AUTHOR TOOLS
10 New Writing Prompts
Unleash your creative side!
Writing a story or novel can be a slow process. Sometimes the words flow. But at other points, we might find ourselves getting a bit stuck.
The inspiration fizzles.
It’s all too easy to find yourself staring at a blank screen.
One popular recommendation I have in such situations is to use writing prompts. These can really kickstart your writing by injecting a random element, and getting the creative process flowing.
They are often simple things:
- a scenario or situation
- a phrase
- an idea or concept
- a picture or mental image
But with creativity, one thing can lead to another. Before you know it, you might have completed a story, or finished another chapter of your novel!
I previously shared 10 writing prompts; now, scroll down for another ten…
Idea 1
Write a short scene where a character has to carry or move something large or awkward, for example a piece of furniture, a very long tool of some kind, or a cage containing a dangerous or grumpy animal.
Idea 2
Write a conversation where two people begin by talking about how much they both admire someone, and end up agreeing that they actually hate that person.
Idea 3
One day, someone stops following any rules. What happens next?
Idea 4
Introduce a character who has a cult-like obsession with their boss, or another authority figure in their life. They genuinely believe that this person is the messiah.
Idea 5
Describe a character’s appearance and body language in great detail as they receive the news that they’ve been fired. There. You now have a flash fiction story.
Idea 6
Focus on a character who killed someone or committed another major crime in the distant past. Nobody in their life knew anything… until one day, someone shows up and starts dropping hints that they know the secret. Describe the first scene where they meet. And now, what is your character going to do?
Idea 7
A character stands up to give a speech. Begin with: “My parents always told me never to…”
Idea 8
Think of someone in real life who everyone seems to love, and can’t put a foot wrong. Now, craft a fictional character who has some of the same traits. Perhaps they could be a guide or mentor for your main character.
Idea 9
Write about a situation where there is a misunderstanding. Two (or more) characters think they are on the same page and understand a shared plan. But it turns out that they had very different expectations...
Idea 10
A character’s eyes flick open. They find themselves in a damp, round room with stone walls and a trapdoor high above, out of reach. They have no recollection of how they got here, and no recent memories. How will they try to get out? And how did they get in here?
I hope you found these helpful!
And if you enjoyed them, it’s not hard to make more of your own. This article provides a foolproof method to follow:
If you do use any of the ten ideas above and turn it into flash fiction, poem, scene or even a full story, why not share a link to it in the comments?
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