Young Adults Crime Writing Prompts

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Popular young adults crime writing prompts

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STORY STARTER

Submitted by Margarita Blimm

"So, who’s going to die today?"

Write a story that begins with this question.

STORY STARTER

Subitted by Lexie Grenville

If he wasn't going to love me, he wasn't going to love anyone.

Write a story which starts or ends with this line.

WRITING OBSTACLE

Write a story where the plot twist is revealed by considering an alternate meaning of a word (pun).

For example, “date” can mean a fruit, a particular day, or a person!

STORY STARTER

You are clearing up after a dinner party when you find a bloodstained knife in the kitchen.

Continue the story. Who - and where - is the victim?

STORY STARTER

"I saw what you did last night. And I've told everyone."

Begin a story with this sentence. Create tension and excitement surrounding what the event could be and the repurcussions for your character.

STORY STARTER

Submitted by Rowning

Write a story where an animal, willingly or unwillingly, has just participated in a crime.

You could write about this event from the animal's perspective, or include this as a smaller scene in a larger story.

POEM STARTER

Write a poem which uses the scenario of being a fly on the wall.

To be a fly on the wall is to witness something private. Think of a situation in which this eavesdropping would be interesting, and write a poem based on your thoughts.

STORY STARTER

"You’ll get what you deserve; I’ll make sure of it.”

Use this sentence as the opening or closing line of a story.

STORY STARTER

Write a story which begins in a swimming pool.

How does this setting tie in to the rest of the plot?

STORY STARTER

Your protagonist is being blackmailed with photos from their past.

Write a story on this basis. You could focus on why they're being blackmailed, what the photos show, or you could create your story without revealing this information.

STORY STARTER

The Head Girl at a boarding school receives a threatening ransom note on the first day of term.

Continue the story. You don't necessarily have to tell it from the student's perspective.

STORY STARTER

A man serving a life sentence has been writing to a stranger on the outside for months. One morning, the stranger turns up as his new cellmate.

Continue the story. Focus on creating a shocking reveal - how would the characters find out?

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