This document contains a collection of writing prompts ranging from stories using specific words or characters to reflections on personal experiences. Some prompts ask writers to adopt certain points of view like an inanimate object while others provide starting lines, plots or required elements to incorporate into original stories. The prompts are intended to inspire creative writing on a variety of topics.

1. Daily Journal Writing
Prompts from www.creativewritingprompts.com

2. Use these four words in a story:
burglar
forest
envelope
lamp

3. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a WEDDING
BOUQUET.

4. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a TV
REMOTE.

5. Write about something that made you feel
sad or something that hurt your feelings.

6. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a STACK of
PAPER a few
inches from a
SHREDDER.

7. Use in a story.
MAIN CHARACTER:
police officer
OBJECT: old shoes
SETTING: operating
room

8. PLOT: Losing a
winning lottery
ticket.

9. Write about something
that made you feel
happy today.

10. Use the following
words in a story:
photographer
bicycle
school
branch

11. Use in a story.
MAIN CHARACTER:
factory worker
OBJECT: locket
SETTING: small
apartment
THEME: letting go

12. Write about five things you
would do if you didn’t
ANYONE for one week.

13. START YOUR
STORY WITH
THIS:
Alice tried to
remember who had
given her this odd
shaped key.

14. Use the following
words in a story:
grandfather
folder
post office
photo album

15. I once dreamed about....

16. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a GLASS on
the edge of a
TABLE.

17. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a VIRUS
about to infect
a COMPUTER

18. Write from the POINT OF VIEW
of a BALL OF YARN being chased by
a CAT

19. Use the following
words in a story:
priest
ring
garden
magnifying
glass

20. Write about
something that you
did to make someone
feel good today.

21. Write about
a man who
teaches his
pet cockroach
to dance.

22. Write a story with this beginning:
We are learning to make a fire.

23. Write about something
that you are thankful for
and appreciate.

24. Your uncle and
your cousin are
sitting in a room.
One of them wants
to be someone else.
Write their story.

25. Begin your story with this line:
It was the ONE thing he wanted most.

26. Your mother and your teacher meet by accident at
the coffee shop. One of them is pretending to be
someone else. Write their story.

27. Use this plot for
your story:
getting carried
away with a
new fad

28. Write from the POINT OF VIEW
of a LONE TREE in a FOREST

29. Come up with 12 good reasons to sleep in.

30. Write from the
POINT OF VIEW
of a BIRDCAGE
in which the bird
recently died.

31. Think of 12 things to do
without electricity

32. Begin your story with:
The clock winked.

33. List 20 things
you’re afraid of.
Pick one fear and
write about it.

34. Write about a blue-colored object.

35. Write an excuse for not working today.

36. Write
about a
scary
experience
with a
teacher.

37. Write a short story
using the following
Paper clips
principal
lunchbox
swing
girl with a pink ribbon

38. Write a short story using the following
soy sauce
babysitter
cowboy hat
puppy
tortilla chips

39. Write 10 things you can do with tissue paper.
Pick one and write about it.

40. What’s your idea of a perfect vacation?

41. Write about a time you hid from someone.

42. Write a short story using the following
butterfly
balloon
school playground
rainbow
talking dog

43. Write about what’d you cook for your enemy.

44. List 20 things that annoy you.
Pick one and write about it.

45. Choose one of your physical features.
Write about how you change or disguise it.

46. Put Batman and Scooby-Doo in an elevator.
Write a story about their ride to the top.

47. Write about the biggest lie
you’ve ever told.

48. Write about a job, task, chore
you strongly dislike.

49. Write about a plate of sunshine.

50. What do you do on a rainy day.

51. Begin with: “I thought I saw...”

52. Write the story of a
disastrous family picnic.

53. Write about a student
who always skipped breakfast.

54. Write about a habit
that is hard to break.

55. You get home and check your messages
on your answering machine.
On the third you freeze.
Begin there.

56. You wake up, go to the bathroom, and
look into the mirror.
A different face stares at you.
Begin there.

57. Write about
someone you’d
like to see in jail.

58. What would you do with
three wishes?
(Can’t ask for more wishes.)

59. “You know what else children don’t know?”
Include this dialogue in your story.

60. Start your story with this: She touched
the little box in her pocket
and smiled.

61. 25 cent wings seemed
like a great idea.
Sadly, there were not.
Begin with this.

62. List 50 things you’ll never do.