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150+ Story Starters: Creative Sentences To Start A Story

The most important thing about writing is finding a good idea . You have to have a great idea to write a story. You have to be able to see the whole picture before you can start to write it. Sometimes, you might need help with that. Story starters are a great way to get the story rolling. You can use them to kick off a story, start a character in a story or even start a scene in a story.

When you start writing a story, you need to have a hook. A hook can be a character or a plot device. It can also be a setting, something like “A young man came into a bar with a horse.” or a setting like “It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.” The first sentence of a story is often the hook. It can also be a premise or a situation, such as, “A strange old man in a black cloak was sitting on the train platform.”

Story starters are a way to quickly get the story going. They give the reader a place to start reading your story. Some story starters are obvious, and some are not. The best story starters are the ones that give the reader a glimpse into the story. They can be a part of a story or a part of a scene. They can be a way to show the reader the mood of a story. If you want to start a story, you can use a simple sentence. You can also use a question or an inspirational quote. In this post, we have listed over 150 story starters to get your story started with a bang! A great way to use these story starters is at the start of the Finish The Story game .

If you want more story starters, check out this video on some creative story starter sentences to use in your stories:

150+ Creative Story Starters

Here is a list of good sentences to start a story with:

• I’ve read about a million stories about princesses but never thought I could ever be one.
• There was once a man who was very old, but he was wise. He lived for a very long time, and he was very happy.
• What is the difference between a man and a cat? A cat has nine lives.
• In the middle of the night, a boy is running through the woods.
• It is the end of the world.
• He knew he was not allowed to look into the eyes of the princess, but he couldn’t help himself.
• The year is 1893. A young boy was running away from home.
• What if the Forest was actually a magical portal to another dimension, the Forest was a portal to the Otherworld?
• In the Forest, you will find a vast number of magical beings of all sorts. 
• It was the middle of the night, and the forest was quiet. No bugs or animals disturbed the silence. There were no birds, no chirping. 
• If you wish to stay in the Forest, you will need to follow these rules: No one shall leave the Forest. No one shall enter. No one shall take anything from the Forest.
• “It was a terrible day,” said the old man in a raspy voice.
• A cat is flying through the air, higher and higher, when it happens, and the cat doesn’t know how it got there, how it got to be in the sky.
• I was lying in the woods, and I was daydreaming.
• The Earth is a world of wonders. 
• The fairy is the most amazing creature I have ever met.
• A young girl was sitting on a tree stump at the edge of a river when she noticed a magical tree growing in the water.
• My dancing rat is dressed in a jacket, a tie and glasses, which make him look like a person. 
• In the darkness of the night, I am alone, but I know that I am not. 
• Owls are the oldest, and most intelligent, of all birds.
• My name is Reyna, and I am a fox. 
• The woman was drowning.
• One day, he was walking in the forest.
• It was a dark and stormy night…
• There was a young girl who could not sleep…
• A boy in a black cape rode on a white horse…
• A crazy old man in a black cloak was sitting in the middle of the street…
• The sun was setting on a beautiful summer day…
• The dog was restless…”
• There was a young boy in a brown coat…
• I met a young man in the woods…
• In the middle of a dark forest…
• The young girl was at home with her family…
• There was a young man who was sitting on a …
• A young man came into a bar with a horse…
• I have had a lot of bad dreams…
• He was a man who wanted to be king…
• It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.
• I know what you’re thinking. But no, I don’t want to be a vegetarian. The worst part is I don’t like the taste.
• She looked at the boy and decided to ask him why he wasn’t eating. She didn’t want to look mean, but she was going to ask him anyway.
• The song played on the radio, as Samual wiped away his tears.
• This was the part when everything was about to go downhill. But it didn’t…
• “Why make life harder for yourself?” asked Claire, as she bit into her apple.
• She made a promise to herself that she would never do it.
• I was able to escape.
• I was reading a book when the accident happened.
• “I can’t stand up for people who lie and cheat.” I cried.
• You look at me and I feel beautiful.
• I know what I want to be when I grow up.
• We didn’t have much money. But we knew how to throw a good party.
• The wind blew on the silent streets of London.
• What do you get when you cross an angry bee and my sister?
• The flight was slow and bumpy. I was half asleep when the captain announced we were going down.
• At the far end of the city was a river that was overgrown with weeds. 
• It was a quiet night in the middle of a busy week.
• One afternoon, I was eating a sandwich in the park when I spotted a stranger.
• In the late afternoon, a few students sat on the lawn reading.
• The fireflies were dancing in the twilight as the sunset.
• In the early evening, the children played in the park.
• The sun was setting and the moon was rising.
• A crowd gathered in the square as the band played.
• The top of the water tower shone in the moonlight.
• The light in the living room was on, but the light in the kitchen was off.
•  When I was a little boy, I used to make up stories about the adventures of these amazing animals, creatures, and so on. 
• All of the sudden, I realized I was standing in the middle of an open field surrounded by nothing but wildflowers, and the only thing I remembered about it was that I’d never seen a tree before.
• It’s the kind of thing that’s only happened to me once before in my life, but it’s so cool to see it.
• They gave him a little wave as they drove away.
• The car had left the parking lot, and a few hours later we arrived home.
• They were going to play a game of bingo.
• He’d made up his mind to do it. He’d have to tell her soon, though. He was waiting for a moment when they were alone and he could say it without feeling like an idiot. But when that moment came, he couldn’t think of anything to say.
• Jamie always wanted to own a plane, but his parents were a little tight on the budget. So he’d been saving up to buy one of his own. 
• The night was getting colder, and the wind was blowing in from the west.
• The doctor stared down at the small, withered corpse.
• She’d never been in the woods before, but she wasn’t afraid.
• The kids were having a great time in the playground.
• The police caught the thieves red-handed.
• The world needs a hero more than ever.
• Mother always said, “Be good and nice things will happen…”
• There is a difference between what you see and what you think you see.
• The sun was low in the sky and the air was warm.
• “It’s time to go home,” she said, “I’m getting a headache.”
• It was a cold winter’s day, and the snow had come early.
• I found a wounded bird in my garden.
• “You should have seen the look on my face.”
• He opened the door and stepped back.
• My father used to say, “All good things come to an end.”
• The problem with fast cars is that they break so easily.
• “What do you think of this one?” asked Mindy.
• “If I asked you to do something, would you do it?” asked Jacob.
• I was surprised to see her on the bus.
• I was never the most popular one in my class.
• We had a bad fight that day.
• The coffee machine had stopped working, so I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea.
• It was a muggy night, and the air-conditioning unit was so loud it hurt my ears.
• I had a sleepless night because I couldn’t get my head to turn off.
• I woke up at dawn and heard a horrible noise.
• I was so tired I didn’t know if I’d be able to sleep that night.
• I put on the light and looked at myself in the mirror.
• I decided to go in, but the door was locked.
• A man in a red sweater stood staring at a little kitten as if it was on fire.
• “It’s so beautiful,” he said, “I’m going to take a picture.”
• “I think we’re lost,” he said, “It’s all your fault.”
• It’s hard to imagine what a better life might be like
• He was a tall, lanky man, with a long face, a nose like a pin, and a thin, sandy moustache.
• He had a face like a lion’s and an eye like a hawk’s.
• The man was so broad and strong that it was as if a mountain had been folded up and carried in his belly.
• I opened the door. I didn’t see her, but I knew she was there.
• I walked down the street. I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
• I arrived at my parents’ home at 8:00 AM.
• The nurse had been very helpful.
• On the table was an array of desserts.
• I had just finished putting the last of my books in the trunk.
• A car horn honked, startling me.
• The kitchen was full of pots and pans.
• There are too many things to remember.
• The world was my oyster. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
•  “My grandfather was a World War II veteran. He was a decorated hero who’d earned himself a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.
• Beneath the menacing, skeletal shadow of the mountain, a hermit sat on his ledge. His gnarled hands folded on his gnarled knees. His eyes stared blankly into the fog. 
• I heard a story about a dragon, who was said to be the size of a house, that lived on the top of the tallest mountain in the world.
•  I was told a story about a man who found a golden treasure, which was buried in this very park.
• He stood alone in the middle of a dark and silent room, his head cocked to one side, the brown locks of his hair, which were parted in the middle, falling down over his eyes.
•  Growing up, I was the black sheep of the family. I had my father’s eyes, but my mother’s smile.
• Once upon a time, there was a woman named Miss Muffett, and she lived in a big house with many rooms.
• When I was a child, my mother told me that the water looked so bright because the sun was shining on it. I did not understand what she meant at the time.    
•  The man in the boat took the water bottle and drank from it as he paddled away.
• The man looked at the child with a mixture of pity and contempt.
• An old man and his grandson sat in their garden. The old man told his grandson to dig a hole. 
• An old woman was taking a walk on the beach . The tide was high and she had to wade through the water to get to the other side.
• She looked up at the clock and saw that it was five minutes past seven.
• The man looked up from the map he was studying. “How’s it going, mate?”
• I was in my room on the third floor, staring out of the window.
• A dark silhouette of a woman stood in the doorway.
• The church bells began to ring.
• The moon rose above the horizon.
• A bright light shone over the road.
• The night sky began to glow.
• I could hear my mother cooking in the kitchen.
• The fog began to roll in.
• He came in late to the class and sat at the back.
• A young boy picked up a penny and put it in his pocket.
• He went to the bathroom and looked at his face in the mirror.
• It was the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness. We once had everything and now we have nothing.
• A young man died yesterday, and no one knows why.
• The boy was a little boy. He was not yet a man. He lived in a house in a big city.
• They had just returned from the theatre when the phone rang.
• I walked up to the front of the store and noticed the neon sign was out.
• I always wondered what happened to Mary.
• I stopped to say hello and then walked on.
• The boy’s mother didn’t want him to play outside…
• The lights suddenly went out…
• After 10 years in prison, he was finally out.
• The raindrops pelted the window, which was set high up on the wall, and I could see it was a clear day outside.
• My friend and I had just finished a large pizza, and we were about to open our second.
• I love the smell of the ocean, but it never smells as good as it does when the waves are crashing.
• They just stood there, staring at each other.
• A party was in full swing until the music stopped.

For more ideas on how to start your story, check out these first-line writing prompts . Did you find this list of creative story starters useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .  

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

• How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
• Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
• Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

• NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
• Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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Story Starters Prompts: Creative Writing Inspiration for All Ages

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 3, 2023

Categories Writing , Storytelling

Story starters are a great way to get the creative juices flowing and overcome writer’s block. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, story starters can help you generate new ideas and get your writing off to a strong start.

In this article, we’ll explore the world of story starters and how they can be used to enhance your writing skills.

Understanding story starters is essential for any writer looking to improve their craft. Essentially, story starters are prompts that provide a jumping-off point for your writing. They can take many forms, from a simple sentence to a more complex scenario, and are designed to spark your imagination and inspire you to write.

By using story starters, you can bypass the blank page and dive straight into the writing process.

Types of story starters vary widely, and can be tailored to different audiences and mediums. From traditional fiction to poetry, screenplays, and even non-fiction, there’s a story starter out there for everyone.

By exploring the different types of story starters available, you can find the ones that work best for you and your writing style.

Key Takeaways

• Story starters are a great tool for overcoming writer’s block and generating new ideas.
• There are many different types of story starters available, from simple sentences to complex scenarios.
• By exploring the different types of story starters and tailoring them to your needs, you can enhance your writing skills and explore new creative avenues.

52 Story Starters Prompts

Here are 52 story starter prompts to help spark creative writing:

1. It was a dark and stormy night when…

2. The envelope felt heavy in my hands. I wasn’t expecting any mail today…

3. It all started when my alarm didn’t go off that morning…

4. The air grew cold and the lights began to flicker as I entered the abandoned house…

5. I knew today was going to be different when I woke up with a third eye on my forehead…

6. As I walked through the forest, the trees started whispering to me…

7. I never expected to meet my long lost twin, but there they were standing on my doorstep…

8. The spaceship crashed right in the middle of my backyard…

9. Every night when I looked out my window, there was a face staring back at me from the darkness…

10. It was the first day of summer vacation when the aliens arrived…

11. The phone rang and a mysterious voice on the other end said…

12. I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange new land I had never seen before…

13. The old book began to glow and shake as I opened it to the first page…

14. The day I discovered I had a superpower was the same day my whole life changed forever…

15. I was out for a hike when I came across a mysterious cave I had never noticed before…

16. It all started on the first day at my new school…

17. I was half asleep when I heard a tap-tap-tapping at my bedroom window…

18. The last thing I remember was falling asleep. When I woke up, I was somewhere completely different…

19. I was rummaging in the attic when I found a mysterious old box hidden away…

20. It was just a normal day until all the clocks in my house started going backwards…

21. I opened my closet and noticed a door in the back that hadn’t been there before…

22. As we drove down the dark forest road, we came across a hitchhiker carrying an unusual bag…

23. It all began on the day I decided to skip school and go on an adventure…

24. When I picked up the ringing payphone, I heard my own voice on the other end…

25. The fortune teller peered deep into her crystal ball and told me something unbelievable about my future…

26. I woke up to find that my cat could suddenly talk!

27. As we sailed along, a thick fog rolled in, and we heard a mysterious call coming through it…

28. It was the night before my birthday when I started hearing a strange ticking sound coming from my closet…

29. When I woke up, I was in the middle of the ocean on a tiny raft…

30. I found an old lamp tucked away in the dusty attic and gave it a rub just for fun. To my surprise, a genie popped out!

31. Everything in my room was normal when I went to sleep. But when I woke up, everything was backwards…

32. I was playing in the sandbox when I noticed one of the rocks had an odd glow coming from the cracks…

33. My parents said we were going on vacation to a tropical island, but when we arrived it was completely deserted…

34. A parcel arrived in the mail with no return address. Inside was a strange artifact I had never seen before…

35. As I rode my bike down the lonely road, the wind suddenly stopped. That’s when I saw it – a UFO hovering in the distance…

36. I was about to dig into my ice cream sundae when I realized the cherry on top was moving…

37. It all started on the day I decided to walk to school a different way…

38. The camera just arrived in the mail today. I turned it on and the first photo it took was of something impossible…

39. It was the first warm day of spring when I saw the first sprout poking up from the ground – a glowing green sprout…

40. My dog came back home today acting strangely. I think he’s trying to tell me something…

41. The phone started ringing and wouldn’t stop. When I answered it, nobody was there…

42. I was cleaning out the attic when I found an old map of Treasure Island…

43. It was my first day as a reporter for the local newspaper. My first big story – the haunted house on the edge of town…

44. I opened the wardrobe expecting to find coats hanging inside. Instead, there was a snowy forest…

45. I woke up to find a secret message written on my ceiling…

46. All the food in my fridge had come to life overnight!

47. I was out fishing when I caught a shoe instead of a fish…

48. The librarian handed me an old library book that hadn’t been checked out in over 50 years…

49. I woke up one morning with the ability to turn invisible…

50. One night I dreamed I was a cat, prowling the streets. The next morning, I woke up and realized it wasn’t a dream…

51. The only thing left on my to-do list for the day was to get the mail. I didn’t expect to find a winning lottery ticket in the mailbox!

52. My sibling and I were cleaning the attic when we found an old telephone booth behind a stack of boxes…

Understanding Story Starters

Story starters are prompts that help writers get their creative juices flowing. They are designed to inspire writers and help them come up with new ideas for their stories. Story starters can be a single sentence, a short paragraph, or a series of questions.

They are meant to be open-ended, so writers can take the prompt in any direction they choose.

Story starters are an excellent tool for writers who are struggling with writer’s block or who just need a little inspiration. They can help writers get started on a new story or help them get unstuck when they are stuck in the middle of a story.

Story starters are also a great way to practice writing and to experiment with different genres and styles.

One of the benefits of using story starters is that they can help writers tap into their imagination. By providing a starting point for a story, story starters can help writers break out of their usual patterns of thinking and come up with new and exciting ideas.

They can also help writers explore new genres and styles of writing that they may not have tried before.

Another benefit of using story starters is that they can help writers overcome the fear of the blank page. Starting a new story can be intimidating, but with a story starter, writers have a starting point that they can build on. This can help them feel more confident and more motivated to write.

In conclusion, story starters are a valuable tool for writers who are looking for inspiration and guidance. They can help writers tap into their creativity and imagination and provide a starting point for a new story. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, story starters can help you get your creative juices flowing and get your writing off to a great start.

Types of Story Starters

When it comes to story starters, there are various types available. Each type has its unique way of sparking creativity and getting the writer’s imagination flowing. In this section, we will discuss the different types of story starters that exist.

Genre-Based Starters

Genre-based starters are prompts that are tailored to specific genres. These prompts can help writers who are struggling to come up with ideas for their chosen genre. For instance, if you are writing a horror story, a genre-based starter could be something like, “It was a dark and stormy night, and the old house creaked with every gust of wind.”

Setting-Based Starters

Setting-based starters are prompts that focus on the location where the story takes place. These prompts can help writers create vivid and immersive worlds. For example, a setting-based starter could be, “The abandoned amusement park was overgrown with weeds and vines, and the rusted Ferris wheel creaked ominously in the wind.”

Character-Based Starters

Character-based starters are prompts that focus on the characters in the story. These prompts can help writers develop their characters and give them depth. For instance, a character-based starter could be, “She had always been afraid of the dark, but tonight she had no choice but to venture into the shadows.”

Plot-Based Starters

Plot-based starters are prompts that focus on the events that take place in the story. These prompts can help writers create a compelling and engaging plot. For example, a plot-based starter could be, “The treasure map had been hidden for centuries, but now it was in their hands. Little did they know, someone was watching them, waiting to steal it.”

In conclusion, story starters are a great way to jump-start your creativity and get your writing flowing. Whether you are a seasoned writer or a beginner, using prompts can help you overcome writer’s block and create something truly unique. By exploring the different types of story starters, you can find the ones that work best for you and your writing style.

Creating Engaging Story Starters

Story starters are the perfect tool to help writers get their creative juices flowing. They can be used to generate new ideas, or to improve existing ones. But what makes a good story starter?

Ideas and Premise

A good story starter should provide a clear idea of what the story is about. It should give the reader a sense of the premise, and what kind of story they can expect to read. It should also be engaging enough to make the reader want to keep reading.

Setting and Characters

The setting and characters are also important elements to consider when creating a story starter. The setting should be described in enough detail to create a clear mental image for the reader. The characters should be introduced in a way that makes them interesting and compelling.

Plot and Adventure

The plot and adventure are what will keep the reader engaged throughout the story. A good story starter should hint at what kind of adventure the reader can expect, and what obstacles the characters will face.

Fantasy and Hook

If you are writing a fantasy story, the story starter should introduce the reader to the world you have created. It should be clear that this is a different world with its own rules and customs. A good story starter should also have a hook that makes the reader want to keep reading.

In summary, creating engaging story starters requires a clear idea of the premise, a well-described setting and characters, an exciting plot and adventure, and a hook that makes the reader want to keep reading. By following these guidelines, writers can create story starters that will inspire them to write engaging and compelling stories.

Story Starters for Different Audiences

Young adults.

Young adults can be a tough audience to engage when it comes to writing. However, with the right story starters, you can help them unlock their creativity and get their writing juices flowing. Here are a few story starters that are perfect for young adults:

• You wake up with a strange tattoo on your arm. What does it look like, and what does it mean?
• You find a mysterious key on the ground. What does it unlock, and what secrets does it hold?
• You receive a letter in the mail from a long-lost relative. What does the letter say, and what adventures await you?

These story starters are perfect for middle schoolers in a classroom setting. They are simple but effective, and they give young adults the opportunity to use their imaginations to create their own unique stories.

Story starters for adults should be more complex and thought-provoking. They should challenge the writer to think outside the box and come up with something truly original. Here are a few story starters that are perfect for adults:

• You wake up in a world where everyone has disappeared. What happened, and how will you survive?
• You discover a hidden room in your house that you never knew existed. What secrets does it hold, and what will you do with the information you find?
• You find a mysterious object in a thrift store. What is it, and what powers does it possess?

These story starters are perfect for adults who are looking for a challenge. They are designed to spark the imagination and encourage the writer to explore new ideas and concepts. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, these story starters are sure to inspire you.

Story Starters from Different Mediums

If you’re struggling to come up with story ideas, try drawing inspiration from different mediums. Here are some story starters based on literature, film, video games, and photography.

Literature-Based Starters

Literature is a great source of inspiration for writing. Here are some story starters based on popular books:

• Harry Potter : Imagine you’re a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One day, you discover a hidden room in the castle that leads to a mysterious world.
• The Hunger Games : You live in a dystopian society where every year, teenagers are forced to participate in a fight to the death. Write about your experience in the games.
• The Lord of the Rings : You’re a hobbit tasked with destroying the One Ring. Write about your journey to Mordor and the challenges you face along the way.

Film-Based Starters

Films can also provide great story ideas. Here are some starters based on popular movies:

• The Matrix : You discover that the world you live in is a simulation controlled by machines. Write about your journey to free humanity from their control.
• Jurassic Park : You’re a scientist who has just cloned a dinosaur. Write about the consequences of your actions.
• Star Wars : You’re a Jedi tasked with defeating the Sith. Write about your battles with the dark side.

Video Game-Based Starters

Video games can be a great source of inspiration for writing, especially if you’re interested in science fiction and fantasy. Here are some story starters based on popular games:

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim : You’re a dragonborn tasked with defeating Alduin, the World-Eater. Write about your journey through the land of Skyrim.
• Mass Effect : You’re a commander in the Systems Alliance tasked with saving the galaxy from the Reapers. Write about your battles with the alien race.
• The Last of Us : You’re a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Write about your journey to find a cure for the virus.

Photography-Based Starters

Photographs can also provide great inspiration for writing. Here are some story starters based on popular photographs:

• The Afghan Girl : Write about the life of the Afghan girl featured on the cover of National Geographic in 1985.
• Migrant Mother : Write about the life of the migrant mother featured in Dorothea Lange’s photograph during the Great Depression.
• The Falling Man : Write about the man who fell from the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks and the impact his death had on his family.

Unique Story Starter Ideas

If you’re looking for unique story starter ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some creative story prompts to get your imagination flowing:

• What if : What if cats could talk? What if technology took over the world? What if dinosaurs never went extinct? These “what if” scenarios can make for interesting and thought-provoking stories.
• Unexpected accidents : An unexpected accident can throw a character’s life into chaos. For example, what happens when a character gets into a car accident on the way to a party? How does it change their plans and their outlook on life?
• Alien encounters : What happens when a character encounters an alien? Do they become friends, or is there a battle for survival? This can be a great starting point for a science fiction story.
• Historical events : Historical events can provide a rich backdrop for a story. For example, what if a character was a spy during World War II? Or what if they were the heir to a throne during a time of political upheaval?
• Mysteries to solve : A detective story can be a great way to engage readers. What happens when a character is tasked with solving a mystery, like a missing person or a stolen artifact?
• Unusual settings : Unusual settings can provide a unique atmosphere for a story. For example, what happens when a character is stranded on a deserted beach? Or what if they’re trapped in an elevator during a tornado?
• Technology gone wrong : Technology can make our lives easier, but what happens when it goes wrong? For example, what if a character’s robots turn against them? Or what if a cure for a disease has unintended consequences?

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Remember, the best story starters are those that inspire you and make you want to keep writing. Happy storytelling!

Enhancing Writing Skills Through Story Starters

Story starters are a great way to enhance writing skills, especially for beginners who are struggling to come up with fresh and unique ideas. A good opening line can set the tone for an entire story and provide a starting point for writers to develop their style.

By using story starters, writers can practice different writing styles and experiment with different genres. This can help writers develop their own unique voice and style, which is essential for success in the writing industry.

One of the benefits of using story starters is that they can help writers overcome writer’s block. Many writers struggle with the blank page syndrome, where they stare at a blank page and struggle to come up with ideas. Story starters can provide a starting point for writers, which can help them overcome this mental block and get their creative juices flowing.

Another benefit of using story starters is that they can help writers develop their writing skills. By practicing different writing styles and experimenting with different genres, writers can improve their writing skills and develop their own unique voice and style.

Overall, story starters are a great tool for writers who are looking to enhance their writing skills and develop their own unique style. By using story starters, writers can overcome writer’s block, practice different writing styles, and develop their own unique voice.

Story Starters in Novels and Short Stories

Story starters are a great way to ignite your creativity and get your writing flowing. They can be especially helpful when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired. Story starters can be used in both novels and short stories to help you get started on your writing journey.

In novels, story starters can be used to introduce the main character or set the scene. For example, you could start your novel with a sentence like “Running was always her escape” to introduce a character who uses running as a way to cope with life’s challenges. This sentence could be the starting point for a story about someone who finds strength and solace in running.

In short stories, story starters can be used to jump right into the action. For example, you could start your short story with a sentence like “The stranger appeared out of nowhere” to immediately engage your reader and create a sense of mystery and intrigue. This sentence could be the starting point for a story about a character who is challenged to solve a mystery or overcome a difficult situation.

No matter what type of story you’re writing, using story starters can help you get past writer’s block and find inspiration. They can also help you explore new ideas and take your writing in unexpected directions.

Here are a few examples of story starters that could be used in novels or short stories:

• “She had always been up for a challenge.”
• “The fairy appeared in a puff of smoke.”
• “He had been running for hours, but he couldn’t escape his past.”

Use these story starters to kickstart your creativity and start writing today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some engaging story starters for students.

There are many engaging story starters that can help students get excited about writing. Some popular options include prompts that involve time travel, alternate universes, and magical creatures. Other engaging story starters might involve a mystery to be solved or a character who must overcome a difficult challenge.

How can I generate unique story starters using a generator?

There are many online tools that can help you generate unique story starters. These generators use algorithms to create random prompts based on certain criteria, such as genre, character types, and settings. Some popular generators include the Story Idea Generator and the Seventh Sanctum Writing Prompt Generator.

What are some age-appropriate story starters for 10 year olds?

When it comes to story starters for 10 year olds, it’s important to choose prompts that are both engaging and age-appropriate. Some popular options include prompts that involve animals, outer space, and time travel. Other age-appropriate story starters might involve a character who must overcome a fear or a difficult challenge.

What are some creepy horror story starters?

If you’re looking for creepy horror story starters, there are many options to choose from. Some popular prompts might involve a haunted house, a mysterious creature, or a cursed object. Other creepy story starters might involve a character who is being stalked or a group of people who are stranded in a remote location.

How can I help kids get started with writing using story starters?

One effective way to help kids get started with writing using story starters is to provide them with a variety of prompts to choose from. Encourage them to choose a prompt that interests them and to brainstorm ideas for their story. You can also provide them with resources such as writing worksheets and graphic organizers to help them organize their thoughts.

What are some effective sentence starters for writing stories?

Effective sentence starters can help students get started with writing and can also help them improve their writing skills. Some popular sentence starters include “Once upon a time,” “It was a dark and stormy night,” and “In a far-off land.” Other effective sentence starters might involve a character’s thoughts or feelings, such as “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing” or “My heart was racing as I approached the door.”

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49 Best Story Starter Sentences for Writers of All Ages

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Whether you’re a seasoned writer seeking fresh inspiration or a budding wordsmith eager to explore new worlds, our collection of 49 captivating story starter sentences is sure to spark your imagination and set your pen ablaze.

What are the best story starter sentences?

• In the heart of the ancient forest, a mysterious light flickered, beckoning me forward.
• The old house at the end of the street held secrets that whispered in the wind.
• As the sun dipped below the horizon, I set out on a journey that would change everything.
• The first snowflake fell softly from the sky, signaling the beginning of a magical winter.
• In a world where magic was forbidden, I discovered a hidden book of spells.
• The abandoned amusement park stood silent and eerie, waiting for someone brave enough to explore its depths.
• From the depths of the ocean, a creature emerged, its eyes glowing with ancient wisdom.
• As I stepped through the portal, I found myself in a land where time stood still.
• In the attic of my grandmother’s house, I uncovered a box filled with letters from another era.
• The stars whispered secrets to me as I lay beneath the night sky, dreaming of distant galaxies.
• In the bustling marketplace, I stumbled upon a peculiar shop filled with enchanted trinkets.
• As the clock struck midnight, the walls of the castle began to tremble with magic.
• The mysterious stranger who appeared on my doorstep held the key to a long-forgotten prophecy.
• In the heart of the desert, an oasis shimmered like a mirage, promising refuge from the scorching sun.
• As the last leaf fell from the tree, a new chapter began to unfold.
• The melody of the forgotten song echoed through the halls of the abandoned mansion.
• In the land of dreams, I found myself face to face with my greatest fears.
• The forbidden forest whispered tales of lost souls and wandering spirits.
• As the storm raged outside, I curled up with a book that transported me to another world.
• The map I found hidden in my grandfather’s study revealed a path to hidden treasure.
• In the depths of the cave, I discovered a dragon guarding a hoard of precious gems.
• The enchanted mirror showed me a glimpse of my future self, urging me to embrace my destiny.
• As I wandered through the enchanted garden, the flowers spoke to me in a language only I could understand.
• The clock tower chimed ominously as I ventured into the abandoned asylum.
• In the attic of the old bookstore, I stumbled upon a portal to another dimension.
• The mysterious symbol etched into the ancient stone held the key to unlocking its secrets.
• As the moon rose high in the sky, I set sail on a voyage to the edge of the world.
• The carnival that appeared overnight held mysteries beyond imagination.
• In the shadow of the mountain, a forgotten village lay hidden from the world.
• The whispers of the wind carried tales of lost civilizations and ancient relics.
• As I gazed into the crystal ball, I saw visions of the past, present, and future intertwining.
• The secret society I stumbled upon held the key to unraveling a centuries-old mystery.
• In the heart of the labyrinth, I found myself face to face with the Minotaur.
• The time-traveling device I invented whisked me away to a dystopian future.
• As I followed the trail of breadcrumbs through the forest, I realized I was not alone.
• The forgotten temple hidden deep in the jungle held the power to grant eternal life.
• In the land of make-believe, I embarked on a quest to rescue the lost princess.
• The ancient tome I discovered in the library contained spells beyond imagination.
• As the sun rose over the horizon, I set out on a quest to save my kingdom from darkness.
• The whispers of the ghostly apparition led me to uncover a long-buried secret.
• In the ruins of the castle, I found a portrait that bore a striking resemblance to myself.
• The mysterious island that appeared on the horizon beckoned me to explore its shores.
• As the eclipse cast its shadow over the land, strange creatures emerged from the darkness.
• The potion I brewed in my cauldron had unforeseen consequences.
• In the attic of the old mansion, I stumbled upon a chest filled with forgotten treasures.
• The melody of the music box transported me to a realm of dreams and nightmares.
• As I followed the trail of breadcrumbs through the forest, I stumbled upon a hidden cottage.
• The ancient relic I discovered in the tomb held the power to change the course of history.
• In the land of giants, I embarked on a quest to reclaim the stolen crown.

Grab your notebook, prepare to journey into the realms of fantasy, mystery, and adventure, and let these story starters ignite your imagination like never before.

Story Starters: 40+ Fun And Scary Story Prompts To Kill Writer’s Block

• July 6, 2022

Want to write a story but not sure how to start? 

Have you been staring at a blank page for hours? Or are you tearing page after page of paper with jumbled words and throwing them in the waste basket? Or do you find yourself staring blankly at your computer screen, waiting for inspiration? Has writer’s block immobilized you from starting your story’s first lines?

If so, we’ve got you covered. You can use a story starter to get you out of a rut.

This article will find over 40 story starters and creative writing prompts to help your creative juices flow.

You don’t have to follow these starters and prompts exactly – use them for inspiration more than anything. 

Of course, you can use a starter as precisely that – something to get you started – but remember that you have a unique voice and style and that, even though we can offer inspiration, whichever story you write will be uniquely yours.

Fun writing prompts

Below you will find 40 fun writing prompts and story starters. 

We’ve included categories of one-liners, dialogue , short stories , and scary short stories. Whichever you choose to use for your creative exploration, remember that you can change anything you like. 

You can combine several ideas or see one all the way through. 

You’re the author, the creator, so how you use these prompts and ideas is entirely up to you.

One-line story starters

Sometimes all you need is a solid opening line to get you started. Check out the one-liners we’ve included as story starters and use any one of them as an opening sentence for your creative writing activity.

• I didn’t get on the bus that day.
• I met my father for the first time today. 
• I finally plucked up the courage to say goodbye. 
• I packed my last bag and walked out the front door. 
• Actions speak louder than words. 
• Before I went to college, I hadn’t realized how much fun I could have on my own. 
• When I woke up, she was gone. 
• ‘Bang!’ Everything went black…
• I’ve never been fired until today.
• Always be careful what you wish for. 
• Three men stood outside the door, and boy, was I glad I locked it. 
• Jenny never knew how strong she was until her strength was tested. 
• A new teacher showed up today instead of Ms. Demonte. Mr. Cirque was a strangely familiar man, though I couldn’t place where I knew him from.
• A bet gone wrong, a dead body, and ten thousand dollars in cash. Today was not like the others…
• The lights went out; the silence was deafening. 
• We are the only ones left.
• As soon as the phone rang, I knew I was in trouble.

Dialogue story starters

Stories that start with dialogue have an advantage over others.

Opening with a character’s voice naturally creates a sense of intrigue and engages a reader because we don’t know the character yet, but we hear their voice. As such, we want to read more to find out more about who they are or the kind of situation they’ve found themselves in.

• ‘Do you love me?’ I couldn’t answer.
• ‘I’m pregnant..’
• ‘Will you marry me?’
• ‘Where have you been? I’ve been waiting all night.’
• ‘I’ve been waiting for you. Welcome.’
• ‘Hello, is this Marie? I have good news and bad news.’
• ‘How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not your girlfriend!’
• ‘Just what do you think you’re doing? I asked you to leave.’
• ‘Do you remember me from middle school?’
• ‘Good morning Sasha. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.’
• ‘I thought you meant it.’
• ‘How did you know where to find me?’
• ‘Do you know the muffin man?’

Short story ideas

Everyone loves a good short story. 

Being short, they don’t require much commitment from the reader. They’re also exciting because significant plot points, twists, and character arcs must happen in just a few pages. Something interesting or exciting is always happening or just around the corner. 

Try these short story ideas and prompts to help craft a story that your friends or family will love reading!

• You’re a detective working on a big criminal case. You go beyond your duties, are dedicated to your investigations, and are keen to crack the case open. You decide to follow the accused around from a distance without permission. One day on your self-led reconnaissance mission, someone taps you on the shoulder…
• You and your family have just moved into a new house with a big garden. Somewhat of a green thumb, you decide to make the overgrown and unkempt garden your new project. One day, as you turn the soil, you notice something unusual under the ground.
• On a train, you meet someone who looks just like you. They have the same build, your eyes are similar, and their facial structure is similar to yours. They even dress like you. Dismissing the situation, you go about your day. Later that day, you see the same person in a café. Again, you don’t do anything about it. Finally, you bump into them while shopping for groceries on your way home—this time, you have to say something.  
• You’ve ordered some clothes online. The delivery driver shows up at your house, sign, and take the package inside. Only the package looks much different from the ones in the shop where you ordered your clothes.
• As you wind down for the night and get ready for sleep, you brush your teeth, turn off the lights, and close your bedroom door. As you fall asleep, you notice the door is open. Realizing you must have forgotten to close it, you get up and ensure it’s closed. Once again, as you’re about to fall asleep, you notice that the door is open.
• James is a security guard and finishes work at 2 am every night. When walking home, he takes a shortcut through the park. On tonight’s walk home, James notices a small package sitting on a park bench. With no one around and his curiosity sparked, James investigates. Inside the package is a remote control, but nothing to control it with, and a note that reads ‘Press the red button.’
• ‘Is it safe?’ Paula asked. ‘Of course, it’s safe,’ I assured her. I didn’t know if it was safe, but I liked Paula and didn’t want her to think I wasn’t confident. Our lives might have been very different today if I had more humility.

Scary story prompts

Scary stories can be incredibly fun to write. 

They start with a spooky, frightening premise, but that’s not where the fun comes from. The real fun when writing a scary story comes from giving yourself a fright by watching the story as it unfolds on your page, with plot twists and turns that even surprise you, the writer. 

Check out some of the scary story prompts we’ve included below to give yourself chills from your own creation.

• You and your friends are happy now that it’s finally spring break. To make the best of it, you all decide to rent a house by the sea and stay for two weeks. The first few days are amazing. You party, check out the forest near the house, and light a blazing bonfire. However, after the first few days, the weather changes dramatically, and now you and your friends are stuck inside for days during a thunderstorm. All seems to be under control until you hear a loud crash and one of the people in your group is nowhere to be found.
• A young family moves into a new home in the countryside. All is well until one night; the daughter wakes up in a cold sweat after a nightmare. Soothed by her parents, she returns to sleep. The following morning, a strange old woman knocks on the door.
• You receive a call from an unknown number. You ignore it, but they call again. The third time they call, you answer. A deep voice says your name and hangs up.
• Your main character wakes up in a pool of blood, but they’re not bleeding.
• A team of astronomers notices an unusual stream of light. On closer investigation, they see tiny black dots in the stream. The black dots are approaching the earth at an alarming speed.

Writing stories is a great way to expand your mind, pass the time, or get your creative juices flowing. 

However, many of us are hesitant to put pen to paper because we anticipate the dreaded writer’s block or don’t feel like we have an interesting enough story to tell.

One of the most incredible things about creative writing is that you don’t always have to know how a story will turn out before writing it. 

Sure, novelists and long-form story writers often create an outline and several drafts for a story and have a fair idea about how the story will go. 

However, if you just want to write for fun or as a creative exercise, you don’t need to plan so meticulously.

Choose from any writing prompts or story starters above and write that down on the blank page in front of you. See where it takes you. 

You don’t have to commit to one either – if you don’t like how a story is going, feel free to start again with a different prompt or change some small detail about a given prompt to make it more exciting or easier for you to write about.

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25 Story Starters for Writing Fiction

by Melissa Donovan | May 23, 2023 | Fiction Writing Prompts | 3 comments

Get creative with these story starters.

Are you a storyteller? Do you want to be a storyteller?

If you’re interested in writing flash fiction, short stories, or novels, then you’re going to need lots of ideas, especially if you want to write professionally.

Some of us have too many ideas; others don’t have enough ideas. Maybe we have a solid idea for a story, but something’s missing. We need to spice it up by adding subplots or characters. Maybe the setting or story world isn’t rich enough. Perhaps your story lacks theme.

Story starters are a great way to get ideas for writing stories, but they can also be used to generate ideas for improving stories that are already in the works.

Story Starters

Today, I’d like to share twenty-five story starters. You can use these story starters to inspire a new story or to breathe new life into a story you’re already working on. Use them to write whatever you want — flash fiction, short stories, or a novel.

• We all know about conspiracy theorists. They believe the moon landing was a farce. Come up with a new conspiracy that theorists rally around. The public thinks they’re crazy, but are they?
• The world is run by politicians, but sometimes, ordinary people get caught up in political drama and intrigue. What happens when a bike messenger, a restaurant server, and a daycare teacher get unwillingly drawn into the affairs of state?
• Technology has developed at a splitting speed over the past century. Before we know it, every house will be equipped with a robot and a virtual reality system. But what happens when a couple of kids venture into the wrong area of the virtual reality and get stuck there?
• Witnesses to crimes can find themselves in grave danger, which is why there are protection programs for such persons. But what if the witness decided to join forces with the prime suspect? What does the witness get in exchange for false testimony that acquits a terrible criminal?
• Take a look at the world we live in. In some places, life is pretty good. But in other places, life is difficult for most people, especially where there’s a lot of inequality, poverty, and oppression. What if an oppressive culture used war or the media to spread itself around the globe? What would that look like, and would we ever overcome it?
• After a family moves into a new house, one of the kids looks for a hiding place to stash some secret belongings and discovers a panel at the back of a closet. Assuming it leads to the attic, the kid removes the panel only to find a window that looks into a world populated with magic and monsters.
• Two politicians are in a heated race to win a critical election (governor, president, etc.) and through negative campaigning have become arch enemies. But their kids go to the same college and have fallen in love. What happens when the relationship is revealed in the media?
• All the evidence in a brutal, premeditated murder points to one primary suspect, including footage from security cameras. The problem is that there’s no motive, and the alleged killer insists on his or her innocence. Who committed this heinous crime?
• While working on a more fuel-efficient space shuttle that will transport tourists to and from the moon, one engineer stumbles into a way to make faster-than-light (FTL) engines a reality.
• A stranger comes to a small town that hasn’t seen a new resident since the town’s youngest child was born sixteen years ago. The stranger rarely leaves his or her formerly abandoned home except to buy groceries and strange supplies from the local home improvement store, and the townspeople think something’s not right.
• Step back in time hundreds — or perhaps thousands — of years. The leader of a small tribe is butting heads with the tribe’s healer. Meanwhile, a powerful neighboring tribe is infiltrating their territory.
• Inspired by Jurassic Park , a biological engineer is committed to recreating dinosaurs. While researching ancient dinosaurs, the scientist stumbles into evidence that fire-breathing dragons once soared over the land and decides to recreate those instead.
• While representing an accused killer, the attorney falls in love with the client, partially because he or she believes the accused is innocent.
• Teenagers love to rebel and experiment. But what happens when one teenager’s antics end up on video and go viral? Bullying and humiliation ensue.
• After working hard for decades, the main character has finally managed to retire and purchase a condo on a small, tropical island, where he or she intends to write a novel. But strange things start happening — things go missing, there are creepy noises, and our character feels like he or she is constantly being watched.
• For centuries, humans have wondered if we are alone in the universe. The answer finally comes when aliens arrive. But it’s a time when tensions are high between the nations of Earth. Will humanity unite, or will some nations form an alliance with the aliens?
• A young couple believes their fairy tale has finally come true and they will live happily ever after. They are recently married, have good jobs, just bought a home, and there’s a baby on the way. But the fairy tale seems to unravel as secrets and lies begin to surface.
• When a foreign operative embedded in the CIA disappears with loads of government secrets, all hell breaks loose. But is this operative truly a foreign spy, or is it a citizen intent on blowing the cover off of government corruption?
• A mid-sized tourist plane crashes on a remote deserted island, killing all but a handful of survivors. Rescue is on the way until a devastating storm arises, barring access to the island. Now these urbanites must learn to live off the land and with each other.
• After serving a ten-year sentence for a heinous crime she didn’t commit, a former college student gets a new identity and becomes a private investigator intent on exonerating herself.
• A group of teenagers spends a summer day on a scavenger hunt in the woods just outside of town. When they reconvene to name the winner of the hunt, one of them doesn’t show up and cannot be found.
• When a kid finds out both parents are out of work and the family might have to move in with the grandparents, he or she decides to solve the problem by starting the modern version of a lemonade stand — an online enterprise.
• One couple’s nasty divorce leaves their two young children in the custody of their grandparents. Will the couple put aside their differences to get their children back?
• Dreams come true when a foster child is finally adopted. But the child’s new family is filled with secrets, and he or she begins to suspect that it wasn’t a chance adoption after all.
• The main character receives a strange inheritance from an unknown deceased relative: a key ring with no keys on it. Unusual events occur whenever the key ring is present.

Have you ever used story starters or writing prompts? Where do you find inspiration for writing fiction? Share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment, and keep writing.

I’ve never used story prompts, but some of these might give me inspiration to try some.

I always thought needing prompts to write a story was lame. I recently enrolled in a creative writing course and now sing the praises of writing prompts. They can really help out when you are learning the craft or just plain stuck. Some of the prompts here are pretty interesting, I may have to use a few of them.

I’m glad you came around on using prompts. They can be a lot of fun.

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