Unusual Short Story Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
Short story writing prompts based on self-examination
Photo by Dustin Lee on Unsplash
How do you come up with a short story? Where do you get your ideas from? Can you give me any prompts?
These are some of the questions people often ask me when they read one of my short stories or ask about writing in general.
Usually, ideas find me. It can happen while I’m in the gym, in the shower, watching a movie, have a conversation with a friend, anything. Ideas are unpredictable, but when they show themselves, make sure to see them for what they are.
Then, I store the idea. I use my Notes app, some people use a notepad they carry with them everywhere. Do what works for you, but make sure that when you’re being chased by an idea that you catch it before it slips away.
Slowly you will build a list of topics you can write about. But that’s not why you’re reading this article. You want some help, some prompts which can help you to write a short story.
As Maya Angelou famously said: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Sometimes we just need a little nudge in order to be able to bring those untold stories to the surface.
Start with your message
I’ve taken the liberty of googling “Short Story Prompts”, there’s plenty to be found. What most blogs do, however, is offer a situation for you to work with. One I came across for example: “A magician, a troll, and a college student walk into a bar.” Obviously a fantasy prompt. I bet it could result in thousands of funny and entertaining stories. I like a different approach.
I’ve never written a short story based on a situation like that, I think there are better ways of handing out short story prompts. To me, the best ideas for stories originate from within, through self-examination.
What is it you have to say? What insights do you have to offer to the world? Start there, this is bound to result in a more interesting story. By all means, have a troll and a nymph be your lead characters, but start with the heart and message of your story first.
Short story prompts that come from within
Every story that’s been written reveals a bit about the author who wrote it. Some in more obvious ways than others, but there’s bound to be some personal, political or philosophical views hidden in their prose.
Ask yourself any of the following questions and you have the message of your story.
Short story writing prompts:
Examine your own flaws. We’re all imperfect, that’s the beauty of being human, even though we might hate it. Every novel deals with a character overcoming one or multiple flaws. In life, we do the same. It’s one of the reasons why stories are so inspiring because they hold up a mirror to our own life and journey. What do you wish to overcome? What obstacles do you face? Can you put a character in your position and explore their journey?
What pisses you off? Blunt, but there’s something magical about writing about your frustrations. Your fingers type a bit quicker, you hold your pen a bit too tight. Throw that into one of your stories. Do you hate the fact that your father always makes loud noises when he eats? (It’s a thing, misophonia, look it up). Turn it into a horror story. Or perhaps something more serious, like inequality. We’re all put in a box. Some are viewed as better than others, write from your perspective. Why do you hate to be labeled and treated differently than someone else? Why do people think they have the right to do that?
What do you wish to see differently in the world? This can go hand in hand with the previous one, although it doesn’t necessarily have to piss you off. You might want to see a change in local politics. Or you might want to talk about the fact that you hate what happened in the Amazon and that you wish countries took climate change more seriously. Inspire someone with your story!
What secrets do you have you can wrap up in layers and tell the world? Everyone has secrets. I share a lot with friends and family, but I keep a lot inside too. Through my stories, I’ve left hints to these secrets. They’re difficult to find of course, but they can give you a bit of release or comfort. Tie it in with a character’s flaw why don’t you. Writing is a creative process of exploration. Look inside, don’t be afraid, you still control your pen.
What fears do you have? Spiders, terrorism, totalitarianism, big corporations knowing everything about you, people finding out your biggest secret, murder, clowns, being wrongfully accused of something, whatever. Oh, the juice! Implant those fears on your characters and play around. (I know a little sadistic perhaps, but Stephen King has done quite good for himself).
What’s your earliest childhood memory? What happened? What were you like? Did your experiences as a kid form you in any particular way? Write about that wondrous age of discovery and magic and relive your youth. Play around with it. What if your fantasies as a child came to life?
What recent lesson have you learned that you’d like to share? This is one of my favorites. If you love reading and learning, you’ll discover so much humanly wisdom. Why not share it if those lessons help you? Wrap it up into beautiful prose. Have your characters discover it through experience.
What questions about your life and existence do you ponder over? Musings, emanating Voltaire himself. Why not? We all have questions? We all seek answers. Some find it, most don’t. The process of exploring life’s questions makes up the majority of every story. What’s something you are currently preoccupied with? Are you wondering if there’s life on other planets, or if people are bad because of nature or nurture? Channel your inner Socrates and share your insights.
Create ‘what if’ situations. Often when you make a decision in life and follow a path, you had to say no to many different paths and options. But what would have happened if you opted for plan B? What if modern society lost all belief in money? What if suddenly no one can hear anymore? Do you have any ideas yet?
How to develop the story idea
It’s easier to prompt you with a situation or setting for a story, but you can easily think of this yourself.
Start from within. Start with your convictions, philosophies, vices, flaws, or lessons.
Still unsure where your story should take place? No idea who your main character should be? No idea what situation you should set the story in?
I highly doubt it, because most writers form an immediate idea in their head. But there is a great trick I often use to explore the possibilities.
Write down ten ideas. Ten for setting, ten for characters, ten for genres, ten for situations, etc.
Really think about it. No distractions. What excites you the most? That’s story gold:
Excitement + message + setting = powerful (short) story idea.
Mix and match
Sometimes I have an idea for a situation first or a character. Still, I ask myself: what message would I like to convey? What do I want my characters to learn on their journey?
Know that you can mix and match. If you keep an idea list, follow what excites you most at the time. Which idea and message make you want to paint that black page with your prose?
Good luck!
