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50 Friendship Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

From the awesome bonds we make to the crazy adventures we have, our buddies are basically part of our best life moments.

We’re gonna hit you with some writing prompts all about friendship – the fun parts, the tougher times that test you, and everything in between.

Think back to those silly childhood friends, or maybe that unexpected person who became your ride-or- die .

We’ll cover all sorts of relationships !

Each prompt is like a little story starter , helping you dig into the feelings, the funny stuff, and the moments that make having friends so amazing.

So, are you ready to write?

Let’s do this!

Friendship Writing Prompts

• The Friendship Map: Think about the most important friendship in your life. Imagine that your relationship with this friend is a geographic landscape, each memory a landmark or terrain. Write a detailed map of this landscape, with each point representing a significant memory or moment in your friendship. Use metaphoric language to describe each memory as if it was a physical location. Consider the high peaks, the deep valleys, and how the “ weather ” has changed over time.
• Reconnecting with an Old Friend: Imagine you are reconnecting with a childhood friend whom you haven’t seen for many years. Write a story about your meeting . Think about how both of you have changed and how the past plays into your present relationship. Pay special attention to the balance of familiarity and unfamiliarity, and how it affects the dynamics of your meeting.
• The Forgiveness Exercise: Write a letter to a friend with whom you’ve had a falling out. This letter is your chance to express your feelings, clarify misunderstandings, and extend forgiveness. Try to empathize with your friend’s perspective and put yourself in their shoes. Focus on the complexity of emotions involved in forgiveness and the potential for healing and growth in your friendship.
• In Their Shoes: Choose a friend who leads a very different life from you. Write a day in their life from their perspective. Try to capture their routines, their emotions, and their interactions with others. Your main aim should be to explore how their life experiences shape their perspective and, in turn, your friendship.
• The Unlikely Friendship : Create a narrative about an unlikely friendship between two characters who appear to be total opposites. This could be a difference in age, social status, life experience, or even species. Detail the challenges they face due to their differences, how they overcome these challenges, and what they learn from each other.
• Friends Apart: Imagine that you and your best friend have to live in separate countries for an extended period. You decide to keep in touch through letters. Write a series of these letters, focusing on how your bond evolves with the physical distance and cultural differences. Explore the theme of how friendship endures and evolves when faced with physical distance and time.
• The Catalyst Friend: Every now and then, we encounter individuals who catalyze significant change in our lives. Write about a friend who has been a catalyst for a significant change in your life. This could be in terms of a career move, a change of city, or a shift in personal attitude. Reflect on the impact they’ve had and how their influence has shaped you.
• The Non-Human Friend: Write a story about a friendship between a human and a non-human entity. This entity could be a pet , a plant , an AI , or even a ghost . Your aim should be to explore how this unusual friendship evolves, the unique challenges it faces, and what it teaches the human character about friendship and life.
• The Unspoken Bond: Write about a friendship where the bond is so deep that many feelings and understandings are left unspoken. Explore the depth of this relationship, its intuitive nature , and the comfort of silent companionship. Try to capture the beauty and strength of a friendship that thrives in silence and understanding rather than constant communication .
• Friendship and Sacrifice: Write a narrative about a friend who makes a major sacrifice for the sake of the friendship. What is the sacrifice and why do they choose to make it? Focus on the motivations behind their choice, the consequences it has on your relationship, and what it ultimately signifies about the depth of your friendship.
• Transitioning Friendships: Consider a friendship that has transitioned from one type to another, such as from colleagues to close friends, or from childhood friends to romantic partners. Write about the process of that transition. Delve into the challenges and joys of this shift, how it changes your relationship dynamics, and how it affects you both as individuals.
• Friendship Across Generations: Craft a story about a friendship that bridges a significant age gap. This could be between a child and an elder in the community , or between a younger and much older coworker. Explore how this age difference impacts their friendship, what they learn from each other, and the unique bond they share.
• Cultural Exchange Through Friendship: Consider a close friend from a very different cultural background. Write about how your friendship has allowed you to learn and appreciate each other’s cultures. Highlight the moments of cultural exchange, the misunderstandings, the learnings, and how these experiences have enriched your friendship.
• Friends and Crisis: Think of a crisis situation that your friend group has faced. This could be a natural disaster , an accident, a health scare, or any other kind of crisis. Write about how your group handled the situation, how it impacted your relationships, and how it possibly strengthened your bond. Your focus should be on the dynamics of friendship under pressure and in the face of adversity .
• Friend Turned Rival: Create a narrative where a close friend turns into a rival, perhaps in career, academics, or in a shared hobby. Write about how you both navigate this competition, how it affects your friendship, and if it’s possible to mend the relationship afterwards. The key is to explore the complexity of emotions and actions that arise when friendship intertwines with rivalry.
• Digital Friendship: Write about a friendship that originated and evolved on the internet, perhaps through a shared interest, an online community, or a multiplayer video game. Describe how this friendship grows, how you build trust without physical meetings, and how it compares to your offline friendships. Explore the nuances and challenges of friendships that exist predominantly in the digital space .
• Friendship and the Art of Listening: Write about a friend who has taught you the value of truly listening. Narrate instances where their ability to listen has made a difference, and how it has influenced your own behavior and your relationship with others. Focus on the role of active listening in building and strengthening friendships.
• Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: Imagine a scenario where a good friend has to leave suddenly for an unknown amount of time. Write about how this absence impacts your friendship. Explore the saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ delving into feelings of longing, nostalgia , and the evolution of your friendship during the separation.
• Shared Trauma: Create a narrative where you and a friend experience a shared trauma, such as a car accident, a shared illness, or a tragic event. Write about how this experience impacts your friendship and individual lives. Focus on the coping mechanisms, the healing process, and how shared trauma can both strain and strengthen a friendship.
• Friendship with a Mentor: Write about a friendship you’ve formed with a mentor, someone who has guided you professionally or personally. How does this friendship differ from others? Focus on the balance between the mentor-mentee relationship and friendship, how the two of you navigate this duality, and what you’ve learned from this unique friendship.
• The Solitary Friend: Consider a friend who prefers solitude, someone who is introverted or perhaps just enjoys their own company. Write about how this affects your friendship, how you respect their need for solitude, and what you learn from their different approach to social interaction . Explore the dynamics of friendship when one party requires significant solitary time.
• Friendship Born of Adversity: Think of a friendship that was born out of a difficult situation, perhaps during a war , a period of personal turmoil, or a challenging time at work. Write about how the harsh circumstances shaped your bond and how it evolved when the situation improved. Highlight the impact of adversity on the foundations and development of a friendship.
• The Unexpected Goodbye : Create a narrative where you have to say an unexpected goodbye to a friend, perhaps due to their sudden passing, a move, or a falling out. Write about the emotions you grapple with and how you cope with the sudden void in your life. Focus on the process of dealing with unexpected goodbyes and the importance of closure in friendships.
• The Friend Who Changed Your Mind: Write about a friend who challenged your deeply held belief or opinion about something. This could be about politics, religion, lifestyle choices, or any significant topic. Focus on the process of debate, understanding, and eventual change in your viewpoint, exploring how friendships can help shape our beliefs and understanding of the world.
• Friendship and Jealousy : Consider a scenario where jealousy arises within your friendship, perhaps due to one friend’s success, a new relationship, or another source. Write about how you both navigate these feelings of jealousy, and how it affects your relationship. Explore the complexities of dealing with jealousy within a close friendship and its impact on the relationship.

Friendship Story Ideas

• Old Rivals, New Friends: In a small, competitive town, two high school athletes have always been fierce rivals, battling for the top spot in every tournament. Their rivalry is put to the test when they both get recruited for the same college team . As they navigate through their freshman year , they realize that they have more in common than they thought and gradually transition from bitter rivals to supportive friends. The heart of the story lies in exploring how shared experiences can transform competition into a strong bond of friendship.
• The Unseen Hero : A young man, struggling with personal issues and family pressures, finds an unexpected friend in his elderly neighbor. The neighbor, a war veteran with his own burdens, becomes a guiding light for the young man, sharing his wisdom and helping him navigate his challenges. The story focuses on this intergenerational friendship and the transformative power of understanding and compassion.
• The Power of a Promise: Two childhood friends, now adults, reunite after one of them is diagnosed with a terminal illness. They decide to fulfill a bucket list of dreams they created as children, promising to make the most of their remaining time together. The narrative centers on their journey of reconnection, shared experiences, and the beauty of friendship in the face of mortality.
• An Ocean Apart: Two friends from different cultures meet during a study abroad program. Their friendship blossoms despite their cultural differences, but after the program ends, they return to their respective homes. The story traces their attempts to keep their bond alive across continents, battling time zones, language barriers, and cultural misunderstandings. The focus is on the trials and triumphs of maintaining a long-distance friendship in a digitally connected world.
• The Rescue Dog : After a family adopts a rescue dog, their withdrawn and isolated teenage daughter forms a deep bond with the new pet. As she trains and takes care of the dog, she learns valuable lessons about friendship, empathy , and emotional healing. The story explores the unique friendship between the girl and the dog, and how this non-human bond aids in her personal growth.
• The Substitute Teacher : When a strict and unpopular substitute teacher steps into a tumultuous high school class, she forms an unlikely friendship with the class troublemaker. As the story unfolds, both of them learn from each other, breaking down their initial assumptions and prejudices. The narrative explores how friendships can form in the most unlikely places and transform preconceived notions.
• Reunion of Truths: A group of old friends reunites for a weekend getaway after years of distance and busy lives. As they catch up, old secrets , unresolved issues, and changes in their personalities come to the surface, threatening to disrupt their reunion. The story focuses on navigating the complexities of long-term friendships, personal growth, and the power of reconciliation.
• Friends of the Road: Two friends, both feeling lost and stuck in their lives, decide to embark on a cross-country road trip. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and meet diverse people, ultimately learning more about themselves and each other. The narrative traces their journey, both literal and emotional, highlighting how shared adventures can lead to deep self-discovery and strengthen bonds of friendship.
• Friend by the Book : An introverted librarian bonds with a vivacious patron over their shared love for books. Their friendship grows with each shared recommendation and discussion, leading them to discover parts of themselves they never knew existed. The narrative focuses on their journey of self-discovery through literature , exploring how a shared passion can forge deep and transformative friendships.
• The Breakup Buddy: After going through a painful breakup, a young woman finds unexpected comfort and guidance from her gym trainer. Their relationship, initially just professional, morphs into a solid friendship, offering her the support she needs during her healing process. The story centers on their evolving friendship and the importance of emotional support during personal crises.
• The Music of Friendship: Two musicians from different genres are paired together for a collaborative project. Despite their initial disagreements, they learn to appreciate each other’s music and gradually form a deep friendship, influencing each other’s creative process and personal lives. The story explores how collaboration and respect for each other’s craft can lead to an unexpected and enriching friendship.
• The Lasting Promise: In their childhood, two best friends make a pact that if they are both single by their 30th birthday , they will marry each other. As the day approaches, they grapple with their feelings, their existing relationships, and the prospect of altering their friendship forever. The story examines the delicate transition from platonic friendship to romantic relationship and the choices they make.
• The Hidden Artist: A retired office worker discovers his artistic talent late in life and befriends a young, aspiring artist in the process. As they navigate the art world together, their friendship challenges societal norms about age and success. The story focuses on their bond and the influence they have on each other’s artistic journey.
• Friendship in Silence: A hearing-impaired girl forms a strong bond with a boy who takes the effort to learn sign language for her. Despite the communication barriers, they establish a deep friendship, enriching each other’s lives in ways they never expected. The narrative explores the power of friendship to overcome physical barriers and the beauty of non-verbal communication.
• The Coffee Shop Chronicles: Set in a small-town coffee shop, a regular customer and a barista form an unlikely friendship. As seasons change and personal dramas unfold, their bond deepens amidst lattes and pastries. The story weaves together the simplicity of everyday interactions and the profound relationships they can birth.
• Ghosts of the Past: Two war veterans, burdened by their past and struggling with PTSD, find solace in their shared experiences and form a resilient friendship. Together, they embark on a journey of healing, helping each other confront their pasts and reclaim their futures. The narrative highlights the strength of friendship forged in adversity and the shared journey towards healing.
• Shared Space, Shared Lives: Two complete strangers become roommates in a bustling city. With their contrasting personalities and lifestyles, they navigate the challenges of cohabitation, eventually forming a strong bond over shared meals, late- night conversations, and mutual support. The narrative revolves around their evolving relationship, showcasing how shared spaces can lead to unexpected friendships.
• Silent Companion: A popular vlogger with a vibrant online persona forms a friendship with a silent viewer who never misses a single post but remains anonymous. When they finally meet in an unexpected twist , their online bond evolves into a real-world friendship. The story explores the intersection of online and offline lives, focusing on how meaningful friendships can form beyond the digital sphere.
• Green Thumbs, Warm Hearts: Two neighbors, an elderly lady and a stressed corporate worker, bond over their shared love for gardening . As they tend to their plants and exchange gardening tips, they discover shared stories and form an enduring friendship. The narrative traces their friendship, focusing on the therapeutic nature of shared hobbies and the wisdom shared across generations.
• The Broken Bridge: Two childhood friends have a falling out that leads to years of estrangement. An unexpected event forces them to confront their past, resolve their differences, and rekindle their friendship. The story delves into the complexity of long-standing grudges and the healing power of forgiveness in friendships.
• Dancing in the Rain : Two dancers, one professional and one amateur, meet at a community dance class. Despite their different skill levels and backgrounds, they form a strong bond, helping each other grow and face their individual challenges. The narrative focuses on their friendship and the role dance plays in their connection and personal growth.
• The Unlikely Duo: A high school jock, typically surrounded by his peers, forms an unlikely friendship with a loner geek after they’re paired up for a science project. As they spend time together, they break through stereotypes, discovering shared interests and forming a unique bond. The story challenges high school clichés, emphasizing the depth of friendship that can form when individuals look beyond surface appearances.
• Friendship on Wheels: A delivery driver, feeling isolated due to his job’s nature, forms a friendship with a regular customer on his route. Their brief exchanges during deliveries gradually become meaningful conversations, leading to a unique bond. The narrative highlights the connection that can form in unlikely circumstances, breaking the monotony of everyday routines.
• A Letter From the Past: A woman finds a cache of old letters in her attic, all written by a mysterious friend to her late grandmother . Intrigued, she sets out to find the letter writer, sparking a journey that leads to a surprising friendship. The story interweaves the past and present, exploring the legacy of friendship and how it transcends time.
• The Tattoo Artist and the Therapist: A tattoo artist and a therapist form an unexpected friendship when they keep running into each other at a shared favorite coffee shop. They soon discover that despite their vastly different professions, they share a deep understanding of human emotions and struggles. The narrative focuses on their interactions, revealing how friendship can stem from shared insights into the human experience.

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Student Opinion

15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

Questions to help students reflect on the meaning of friendship in their lives

By Natalie Proulx

Who are your closest friends? How much do you share with them? Do you actually like your friends? What have you learned from them?

Below, we’ve rounded up 15 questions we’ve asked students over the years all about friendship. You can use them as prompts for writing or discussion, inside the classroom or out. We hope they’ll inspire you to reflect on your friendships, consider how you can strengthen the ones you have, and motivate you to reach out and make new ones.

Each prompt includes an excerpt from a related New York Times article, essay or photo; a link to the related piece; and several questions to help you think deeply about it. Many of these questions are still open for comment from students 13 or older.

You can find even more ideas for teaching and learning about friendship in our related lesson plan: How Students Can Cultivate Meaningful Friendships Using The New York Times .

1. Who Are Your Friends?

Do you have a “best friend,” a few close friends or a large group of friends? What interests, experiences, passions and circumstances forge those relationships? What are some of your favorite memories or admirable characteristics you associate with your friends?

Use this Picture Prompt to talk or write about your most important friendships.

2. How Alike Are You and Your Friends?

Did you know there is science behind how we choose our friends? Research has shown that we tend to befriend people who are much like us in a wide array of characteristics, including age, race, religion, even our handgrip strength.

In this prompt , you’ll read more about the things that bond us, and then share what you and your friends have in common.

3. Do You Have Any Unlikely Friendships?

Though we tend to connect with people who are like us, sometimes friendship happens with someone we’d least expect. That was the case for Spencer Sleyon, a 22-year-old rapper and producer from East Harlem, and Rosalind Guttman, an 81-year-old woman living in a retirement community in Florida, who met playing the Words With Friends game.

Do you have any surprising friendships like this one?

4. How Much Do You Share With Your Friends?

Do you often express your innermost thoughts, feelings and struggles to those closest to you? Or do you tend to keep those things to yourself? Being vulnerable can be scary, but research shows it’s important for building connections with others.

Use this prompt to reflect on what it feels like to open up to your friends, and how you might try to do more of it.

5. Do You Have Satisfying Friendships?

Are internet friendships as fulfilling as in-person ones? In a guest essay, a writer argues that “The kind of presence required for deep friendship does not seem cultivated in many online interactions. Presence in friendship requires ‘being with’ and ‘doing for.’”

Do you agree? Can online “friends” be true friends? Share your opinion.

6. Do You Have Any Close Friends?

Do you prefer to have many casual friends or just a few close ones? What makes a person a “best” friend? Do you wish you had more close friendships? This prompt explores these questions and more, as well as shares expert advice for developing deeper friendships.

7. How Do You React When Your Friendships Change?

Have you ever become less close to a friend over time? Have you ever felt jealousy when your friend joined another friend group? Have you ever had a friendship just fizzle out? These kinds of changes happen all the time, but they can be difficult to navigate.

Tell us what you do when you feel a friendship start to shift.

8. Do Social Media and Smartphones Make Your Friendships Stronger?

Does being able to stay constantly in touch with your friends via social media, texting and location sharing strengthen your friendships and make them easier to maintain? Or does it do the opposite? Weigh in with your experiences on this prompt .

9. Do You Like Your Friends?

It may sound like a strange question, but a 2016 study found that only about half of perceived friendships are mutual. That means you might not even like someone who thinks of you as a best friend. And vice versa.

Is this is true for any of your relationships?

10. How Often Do You Text Your Friends Just to Say ‘Hi’?

When was the last time you texted, called, emailed or messaged a friend just to say “hello”? Research suggests casual check-ins might mean more than we realize. Do you underestimate how much your friends would like hearing from you?

Read what experts have to say and then share your thoughts.

11. Is It Harder for Men and Boys to Make and Keep Friends?

American men appear to be stuck in a “friendship recession,” according to a recent survey. Less than half of men said they were truly satisfied with the number of friendships they had. The same study also found that men are less likely than women to seek emotional support from or share personal feelings with their friends.

Does this reflect your experience? Weigh in.

12. Do You Have Any Intergenerational Friendships?

“When applying to my job, I had no idea of the friendships I would be making with 70+ year old women. They teach me new things every day while I hear their life stories and things they have done,” Laura from Ellisville wrote in response to this prompt.

Do you have any friends who are significantly younger or older than you? What do you think we can gain from these kinds of intergenerational friendships? Tell us here.

13. Have You Ever Been Left Out?

Imagine it’s a Saturday. All your friends told you they were busy, so you’re sitting at home, alone, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. But then you see a post that stops you in your tracks. It’s a picture of all of your friends hanging out together — without you. This is what happened to Hallie Reed in her first semester at college.

Has something like this ever happened to you? Use this prompt to talk or write about how it felt.

14. What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life?

“My friends taught me different perspectives on life.” “My friends have taught me to not care what other people think.” “My friends have taught me to be myself.”

These are just a few of the responses teenagers had to this prompt. What have your friends taught you?

15. Have You Ever Had a Significant Friendship End?

Few relationships are meant to last forever. In a guest essay, Lauren Mechling writes that “even bonds founded on that rare, deeply felt psychic connection between two people” are “bound to fray.”

Have you experienced this with someone with whom you were once very close? What happened? Share your story.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

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20 Friendship Fiction Writing Prompts

By Rebecca Parpworth-Reynolds

Are you writing a novel that centers around a group of friends? Do you need some friendship fiction writing prompts? Check out the 20 below!

1. Friend or Fiction?

A little girl grows up alone most of the time, and so ends up creating an imaginary friend in order to get up to all sorts of adventures together. By the time she reaches high school, she has long forgotten about them, until she meets someone who has the same characteristics and personality as her fictional friend from long ago.

2. An Educational Dilemma

Two childhood friends grow up alongside each other for most of their lives, until their parents decide to send them to different schools. One is a posh boarding school, and the other is a run-of-the-mill public school. Will the two still be able to have a close connection?

3. Friends to the Rescue

A young woman has just come out of a bad relationship and is a broken shell of her former self. Enter her friends to step in to remind her that she is not alone and set up a series of events to cheer her up. Chaos ensues.

4. The Grand Tour

A group of friends go on a road trip across the country, determined to see as many things as possible and tick off items on their bucket lists. Their journey will take them through many challenges, and lead to some brand new perspectives on life. However, can their ties of friendship survive the trip?

5. Taking Sides

Two friends find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict, forced to choose between their loyalty to each other and their individual beliefs. What sorts of obstacles will they need to combat in order to maintain their friendship and also save face amongst the people on their side of the war?

6. Long Time No See

Two childhood friends grow up and end up not seeing much of each other. That is until one of them is getting married, and wants the other to be their maid of honor/best man. Despite the years that they have been apart, will the pair’s bonds still be as strong as ever?

7. Not so Different

Two people from differing social classes strike up an unusual friendship. How do they navigate this in a world filled with prejudice, and fight against the odds to support each other and bring about harmony?

8. Man and Machine

A boy in a futuristic world finds a robot. After looking after it and fixing it, he starts to build a friendship with the machine. How does a friendship between a human and a robot play out in a society where they are just seen as tools?

Two people strike up a close friendship online, talking every single day. Despite both being on opposite sides of the world they both appear to be kindred spirits. One day, one friend tells the other that they will be going on vacation to the country that they live in. When they meet up, will reality meet with online expectations?

10. Budding Friendships

In a small town that is going into decline, two friends start a community garden and inspire their neighbors to come together. How do they start to tackle other challenges within the town, while still dealing with their everyday responsibilities?

11. One Coffee to Go

A barista working in a cafe ends up having a conversation with one of the regulars. How does this build from them just taking their order into a strong bond that lasts while still keeping up with running the shop?

12. A Friendly Muse

A famous artist befriends a struggling musician. Explore the dynamics of their friendship as they navigate the challenges of fame, jealousy, creativity, and the pressures of the industry. What happens when the musician’s fame eclipses the artist’s?

13. The Book Club

A group of friends form a book club and become deeply connected through their shared love for literature. Explore how the books they read influence their lives and relationships, and how they solve their problems together.

14. The Show Must Go On

Two friends both enter the same TV talent competition. They both get through the first audition round but then have to cope with the fact that the competition has become much fiercer. Will they be able to keep their friendship, or will they want to win at all costs?

15. Cooking up a Storm

Two friends are passionate about cooking. They decide to open a restaurant together, facing culinary challenges, rivalries, and the pressures of running a business while maintaining their friendship.

16. Unlikely Allies

A group of teens each from a different clique and social group end up, for different reasons, being put in detention until the end of term. How do they start to build common ground, and will their friendships carry over outside of the detention hall?

17. My Best Roommate

Two friends who have both just come out of relationships find themselves in need of somewhere to live. Despite not being exceptionally close friends to start, they decide to move in together as roommates. How does their relationship grow from here, and can they handle being around each other 24/7?

18. Someone to Lean On

A group of people meets at a support group each week. How do they start to open up to each other about their troubled pasts, and build lifelong friendships to help guide them through challenges they might face in the real world?

19. Against All Odds

A group of friends finds themselves stranded in the wilderness. How will they survive and cope with the hardships they find out there? As the days start to pass by with no hope of rescue, how do their friendships fare?

20. Cops and Robbers

Two childhood friends have very different occupations now they are all grown up. One is an esteemed detective , and the other is a notorious thief. How does the thief keep their identity hidden from their old friend, and what happens when the detective finds out about their crimes?

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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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Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

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Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢

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Free Creative Writing Prompts #5: Friendship

When you look back on various times of your life like elementary school, summer camp, and post-college some of the memories that stick out the most are the ones of your friends. It’s hard to forget the people that you let inside of your comfort zone no matter when they were a part of your life. I still remember my teammates when I played touch football at recess in 5th grade and the crazy people who danced and sung with me in the rain when a camping trip was cancelled. Not all of them were great friendships that stood the test of time, but back in the day there were no other people I would have liked to hang out with than my best buds.

These 20 free  creative writing prompts  deal with the situations, trials, and tribulations you had with those friendships. Some ended well, some ended poorly, and some are still going on for better or for worse :). Here we go!  1. Your best friend in the world calls you and tells you a secret that changes your friendship forever. Describe the conversation and the aftermath.

2. Detail the scene of the first time you told your friends you had a crush on somebody. Did they react negatively or poorly? Did their reaction affect how you handled yourself around this person?

3. The friend you are most disappointed that you had a falling out with knocks on your door. He or she comes in and you two sit down and talk about the old times and the new times. Write the conversation.

4. A woman or man you have been dating for the past few months says that she or he does not want to ever hang out with your friends ever again. How do you handle the situation?

5. The craziest experience you’ve ever shared with your friends. Go!

6. Look back in your life for a time when you had a bad breakup and you went to your friends for help. What happened?

7. You are asked to testify against a good friend of yours in a court case. Your friend is being tried for murder. You know full well that he committed it. What do you do?

8. What was it like the first time you introduced one of your high school friends to your college friends and versa?

9. Remember a time where two of your friends began to date. If this didn’t happen, make up a story in which it did. How does it play out?

10. Your first major fight with a friend. The lead-up and the aftermath.

11. Your last major fight with your best friend. The lead-up and the aftermath.

12. Your friend is dating a horrible, horrible person. How do you deal with it? If this situation has happened in your life, feel free to draw from that.

13. You are lab partners with your friend in a science class. She is doing absolutely no work and she’s bringing your grade down. How do you approach her about it?

14. During a drunken party, you and a friend made-out, fooled around or had sexual intercourse. Describe the encounter and the following day. Once again, if this has actually happened, use it.

15. A friend has borrowed a large sum of money from you and has yet to repay it. How do you approach the situation?

16. You come over to the house of some friends and realize you have walked straight into an intervention! What is the intervention about and how would you honestly react? Don’t make this your ideal nice person reaction, be truthful.

17. A body has been found and the dental records show it is your best friend. The parents have asked you to go and identify the body. Describe the experience.

18. Look in your life for a time that you and a good friend were roommates. How did this situation turn out? Beginning, middle and end.

19. Your best friend calls you while crying up a storm. How do you comfort your friend and what is it probably about?

20. Describe meeting your best friend in the world.

Feel free to create your own prompts based off of these. I realized while I was putting them together that there are so many ways you can go with friendship. I may create a second batch at some point.

As always, be as honest as possible while writing these prompts. Do not worry about the emotions they bring up because you can always relax them out and once again become happy and healthy. Also, feel free to share these with a friend after you write them. If you truly write from the heart, there’s a good chance he or she will be proud of you, like a good friend should be. 

Related Articles to Free Creative Writing Prompts #5 Free Creative Writing Prompts from the Heart, Part 1 Free Creative Writing Prompts #2: Love Creative Writing Exercises #2: Relaxation

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