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BEST SHORT STORY WRITING PROMPTS

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

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Showing 72 prompts reset

This week's contest:

Win $250

Endings & Beginnings with David Restaino

49 contest entries /

33 stories

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View details

Closes at 23:59 - Dec 27 EST

Write a story inspired by the last sentence of any book you own.

Short Story

Write a story that starts someone announcing big news.

Short Story

Write a story that starts with an argument between two siblings.

Short Story

Write a story that ends with the word: "wrath."

Short Story

Write a story that ends with the word: "life."

Short Story

Write a story based on your favorite song.

Short Story

Write a story based on a cartoon trope (an anvil or piano falls on someone’s head, someone’s eyes turn to hearts when they fall in love, etc.).

Short Story

Write a story told from second person point of view (uses "you" language).

Short Story

A day in the life of a paparazzi.

Short Story

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

Your protagonist opens a purse or a desk drawer and finds three objects. By the end of your story there’s only one item left. What happens to the other two?

Short Story

Write a story with seven characters — one for each of the seven sins.

Short Story

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Contest #282 LIVE

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Endings & Beginnings with David Restaino

$250

Prize money

49

Contest entries

33

Stories

--

Days

--

Hours

--

Mins

--

Secs

Closes at 23:59 - Dec 27, 2024 EST

View details

Recent contests ✍️

#281 – The Fright Before Christmas

#280 – Talk That Talk

#279 – Embrace the Unknown with IndieReader

#278 – All Apologies with Daniel Penny

Recent winners 🏆

Jay Wayne – read

Kashira Argento – read

Mary Butler – read

Troy Phillips – read

Leaderboard 🥇

#1 Zilla Babbitt

32518 points

#2 Deidra Whitt Lovegren

28896 points

#3 Abigail Airuedomwinya

22451 points

#4 Graham Kinross

15253 points

13204 points

#6 Chris Campbell

11863 points

#7 Thom With An H

10808 points

10541 points

#9 Rayhan Hidayat

10223 points

#10 Michał Przywara

10016 points

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