The Fiction Collection
This collection doesn’t need much of an introduction from me… These are brilliant images to inspire brilliantly creative writing.
The questions are included because ‘reading and writing float on a sea of talk’ (Britton, 1983) – the quality ideas, language and structures come from a rich discussion of the picture and the possibilities for writing.
This sheet is a good starting point for generating ideas: See think wonder , and this one is great for collecting and developing vocabulary: Vocabulary builder .
Credit: Tim O’Brien
- What can you see? What do you think? What do you wonder? Discuss and/or record your ideas here: See think wonder .
- Who – or what – smashed the glass?
- Was the frog there before, or did it enter the frame afterwards?
- Why are there water droplets inside the frame?
- Who holds the key?
- Why is there a tag reading ‘Prince’?
- Is the frog a prince?
- Why is the title ‘ A Prince’? Why not ‘ The Prince’? What’s the difference? (Y3 grammar link)
- Does this remind you of any stories you know? How is it similar/different?
- Write this story – choose your perspective, style and structure. Do you want your story to feel like a fairy tale? How will you make yours stand out?
Credit: Erik Johansson
- What is happening here?
- What was the girl doing before this? How do you know?
- Why are the ants angry?
- Did she fall over or get pulled over by the ants?
- What is she saying? What is she thinking? How is she feeling?
- Does anyone know that she’s there?
- What do you think is going to happen?
- Write a short narrative of this event. Try to create tension through your sentence and language choices. Choose what you want your reader to feel and check that you have achieved this by reading your writing to someone else. [Or, better still, comment it here and I’ll respond!]
- Slow writing challenge (to support with/extend the above task): You can only write 9 sentences. You can use 2 long, 4 medium and 3 short sentences. Which order will you use them in? Experiment with the different sentence lengths and structures. Once you have written a piece that you’re proud of, explain your sentence choices and the effect you wanted them to have. Find this challenge and examples here: Angry Ants slow writing .
INVISIBLE MAN
Credit: Franco Matticchio
- What can you see?
- Who is the Invisible Man? Why is he invisible?
- Why is he carrying someone in his briefcase? Who is that? How did he get there? Is he trying to get out? Does the Invisible Man know that he’s there?
- Where is he going?
- Tell this story.
THE SUMMONER
Credit: Jakub Rozalski
- What can you see? Look closer.
- What/who is the figure in the mist?
- How did it get there?
- What does it do?
- Are there more of them?
- Who is the person standing on the cliff top?
- What are they doing?
- What is their story?
- Share the title & meaning of ‘summon’ – who is ‘The Summoner’? How do you know?
- Where do you think this could be?
KEEPER OF THE KEYS
Credit: Lena Gnedkova
- Who is the person? Are they the ‘keeper of the keys’? Give evidence to support your opinions. Have they always been the keeper of the keys? How did they become this? Do you need to have certain qualities or qualifications to be the keeper? Is it a good thing? How does this person feel about being keeper of the keys?
- Why is this person wearing one key around their neck?
- Why are there keys hanging from this branch? Why is the branch connecting two trees? How?
- Why are the keys glowing? What do the white lines on the branches and the ground represent?
- Where is this place? Is it special? Do the keys have to be kept here? Why?
- Does anyone else come here?
- How does the ‘keeper of the keys’ get these keys? Why do the keys need to be ‘kept’?
- What is each key for? Choose a key and tell its story.
POST-APOCALYPTIC NYC
Credit: Henrik Evensen
- Describe this setting. Try to use new and adventurous vocabulary e.g. decay, desolation, vacant, shrouded in fine dust, smog, splintered metal, deafening silence…
- An apocalypse is a great disaster; an event involving destruction or damage on a catastrophic scale. What happened here? What caused the destruction of New York City? When did it happen?
- Is it only NYC, or does it go further? (Locate NYC on a map, discuss the cause and how far it would spread.)
- Who is the person? Are they riding a horse? Where did they come from? How did they survive? Is that the only survivor?
THE STORY OF THE GIANTS
© Shaun Tan ‘The Arrival’ Lothian Books/Hachette Australia
- Who are the giants?
- Where did they come from?
- What are they doing? Why?
- Why are the people running away?
- Why do the giants need lights in their helmets? Why are they wearing helmets and overalls?
- How do you feel towards them? Why do you think this is?
- Tell ‘The Story of The Giants’. What kind of story will it be? How will it end?
YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT
Credit: Tyler Carter
- Who are the people?
- Where is this?
- Where did the T-Rex come from?
- What are the characters thinking?
- What do you think will happen next?
- What do the tentacles belong to?
- How do the man and the dog feel about it? How do you know?
- Was the man expecting to see this behind the door?
- Who opened the door?
- What will happen next?
- Tell this story. What form will your story take? (Could you wr
CAPTAIN NEMO
Credit: Burda
- Who is onboard the ship?
- Who is Captain Nemo?
- Where did the robot come from?
- What is it doing?
- Why is it in the water? Will the water damage it?
- How would you feel if you were on the ship?
OLD MAN OF THE WOODS
Credit: Matt Dixon
- What is the ogre doing? Why?
- Why is there a glowing light over the flower? Where is it coming from?
- What do you think is in the pouches on the ogre’s bag strap?
- Why were the children in the woods?
- Does he know that they are watching him?
- Do the children want him to know that they’re there?
- Does this remind you of any other stories you know? Why? What’s similar and what’s different?
- Write this story in the style of a fairytale. Who will be your main character/protagonist(s)?
- Are ogres normally good or bad characters? Find as many examples as possible before you draw any conclusions.
MOON GARDEN
Credit: Jen Betton
- What is the boy doing?
- Who are the other people in the background?
- Where are they?
- What time of day is it? How do you know?
- Why are the people all here so late?
- Why does one man have his arm in the air? Why does a woman have her hand to her face? What might they be saying?
- Can you tell anything about how the boy is feeling?
- What is he going to do with the flower?
- Why is the picture called ‘Moon Garden’?
- After discussing and exploring the picture, share the following two and use them to tell the story.
AFTERNOON STROLL
Credit: Matt Dixon
- Who is the person?
- Where are they going?
- What are they carrying?
- Do they know what’s behind them?
- Describe the creature behind them. [Look at the eyes, the fangs, the scales…] What is it? Where did it come from? Was it there all along?
- What is it going to do?
- Describe the moment when the person realises that there is something behind them – try to build the atmosphere and make the reader feel tense. How do they find out? [rumbling? growling? a single rock bouncing across their path?] How will they react?
- Tell this story. What structure will your story take? When does this scene happen?
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE THE NIGHT
Credit: Borda
- Describe the trees. Can you use a simile/metaphor/personification?
- What animals might you find here?
- Who do you think took this photograph? Why are the trees all around and above them?
- Why isn’t there any colour in this photograph?
- How does this image make you feel?
- What kind of story would this setting suit? Why?
- Write a spooky story using this setting; use the title of the image as the title for your story.
- Write a fairy tale using this setting.
- Write from the perspective of one of the trees.
DRAGON HUNTER
Credit: Ryan Lang
- Who is this?
- Why do they have a sword?
- Where did the dragon come from?
- What kind of dragon is it?
- Why are there skeletons on the ground?
- How is the person feeling?
- Write your own myth or legend inspired by this picture.
Credit: Jungho Le
- Who is the old lady?
- What is she doing?
- What is the shadow? Why isn’t it the same silhouette as her?
- How does she feel as she’s looking at this shadow? What might she be remembering?
- Why is it in a book?
- Why did Jungho Le call this picture ‘Fall’?
- What world events has she lived through?
- What changes has she seen?
- What was her childhood like?
- Is she alone now? Has she always been alone? Was she ever married? Did she have children?
- What are her favourite memories?
- What’s her personality like? How will you show this through the writing?
- How might you structure your story?
LIGHTHOUSE TOWN
- What happened here?
- Why are the buildings under water?
- Why are the lights still on in the buildings?
- Who is the person on the street below? What are they doing there?
- Why did they build a lighthouse in the middle of a town?
- Why is the girl standing on top of the lighthouse?
- What is the ‘break’ in the sky?
- Tell the story of the Lighthouse Town.
70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing (with Free Slides)
Share this post!
Visual writing prompts help young writers generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block. We’ve put together 70 picture prompts for creative writing that you can use in your writing centers or lesson plans to get your students’ creative juices flowing.
Picture Writing Prompts for All Ages
Writers of all ages and experience levels can get stuck thinking about what to write. Writer’s block is not just a challenge for reluctant writers. Even professional writers have days when they feel less than inspired.
Visual prompts can result in a vast array of story ideas. A single image viewed by ten writers will result in ten completely different stories. Even if you use verbal cues to get students thinking about the picture, each student will still write a unique response to the image.
Visual creative writing prompts are fantastic for elementary school because younger students often relate more to a pictorial prompt than a written one, but don’t shy away from using these with high school and middle school students as well. Pictures make a fun alternative to your typical writing prompts and story starters and can help shake up your regular routine.
How to Use Picture Prompts for Creative Writing
There’s no limit to the ways you can use writing prompts. Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate image prompts into your weekly lesson plans .
- Writing Center. Print cards or writing pages with these images on them and put them in a writing center for your students to discover at their own pace.
- Specific Skills. Use story picture prompts to help kids work on specific writing skills. For example, you could work on descriptive writing by having them describe the setting of the picture in detail. Or you could work on character development by having them make up a history for a person in a picture.
- Warm-up Activity: You could pop the pictures into Google slides and project an image on a screen or whiteboard for the first fifteen minutes of class and have students work on a short story as soon as they enter the class.
No matter how you decide to use them—whether at home or in the classroom—photographic writing prompts are a great way to cultivate a daily writing habit and encourage kids to explore new topics.
70 Pictures for Writing Prompts
We’ve selected 70 of the most interesting pictures we could find for this exercise. When choosing photos for writing prompts, we look for high-quality photos with intriguing subject matter, but we try to go beyond that. We want to share images that suggest a story, that make the viewer ask questions and wonder why things are the way they are.
We want to feel propelled to explore questions like, What happened before the photo that led to this moment? What are we witnessing in this photo? What’s about to happen?
A photo doesn’t make much of a story starter if it doesn’t suggest that there might be a bigger picture lurking beneath the surface.
We hope you and your students love these picture prompts for creative writing as much as we do. If you love them, go ahead and scroll to the bottom to grab your own copy.
We’ve included a couple of questions with each picture that you could use to spark pre-writing conversations in your classroom, which can be helpful when working with younger students who might need a little more direction.
Sign Up for Your FREE Picture Writing Prompt Slides
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
Whose cat is this? What is he looking at? Where is he?
What is the owl thinking about? Is he alone? What does he hope to eat for dinner?
Who are these frogs? What is their relationship with each other? Why are they taking photos?
How did the dog get a phone? Why is he taking selfies? What is he doing with the pictures he takes?
This cat doesn’t look too happy. What’s bugging him? Did he get too many phone calls or is he waiting on an important call that’s taking too long to come?
What do these chicks think of the dog? What does the dog think of the chicks? Do you think they can communicate with each other? If so, what would they say?
Where do these lemurs live? What are they looking at? What is something unusual that might happen to them?
What is this fox doing? Is he yawning and stretching or is he trying to scare someone away? What kind of mischief does he like to get up to?
Is this wolf alone? If not, who is with him? What is he planning to do? Does he have a family to feed or protect?
What is this child doing on the laptop? Can he actually read and type or is he just playing? If he can read and type, how did he learn that at such a young age? What other cool things can he do?
Where is this woman? Is she lost? How did she get to this street? What interesting things might she discover as she explores this new city?
Why is the dog wearing glasses? Can he see through them? What are he and the girl doing? How does he feel about it?
Who are these two little boys? What is their relationship with each other? What is the teddy bear’s story?
Who are these children? Why are they running? Is it a race or are they playing a game? Who’s going to win?
Whose horse is this? Does the little boy own it or does he just visit it? Can the horse talk? How does the boy feel when he’s with the horse?
What is this boy reading? Does the book have magical powers? Does the boy? Do the stories in the book become real or does something else special happen?
Where is this man? How did he get there? What is he looking for?
Who is walking over the bridge? What’s on the other side? Is it worth the risk?
What are these people doing on the elephant? Where are they? Are they tourists or is the elephant their pet? What would life with an elephant be like?
Who made this map? It looks old. Has it been hidden away for a long time? Who discovered it and how? What does it lead to?
Whose typewriter is this? What important or secretive thing might they be working on? What could happen if the wrong person finds their work?
Who are these three stuffed animals? Are they living? What is their story?
Whose ukulele is this? Why did they leave it here? Who might find it?
Where is the owner of the bike? Where does this path lead? What if the bike’s not there when the owner returns?
Whose shoes are these? Why did they leave them here? Why are they so dirty?
Who was reading the newspaper? What was the most interesting thing they read? Where have they disappeared to?
Who put this sign on the old truck? What do you think of it? How did the truck end up in its current condition and location?
Who set the table? Who are they expecting? What special occasion are they celebrating? What could go wrong?
Whose birthday cake is this? Are they having a party? Who is there? Who did they want to have there that didn’t show up?
Who lives here? How do they access their home? What is their life like?
Who built the igloo? Where is it? How does it feel to spend the night inside it?
What is the history of this castle? Who lives in it now? Does it have any special or magical features?
Is this barn abandoned or do people live on the property? What kind of animals might live here? How do they keep themselves entertained?
What is it like living on a houseboat? What kind of community do you think forms among the neighbors? Imagine you live on one of these boats and think about how your daily life might change. What interesting things could you do if you lived here? What would you miss the most?
Where is this hut? Who lives here? What mystery might unfold if a stranger came knocking at their door?
What is this lighthouse called? Who runs it? How often do they leave? What is the most memorable experience they’ve had as a lighthouse operator?
How did this house get here? Does anyone live in it? What would life be like here?
Where is this festive street? Are the people there celebrating something? Where is everybody?
Who lives here? How did they build this house? Are they hiding from something? What does it look like inside?
Whose notebook is this? Why did they leave it here? What’s written in it and how might it change the life of the person who finds it?
What are these women doing? What are they supposed to be doing? Will they be in trouble if they get caught?
Who might be represented in this statue? Why is she being pulled by lions? What amazing things might she have done to deserve a statue in this prominent place?
Where is this? Who is riding in the hot air balloons? Where are they going and why?
How old is this tree? Where is it? What are some of the most fascinating stories it could tell?
Where is this carousel? Who is riding it? Can you think of a special or strange story about how it came to exist in this particular place?
What are these people thinking about? What’s at stake for them? What happens if one of them sneezes?
Where are these penguins? What are they talking about? Which one of them is the leader?
What is this place? Was it designed to be open like this or was it once part of someone’s home or a public building? How have people’s opinions of this place changed over time?
Who are these kids? Is this what they’re supposed to be doing? What happens when their teacher sees them?
Who is supposed to ride in this boat? Where are they going? Will they make it there?
Is this plane special to someone? What did they have to do to get it/build it? Where will they fly to in it?
Who decorated this train car? Which passengers will fill it up? What will they talk about?
Whose skis are these? Why are they sticking out of the snow? How did their owner get down the mountain without them?
Where does this gondola go? Who rides it? How does it feel to ride it?
Who’s driving the monster truck? Why is it at the beach? What is it going to crush? Who is watching?
Where is the boat going? Who is on it? What is their mission?
What city is the helicopter flying over? Why? Is the driver looking for something specific or do they have a special delivery?
What’s the little boy doing in the boat? Is he alone or is someone with him? Where is he trying to go?
Who is in the sub? What’s it like inside? What are they doing?
Whose book is this? What’s it about? What’s happening to it?
How did that piece of land with the house on it break off from the rest of the world? Why? Where is it going? Is anyone in the house?
Who is this girl? Where is she? Who is she shooting at?
Where does this scene take place? Is the lizard/dragon good or bad? What is its relationship with the girl?
What do these books represent? What kind of world is this? What (or who) is inside the books?
What are these dinosaurs discussing? Where are they? What do they do for fun?
Whose cottage is this? Do they still live there? If not, where have they gone? If so, what do they do there?
What is the moth thinking about? Is it alone? What’s the biggest challenge it faces in this moment?
Who is the owl looking at? Has it read these books? What is its greatest talent?
Where are these trees? Why are they pink? Do they have any special powers or features?
What do you think? Which kind of pictures do you like best for creative writing prompts ? Let us know in the comments.
Tuesday 5th of March 2024
I LOVE these! My daughter has always struggled with written story prompts and an internet search this week convinced me of the value of picture prompts for reluctant readers/writers (https://youcanjournal.com/journal-picture-prompts/ if you're interested!). I'll definitely be using these to help improve her writing skills. Thanks so much!
Tuesday 26th of December 2023
I think the idea of using picture prompts is a great idea. It initiates oral language thus building vocabulary. It allows lends itself to students working in small groups to stimulate new ideas. The prompts engage the students and gives the teacher the opportunity to focus on specific writing skills.
luke elford
Wednesday 13th of December 2023
cloey mckay
Tuesday 17th of October 2023
I tried this with myself and my 6th-grade students, and they love it. it gives room for so much creativity.
Nayyar Abbas
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
This is very good idea and it really works, viewing these one try to think one's own way that what these pictures are telling or asking? I also recommend that this idea should also be given to the students for building their creative instinct.
Privacy Overview
- Grades 6-12
- School Leaders
Free end-of-year letter templates to your students 📝!
150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides)
Use a picture to write a thousand words!
Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can’t come up with anything to write about. That’s why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match. We rounded up a whole collection of intriguing images for use with kids in grades K-12 along. Plus we designed a set of free Google Slides featuring all of the prompts so you can easily share them with students.
Tip: Start by showing students the picture (or let them choose from among several) without making any comment about what they’re seeing. For kids who still struggle to get started, suggest a potential title or opening sentence, like the examples included here.
Don’t miss our free downloadable. Grab your full set of ready-to-go Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all of the prompts below.
Elementary Picture Writing Prompts
Middle school picture writing prompts, high school picture writing prompts, art picture writing prompts.
When kids first see these picture writing prompts, they may or may not immediately feel inspired. If they need some help, ask them questions like “What led up to this moment?” or “What’s going to happen next?”
When Larry fell in love, he fell hard.
When the new sign appeared on Main Street, everyone in town wondered exactly what it meant.
Snowy Footprints
After that crazy day, all that was left to show for it was footprints in the snow.
Dinosaur Bones
“Come with me if you want to live!” Ash said, reaching out a hand.
Undersea Treasure
For years, no one saw the locked treasure chest but the local fish, who wondered what it could contain.
A Game of Fetch
To Scout, it was a game, but to Mr. Freezy, it was much more.
Ladybug Gossip
The ladybug’s picnic was an excellent chance to meet up with old friends and hear all the latest gossip.
We met them when they peeked into our window, watching us as we ate lunch and watched cartoons.
King of the Jungle
It wasn’t the crown that made Amari the king of all he surveyed.
The Final Pitch
It all came down to this—the final pitch in a game that was tied 2-2.
Doggie Massage
Every dog in the neighborhood knew that Rocky gave the best massages and was always willing to lend an ear too.
Skateboard Life
When Charli got her first skateboard, she made herself a promise.
Garden of the Past
The woman walked in the garden every day, never saying a word.
Sunset Friends
They met on the jungle gym every day at sunset, sharing everything about their days.
Pink Umbrellas
When the pink umbrellas first appeared, Toni thought they might be magic.
Firefly Forest
Olivia was surprised to discover that the fireflies didn’t just glow, they also sang.
Robot Spider
When it first crawled ashore, the mechanical spider moved slowly.
Fallen House
Staring at their house, which was now on its side, the whole family was in shock.
Red Riding Hood
If only she’d been riding her faithful steed the day she’d met the Big Bad Wolf, things might have been very different.
Kangaroo Fall
“Well, this is embarrassing,” thought Bouncer, as laughter filled the air around him.
Daci’s big brother said her signs wouldn’t help them find their runaway cat, but he was wrong.
Penguin Bookshop
A visit to Mr. Pickerel’s Penguin Bookshop is always an adventure.
Of all the eggs in the carton, Ella was the one who could always crack you up.
That was the year Min was finally tall enough to ride the Sky Swings, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Rubber Duck Parade
It was truly an honor to be asked to lead the Spring Duck Parade.
Teddy Story Time
Every afternoon, the three friends gathered for story time in their favorite spot in the woods.
Underwater School
Nia thought going to school underwater would be exciting, but some days she really missed going outside for recess.
The day Amos started his journey down the river, the sun was shining brightly.
Turtle Trouble
“None shall pass,” growled the old sea turtle, blocking the way.
Dinosaur Race
Pia was supposed to keep Balthazar on a leash, but once they reached the forest, she set him free and they both began to run.
Finally Seeing Eye to Eye
“So, we meet at last, face to face,” Lord Squeakerton said to his enemy, the Count of Catnip.
It takes a lot to surprise a monkey, but you don’t see something like this every day.
Not Coming Out
The day started out normally enough, but by the end, Chris knew he was in over his head.
Life on Other Planets
“Hurry up,” Grnklor told his robopup. “We have to get back inside before nightfall.”
Reindeer Games
The wind had died down, but the setting sun seemed to take all the warmth of the day with it.
Something to Celebrate
Their classmates could hear their shouts of joy from all the way down the hall.
Home Sweet Mushroom
When the fairies that lived in the garden invited her to stay with them for awhile, Maria wasn’t sure what to expect.
Loch Ness Mystery
“There it is! I told you Nessie is real!” Angus whispered to Lee.
Lonely Bear
It was hard to say who was lonelier that night, Amil or his lost stuffed bear, Jasper.
Sometimes You Lose
When his team lost the championship, Miguel was crushed, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.
Middle school writing prompts can be a little more complex, with pictures that have a lot of potential interpretations. Encourage students to delve deeper into the story by describing how the characters feel and why they behave the way they do.
Morgan was incredibly proud of those shoes, paid for entirely with money from after-school jobs.
Never Lose Hope
With his last bit of energy, Kai scrawled his message in the wet paint.
The keyboard button could only be used once, and no one knew exactly what happened when you pressed it.
Piano Lessons
Before she could even speak, Arya was drawn to the black and white keys.
There was no doubt about it, this was was indeed a very special kind of garden.
No matter how you looked at it, it had been a very rough day to be the Easter Bunny.
Empty Chairs
By sunset, all four chairs were empty, and the only signs of life were the gulls swooping down from above.
Floating Treasure
To the birds, it was simply a convenient place to land, but Ali and I knew it was much more than that.
Shadow Question
That was the day they discovered that just because you were invisible didn’t mean your shadow was.
Letter and Key
The day she turned 12, Vivi’s aunt handed her an envelope containing the family secret.
Space Target
Onyx paused, knowing that once their arrow hit the target, there was no knowing what would happen.
Mermaid Mystery
It was a mermaid—or was it?
World on a String
Her dad had promised to give her the world, but she wasn’t expecting three more planets as well.
Bee Standoff
“This flower ain’t big enough for the both of us!” said Bianca.
Solitary Seat
For as long as anyone could remember, Angus McGee spent his evenings in the same chair next to the woodstove.
Best Friends
When you decide to run away from home forever, you can’t possibly leave your best friend behind.
Dinosaur Demise
In retrospect, setting the time machine to randomly choose a day and time in the past might not have been such a good idea.
Magic Lamps
“Choose wisely,” said the old shopkeeper, “for only one of these lamps is truly magic.”
Message in a Bottle
The message floated at sea for more than 50 years before the day we found it on the beach.
Barrel Boat
Of all the ways to impress someone, Jonah thought to himself, this had to be one of the most ridiculous.
Dragon Guardian
When your parents give you your own dragon guardian, your childhood is bound to be enchanted.
Octopus’s Garden
Wouldn’t you like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade?
Around the Corner
After finally pressing “send,” she couldn’t resist peeking around the corner to watch him read the text.
Beam Me Up!
Milo’s earliest memory was of watching his beloved tricycle float into the sky above him, caught in a beam of light.
Poison Apple
To join the club, all Aaron had to do was creep up and snatch the apple from the skeleton’s hand without being seen.
Giraffe Council
“It is now 3 p.m., and I call this meeting of the Mighty Council of Giraffes to order,” announced Imari.
Mystery Creature
At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the little creature was friend or foe.
As the sky turned orange, Keisha ran faster than ever and used the last of her energy to push off and soar over the water below.
The End of Days
Despite their best efforts, they arrived too late—the battle had already begun.
Out of the Book
“Happily ever after” was about to take on a whole new meaning.
Stopped Clock
I was sure that the time on the broken clock was the clue to solving the mystery.
Dueling Webs
It’s never a good idea to build your web too close to another spider’s, but this time I had no choice.
Do Shoes Grow on Trees?
The day I threw my own shoes into the tree was the day I really started to grow up.
Abstract Art
“So,” asked their art teacher, “what do you think this painting means?”
Wandering Robots
Everything about NB-317 was made of cardboard except his heart—that was made of flesh and blood and very capable of being broken.
Dream Come True
It all started when Quinn watched her favorite movie the night before they assigned partners for the eighth grade science fair project.
Mysterious Cave
The cave was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, and what was more, it almost seemed like the rock was alive.
Storm at Sea
As the rain lashed his face and lightning tore apart the sky, Kiran had to admit he’d always thought it would be a lot more fun being a pirate.
Grasshopper Close-Up
That’s when Javed realized it wasn’t that the grasshopper was too big—it was that he was suddenly very, very small.
UFO Parking
“Well, that’s convenient,” Javdok remarked to Qabow when they saw the sign.
High school writers are ready to dig deep, exploring character development and detailed plots. These pictures offer a jumping-off point to set their imaginations free.
Cyborg Girl
When she was 14, Tasha’s parents finally told her the truth about what she really was.
BBQ Cookout
“So, I’m guessing no one told you I’m a vegetarian?” asked Sadie with a smile.
The latest app was like a time machine, allowing people to look back in time, but it also had a dark side.
She was surrounded by people but never felt more alone.
Hippo Troubles
Like all parents, hippos sometimes really need a break from their kids.
iPad Farmer
Grandpa Jack never failed to surprise us.
Marching Band Blues
Kaleel sat sadly on the bench, watching the rest of the band march away in jaunty time to the music.
Never-Ending Tunnel
The tunnel seemed to stretch to infinity, but Jayma knew what was at the end, and it terrified her.
Carving Out Love
For years, we wondered who “WP” was, and who it was who loved them so much they carved it into a tree for all to see.
Glowing Globe
Just then, the globe began to glow, and Jaxson knew he was about to leap through space and time once again—destination unknown.
See No Evil
It seemed like a funny joke to pose the skeletons in front of old Mrs. Petoski’s house, but then she turned up dead, and the police said it was murder.
Upside Down
It’s an odd feeling to wake up one morning and find yourself able to walk on the ceiling.
Face at the Fence
So much depended on which side of the fence you were on.
Bicycle Race
Finley had trained too hard for this race to come in third—it just wasn’t good enough.
Family Travels
In the picture, my grandmother’s expression is hard to interpret, but she’s told me the story many times.
Laundromat Antics
Dani never expected to meet her first love feet first.
Molly’s mom probably didn’t mean for her to be the one to find the note, but that’s how things turned out.
Through the Storm
Javier knew it would have been smarter to stay put, but he had to make sure his mom was safe before the worst of the storm arrived.
Lifetime Friends
They’d been friends for as long as they could remember—even longer, in fact.
Stray Kitten
“I am NOT taking you home with me,” Kai told the tiny mewling kitten firmly.
Abandoned Greenhouse
Willow was free to leave at any time, but she couldn’t make herself go.
Amani’s earliest memory was razor wire—miles and miles of it.
Church Graveyard
Everyone feels differently in a graveyard, but for me, they’re very peaceful places.
Orb of Death
“Do you really want to know?” Death asked. “Because once you know, you won’t be able to forget.”
Missed Shot
Steve was sure his shot would make it, but it bounced off the rim just as the buzzer rang to end the game.
First Contact
This was it—the moment that would change what it meant to be human forever.
One Life To Live
His face said his life had been a hard one, but his eyes told a different tale.
Winter Walk
Snow fell, creating a blank canvas to record the story of that fateful walk.
Train to Nowhere
It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious way to travel, but then again, no one really wanted to make this trip in the first place.
Modern Mary Poppins
She dropped into our lives on a gray day in midwinter, a hint of the spring that was to come.
All That Remains
Dust motes filled the air of the abandoned hallway, replacing the voices once heard there.
From the day he found the little creature, Luis refused to go anywhere without him.
The Question
Their happily ever after began quietly, with a bouquet of wildflowers.
Night Lights
Misty rain both blurred and emphasized the lights that lit Suri’s way home that evening.
Forest of Fear
At first, Mateo thought it was a joke, but the screams that followed told him there was nothing remotely funny about it.
At the elite level, being a spy meant serious commitments.
The Yellow Door
On their 14th birthday, every resident of Fresnia was required to stand before the Wall of Doors and make a choice.
Graffiti Palace
To strangers, it seemed random, but every mark on those walls had deep meaning for us.
Fossil Fish
Millions of years ago, the fish gave one final flop before lying still in the deep mud.
On the Rails
Aliyah stood on the tracks, uncertain of where to go next.
These picture prompts are all works of art, some more well known than others. Try providing them to students without sharing the titles first, then offer up the titles if they need some help getting started.
The Dance Class (Edgar Degas)
Greek Funerary Plaque (520-510 BCE)
Washington Crossing the Delaware (Emanuel Leutze)
Kyōsai’s Pictures of One Hundred Demons
First Steps, After Millet (Vincent van Gogh)
Lady Lilith (Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)
After the Hurricane, Bahamas (Winslow Homer)
Drawing Lots for Prizes (Kitagawa Utamaro)
Portions of Field Armor (Jacob Halder)
Sadie Pfeifer, a Cotton Mill Spinner (Lewis Wickes Hine)
Still Life With Monkey, Fruits, and Flowers (Jean Baptiste Oudry)
Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century Byzantine
The Three Skulls (Paul Cézanne)
The Madame B Album (Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier)
Coiled Trumpet in the Form of a Snarling Feline Face (c. 100 BCE to 500 CE)
Crazy Quilt With Animals (Florence Elizabeth Marvin)
Storytime (Eugenio Zampighi)
Cubist Village (Georges Gaudion)
Zig-Zag Passenger and Freight Train (Unknown)
The Power of Music (William Sidney Mount)
The Large Tree (Paul Gauguin)
After the Bath (Mary Cassatt)
Wedding Gown (Korea, Late 1800s)
The Contemplator (Eugène Carrière)
The Girl I Left Behind Me (Eastman Johnson)
24c Curtiss Jenny Invert Single
Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model
Wrecked Zeppelin (British Library)
Skeleton (Tales of Terror Frontispiece)
Get Your Free Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides
Just click the button below to fill out the form and get instant access to free downloadable Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all the prompts included above.
How do you use picture writing prompts in your classroom? Come share ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .
You Might Also Like
13 Unexpected and Fun Geography Lessons To Enhance Your Curriculum
Students can travel across the globe without leaving the classroom! Continue Reading
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Picture Prompts for Writing: Transforming Ideas into Stories
By: Author Paul Jenkins
Posted on August 22, 2023
Categories Writing
You’re staring at a blank page, the cursor blinking mockingly. Writer’s block has struck again. But wait! Have you tried using picture prompts?
They’re not just for kids, you know. Visual stimuli can unlock your creativity, transporting you to places and situations you’d never dream of.
Let’s delve into the world of picture prompts together and banish that pesky writer’s block once and for all!
Key Takeaways
- Picture prompts enhance creative writing skills
- Visual imagery enhances the appeal and engagement of narratives
- Prompt interpretation is crucial for unique and valid stories
- Visual literacy stimulates imagination and evokes emotions
Understanding the Concept of Picture Prompts
You’ll find that understanding the concept of picture prompts can significantly enhance your creative writing skills.
Picture prompts aren’t just random images, they’re doorways into new worlds awaiting your words to come alive. They provide visual stimulation that sparks your creativity and imagination.
Prompt interpretation plays a crucial role here. You might see a photo of a single leaf floating on water; someone else sees an epic journey of survival against storms. That’s the beauty – each picture is open to countless interpretations, all unique, all valid.
The Power of Visual Imagery in Writing
Incorporating visual imagery in your narrative can significantly enhance its overall appeal and engagement. Imagine being able to transport your readers into the heart of your story, where they could feel the heat of a desert sun or taste the saltiness of a sea breeze.
That’s the power of visual literacy.
Visual literacy isn’t just about painting a vivid picture; it’s about stimulating imagination, evoking emotions, and creating an immersive experience. It’s like you’re handing your readers a magic carpet that takes them on an unforgettable journey through your words.
The Role of Picture Prompts in Creative Writing
Using images as a creative tool, you’re able to spark your imagination and add depth to your storytelling. Picture prompts invite you into a world of visual literacy, where every detail whispers a tale waiting to be told.
You’re not just writing; you’re painting with words.
But beware the prompt limitations! They’re there to challenge you, not confine you. Don’t let them stifle your creativity but use them to fuel it instead.
The sun-dappled forest in the photo isn’t merely green and brown; it’s an emerald mystery veined with chocolate shadows. The woman’s smile isn’t simply happy; it’s a radiant sonnet spun from joy.
How to Effectively Use Picture Prompts
To make the most out of these visual cues, it’s important that you’re open to interpreting them in different ways. Picture prompts aren’t mere images; they’re rich tapestries woven with countless stories waiting for your unique spin.
They can be powerful visual inspiration sources, sparking creativity that words alone can’t ignite.
Your prompt selection process plays a pivotal role here. It’s crucial not just to pick a visually appealing image but to choose one that stirs something within you. Maybe it’s an old sepia-toned photograph whispering tales of yesteryears or perhaps a vibrant graffiti wall screaming rebellion and freedom.
Tips to Choose the Right Picture Prompt
You’ll find it’s easier to weave compelling narratives when you select images that personally resonate with you. Prompt selection is like picking the perfect ingredients for a scrumptious recipe; each choice matters, stirring your creative juices.
An image of an abandoned castle might bring forth tales of historical drama, while a snapshot of a teardrop on a leaf could evoke powerful emotions and metaphors.
Imagery interpretation plays a significant role too. Let your mind roam free, see beyond what’s presented, uncover hidden narratives within each frame. Is it just an old tree or perhaps a secret doorway to another realm?
You’re the artist here; allow the picture prompts to be your canvas, unveiling stories that were waiting in their silent corners.
Developing Story Ideas From Picture Prompts
Once you’ve chosen an image that sparks interest, it’s time to delve into the process of crafting a captivating story from your visual inspiration. Let the magic unfold as you immerse yourself in capturing narratives.
Picture the scene, feel the emotions, hear the dialogues. Let your mind wander and weave tales where reality meets fantasy.
Your prompt inspiration is not just an image; it’s a portal to countless possibilities. As you extract stories from stillness, every color, shape, and shadow becomes alive with meaning. Your characters step out from their two-dimensional confines and breathe life into your narrative.
With each picture prompt, you’re not merely developing story ideas; you are creating worlds within worlds.
Techniques for Descriptive Writing Using Picture Prompts
In employing various techniques for descriptive storytelling, it’s essential that you let your imagination roam freely, transforming the static visuals into dynamic narratives. As the artist of words, your task is to paint vivid pictures using sensory details, immersing readers in your imaginative world.
Master visual literacy and use picture prompts as springboards into creative realms. Notice the subtlest hues in a sunset or decipher the hidden emotions in a character’s gaze. Smell the saltiness of an unseen sea or hear the rustle of leaves beneath unseen feet.
Feel textures – rough bark under fingertips or silky hair brushing against skin.
Writing descriptively isn’t merely about sight but involves all senses – imbuing life into lifeless images and eliciting reactions from readers. So delve deep and explore!
Picture Prompts for Character Development
Imagine delving into the heart of a character, tracing their emotions and life stories through vivid images.
You’re about to embark on an engaging journey where you’ll learn how to visualize character traits, interpret emotion in images, and use imagery to craft compelling backstories.
Get ready to transform static images into dynamic characters, using them as prompts that will color your narratives with depth and authenticity.
Visualizing Character Traits
You’re tasked with developing a character’s traits based solely on visual cues from a picture. Delightfully challenging, isn’t it?
Dive headfirst into the world of character sketching techniques, letting your imagination run wild. The artful exploration of visual symbolism is where your journey begins.
That worn-out hat skewed to one side speaks volumes about his carefree spirit, doesn’t it? And those old boots? They’ve seen more than their fair share of adventures! That half-smile hiding behind the rough beard tells tales of heartbreak and resilience.
Now add layers to this personality by imagining his voice, his laugh – husky or light-hearted?
With each observation you make, you’re not just sketching a character; you’re breathing life into them. So go on – let that picture prompt guide your storytelling journey.
Interpreting Emotion in Images
Decoding a character’s emotions from an image can be just as intriguing, don’t you think? It’s like solving a puzzle where each piece is a subtle hint about the character’s feelings. This process of emotion identification isn’t always straightforward, but it certainly makes for an engaging activity.
Let’s consider some ways to interpret ‘Image Sentiment’:
- By observing facial expressions:
- A frown might indicate sadness or frustration.
- An arched eyebrow could suggest curiosity or skepticism.
- Paying close attention to body language:
- Crossed arms might imply defensiveness.
- Leaning forward could denote interest or eagerness.
- Identifying context clues in the surroundings:
- A joyous occasion might show happy faces.
- Tense environments could reveal feelings of unease.
Imagery for Backstories
In constructing your character’s backstory, it’s the imagery that can truly breathe life into their past; wouldn’t you agree? Think about it. A single picture prompt can evoke a haunting memory or a cherished moment.
Backstory symbolism isn’t just words on a page, but subconscious imagery weaving together to form the tapestry of your character’s history.
Imagine a broken pocket watch symbolizing your protagonist’s fractured relationship with time. Picture an old tree house, embodying childhood innocence lost too soon. Envision these images not as mere illustrations, but as portals to deeper understanding.
Using Picture Prompts for Scene Creation
Imagine you’re on a journey, seeking the perfect picture prompt that will ignite your creativity and bring your words to life.
It’s not just about selecting an image, it’s an art of scene creation, a technique that transforms mere ideas into vivid narratives.
Dive in as we explore how these prompts can enhance your writing skills, turning each stroke of your pen into a masterpiece.
Selecting Effective Picture Prompts
You’ll find that choosing the right picture prompts can significantly enhance your writing process. By exploring different Prompt Varieties and refining your Imagery Selection, you’re stepping into a realm of unlimited inspiration.
- Delve into diversity:
- Experiment with various genres; maybe a vintage photograph for historical fiction or a futuristic image for sci-fi.
- Try using abstract art to prompt poetry or philosophical discourse, broadening your creative horizons.
- Enhance imagery selection:
- Opt for images that provoke emotion. The more intense the feeling they inspire, the deeper your connection to the story will be.
- Choose pictures rich in detail. They’ll provide a wealth of material to draw from as you weave intricate narratives.
Scene Creation Techniques
Crafting vivid scenes can be quite a task, but with the right techniques, you’re bound to create compelling narratives that captivate your readers. Picture prompts serve as your canvas for scene transitioning and plot development.
Imagine this: A deserted street under twilight skies, the only light emanating from a forgotten lamppost flickering inconsistently – an ideal setting for suspense or perhaps a mysterious encounter?
Now shift to a bustling marketplace bathed in warm sunlight, filled with the vibrant colors of fruit stands and the melodious cacophony of vendors hawking their wares – perfect for introducing an important character.
Prompts Enhancing Writing Skills
Utilizing cues can significantly elevate your storytelling prowess, enhancing your overall narrative technique. Prompt selection and imagery interpretation are key to unlocking this potential. Imagine you’re an artist, the canvas is your story, and picture prompts are the palette of colors.
- Picture prompts facilitate:
- Probing deeper into your imagination.
- They’re not just photos or drawings but windows into worlds waiting for you to explore.
- Stimulating creativity through imagery interpretation.
- They help you observe details that might otherwise be overlooked, sparking new story ideas.
- Fine-tuning prompt selection skills.
- With practice, you’ll learn to choose prompts that resonate with your writing style and theme.
These tools don’t dictate what you write but guide you towards storytelling mastery. Harness their power and watch as your words paint vibrant stories.
The Benefits of Picture Prompt Writing Exercises
They’re an excellent way to stimulate creativity and improve writing skills. Picture prompt exercises, that’s what we’re talking about here. Imagine a kaleidoscope of colors, characters, and scenarios unfolding before your eyes, revving up your imagination like a motorbike set on the highest gear. That’s visual brainstorming for you!
Every picture is a story waiting to be penned down, each element an untold narrative. It’s like diving into a sea of ideas where every seashell whispers tales from unknown worlds. You just need to listen carefully.
These prompts inspire not only your thoughts but also your heartbeats that race with anticipation at the riveting tales they could spin. So dive in! Harness this prompt inspiration and let these visual aids ignite sparks in your pen or keyboard strokes!
Case Study: Successful Stories From Picture Prompts
You’re about to embark on an intriguing exploration of the artistry behind successful stories born from picture prompts.
We’ll delve into the mesmerizing world of these tales, identifying what makes them click and analyzing each element that contributes to their success.
Get ready to experience first-hand the powerful influence of picture prompts in sparking creativity and evoking emotion, as we unravel this fascinating tapestry woven by word-weavers around the globe.
Identifying Successful Stories
It’s crucial to identify successful stories in picture prompts for writing to improve your creative skills. The magic begins when you unearth the potential narrative hidden within a single image. Story sequencing and reader engagement become your guiding stars, leading you into a whirlwind of creativity.
Consider these approaches:
- Look at the characters in the image:
- Identify their emotions and motivations.
- Imagine their backstory that led them to this moment.
- Examine the setting carefully:
- Consider how it contributes to the mood or tone of your story.
- Visualize how it could change over time.
- Think about possible plot twists:
- Brainstorm unexpected events that could turn the story on its head.
In this way, you’ll paint vibrant stories, captivating readers while honing your craft with each stroke.
Analysis of Success
We’ll delve deeper into the analysis of success, examining what makes a story truly stand out and captivate its audience. You’re about to embark on a journey to decipher this literary enigma.
Picture an intricate puzzle – that’s your story. Each piece is vital, but the success measurement lies in how they fit together, creating an image that’s vibrant and compelling.
Now comes the subtopic application: think of it like adding color to your masterpiece. It can be subtle or bold, but it must enhance the narrative without overwhelming it. Your style becomes your brushstroke; your words are the hues you choose.
Influence of Picture Prompts
Having dissected the success behind picture prompts for writing, it’s time to delve into their influential side.
Picture prompts are not just about stirring your creativity; they’re about luring you into a world of visual stimulation and prompt diversity. Imagine:
- Being exposed to an array of visuals, each telling a unique story:
- A hauntingly beautiful abandoned mansion,
- An alien planet with flora that glows in the dark,
- A bustling cityscape under a sunset sky.
- Experiencing diverse prompts, each igniting a different spark:
- A mysterious figure lurking in the mansion’s shadow,
- An alien creature hidden amongst the glowing plants,
- The hustle and bustle of city life as day turns night.
Let these vibrant images and rich narratives captivate your senses, guide your pen, and weave tales only you can tell.
Overcoming Writer’s Block With Picture Prompts
You’re likely to find that using picture prompts can be a great way to overcome writer’s block.
Imagine it, you’re staring at a blank page, the cursor blinking menacingly at you. Suddenly, there’s an escape: Visual brainstorming with picture prompts. You dive into a world of colors, shapes and scenes that awaken your senses, stirring up pools of ideas within your mind.
Every image ticks like a time bomb of inspiration waiting to explode onto your canvas of words. The silhouette dancing in the sunset doesn’t just spark a sentence; it births stories untold. The lonely house on the hill isn’t just an object; it’s loaded with mystery and suspenseful plot twists.
See? Prompt inspiration is no longer elusive! So go ahead, embrace this creative lifeline and let those words flow freely again.
Now you’ve got it! Using picture prompts can unlock your creativity and bust through writer’s block. They can help you create vivid scenes in your writing. Remember, the right image can spark a compelling story. So pick that picture prompt and let your imagination run wild.
Happy Writing!
100 Picture Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
What is picture prompt writing?
100 pictures prompts for creative writing
Nature and Landscapes
Urban settings, fantasy and sci-fi, everyday life and emotions, mystery and intrigue.
Ever find yourself staring at a blank page, the cursor blinking mockingly as your creativity takes an unexpected hiatus? I get it, we've all been there. But what if I told you there's a magical portal to a realm of inspiration, where a single image can set your imagination ablaze? Intrigued? I know I was when I stumbled upon the transformative power of picture writing prompts. 'Can a simple picture really unlock a floodgate of ideas?' you might wonder. The answer? A resounding yes! Join me on a journey through 100 captivating visuals that will not only jumpstart your writing but might just redefine your creative process altogether. Let's embark on a quest to turn images into stories, one prompt at a time.
WHAT IS PICTURE PROMPT WRITING?
If you're new to the concept of picture prompts, they serve as a unique form of writing stimuli employing images to initiate storytelling.
Students are tasked with crafting a narrative, utilizing the image either as the backdrop for their tale or as a creative springboard. The advantage of these visual prompts lies in their ability to provide a solid starting point for students. Not only does this method offer guidance, but it also fosters the use of vivid adjectives and the construction of more intricate sentences.
While students often require more direction than a generic "write about this," bombarding them with excessive details can be overwhelming. Picture prompts strike a balance, offering just enough information to serve as a stress-free launchpad. Subsequently, students can weave their own narratives.
Although not indispensable for every writing exercise, picture prompts inject an element of enjoyment and simplicity into the process, igniting creativity and prompting students to think (and write!) beyond conventional boundaries.
100 picture prompts for creative writing
- A serene sunrise over a mountain range.
- An ancient, mystical forest with towering trees.
- A secluded beach at sunset, waves gently kissing the shore.
- A vibrant, otherworldly waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation.
- A desert oasis with a lone camel resting in the shade.
- A snowy wilderness with footprints leading into the unknown.
- A vast field of wildflowers stretching to the horizon.
- A moonlit night over a calm lake, reflecting the stars.
- A city skyline viewed from a rooftop during a thunderstorm.
- A meandering river through a peaceful countryside.
- A group of hot air balloons floating over rolling hills.
- A tropical rainforest with colorful birds and exotic flowers.
- A thunderstruck landscape with a rainbow breaking through the clouds.
- A serene pond surrounded by weeping willows.
- A canyon bathed in the warm hues of a setting sun.
- A mysterious cave entrance with a soft glow emanating from within.
- A futuristic city on another planet, with alien architecture.
- A serene Japanese garden with a stone bridge over a koi pond.
- A dense fog rolling over a tranquil lake.
- A field of sunflowers stretching towards the sun.
- A bustling marketplace with diverse characters and colors.
- An abandoned amusement park with rusted rides.
- A futuristic cityscape with hovering vehicles.
- A hidden alleyway filled with street art.
- A crowded subway station during rush hour.
- An old bookstore with dusty shelves and hidden corners.
- A rooftop garden overlooking a city skyline.
- An antique clock tower in the heart of the city.
- A vibrant street festival with food stalls and performers.
- A quirky, colorful neighborhood cafe.
- A neon-lit cyberpunk street with holographic advertisements.
- A dilapidated industrial district with overgrown vegetation.
- A retro diner with checkered floors and red vinyl seats.
- A contemporary art gallery with avant-garde installations.
- A bustling harbor with ships coming and going.
- A street musician performing in a busy city square.
- A skyscraper under construction with cranes in action.
- A trendy coworking space with people collaborating.
- A vintage cinema with a marquee displaying classic films.
- A serene canal in a European city with historic architecture.
- An alien landscape with strange flora and fauna.
- A magical door hidden in a tree, leading to another realm.
- A steampunk-style airship soaring through the clouds.
- A dragon's lair filled with treasures and mysteries.
- A time-traveling device with intricate dials and buttons.
- A futuristic space station with advanced technology.
- A hidden portal in an ordinary-looking wardrobe.
- A wizard's library filled with enchanted books.
- A floating island in the sky with gravity-defying landscapes.
- An underwater city inhabited by merfolk.
- A mechanical golem standing guard in an ancient city.
- A celestial observatory on a distant planet.
- A futuristic cityscape with flying cars and neon lights.
- A mystical potion laboratory with bubbling concoctions.
- A parallel dimension where gravity works differently.
- A cyberspace landscape with digital structures.
- A mythical creature market with vendors selling magical items.
- A space explorer's ship floating in the vastness of space.
- A cosmic library containing knowledge from across the universe.
- An enchanted forest with talking animals and sentient plants.
- A child's messy room with toys scattered about.
- A moment of joy captured in a family photo.
- An old suitcase filled with travel memorabilia.
- A rainy day seen through a window with raindrops.
- A pair of hands holding a handwritten love letter.
- A solitary figure in a quiet library reading a book.
- A crowded cafe with people engrossed in their laptops.
- A broken mirror reflecting fragmented images.
- A person staring out of a window lost in thought.
- A worn-out pair of shoes with stories to tell.
- A kitchen filled with the aroma of baking cookies.
- A cozy fireplace in a cabin with snow falling outside.
- A child's drawing taped to a refrigerator door.
- A musician composing a song in a cluttered studio.
- A couple dancing under a starlit sky.
- A gardener tending to a vibrant flower bed.
- A student studying in a sunlit library.
- A group of friends sharing laughter around a bonfire.
- An artist's studio with canvases and paintbrushes.
- A parent teaching a child to ride a bike in a quiet neighborhood.
- A vintage key with an ornate design.
- A torn map with cryptic markings.
- A closed book with a mysterious symbol on the cover.
- A locked door with light seeping through the keyhole.
- A secret passage hidden behind a bookshelf.
- A message in a bottle washed ashore.
- A vintage magnifying glass on a detective's desk.
- A dusty attic with forgotten artifacts.
- A moonlit graveyard with ancient tombstones.
- A dimly lit room with a single flickering candle.
- A mysterious coded message written on an old parchment.
- A hidden treasure chest buried in the sand.
- A detective examining a crime scene with clues scattered.
- A conspiracy board with interconnected strings and notes.
- A mysterious silhouette in a foggy alley.
- A locked briefcase with unknown contents.
- A secret society meeting in an underground chamber.
- A haunted mansion with creaking doors and shadows.
- A mysterious figure in a dark cloak leaving a cryptic note.
- A forgotten diary with entries hinting at a hidden secret.
Still wondering how a simple image can be the key to unlocking a hundred different stories? Curiosity sparked? That's the magic of our 100 Picture Writing Prompts journey. Delve into landscapes that stir your imagination, explore urban settings bustling with stories, and venture into the realms of fantasy and sci-fi. Witness the beauty of everyday life and the emotions it evokes, or unravel mysteries that await your keen detective eye. Picture prompts transcend words, sparking creativity beyond limits. So, are you ready to transform a single frame into a hundred tales? Join me on this visual odyssey, where every prompt is a portal to endless possibilities, inviting you to weave your own narrative magic.
Miss Britton
11 Intriguing Images for Creative Writing
~ 27th April 2020 ~
“A picture paints a thousand words.”
And a picture can, without a doubt, inspire a student to write 1000 words. In this journal entry, I want to share with you some fascinating photographs that can be used as writing prompts. These intriguing images can spark endless trains of thought and countless questions, leading to some top-notch creative writing.
I suggest using the images to ignite your pupils’ imaginations and provide an opportunity for an extended piece of writing. Ask them to generate their own questions about the images or provide them with question prompts to help them to mind-map their thoughts and ideas. Using visual stimuli can certainly help children to build their vocabulary and improve their use of descriptive language .
Use the button below to share these intriguing images with others.
Image credits to: Joan Verstuyft , Tom Cash , Thomas Kelley , Fred Kearney , Kevin Noble , Matt Artz , Rene Asmussen , John-Mark Smith , Snapwire , Gratisography
Continue Reading
8 literacy activities based on the bfg.
18th August 2016
With the release of the new Steven Spielberg big screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'The BFG', I thought it apt to share with you some of my favourite BFG resources for teaching English.
Activities for Children at Home (Part 4): English
21st March 2020
Today's entry to the series focuses on English activities and ideas. I hope to provide you with a wide range of educational suggestions to keep your children occupied while they are at home.
About the Author
Julianne Britton is an experienced teacher and author. Having taught across KS1 and KS2 and after just 3 years, she was promoted into leadership and given the responsibility of 'Science and Computing Coordinator'.
Specialising in 11+ entrance exams and SATs preparation, she has also worked as a private tutor, successfully supporting the education of 50+ students and, in addition to writing for CGP Books and Teach Primary magazine, Julianne also publishes educational resources for teachers on TES.
Julianne is also a member of MENSA.
Get in touch via [email protected] , Twitter or LinkedIn .
As Featured In
10 interesting images for creative writing
They say, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. But which words, exactly? For me, that’s where the fun begins. In this post, I’ve gathered together ten interesting images to use as starting points for creative writing. Free the words within the pictures and see what happens.
Writing prompt:
- Have a look at the images below, then choose one that interests you or speaks to you in some way. What words, emotions or ideas come to mind when you look at that picture? Note down your response. Now, look back over what you’ve written and choose one phrase that jumps out at you. Use your chosen phrase as the first line of a poem or short story.
Click on an image to view the gallery:
What was your reaction to the images in this post? If you’ve chosen one as a writing prompt do let me know how you get on. And if you’ve used any interesting images for creative writing in the past, I’d love to see them.
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
- A photo Photos 10k
- Pen Tool Illustrations 265
- A stack of folders Collections 247k
- A group of people Users 3
Creative writing
Browse premium images on iStock | 20% off at iStock
Make something awesome
- Share full article
Advertisement
Supported by
Picture Prompts
145 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing
A school year’s worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing.
By The Learning Network
Image from our related Picture Prompt “ Creative Juices .”
We’ve been publishing our Picture Prompts series four days a week since 2016. Below, we’ve rounded up all the prompts we published for the 2021-22 school year.
These short, accessible, image-driven prompts invite students to pen short stories, poems and memoirs; share experiences from their lives; analyze illustrations, graphs and charts; and tell us their opinions on hot-button issues.
You can find even more in our roundups for the 2016-17 , 2017-18 , 2018-19 , 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. That’s nearly 900 prompts, many still open for comment by students 13 and up. We have also published a short, visual post highlighting four popular prompts from this school year.
To learn how you can use Picture Prompts to build literacy skills, promote critical thinking, inspire discussion and foster creativity in your classroom, watch our three-minute tutorial video or our on-demand webinar . For dozens more ideas, see our lesson plan, “ How to Teach With Our Picture Prompts (and Other Times Images) .”
If you use this feature with your students, or if you have other ideas for how to use photos, illustrations and graphics to encourage writing, let us know in the comments.
What story does this image inspire for you?
Phone Booth in the Wilderness Roller Coasters In the Waves In the Lunchroom Den of Toys Butterflies Flight Delays Two Roads Dog Park Friendship Under the Sea Found in the Crowd Under the Desk Barren Landscape Park Bench Other Selves On the Court Holiday Party Little Red House Candy Cornucopia Doors Mystery Money Royal Dining Up in a Tree Around the Fire Galaxy Plundered Shelves Confetti Solo Climb At the Fountain Heated Conversation Yellow Creatures Meadow in Starlight Storm On the Subway Giant Jar Family
Share experiences from your own life.
Pet Ownership Creative Juices Horror Stories One Great Summer Memory Dining Out Riddle Me This Your Go-To Recipes Hitting the Road Comic Con Craze October Thrifting Harry Potter Self-Compassion Holiday Shopping Giving Gratitude Festive Wear Measuring Time Winter TV Shows Sacred Spaces Your Tech Local Celebrities Winter Olympics Wildlife in Winter Group Chat Winter Getaways D.I.Y. Taste Test Spring Fashion March Madness Mask Withdrawal Your Favorite Tree Rites of Spring Fortuitous Finds Hanging Out Heartbroken Best Pizza? Everyday Pleasures Musical Instruments
What do you think this image, chart or cartoon is saying?
Hands Blasting Out of a Phone Dings and Pings Pulling at a Reflection Memorial Twisting Track Elephant and Donkey Tiny Dollar Clouds Vision Test The Whole World Work and Home Bedroom Staring Crossed-Out Words Clicking Her Heels Weapon Burger Quitting Spoonfed Brady Mesmerized Skates Melting Man Lit-Up Landmarks Literary Allusions A Brick on an Egg Listening and Clapping Between the Ears Smiling X’s on Bubbles Eyeballs Inside Vs. Outside Amazon Boxes Area Closed High Wire Very, Very Tired
What’s your opinion on this issue?
A New Social App Morality Plays Flamboyant Fashion Home Games Powering Down Facebook Outage Old Glory Custom Cars Tourist Surveillance E-Scooters, E-Bikes Motorcycle Adventures Veterans Day Book Lovers Speed Skydiving Gift-Giving, Gift-Getting Solstice Favorite Moments in Sports Your Word of the Year Guilty Pleasures Smart Watch Wordle True Love? Prized Possessions Audiobooks Separate Together TV-Themed Trips Forgiveness Life at Sea Constructive Criticism Electric Cars Little Free Libraries Met Gala #VanLife Responding to the Shooting in Uvalde
5 Image-based Descriptive Writing Prompts
Need a better way to practise writing? Below, you’ll find 5 image-based descriptive writing prompts which are a great way to go!
If you’re studying creative writing, you’ve probably heard of them and might have even used them by now! If you’re a non-fiction writer or just an everyday writer, especially if you’re just getting started, this might be a new thing for you – but it is definitely a thing!
Every writer gets inspiration from different sources. It could be a neighbour, a friend, a local event, a tragedy, a painting, or even music and a particular song. It’s the same with images and photos – it can spark your creativity in no time!
Before we get into how image-based descriptive writing works and give you a couple of assignments, make sure you check our online English school where you can find courses like these:
Basic Descriptive Writing
Advanced Descriptive Writing
AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2
How to use image prompts for writing:
- Take a good look at the image.
An interesting photo, or the one that is deceptively simple – is an inspiration. This could literally be any photo that catches your eye – whether you found it online or in your personal belongings.
- Take a few moments to absorb the details in the photo.
What is the main focal point? Is it the background or foreground? What about colour, light, and all other small details?
- Allow your senses to experience the photo and at the same time allow words to form in your head.
A story might start, whether it is just a couple of sentences or a few words. Try imagining you’re explaining that same photo to a friend, but the friend is unable to see it – what would you say to them?
- Start writing, whether words form in your mind or not.
In journalism, there is a “Five W’s + H” rule, meaning that you should answer these questions: who, what, when, where, why and how, and it can be really helpful if you don’t know where to start as this gives you a direction to follow.
- What comes to mind for you will be completely different from others as it’s based on your own experience and beliefs.
So, keep on writing and then edit later – it all depends on your purpose. If you think you’re onto something, keep going, see how the story develops. But even if you set it aside for another time, it’s a never wasted effort.
Task: What can you see? What do you think has happened/is happening/will happen? Where did the house come from? How do you think it got here? Why is it surrounded by all of the bricks? Who is the woman inside the house? Why is she looking out of the window? What might she be thinking?
There are so many ways to practise and improve your writing, so check our post on Descriptive Writing Prompts to get more ideas!
Task: Using the image above as an inspiration, write a creative piece in which you describe a day in nature.
Task: Who is this girl? How old is she? What is she doing, alone, in a cafe? Who do you think she’s texting? Does she look sad, or happy, or worried to you?
Task: You’re sitting across this building. Imagine and create a life for a couple of people living there.
For the last task, pick a random photo from your phone or a computer; some that you’re fond of and describe what it is about.
Do you want some tips on how to write more vividly? Check out this post that has all the answers you’re looking for!
Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, check our online English Language and Literature school where you can find a variety of courses that will help you enhance your English skills and grades!
Related Posts
The Theme of Morality in To Kill A Mockingbird
Unseen Poetry Exam Practice – Spring
To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Writing – PEE Breakdown
Unseen Poetry Exam Practice: The Man He Killed
How to Get Started with Narrative Writing
What do I need to do for AQA Language Paper 2?
How to do well in the AQA GCSE Paper 2 Exam!
How to Write a Perfect Essay on The Crucible by Arthur Miller
AQA Power and Conflict: Example A* / L9 Grade Paragraph
Descriptive Writing: The train
© Copyright Scrbbly 2022
🎉 Our next novel writing master class starts in – ! Claim your spot →
WEEKLY WRITING PROMPTS
Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.
Showing 2139 prompts
Your teacher tasks you with writing a story based on an eavesdropped conversation. when the story is published, your subject isn’t happy..
LIVE – Funny
A character overhears something at a black-tie event that puts the night in jeopardy.
LIVE – Mystery
Write a story in which someone can only hear one side of a conversation and must piece together the meaning of what they’ve heard.
LIVE – Dialogue
Write a story about a child overhearing something they don’t understand.
LIVE – Kids
Write a story in which someone is afraid of being overheard.
Introducing Prompted , a new magazine written by you!
🏆 Featuring 12 prize-winning stories from our community. Download it now for FREE .
Write a story about a character driving and getting lost.
Write a story about a tennis match between two rivals., write a story that begins with someone dancing in a bar., write a story around someone (literally) bumping into someone else., write a story about a character running late for a job interview., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.
Never miss a prompt! Get curated writing inspiration delivered to your inbox each week.
Write a story titled 'Persuasion'.
Write a story titled 'the wind in the willows'., write a story titled 'desperate remedies'., write a story titled 'paradise lost'., write a story titled 'a tale of two cities'., write a narrative about a group of scientists exploring the deepest parts of the ocean., imagine a world where exploration is forbidden, and write a story about a character who defies this rule to satisfy their innate curiosity., center your story around a character’s personal exploration, whether it's trying a new hobby, visiting an unfamiliar place, or learning something completely new., set your story on a spaceship exploring the far reaches of space when something goes wrong., write a story in the form of diary entries, written by an explorer as they make their way through what they thought was an untouched location., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.
We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!
Contest #250 LIVE
Enter our weekly contest.
This week's theme: All Ears
Prize money
Contest entries, closes at 23:59 - may 17, 2024 est, recent contests ✍️.
#249 – Action Stations with Tom Bromley
#248 – From the Top
#247 – The Great Unknown
#246 – All Fun and Games
Recent winners 🏆
Honey Homecroft – read
Madeline McCourt – read
Sarah Coury – read
Olivier Breuleux – read
Leaderboard 🥇
#1 Zilla Babbitt
32370 points
#2 Deidra Whitt Lovegren
28729 points
#3 Abigail Airuedomwinya
22421 points
#4 Graham Kinross
14524 points
#5 Scout Tahoe
13198 points
#6 Chris Campbell
11323 points
#7 Thom With An H
10617 points
#8 Rayhan Hidayat
10213 points
#9 Michał Przywara
9934 points
#10 Deborah Mercer
9610 points
Bring your short stories to life
Fuse character, story, and conflict with tools in the Reedsy Book Editor. 100% free.
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.
NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉
How to Write a Novel
Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months . Learn more →
Explore more writing prompt ideas:
Adults Writing Prompts ⭢
Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢
Angst Writing Prompts ⭢
Character Writing Prompts ⭢
Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢
Dark Writing Prompts ⭢
Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢
Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢
Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢
Fall Writing Prompts ⭢
Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢
Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢
Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢
Funny Writing Prompts ⭢
Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢
High School Writing Prompts ⭢
Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢
Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢
Horror Writing Prompts ⭢
Kids Writing Prompts ⭢
Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢
Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢
Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢
Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢
Novel Writing Prompts ⭢
Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢
Romance Writing Prompts ⭢
Sad Writing Prompts ⭢
Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢
Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢
Spring Writing Prompts ⭢
Summer Writing Prompts ⭢
Teens Writing Prompts ⭢
Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢
Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢
Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢
Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢
Winter Writing Prompts ⭢
Oops, you need an account for that!
Log in with your social account:
Or enter your email:
What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)
Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.
I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.
In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.
What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?
Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.
Table of Contents
Let’s expand on that definition a bit.
Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.
It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.
In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.
It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.
Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.
It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.
Types of Creative Writing
There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.
Some of the most common types:
- Short stories
- Screenplays
- Flash fiction
- Creative Nonfiction
Short Stories (The Brief Escape)
Short stories are like narrative treasures.
They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.
Short stories are known for their brevity.
They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.
Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.
Novels (The Long Journey)
Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.
They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.
The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.
Readers get an immersive experience.
Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.
Poetry (The Soul’s Language)
Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.
It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.
Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.
The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.
Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.
Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)
Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.
This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.
Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.
Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.
Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)
Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.
They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.
Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.
Memoirs (The Personal Journey)
Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.
They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.
Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.
They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.
Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.
Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)
Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.
It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.
This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.
Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.
Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)
Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.
This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.
Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.
Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.
Fantasy (The World Beyond)
Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.
It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.
Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.
Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)
Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.
It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.
Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.
Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.
Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:
What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?
The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.
They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.
They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.
Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.
It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.
In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.
Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.
It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.
Conciseness
Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.
It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.
Creativity is the heart of creative writing.
It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.
Consistency
Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.
It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.
Is Creative Writing Easy?
Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.
Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.
Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.
Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.
The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.
Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.
What Does a Creative Writer Do?
A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.
Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.
Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.
They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.
Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.
They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.
Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.
How to Get Started With Creative Writing?
Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.
The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.
Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:
- Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
- Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
- Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
- Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
- Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
- Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
- Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
- Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
- Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
- Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
- Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
- Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
- Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
- These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.
Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?
Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.
Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):
Read This Next:
- What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
- What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
- How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
- How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)
- AI Generator
creative writing concept
Creative writing class, creative writing workshop, creative writing storytelling, creative writing icon, creative writing cartoon, teen creative writing, creative writing student, children creative writing, creative writing doodles, creative writing vector, creative writing background, creative writing laptop, creative writing doodle, creative writing wall, creative writing woman, creative writing kid, creative writing male, creative writing career, creative writing desk, creative writing illustration, creative writing typewriter, creative writing at home, creative writing computer, creative writing online, 96,716 creative writing stock photos & high-res pictures, browse 96,716 authentic creative writing stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional writing or writer stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project..
Think writing,
Think pobble.
Empowering teachers, inspiring writers. From engaging ready-made writing lessons to powerful online assessment tools, Pobble is your partner in writing.
Award winning
Featured in
What brings you to Pobble?
We're here to support teachers with writing and assessment. Where would you like to start?
I want to inspire and motivate my young writers
- Inspire even your most reluctant young writers.
- A calendar of 365 incredible images, e ach with ready-made writing activities.
- Easy to edit and share writing prompts, a new one free, every day!
I want to improve my writing assessment judgements
- Improve your school's moderation processes.
- Online tools to increase the accuracy of writing judgements.
- High-quality training from writing and assessment experts.
A worldwide community of over a million members
Pobble is used by teachers in over 150 countries
91% of teachers would recommend Pobble
Trusted by educators
Pobble is loved by pupils, teachers, schools and groups around the world...
Inspire, motivate and learn with us
At Pobble, we're passionate about supporting you and your students to get the most out of writing. Discover how else we can help...
Join a webinar
Learn valuable insights from experienced educators and discover how Pobble can improve writing outcomes across your school with our free CPD for teachers. Book now.
Visit the Blog
Be inspired by our teaching community and learn something new! You'll find free resources, expert tips, lesson ideas and more, over on the Pobble blog. Check it out.
Join a live lesson
Bring your class to join Team Pobble, expert guests and classrooms from around the world for one of our exclusive, free, live lessons and watch the writing flow! Get involved.
Where do you want to start?
If writing is an area of focus in your school, we can help. Where will you begin?
Celebrating the Spring 2024 MFA Graduates
Read more news.
Writers' Workshop
Jayne anne phillips wins 2024 pulitzer prize for fiction.
Written by Sara Epstein Moninger
University of Iowa alumna Jayne Anne Phillips has won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and three other Iowa Writers' Workshop graduates were named finalists for Pulitzer literary awards, which were announced May 6.
Phillips, who earned an MFA in 1978, was recognized for her novel Night Watch . The Pulitzer judges described the book as “a beautifully rendered novel set in West Virginia’s Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in the aftermath of the Civil War where a severely wounded Union veteran, a 12-year-old girl, and her mother, long abused by a Confederate soldier, struggle to heal.”
Yiyun Li, who graduated with a Master of Science in 2000 and two MFAs (fiction and nonfiction) in 2005, was a finalist in fiction for her book of short stories Wednesday’s Child . Li’s short stories and novels have won numerous awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award for A Thousand Years of Good Prayers and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for The Book of Goose . She currently serves as director of Princeton University’s creative writing program.
Additionally, two alumnae were recognized as finalists for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry:
Jorie Graham, who graduated with an MFA in 1978 and won a Pulitzer in 1996 for The Dream of the Unified Field , was named a finalist for To 2040 . Graham, one of the most celebrated poets of her generation, is a former longtime faculty member in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Among her poetry collections are The End of Beauty , Place , and Sea Change . She currently is the Boylston Professor of Oratory and Rhetoric at Harvard University.
Robyn Schiff, who graduated with an MFA in 1999, was named a finalist for Information Desk: An Epic , a book-length poem in three parts set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Schiff, who has been a visiting faculty member in the UI Department of English, also is the author of Worth , Revolver , and A Woman of Property , which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She teaches at the University of Chicago and co-edits Canarium Books.
Pulitzer Prizes are awarded annually to honor achievements in journalism, literature, and music. See the full list of 2024 Pulitzer winners .
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
These are brilliant images to inspire brilliantly creative writing. The questions are included because 'reading and writing float on a sea of talk' (Britton, 1983) - the quality ideas, language and structures come from a rich discussion of the picture and the possibilities for writing. This sheet is a good starting point for generating ...
Writing Center. Print cards or writing pages with these images on them and put them in a writing center for your students to discover at their own pace. Specific Skills. Use story picture prompts to help kids work on specific writing skills. For example, you could work on descriptive writing by having them describe the setting of the picture in ...
We also have over 1000 Student Opinion questions we've asked over the years, gathered together in two lists: 650 prompts for narrative and personal writing and 401 prompts for argumentative ...
Write a short story, poem or memoir inspired by this illustration. Related Picture Prompt Glenn Harvey. Trapped Inside. Wilderness Wayfaring. Magical Chores. I'm Sorry. Dollar Bills. Dinosaurs ...
Since 2016, we've been featuring these images in our daily Picture Prompts: short, image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of student writing. Teachers tell us they use these prompts ...
150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides) Use a picture to write a thousand words! Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can't come up with anything to write about. That's why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump ...
A long list of picture writing prompts. 1. A secret garden hidden behind an old, ivy-covered wall, with flowers that glow in the dark. 2. A futuristic city floating in the sky, connected by transparent walkways. 3. An underwater town with buildings made of coral and colorful fish swimming in the streets. 4. A world where trees are as tall as ...
Want to give it a try? If you're a visual learner, here are 10 images you can use as picture writing prompts. 1. Hands in a River. Photo by Daniel Jensen on Unsplash. Dirty hands dig into the ground as a body emerges onto a riverbank out of the ocean.
Key Takeaways. Picture prompts enhance creative writing skills. Visual imagery enhances the appeal and engagement of narratives. Prompt interpretation is crucial for unique and valid stories. Visual literacy stimulates imagination and evokes emotions.
Čeština Dansk Deutsch English Español Français Indonesia Italiano Magyar Nederlands Norsk Polski Português Român ... 482 Free images of Creative Writing. Find an image of creative writing to use in your next project. Free creative writing photos for download. notebook desk paper.
That's the magic of our 100 Picture Writing Prompts journey. Delve into landscapes that stir your imagination, explore urban settings bustling with stories, and venture into the realms of fantasy and sci-fi. Witness the beauty of everyday life and the emotions it evokes, or unravel mysteries that await your keen detective eye.
11 Intriguing Images for Creative Writing. "A picture paints a thousand words.". And a picture can, without a doubt, inspire a student to write 1000 words. In this journal entry, I want to share with you some fascinating photographs that can be used as writing prompts. These intriguing images can spark endless trains of thought and ...
Writing prompt: Have a look at the images below, then choose one that interests you or speaks to you in some way. What words, emotions or ideas come to mind when you look at that picture? Note down your response. Now, look back over what you've written and choose one phrase that jumps out at you. Use your chosen phrase as the first line of a ...
Download the perfect creative writing pictures. Find over 100+ of the best free creative writing images. Free for commercial use No attribution required Copyright-free
These short, accessible, image-driven prompts invite students to pen short stories, poems and memoirs; share experiences from their lives; analyze illustrations, graphs and charts; and tell us ...
How to use image prompts for writing: Take a good look at the image. An interesting photo, or the one that is deceptively simple - is an inspiration. This could literally be any photo that catches your eye - whether you found it online or in your personal belongings. Take a few moments to absorb the details in the photo.
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 ...
Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes. (This post may have afilliate links. Please see my full disclosure)
Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic Creative Writing stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures. Creative Writing stock photos are available in a variety of sizes and formats to fit your needs.
A calendar of 365 incredible images, e ach with ready-made writing activities. Easy to edit and share writing prompts, a new one free, every day! ... Learn valuable insights from experienced educators and discover how Pobble can improve writing outcomes across your school with our free CPD for teachers. Book now. Visit the Blog
Search from Creative Writing stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. ... Browse 383,600+ creative writing stock photos and images available, or search for writing or writer to find more great stock photos and pictures. ... English United States. Learn more; Plans and pricing; iStock promo codes; Tips and tricks;
Let these images spark your memory of a joyous moment you spent with family, friends, or by yourself. You may choose one image or link a few together to tell/show a deeper-more detailed memoir. With thanks to Stephen Yost - Neil Armstrong Middle School - Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA for the pictures and ideas.
One of the most rewarding times of the year in the Creative Writing program at WVU is the end of the spring semester, when graduating MFA students get to read from their theses to a crowd of family, colleagues, and English department faculty. On Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Milano Reading Room of the Downtown University Library, the ...
She currently serves as director of Princeton University's creative writing program. Additionally, two alumnae were recognized as finalists for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry: Jorie Graham, who graduated with an MFA in 1978 and won a Pulitzer in 1996 for The Dream of the Unified Field, was named a finalist for To 2040. Graham, one of the ...
Show ChatGPT one or more images. Troubleshoot why your grill won't start, explore the contents of your fridge to plan a meal, or analyze a complex graph for work-related data.