short stories writing prompts

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.

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.

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.

Another aspect is learning different writing styles. Reedsy prompts short stories cover various genres. By writing in response to these prompts, you can experiment with different styles like mystery, romance, or science - fiction. You might discover a new style that suits you better and improve your overall writing versatility.

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, start with physical details. It could be a scar on the face or a limp that makes them stand out. Then, consider their desires and fears. A character who desires power but fears loneliness can lead to complex interactions. And don't forget about their speech patterns. A character who talks in riddles can add mystery.

Love and relationships are also prevalent. Prompts could be about a first love, a broken relationship, or a long - lost friendship being rekindled. It gives writers a chance to explore the complex emotions associated with these relationships.

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.

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.