1. Write a short story about a fantasy character who gets stuck in our world and has to find their way back home.
2. Write a scene in which a kid has to get home for dinner across a treacherous landscape and through a gauntlet of imaginary monsters and evil sorcerers.
3. Pick three tropes from your favorite writing genre and use them to inform your story. (Example: Horror story (genre), vampires, mad scientist, and a questionable ally.)
4. Write about a character who goes on a blind date that either goes really well or really poorly.
5. Write about a character who wants nothing more than to ride a Ferris wheel, but has a phobia of balloons.
6. Write about an art thief going to great lengths to steal a piece of art.
7. Write about a police officer who must talk someone out of doing something drastic and terrible.
8. Write a scene about a woman meeting a date at a coffee shop and running into her ex.
9. Write about a woman who must brave a violent storm to get home to her children.
10. Write a story detailing a harrowing visit to another country.
11. Write about a fictional character through ripped-out pages from a journal that another character finds.
12. Write a story about a group of friends who go camping and end up getting assaulted by strange creatures. But piece the story together from the point of view of two or more characters.
13. Recount the end of a relationship from the POV of the two participants. Is there a misunderstanding at work, or do both people have the exact same story about why the relationship ended?
14. Write about a family who experiences an earthquake in different parts of the city.
15. Write a scene in which a cop and a criminal are matching wits in an interview room.
16. Start with the end of a story you know well, and then write it backward.
17. Write a story about a character with amnesia who remembers events out of order.
18. Explore a major historical event through the eyes of fictional characters who were “there.”
19. Start in the middle of a story about a long journey, then use flashbacks to fill in essential plot elements.
20. Using an unreliable narrator, tell the story of a disastrous music festival.
21. What's your favorite memory from childhood? Write it down in as much detail as possible.
22. What's the proudest moment of your life so far? Use it as a starting point to craft a scene in which the moment gets even better.
23. What drew you to creative writing? Describe what inspired you to become a writer.
24. Think back to a day in 7th grade when you had a great day. Describe the day and what made it so great.
25. Write a comedic scene about your family on vacation.
26. Have you ever broken the law? Don't answer that. Instead, write a fictional story in which you do break the law.
27. Think of a famous person who gives you inspiration. Write about what you would do if you ever met them.
28. Write about what you would do on your dream vacation.
29. Write a short story about becoming a superhero.
30. Write a story from the viewpoint of a fictional character planning something nefarious.
31. Write a romantic story about meeting the love of your life.
32. Write a journal entry from the viewpoint of a character who has just accomplished their biggest goal.
33. Write a story about a day in the life of someone from a different cultural background.
34. Write a personal narrative in which you become a professional athlete in your favorite sport.
35. Write a story in which you're a rock star or a movie star.
36. Write a story from the POV of a character struggling to change the world for the better.
37. Write a first-person story about a police officer cracking the big case.
38. Write about a time you tried and failed at something. Explore your feelings and the aftermath.
39. Write about the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you.
40. Write about a near-death experience you've had.
41. Describe a haunted house in detail.
42. Describe a fantasy creature you've made up or one from existing lore.
43. Write about the neighborhood park, including people who frequent it.
44. Write about a breathtaking building you've always liked.
45. Write about a landfill.
46. Write about a fantasy world in which dragons, demons, and elves exist.
47. Write about a building you're intimately familiar with.
48. Write about a spooky forest.
49. Write about a person (either real or fictional) without leaving any details out.
50. Describe the most beautiful sunset or vista you've ever seen.
51. Write a silly story that uses these words: airplane, grapes, elephant, and book.
52. Finish this story: The pirates set sail on their ship in search of . . .
