The Ultimate Constraint
This is one of the most demanding creative writing exercises because it requires mastery of fundamentals. In 100 words, you need a beginning, middle, and end.
This constraint teaches you more about storytelling than writing novels would. When you can't pad your word count, you learn what's essential.
Exactly 100 Words
A writing prompt appears from The Story Shack's classic generator—a scenario, a character, a conflict. Your task: write a complete story in exactly 100 words.
The word counter updates as you type. When you hit 100, you'll need to either stop or cut something to add more.
Your story needs a beginning, middle, and end. In 100 words.
Related Exercises
Morning Pages
Stream-of-consciousness writing with gentle nudges—clear your mind and access deeper creativity.
I Remember
A reflective exercise that unlocks memories and emotions—perfect for overcoming writer's block.
Social Media Story
Tell a story through social media posts—master the art of narrative compression.
Prompt Frenzy
Stay on your toes as random writing prompts appear mid-session, challenging you to adapt on the fly.
Blind Mode
Write without seeing your text—trust your instincts and discover what emerges when you can't self-edit.
Hemingway Mode
Silence your inner editor—the backspace key is disabled, so you can only move forward.
Genre Roulette
Your genre changes at set intervals—can you keep your story coherent while jumping from horror to romance to sci-fi?
Basic Practice
The simplest way to build your daily writing habit—just you, a timer, and words on the page.
Quest Mode
Turn your writing practice into an adventure—defeat monsters by hitting word and time goals.
First Line Continuation
Skip the blank page—start from a compelling opening line and see where it takes you.
POV Swap
Write the same scene from three different perspectives and discover how point of view transforms a story.
Character Interview
Answer questions as your character—discover their voice, quirks, and hidden depths.