r/WritingPrompts

1.2M archived posts · Sep 2010 – Sep 2026

Prompts and motivation to create something out of nothing

r/WritingPrompts

Writing Prompts. You're a writer and you just want to flex those muscles? You've come to the right place! If you see a prompt you like, simply write a short story based on it. Get comments from others, and leave commentary for other people's works. Let's help each other.

Created Sep 7, 2010

18.9MMembers (last snapshot)

1.2MArchived posts

[IP] Underground Research Janitor [IP] Skeletons Playing Poker [IP] Hungry Little Guy r/DCFU

We are a subreddit dedicated to inspiring people to write! Find a prompt that moves you and respond with a story or a poem.

FAQ »

The subreddit where it's all made up and the points don't matter.

Apply to be a Mod!

####Charming Demon

Click image for prompt

Weekly Schedule

Click features below for archives

Feature	Latest
Sunday Smash 'Em Up	Alt History
Monday Spotlight	Goodlake
Tuesday Free Write ^New!	Our Town
Wednesday Wildcard	Poetry Corner: Mythology
Thursday [TT] Theme	Disorder
Fun Trope Friday	Divine Dragons & Western
Saturday SatChat	What Do You Look for in a Prompt?

Rules & Guidelines

Hover/tap for details

Full Explanations »

#####Commenting

#####

^< 1. Prompt responses must be good-faith attempts at new stories/poems (No AI)
100 words minimum for stories, 30 for poems but include [Poem]
Write something new using the prompt for inspiration (No AI)
Plagiarism will result in a ban
No joke, copypasta, or AI-generated responses
For off topic/clarification, reply to sticky comment
^< 2. No sexually explicit responses, hate speech, or other harmful content
Includes, but is not limited to, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, rape, violence against children, and explicit abuse or torture
Avoid racism and detailed uses of suicide, mental health stereotypes, and political debate
Use your best judgment, but mods have final say
^< 3. Be civil in discussion, feedback, and critiques
Users are held to a higher standard here. Think before posting
Prompts are meant to inspire new writing. Responses don't have to fulfill every detail

#####Submitting Posts

^< 4. All submissions must be tagged at the beginning of the post, capitalized in square brackets
Click [tag] to filter. Click » for more detail
Prompt Posts (Inspire new writing)
WP - Writing Prompt: No restrictions (other than the rules of the sub) »
SP - Simple Prompt: Max 100 characters in the title (including the tag) »
EU - Established Universe: Based on existing fiction »
CW - Constrained Writing: Limitations or forced usage of words, letters, etc. (don't ask for less than 100 words) »
TT - Theme Thursday: Weekly themes announced Thursdays »
MP - Media Prompt: Audio or video »
IP - Image Prompt: A striking image or album »
RF - Reality Fiction: Things that have happened or could happen to unknown people »
Response Posts (Write based on prompts)
PM - Prompt Me: Answer prompts by other users (if answered prompts before) »
PI - Prompt Inspired: Stories inspired by prompts older than three days (include link and max 1 a day) »
Other Posts
OT - Off Topic: Not a prompt, but writing related, not for complaints regarding subreddit content, stories, or advertising without prior approval »
^< 5. No recent reposts, even if changing small details
Search before submitting! (Popular ideas can cause floods)
Reposts are allowed, given time (around two weeks)
Don't take a recent prompt and change/invert small details
^< 6. Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories
- Prompt in the title and only use text for commentary or links for [IP]s and [MP]s. Avoid too many details
- No requesting writing or editing services, or homework help
- Don't post ads without getting permission in modmail first
- Don't ask writers to pick titles or content from another sub or site
- Prompts should not call for using autocorrect, autocomplete, or only emojis
^< 7. Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses
Avoid real-world drama (politics, recent tragedies, etc.)
Inspire an effort, avoid simple questions, "write anything", word games, fill-in-the-blanks, or "in X words or less"
Prompts must actually be a prompt, not just the suggestion of a genre or emotion
Don't ask for preexisting content (prompts are meant for new writing)
No sexually explicit themes, hate speech, or other harmful content (suicide, mental health stereotypes, violence against children, torture, etc.)
No troll, joke, poop, meme-based, or all CAPS prompts

#####Community Guidelines

^< 8. Keep it about the writing here, not competing or making money
Authors are allowed to link to a personal sub or profile, but don't link back here until the prompt is 24 hours old
Patreon and Paypal links are not allowed. Link to your sub or profile instead
Recording of other people's work must follow the guidelines in the FAQ.

Rule breaking posts or comments may be removed without notice. Rule breaking may result in a permanent ban without prior warning.

If you spot a violation, please use the Report button underneath the post. This is the best way to help! If you have an issue with other users, send us a modmail.

All content is © by the original authors.

##Flair Filter