Creative Writing Prompts

You awaken with amnesia in what looks to be an igloo. You have $4 and a rock in one pocket, and a toothbrush in the other. Someone is staring at you. Write this scene. Read more

When out to lunch with co-workers, you bump into a close friend who refers to you by a nickname. Because of its unusualness, the nickname catches the interest of one of your co-workers who asks for the story behind it. Start your story with, “This may come as a surprise, but … ” and end it with, “And that’s how I got the nickname (fill in the blank).” Read more

After 42 years with your company, the day has finally arrived: your last day of work. Your coworkers throw you a lunch retirement party. After cake, one coworker asks you to reflect on your years with the company. So you do—and you hold nothing back. Read more

Write about an intense game of Scrabble that takes an ugly turn for the worse.

A hurricane hits in the South and folks are asked to evacuate. You’re out of the hurricane’s reach and offer your home up to anyone seeking refuge. A family member takes you up on the offer. When she arrives, she describes—in vivid detail—her experience. Read more

You’re in bed and you awaken to a presidential candidate standing outside your window, staring into your face with a giant smile. What’s going on? (Fictional candidates, preferably). Read more

Your best friend has been arrested for illegally downloading music. While in jail, he asks you to go to his house and clear everything off his computer. As you start deleting files, you notice a folder called “Top Secret.” Out of curiosity, you open it—and are shocked by what you find. Read more

What was the your favorite possession when you were a kid? Why did you love it so much and how did it affect your life? Read more

After years of leading a normal life, you discover you have a special ability. Afraid to share this information with anyone, you confide only in your closest friend. To your surprise, your friend shares some information with you—he also has a super power. Read more

Two synchronized diving partners overcome a behind-the-scene scuffle to compete in the Olympics and win the gold. Read more

You wake up in jail and have no memory of how you got there. As you pace around the cell, you find five items in your pocket from the night before. As you look at each piece, the night slowly comes back to you. Write about your night, why you have these five items and how you ended up in jail. Read more

You’ve been hired as a writer for “Late Show with David Letterman.” Your first assignment is to come up with a witty, nonpolitical Top Ten list for him to read on air. Read more

Write an apology letter to yourself for not taking a chance you wish you would have—whether it be in love, work, your writing career or even something silly. Read more

A terrible thunderstorm leaves you without power. When the storm is over you head outside and notice a neighbor heading your way. She’s afraid the food in her fridge will go bad, so she’s invited you and two other neighbors over for dinner—and it turns out to be one of the most memorable nights of your life. Read more

After six months of mailing resumes all over the city, you finally have a bite. Though under-qualified for the position, you attend the interview anyway because you desperately need work. As the boss starts to ask questions, you notice that he’s not reading from your resume—it’s someone else’s. Instead of correcting him, you go with it. Write this interview. Read more

You’re hosting a 4th of July party at your house. Your closest friend is in charge of the firework show and it’s a spectacular display of colors in the sky—that is, until one rogue firework misfires into your neighbor’s home and catches her roof on fire. Write this scene. Read more

Where is your favorite place to read and why?

Recount the day you took the driver’s test (whether you successfully got your license or not). If you’ve never taken the test, write how you imagine it’ll go. Read more

You’re trying to lose weight and decide to keep a weekly diet journal. Write four short journal entries that show your progress (or lack thereof) over the span of your first month. Read more

At an Internet café, you’ve accidentally stumbled across an unlikely family member’s MySpace page. What do you find? How do you deal with it? Read more

Forrest Gump once said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” What is writing like? Write a simile that starts with the phrase, “Writing is like … .” Read more

You’ve just had one of the most grueling days of your life when you stumble upon a wishing well. While you don’t typically believe in such things, you need a pick-me-up. So you toss a penny down the well and make a wish. Lo and behold, it comes true. Read more

Start your story with, “In retrospect, I wouldn’t say it was my best idea.” And end it with, “And that’s how I attempted to make this world a better place.” Read more