow for a day.

29. Good Vibes: What makes you smile? What makes you happy?

30. Shopping: Write about your shopping wishlist and how you like to spend money.

31. The Professor: Write about a teacher that has influenced you.

32. Rewrite : Take any poem or short story you enjoy. Rewrite it in your own words.

33. Jewelry: Write about a piece of jewelry. Who does it belong to?

34. Sounds : Sit outside for about an hour. Write down the sounds you hear.

35. War and Peace: Write about a recent conflict that you dealt with in your life.

36. Frame It: Write a poem or some phrases that would make for good wall art in your home.

37. Puzzle: Write about putting together the pieces of puzzles.

38. Fire-starters: Write about building a fire.

39. Coffee & Tea: Surely you drink one or the other or know someone who does- write about it!

40. Car Keys: Write about someone getting their driver’s license for the first time.

41. What You Don’t Know: Write about a secret you’ve kept from someone else or how you feel when you know someone is keeping a secret from you.

42. Warehouse : Write about being inside an old abandoned warehouse.

43. The Sound of Silence: Write about staying quiet when you feel like shouting.

44. Insult: Write about being insulted. How do you feel? Why do you think the other person insulted you?

45. Mirror, Mirror: What if you mirror started talking to you? What might the mirror say?

46. Dirty: Write a poem about getting covered in mud.

47. Light Switch : Write about coming out of the dark and seeing the light.

48. The Stars : Take inspiration from a night sky. Or, write about a time when “the stars aligned” in your horoscope.

49. Joke Poem : What did the wall say to the other wall? Meet you at the corner! Write something inspired by a favorite joke.

50. Just Say No : Write about the power you felt when you told someone no.

51: Sunrise/Sunset : The sun comes up, the sun goes down. It goes round and round. Write something inspiring about the sunrise or sunset.

52. Memory Lane : What does Memory Lane look like? How do you get there?

53. Tear-Jerker : Watch a movie that makes you cry. Write about that scene in the movie.

54. Dear Diary: Write a poem or short story about a diary entry you’ve read or imagined.

55. Holding Hands : The first time you held someone’s hand.

56. Photograph : Write a story or journal entry influenced by a photograph you see online or in a magazine.

57. Alarm Clock: Write about waking up.

58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.

59. Refreshed: Write a poem about a time you really felt refreshed and renewed. Maybe it was a dip into a pool on a hot summer day, a drink of lemonade, or other situation that helped you relax and start again.

60. Handle With Care : Write about a very fragile or delicate object.

61. Drama: Write about a time when you got stuck in between two parties fighting with each other.

62. Slip Up: Write about making mistakes.

63. Spice: Write about flavors and tastes or a favorite spice of yours.

64. Sing a New Song: Take a popular song off the radio and rewrite it as a poem in your own words.

65. Telephone: Write about a phone call you recently received.

66. Name: Write a poem or short story using your name in some way or form.

67. Dollhouse: Write a poem or short story from the viewpoint of someone living in a doll house.

68. Random Wikipedia Article : Go to Wikipedia and click on Random Article . Write about whatever the page you get.

69. Silly Sports: Write about an extreme or silly sport. If none inspire you, make up the rules for your own game.

70. Recipe : Write about a recipe for something abstract, such as a feeling.

71. Famous Artwork: Choose a famous painting and write about it.

72. Where That Place Used to Be : Think of a place you went to when you were younger but it now no longer there or is something else. Capture your feelings about this in your writing.

73. Last Person You Talked to: Write a quick little poem or story about the last person you spoke with.

74. Caught Red-Handed: Write about being caught doing something embarrassing.

75. Interview: Write a list of questions you have for someone you would like to interview, real or fictional.

76. Missing You: Write about someone you miss dearly.

77. Geography: Pick a state or country you’ve never visited. Write about why you would or would not like to visit that place.

78. Random Song: Turn on the radio, use the shuffle feature on your music collection or your favorite streaming music service. Write something inspired by the first song you hear.

79. Hero: Write a tribute to someone you regard as a hero.

80. Ode to Strangers: Go people watching and write an ode to a stranger you see on the street.

81. Advertisement: Advertisements are everywhere, aren’t they? Write using the slogan or line from an ad.

82. Book Inspired: Think of your favorite book. Now write a poem that sums up the entire story in 10 lines.

83. Magic : Imagine you have a touch of magic, and can make impossible things happen. What would you do?

84. Fanciest Pen: Get out your favorite pen, pencils, or even colored markers and write using them!

85. A Day in the Life: Write about your daily habits and routine.

86. Your Muse: Write about your muse – what do they look like? What does your muse do to inspire you?

87. Convenience Store : Write about an experience you’ve had at a gas station or convenience store.

88. Natural Wonders of the World: Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.

89. Status Update: Write a poem using the words from your latest status update or a friend’s status update. If you don’t use sites like Facebook or Twitter, you can often search online for some funny ones to use as inspiration.

90. Green Thumb: Write about growing something.

91. Family Heirloom: Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.

92. Bug Catcher: Write about insects.

93. Potion: Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?

94. Swinging & Sliding: Write something inspired by a playground or treehouse.

95. Adjectives: Make a list of the first 5 adjectives that pop into your head. Use these 5 words in your story, poem, or journal entry.

96. Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

97. Whispers: Write about someone who has to whisper a secret to someone else.

98. Smile: Write a poem about the things that make you smile.

99. Seasonal: Write about your favorite season.

100. Normal: What does normal mean to you? Is it good or bad to be normal?

101. Recycle : Take something you’ve written in the past and rewrite it into a completely different piece.

102. Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what’s currently in your closet or drawers.

103. Secret Message : Write something with a secret message hidden in between the words. For example, you could make an acrostic poem using the last letters of the word or use secret code words in the poem.

104. Vacation: Write about a vacation you took.

105. Heat: Write about being overheated and sweltering.

106. Spellbinding: Write a magic spell.

107. Collection : Write about collecting something, such as salt shakers, sea shells, or stamps.

108. Taking Chances: Everyone takes a risk at some point in their life. Write about a time when you took a chance and what the result was.

109. Carnival: Write a poem or story or journal entry inspired by a carnival or street fair.

110. Country Mouse: Write about someone who grew up in the country visiting the city for the first time.

111: Questions: Write about questions you have for the universe. Optional: include an answer key.

112. Rushing: Write about moving quickly and doing things fast.

113. Staircase : Use a photo of a staircase or the stairs in your home or a building you love to inspire you.

114. Neighbors: Make up a story or poem about your next door neighbor.

115. Black and Blue: Write about a time you’ve been physically hurt.

116. All Saints: Choose a saint and create a poem about his or her life.

117. Beach Inspired: What’s not to write about the beach?

118. Shoes: What kind of shoes do you wear? Where do they lead your feet?

119. The Ex: Write a poem to someone who is estranged from you.

120. My Point of View: Write in the first person point of view.

121. Stray Animal: Think of the life of a stray cat or dog and write about that.

122. Stop and Stare : Create a poem or story about something you could watch forever.

123. Your Bed: Describe where you sleep each night.

124. Fireworks : Do they inspire you or do you not like the noise and commotion? Write about it.

125. Frozen: Write about a moment in your life you wish you could freeze and preserve.

126. Alone : Do you like to be alone or do you like having company?

127. Know-it-all: Write about something you are very knowledgeable about, for example a favorite hobby or passion of yours.

128. The Promise: Write about a promise you’ve made to someone. Did you keep that promise?

129. Commotion: Write about being overstimulated by a lot of chaos.

130. Read the News Today : Construct a poem or story using a news headline for your first line.

131. Macro: Write a description of an object close-up.

132. Transportation : Write about taking your favorite (or least-favorite) form of transportation.

133. Gadgets: If you could invent a gadget, what would it do? Are there any gadgets that make your life easier?

134: Bring on the Cheese: Write a tacky love poem that is so cheesy, it belongs on top of a pizza.

135. Ladders: Write a story or poem that uses ladders as a symbol.

136. Bizarre Holiday : There is a bizarre holiday for any date! Look up a holiday for today’s date and create a poem in greeting card fashion or write a short story about the holiday to celebrate.

137. Blog-o-sphere : Visit your favorite blog or your feedreader and craft a story, journal entry, or poem based on the latest blog post you read.

138. Mailbox: Create a poem, short story, or journal entry based on a recent item of mail you’ve received.

139. Sharing : Write about sharing something with someone else.

140. Cactus: Write from the viewpoint of a cactus. What’s it like to live in the desert or have a prickly personality?

141. It’s a Sign : Have you seen any interesting road signs lately?

142. Furniture: Write about a piece of furniture in your home.

143. Failure: Write about a time you failed at something. Did you try again or give up completely?

144. Mystical Creatures: Angels or other mystical creatures – use them as inspiration.

145. Flying: Write about having wings and what you would do.

146. Clear and Transparent: Write a poem about being able to see-through something.

147. Break the Silence : Record yourself speaking, then write down what you spoke and revise into a short story or poem.

148. Beat: Listen to music with a strong rhythm or listen to drum loops. Write something that goes along with the beat you feel and hear.

149. Color Palette: Search online for color palettes and be inspired to write by one you resonate with.

150. Magazine: Randomly flip to a page in a magazine and write using the first few words you see as an opening line.

151. The Grass is Greener : Write about switching the place with someone or going to where it seems the “grass is greener”.

152. Mind & Body: Write something that would motivate others to workout and exercise.

153. Shaping Up : Write something that makes a shape on the page…ie: a circle, a heart, a square, etc.

154. Twenty-One: Write about your 21st birthday.

155. Aromatherapy: Write about scents you just absolutely love.

156. Swish, Buzz, Pop : Create a poem that uses Onomatopoeia .

157. What Time is It? Write about the time of day it is right now. What are people doing? What do you usually do at this time each day?

158. Party Animal: Have you ever gone to a party you didn’t want to leave? Or do you hate parties? Write about it!

159: Miss Manners : Use the words “please” and “thank you” in your writing.

160. Cliche: Choose a common cliche, then write something that says the same thing but without using the catch phrase.

161. Eco-friendly : Write about going green or an environmental concern you have.

162. Missing You: Write about someone you miss.

163. Set it Free: Think of a time when you had to let someone or something go to be free…did they come back?

164: Left Out : Write about a time when you’ve felt left out or you’ve noticed someone else feeling as if they didn’t belong.

165. Suitcase: Write about packing for a trip or unpacking from when you arrive home.

166. Fantasy : Write about fairies, gnomes, elves, or other mythical creatures.

167. Give and Receive : Write about giving and receiving.

168. Baker’s Dozen: Imagine the scents and sights of a bakery and write.

169. Treehouse: Write about your own secret treehouse hideaway.

170. Risk: Write about taking a gamble on something.

171. Acrostic : Choose a word and write an acrostic poem where every line starts with a letter from the word.

172. Crossword Puzzle: Open up the newspaper or find a crossword puzzle online and choose one of the clues to use as inspiration for your writing.

173. Silver Lining : Write about the good that happens in a bad situation.

174. Gloves: Write about a pair of gloves – what kind of gloves are they? Who wears them and why?

175. All that Glitters: Write about a shiny object.

176. Jealousy: Write with a theme of envy and jealousy.

177. How Does Your Garden Grow? Write about a flower that grows in an unusual place.

178. Jury Duty : Write a short story or poem that takes place in a courtroom.

179. Gifts: Write about a gift you have given or received.

180. Running: Write about running away from someone or something.

181. Discovery: Think of something you’ve recently discovered and use it as inspiration.

182. Complain: Write about your complaints about something.

183. Gratitude: Write a poem or journal entry that is all about things you are thankful for.

184. Chemistry: Choose an element and write a poem or story that uses that word in one of the lines.

185. Applause: Write about giving someone a standing ovation.

186. Old Endings Into New Beginnings: Take an old poem, story, or journal entry of yours and use the last line and make it the first line of your writing today.

187. Longing: Write about something you very much want to do.

188. I Am: Write a motivational poem or journal entry about positive traits that make you who you are.

189. Rainbow : What is at the end of a rainbow? Or, take a cue from Kermit the Frog, and ask yourself, why are there so many songs about rainbows?

190. Museum: Take some time to visit a nearby museum with your journal. Write about one of the pieces that speaks to you.

191. Cartoon: Think of your favorite cartoon or comic. Write a poem or story that takes place in that setting.

192. Copycat: Borrow a line from a famous public domain poem to craft your own.

193. From the Roof-tops: Imagine you could stand on a rooftop and broadcast a message to everyone below – what would you say?

194. Time Travel: If there was a time period you could visit for a day, where would you go? Write about traveling back in time to that day.

195. Changing Places: Imagine living the day as someone else.

196. Neighborhood: Write about your favorite place in your neighborhood to visit and hang out at.

197. Pirates: Write about a pirate ship.

198. Interview : Write based on a recent interview you’ve read or seen on TV or heard on the radio.

199. Hiding Spaces : Write about places you like to hide things at. What was a favorite hiding spot for you as a child playing hide-and-seek?

200. Extreme Makeover: Imagine how life might be different if you could change your hair color or clothing into something completely opposite from your current style.

201. Empathy: Write about your feelings of empathy or compassion for another person.

202. Opposites: Write a poem or story that ties in together two opposites.

203. Boredom: Write about being bored or make a list of different ways to entertain yourself.

204. Strength : Think of a time when you’ve been physically or emotionally strong and use that as inspiration.

205. Hunger: Write from the perspective of someone with no money to buy food.

206. Greed: Write about someone who always wants more – whether it be money, power, etc. etc.

207. Volcano: Write about an eruption of a volcano.

208. Video Inspiration : Go to Vimeo.com or YouTube.com and watch one of the videos featured on the homepage. Write something based on what you watch.

209. Sneeze: Write about things that make you sneeze.

210. Footsteps on the Moon: Write about the possibility of life in outer-space.

211: Star-crossed: Write a short modern version of the story of Romeo and Juliet or think of real-life examples of lovers who are not allowed to be together to use as inspiration for your writing.

212. Font-tastic: Choose a unique font and type out a poem, story or journal entry using that font.

213. Schedule: Take a look at your calendar and use the schedule for inspiration in writing.

214. Grandparents: Write about a moment in your grandparent’s life.

215. Collage: Go through a magazine and cut out words that grab your attention. Use these words to construct a poem or as a story starter or inspiration for your journal.

216. Oh so Lonely: Write a poem about what you do when you are alone – do you feel lonely or do you enjoy your own company?

217. Waterfall: Think of a waterfall you’ve seen in person or spend some time browsing photos of waterfalls online. Write about the movement, flow, and energy.

218. First Kiss: Write about your first kiss.

219. So Ironic: Write about an ironic situation you’ve been in throughout your life.

220. Limerick: Write a limerick today.

221. Grocery Shopping: Write about an experience at the grocery store.

222. Fashion : Go through a fashion magazine or browse fashion websites online and write about a style you love.

223. So Close: Write about coming close to reaching a goal.

224. Drinks on Me: Write a poem or short story that takes place at a bar.

225. Online Friends: Write an ode to someone online you’ve met and become friends with.

226. Admiration: Is there someone you admire? Write about those feelings.

227. Trash Day: Write from the perspective of a garbage collector.

228. Mailbox: Open your mailbox and write something inspired by one of the pieces of mail you received.

229. Fresh & Clean: Write about how you feel after you take a shower.

230. Energized: Write about how you feel when you’re either at a high or low energy level for the day.

231. Rhyme & No Reason: Make up a silly rhyming poem using made up words.

232. Tech Support: Use computers or a conversation with tech support you’ve had as inspiration.

233. Hotel: Write from the perspective of someone who works at a hotel or staying at a hotel.

234. Underwater: Write about sea creatures and under water life. What’s under the surface of the ocean? What adventures might be waiting?

235. Breathing: Take a few minutes to do some deep breathing relaxation techniques. Once your mind is clear, just write the first few things that you think of.

236. Liar, Liar: Make up a poem or story of complete lies about yourself or someone else.

237. Obituaries: Look at the recent obituaries online or in the newspaper and imagine the life of someone and write about that person.

238. Pocket: Rummage through your pockets and write about what you keep or find in your pockets.

239. Cinquain: Write a cinquain poem, which consists of 5 lines that do not rhyme.

240. Alphabetical: Write a poem that has every letter of the alphabet in it.

241. Comedy Club: Write something inspired by a comedian.

242. Cheater: Write about someone who is unfaithful.

243. Sestina: Give a try to writing a sestina poem.

244. Fight: Write about witnessing two people get in an argument with each other.

245. Social Network : Visit your favorite Social Networking website (ie: Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Twitter, etc.) and write a about a post you see there.

246. Peaceful: Write about something peaceful and serene.

247. In the Clouds: Go cloud watching for the day and write about what you imagine in the clouds.

248. At the Park: Take some time to sit on a park bench and write about the sights, scenes, and senses and emotions you experience.

249. Sonnet: Write a sonnet today.

250. Should, Would, And Could: Write a poem or story using the words should, would, and could.

251. How to: Write directions on how to do something.

252. Alliteration: Use alliteration in your poem or in a sentence in a story.

253. Poker Face: Write about playing a card game.

254. Timer: Set a timer for 5 minutes and just write. Don’t worry about it making sense or being perfect.

255. Dance: Write about a dancer or a time you remember dancing.

256. Write for a Cause: Write a poem or essay that raises awareness for a cause you support.

257. Magic : Write about a magician or magic trick.

258. Out of the Box: Imagine finding a box. Write about opening it and what’s inside.

259. Under the Influence: What is something has impacted you positively in your life?

260. Forgotten Toy : Write from the perspective a forgotten or lost toy.

261. Rocks and Gems: Write about a rock or gemstone meaning.

262. Remote Control: Imagine you can fast forward and rewind your life with a remote control.

263. Symbolism: Think of objects, animals, etc. that have symbolic meaning to you. Write about it.

264. Light at the End of the Tunnel: Write about a time when you saw hope when it seemed like a hopeless situation.

265. Smoke and Fire : “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Use this saying as inspiration to write!

266. Railroad: Write about a train and its cargo or passengers.

267. Clipboard: Write about words you imagine on an office clipboard.

268. Shipwrecked: Write about being stranded somewhere – an island, a bus stop, etc.

269. Quotable: Use a popular quote from a speaker and use it as inspiration for your writing.

270. Mind Map it Out: Create a mind map of words, phrases, and ideas that pop into your head or spend some time browsing the many mind maps online. Write a poem, story, or journal entry inspired by the mind map.

271. Patterns : Write about repeating patterns that occur in life.

272. Scrapbook : Write about finding a scrapbook and the memories it contains.

273. Cure: Write about finding a cure for an illness.

274. Email Subject Lines: Read your email today and look for subject lines that may be good starters for writing inspiration.

275. Wishful Thinking: Write about a wish you have.

276. Doodle : Spend some time today doodling for about 5-10 minutes. Write about the thoughts you had while doodling or create something inspired by your finished doodle.

277. Chalkboard: Imagine you are in a classroom. What does it say on the chalkboard?

278. Sticky: Imagine a situation that’s very sticky, maybe even covered in maple syrup, tape or glue. Write about it!

279. Flashlight : Imagine going somewhere very dark with only a flashlight to guide you.

280. A Far Away Place : Envision yourself traveling to a fictional place, what do you experience in your imaginary journey?

281. On the Farm : Write about being in a country or rural setting.

282. Promise to Yourself: Write about a promise you want to make to yourself and keep.

283. Brick Wall : Write a poem that is about a brick wall – whether literal or figurative.

284. Making a Choice: Write about a time when you had to make a difficult choice.

285. Repeat: Write about a time when you’ve had to repeat yourself or a time when it felt like no one was listening.

286. Outcast : Write about someone who is not accepted by their peers. (for example, the Ugly Ducking)

287. Scary Monsters: Write about a scary (or not-so-scary) monster in your closet or under the bed.

288. Sacrifice: Write about something you’ve sacrificed doing to do something else or help another person.

289. Imperfection: Create a poem that highlights the beauty in being flawed.

290. Birthday Poem: Write a poem inspired by birthdays.

291. Title First : Make a list of potential poem or story titles and choose one to write from.

292. Job Interview : Write about going on a job interview.

293. Get Well : Write a poem that will help someone who is sick feel better quick!

294. Lost in the Crowd: Write about feeling lost in the crowd.

295. Apple a Day: Write about a health topic that interests you.

296. Cravings: Write about craving something.

297. Phobia: Research some common phobias, choose one, and write about it.

298. In the Moment: Write about living in the present moment.

299. Concrete : Write about walking down a sidewalk and what you see and experience.

300. Battle: Write about an epic battle, whether real, fictional or figurative.

301. This Old House : Write about an old house that is abandoned or being renovated.

302. Clutter: Is there a cluttered spot in your home? Go through some of that clutter today and write about what you find or the process of organizing.

303. Go Fly a Kite: Write about flying a kite.

304. On the TV: Flip to a random TV channel and write about the first thing that comes on – even if it is an infomercial!

305. Fruit: Write an ode to your favorite fruit.

306. Long Distance Love: Write about a couple that is separated by distance.

307. Glasses: Write about a pair of eyeglasses or someone wearing glasses.

308. Robotic : Write about a robot.

309. Cute as a Button: Write about something you think is just adorable.

310. Movie Conversation: Use a memorable conversation from a favorite movie to inspire your writing.

311. Easy-Peasy : Write about doing something effortlessly.

312. Idiom: Choose from a list of idioms one that speaks to you and create a poem around that saying or phrase. (Ie: It is raining cats and dogs)

313. Playground: Whether it is the swings or the sandbox or the sliding boards, write about your memories of being on a playground.

314. Romance: Write about romantic things partners can do for each other.

315. Rock Star: Imagine you are a famous rock star. Write about the experience.

316. Come to Life: Imagine ordinary objects have come to life. Write about what they do and say.

317. Airplane: Write about meeting someone on an airplane and a conversation you might have.

318. Health & Beauty: Take some time to peruse your medicine cabinet or the health and beauty aisles at a local store. Write a poem, short story, or journal entry inspired by a product label.

319. Determination: Write about not giving up.

320. Instrumental Inspiration: Listen to some instrumental music and write a poem that matches the mood, beat, and style of the music.

321. Wait Your Turn: Write about having to wait in line.

322. Personality Type : Do you know your personality type? (There are many free quizzes online) – write about what type of personality traits you have.

323. Decade: Choose a favorite decade and write about it. (IE: 1980’s or 1950’s for example)

324. I Believe: Write your personal credo of things you believe in.

325. Lost and Found: Write about a lost object.

326. Say it: Write a poem or story that uses dialogue between two people.

327. The Unsent Letter: Write about a letter that never made it to its recipient.

328. The Windows of the Soul: Write a poem about the story that is told through someone’s eyes.

329. Trial and Error: Write about something you learned the hard way.

330. Escape : Write about where you like to go to escape from it all.

331. What’s Cooking: Write something inspired a favorite food or recipe.

332. Records : Go through your file box and pull out old receipts or records…write something inspired by what you find!

333. Banking: Write about visiting the bank.

334. Sweet Talk: Write about trying to convince someone of something.

335. Serendipity: Write about something that happened by chance in a positive way.

336. Distractions: Write about how it feels when you can’t focus.

337. Corporation: Write about big business.

338. Word of the Day: Go to a dictionary website that has a word of the day and use it in a poem, story or journal entry you write.

339. Pick Me Up: What do you do when you need a pick me up?

340. Unfinished: Write about a project you started but never completed.

341. Forgiveness: Write about a time when someone forgave you or you forgave someone.

342. Weakness: Write about your greatest weakness.

343. Starting: Write about starting a project.

344. Mechanical: Think of gears, moving parts, machines.

345. Random Act of Kindness : Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone or someone has done for you, no matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed.

346. Underground: Imagine living in a home underground and use that as inspiration for writing.

347. Classic Rock: Pick a classic rock love ballad and rewrite it into a story or poem with a similar theme.

348. Night Owl : Write about staying up late at night.

349. Magnetic : Write about attraction to something or someone.

350. Teamwork: Write about working with a team towards a common goal.

351. Roller-coaster : Write about the ups and downs in life.

352. Motivational Poster: Look at some motivational posters online and write a poem or journal entry inspired by your favorite one.

353. Games: Write about the games people play – figuratively or literally.

354. Turning Point: Write about a point in life where things turned for the better or worse.

355. Spellbound: Write about a witch’s spell.

356. Anniversary: Write about the anniversary of a special date.

357. Gamble: Be inspired by a casino or lottery ticket.

358. Picnic: Write about going on a picnic.

359. Garage: Write about some random item you might find in a garage.

360. Review: Review your week, month, or year in a journal entry or poem format.

361. Detective: Write about a detective searching for clues or solving a mystery.

362. Camera: Take your camera for a walk and write based on one of the photographs you take.

363. Visiting : Write about visiting a family member or friend.

364. Trust: Write about putting trust in someone.

365. Congratulations : Did you write a poem, short story, or journal entry every day for a whole year? Write about what you’ve learned and celebrate your achievement!

We hope you enjoy these creative writing prompts! And of course, if you write anything using these prompts, we’d love to know about it! Tell us how you’ll use these everyday creative writing prompts in the comments section below!

And of course, if you’d like the printable ad-free version of these prompts to reference again and again or to use in your classroom, you can find them at our Etsy shop !

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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Thoughts on creativity, writing & making

82 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults To Help You Write

If you’re looking for creative writing prompts for adults, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we will provide a list of prompts that will help get your creative juices flowing. Whether you are an experienced writer or just starting out, these prompts will help you improve your writing skills and produce great content.

What are the best writing prompts for adults?

Write about your favorite place to visit on vacation.
Pretend you’re stranded on a deserted island. What were some of the things that cross your mind?
What are five words that describe who you are as a person?
What would happen if aliens invaded Earth tomorrow? Write about how they might do so.
Think back on one of the most embarrassing moments during your childhood. Now write down what happened, how it made you feel, and why it was so embarrassing for you.
You just won the lottery! Now write down what you’re going to do with all that money. How will it change your life?
Think back on one of the best days during your childhood (or adulthood). Now write down why it was so great.
Describe your perfect day.
Write about if you could have any superpower, what would it be?
What is something that you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t yet had the opportunity to do? Why?
What are some of your favorite memories from childhood?
How has your life changed since you became a parent?
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Write about how you define happiness
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
If you could go back and change one decision that you made, what would it be? Why?
What is one of your best memories from childhood?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? What are some things that you’d like to do during your trip there?
What is your favorite thing about yourself?
What are some of your goals for the next five years?
What is one bad habit that you would like to break?
If you could have any career in the world, what would it be and why? What steps would you need to take in order to achieve this career?
What are some things that make you happy?
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? Why?
Define love.
Memorable meals with family and friends
A time when you overcame a major obstacle
A time when you were embarrassed but it was worth it in the end
The power of kindness
A day in the life of…
A character sketch of your best friend
Your favorite place to go on vacation and why
5 things you would take with you if stranded on a deserted island
What’s favorite song and why does it mean so much to you?
The story of how you met your spouse/significant other
Your favorite place to read and why
A time when you surprised someone with an act of kindness
What happiness means to you
Why giving back is important to you
How your life has changed since becoming a parent
A time when you accomplished something amazing despite all odds being against you
What are three things that make your life meaningful? Why do they mean so much to you?
Your favorite memory from childhood and why it’s so special to this day.
Write a story in which a character tries to reconnect with a former love from a different era.
Write a story in which a small community is beset by a curse that makes everyone become animals overnight.
Write about a magical object that has the power to grant wishes, but only if the user is willing to pay a steep price.
Write about an individual who wakes up one day with some unusual new abilities – they can now read people’s thoughts and emotions, or even control them completely.
Write a story about a cursed object that always seems to bring bad luck to its owner.
Write a story about a writers’ group that meets every week to critique each other’s work.
Write a story about a young woman who discovers her true identity after years of searching.
Write about a group of friends who decide to take a road trip together.
Write a story about a person who is forced to relive the same day over and over again.
Write a story about a family who moves into a new house only to discover that it’s haunted.
Write a story about a group of friends who get lost in the wilderness and must find their way back home.
Write a story about a person who is given the power to control time.
A young woman who is haunted by the ghost of her former lover.
A group of friends who get lost in the wilderness and must find their way back home.
A young man who discovers her true identity after years of searching.
Write about an organization on a mission to save humanity from extinction caused by an unknown event.
What would you do if you had the power to save humanity?
Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
Write about a time when you overcame a personal challenge.
Write about a time when you were forced to confront your fears.
Write about a time when you were forced to make a tough choice.
Write about a time when you were forced to stand up for yourself.
Write about an experience that changed the course of your life.
Write about an experience that made you stronger as a person.
Write about an experience that taught you something valuable about life.
Write about a time when you were called names.
Write about a time when you had to lie to someone close to you.
Write an obituary for yourself and leave your final words and thoughts.
Write about what it would be like if your world was turned upside down by the love of one person.
Write about a time when you were forced to make a tough choice or stand up for yourself.
Write a story in which a character is being pursued by a madman.
Write about a time when you were lost in the woods at night.
Write about an evil creature that is hunting you down.
Write about a dark figure that stalks you in your dreams.
Write about an urban legend that is based on true events.
Write about a ghost that haunts your hometown.
Write about a serial killer who is still at large

What’s next for your writing?

Creative writing is important because it allows for self-expression and exploration. It can be a way to work through emotions or to explore new ideas. It can also be a form of release, allowing for the expression of thoughts and feelings that might otherwise be bottled up. For experienced writers, creative writing can be a way to practice and improve writing skills. These writing prompts will help you do exactly that!

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Tags: Fiction Writing , Novel , Novel Writing , Short Story Poetry

Do you wish to write but don’t know how to start? If you have writer’s block, this article is for you! This article includes 100 plus creative writing prompts across all genres to kickstart your writing journey.

From horror writing prompts to fantasy writing prompts, we’ve covered everything for you! Before we see examples of writing prompts, let’s quickly understand the meaning of writing prompts.

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Learn more

What are writing prompts?

A writing prompt is a simple topic idea to inspire the writer to get the first words on the page. It can be a picture, a line from a poem, or an imaginary scenario. Writing prompts can be abstract, realistic, evocative, thought-provoking, insightful, or descriptive.

Dive in to see exciting writing prompts from various genres! These also include many creative writing prompts for adults.

1. Horror writing prompts

1) A man inside the coffin breaks the coffin and starts walking.

2) A demonic spirit has entered your friend’s body and she is moving closer to attack you.

3) You wake up in an empty house and see a ghost.

4) A doll you brought for a friend suddenly starts speaking.

5) You suddenly see a man who was supposed to have died in 1900.

6) A vampire you saw in your dream kidnaps you in real life.

7) You are awakened by drops of blood falling on your face.

8) You have an accident and suddenly see a centaur who has a half-human, half-animal face.

9) You are walking in the forest and witness a shocking ritual where people are drinking blood.

10) You wear an old ring you found after which something terrible keeps happening to you.

11) An excavator finds an old mummy while digging which tries to grab him.

Now let’s see some of the best creative writing prompts for adults and kids for journaling,

2. Journal writing prompts

1) Describe a childhood memory that always makes you smile.

2) Write about a dream you had that you can never forget.

3) Recount your biggest challenge and what you learned from it.

4) Name three people who inspire you the most and why.

5) Pen a letter to yourself and describe your accomplishments and future goals.

6) Explain what would you like to change if you had a chance to go back in time.

7) Narrate an incident where the kindness of strangers moved you.

8) Express in detail some of your best memories with school friends.

9) List five activities you love to do and your efforts to perform those activities.

10) Tell in detail about your favorite travel destination.

11) Describe your most challenging times and how you overcame them.

If you wish to explore writing about mysteries, the following are some creative prompts about mysteries.

3. Mystery writing prompts

1) Ten scientists die on the same day and a Scotland Yard detective is assigned to find out why.

2) A top bureaucrat starts getting anonymous threatening notes and decides to investigate.

3) A retired police officer decides to play detective and solve the case of his granddaughter’s death.

4) A private investigator is assigned to find the truth about a journalist who went missing.

5) A meteor strikes a village after which people start falling sick.

6) An archaeologist finds a document about a cursed treasure and decides to find out the truth.

7) A young boy hears screams from a tower and sees torch lights flashing in the dark.

8) A factory burns and an investigator finds out whether the fire was caused naturally or intentionally.

9) A girl inquires to understand why her dog was shot and discovers a shocking truth.

10) A son promises his mother to uncover the reason behind his sister’s suicide.

11) A police inspector has to solve the murder case of an orphan who was earlier arrested in a drug case.

4. Romance writing prompts

1) A girl falls in love with a video gamer she met in college.

2) A 70-year-old realizes that he has fallen in love with a woman he met at an old age home.

3) A man meets his childhood crush after years and tries to woo her once more.

4) Two best friends decide to experiment and set up a double date.

5) Give a love story to a person whom everyone assumes to be a villain.

6) Pen a romance story with the words affair, flirting, infatuation, and fling.

7) A man who has a phobia of getting married meets a girl with a similar fear.

8) Write a love story of two people staying in two different countries.

9) Two employees from rival companies fall in love.

10) A paramedic falls in love with a spy whose life she saves. She later realizes that he will soon embark on a dangerous mission.

11) Write a love story of a librarian and a time-traveler.

Instead of writing about romance, you might be interested in the science fiction genre. Given below are some creative prompts related to science fiction.

5. Science fiction writing prompts

1) Two scientists invent a machine that can control and manipulate weather.

2) An astronaut flies to the planet Jupiter and discovers alien life.

3) An archaeologist finds an old book about a magical time travel ritual and uses that ritual to go back in time.

4) A young boy finds a hidden library of science books and is trapped inside the library.

5) A science teacher decides to take revenge against the government by performing a dangerous science experiment.

6) A jailed scientist uses science to escape and prove his innocence.

7) A science geek creates an AI program that can hack the data of government and private organizations without leaving a trace.

8) A spaceship is pulled into another universe by an unknown force and aliens are planning to invade the Earth.

9) A scientist designs a robot that looks and talks exactly like the country’s President and plans to kill the real President.

10) To reduce population, a crazy scientist makes a deadly plan to release a virus into the air.

11) A chemistry professor creates a dangerous solution that can massively change the genes of animals and humans.

If science fiction is not your cup of tea and you love fantasy, here are some creative writing prompts about fantasy.

6. Fantasy writing prompts

1) An archaeologist enters a magical world of dragons and is unable to return to Earth.

2) A tribal girl develops fairy wings and she is later assigned the task to save the fairy race from extinction.

3) A man discovers a magical dream shop where dreams are sold to change reality.

4) A musician visits a hidden world and finds a magical flute that can hypnotize people and make them stand still.

5) A boy finds a small dwarf in his garden who shows him the train to travel to parallel universes.

6) A woman finds the feather of a rare bird, using which she enters the world of lost secrets.

7) A college student falls in love with a cursed mermaid and travels to her land to free her from the curse.

8) An excavator opens a door and arrives in the land where destinies are written.

9) A man unintentionally awakens a sleeping devil who creates a new world and new citizens to destroy the earth.

10) A girl realizes that she has the power to control stars and is pulled into a world of demons and monsters.

11) A fairy falls in love with a human and must convince Fairyland to accept her love and let her go.

You might also have an interest in writing poems about various topics. For poetry lovers, the following are some of the best creative writing prompts.

7. Poetry writing prompts

1) Write a poem about your favorite fairy tale as a child.

2) Describe an unforgettable memory with your first crush in a poem.

3) Pen a poem about a stray dog who became your best friend.

4) Craft a poem about the beauty of witnessing fireflies in the dark.

5) Explore the sadness of losing touch with school classmates in a poem.

6) Narrate an incident about a memorable dance you saw in a poem.

7) Write a poem that has the quote “Tough times never last but tough people do”.

8) Compose a poem on a special gift you received and its importance.

9) Pen a poem about your favorite cartoon character.

10) Write a poem about how a person who passed away inspired you in life.

11) Compose a poem about a magical land where you wish to go.

If you love to write on light-hearted, funny topics, given below are some of the best writing prompts for you!

8. Funny writing prompts

1) Jot down a hilarious conversation between a madman and a witty parrot.

2) Create a funny story about how a person is forced to communicate with a stranger who doesn’t understand English.

3) Write a funny dialogue about a person who says something wrong at the most inappropriate time.

4) Describe a prank where you created a savory dish that looked like chocolate and made your friend taste it.

5) Write a humorous conversation between a standup comedian and an angry spectator.

6) Pen a story about a disaster that takes place because a scientist forgot to add a valuable component to an experiment.

7) Craft a funny story about a brother who takes revenge on his sister for revealing his girlfriend to his parents.

8) Imagine a funny situation where a friend tries to copy everything you do to irritate you and write about it.

9) Write about a funny incident when you received a parcel you hadn’t ordered.

10) Narrate an incident about a funny costume party where everyone was dressed up as different animals.

11) Write about a comic incident where an aunt asked you to take responsibility for her son while she was away. However, the son ends up in prison.

9. Short story writing prompts

1) Write a short story about a ship that mysteriously sank in the ocean.

2) Pen a short story about a girl who has synesthesia and sees colors around people.

3) Craft a short story about a mountaineer who decides to climb Mount Everest.

4) Develop a short story about a road trip gone wrong.

5) Write a short story about what happens when a government official finds out about a dangerous secret.

6) Create a short story about a detective who disguises himself and is discovered.

7) Pen a short story about a businessman with a big scar and a twisted lip.

8) Write a short story about how a boy discovers a magical wishing feather after which his every wish comes true.

9) Develop a short story about a blind man who takes revenge for an insult.

10) Craft a short story about an eagle who saves a jungle from being destroyed.

11) Write a short story about the last living princess who makes a mark on the world.

If you wish to explore historical fiction instead, here are some of the best writing prompts for you!

10. Historical fiction writing prompts

1) A librarian discovers a shocking secret about the Second World War which can change the future of the USA and Russia.

2) Write a story about a mirror that talks about an ancient era and reveals a secret about that era.

3) Craft a tale about a poet who wrote about the Red Indians.

4) A political leader begins a movement to get recognition for a lesser-known historical figure, resulting in controversy.

5) An excavator finds a valuable artifact from the Mayan civilization that could affect the world’s future.

6) A girl realizes that she is the last living descendant of a French queen and must protect a family secret at all costs.

7) A bureaucrat finds a diary about a man who suffered during the Great Depression and resolves to make amends.

8) A boy has dreams about the First World War and decides to solve the mystery of his dreams.

9) A tribe decides to get back a valuable historical artifact stolen from them.

10) A historian finds out about the most dangerous escape of an American soldier.

11) A girl discovers a magical portal that transports her to the 18th century.

Now that you’ve understood what are writing prompts, you can use one prompt daily and start writing. The next step after writing is editing. As providers of editing and proofreading services , we’d love to help you edit and perfect your writing!

We realize how writing and editing can be challenging tasks. Here are some resources to enhance your writing:

The dynamics of Christian book editing and proofreading
What Is Developmental Editing? A Self-Editing Checklist
How to Write a Novel in Past Tense? 3 Steps & Examples

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85 Creative Writing Prompts

"If you want to write and you want to get ideas, you have to be alert and open to everything. Everything you read. Everything you listen to. You have to allow these things to inspire you."

Fun creative writing prompts to inspire and educate

These 79 creative writing prompts for adults and teens are designed as story starters to inspire you. They will also help you write on specific topics and develop important skills you need as an author.

A good writing prompt will jump-start your creativity, help you come up with new ideas and may even give you the inspiration you need to write a full story. Feel free to dive straight in without too much thought. Simply choose the topic that appeals to you, pick one at random and start writing.

If you have a novel, screenplay, or other large project you're working on, I recommend using a prompt for 10 minutes before moving onto your main project. This will help get your creative juices flowing. If you don't have an existing project, spend as long as you want on a single prompt, or try a few different ones. Have fun, be free, and trust yourself.

The following prompts also include some for business, if you're looking for writing ideas to help with your content marketing or creating a blog.

Most of these prompts are written about 'you'. If you'd prefer to write them in third person, choose a name, and write them about a fictional character instead.

If you're looking to use these prompts as part of a class, or for a writing group, you might prefer to check out the Creative Writing Exercises for Adults and Teens instead. These include 43 group and solo exercises that are 10-15 minutes each, with more detailed instructions. We also have 42 science fiction and fantasy prompts for those looking for good story ideas with a touch of magic (or technology).

Choose the topic that fires your imagination

So you can plunge straight into the topic that most interests you, these writing prompts are split into the following categories:

Overcoming writer's block

Creative writing prompts for a young adult audience
Creative writing prompts for adults

Expressing emotion

Fantasy and sci-fi prompts

Visual prompts for world building
Ideas to develop your online business writing

If you feel blocked, I recommend using one of the following prompts and writing for ten minutes in a stream of consciousness. In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron recommends you write 3 pages every morning as your 'morning pages'. She calls this, " The bedrock tool of a creative recovery. "

To write in a stream of consciousness while using a creative writing prompt, simply start writing and don't stop! If you don't know what will happen next, write, "I don't know what will happen next!" Then write what the options are, why one option might be better than another, etc. This kind of spontaneous creativity is an incredible tool to help move your book or short story forward and to overcome writer's block. If you read back over your stream of consciousness after just ten minutes, you'll find some nuggets of gold in your writing and may have resolved a difficult decision about a particular piece of text.

All authors face a challenge in getting in touch with their creativity from time to time, so don't feel that you're alone.

Here are the first set of prompts:

You're on holiday in a new city and you were walking along talking to a friend, when you suddenly realise they're no longer with you. What happens next?
You have invented a time machine and set off to the time you would most love to visit.
Think of three conflicts - an internal conflict where the protagonist has doubts, an interpersonal conflict with another character, and an external conflict like a natural disaster, physical barrier, or bad weather. Now write a scene that encompasses all three.
You are sitting, reading a list of story writing prompts when a character from your favourite book opens the door and looks at you. They say, "I've been looking for you."
You are a security guard at a secret lair. It's a cold winter's night and there's a foot of snow. You notice a set of footprints leading straight to you, but you could have sworn that they weren't there a moment ago.
What's a flaw that one of your friends has? Imagine if that flaw was exaggerated and create a character around that flaw.
You get a newspaper delivered to your door every morning, then one day it's tomorrow's paper, telling you what will happen today.
Think about a favourite book or movie. What was the character's main goal? Now give that character a different backstory that explains his/her goal.
You are about to fly on a dragon for the very first time.
Everyone has a superpower based on the topography of where they were born (i.e. mountains, deserts, etc.). You are the first person to be born in space. (This prompt, copied from Reddit , was the inspiration for a novel, that then became the first in a successful book series).

Prompts to help you write for a young adult audience

These story prompts are ideal for teen authors and for those looking to write for a Young Adult audience.

You're at the best party you've ever been to, when your worst enemy walks through the door and heads straight towards you.
One morning you wake up and you can see people's feelings as halos of colour around them. You discover that a friend has been hiding how they feel.
You're playing with a toy car when it comes alive and starts driving around by itself. It can only make car sounds, but you have a feeling it wants you to follow it.
Think of 3 animals. A creature has just entered your room that is a magical combination of these 3 animals.
What's the most exotic place you've ever visited? Your adventure starts there.
A genie grants you three wishes. You wish for an unlimited supply of your favourite food, then for an unlimited supply of your favourite toys. Instead of appearing next to you, they start falling out of the sky. You have one wish left.
Imagine an ant is looking up at you. What would they see?
You're dreaming of flying and when you wake up, you're hovering above your bed.
The internet and all the mobile phones in the world stop working. Choose a character and give them a goal. What happens?
Write about a time when you saw a dark aspect of humanity. How it feel and how did your behaviour change as a result of it?

Writing prompts for adults

You turn up for a job interview, but instead of being offered a job, you are invited to join an illegal activist group who are fighting to right the wrongs in the government.
You have had a crush on Rowan for ages. One night your car breaks down. Cursing that your phone is out of charge, you hitch-hike home and a car pulls over to pick you up. Rowan's driving it and is alone. You get in feeling relieved and delighted, only to discover that Rowan isn't the person you thought.
Write the names of 3 friends or family members who don't know each other. Now describe a scene where the 3 of them meet.
You are a tree and are scared of losing all your leaves. Autumn is fast approaching.
A rhinoceros is charging down a crowded city street.
You have studied hard to be an opera singer. You are opening the show and forget your lines. In desperation, you sing the song to a different opera. The orchestra know it and play along with you. What happens next?
Look at different clues for a murder mystery , then write a unique clue that could be the first hint to set your detective on the trail.
Write a list of seven exotic or dynamic sounding verbs and number them 1 to 7. Now write a list of seven nouns. Now connect them together by joining the first verb with the first noun, the second verb with the second noun, etc. Choose one of the seven verb-noun pairs to create a piece of fiction.
Choose a sport you love and write a scene about a character starting where they are preparing to perform in the Olympics, or another major competition.
Your character discovers that their best friend is a murderer but chooses to keep it a secret. Create a back story that explains why. What happens next?

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”

Hellen Keller

Describe the emotion the woman in the above image is feeling.
You are tired and arguing with your best friend over whose turn it is to wash the dishes. It gets out of hand.
You receive a letter saying, "We would like to publish your novel." How do you react?
What was the last strong emotion you felt? If this emotion was a type of weather, what weather would that be? Now place a character feeling the opposite emotion in those weather conditions.
Your teenage daughter gets on the train to go to uni, you wave her off, then stand on the platform as the train pulls away.
Think of an emotion. Now describe how your protagonist's body reacts when they feel this emotion.
Your white friends have just left the supermarket and the security guard ignored them. You're black and as you leave, he demands to see your receipt.
A beautiful rainbow shines in the distance, but the storm is headed your way and you're miles from cover.
Your character takes a drug (medicinal or recreational, you choose) that changes their personality radically, making them feel happy but uncaring. While on it, they decide to end a friendship in a dramatic fashion. Afterwards, they try to rebuild that friendship. Write the conversation that follows.
Three friends arrive at a crossroads. All three want to go in different directions. Create a scene where they argue about where to go. Now rewrite the scene from different points of view. See if you can show different motivations and personalities as you write.

Love Stories

Love comes in many forms and is written about in every genre. It goes beyond romantic love, though romance books are the best-selling genre. As so many people have written about love, it can be a challenge to describe love without sounding cliched.

Before we get to the prompts, here are some quotes about love to inspire you:

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Lao Tzu

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” ― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Now the prompts themselves from 10 different genres. Choose whichever you feel inspired by! Many of the following say 'poem', but feel free to write a short story or letter if you'd prefer.

COMEDY - Choose 2 objects in your house. Write a love poem from one to the other.
ROMANCE - Write a love poem to someone you love.
LGBT+ - Write a scene from the perspective of a transgender teenager about everyday life at high school. Remember that in the modern world, depending on the country, they will encounter both people who support them completely and those who don't, so keep that balance in mind.
SELF-REFLECTION - Write a poem to yourself when you were a child.
SCI-FI - Write a poem from yourself 10 years from now to yourself today.
LEGEND - Write a poem from the Loch Ness Monster to Nessie, the female monster who also lives in Loch Ness.
HISTORICAL FICTION - Choose a famous character from history and research if they were married. Write a scene where they disagreed with their partner on a major decision.
ADVENTURE - Write a poem about an amazing adventure in a place you, or your character, loves.
MURDER MYSTERY - Someone is poisoned in a coffee shop. Write the scene when the detective first arrives.
THRILLER - Your character wakes to find they are trapped in a dungeon after a first date. Their partner is with them. How do they escape?

Many great story ideas are based on a what if question. What if we're living in a virtual world? What if you gained a spider's abilities when one bit you? What if toys came to life when no-one's there?

Here are some prompts in the form of what if questions. Enjoy!

What if plants robustly expressed their opinions?
What if women ruled the world?
What if money became meaningless overnight?
What if you and your friends murdered someone?
What if a news channel gave a fictional story that became reality 24 hours later?
What if you were an alien and had been adopted by humans?
What if food was replaced by 'nutrition pills' to help stop global warming?
What if sound manifested as physical beings?
What if you had a recurring dream about someone, then you met them in real life?
What if characters from history started to appear alive and well in a small town?

Bored with your immortal existence, you are gathered with your godly friends to create the ultimate virtual reality game ever. A game you have called 'Earth', but just as your first friend enters the game you realise that the game has a terrible flaw.
You are an orc who wants to do good. You have fled your hometown and arrive at a human village wondering whether you will be welcome.
You character is approaching a castle. What unusual reason do they have to be there? What do they say to the two guards standing outside it?
Evil narcists rule the world, but a wizard is determined to stop them by wiping their memory and the memory of everyone who knew them. This allows them to safely re-enter society. You have just found one of your old diaries and discovered that you were once a warlord who commit terrible evil.
A war between the vampires and werewolves has been going on for centuries in ancient Europe, but you have just found a way to turn the battle. If a werewolf eats garlic, they remain human. You're about to spread a false rumour that will change history and give vampires the advantage forever.
You are an alien visiting Earth and chose to assume an anonymous form as a dog. Now someone wants to adopt you.
Gravity has just reversed itself.
A wish generator fulfils a wish every time you touch it, but the wish it fulfils isn't your own.
Look around you and imagine that an object, plant or piece of furniture you can see is enormous. Decide what this object means to a character. Your character is walking towards it.
Imagine a fantasy world where there is one type of magic. What knock on repercussions does this have on daily life? Write a scene showing this.

If you enjoy this genre, then you can discover more sci-fi and fantasy creative writing prompts . These focus on world building, creating exotic characters and developing plots with an out of this world element.

Visual writing prompts for world building

Sometimes an image can be more of a prompt than words. As it's a different medium, it allows you complete freedom to choose how to write about it. Here are 4 visual writing prompts to help with your world building, along with a suggestion of how to use them for each.

You've entered this room for the first time. Decide what your purpose was in entering it, then start writing.

Imagine a conversation is occurring here between people who work here all the time. Write the conversation, setting the room as the background.

I find the following image so evocative, it shouldn't need a prompt to go with it!

Who lives here? Write their story.

As well as visual writing prompts, you can come up with good story ideas using musical writing prompts. Simply take the name of any song below and write a story from it. Focus on sounds in your writing.

Ideas to develop your online business writing

Mix work and pleasure! Write about something you love to do as a hobby in the style of writing that you do for your work. A sales pitch about your favourite holiday destination, or an analysis of the last board game you played, for example.
Choose a product you recently bought from the supermarket and see if you can sell it in 160 characters or less. This is useful if you're writing Meta Descriptions for a web page.
If you had to choose a single issue that determined how you would vote in every future election, what issue would it be? Why?
Write a short review of your favourite movie and a movie you hated.
Write a short autobiography of your life in the form of an interview, where paragraphs alternate between question and answer.
Choose a random article on Wikipedia and write a press release to promote it.

What is your favourite book set in a fictional universe? Write a tourist's guide to one area of that universe.
What was a favourite toy you had as a child? What appealed to you about it? Write a sales blurb for that product with you as the target audience.
Find a page selling a toy you loved as a kid. Now rewrite that page as if it was a product designed for adults.

To discover more creative writing prompts, please click the image below.

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50 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

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Table of Contents

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing, and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

The purpose of creative writing is to both entertain and share the human experience, like love or loss. Writers attempt to get at a truth about humanity through poetics and storytelling. If you’d like to try your hand at creative writing, just keep in mind that whether you are trying to express a feeling or a thought, the first step is to use your imagination.

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Types of creative writing include:

Movie and television scripts
Fiction (novels, novellas, and short stories)
Personal essays

Techniques used in creative writing include:

Character development
Plot development
Vivid setting
Underlying theme
Point of view
Metaphors and similes
Figures of speech
Imaginative language
Emotional appeal
Heavy description

Why do we need creative writing prompts?

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If you’ve ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so, then you’ve met the author’s age-old foe: writer’s block. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our new directory! If you’re ready to kick and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket. Here we are presenting 50 creative writing prompts and fiction writing prompts to allow you to flex your creative writing by experimenting with different types of genres.

Top 50 creative writing prompts

Someone is sitting on a park bench and reading a news article about the recent string of crimes. The person knows who did it.
A writer loses the ability to distinguish reality from the fantastical world of his or her stories.
Some relationships aren’t simple enough to be classified as toxic or healthy. Writing about a complex relationship, give it a shot.
In a country that rants and raves about freedom, the government decides that its people should not be allowed to eat meat.
On the first day of school, two best friends discover a frightening secret about one of their new teachers.
It’s a cold rainy night. A man and a woman standing beside a car outside a convenience store, arguing. One of them pulls out a gun.
Four friends on a nature hike discovered a deep cave, complete with running water. As they go deeper and deeper into the cave they find strange objects – human skeletons, a gas mask etc.,
What’s the weather outside your window doing right now? If that’s not inspiring, what’s the weather like somewhere you wish you could be?
How do you feel when you love someone who does not love you back?
Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.
Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.
Write something inspired by a recent dream you had.
Everyone’s addicted to something in some shape or form. What are the things you can’t go without?
Write about someone you admire and you thought to have had a beautiful mind.
Write about doing something you don’t want to do.
What scares you a little? What do you feel when scared? How do you react?
What makes you smile? What makes you happy?
Write about a character who goes to – or purposefully avoids – their college reunion.
Write a story that feels lonely, despite being set in a packed city.
Write about a character who is stuck in an elevator when the power goes out.
Write a story about two people meeting during unusual circumstances and becoming fast friends.
Write a day in the life story about a first-time parent and their newborn child.
Write a story that begins with someone’s popsicle melting.
Write a story that begins with someone who’s haunted by their past.
Write a story about an argument that seems to be about one thing, but actually about another.
Write about making mistakes.
Write about a phone call you recently received.
Write about an extreme sport.
Choose a famous painting and write about it.
Write a tribute to someone you regard as a hero.
While shopping in a departmental store suddenly you come across a middle-aged man who is almost the same as the guy who kidnapped your child ten years earlier
A school of dolphins approaching you while you were relaxing on the beach. How would you feel?
Write about any classic monsters like vampires, werewolves and mummies.
Write a story about a character who walks away from the life he or she knows and the people he or she loves. Why would a person give up everything he or she holds dear?
A small team is conducting research at sea and they are overtaken by a wild storm.
The Earth has been ravaged by disease. There is no law or order. The grid has gone. Everyone is struggling to survive.
The scientist has figured out how to alternate DNA sequence and could now create animals who could be the survival to the fittest. One of their experiments go wrong and by mistake unleashes a swarm oh hybrid predators on the population.
Two athletes competing get stuck somewhere like broken down in an elevator or a remote location and fall in love.
Write about someone you admire from far – a public figure or celebrity.
Have you ever had a Déjà vu – the strange sense you’ve ever experienced something before.
What is the number of goals you want to achieve as a writer?
Think about a book that was a page-turner that made you want to keep reading.
Write about the power you felt when you told someone no.
Watch a movie that makes you cry. Write about that scene in the movie.
Pick a state or country you’ve never visited. Write about why you would or would not like to visit that place.
Choose one of the natural wonders of the world. Write about it.
Write about an object that’s been passed through the generations in your family.
Write about a magic potion. What is it made of? What does it do? What is the antidote?
Take something you’ve written in the past and rewrite it into a completely different piece.

How to build a writing routine ?

Many adult writers use themes to kick-start their writing while others choose to use lines of dialogue or specific keywords as great writing starters. Obviously, the sources of Creative writing prompts that may be used for writing skill development is virtually limitless. If you practice your writing consistently with the adult writing prompts listed above, there is no doubt they should help you unleash your creativity and achieve new heights in your writing performance.

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FAQ’s

Writing prompts are learning assignments that directs a writer to write about a particular topic in a particular way.

1. Set goals and establish your routines around them 2. Adopt a mindset 3. Determine your most creative/productive time of the day 4. Create a dedicated writing space 5. Try different writing methods to see what suits you the best 6. Set your writing commitment 7. Whatever your routine is stick to it

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Tiny Memoir Contest for Students: Write a 100-Word Personal Narrative

We invite teenagers to tell a true story about a meaningful life experience in just 100 words. Contest dates: Nov. 6 to Dec. 4, 2024.

A banner of six purple and black illustrations. From left to right: a woman hanging a star in a window with the help of a little girl; two men staring lovingly at each other over a small table; a man presenting a miniature Christmas tree to his pet fish; a frog reaching out his arms to a squiggly figure; three family members piled on top of each other on a couch; a woman looking pensively out a widow as it snows outside.

By The Learning Network

Illustrations from Modern Love’s Tiny Love Stories , the inspiration for this contest.

Can you tell a meaningful and interesting true story from your life in just 100 words? That’s the challenge we pose to teenagers with our 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest, a storytelling form popularized by Modern Love’s Tiny Love Stories series .

After running this contest for two years, receiving a total of more than 25,000 entries, and honoring dozens of excellent miniature teen-written memoirs, we have discovered the answer is a resounding yes .

So, we challenge you to try it yourself.

We’re not asking you to write to a particular theme or to use a specific structure or style, but we are looking for short, powerful stories about a particular moment or event in your life. We want to hear your story, told in your unique voice, and we hope you’ll experiment with style and form to tell a tale that matters to you, in a way you enjoy telling it.

And, yes, it’s possible to do all that in only 100 words. For proof, just look at last year’s 15 winning entries . We also have a step-by-step guide full of advice that is grounded in 25 excellent 100-word mentor texts, as well as a rehearsal space , published for our first year’s contest, that has over 1,000 student-written mini memoirs. Because that space was so successful, we’re keeping it open for this year’s contest. We hope students will use it to get inspiration, experiment and encourage each other.

Take a look at the full guidelines and related resources below. Please post any questions you have in the comments and we’ll answer you there, or write to us at [email protected]. And, consider hanging this PDF one-page announcement on your class bulletin board.

Here’s what you need to know:

Resources for Teachers and Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Submission Form

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Creative Writing for Adults
Creative Writing Ideas • JournalBuddies.com
Creative Writing Ideas for Adults
100 Writing Prompts
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86 adult writing prompts for a better life

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140 Creative Writing Prompts For Adults
Use these creative writing prompts for adults to get you started on the right path to a successful story and suffer from writer's block for the last time. This list of writing prompts for adults can be taken and used in any way you want. Details can be changed, and characters can be added or removed. They are meant to be a fun way to get your ...
63 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults (with PDF). All Genres!
Writing Prompts with Pictures. Write a story around the following image: Writing Prompt 49: Writing Prompt 50: Image: Interior Design/Shutterstock. Writing Prompt 51: Image: LaCozza/Fotolia. Writing Prompt 52: Image: anibal/Fotolia. Writing Prompts for Writer's Block. If you are troubled by writer's block, try one of these exercise.
100+ Writing Prompts for Adults: Unleash Your Creativity and
Here are some ways to approach writing prompts: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. Use the prompt as a warm-up exercise before you start working on your main writing project. Share your completed prompt with a writing buddy or in a writers' group to gather feedback and suggestions.
50 Creative Writing Prompts For Adults
7. "I wasn't sure why my boyfriend said he needed to talk.". 8. Picture what a different life could have led you to. 9. Write about a day when you have to face your worst nightmares in real life. 10. "For some reason, everyone started looking at me differently.". 11.
Best Adults Writing Prompts of 2023
If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a top ten list of writing prompts for adults: Write a story about a 40th birthday party. Set your story at a retirement party. It's your wedding day, and as you're saying your vows, a voice from the crowd yells, "I object!" Start your story with the line 'Back in my day…'.
100 Creative Writing Prompts for Writers
Click to continue. *****. 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Writers. 1. The Variants of Vampires. Think of an alternative vampire that survives on something other than blood. Write a story or scene based on this character. 2. Spinning the Globe.
51 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults
Find fun and inspiring writing topics for adults to practice your craft and spark your imagination. From dreams and secrets to fantasies and dilemmas, these prompts cover a range of themes and genres.
1800+ Creative Writing Prompts To Inspire You Right Now
Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted ...
365 Daily Writing Prompts for Creative Writers
Take the 30-Day Creative Writing Challenge. Press the GENERATE button above. (If it doesn't work, refresh the page.) The text box will generate a short creative writing prompt or topic you can write about today. (If you can't see the whole line, use your cursor to highlight the text and keep scrolling to the right.)
Creative Writing Prompts
The Rich Couple. Every writer needs a little inspiration once in a while. For today's prompt, write a story based on the sentence "The rich couple was never generous, with their time or with their compliments." By Moriah Richard Aug 6, 2024. Writing Prompts.
30 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults » JournalBuddies.com
You'll find creative ideas about occupations and the real world, right alongside science fiction and fantasy prompts. Take your pick of topics or genres and keep the rest saved for later days when you need some creative stimulation and inspiration for your writing practice. Use this list of creative writing prompts for adults to help you ...
PDF 101 Creative Writing Prompts That Will Get You Excited to Write
at's hard about it. This is your hard line. Write what's scary about it. This is your scary line. Step Two: Now write four separate lines. bout your weird line, one line each for what's weird, stupid. hard and scary about your weird line. Then do this for your original stupid, hard.
300 Creative Writing Prompts to Spur Your Creativity
The solution lies in writing prompts—effective tools that ignite your creativity and kickstart your storytelling journey. Here are 300 writing prompts that can steer you toward fresh narratives and unexplored themes. 1 to 50: These prompts focus on the personal. They lead you to introspect and narrate your experiences.
53 of the Best Writing Prompts for Adults » JournalBuddies.com
53 Excellent Daily Writing Prompts for Adults. Hidden away on the inside of the jacket. At that moment, she should've left. He should have realized that…. Suddenly everything became blurry and dark. With great joy, I share with you what happened after…. A place I visit often is…. Staring at his reflection. What if….
70 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You to Write
Creative Writing Prompts Can Boost Your Writing Skills. Using writing prompts can boost your creativity and improve your writing skills in a number of ways by: Helping to overcome writer's block. Exercising your imagination. Increasing your rate of practice. Teaching you more about yourself.
365 Creative Writing Prompts
14. The Found Poem: Read a book and circle some words on a page. Use those words to craft a poem. Alternatively, you can cut out words and phrases from magazines. 15. Eavesdropper: Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you've overheard. Printable Ad-Free 365 Writing Prompt Cards. 16.
82 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults To Help You Write
Write a story in which a character is being pursued by a madman. Write about a time when you were lost in the woods at night. Write about an evil creature that is hunting you down. Write about a dark figure that stalks you in your dreams. Write about an urban legend that is based on true events.
40 Daily Creative Writing Prompts for Adults
If you enjoyed these 40 Daily Creative Writing Prompts for Adults, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it! Sincerely, Jill. journalbuddies.com. creator and curator. Stretch your perspective, expand your imagination, and start writing with these daily creative writing prompts for adults and for writers of all ...
100+ Creative Writing Prompts for Masterful Storytelling
1. Horror writing prompts. 1) A man inside the coffin breaks the coffin and starts walking. 2) A demonic spirit has entered your friend's body and she is moving closer to attack you. 3) You wake up in an empty house and see a ghost. 4) A doll you brought for a friend suddenly starts speaking.
45 Creative Writing Prompts to Boost your Inspiration
If you're dying to tap into the prolific poet within, here are five poem writing prompts to help. Take a walk through a nature trail, and write a poem about what you see on your walk. Create a poem using descriptive details about a person you love. Write about a day you laughed instead of cried.
85 Creative Writing Prompts
Fun creative writing prompts to inspire and educate. These 79 creative writing prompts for adults and teens are designed as story starters to inspire you. They will also help you write on specific topics and develop important skills you need as an author. A good writing prompt will jump-start your creativity, help you come up with new ideas and ...
31 May Creative Writing Prompts {Fresh Story Starters For Adults}
31 May Creative Writing Prompts And Story Starters For Adults. 1. Old Friends — It was the first day of May, and the perfect day for a picnic. Your character packs a basket and heads for the park. They're spreading a blanket under a tree when they hear someone calling their name. It was an old friend whom they hadn't seen in years.
50 Creative Writing Prompts for Adults
Write a story that begins with someone who's haunted by their past. Write a story about an argument that seems to be about one thing, but actually about another. Write about making mistakes. Write about a phone call you recently received. Write about an extreme sport. Choose a famous painting and write about it.
15 Inspirational Comic Strip Ideas & Prompts
Skillshare's classes offer invaluable resources for aspiring comic creators, and our teachers are ready to show you how to perfect your storytelling techniques, build your character illustration skills, create a graphic novel, develop your creative writing chops, turn a journal entry into a comic or even publish and sell your comic series.
Tiny Memoir Contest for Students: Write a 100-Word Personal Narrative
A personal narrative writing unit: This unit includes mentor texts, writing prompts, lesson plans, videos and on-demand webinars that teach the skills essential for any kind of narrative writing ...
Stone Soup Books and The Writers Well partner to bring creative writing
WAYNESBORO, Va. (WHSV)—Stone Soup Books and The Writers Well launched a new writing school for adults, with summer and fall sessions in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Though the ...

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140 Creative Writing Prompts For Adults

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dramatic Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Drama

Supernatural Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Supernatural Stories

Thriller Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing a Thriller

Thriller Book Writing Template

Horror Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Horror

Crime and Mystery Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Crime and Mystery

Science Fiction Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Science Fiction

Dystopian Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Dystopian Fiction

Historical Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Historical Fiction

Humorous Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Comedy

Fantasy Writing Prompts for Adults

Tips for Writing Fantasy

Fantasy Novel Writing Template

Dialogue-Inspired Writing Prompts

Tips That Every Writer Should Remember

Create a Proper Writing Schedule

Don’t Expect Your Words to Be Perfect

Relax a Little

Explore Your Ideas

Switch Between Plotting and Writing

Think About Your Characters

Focus on the Structure

Set Some Targets

Try to Use the Active Voice

How to Get Rid of Writer’s Block

Take Breaks

Avoid Comparison

Try Different Writing Methods

Discover Your Peak Creativity Hours

Write Your Next Masterpiece With These Creative Writing Prompts for Adults

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100+ Writing Prompts for Adults: Unleash Your Creativity and Imagination

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100 Writing Prompts for Adults