Best Angst Writing Prompts

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The best angst writing prompts

Many a tortured artist has turned their pain and suffering into great works of art. If you want to try your hand at writing a story that taps into the darker side of the emotional spectrum, you're in the right place! Our angst writing prompts will provide inspiration for stories that channel those feelings. Prepare for tears!

A heads up: just because your story is angsty doesn't mean they have to be an exercise in despair, or exclusively about hurt and misery. There can be brighter moments woven in, and perhaps your characters can find meaning in all the sadness. Perhaps your story explores overcoming and making peace with grief, or a battle with anxiety or depression that features a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. Hopelessness isn't compulsory!

If you'd like to learn more about writing angsty stories, here are some more resources which might help:

Want more help learning how to write a short angst story? Check out How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course guiding you through the process of short story writing by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest, for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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