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Weekly Writing Prompts

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

Showing 2399 prompts

This week's contest:
Win $250

Lost in Translation with Ruth O’Leary

47 contest entries /
38 stories

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View contest
Closes at 23:59 - May 16 EST

They say a picture is worth a thousand words but you knew the one you'd just taken was worth a million.

Mystery

A day in the life of a paparazzi.

Short Story

You find an old disposable camera. You're not sure how old it is or when it was used but its film is finished You get the film developed and are surprised by what you see.

Dramatic

You find a polaroid camera that seems to predict the future: its pictures show what will happen exactly 5 minutes from the moment you take them.

Science Fiction

Using only dialogue, write a short story about the reveal of a long-hidden secret.

Dialogue

Using only dialogue, write a short story about an adult explaining something to a child.

Dialogue

Using only dialogue, write a short story about an argument that gets heated.

Dialogue

Using only dialogue, write a short story about a reunion between old friends.

Dialogue

Using only dialogue, write a short story about a first date.

Dialogue

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!" You'd heard this all your life, and you'd started to hate it.

Narrative

You'd always wanted to fall in with this crowd. Now that you had, you weren't sure about them anymore.

Horror

You were on your way to see a doctor who promised to know the secret to making yourself fall out of love with someone.

Fantasy

There was no going back now: you finally decided to go for it, and let the chips fall where they may.

Funny

Their biggest fear was that they would fall behind the times. Today it seemed to be coming true.

Sad

You have a few friends over for a Halloween party. You've just finished watching a scary movie when the power goes out and the door is slammed open. What happens next?

Halloween

At the start of your story, mention object that doesn't seem important. By the end of the story, have this object play a surprisingly key role.

Short Story

Write a story where the weather, atmosphere, or setting reflects the outcome of the story. (For example, if it's a happy ending the weather might be sunny; if it's a sad ending, the story might be set in a deserted town).

Nonfiction

At some point in the story, have a character casually say something that hints at the ending.

Fiction

In the first sentence of your story, have the narrator tell us exactly what's going to happen — but not how it will happen.

Novel

Write a story that includes a character hearing their fate by a fortune teller.

Fantasy

How to Write a Novel

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