writing prompts to start a story

First, find some interesting prompts. You can look for them on fanfic writing forums or websites dedicated to fanfic. Then, choose the fandom you want to write about. After that, start brainstorming how the prompt can fit into the world and characters of that fandom. For example, if the prompt is 'a character discovers a hidden power' and your fandom is Harry Potter, think about which character could discover this power and how it would change the story.

You can start by making a timeline of the major events in your life. For example, your birth, first day of school, big moves, and so on. This gives you a framework to build on.

Another way to start a mystery story is to have a character receive a cryptic message. This could be a note with a riddle or a series of numbers that seem to have no meaning. The character then embarks on a journey to figure out what the message means, and this draws the reader into the mystery as well.

Some of the best story prompts for writing fiction are those that can create immediate conflict. For example, 'Two people who must share a secret but don't trust each other'. This can lead to a lot of tension and drama in the story. 'A character trapped in a place they can't escape' is also a strong prompt. It forces the writer to think about how the character will deal with the situation, what their internal thoughts are, and how they might attempt to break free. And prompts that deal with moral dilemmas, like 'A decision between saving a loved one or doing the right thing for the many', can result in very thought - provoking fiction.

A spooky prompt could be 'A haunted forest'. You start by describing the forest as dark and foreboding. The trees are gnarled and seem to reach out like twisted arms. There are strange noises like whispers in the wind. A character enters the forest, and as they do, they feel a sense of dread. Maybe they see a figure in the distance that disappears when they look closer. This can lead to a story about the character trying to find their way out while being haunted by the unknown entities in the forest.

Well, with short story prompts for fiction, you should consider it as a springboard. If the prompt is about a time - traveling event, start imagining the character who experiences it. Is it a scientist? A regular person? Then, think about the rules of time travel in your story. How does it affect the character? What is the character's goal in this time - traveling journey? You can also add sub - plots related to the character's personal life before and after the time - travel.

One could be 'A time traveler gets stuck in the past and has to find a way back'. It's full of potential for adventure and drama.

One creative prompt could be to imagine you are a peasant during the French Revolution. Describe your daily life, the fear of the guillotine, and how the political unrest affects you. This allows for a vivid exploration of a historical event from an ordinary person's perspective.

One great free write prompt for fiction could be 'A character discovers a mysterious door in an old attic.' This immediately sets a scene full of potential. The character could be anyone - a curious child, an old homeowner, or a nosy neighbor. And the door? It could lead to a magical world, a time - locked room filled with secrets from the past, or a portal to another dimension. It gives the writer a lot to work with in terms of creating a story.

Well, start by understanding the key elements and themes in the prompt. Look for clues about characters, settings, and conflicts.