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| Photo courtesy of nattavut at freedigitalphotos.net |
Need a way to beat writer's block?
Here you will find some writing prompts to give you ideas, you can use them in your creative writing exercises or you can use any one or more of these prompts in conjunction with the set theme for our monthly short story competition, or why not try to complete our Daily Prompt Challenge?
The prompts will come in a variety of forms:
Keywords
Try to fit these words into your story, or use them for brain-storming or free-writing exercises
Starting Sentence
Use this sentence as a spring board to start your story - the line doesn't have to be the first sentence of your short story, it can appear wherever you like.
Other prompts will be in the form of characters and personalities, emotions, objects, settings and names to inspire you, or for you to weave into your narrative.
Alternatively, if you prefer your writing prompts to be more visual, why not take a look at our Saturday Picture Challenge?
Today's Prompts
28/07/2015
Keywords: Shook, Tip, Wide
Object: Whisk
Emotion: Anger
Prompt Archive
27/07/2015
Object: Drill
Setting: Shopping Centre/Mall
Name: George O'Brien
26/07/2015
Object: Wooden Train Set
Setting: Victorian House
Keywords: Rolled, Dusty, Quiet
25/07/2015
Keywords: Blind, Shift, Deal
Emotion: Vengeance
Character: Con Artist
24/07/2015
Character: An off-duty soldier
Object: Kebab skewer
Name: Ryan Cochran
23/07/2015
Object: A bag of bones
Setting: A building site
Keywords: Covered, Search, Unearthed
22/07/2015
A Chef with a surprise ingredient
Name: Amanda Neeson
Emotion: Passion
21/07/2015
Setting: Swimming pool
Keywords: Floating, Blood, Kimono
Starting Sentence: A lone splash woke me
20/07/2015
Name: Kyle McCreedy
Keywords: Open, Soaked, Stamp
Character: Bullied teenager who has had enough
19/07/2015
Keywords: Step, Smell, Cold
Object: Statue
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Mummy
18/07/2015
Emotion: Jealousy
Setting: City high rise/skyscraper
Object: Letter opener
17/07/2015
Character: A woman who has a near death experience
Object: Gold necklace
Emotion: Embarrassment
16/07/2015
Keywords: Rush, Twist, Breath
Character: A man escaping his past
Setting: Beach hut
15/07/2015
Emotion: Anger
Object: Locked Case
Name: Neil Gardener
14/07/2015
Name: Darryl Winchester
Setting: Youth hostel
Object: CD
13/07/2015
Object: Clipboard
Setting: Submarine
Keywords: Below, Search, Bang
12/07/2015
Setting: Abandoned gold mine
Character: A pilot who takes the wrong course
Keywords: Drop, Guard, Cart
11/07/2015
Keywords: Prize, Newspaper, Click
Object: Cake Stand
Character: Quarreling sisters
10/07/2015
Starting Sentence: Evie shouted my name from her seat at the back of the crowded bus
Keywords: Jar, Spin, Tough
Name: Chantelle
09/07/2015
Character: Someone who wakes up in a coffin/morgue
Object: Saw
Name: Kent Dryden
08/07/2015
Object: Games console
Setting: PC repair shop
Starting Sentence: The sign on the door said open, but the cluttered shop looked anything but
07/07/2015
Character: A paramedic who has an extraordinary day
Setting: Yacht
Object: Telescope
06/07/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Demon
Object: Remote control
Keywords: Automatically, Crawl, Breathing
05/07/2015
Starting Sentence: Nobody believed me
Keywords: Wow, Trick, Nose
Character: A school boy with a magical talent
04/07/2015
Setting: Waterfall
Name: Marie Martin
Keywords: Lush, Surrounding, New
03/07/2015
Keywords: Trip, Early, Waste
Character: A woman with a fear of buttons
Object: Alarm clock
02/07/2015
Object: Basketball
Setting: Sports Hall
Character: An immoral business man
01/07/2015
Name: Angelique Cooper
Keywords: Sweat, Rhythm, Rivalry
Object: Boombox
30/06/2015
Setting: Rock concert
Character: An undercover cop
Starting Sentence: How in the hell did I end up here?
29/06/2015
Keywords: Annoyed, Miniature, Daring
Object: Magnifying glass
Setting: Damp basement
28/06/2015
Name: Madelaine Russo
Object: Jigsaw Puzzle
Starting Sentence: We sat in the caravan drinking wine that Madelaine had picked up using her five finger discount
27/06/2015
Keywords: Cheer, Wound, Bother
Character: Drag Queen TV Presenter
Object: Medicine Cabinet
26/06/2015
Setting: Eurostar
Character: A CEO who is jealous of her young employee
Name: Janice Mason
25/06/2015
Keywords: Shrill, Tired, Search
Character: A teacher with a secret obsession
Setting: Suburban Semi-Detached House
24/06/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Troll
Object: Soup Bowl
Keywords: Sip, Fill, Laugh
23/06/2015
Object: Hammer
Keywords: Work, Harden, Breach
Name: Harold the Wise
22/06/2015
Object: Hook
Setting: Circus tent
Name: Karl the Magnificent
21/06/2015
Keywords: Torn, Cute, Baby Shower
Starting Sentence: She drove me to it
Character: A woman who is jealous of her sister's pregnancy
20/06/2015
Starting Sentence: The Invigilator stepped forward
Setting: Exam hall
Object: Clock
19/06/2015
Object: Syringe
Character: A Victorian woman diagnosed with hysteria
Name: Lydia O'Connell
18/06/2015
Setting: An ice-rink
Name: Ianna
Keywords: Sweep, Twist, Found
17/06/2015
Object: Wheel
Setting: A farm
Keywords: Drag, Furrow, Fall
16/06/2015
Starting Sentence: The cry came from over the hamlet wall
Keywords: Ground, Fire, Hurl
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Ogre
15/06/2015
Setting: Orphange
Keywords: Crown, Play, Ladder
Name: Bernadette Andrews
14/06/2015
Starting Sentence: The lake was calm
Object: Duct tape
Setting: Rowing boat
13/06/2015
Character: A school janitor with a secret past
Object: A tin of paint
Name: Fred McAllister
12/06/2015
Object: Chariot
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Minotaur
Keywords: Charge, Winding, Clash
11/06/2015
Keywords: Fight, Flash, Pause
Starting Sentence: On Thursdays we had History lessons with Miss Phillips
Character: A teacher on the verge of a nervous breakdown
10/06/2015
Setting: Music class
Object: Harp
Name: Tracy Scott
09/06/2015
Keywords: Shoot, Spark, Reveal
Object: Hover shoes
Character: A person whose wishes come true
08/06/2015
Keywords: Surprise, Bleep, Floral
Object: Birthday card
Setting: Operating theatre
07/06/2015
Character: A woman who has been cursed
Keywords: Ignore, Bubble, Grasp
Starting Sentence: Help me!
06/06/2015
Setting: Sweet shop
Name: Miriam Blanc
Character: A shop keeper on the verge of bankruptcy
05/06/2015
Character: A man planning his suicide
Keywords: Plunge, Deep, Foil
Object: Tin Bucket
04/06/2015
Object: Pumpkin
Name: Luke Spencer
Character: A man falsely accused of exposing himself
03/06/2015
Object: Broken shoe lace
Starting Sentence: The night I met your father he was on his way to meet another woman
Setting: Bridge
02/06/2015
Keywords: Dull, Tap, Smell
Starting Sentence: 'What have you done this time?'
Character: Someone who works in a human resources department
01/06/2015
Object: Cigarette holder
Keywords: Flick, Gold, Darling
Character: A drama student
31/05/2015
Object: Camcorder/Camera
Setting: Cruise Ship
Name: Frederick Whilloughby
30/05/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Phoenix
Keywords: Whither, Flow, Soar
Setting: Volcano
29/05/2015
Name: Abbie Diawara
Starting Sentence: Monstrous shadows danced across the wall
Keywords: Pound, Cry, Whisper
28/05/2015
Keywords: Class, Room, Box
Starting Sentence: 'What time is the next train to Brighton?'
Setting: Railway Station
27/05/2015
Starting Sentence: He was what my mother would call 'a snake in the grass'
Object: Rose petals
Name: Darren McMahon
26/05/2015
Setting: Department Store
Name: Eileen Morris
Character: A stalker
25/05/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Alien
Starting Sentence: Let me tell you about the day that changed everything
Keywords: Flung, White, Jelly
24/05/2015
Character: A male escort
Object: A bottle of pills
Keywords: Waiting, Presentable, Knock-out
23/05/2015
Object: Bottle of hair dye
Name: Marina Trollop
Keywords: Splash, Disastrous, Crime
22/05/2015
Keywords: Whizzing, Clouds, Rope
Setting: A city in the sky
Character: A tomboy Princess
21/05/2015
Object: Shiny hot pants
Character: Window cleaner
Setting: Fire station
20/05/2015
Keywords: Stag, Breeze, Giant
Starting Sentence: Jake's hangover was the first sign that things hadn't gone to plan
Setting: Stables
19/05/2015
Starting Sentence: 'Let me see' Kevin whined
Name: Marcus Whitmore
Setting: Sandcastle competition
18/05/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Pixie
Keywords: Merengue, Tap, Glint
Object: Dancing shoes
17/05/2015
Character: A hairdresser with a touch of magic
Setting: Beauty salon
Name: Cathy Rider
16/05/2015
Keywords: Stand, Hurt, Toe
Standing Sentence: When the minister asked if anyone here present...
Object: Champagne flute
15/05/2015
Starting Sentence: Ms Anderson handed out our marked assignments
Keywords: Red, Kick, Discover
Object: School bag
14/05/2015
Object: Perfume
Setting: Sleeper carriage on a train
Keywords: Trundle, Whoosh, Poisoned
13/05/2015
Keywords: Sneak, Smoke, Listen
Starting Sentence: I wasn't supposed to invite friends over while I babysat for the Merrimans
Character: A child that doesn't speak
12/05/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Cyclops
Object: Shield
Name: Krystal Blaze
11/05/2015
Character: A pirate who is useless at fighting
Setting: A tropical beach
Object: A pair of oars
10/05/2015
Character: An elderly lady with lots of tattoos
Keywords: Grip, Fair, Remember
Object: Make-up brush
09/05/2015
Keywords: Genius, Tiny, Fetid
Starting Sentence: I never intended to live this way
Setting: Homeless hostel
08/05/2015
Character: A taxi driver with an interesting side job
Object: Cake stand
Setting: School sports hall
07/05/2015
Name: Geraldine Bentley
Keywords: Reflection, Bright, Terror
Starting Sentence: The doorbell rang and my heart drummed urgently
06/05/2015
Mythical/supernatural being: Wizard
Keywords: Hat, Swish, Tail
Setting: Children's birthday party
05/05/2015
Starting Sentence: 'Bring your own booze' the invite said
Object: Shop receipt
Name: Buck Davies
04/05/2015
Object: Dried bouquet
Setting: Old people's home/nursing home
Keywords: Kiss, Lonely, Frame
03/05/2015
Keyword: Character, Spawn, Challenge
Starting Sentence: I woke up to discover I had been using a pizza delivery box as a pillow
Character: Someone addicted to playing online role playing games
02/05/2015
Name: Perry Snow
Setting: Barbecue
Object: Trampoline
01/05/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: An Elf
Object: Broom
Name: Dugger
30/04/2015
Keywords: Inappropriate, Hiccup, Twice
Object: Harmonica
Setting: Psychiatrist's office
29/04/2015
Name: Georgia Redford
Character: A florist who hates weddings
Object: Socks with holes in
28/04/2015
Object: Paperweight
Character: A boss nobody has ever met
Setting: A brewery
27/04/2015
Starting Sentence: Have you seen it?
Keywords: Maize, Golden, Singed
Setting: A crop circle
26/04/2015
Starting Sentence: We've got a fight on our hands boys
Object: Bowling ball
Name: Jorge Castiel
25/04/2015
Object: Extinguisher
Setting: A tie shop
Name: Silvie Long
24/04/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Yeti
Object: A knitted jumper
Keywords: Fabled, Call, Tower
23/04/2015
Name: Pippa Weiss
Keywords: Flatten, Jog, Hours
Starting Sentence: Where the hell is Gianni?
22/04/2015
Character: Karaoke King
Setting: Casino
Object: Sequinned bra
21/04/2015
Character: An arrogant bartender
Keywords: Opened, Fizz, Ginger
Object: Fridge
20/04/2015
Keywords: Trays, Grease, Flipantly
Name: Sol Jackson
Setting: Canteen
19/04/2015
Character: A wrestler with a soft center
Object: A dining chair
Name: The Crucifier
18/04/2015
Starting Sentence: 'Road trip!' the kids yelled from the back seat
Object: Rear view mirror
Keywords: Thud, Hill, Sand
17/04/2015
Name: Henry Mallory
Setting: Prison cell
Mythical/Supernatural Being: A Hellhound
16/04/2015
Character: A butler in love with his employer
Keywords: Haughty, Towel, Bubble-bath
Name: James
15/04/2015
Starting Sentence: 'Don't forget the shovel' he snarled
Object: A toothpick
Setting: Recreational Vehicle/Caravan
14/04/2015
Name: Maggie O'Shea
Keywords: Turn, Creep, Crinkle
Object: Oil lamp
13/04/2015
Character: A trapeze artist with a secret
Setting: Fairground/Circus
Object: Leotard
12/04/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: Ghost
Keywords: Cream, Throw, Cold
Object: A decoration on a cake
11/04/2015
Name: Sam Grant
Setting: A charity fundraiser
Object: An octopus fancy-dress costume
10/04/2015
Starting Sentence: 'Congratulations!' Sherri shrieked down the phone
Keywords: Imagined, Terse, Desperate
Object: Potion
09/04/2015
Name: Theresa Jenkins
Setting: A library
Starting Sentence: You know we belong together
08/04/2015
Character: A cop with a terrible secret
Name: Simon Scott
Mythical/Supernatural Being: A Werewolf
07/04/2015
Starting Sentence: I used to dream of home
Setting A sports stadium
Object: A cuddly toy
06/04/2015
Mythical/Supernatural Being: A centaur
Keywords: Track, Gallop, Crash
Object: Bow and arrow
05/04/2015
Object: A feather
Setting: A ball
Name: Annetta Von Plume
04/04/2015
Keywords: Suit, Respect, Boyfriend
Starting Sentence: I used to believe he was perfect
Character: A daughter oblivious to her her father's gangster connections
03/04/2015
Setting: A seaside pier
Character: A serial killer
Object: A wedding dress
02/04/2015
Keywords: Confession, Tissue, Red
Character: A travelling salesman
Name: Henri Dumont
01/04/2015
Mythical Creature: A fairy
Object: A teapot
Setting: A forest dwelling
31/03/2015
Setting: A harbour
Name: Quinn O'Neil
Object: A fishing net
30/03/2015
Keywords: Trample, Fight, Tired
Object: A barstool
Setting: A seedy bar in a dodgy area of the city
29/03/2015
Object: A jet-ski
Setting: Tropical beach
Name: Michael Dunn
28/03/2015
Object: A clockwork toy
Setting: A mausoleum in a cemetery
Keywords: Shake, Rattle, Wisp
27/03/2015
Setting: A maze/labyrinth
Object: A ticking clock
Keywords: Dark, Enclosed, Wind
26/03/2015
Starting Sentence: James hated Marcus, that snake-hipped pretty boy had everything.
Character: Guitarist in a rock band
Setting: A hotel room
25/03/2015
Mythical Creature: A vampire
Setting: A broken down car
Object: A tyre iron
24/03/2015
Character: A 1950's waitress
Object: A hat pin
Starting Sentence: Suzy's high heels hammered the side-walk as she ran the last block to work
23/03/2015
Object: A wardrobe
Setting: A landfill
Name: Mason Campbell
Keywords: Moonlight, Whiskers, Path
Name: Nelly Chambers
Object: A watering can
21/03/2015
Setting: The city of London, sunken by rising water levels
Mythical Creature: A mermaid
Object: A diver's mask
20/03/2015
Setting: A church
Object: A bloody knife
Keywords: Trial, Hard, Worship
19/03/2015
Mythical Creature: A fairy
Object: A dagger
Setting: Nineteenth century London
18/03/2015
Object: A bicycle wheel
Setting: Garden Shed
Name: Fabien McManus
17/03/2015
Mythical Creature: Dragon
Keywords: Flicker, Double, Fate
Object: A bell
16/03/2015
Setting: A wintery forest
Object: An axe
Character: A lost child
15/03/2015
Name: Beth Winters
Keywords: Spin, Rattle, Turn
Object: Supermarket trolley
14/03/2015
Starting Sentence: I felt like a Gothic heroine as I wandered through the oppressive rooms
Object: Candlestick
Setting: Remote castle
13/03/2015
Character: Pizza delivery person
Setting: Boot of car
Keywords: Pounding, Dark, Cramp
12/03/2015
Keywords: Taste, Sliver, Breathe
Starting Sentence: The sun skittered across the waves in an endless kaleidoscope of blinding light.
Character: A lifeguard
11/03/2015
Setting: A spaceship
Object: A birthday cake
Name: Oberon
10/03/2015
Object: Sewing machine
Setting: A factory
Character: A bride with cold feet
09/03/2015
Starting Sentence: I slipped quietly, unseen, into Screen One
Character: A narcissistic actor/actress
Setting: A cinema
08/03/2015
Object: A ladder
Name: Phillipa Keane
Keywords: Stretch, Problem, Waste
07/03/2015
Setting: Staffroom
Starting Sentence: Looking back I often ask was there anything I could do
Character: Nursery school teacher
06/03/2015
Character: A mystery shopper
Object: A frying pan
Setting: A supermarket
05/03/2015
Setting: A maternity ward at a hospital
Object: A telephone
Name: Samantha Wu
04/03/2015
Character: A shop assistant with anger issues
Object: A dog collar
Name: Winston Grant
03/03/2015
Setting: A vintage record shop
Character: An arrogant customer
Object: A bead curtain
02/03/2015
Name: George Purdy
Character: Illusionist/Magician
Setting: Backstage at an old abandoned theatre
01/03/2015
Starting Sentence: Sunday morning was her favourite time
Object: Copper kettle
Keywords: Sliced, Blazed, Opera
