Story Idea ,
Short story prompts that will make you a better writer
By Tanya Lewis
Whether you’re halfway through a novel or haven’t written in a while, short stories can be such a refreshing way to get back into the flow. They’re quick, creative, and honestly brilliant for warming up your writing muscles—especially if you’re in need of a nudge.
Maybe you’re thinking of entering a competition, or just want to shake things up with something totally different from what you’re working on. Either way, short stories are a brilliant space to experiment— with voice, structure, characters, all of it—without the pressure of a huge project. And the best part? Writing more short stories really does make you a better writer.
If you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, we’ve put together some writing prompts to help you get started. Who knows—one of these might just turn into your next favourite piece.
Short story writing prompts
Let’s start broad. These creative writing prompts can be adapted to any genre, and they’re perfect for sparking those first few sentences when you’re staring at a blank page.
- A character finds a letter in an old book—addressed to them, but written 100 years ago.
- Someone makes the exact same wish every year on their birthday. This year, it comes true—but not in the way they imagined.
- A shop that only appears at night opens its doors to one unsuspecting visitor.
- A character decides to disappear for a day without telling their family. What happens when they return?
These short story prompts are especially handy for short story writers entering competitions—judges often look for originality, a strong hook, and a satisfying ending, all of which can grow from a well-formed idea.
Romance short story prompts
For those who love a dash of longing and connection, these romance-themed ideas are ideal:
- Two rival street performers keep trying to outdo each other at the same spot. Their acts get more elaborate… and more flirtatious.
- A character agrees to be someone’s fake date for a wedding—only to realise too late it’s their ex’s wedding.
- Someone receives a text from an unknown number. They start replying. It becomes the highlight of their day.
- A florist keeps receiving anonymous deliveries of rare flowers. Each one comes with a clue.
Romantic short stories are a great way to test chemistry and tension between characters in just a few pages—and who doesn’t love a heartwarming twist?
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Funny short story prompts
Want to make your reader laugh (or at least raise an eyebrow)? Here are some humorous creative writing prompts to play with:
- A ridiculous item gets posted to the wrong address.
- A character joins a cult by mistake after trying to sign up for a free yoga class.
- A character joins a protest thinking it’s about climate change—turns out it’s to save a beloved local sandwich.
- A character tries a new mindfulness app, only to find it starts commenting on their life choices. Loudly. In public.
Funny short stories are a brilliant way to experiment with voice and timing, and they’re often memorable in competition entries for all the right reasons.
Fantasy short story prompts
Need something a little more magical? These short story ideas are great for fans of speculative fiction:
- A character sells spells for other people, but why won’t their own spells work for them?
- A secret guild of mapmakers redraws the world every night, but one accidentally erases their hometown. Now they have to fix it before midnight.
- A witch gives a character the ability to read minds for one day only.
- A character decides to bottle and sell dreams. One buyer wants a refund.
Fantasy is where short stories get to play big. You don’t need a thousand pages to whisk a reader off to a world with dragon-crawling forests, talking crows, or secret societies in the sea. In just a few scenes, you can explore magic, power, good vs evil—or just what happens when someone opens the wrong door. Its imagination turned up at the highest volume, and the best part? You make the rules. Then you break them.
Scary short story prompts
Ready to chill your readers’ bones? Try these scary short story prompts for a darker twist:
- A character moves into a new house and finds the exact same furniture they left in their old one—right down to the scratches.
- Every time someone looks in the mirror, the reflection smiles just a second too late.
- A voice on the baby monitor starts giving warnings.
- A child draws the same faceless figure every day, saying it visits them at night.
Short horror stories are brilliant for bumping up tension and mood—and they make deliciously scary entries for seasonal contests (hello, Halloween looking at you) or eerie little anthologies.
Psychological thriller prompts
What happens when your character can’t trust what they see—or themselves? Try these psychological thriller prompts and see just how deep the rabbit hole goes:
- A man wakes up every day to a voice recording he doesn’t remember making. Each day, the message gets more disturbing.
- Someone starts to suspect they’re being followed. But when they finally confront the stalker, the person insists they’re the one being followed.
- A therapist realises all of their clients are dreaming about the same person—but none of them know each other.
- A woman’s new housemate is perfect. Too perfect. And she’s starting to mirror the woman’s habits… exactly.
Short stories are a perfect match for psychological thrillers—tense, twisty, and packed with just enough uncertainty to leave readers checking over their shoulders. These stories thrive on doubt, shifting perspectives, and the slow unravelling of what we think we know. Whether it’s obsession, memory, or a truth hiding in plain sight, it’s all about playing with the mind.
Historical fiction prompts
What might your characters uncover—or risk—when the past refuses to stay buried? Try these historical fiction prompts to dig into secrets, scandals, and moments that still echo through time:
- During WWII, a woman running a bookshop starts slipping coded messages between the pages for the resistance.
- A photographer in the 1920s captures something shocking on film—and must decide whether to share it.
- In 1950s Soho, a jazz singer becomes the target of surveillance after befriending someone with political ties.
- A lighthouse keeper in the 1800s battles loneliness and the strange lights that appear offshore every foggy night.
Short stories are a brilliant way to zoom in on a single moment, a hidden voice, or a tiny rebellion that never made it into the textbooks. All you need is a sliver of time, a strong sense of place, and someone with something to lose.
Take a break, try a prompt
Whether you’re deep into your novel or juggling a few too many writing plates, stepping away to write a short story can feel like a creative exhale. Prompts are brilliant for breaking through blocks, playing with new characters, or sparking an idea that surprises you and takes on a life of its own!
And who knows—your next short story might just turn into something bigger than you expected.
Want more inspiration?
Check out these other blogs on short story writing…
Short Story Structure: The Art of Writing a Great Short Story
By Tanya Lewis
About the author
Tanya is part of the Marketing team at Jericho Writers. With a bestselling author as an aunt, Tanya grew up surrounded by stories and studied Publishing Media at Oxford Brookes University. She has worked at various publishers, a reading charity, and even ran her own book subscription box. Tanya is also yoga teacher who runs creative classes at her local studio, as well as a book club. She hopes to one day finish writing her first book.