70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing (with Free Slides)
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Visual writing prompts help young writers generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block. We’ve put together 70 picture prompts for creative writing that you can use in your writing centers or lesson plans to get your students’ creative juices flowing.
Picture Writing Prompts for All Ages
Writers of all ages and experience levels can get stuck thinking about what to write. Writer’s block is not just a challenge for reluctant writers. Even professional writers have days when they feel less than inspired.
Visual prompts can result in a vast array of story ideas. A single image viewed by ten writers will result in ten completely different stories. Even if you use verbal cues to get students thinking about the picture, each student will still write a unique response to the image.
Visual creative writing prompts are fantastic for elementary school because younger students often relate more to a pictorial prompt than a written one, but don’t shy away from using these with high school and middle school students as well. Pictures make a fun alternative to your typical writing prompts and story starters and can help shake up your regular routine.
How to Use Picture Prompts for Creative Writing
There’s no limit to the ways you can use writing prompts. Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate image prompts into your weekly lesson plans .
- Writing Center. Print cards or writing pages with these images on them and put them in a writing center for your students to discover at their own pace.
- Specific Skills. Use story picture prompts to help kids work on specific writing skills. For example, you could work on descriptive writing by having them describe the setting of the picture in detail. Or you could work on character development by having them make up a history for a person in a picture.
- Warm-up Activity: You could pop the pictures into Google slides and project an image on a screen or whiteboard for the first fifteen minutes of class and have students work on a short story as soon as they enter the class.
No matter how you decide to use them—whether at home or in the classroom—photographic writing prompts are a great way to cultivate a daily writing habit and encourage kids to explore new topics.
70 Pictures for Writing Prompts
We’ve selected 70 of the most interesting pictures we could find for this exercise. When choosing photos for writing prompts, we look for high-quality photos with intriguing subject matter, but we try to go beyond that. We want to share images that suggest a story, that make the viewer ask questions and wonder why things are the way they are.
We want to feel propelled to explore questions like, What happened before the photo that led to this moment? What are we witnessing in this photo? What’s about to happen?
A photo doesn’t make much of a story starter if it doesn’t suggest that there might be a bigger picture lurking beneath the surface.
We hope you and your students love these picture prompts for creative writing as much as we do. If you love them, go ahead and scroll to the bottom to grab your own copy.
We’ve included a couple of questions with each picture that you could use to spark pre-writing conversations in your classroom, which can be helpful when working with younger students who might need a little more direction.
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Whose cat is this? What is he looking at? Where is he?
What is the owl thinking about? Is he alone? What does he hope to eat for dinner?
Who are these frogs? What is their relationship with each other? Why are they taking photos?
How did the dog get a phone? Why is he taking selfies? What is he doing with the pictures he takes?
This cat doesn’t look too happy. What’s bugging him? Did he get too many phone calls or is he waiting on an important call that’s taking too long to come?
What do these chicks think of the dog? What does the dog think of the chicks? Do you think they can communicate with each other? If so, what would they say?
Where do these lemurs live? What are they looking at? What is something unusual that might happen to them?
What is this fox doing? Is he yawning and stretching or is he trying to scare someone away? What kind of mischief does he like to get up to?
Is this wolf alone? If not, who is with him? What is he planning to do? Does he have a family to feed or protect?
What is this child doing on the laptop? Can he actually read and type or is he just playing? If he can read and type, how did he learn that at such a young age? What other cool things can he do?
Where is this woman? Is she lost? How did she get to this street? What interesting things might she discover as she explores this new city?
Why is the dog wearing glasses? Can he see through them? What are he and the girl doing? How does he feel about it?
Who are these two little boys? What is their relationship with each other? What is the teddy bear’s story?
Who are these children? Why are they running? Is it a race or are they playing a game? Who’s going to win?
Whose horse is this? Does the little boy own it or does he just visit it? Can the horse talk? How does the boy feel when he’s with the horse?
What is this boy reading? Does the book have magical powers? Does the boy? Do the stories in the book become real or does something else special happen?
Where is this man? How did he get there? What is he looking for?
Who is walking over the bridge? What’s on the other side? Is it worth the risk?
What are these people doing on the elephant? Where are they? Are they tourists or is the elephant their pet? What would life with an elephant be like?
Who made this map? It looks old. Has it been hidden away for a long time? Who discovered it and how? What does it lead to?
Whose typewriter is this? What important or secretive thing might they be working on? What could happen if the wrong person finds their work?
Who are these three stuffed animals? Are they living? What is their story?
Whose ukulele is this? Why did they leave it here? Who might find it?
Where is the owner of the bike? Where does this path lead? What if the bike’s not there when the owner returns?
Whose shoes are these? Why did they leave them here? Why are they so dirty?
Who was reading the newspaper? What was the most interesting thing they read? Where have they disappeared to?
Who put this sign on the old truck? What do you think of it? How did the truck end up in its current condition and location?
Who set the table? Who are they expecting? What special occasion are they celebrating? What could go wrong?
Whose birthday cake is this? Are they having a party? Who is there? Who did they want to have there that didn’t show up?
Who lives here? How do they access their home? What is their life like?
Who built the igloo? Where is it? How does it feel to spend the night inside it?
What is the history of this castle? Who lives in it now? Does it have any special or magical features?
Is this barn abandoned or do people live on the property? What kind of animals might live here? How do they keep themselves entertained?
What is it like living on a houseboat? What kind of community do you think forms among the neighbors? Imagine you live on one of these boats and think about how your daily life might change. What interesting things could you do if you lived here? What would you miss the most?
Where is this hut? Who lives here? What mystery might unfold if a stranger came knocking at their door?
What is this lighthouse called? Who runs it? How often do they leave? What is the most memorable experience they’ve had as a lighthouse operator?
How did this house get here? Does anyone live in it? What would life be like here?
Where is this festive street? Are the people there celebrating something? Where is everybody?
Who lives here? How did they build this house? Are they hiding from something? What does it look like inside?
Whose notebook is this? Why did they leave it here? What’s written in it and how might it change the life of the person who finds it?
What are these women doing? What are they supposed to be doing? Will they be in trouble if they get caught?
Who might be represented in this statue? Why is she being pulled by lions? What amazing things might she have done to deserve a statue in this prominent place?
Where is this? Who is riding in the hot air balloons? Where are they going and why?
How old is this tree? Where is it? What are some of the most fascinating stories it could tell?
Where is this carousel? Who is riding it? Can you think of a special or strange story about how it came to exist in this particular place?
What are these people thinking about? What’s at stake for them? What happens if one of them sneezes?
Where are these penguins? What are they talking about? Which one of them is the leader?
What is this place? Was it designed to be open like this or was it once part of someone’s home or a public building? How have people’s opinions of this place changed over time?
Who are these kids? Is this what they’re supposed to be doing? What happens when their teacher sees them?
Who is supposed to ride in this boat? Where are they going? Will they make it there?
Is this plane special to someone? What did they have to do to get it/build it? Where will they fly to in it?
Who decorated this train car? Which passengers will fill it up? What will they talk about?
Whose skis are these? Why are they sticking out of the snow? How did their owner get down the mountain without them?
Where does this gondola go? Who rides it? How does it feel to ride it?
Who’s driving the monster truck? Why is it at the beach? What is it going to crush? Who is watching?
Where is the boat going? Who is on it? What is their mission?
What city is the helicopter flying over? Why? Is the driver looking for something specific or do they have a special delivery?
What’s the little boy doing in the boat? Is he alone or is someone with him? Where is he trying to go?
Who is in the sub? What’s it like inside? What are they doing?
Whose book is this? What’s it about? What’s happening to it?
How did that piece of land with the house on it break off from the rest of the world? Why? Where is it going? Is anyone in the house?
Who is this girl? Where is she? Who is she shooting at?
Where does this scene take place? Is the lizard/dragon good or bad? What is its relationship with the girl?
What do these books represent? What kind of world is this? What (or who) is inside the books?
What are these dinosaurs discussing? Where are they? What do they do for fun?
Whose cottage is this? Do they still live there? If not, where have they gone? If so, what do they do there?
What is the moth thinking about? Is it alone? What’s the biggest challenge it faces in this moment?
Who is the owl looking at? Has it read these books? What is its greatest talent?
Where are these trees? Why are they pink? Do they have any special powers or features?
What do you think? Which kind of pictures do you like best for creative writing prompts ? Let us know in the comments.
Tuesday 26th of December 2023
I think the idea of using picture prompts is a great idea. It initiates oral language thus building vocabulary. It allows lends itself to students working in small groups to stimulate new ideas. The prompts engage the students and gives the teacher the opportunity to focus on specific writing skills.
luke elford
Wednesday 13th of December 2023
cloey mckay
Tuesday 17th of October 2023
I tried this with myself and my 6th-grade students, and they love it. it gives room for so much creativity.
Nayyar Abbas
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
This is very good idea and it really works, viewing these one try to think one's own way that what these pictures are telling or asking? I also recommend that this idea should also be given to the students for building their creative instinct.
Sunday 26th of March 2023
I LOVE THIS
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150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides)
Use a picture to write a thousand words!
Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can’t come up with anything to write about. That’s why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match. We rounded up a whole collection of intriguing images for use with kids in grades K-12 along. Plus we designed a set of free Google Slides featuring all of the prompts so you can easily share them with students.
Tip: Start by showing students the picture (or let them choose from among several) without making any comment about what they’re seeing. For kids who still struggle to get started, suggest a potential title or opening sentence, like the examples included here.
Don’t miss our free downloadable. Grab your full set of ready-to-go Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all of the prompts below.
Elementary Picture Writing Prompts
Middle school picture writing prompts, high school picture writing prompts, art picture writing prompts.
When kids first see these picture writing prompts, they may or may not immediately feel inspired. If they need some help, ask them questions like “What led up to this moment?” or “What’s going to happen next?”
When Larry fell in love, he fell hard.
When the new sign appeared on Main Street, everyone in town wondered exactly what it meant.
Snowy Footprints
After that crazy day, all that was left to show for it was footprints in the snow.
Dinosaur Bones
“Come with me if you want to live!” Ash said, reaching out a hand.
Undersea Treasure
For years, no one saw the locked treasure chest but the local fish, who wondered what it could contain.
A Game of Fetch
To Scout, it was a game, but to Mr. Freezy, it was much more.
Ladybug Gossip
The ladybug’s picnic was an excellent chance to meet up with old friends and hear all the latest gossip.
We met them when they peeked into our window, watching us as we ate lunch and watched cartoons.
King of the Jungle
It wasn’t the crown that made Amari the king of all he surveyed.
The Final Pitch
It all came down to this—the final pitch in a game that was tied 2-2.
Doggie Massage
Every dog in the neighborhood knew that Rocky gave the best massages and was always willing to lend an ear too.
Skateboard Life
When Charli got her first skateboard, she made herself a promise.
Garden of the Past
The woman walked in the garden every day, never saying a word.
Sunset Friends
They met on the jungle gym every day at sunset, sharing everything about their days.
Pink Umbrellas
When the pink umbrellas first appeared, Toni thought they might be magic.
Firefly Forest
Olivia was surprised to discover that the fireflies didn’t just glow, they also sang.
Robot Spider
When it first crawled ashore, the mechanical spider moved slowly.
Fallen House
Staring at their house, which was now on its side, the whole family was in shock.
Red Riding Hood
If only she’d been riding her faithful steed the day she’d met the Big Bad Wolf, things might have been very different.
Kangaroo Fall
“Well, this is embarrassing,” thought Bouncer, as laughter filled the air around him.
Daci’s big brother said her signs wouldn’t help them find their runaway cat, but he was wrong.
Penguin Bookshop
A visit to Mr. Pickerel’s Penguin Bookshop is always an adventure.
Of all the eggs in the carton, Ella was the one who could always crack you up.
That was the year Min was finally tall enough to ride the Sky Swings, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Rubber Duck Parade
It was truly an honor to be asked to lead the Spring Duck Parade.
Teddy Story Time
Every afternoon, the three friends gathered for story time in their favorite spot in the woods.
Underwater School
Nia thought going to school underwater would be exciting, but some days she really missed going outside for recess.
The day Amos started his journey down the river, the sun was shining brightly.
Turtle Trouble
“None shall pass,” growled the old sea turtle, blocking the way.
Dinosaur Race
Pia was supposed to keep Balthazar on a leash, but once they reached the forest, she set him free and they both began to run.
Finally Seeing Eye to Eye
“So, we meet at last, face to face,” Lord Squeakerton said to his enemy, the Count of Catnip.
It takes a lot to surprise a monkey, but you don’t see something like this every day.
Not Coming Out
The day started out normally enough, but by the end, Chris knew he was in over his head.
Life on Other Planets
“Hurry up,” Grnklor told his robopup. “We have to get back inside before nightfall.”
Reindeer Games
The wind had died down, but the setting sun seemed to take all the warmth of the day with it.
Something to Celebrate
Their classmates could hear their shouts of joy from all the way down the hall.
Home Sweet Mushroom
When the fairies that lived in the garden invited her to stay with them for awhile, Maria wasn’t sure what to expect.
Loch Ness Mystery
“There it is! I told you Nessie is real!” Angus whispered to Lee.
Lonely Bear
It was hard to say who was lonelier that night, Amil or his lost stuffed bear, Jasper.
Sometimes You Lose
When his team lost the championship, Miguel was crushed, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.
Middle school writing prompts can be a little more complex, with pictures that have a lot of potential interpretations. Encourage students to delve deeper into the story by describing how the characters feel and why they behave the way they do.
Morgan was incredibly proud of those shoes, paid for entirely with money from after-school jobs.
Never Lose Hope
With his last bit of energy, Kai scrawled his message in the wet paint.
The keyboard button could only be used once, and no one knew exactly what happened when you pressed it.
Piano Lessons
Before she could even speak, Arya was drawn to the black and white keys.
There was no doubt about it, this was was indeed a very special kind of garden.
No matter how you looked at it, it had been a very rough day to be the Easter Bunny.
Empty Chairs
By sunset, all four chairs were empty, and the only signs of life were the gulls swooping down from above.
Floating Treasure
To the birds, it was simply a convenient place to land, but Ali and I knew it was much more than that.
Shadow Question
That was the day they discovered that just because you were invisible didn’t mean your shadow was.
Letter and Key
The day she turned 12, Vivi’s aunt handed her an envelope containing the family secret.
Space Target
Onyx paused, knowing that once their arrow hit the target, there was no knowing what would happen.
Mermaid Mystery
It was a mermaid—or was it?
World on a String
Her dad had promised to give her the world, but she wasn’t expecting three more planets as well.
Bee Standoff
“This flower ain’t big enough for the both of us!” said Bianca.
Solitary Seat
For as long as anyone could remember, Angus McGee spent his evenings in the same chair next to the woodstove.
Best Friends
When you decide to run away from home forever, you can’t possibly leave your best friend behind.
Dinosaur Demise
In retrospect, setting the time machine to randomly choose a day and time in the past might not have been such a good idea.
Magic Lamps
“Choose wisely,” said the old shopkeeper, “for only one of these lamps is truly magic.”
Message in a Bottle
The message floated at sea for more than 50 years before the day we found it on the beach.
Barrel Boat
Of all the ways to impress someone, Jonah thought to himself, this had to be one of the most ridiculous.
Dragon Guardian
When your parents give you your own dragon guardian, your childhood is bound to be enchanted.
Octopus’s Garden
Wouldn’t you like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade?
Around the Corner
After finally pressing “send,” she couldn’t resist peeking around the corner to watch him read the text.
Beam Me Up!
Milo’s earliest memory was of watching his beloved tricycle float into the sky above him, caught in a beam of light.
Poison Apple
To join the club, all Aaron had to do was creep up and snatch the apple from the skeleton’s hand without being seen.
Giraffe Council
“It is now 3 p.m., and I call this meeting of the Mighty Council of Giraffes to order,” announced Imari.
Mystery Creature
At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the little creature was friend or foe.
As the sky turned orange, Keisha ran faster than ever and used the last of her energy to push off and soar over the water below.
The End of Days
Despite their best efforts, they arrived too late—the battle had already begun.
Out of the Book
“Happily ever after” was about to take on a whole new meaning.
Stopped Clock
I was sure that the time on the broken clock was the clue to solving the mystery.
Dueling Webs
It’s never a good idea to build your web too close to another spider’s, but this time I had no choice.
Do Shoes Grow on Trees?
The day I threw my own shoes into the tree was the day I really started to grow up.
Abstract Art
“So,” asked their art teacher, “what do you think this painting means?”
Wandering Robots
Everything about NB-317 was made of cardboard except his heart—that was made of flesh and blood and very capable of being broken.
Dream Come True
It all started when Quinn watched her favorite movie the night before they assigned partners for the eighth grade science fair project.
Mysterious Cave
The cave was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, and what was more, it almost seemed like the rock was alive.
Storm at Sea
As the rain lashed his face and lightning tore apart the sky, Kiran had to admit he’d always thought it would be a lot more fun being a pirate.
Grasshopper Close-Up
That’s when Javed realized it wasn’t that the grasshopper was too big—it was that he was suddenly very, very small.
UFO Parking
“Well, that’s convenient,” Javdok remarked to Qabow when they saw the sign.
High school writers are ready to dig deep, exploring character development and detailed plots. These pictures offer a jumping-off point to set their imaginations free.
Cyborg Girl
When she was 14, Tasha’s parents finally told her the truth about what she really was.
BBQ Cookout
“So, I’m guessing no one told you I’m a vegetarian?” asked Sadie with a smile.
The latest app was like a time machine, allowing people to look back in time, but it also had a dark side.
She was surrounded by people but never felt more alone.
Hippo Troubles
Like all parents, hippos sometimes really need a break from their kids.
iPad Farmer
Grandpa Jack never failed to surprise us.
Marching Band Blues
Kaleel sat sadly on the bench, watching the rest of the band march away in jaunty time to the music.
Never-Ending Tunnel
The tunnel seemed to stretch to infinity, but Jayma knew what was at the end, and it terrified her.
Carving Out Love
For years, we wondered who “WP” was, and who it was who loved them so much they carved it into a tree for all to see.
Glowing Globe
Just then, the globe began to glow, and Jaxson knew he was about to leap through space and time once again—destination unknown.
See No Evil
It seemed like a funny joke to pose the skeletons in front of old Mrs. Petoski’s house, but then she turned up dead, and the police said it was murder.
Upside Down
It’s an odd feeling to wake up one morning and find yourself able to walk on the ceiling.
Face at the Fence
So much depended on which side of the fence you were on.
Bicycle Race
Finley had trained too hard for this race to come in third—it just wasn’t good enough.
Family Travels
In the picture, my grandmother’s expression is hard to interpret, but she’s told me the story many times.
Laundromat Antics
Dani never expected to meet her first love feet first.
Molly’s mom probably didn’t mean for her to be the one to find the note, but that’s how things turned out.
Through the Storm
Javier knew it would have been smarter to stay put, but he had to make sure his mom was safe before the worst of the storm arrived.
Lifetime Friends
They’d been friends for as long as they could remember—even longer, in fact.
Stray Kitten
“I am NOT taking you home with me,” Kai told the tiny mewling kitten firmly.
Abandoned Greenhouse
Willow was free to leave at any time, but she couldn’t make herself go.
Amani’s earliest memory was razor wire—miles and miles of it.
Church Graveyard
Everyone feels differently in a graveyard, but for me, they’re very peaceful places.
Orb of Death
“Do you really want to know?” Death asked. “Because once you know, you won’t be able to forget.”
Missed Shot
Steve was sure his shot would make it, but it bounced off the rim just as the buzzer rang to end the game.
First Contact
This was it—the moment that would change what it meant to be human forever.
One Life To Live
His face said his life had been a hard one, but his eyes told a different tale.
Winter Walk
Snow fell, creating a blank canvas to record the story of that fateful walk.
Train to Nowhere
It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious way to travel, but then again, no one really wanted to make this trip in the first place.
Modern Mary Poppins
She dropped into our lives on a gray day in midwinter, a hint of the spring that was to come.
All That Remains
Dust motes filled the air of the abandoned hallway, replacing the voices once heard there.
From the day he found the little creature, Luis refused to go anywhere without him.
The Question
Their happily ever after began quietly, with a bouquet of wildflowers.
Night Lights
Misty rain both blurred and emphasized the lights that lit Suri’s way home that evening.
Forest of Fear
At first, Mateo thought it was a joke, but the screams that followed told him there was nothing remotely funny about it.
At the elite level, being a spy meant serious commitments.
The Yellow Door
On their 14th birthday, every resident of Fresnia was required to stand before the Wall of Doors and make a choice.
Graffiti Palace
To strangers, it seemed random, but every mark on those walls had deep meaning for us.
Fossil Fish
Millions of years ago, the fish gave one final flop before lying still in the deep mud.
On the Rails
Aliyah stood on the tracks, uncertain of where to go next.
These picture prompts are all works of art, some more well known than others. Try providing them to students without sharing the titles first, then offer up the titles if they need some help getting started.
The Dance Class (Edgar Degas)
Greek Funerary Plaque (520-510 BCE)
Washington Crossing the Delaware (Emanuel Leutze)
Kyōsai’s Pictures of One Hundred Demons
First Steps, After Millet (Vincent van Gogh)
Lady Lilith (Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)
After the Hurricane, Bahamas (Winslow Homer)
Drawing Lots for Prizes (Kitagawa Utamaro)
Portions of Field Armor (Jacob Halder)
Sadie Pfeifer, a Cotton Mill Spinner (Lewis Wickes Hine)
Still Life With Monkey, Fruits, and Flowers (Jean Baptiste Oudry)
Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century Byzantine
The Three Skulls (Paul Cézanne)
The Madame B Album (Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier)
Coiled Trumpet in the Form of a Snarling Feline Face (c. 100 BCE to 500 CE)
Crazy Quilt With Animals (Florence Elizabeth Marvin)
Storytime (Eugenio Zampighi)
Cubist Village (Georges Gaudion)
Zig-Zag Passenger and Freight Train (Unknown)
The Power of Music (William Sidney Mount)
The Large Tree (Paul Gauguin)
After the Bath (Mary Cassatt)
Wedding Gown (Korea, Late 1800s)
The Contemplator (Eugène Carrière)
The Girl I Left Behind Me (Eastman Johnson)
24c Curtiss Jenny Invert Single
Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model
Wrecked Zeppelin (British Library)
Skeleton (Tales of Terror Frontispiece)
Get Your Free Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides
Just click the button below to fill out the form and get instant access to free downloadable Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all the prompts included above.
How do you use picture writing prompts in your classroom? Come share ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .
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Creative Writing Prompts
When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .
Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.
Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .
Why we love creative writing prompts
If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.
This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...
Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.
Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.
Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.
Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.
Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.
Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.
High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.
Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.
After you find the perfect story idea
Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:
- How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
- Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
- Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.
Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine
While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.
- NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
- Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.
Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.
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- Image Prompts
How to Use Picture Writing Prompts & 25 Images to Inspire You
They say a picture is worth a thousand words…And in my opinion, this is so true. When you’re sitting there, staring at a blank page there are a couple of ways you can get inspiration . One of the best ways to get inspiration is through picture writing prompts. The same image could have so many different meanings depending on who you show it to and the questions you ask yourself when you try to explore the image in detail. But how do image prompts inspire you and how exactly do you use image prompts? To help you out, we have collected over 25 images from around the internet and provided some guidance on how to use image prompts. To go an extra step further you might want to take a look at these fun video writing prompts for kids.
For more inspiration take part in our daily picture writing prompt challenge . Each day you will be given a new picture prompt to write about.
25+ Images to Inspire Writing
Check out this mega list of over 85 random picture writing prompts , plus a free printable for more inspiration!
How to Use Image Writing Prompts to Inspire You
Some of these images might give you an idea for your story straight away, others may need some more thinking about. Here are some tips on how to use image prompts to inspire you. You might want to take a look at these fun image prompt storytelling games to help you further.
- Give yourself time to look at each image prompt, maybe around 1 minute to just observe what is actually happening in the image.
- Spend a further 10 minutes writing everything that comes to mind when you look at the picture.
- Don’t just look at the image or its appearance – go deeper. Think about how the image makes you feel and imagine if you were in the image what would you be doing?
- What: What is happening in the image?
- Where: Where is this place or location? Is it on Earth or on a faraway planet?
- Why: Why is this image important?
- When: When do you think these events took place? Think about the history of the image or what will happen in the future.
- Who: Who is in the image? Can you link any characters to the image?
- Don’t focus too much on telling a story just yet. First, make as many notes as possible on a piece of paper relating to the image. After a good 10 minutes of note writing, you should have a load of ideas to help you with writing a story.
How do you use image prompts?
Do you like using image prompts? Do they help inspire you when you have nothing to write about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.
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Top 100 Short Story Ideas
by Joe Bunting | 128 comments
Do you want to write but just need a great story idea? Or perhaps you have too many ideas and can’t choose the best one? Well, good news. We’ve got you covered.
Below are one hundred short story ideas for all your favorite genres. You can use them as a book idea, as writing prompts for writing contests , for stories to publish in literary magazines , or just for fun!
Use these 100 story ideas to get your creative writing started now.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring guide, regularly updated with ideas and information.
If you're in a hurry, here's my 10 best story ideas in brief, or scroll down for the full version.
Top 10 Story Ideas
- Tell the story of a scar.
- A group of children discover a dead body.
- A young prodigy becomes orphaned.
- A middle-aged woman discovers a ghost.
- A woman who is deeply in love is crushed when her fiancé breaks up with her.
- A talented young man's deepest fear is holding his life back.
- A poor young boy or girl comes into an unexpected fortune.
- A shy, young woman unexpectedly bumps into her soulmate.
- A long journey is interrupted by a disaster.
- A young couple run into the path of a psychopath.
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Why Creative Writing Prompts Are Helpful
Below, you'll find our best creative writing prompts and plot ideas for every genre, but first, why do we use prompts? Is it just a waste of time, or can they actually help you? Here are three reasons we love writing prompts at The Write Practice:
1. Practice the Language!
Even for those of us who are native English speakers, we're all on a language journey to go from beginners to skilled writers. To make progress on this language journey, you have to practice, and at The Write Practice, believe it or not, we're really into practice! Creative writing prompts are easy, fun ways to practice.
Use the prompts below to practice your storytelling and use of language. The more you practice, the better of a writer you'll become.
2. When you have no ideas and are stuck.
Sometimes, you want to write, but you can't think up any ideas. You could either just sit there, staring at a blank page, or you could find a few ideas to help you get started. Even better if the list of ideas is curated from our best plot ideas over the last decade that we've been publishing lessons, writing exercises, and prompts.
Use the story ideas below to get your writing started. Then when your creativity is warmed up, you'll start to come up with your own ideas!
3. To develop your own ideas.
Maybe you do have an idea already, but you're not sure it's good. Or maybe you feel like it's just missing some small piece to make it better. By reading other ideas, and incorporating your favorites into your story, you can fill your plot holes and generate creative ideas of your own.
Use the story ideas below to develop your own ideas.
4. They're fun!
Thousands of writers use the prompts below every month, some at home, some in classrooms, and even a few pros at their writing “office.” Why? Because writing prompts can be fun. They get your creativity started, help you come up with new ideas of your own, and often take your writing in new, unexpected directions.
Use the plot ideas to have more fun with writing!
How to Write a Story
One last thing before we get to the 100 story ideas, let’s talk about how to write a great short story . (Already know how to write a great story? No problem. Just skip down to the ideas below.)
- First, read stories. If you’ve never read a story, you’re going to have a hard time writing one. Where do you find great stories? There are a lot of places, but check out our list of 46 Literary Magazines we’ve curated over here .
- Write your story in a single sitting. Write the first draft of your story in as short a time as possible, and if you’re writing a short story , try to write it in one sitting. Trust me, this works. Everyone hates being interrupted when they’re telling compelling stories. Use that to your advantage and don’t stop writing until you’ve finished telling yours.
- Read your draft. Read your story through once, without changing anything. This will give you a sense of what work it needs going forward.
- Write a premise. After reading your first draft, get your head around the main idea behind your story by summarizing your story in a one sentence premise. Your premise should contain four things: a character, a goal, a situation, and a special sauce. Not sure what that means or how to actually do that? Here’s a full premise writing guide .
- Write, edit, write, and edit. Good writing is rewriting. Use your second draft to fill in the plot holes and cut out the extraneous scenes and characters you discovered when you read the first draft in step #2. Then, polish up your final draft on the next round of edits.
- Submit! Real writers don’t keep their writing all to themselves. They share it. Submit your story to a literary magazine , an anthology series , enter it into a writing contest , or even share it with a small group of friends. And if it gets rejected, don’t feel bad. You’ll be in good company.
Want to know more? Learn more about how to write a great short story here .
Our 100 Best Short Story Ideas, Plot Ideas, and Creative Writing Prompts
Ready to get writing? Here are our 100 best short story ideas to kickstart your writing. Enjoy!
10 Best General Short Story Ideas
Our first batch of plot ideas are for any kind of story, whether a spy thriller or a memoir of your personal life story. Here are the best story ideas:
- Tell the story of a scar, whether a physical scar or emotional one. To be a writer, said Stephen King, “The only requirement is the ability to remember every scar .”
- A group of children discover a dead body. Good writers don’t turn away from death, which is, after all, the universal human experience. Instead, they look it directly into its dark face and describe what they see on the page.
- A young prodigy becomes orphaned. Orphans are uniquely vulnerable, and as such, they have the most potential for growth.
- A middle-aged woman discovers a ghost. What do Edgar Allen Poe, Ron Weasley, King Saul from the Bible, Odysseus, and Ebenezer Scrooge have in common? They all encountered ghosts!
- A woman who is deeply in love is crushed when her fiancé breaks up with her. “In life every ending is just a new beginning,” says Dakota Fanning’s character in Uptown Girls.
- A talented young man’s deepest fear is holding his life back. Your character’s biggest fear is your story’s secret weapon. Don’t run from it, write about it.
- A poor young boy or girl comes into an unexpected fortune. Not all fortunes are good. Sometimes discovering a fortune will destroy your life.
- A shy, young woman unexpectedly bumps into her soulmate (literally bumps into him). In film, this is called the “meet cute,” when the hero bumps into the heroine in the coffee shop or the department store or the hallway, knocking her books to the floor, and forcing them into conversation.
- A long journey is interrupted by a disaster. Who hasn’t been longing to get to a destination only to be delayed by something unexpected? This is the plot of Gravity , The Odyssey , and even Lord of the Rings .
- A young couple run into the path of a psychopath. Monsters, whether people who do monstrous things or scaly beasts or a monster of a natural disaster, reveal what’s really inside a person. Let your character fall into the path of a monster and see how they handle themselves.
Now that you have an idea, learn exactly what to do with it. Check out my new book The Write Structure which helps writers take their ideas and write books readers love. Click to check out The Write Structure here.
More Short Story Ideas Based on Genre
Need more ideas? Here are ideas based on whichever literary genre you write. Use them as character inspiration, to start your own story, or borrow pieces to generate your own ideas. The only rule is, have fun writing!
By the way, for more story writing tips for each these plot types, check out our full guide to the 10 types of stories here .
10 Thriller Story Ideas
A thriller is any story that “thrills” the reader—i.e., gets adrenaline pumping, the heart racing, and the emotions piqued.
Thrillers come in all shapes and forms, dipping freely into other genres. In other words, expect the unexpected!
Here are a few of my favorite thriller story ideas :
Rosa Rivera-Ortiz is an up-and-coming lawyer in a San Diego firm. Held back by her ethnicity and her gender, she works twice as hard as her colleagues, and she’s as surprised as anyone when she’s requested specifically for a high-profile case. Bron Welty, an A-list actor and action star, has been arrested for the murder of his live-in housekeeper. The cop heading the case is older, ex-military, a veteran of more than one war, and an occasional sufferer of PTSD. Rosa’s hired to defend the movie star; and it seems like an easy win until she uncovers some secrets that not only make her believe her client is guilty, but may be one of the worst serial killers in the past two decades… and he knows she found out .
It’s the Cold War. Sergei, a double-agent for the CIA working in Berlin, is about to retire when he’s given one final mission: he’s been asked to “defect” to the USSR to help find and assassinate a suspected double-agent for the Kremlin. Sergei is highly trusted, and he’s given to understand that this mission is need-to-know only between him and very few superior officers. But as he falls deeper into the folds of the Iron Curtain, he begins to suspect that his superior officer might just be the mole, and the mark Sergei’s been sent to kill is on the cusp of exposing the leak.
It is 1800. A lighthouse on a barren cliff in Canada. Two lighthouse keepers, German immigrants, are alone for the winter and effectively cut off from the rest of the world until the ice thaws. Both Wilhelm and Matthias are settled in for the long haul with warm clothes, canned goods, and matches a-plenty. Then Wilhelm starts hearing voices. His personal belongings disappear from where he’d placed them, only to reappear in strange spots—like the catwalk, or dangling beneath the spiral stair knotted in brown twine. Matthias begs innocence. Little by little, Wilhelm grows convinced that Matthias is trying to convince him (Wilhelm) to kill himself. Is the insanity real, or is this really Matthias’ doing? And if it is real, what will he do to defend himself? There are so many months until the thaw.
20 Mystery Story Ideas
Enjoy a good whodunit? Then you’ll love these mystery story ideas .
Here are a few of my favorites:
Ever hear the phrase, “It is not who fired the shot but who paid for the bullet?” This is a philosophy Tomoe Gozen lives by. Brave and clever, Tomoe follows clues until she learns who ordered the murder: Emperor Antoku himself. But why would the emperor of Japan want to kill a lowly soldier?
Mystery writer Dan Rodriguez takes the subway every day. Every day, nothing happens. He wears earbuds and a hoodie; he’s ignored, and he ignores. Then one evening, on his way home from a stressful meeting with his publisher, Dan is startled out of his funk when a frantic Middle-Eastern man knocks him over at a dead run, then races up the stairs—pursued by several other thugs. The Middle-Eastern man is shot; and Dan discovers a mysterious package in the front pocket of his hoodie. What’s inside, and what does he need to do to survive the answer?
A headless corpse is found in a freshly-dug grave in Arkansas. The local police chief, Arley Socket, has never had to deal with more than missing gas cans and treed cats. His exploration of this weird murder digs up a mystery older than the 100-year-old town of Jericho that harkens all the way back to a European blood-feud.
20 Romance Story Ideas
Ready to write a love story? Or perhaps you want to create a subplot with a secondary character? We've got ideas for you!
Hint: When it comes to romance, a sense of humor is always a good idea. Have fun! Here are a few of my favorite love story ideas :
She’s a cop. He’s the owner of a jewelry store. A sudden rash of break-ins brings her to his store over and over and over again, until it becomes obvious that he might be tripping the alarm on purpose—just to see her. That’s illegal—but she’s kind of falling for him, too. Write the moment she realizes she has to do something about this crazy illicit courtship.
Colorado Animal Rescue has never been more challenging than after that zoo caught on fire. Sally Cougar (no jokes on the name, or she’ll kill you) tracks down three missing tiger cubs, only to find they’ve been adopted by millionaire Bryce Champion. Thanks to an antiquated law on the books, he legally has the right to keep them. It’s going to take everything Sally has to get those tiger cubs back.
He’s a museum curator with a fetish for perfection. No one’s ever gotten close to him; how could they? They’re never as perfect as the portraits, the sculptures, the art that never changes. Then one day, an intern is hired on—a young, messy, disorganized intern, whose hair and desk are in a constant state of disarray. The curator is going half-mad with this walking embodiment of chaos; so why can’t the he stand the thought of the intern leaving at the end of their assistantship?
20 Sci-Fi Story Ideas
From the minimum-wage-earning, ancient-artifact-hunting time traveller to the space-exploring, sentient dinosaurs, these sci-fi writing prompts will get you set loose your inner nerd.
Here are a few of my favorite sci-fi ideas :
In a future society, neural implants translate music into physical pleasure, and earphones (“jacking in”) are now the drug of choice. Write either from the perspective of a music addict, OR the Sonforce agent (sonance + enforcer) who has the job of cracking down.
It’s the year 5000. Our planet was wrecked in the great Crisis of 3500, and remaining human civilization survives only in a half dozen giant domed cities. There are two unbreakable rules: strict adherence to Life Quality (recycling doesn’t even begin to cover these laws), and a complete ban on reproduction (only the “worthy” are permitted to create new humans). Write from the perspective of a young woman who just discovered she’s been chosen to reproduce—but she has no interest in being a mother.
So yeah, ancient Egypt really was “all that” after all, and the pyramids turn out to be fully functional spaceships (the limestone was to preserve the electronics hidden inside). Write from the perspective of the tourist exploring the ancient society who accidentally turns one on.
20 Fantasy Story Ideas
Need a dose of sword-in-the-stone, hero and/or heroine packed coming-of-age glory? We love fantasy stories!
Here are a few of my favorite fantasy story ideas:
Bored teenaged wizards throwing a graduation celebration.
Uncomfortable wedding preparation between a magic wielding family tree and those more on the Muggle side of things.
A fairy prince who decides to abandon his responsibilities to become a street musician.
Just try to not have fun writing (or even just reading!) these fantasy writing prompts.
The Secret to Choosing the Best Story Idea
Stories, more than any other artistic expression, have the power to make people care. Stories have the ability to change people’s lives.
But to write a great story, a life-changing story, don’t just write about what your characters did, said, and saw. Ask yourself, “Where do I fit in to this story? What is my personal connection to this story?”
Robert Frost said this:
If you can connect your personal story to the story you’re writing, you will not only be more motivated to finish your story, you might just be able to change the lives of your readers.
Next Step: Write Your Best Story
No matter how good your idea, writing a story or a book can be a long difficult process. How do you create an outline, come up with a great plot, and then actually finish it?
My new book The Write Structure will help. You'll learn how to take your idea and structure a strong plot around it. Then you'll be guided through the exact process I've used to write dozens of short stories and over fifteen books.
You can learn more about The Write Structure and get your copy here.
Have a great short story idea? We'd love to hear it. Share it in the comments !
Choose one of these ideas and write a short story in one sitting (aim for 1,000 words or less!). When you're finished, share your story in the practice box below (or our latest writing contest ) for feedback from the community. And if you share, please be sure to comment on a few stories by other writers.
Joe Bunting
Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).
Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.
Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. You’ll also get a free copy of our eBook 14 Prompts :
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How To Use Image Prompts: Writing A Story From A Picture
There's something about a good picture that can transport you to another place and time. Images have the ability to evoke feelings and emotions, which is why they make great prompts for writing stories. They can be used for fiction or non-fiction writing, and they can be used in any genre.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to use image prompts for writing a story from a picture. We will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of an image!
Why Image Prompts Work
Tips for writing a story from an image, image prompt mood boards, using pinterest boards as prompts, using images for fiction writing, what about non-fiction writing can you use image prompts, too.
Every picture tells a story, but that story can vary wildly from person to person. What one person sees in an image might be completely different from what someone else sees. This is why images make such great prompts for writing stories.
When you're looking at an image, try to let your mind wander and see what story unfolds before you. It can be helpful to ask yourself some questions about the image, such as:
- What is happening in this picture?
- Who are the people in this image?
- What are they feeling?
- Where is this taking place?
- What time period is this image from?
- What might happen next?
These are just a few examples.
Asking yourself these questions can help you to develop a richer story from an image. Not only that, but if you have already begun writing a story, you can find an image of a them or setting and use that to help you develop your story further and kick through writer's block.
The good thing about this method is you can use any picture in the world. You do not need to worry about any sort of copyright or permission.
Where to Find Picture Prompts for Creative Writing
You can find images from:
- social media
- the internet- really anywhere .
One tip is to try and use an image that you have not seen before. One that makes you yourself wonder about it's backstory.
Once you have found an image that you would like to use as a prompt, there are a few things that you can do to help you get the most out of it.
First, take some time to really look at the image and take it all in. Let your mind wander and see what story begins to form in your head.
Next, try to spend at least five minutes writing about the image. It can be helpful to set a timer so that you do not get too bogged down in the details.
The important thing is to just let the words flow and not worry too much about spelling or grammar. Whatever you write should just be a mindmap or rough draft - so just focus on getting your ideas down on paper.
Finally, once you have written for five minutes, take a step back and read what you have written.
See if there are any elements of the story that you would like to explore further.
If so, take as long as you need to build these individual concepts out. You could have a fresh page for each concept, or you could just keep writing on the same page, linking it all together.
It's really up to you!
The most important thing is that you have fun and enjoy the process; letting your creative juices flow.
Another trick is to create a mood board with other images that complement the original one. This can help you to come up with new ideas and plot points for your story.
For example, if you are using an image of a beach, you could include pictures of people swimming, sunsets, waves crashing against the shore, etc.
You can do this either digitally or by physically cutting out images from magazines and gluing them onto a piece of card.
This can be used for scenes, themes, universes, or even characters. If you use a story writing journal, you could make a page for each mood board, and your creative mind map on the facing page.
Pinterest boards are a great way to gather visual inspiration for stories.
If you are struggling to find an image to use as a prompt, take a look at other people's boards and see if anything catches your eye. You can simply search for a keyword or theme and a whole range of images will come up.
For example, if you wanted to write a story set in the 1920s, you could search for "1920s fashion" or "1920s party" and get some great ideas!
You can also use Pinterest boards to gather a series of pictures for story writing and create your own mood boards (as mentioned above).
To do this, simply create a new board and start pinning images that you like.
You can make the board as big or as small as you like, and you can add to it whenever you want.
This is a great way to keep all of your visual writing prompts in one place so that you can come back to it whenever you need some new ideas.
If you are writing a fiction story, you can go wild with this! Your only limit is your imagination. The great thing about fiction is that you can make the story as outlandish as you want.
Many people use image prompts for ideas for children's stories.
For example, let's say you are writing a picture book and you found this picture:
You can make up a story about a family of bears who live in the forest. The mother bear is sick and the father bear has to go find food for the family. He leaves the two baby bears with their grandfather.
While he is gone, the baby bears get into mischief. They climb a tree and end up getting stuck. Grandfather bear has to rescue them.
This is just one example of the many stories you could write from this single picture prompt.
Remember, the sky is the limit when it comes to fiction writing! Let your imagination run wild.
Image prompts can be useful for a variety of genres, not just fiction. They can help you get your creative juices flowing when you're feeling stuck, or provide a way to access parts of your imagination you might not otherwise be able to tap into.
For example, I once used an image prompt to write a non-fiction piece about a cultural festival I'd attended. The photo showed people in traditional dress dancing around a bonfire, and it inspired me to write about the history and meaning behind the festival.
So, if you find yourself struggling to write non-fiction, give image prompts a try. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
How do you feel about using visuals to help with your writing? Do you have any tips for using image prompts? Share them in the comments below!
You might also find some of these writing prompts useful:
- 59 KILLER Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas For Your Story That Nobody Would Think Of
- 35 Unique OTP Writing Prompts and Ideas!
- 63 Fanfiction Writing Prompts to Spark Your Imagination
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About the author.
Arielle Phoenix
Creative Writing Prompts With Pictures
By: Author Paul Jenkins
Posted on September 3, 2023
Categories Writing
You’ve been staring at a blank page for hours, haven’t you? Why not try something different?
Imagine harnessing the power of pictures to jumpstart your creativity. This article will guide you through using images as unique and inspiring prompts for creative writing.
Let’s explore how visual cues can unlock new worlds and narratives!
Key Takeaways
- Visual inspiration sparks creative writing ideas
- Picture relevance stirs emotions and provokes thoughts
- Interpreting imagery involves reading into hidden depths of symbolism
- Imagery sparks imagination and brings forth new ideas and narratives
Understanding the Power of Visual Inspiration
It’s fascinating to realize how powerful visual inspiration can be when it comes to sparking our creative writing ideas. Visual storytelling isn’t just about seeing, it’s about feeling, connecting, and understanding the underlying narratives that images convey.
As you gaze at a picture, you’re not just looking; you’re associating meanings and creating stories. This is image association at its finest.
Imagine this: A lonely lighthouse amidst a stormy sea. Isn’t your mind already spinning tales of isolation or bravery? That’s the power of images! They create an immersive world full of infinite possibilities for your imagination to explore.
Harnessing this power can significantly enhance your creative writing skills and lead to some truly captivating stories. So go ahead, dive into the realm of visual prompts and let them inspire your creativity!
How to Effectively Use Images as Writing Prompts
Dive headfirst into the vibrant realm of visual inspiration, where the right image can unlock a floodgate of creativity.
You’ll explore how to choose captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective, master techniques for interpreting these visuals, and transform them into compelling narratives.
Get ready to ignite your imagination and awaken your inner storyteller through the power of pictures.
Choosing Suitable Images
You’ll want to ensure the images you select for your creative writing prompts are relevant and inspiring. The process of image selection is more than just picking random pictures; it requires careful thought. You’re aiming to stir emotions, provoke thoughts, and ignite a creative spark in the minds of writers.
Picture relevance plays a significant role in this journey. An image depicting an enchanting forest can transport one to a fantasy world, while a vintage photograph may evoke nostalgic feelings and memories from the past. Remember, an irrelevant or bland picture might leave writers uninspired.
Imagery Interpretation Techniques
In interpreting imagery, you’re not just looking at an image, but you’re also reading into it, extracting emotions and narratives that aren’t overtly presented. You delve into the hidden depths of symbolism in imagery, engaging with the subtle tones and hues of meaning that lie beneath the surface. The picture could be a cryptic puzzle waiting to be solved or an open book ready for exploration.
Cultural perspectives in imagery interpretation play a crucial role too. What seems mundane to one culture might be sacred or taboo to another, altering your narrative drastically. So you don’t only interpret; you also navigate cultural nuances, tiptoe around sensitivities as you tease out stories from silent pixels.
Prompting Creativity With Pictures
Using imagery can spark your imagination, bringing forth ideas and narratives you’d never thought of before. Imagine yourself diving into a world of visual storytelling, where pictures don’t just depict scenes but spin tales of their own. With picture association, you unlock a universe brimming with creative potential.
A photograph might be more than just an image; it’s a prompt for a story yet unwritten. A sun-dappled forest could birth tales of enchanted creatures, while an old forgotten house might whisper ghost stories. It’s all about how you perceive and interpret the images, how they stimulate your mind to weave narratives unique to you.
Use this potent tool in your writing ventures. Let the power of visuals fuel your creativity and usher in crafty dialogues and vivid descriptions that bring life to your prose!
Creative Writing Techniques: Drawing From Imagery
Harnessing the power of visual imagery can elevate your creative writing skills to new heights. With techniques like Symbolism Exploration and Visual Metaphors, you’re not just telling a story—you’re painting a vivid picture that captures your reader’s imagination.
Here are some innovative ways to bring your words to life:
- Use symbolism exploration: Dive deep into the layers of meaning behind each image.
- Experiment with visual metaphors: Show, don’t tell, by replacing descriptive words with powerful images.
- Bring in color psychology: Each hue evokes different emotions—use this to set the mood of your scene.
- Inject sensory details: Make it immersive by engaging all of their senses.
- Breathe life into characters through imagery: Describe them in such detail that they feel real.
Exploring Different Genres With Picture Prompts
Exploring different genres through imagery can really boost your storytelling prowess. It’s like shining a torch into the vast expanse of your imagination, illuminating hidden corners and stirring up picture evoked emotions you didn’t know existed. Visual prompts serve as uncharted maps for your genre exploration adventure.
Imagine gazing at a gothic castle shrouded in mist or a spaceship cruising through star-studded cosmos. Feel the chill of horror creeping up your spine, or the thrill of sci-fi possibilities sparking in your mind. That’s it! You’re no longer just an observer; you’ve become part of that world, living out narratives spun from images.
Case Studies: Successful Stories Inspired by Pictures
You’ve seen it in action with compelling tales birthed from simple images, haven’t you? Visual storytelling is no new concept. It’s the art of photo narratives that transform a single image into an ocean of stories.
- The haunting portrait inspiring a psychological thriller.
- A serene landscape birthing an epic fantasy saga.
- The candid street photo prompting a gritty urban drama.
- An abstract artwork leading to deep introspective poetry.
- A historical photograph driving a captivating period piece.
Isn’t it fascinating how one picture can spark so many variations, each unique and engaging? This isn’t just about creating stories; it’s about understanding perspectives, exploring creativity, and connecting on an emotional level.
Tips to Boost Your Creativity With Picture Prompts
Let’s delve into some useful tips that could skyrocket your imagination using image-based cues. Visual brainstorming is your secret weapon; it can unlock untapped creative potential.
Imagine a picture collage filled with various themes, colours, and textures – you’re not just seeing an assortment of photos, but a treasure trove of stories waiting to unfold.
Focus on individual elements in each picture. What do they remind you of? How does the scene make you feel? Take those emotions and run with them in your writing.
Picture collages can be especially powerful prompts because they provide multiple sources of inspiration at once.
Remember: creativity isn’t confined by borders or rules. It’s raw, chaotic, magnificent – like a whirlwind of colours splashed across a canvas. Don’t just look at the pictures; see the stories within them and let your imagination soar.
Challenges and Solutions in Picture-Prompted Writing
While using visuals to ignite your imagination can be delightful, it’s not without its challenges. We’re going to tackle some of them head-on.
You might face ‘Visual Limitations’ where the image doesn’t spark any ideas, or ‘Picture Overwhelm’, feeling swamped by too many images.
To overcome these hurdles:
- Take a moment to breathe and clear your mind before you start.
- Instead of getting overwhelmed, focus on one element in the picture that catches your eye.
- If an image doesn’t inspire you, don’t worry! Move onto the next one.
- Try turning the picture upside down or viewing it from different angles for a fresh perspective.
- Remember there are no right or wrong answers – just let your imagination flow.
With these tips, you’ll navigate through any visual challenge with ease.
You’ve seen the magic of picture prompts, right? They can unlock worlds within your mind and inspire compelling narratives.
Don’t let challenges deter you – embrace them! Remember, there’s no wrong way to interpret an image.
So, get creative, dive into different genres and let your imagination run wild. You just might surprise yourself with the stories you create!
Images to Inspire
Morning surprise.
ENOKI TALES
JUST VISITING
ABOVE THE SKY
YOU CAN (NOT) REPLAY
MAGIC RABBIT
WHO’S THERE?
GIRL AND DRAGON
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Picture Prompts
144 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing
A school year’s worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing.
By The Learning Network
We’ve been publishing our Picture Prompts series four days a week since 2016. Below, we’ve rounded up all the prompts we published for the 2022-23 school year.
These short, accessible, image-driven prompts invite students to pen short stories, poems and memoirs; share experiences from their lives; analyze illustrations, graphs and charts; and tell us their opinions on hot-button issues.
You can find even more in our roundups for the 2016-17 , 2017-18 , 2018-19 , 2019-20 , 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, as well as in this collection of 25 spooky images for writing scary stories. That’s over 1,000 prompts, many still open for comment by students 13 and up.
To learn how you can use Picture Prompts to build literacy skills, promote critical thinking, inspire discussion and foster creativity in your classroom, watch our three-minute tutorial video or our on-demand webinar . For dozens more ideas, see our lesson plan, “ How to Teach With Our Picture Prompts (and Other Times Images) .”
If you use this feature with your students, or if you have other ideas for how to use photos, illustrations and graphics to encourage writing, let us know in the comments.
What story does this image inspire for you?
Cat in Chair Out at Dusk Typing Hundreds of Pounds of Pasta Running Alone and Together Band Practice Listening Doorways Long-Lost Letters Childhood Hobbies The Dinner Party Wild Creatures Cracked Mirror 2023 Young Love Together In the Car Dogs Shadow in the Sky Waving Bubbles The Gift Ski Hill Together Underwater Dining Red Poster Haunted Houses Scream Choose Your Own Adventure Bookshelf Portal Distance
Share experiences from your own life.
Your Childhood Home Sad Songs Graduation Caps Mother Knows Best Chess and Teens TikTok Dances Got Milk? Theme Parties Mindfulness Spring Books Girl Scout Cookies Pasta Puffer Coffee and Olive Oil Digital Clutter House Plants Hand-Me-Downs The College Application Process Emerging Music Stars Wildlife Year of the Rabbit Taking Suggestions Comfort Food Your 2023 Most-Anticipated List Faith Communities Holiday Traditions Holiday Ornaments Giving Tuesday Holiday Stress Cats ‘Goodnight Moon’ TikTok Searches Street Style Scary Stories Seven Ingredients Broadway Favorites Annoying Noises Football Season Mindfulness Summer Playlist
What do you think this image, chart or cartoon is saying?
Thorns and Flowers Coming to America Clichés Coins and People Plastic Head Sunshine and Rain Speaking Emotional ‘Keep TikTok’ Poverty Banking Robot Snakes Art and War Sun and Cloud Ruminating Planning and Working Cheering Flowers in Hand January On the Couch Crossing the Line Crypto Balancing Back-to-Back Banksy in Ukraine Twitter Fire Forest and Flower Clocks New Sneakers Falling Little Amal Message Bubbles Orange Ball
What’s your opinion on this issue?
A Surge in Book Bans Women’s Basketball Student Letters to the Editor Cat Cams Met Gala Looks Authentic Social Media? Cookie Mania Finish Line Tipping College Basketball Champions Penmanship Spring’s Arrival Daylight Saving Time Children and a Year of War Rihanna at the Super Bowl LeBron James Grammy Winners Big Surf Win Dirt Roads Violence and the N.F.L. 2022 in Pictures World Cup Winners Nuclear Fusion Winter Storm Party Snacks Bouldering Pie Cities Fall Back Vaping ‘Midnights’ Parkour for a Purpose I Voted Video Games Lizzo and James Madison’s Crystal Flute Face Filters
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Picture Prompts here.
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70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing (with Free Slides) Share this post! Visual writing prompts help young writers generate new ideas and overcome writer's block. We've put together 70 picture prompts for creative writing that you can use in your writing centers or lesson plans to get your students' creative juices flowing.
150 Picture Prompts To Inspire Over 85 picture prompts for creative writing, story-telling and descriptive writing assignments: What is this girl looking at? How is she feeling at this moment? Where are these two cats going? Where did they come from? What are they feeling? What is this girl thinking about?
Jan 18, 2024 Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can't come up with anything to write about. That's why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match.
1. A secret garden hidden behind an old, ivy-covered wall, with flowers that glow in the dark. 2. A futuristic city floating in the sky, connected by transparent walkways. 3. An underwater town with buildings made of coral and colorful fish swimming in the streets. 4.
144 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing A school year's worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing. 2 Illustrations by Nate Padavick By The...
Over 140 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing - The New York Times Over 140 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing 13 In our related Picture Prompt, we invited students to write a...
1. Choose a main character. /7 The main character, or protagonist, is the one who will guide readers through the story. This figure will be personally affected by the major conflict and will grow...
1. Hands in a River Photo by Daniel Jensen on Unsplash Dirty hands dig into the ground as a body emerges onto a riverbank out of the ocean. What horrific events led to this moment? 2. Busy City Street
If you want to use picture writing prompts for your budding writers, here are some tips to get you started. 1. Pick pictures that your writers can relate to. One of the most important advice to writers is: "Write what you know.". Bear this in mind when picking picture writing prompts, particularly for younger writers.
Key Takeaways Photo prompts unlock inspiration and trigger ideas, emotions, and memories in writing. Images serve as untapped reservoirs of inspiration and are catalysts for compelling narratives. Photo prompts engage the senses, evoke emotions, and create narratives through visual storytelling techniques.
Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted ...
To help you out, we have collected over 25 images from around the internet and provided some guidance on how to use image prompts. To go an extra step further you might want to take a look at these fun video writing prompts for kids. For more inspiration take part in our daily picture writing prompt challenge.
145 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing A school year's worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing. + Illustration by Yoshi Sodeoka By The...
27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids Picture Writing Prompts for Kids and a BONUS list of Funny Picture Writing Prompts — Hooray. You have just discovered some excellent visual writing prompts. Take a look now and enjoy! Writing Adventures with Visual and Picture Writing Prompts
Well, good news. We've got you covered. Below are one hundred short story ideas for all your favorite genres. You can use them as a book idea, as writing prompts for writing contests , for stories to publish in literary magazines, or just for fun! Use these 100 story ideas to get your creative writing started now.
Picture prompts facilitate: Probing deeper into your imagination. They're not just photos or drawings but windows into worlds waiting for you to explore. Stimulating creativity through imagery interpretation. They help you observe details that might otherwise be overlooked, sparking new story ideas.
First, take some time to really look at the image and take it all in. Let your mind wander and see what story begins to form in your head. Next, try to spend at least five minutes writing about the image. It can be helpful to set a timer so that you do not get too bogged down in the details.
140 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing A school year's worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing. By Scott Gelber By The Learning Network...
Creative Writing Prompts With Pictures By: Paul Jenkins September 3, 2023 Writing You've been staring at a blank page for hours, haven't you? Why not try something different? Imagine harnessing the power of pictures to jumpstart your creativity. This article will guide you through using images as unique and inspiring prompts for creative writing.
Once Upon a Picture - Images to Inspire - Teaching Resources
Called " Picture Prompts ," these short, accessible, image-driven posts feature photographs and illustrations from The Times, and invite a variety of written or spoken responses — from creative...
Unleash your creativity with picture story writing. Explore top ideas and expert tips to craft captivating and imaginative stories using pictures. Start writing your own picture story today!
144 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing A school year's worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing. In March, we invited students to use...