Writing Prompts

Every creative writer benefits from writing prompts. My initial thought meant writing prompts have to be fresh and original. Nice thought but not a requirement.

Retell a Story

There are plenty of stories that could use a revamp. How many times has Pride and Prejudice been retold through film adaptations. I read a science fiction take on Cinderella, by Marissa Meyer called Cinder. Have you read the classic tale of The Three Ninja Pigs? Yes, it’s a real book. You can try your hand at creating a story from a nursery rhyme. I would love a retelling of the old woman who lived in a shoe. Seriously, how in the world did she get there?

Writing Prompt Sites

When I’m in need of a writing prompt, I find it far more interesting when someone else comes up with one. It’s the kind of feeling I get when I make something at home, but prefer the taste of the same food at a restaurant.

1. Reedsy lured me in with their 1100+ writing prompts. They currently show 1324 prompts on their site. With many of their prompts beginning with “Write about…”
2. Written Word Media shares 500 prompts. What I like about Reedsy and Written Word Media is that they break them down into genres. You’ll notice that some of the prompts from WWM come from Reedsy. They offer some pretty good starters.
3. ThinkWritten gives you 365 writing prompts. They provide you with plenty of prompts. Here’s one of them “Eye contact: write about two people seeing each other for the first time.” I like that they give you the option to download the PDF version for $5. Not a bad idea.

Writing Prompt Generator

If you don’t like scanning through lists, these websites offer you a prompt with just one-click. I have included screenshots of what you can expect.

ServiceScape

Squibler

The Story Shack

One Sentence Starters

I went about my prompts in a different manner. Call them what you want, but I’ve decided to call mine, “the one sentence starters.”

1. The ring fell into the toilet.
2. There were only three eggs left.
3. Her hand slipped away from his own.
4. What were the chances that she would be here?
5. The sugar sand stuck to my fingers like glue.
6. The shadows danced against the cave.
7. His skin smelled of fresh rain and cedar.
8. She was caught in the downpour.
9. The eyes of the predator gleamed red.
10. They heard a scratching sound.
11. Open the door.
12. They danced around in circles.
13. Who ate all the Pop-Tarts?
14. I can’t breathe.
15. The water from the faucet dropped in a slow and steady beat.
16. She couldn’t hear the words coming out of his mouth.
17. Patience ripped open the contents of the bag.
18. The lock wouldn’t budge.
19. A blood curdling scream echoed into the night.
20. His lips curled back before he struck.

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Writing prompts help get us out of the non writing zone when we aren’t feeling creative on our own. Here’s a tip, if you get stuck add “and then” at the end of your sentence. Feel free to use my one sentence starter at the beginning, middle, or end of your story. By all means, reword them if they aren’t quite working for you. I promise I won’t take offense.