Narrative Writing Prompts

For those who aspire to improve their writing skills, narrative writing prompts can be a useful tool. In many cases, writers find that work begun as the result of a prompt can be revised and polished into a publishable piece. Narrative writing is widely used in short stories, novels, essays, and plays.

To begin your narrative writing, tell a story about how you worked to achieve an important goal in your life, such as losing weight or learning a foreign language. Or, if you want to take this story deep into the realm of fiction, tell a story about you preparations after realizing space invaders were on the way to attack.

Describe a time in which you had a dramatic realization about something after doing a little research. Consider these scenarios to progress the story:

• Your main character realizes their parents aren't truly their parents. Was this hidden for a nefarious reason?
• Your main character discovers a substantial savings account in their own name. Where did it come from?
• Your character has the realization that they have been to this place before - perhaps in a dream or another life.
• A huge betrayal is realized by your character - what is it?

It's the first day at a new job for your main character. As they walk in, things seem amiss. Tell the story with the help of these refining prompts:

• What's wrong? Is it the building, the people, or something else?
• How do the people receive your character?
• What does your character's workspace look like?
• Insert one tiny, recurring detail that makes the first day seem bizarre and eventually explain its meaning.

Describe a time in which your character needed to be brave and go against the opinion of others.

• Your character is wrong in their opinion. What happens when they realize it?
• What is the cost of going against the crowd? Ostracization? Death? Nothing?
• Is there something specific one must do with this group in order to signify their dissent?
• Do people eventually agree with your character?

Tell a story about the biggest fight you ever had with your parents. Take it into fiction with these prompts:

• The woman in the picture isn't your mom. Who is she and what led to this moment?
• The family settles arguments in a very strange way. What is it?
• When the mom points her finger, her power is unleashed. What is it?
• Your character is rescued from the argument. By who?

Describe the most memorable party you have ever attended. A few extra prompts take the story to another level:

• The party takes place in a strange place. Where is it?
• One of the partygoers keeps disappearing and reappearing. Why?
• The music controls the attendees far beyond making them dance. What happens?
• The party is to celebrate something strange. What are they celebrating?

Tell a story about a time emotions got the best of you. Flesh out the story further with these prompts:

• What happened in the moment leading up to your character' emotions overflowing?
• How did the people around your character respond?
• Is there something unusual that happens to your character during emotional moments?
• How does your character calm down?

Write about a time you enjoyed the company of a pet. Escalate the story with these prompts:

• Your character's pet came from somewhere unusual - where?
• The pet tries to warn the character of impending danger. Does your character understand?
• The pet detects supernatural activity in the next room - what happens next?
• The pet turns out to be a robot. Who created the pet and why?

Tell the story of a time you were in a situation that could have led to death. Allow your creativity to take over with these prompts:

• Was the situation intentional or accidental?
• What did your character feel as they realized they might die?
• Suppose your character did slip into death for a moment. What did they see?
• Was the return to life welcomed or disappointing?

Think of a time you felt entirely comfortable with another person. Fictionalize the moment into a narrative story with these prompts:

• What was the relationship between your character and the other person?
• Was the person real, or imaginary?
• What happened when the two characters touched?
• Something abruptly ends the comfort - what was it?

Write about a time you had trouble waking up and starting your day. The story gets more interesting with these prompts:

• Something is stopping your character from getting out of bed. What is it?
• Where did your character awaken? Do they know where they are?
• Do they know who they are?
• Something strange will happen once they set foot off the bed - what is it?

Think of a time a stranger was rude to you. Help your character fictionalize the story with these prompts:

• What happened to the stranger to make them act that way?
• Your character is in danger if they confront the stranger. Why?
• The surrounding crowd rallies behind your character or the stranger. Which one?
• A dramatic battle ensues that far exceeds the gravity of the situation - narrate it.

Keeping a journal of the day's events can be a great way to build narrative writing skills. Sometimes the most mundane moments can make the best stories when you allow your creativity to adjust a few details.