183+ ‘Initial’ Writing Prompts
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Waves of Grief
Describe the waves of grief after the initial shock has faded. How do they come? When do they hit the…
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The First Cut
Write about the moment you realized your heart was broken.
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The Avenger’s Quest
Write about a character who’s whole family was wronged in some way and now they are seeking justice.
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A Symphony in Words
Write a verse for a love song with a ballad-like narrative of how you met your lover.
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Unplanned Guest
Begin your story with a mysterious stranger knocking at the character’s door in the middle of the night.
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Embracing New Beginnings
Identify something new you want to start in the coming year and map out your first steps.
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Crossing the Threshold
Describe your hero’s initial leap into the greater world beyond their comfort zone.
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Voyage of the Fourth Crusade
Tell the story of a noble or peasant caught in the whirlwind of the Fourth Crusade and the sack of…
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First Christmas Magic
Describe your earliest memory of Christmas and the magical thoughts you had as a child.
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The Invention Disaster
Create a character who invents a machine only to realize that it does more harm than good.
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The Unlikely Companion
Your character is forced into an unexpected partnership or friendship. What is their first reaction and how do they grow…
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Reviving Fomorians
Imagine a world where ancient and monstrous race, the Fomorians, have returned. Write your initial reaction, how would society change,…
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Hidden Depths
Create a character who starts off as two-dimensional or stereotypical, but then uncovers deeper aspects of their personality.
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Hatchling Chronicles
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a newborn bird experiencing spring for the first time.
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The Human Contract
An assassin is hired to kill a cunning and dangerous target, but through a series of circumstances they end up…
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Bittersweet Acceptance
Write a story where the protagonists, initially resistant to an arranged marriage, eventually find themselves falling for each other.
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A Letter of Gratitude
Envision yourself writing a letter to the family of your organ donor, expressing your feelings and gratitude.
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The Birth of the Red Cross
Re-imagine the founding of the American Red Cross from Clara Barton’s perspective.
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Reluctant Fisher
Write a story about someone who has never been out on a fishing trip before and is now on a…
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Behind the Gown Design
Write about the process of designing and creating the gowns and dress robes for the Yule Ball.
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Neville’s Fear
Write about a fear that Neville Longbottom displayed and how he eventually overcame it.
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Indomitable Presence
Describe an abandoned location your character(s) decide to explore, unaware a malicious spirit lingers there.
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Forgotten Reflections
Write a story about looking into your mirror and not seeing your reflection one day.
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Prompt Reaction
Write about your reaction to a prompt from a fanfic generator. Then determine a manual brainstorming strategy that would yield…
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Generator Turned Muse
Create a piece of fanfiction based on a prompt from the fanfiction generator that initially seemed uninspiring or undecipherable.
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Understanding The Qun
Write about a character’s journey in understanding the Qun, the fundamental philosophy and religious law within Qunari culture.
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New Alien Species
Create a completely unique alien species and write an encounter between human astronauts and these new aliens.
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Embracing the Inevitable
Write about a change that has recently happened in your life, your initial reaction, and how you’ve grown to accept…
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Becoming a Parent
Narrate your experience of becoming a parent, focusing on the emotional changes that accompanied the change.
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First Job Flashbacks
Write about your very first job, regardless of how humble or trivial it may seem today.
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Lost and Found
Narrate a time when you got lost while traveling and how you found your way.
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Journaling Path
Write about the moment you decided to start journaling, what motivated you and how you envisioned it to affect your…
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The Power of Perspective
Jot down an event where your initial perspective changed after revisiting it later.
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Emotional Growth Milestone
Write about an instance when you felt a significant growth in your emotional maturity.
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Refashioning Relationships
Write about a relationship that has changed significantly during your recovery.
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Procrastination Patterns
Describe a time when you procrastinated on a task and dive into your thoughts and feelings throughout the process.
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Overcoming a Life Struggle
Write about a personal struggle or challenge you have overcome.
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Understanding Your Diagnosis
Write about how you felt when you were first diagnosed with depression.
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Acceptance
Write down what your life is like now, as a single person, and the positive aspects you have derived from…
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Soothing the Scars
Write about an emotionally painful experience, detailing the occurrence, your immediate and changing reaction, and your present understanding of the…
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Capturing Curiosity
Describe a time when you felt the thrill of discovering a new interest or hobby.
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Exploring Journal Power
Write about your first encounter with a journal, the expectations you had and why it was or wasn’t initially appealing.
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Understanding the Darkness
Write about the first time you realized you might be struggling with depression.
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Depression vs. Sadness
Explore your initial understanding of the difference between depression and everyday sadness, and how this changed over time.
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Labour of Love
Write about a skill or hobby you’ve mastered over the years, starting from when you first discovered it, to any…
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Foundations of Creativity
Write about what you believe to be the most important building blocks of a great writing idea.
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Unforeseen Consequences
Imagine your character’s actions unintentionally causing a series of unforeseen events.
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Lost In a New World
In the style of science fiction, craft a tale about waking up on another planet and trying to survive.
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Confrontation with Nature
Your Villanelle must center around a powerful encounter with a natural phenomenon.
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Peeling the Layers
Write about a closed-off, enigmatic character who gradually opens up, revealing layers of complexity beneath their initial exterior.
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A Call to Change
Imagine your character receives a calling that necessitates a change in their otherwise mundane world.
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Midnight Realization
Pen down an instance when you experienced an unexpected revelation or insight about life.
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The Therapy Diaries
Share your experiences with therapy, counseling or other forms of professional mental health help.
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Culinary Journey
Narrate your experience in exploring a cuisine that was completely new to you during your travels.
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Journey into a Heroic World
Write about the first superhero character you admired and the reason behind your admiration.
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Journey Through A Healing Process
Pen down a journey of healing you have been through, from the initial hurt to your transformation and healing.
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First Meetings
Narrate your first meeting with the adopted child or your first memory of being in the new adoptive family.