How to Write Great Writing Prompts 1. Be Clear and Focused A good prompt sets a clear direction. Avoid being too vague or too broad. Basic Formula: [Action] + [Topic/Theme] + [Optional Constraint] > 📝 Write about a time you felt completely out of place. 🧠 Describe a world where memories are traded like currency. --- 2. Use Strong Verbs Words like explore, describe, imagine, reflect, or create guide the writer’s intention. Examples: Imagine a society where speaking above a whisper is illegal. Reflect on the smell of your childhood home and its emotional significance. --- 3. Add a Twist or Constraint Limits spark creativity. Try time limits, word counts, genre constraints, or point of view shifts. Examples: Write a 100-word story that begins with “The lights went out.” Describe heartbreak from the perspective of a broken clock. --- 4. Appeal to the Senses or Emotions This helps bring out vivid details and personal connections. Examples: Describe the first rain after a long drought. Write about envy as if it were a person living in your house. 5. Mix Genres and Formats Think beyond regular stories—try poetic prompts, journal entries, letters, dialogues, or lists. Examples: Write a love letter to your future self. List 5 lies your character tells themselves every day. 🎯 Pro-Level Prompt Styles Type Example Prompt Character-Based Create a character who believes they are immortal. What proof do they have? Setting-Driven Describe a city built on the back of a giant whale. Conflict-Focused Two best friends discover they’re on opposite sides of a war. Philosophical/Reflective Does truth matter more than peace? Write a scene that explores this question. Mystery/Surreal You wake up with a barcode tattooed on your palm. It scans at every door you touch. ---

I haven't learned a thing.