TIL: Writing Prompts

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the sound of your favorite song. How does it make you feel? Think about the journey it takes you on. Does it stir up memories or images in your head? Now, based on that song, write a short story about discovering a hidden map woven within the melody and harmonies of that chosen song, where it leads, what it uncovers, and how that discovery changes the life of your protagonist.

Imagine the night sky is filled with not just stars, but floating caravans. One of these cosmic caravans decides to visit your home for the night, and an interstellar traveler steps out to greet you. Describe the visitor and the caravan, elaborating on the elements of the cosmos that make up their home. Highlight the heart-warming interaction and exploration of the Cosmic Caravan that you go through.

Write a narrative about an ordinary day at work or school which takes a turn for the extraordinary when you realize there's an unseen visitor interacting with your environment. The visitor can be friendly, mischievous or even slightly sinister. What signs lead you to their existence? What actions do you take to communicate with them or unveil them? How do your colleagues or friends react to these strange happenings? Flesh out this scenario with an emphasis on vivid descriptions and character reactions.

Tasked with writing a short story set in an isolated lighthouse, develop a tale that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and supernatural. Flesh out your main character, the lighthouse keeper, and aim to make them complex, facing personal struggle and battling internal demons. Additionally, unfold a plot which reveals a hypnotizing enigma linked directly to the lighthouse itself. Enhance your work with vivid descriptions to draw your reader into the chilling and eerie atmosphere of your setting. The sea, the storms, and the solitude should play significant roles as you weave your plot. Pay special attention to pacing and the resolution of your mystery.

A small, round, ancient stone with unusual markings is found on a morning walk. Upon further inspection, it begins to whisper tales and secrets of the past to you. Write a short story about the things you learn from the stone and how it affects your life, or the ripples it creates in your neighborhood, town or the world.

Delve into the world of magic and lore. Use your imagination to create a story revolving around a magical artifact, an Origami Oracle. This seemingly normal piece of origami has the power to foretell the future. How would the people around it react? Can it always be trusted? Or can it sometimes tell signs of a future that can be changed? Incorporate the main character's feelings and reactions into the story. The goal of this exercise is to improve the writer's ability to build suspense and portray vibrant characters.

Craft a narrative where your main character befriends an unusual crow, which is more than it seems. This bird has an uncanny ability of dropping off strange items which it finds around the city into your character's backyard. One day, the crow acts peculiar and instead of a trinket, it drops off a message written on a worn-out piece of paper. Explore your character's emotions, interactions with the crow and the mystery hidden in the message.

Consider this: There's an invisible entity, a creature or a spirit, only your main character can communicate with. It's always been a part of their life. What is the relationship between your character and this invisible companion? Is it their guardian, a neutral entity, or the antagonist stirring trouble in your character's life? Write a short scene showing an ordinary day with them.

Consider a pendulum that doesn't merely swing back and forth but holds the power to sway the flow of time. Start your evening exercise contemplating how this peculiar pendulum came into your character's possession. How does its time altering characteristics manifest? And most importantly, what complications arise as the character attempts to use it to their advantage? This exercise will engage your skill when it comes to crafting enchantment and conflicts within your story.

A young you once received a mysterious silver locket as a gift. You were never able to open it, so after years of trying, you put it away and eventually forgot about it. Today, while going through some old stuff, you find the silver locket but this time, something magical happens when you hold the locket. Write about the wondrous events that unfold from this discovery, and the remarkable journey the locket takes you on. Create unique characters, vivid settings, and intricate plot twists that will leave the reader wanting more.