Creative Writing Exercises

• Writing Prompts : Click the button to generate new random writing prompts!
• Nature Writing Prompts : Generate new nature writing prompts with the click of a button. Example: "What can the stillness of a lake at dawn teach us about the power of introspection?"
• Cure Writer's Block : Tips and tricks to overcome writer's block (with videos!). Add your own entry to the "How do you cure writer's block?" section.
• Writer's Block FAQ : Answers to every question ever asked about writer's block. If you have a question, ask it here!
• Story Generator : Randomly generate a series of "idea" cards to create a new story, these include: setting (when), setting (where), antagonist, protagonist, symbolism, theme, action, conflict, emotion, genre, writing style, and tone.
• WordWeaver Writing Prompt : A creative writing gizmo that features 12 famous writers: Jack Kerouac, Gabriel García Márquez, Mary Oliver, Donna Tartt, Marcel Proust, Matsuo Bashō, Jamaica Kincaid, Sylvia Plath, Oscar Wilde, Anaïs Nin, Poppy Z. Brite, and Charles Bukowski. Hover over their image and 5 random words from their writings will appear. Take one word from each author and construct a poem or story from this group of words.
• Nature Inspiration : A collection of beautiful nature images and quotes as writing prompts and inspiration for creative writing.
• Poem Builder : Flip 3 cards to build a poem - one: the subject of the poem, two: the poetic form you should write the poem in, and three: 10 words you should incorporate into the poem.
• Flash Fiction Generator: Three Sentence Stories : 1. Opening – a captivating introduction that grabs the readers attention, 2. Change – a turning point at which the main character goes through a transformation, and 3. Ending – a memorable conclusion.
• 16 Writing Experiments by Jonathan Mahew : Discover 16 unique writing experiments designed to spark creativity and inspire writers to think outside the box. Explore various techniques, such as crafting poetic responses, creating an avant-garde movement, or inventing a private language, to improve your writing skills and expand your horizons. Dive into these innovative exercises and unlock your true creative potential.
• 82 Writing Experiments by Bernadette Mayer : A treasure trove of unique and engaging exercises to help writers. Delve into techniques such as altering language, exploring sensory memory, and writing from dreams. Experiment with various forms and styles.
• 66 Writing Experiments by Charles Bernstein : Explore different writing styles, techniques, and forms. Exercises include homolinguistic translation, acrostic chance, cut-ups, list poems, visual poetry, more...
• Poetic Justice : The generator will show 20 words at random from the writings of your selected author. Write a poem using at least 5 of these words.
• Exploring Melancholy: Understanding the Power of Sad Poetry : A collection of sad poetry exercises focused on exploring and expressing sadness through poetry. Tap into your emotions, improve your skills in conveying sadness, and enhance your understanding of the role of tone and mood in creating impactful sad poems.
• How to Write a Love Letter to Yourself : Explore the topic of self-love with journaling prompts to help brainstorm ideas. Includes a step-by-step guide outlining the process: from finding a place to write to listing accomplishments and expressing gratitude.
• Writing Experiments : A variety of inventive and challenging writing experiments designed to stretch your abilities, encourage outside-the-box thinking, and challenge conventional storytelling methods. Examples: writing an entire novel in one day, crafting a story using only one-syllable words, or writing a story entirely in the second person.
• Essay Writing Experiments : A collection of unique and unconventional essay writing exercises that provide new approaches to writing, including writing from various perspectives, using specific linguistic constraints, and experimenting with different formats, such as letters, diaries, or aphorisms.
• Lexical translation : A fun writing exercise that revolves around translating and re-translating poems between languages (translator engine provided). Enhance your understanding of language and explore innovative ways of expression through translation.
• Cut Up Spellcheck : Generate fresh ideas by intentionally choosing incorrect spellchecker suggestions. This quick, three-step process fosters creativity and can inspire new stories or poems through unexpected word alterations.
• Creative Writing Inspiration & Writing Prompts Pinboard : Explore our meticulously-curated Pinterest board of creative writing tips, quotes, evocative images, and inspiration.
• Visual Inspiration: Paris : A collection of photographs we took during our stay on the Île Saint-Louis, the little island in the center of the Seine in the heart of Paris. The images showcase the beauty and wonder of the city, capturing hidden alleyways, old graveyards, and secret gardens that are often missed by tourists. For writers, the page offers a wealth of visual inspiration to help spark new ideas for stories and settings.
• Fairy Tale Writing Prompts Inspiration : A collection of fairytale-esque images to inspire new ideas and spark creativity by using the power of visual storytelling.
• Writing Exercise: Square Poem : Write a Lewis Carroll-style Square Poem - made up of 6 lines of 6 words each, that reads the same across or up and down.
• Keeping a Dream Journal : Practical and easy-to-follow advice and inspiration and how to use it as a springboard for creative writing.
• Ants: Finding Big Inspiration in Little Things : Take a break from writing, observe the world around you, and watch ant colonies. Ants offer a unique perspective on communication, cooperation, and the ups and downs of life. By watching ants, you can gain inspiration for your own characters and storylines.
• How to Host a Writing Party : Tips on inviting a diverse group of writers, setting the mood with music and snacks, planning fun writing games and activities, and encouraging collaboration and sharing.
• Finding Creative Writing Inspiration in Old Newspapers : Looking through old newspapers can help you immerse yourself in different experiences and perspectives, uncover hidden stories and forgotten tales, and gain a deeper understanding of the culture and values of a particular time period.
• Speak Your Stories : Explore all the ways using dictation software can improve the writing process: generating new ideas, freeing you from self-censorship, creating natural-sounding prose, relieving eye strain and hand cramping, and more.
• Should You Be Writing Right Now? : Need help procrastinating? Take this quiz!
• Screwing Around : Add your ideas to the list of fun and pointless things to do INSTEAD of dealing with writer's block!
• Horror Writing Prompts : Unleash your inner Stephen King with our horror writing prompt generator. Be prepared to scare yourself.