987+ ‘Lead’ Writing Prompts
-
Champion of My Heart
Compose an affectionate letter to a friend who has supported you during your toughest times.
-
Tidal Waves of Emotion
Write about a fast-paced, emotional event, detailing the rollercoaster of emotions experienced during that time.
-
Frost’s First Touch
Imagine waking up to the first frost of November. Describe this scene in detail.
-
The Poisoned Past
Write a historical fiction piece set in a time when people commonly used poisonous substances unknowingly in their daily lives.
-
Secret Whispers in the Attic
Craft a story about discovering an ancient spirit residing in your home’s dusty attic.
-
Starcrossed Skaters
Imagine a chance encounter at a crowded ice skating rink that sets the tone for a deep relationship.
-
Lost in the Supermarket
Narrate a time you got separated from your parents in a supermarket and how you managed.
-
Rescue Team Leader
You were selected to lead a search and rescue team in an extraordinary mission. Describe the mission and your role…
-
Treasure Map Conundrum
Write a story about finding a mysterious treasure map. What does it lead to, and what obstacles do you encounter…
-
Point of View Challenge
Write your story from an unconventional viewpoint, like an inanimate object or an animal.
-
The Unseen Stalker
Create a chilling story about a protagonist being stalked by an unseen, unknown figure.
-
The Missing Cousin
Write a flash fiction piece revolving around a sudden disappearance of the main character’s cousin.
-
Lost in the Library
Imagine you are trapped in the library overnight and discover a secret passage. Describe what you find.
-
Secret Double Life
Write a story about a person who seems typical during the day, but leads a secret life solving mysteries at…
-
The Enigmatic Dream
Imagine your main character experiencing a series of disturbing dreams containing mysterious symbols and occurrences.
-
Phantom Cryptograms
A scholarly man and an adventurous woman are brought together when they begin to solve ancient cryptograms that hint at…
-
The Shadowy Sonata
Describe a famous pianist who starts receiving anonymous, hauntingly beautiful pieces that seem to hold cryptic messages within their melodies.
-
The Mysterious Love Letter
In your story, the protagonist stumbles upon a love letter intended for someone else, and this leads them down a…
-
Whale Song Whispers
Craft a story around the connection between a young sailor and an ancient, wise whale communicating through their unique song.
-
Solitude’s Symphony
Write a monologue from the perspective of a heartbroken individual alone in nature.
-
Virtual Vampirism
Your character is a vampire who has become addicted to the joys and sorrows of virtual reality.
-
Phantom Phone Call
Imagine receiving a phone call from a deceased loved one. How do you react, and what does this lead to?
-
The Role of Policy in Migration
Discuss one policy related to migration and share your opinion on its effectiveness and potential improvements.
-
Melting Ice Goals
Write about a goal that feels ‘frozen’ at the moment and explore ways to ‘melt the ice’
-
Memory of a Veteran
Reflect on a personal connection with a veteran and their influence on your life.
-
Magical Birthday Surprise
Delve into a narrative detailing the most surprising birthday gift you ever received.
-
Cloak of Invisibility
Imagine a world where a character gets hold of a cloak making them invisible at will.
-
The Quill of Destiny
Develop a story about a quill that pens not what the drawer wants but foretells what their future holds.
-
Spellbound Mirror
Write about a character who discovers an ancient mirror that has the power to show the user their deepest desires.
-
Love Potion’s Price
A potionmaker creates a love potion for a desperate customer but has moral qualms about using such magic.
-
Guiding Star
Write about a time when you felt lost, and then found your metaphorical ‘north star’ to guide you out of…
-
Adaptation Lens
Choose a book that has been adapted into a movie or a TV series and share your opinion on how…
-
The Red Herring8
Start the story with a false clue or an alleged criminal, leading the detective and the reader on a wild…
-
Operation Love Bug
Write about a secret agent who falls in love with a person they are supposed to be spying on.
-
Unseen Unicorn
Pen a fairy tale about a unicorn who can only be seen by those who respect all forms of love,…
-
Once Upon a Pride
In this alternative universe, retell a classic fairy tale that features an LGBTQ+ character in the lead role.
-
Characters that Resonate
Choose a character from one of the best books you read this year who you strongly identify with. Write about…
-
Undead Office Shenanigans
Imagine an employee at a paper company discovering the company’s top salesperson is actually a zombie.
-
Skittish Skeleton Stories
Your main character is a living skeleton who is nervous about stepping outside the cemetery for the first time. His…
-
The First Cave Painting
Imagine being the prehistoric artist who created the first cave painting.
-
Mirror of Emotions
Choose an emotion you’ve felt strongly recently and elaborate on why and how it affected you.
-
Dream Interpreter
Write about a dream you’ve had, and give your own interpretation of what you think it means.
-
Character-defining Experiences
Write about a significant event that shaped your personality or influenced your perspective.
-
Growing Through Struggles
Write about a challenge that you have faced and how you’ve grown from that experience.
-
The Hidden Truth
Write a satirical piece about an undercover reporter who stumbles upon a secret within the overpriced, over-hyped world of avocado…
-
Telepathy Trial
Telepathic abilities suddenly manifest in a small percentage of the human population. How does society cope with this new reality?
-
The Door That Wasn’t There
A door appears in your character’s house that wasn’t there before. It doesn’t lead anywhere they’re familiar with.
-
Unseen Shadows
Your character can see the genuine nature of people through their shadows. One day, they notice a person without one.
-
Survival on Stake
Craft a scenario where two characters end up in a survival situation and their differing ideologies lead to conflict.
-
Parallel Paths
Imagine a world where two characters’ lives follow eerily similar trajectories, but one drastic difference leads to a bitter conflict.
-
Character-building Moment
Narrate a significant event that left a profound impact on your character and your overall outlook.
-
The Reluctant Transformation
Create a narrative where a once ordinary person struggles to cope with the sudden onset of a powerful, uncontrollable ability.
-
Modern Day Happily-Ever-After
Imagine that Cinderella, Snow White, or any other classic fairy tale character suddenly finds themselves in the modern world. Describe…
-
The Innocent Informant
Your protagonist is a civilian who happens to overhear a plot of international espionage.
-
Life Path of Heroines
Choose an inspiring woman and sketch out an imagined interview about the choices that led her to major accomplishments.
-
Lonely Stars
Describe the solitude and vastness experienced by an interstellar explorer in deep space.
-
Superpower for a Day
If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it?
-
Jungle Apocalypse
Write a story where the jungle suddenly starts taking over the world’s urban landscapes.
-
Post-Apocalyptic Futures
Imagine it’s 500 years after a major global catastrophe. What challenges do survivors face, and what does civilization look like…
-
Magical Realism in Detective Fiction
Write a detective story in a world that subtly integrates magical elements.
-
Shepherd of the Lost
In a world corrupted by evil, describe a virtuous character who tries to reinstate the lost innocence and goodness.
-
Lost in Translation
Write a story where your villain’s actions are misinterpreted, leading to their villainous reputation.
-
The Mysterious Letter
Imagine receiving an unexpected letter from a long lost friend.
-
Triggered Turmoil
Describe a scene from the childhood of a deranged killer, detailing the events that triggered their dangerous path.
-
The Significance of Research Skills
Write a persuasive essay stating why research skills are important for 8th graders.
-
Written in Ice cream
You keep meeting the same person at your favorite ice cream truck and feelings start to stir.
-
Dream Journey
Write about a person experiencing vivid, eerie dreams that appear to transport them to an unknown nightmare realm.
-
Ancient Artifacts
Write about an archeologist discovering an ancient, otherworldly artifact, awakening ancient horrors as a result.