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.
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 our character name generator), quotes, props and a bonus assignment.
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.
What are good writing prompts?
There's thousands of random writing prompts in this generator. Here are some samples to start:
Examples of writing prompts| Idea #1 | Write a 250 word story in the seasonal genre. It's about a barista and should include a lightbulb. Also use the sentence 'Never.' Bonus prompt: Your character is shipwrecked. |
| Idea #2 | Write a 850 word story in the fantasy genre. It's about a philosopher and should include a desk. Also use the sentence 'This means war.' Bonus prompt: Your character is shipwrecked. |
| Idea #3 | Write a 100 word story in the magical realism genre. It's about an old man in love and should include an oven. Also use the sentence 'Leave me alone!' Bonus prompt: The Sun is failing. |
| Idea #4 | Write a 650 word story in the children genre. It's about a stewardess and should include a very small television. Also use the sentence 'How do you take it?' Bonus prompt: Civilization has come to an end. |
| Idea #5 | Write a 950 word story in the magical realism genre. It's about a cowardly fireman and should include a very small television. Also use the sentence 'I can't see you.' Bonus prompt: Your character is loved by everyone. |
| Idea #6 | Write a 650 word story in the adventure genre. It's about a druid and should include a spoon. Also use the sentence 'Life was better on the other side.' Bonus prompt: Your character is loved by everyone. |
| Idea #7 | Write a 850 word story in the crime genre. It's about a horse whisperer and should include a pair of slippers. Also use the sentence 'Aren't you afraid?' Bonus prompt: Your character is imprisoned. |
| Idea #8 | Write a 1000 word story in the seasonal genre. It's about a philosopher and should include a very old sofa. Also use the sentence 'I'd like a day without punishing you.' Bonus prompt: The story takes place in space. |
| Idea #9 | Write a 400 word story in the magical realism genre. It's about a 40-year old virgin and should include electricity. Also use the sentence 'I'd like a day without punishing you.' Bonus prompt: Winter is long and extremely cold. |
| Idea #10 | Write a 850 word story in the crime genre. It's about a single mother and should include a whip. Also use the sentence 'It's over.' Bonus prompt: Your character is imprisoned. |
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