Writing Prompt Generator: Story Ideas by Genre
This writing prompt generator builds a fresh story idea every time by combining a character, a setting, a problem and an optional twist. Choose a genre such as fantasy, science fiction, mystery, adventure, realistic fiction or spooky, or switch to journal or poetry prompts. Teachers use it for daily writing warm-ups, and writers use it to beat writer's block during NaNoWriMo. Copy a prompt, set a timer and start writing.
Writing Prompt Generator
Get story starters with a character, setting, problem and twist.
How to use the Writing Prompt Generator
- Pick a genre or a prompt type.
- Choose whether to add a plot twist.
- Press Generate for new prompts.
- Copy a prompt and start writing.
Features
- Six story genres plus journal and poetry
- Character, setting, conflict and twist
- Thousands of combinations
- Copy and download as .txt
Frequently asked questions
How does the writing prompt generator work?
It picks a character, a setting and a problem from lists for the genre you choose, and can add a twist, so every prompt is a new mix.
Is it good for students?
Yes. The prompts are classroom friendly and work well for daily writing, creative writing units and journal time.
How long should I write for each prompt?
Try a 10-minute sprint for a warm-up, or 30 to 45 minutes for a full short story draft.
Can I get journal prompts?
Yes. Pick Journal for reflective questions or Poetry for poem starters.
Can I use the prompts for a book?
Yes. Prompts are free to use. Change any part to make the story your own.