OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Writing Prompt Generator
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Romance or Literary Prompts With Optional Constraints
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If this tool saved you time, a coffee helps keep new ones coming.
How the Writing Prompt Generator works
This writing prompt generator gives you random story ideas in fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, romance or literary fiction. Each prompt names a character, a place and a problem, and an optional constraint such as second person or a 500-word limit pushes you out of familiar habits.
How the writing prompt generator works
Every prompt is built from three parts drawn at random for the genre you choose: who the story is about, where it happens, and what goes wrong. Each genre has 8 characters, 6 settings and 6 problems, so the formula for the number of prompts in one genre is 8 × 6 × 6 = 288. Adding a constraint multiplies that by 12, the number of constraints, giving 3,456 combinations per genre.
First example. A fantasy prompt might read: "A disgraced court wizard in a library whose books rewrite themselves, has three days to undo a wish." The parts are deliberately specific enough to start a scene and open enough to go anywhere.
Second example. A mystery prompt with a constraint might add "Tell it in second person." That one change forces you to put the reader inside the detective's head, which changes how clues can be hidden.
How many prompts are there across all genres? Six genres of 288 give 1,728 prompts, or 20,736 with constraints, more than a prompt a day for over fifty years.
Drafting time for common story lengths at three writing speeds (words per minute)
| Words | Form | At 10 wpm | At 20 wpm | At 35 wpm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Drabble-style micro | 5 min | 2 min | 1 min |
| 100 | Drabble | 10 min | 5 min | 3 min |
| 250 | Short micro-fiction | 25 min | 12 min | 7 min |
| 500 | Flash fiction | 50 min | 25 min | 14 min |
| 750 | Morning pages | 1.2 h | 38 min | 21 min |
| 1,000 | Long flash | 1.7 h | 50 min | 29 min |
| 1,500 | Short short story | 2.5 h | 1.2 h | 43 min |
| 1,667 | One NaNoWriMo day | 2.8 h | 1.4 h | 48 min |
| 2,000 | Short story | 3.3 h | 1.7 h | 57 min |
| 3,000 | Magazine story | 5.0 h | 2.5 h | 1.4 h |
| 5,000 | Long short story | 8.3 h | 4.2 h | 2.4 h |
| 7,500 | Novelette (low end) | 12.5 h | 6.2 h | 3.6 h |
| 10,000 | Novelette | 16.7 h | 8.3 h | 4.8 h |
| 17,500 | Novella (low end) | 29.2 h | 14.6 h | 8.3 h |
| 25,000 | Short novella | 41.7 h | 20.8 h | 11.9 h |
| 40,000 | Novella (high end) | 66.7 h | 33.3 h | 19.0 h |
| 50,000 | NaNoWriMo novel | 83.3 h | 41.7 h | 23.8 h |
| 70,000 | Typical debut novel | 116.7 h | 58.3 h | 33.3 h |
| 90,000 | Long novel | 150.0 h | 75.0 h | 42.9 h |
| 120,000 | Epic fantasy | 200.0 h | 100.0 h | 57.1 h |
Tips and pitfalls
Set a timer and write before you think too hard: the first ten minutes matter more than the perfect idea. If a prompt does not spark anything, keep one part and redraw, or swap the genre and keep the character. Constraints are most useful when they feel uncomfortable, so pick one you would never choose.
FAQ
How do I use a writing prompt?
Read the prompt, set a timer for 10 to 20 minutes and start with the character in the place, facing the problem. Do not plan or edit. The aim is to start, and a prompt is a starting point you can abandon once the story takes over.
Can I choose the genre of the prompts?
Yes. Pick fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, romance or literary, or choose "Any genre" to mix them. Each genre has its own characters, settings and problems written to suit its usual tone.
What does the constraint option do?
It adds one rule to the prompt, such as telling the story in reverse, using exactly three characters, or ending with a question. Constraints are a classic workshop exercise for breaking habits and finding new ways to tell a story.
Are these prompts good for students?
Yes. They suit creative writing lessons, homework and warm-ups. Teachers can generate a set for the whole class or let each student draw their own, and the word-count table helps set realistic time limits for each task.
Can I use the generated prompts in published work?
Yes. The prompts are short combinations of common story ideas, and you are free to build any story from them. What you write is your own work, whether it becomes a draft, a short story or a novel.
See also: all Writing & Editing tools, Lists & Lines, Markdown & HTML, Ciphers & Alphabets.
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