Writing Prompts

'The key they'd given me still fit the lock, but the house no longer felt like home...'

Using this as the first line of your story, continue the narrative.

Describe a musical instrument that hasn't been invented yet.

Consider not just its physical appearance, but the way it could be played, and the unique sound it would produce.

"Who are you?" - those were the hardest three words to hear in my life.

Write a story containing this line, or centred around the idea.

A write a tripadi poem about birds.

A tripadi is a form of Bengali poetry that consists of multiple three-line stanzas, where the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme.

Dragons really do exist, but they're certainly not mean and terrifying...

Write a scene from the perspective of a character who feels embarrassed.

You don't have to say why they feel this way, but try to detail their behaviours and thoughts which help portray their embarrassment.

A teenager from a reclusive society is allowed on the internet for the first time, and struggles between enjoying it, and wanting to continue with his natural lifestyle.

Write a poem about the moment before you step on stage.

Your terrified protagonist is riding on the back of their friend's motorbike, when their hand suddenly slips.

Continue this scene from their perspective, detailing their fear, elation, or relief.

Write a story that opens with a paradox.

A paradox is something that appears to contradict itself, but makes metaphorical sense. For example 'Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind'.

A character from a dystopian future where all non-human animals are extinct reads an ancient text about something called a 'cat'...

"I bite the hand that feeds me, so that maybe it'll let me starve"

Write a poem which includes this line.

“I asked you to protect her, not train her!”

“Her training will protect her.”

Imagine a character who has never experienced something that is very common for you.

Write a scene about this character experiencing whatever it is that's common for you - you could describe it directly or let your reader guess at what it is...

'I recognised his eyes as soon as he walked through the door. I froze. I couldn't do this right now.'

Continue the story...