good prompts for short stories

Good prompts for short stories include 'A broken - down car in the middle of nowhere'. This might lead to a story of survival, self - discovery, or an encounter with unexpected help. 'A photograph that shows a different time and place' can inspire a story about memories, nostalgia, or time travel. Also, 'A magic potion that has an unforeseen side effect' which can result in all kinds of creative and wild short story ideas.

One good prompt could be 'A mysterious letter arrives in the mail with no return address'. This can lead to a story about mystery, secrecy, and perhaps a journey to uncover the sender's identity. Another prompt is 'You wake up in a world where colors have disappeared'. It allows for a creative exploration of a dull, monochromatic world and the character's attempts to bring back color. And 'A strange noise coming from the attic at midnight' can inspire a spooky short story.

Well, a good short - story setting should be well - described so that the reader can easily picture it. It could be a bustling city street with different kinds of people and noises. It should also have the potential for conflict. A small, cramped apartment where two people with different lifestyles are forced to live together can create interesting situations. Additionally, the setting can change over the course of the story to reflect the character's journey, like a character starting in a dark alley and ending up in a bright, open park.

Good prompts for short stories can enhance creativity by providing a starting point. For example, if the prompt is 'A hidden door in a old mansion', it immediately sparks the imagination. You start thinking about what could be behind the door, why it's hidden, and who might know about it. It gives a specific focus that still has a lot of room for exploration.

A mysterious old house on a hilltop could be a great prompt. You can build a story around who used to live there, what secrets it holds. Maybe there are strange noises coming from it at night and a curious kid decides to investigate.

A time - traveling device that malfunctions. The protagonist might end up in a completely unexpected era, facing challenges like fitting in, finding a way back, and dealing with the historical events that are happening around them.

A mysterious old house at the end of a desolate street. You can start with a character being drawn to it out of curiosity, and then strange things start to happen, like hearing unexplained noises or seeing shadowy figures.

One prompt could be 'Describe a character who has a unique quirk and build a short story around how this quirk affects their daily life.' For example, a character who can't stand the color yellow. Every time they see it, they freeze. This could lead to all sorts of comical or tense situations in a story.

First, choose a prompt that really grabs your interest. For example, if the prompt is 'A strange noise in the basement', let your imagination run wild. Think about what could be making the noise. It could be a supernatural entity, a malfunctioning machine, or a lost pet. Then, start building your characters. Who is going to investigate the noise? A curious teenager? A brave homeowner? Once you have your character, start writing the story around their reaction to the prompt. Just keep writing and don't worry too much about grammar at first.

One good prompt could be 'The time when a family member surprised us all.' Another could be 'A family vacation that changed everything.' And 'The family heirloom and its story.'