
Writing Prompt Generator
Use this Writing Prompt Generator to find countless random writing prompts for your next gaming adventure, story or any other kind of project. Enjoy!
Writing prompts - a short story
Lisa couldn’t believe it. Yes, she’d taken on the challenge to write every day. Yes, she’d promised to try some of these random writing prompts you could generate online. Had she known the outcome would be so outrageous, she’d never have done it. What were you supposed to do with a shipwrecked, cowardly fireman who somehow had anything to do with a music instrument? Was he going to realize that his talents lie elsewhere? Could he somehow manage to use the instrument to call for the help he desperately needed? Befriend it as Tom Hanks befriends a volleyball in Cast Away? If made out of wood, perhaps it could be used to construct a raft.
Lisa shook her head. Writing prompts. At this point even the ice bucket challenge sounded better.
Discover more random writing ideas
- Words
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- Nouns
- Questions
- Sentences
- Book titles
- Themes
- Adjectives
- Story titles
- Phrases
- Character personalities
- Paragraphs
- Verbs
Grab writing ideas with this creative writing prompt generator
Welcome to The Story Shack's free creative writing prompts generator! Are you in need of a story starter? Then simply click the button above and let the tool generate some great random writing prompt for you. You also don't have to worry if it will work on your iPad, iPhone, Kindle or other smart device, as the plot generator is fully responsive!
This tool is currently capable of generating 2.8 billion random fiction writing prompts , and that is not where we're stopping. Check back frequently for new ideas.
Currently, the writing prompt generator provides the following ideas:
Word count
Writing genre
Character type
A prop to use
A sentence
A bonus assignment
Writing prompts through our story idea generator
Do you need writing inspiration for your next book? A story starter for an upcoming flash fiction journal's competition? Perhaps you simply want to do a writing exercise? This plot generator is a one-stop shop to get the creative juices flowing. Our writing prompt generator provides you with a random prompt that includes a genre, the length of your short story, characters (also try out ourcharacter name generator), quotes, props and a bonus assignment.
What makes for a challenging creative writing prompt?
Creative writing prompts can be a lot of fun to write. However, not all ideas are created equal. Some topics are more difficult than others. Some of the most challenging prompts may include animal-human hybrids or autobiographical essays.
It is important for creative writers to have a variety of writing assignments and creative writing prompts. While some may seem easy at first glance, they can be quite challenging when it comes to actually sitting down and putting words on paper.
The idea of how to write on the given topic is often what makes for a good writing prompt. It's important to have an idea of what you want your story to be about and what you want readers to learn from it. Writing prompts often give you topics that you wouldn't think about yourself, so it's important that when reading the resulting story, one can tell that there is something interesting about the topic and not just something random.
Story prompts modeled after the 48 Hour Film Project
Writing prompts should be challenging. Because of this, I've modeled this story idea generator after the 48 Hour Film Project model. This film project takes place in many cities throughout the world and challenges storytellers to create a short film within two days. This short film needs to adhere to a number of random prompts that all participants share.
It's always a great challenge and a lot of fun. Hopefully you will have as much fun with the creative writing ideas this tool produces. So get the creative process started, click Generate above and keep clicking it until you have all the writing ideas you'd like.
Take writing prompts to the next level with Taleforge
The writing prompt generator was the very first tool I created on The Story Shack, and the site has evolved a lot since. It’s still my favorite random generator, and I wanted to try to explore the idea a bit further. The result isTaleforge, an interactive writing app that challenges you by throwing random prompts at you while you’re racing against a timer.
Can I share the random writing prompts that this tool creates?
Yes you can. The Story Shack claims no copyright on any of these prompts.
How many ideas can I generate with this random Writing Prompt Generator?
The Writing Prompt Generator can generate thousands of ideas for your project, so feel free to keep clicking and at the end use the handy copy feature to export your prompts to a text editor of your choice. Enjoy!
Can I use the random writing prompts that this tool creates?
Yes you can. The Story Shack claims no copyright on any of these names, but it is of course possible that some of the values this name generator provides are already owned by anyone else, so please make sure to always do your due diligence.
How many ideas can I generate with this Writing Prompt Generator?
The Writing Prompt Generator can generate thousands of ideas for your project, so feel free to keep clicking and at the end use the handy copy feature to export your writing prompts to a text editor of your choice. Enjoy!
What are good writing prompts?
There's thousands of random writing prompts in this generator. Here are some samples to start:
Idea #1 | Write a 700 word story in the suspense genre. It's about a daydreamer and should include a microscope. Also use the sentence 'What problem?' Bonus prompt: Your character has lost someone dear. |
Idea #2 | Write a 550 word story in the science fiction genre. It's about a politician and should include a wrench. Also use the sentence 'How do you feel?' Bonus prompt: Your character is fearless to the point of stupidity. |
Idea #3 | Write a 350 word story in the crime genre. It's about a crazy ice cream maker and should include a syringe. Also use the sentence 'Never.' Bonus prompt: There seems to be no one left on the planet. |
Idea #4 | Write a 900 word story in the drama genre. It's about a jealous brother and should include a guitar. Also use the sentence 'Not for you.' Bonus prompt: Your character is very shy. |
Idea #5 | Write a 100 word story in the seasonal genre. It's about a quran salesman and should include a crown. Also use the sentence 'It's your fault.' Bonus prompt: The story involves a fight. |
Idea #6 | Write a 1000 word story in the crime genre. It's about a thin baker and should include a flag. Also use the sentence 'Shut up.' Bonus prompt: There is a great storm. |
Idea #7 | Write a 950 word story in the fantasy genre. It's about a dog breeder and should include a rowing boat. Also use the sentence 'How do you take it?' Bonus prompt: Your character has lost someone dear. |
Idea #8 | Write a 450 word story in the suspense genre. It's about a communist and should include a golf club. Also use the sentence 'I'll deal with you later.' Bonus prompt: There is a great storm. |
Idea #9 | Write a 200 word story in the fantasy genre. It's about a frustrated waitress and should include a single earring. Also use the sentence 'Whoopsidaisies!' Bonus prompt: The Sun is failing. |
Idea #10 | Write a 250 word story in the seasonal genre. It's about a stalker and should include a bottle of whiskey. Also use the sentence 'He can change.' Bonus prompt: The story takes place two-hundred years from now. |
Psst! You can view saved ideas (also offline) in your storage chest!