creative writing beginning sentences

Create Make Write

Thoughts on creativity, writing & making

49 Best Story Starter Sentences for Writers of All Ages

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

What are the best story starter sentences?

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

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

Get writing productivity tips in your inbox, almost every day.

+ discounts & deals on top writing templates.

No thanks, I’m not interested!

First Line Generator: 101 Sentences To Get You Started Writing

Sometimes, the muse speaks through creative writing prompts .

And sometimes all you need is a single sentence to get you started on your next epic story .

Among the one sentence prompts you’ll find below, you’re sure to find at least one first line generator for a story you’ll love writing.

So, whether you’ve got a first name already picked out for your next main character or you’re starting with nothing but the will to write, enjoy the prompts below.

• List of 101 First Line Generator Ideas

The best way to use a sentence generator is to start free-writing on the first one that grabs your interest and write as quickly as you can.

This is not the time to edit. Let the words flow out as the story forms in your mind.

Short Story First Line Generator

Fantasy first line generator, random first line generator, poetry first line generator, novel first line generator, historical fiction first line generator, first line generator tools .

Enjoy these first line generator ideas for writing a short story .

1. With his background and fierce appearance, no one expected Bruno the mastiff to be a good dog for small children.

2. She frowned thoughtfully at the tarot cards arranged before her.

3. Writing down her thoughts about their relationship wasn’t as cathartic as she’d hoped.

4. She bent down to pick up what she thought was a half-buried seashell.

5. No one suspected that every one of the vaccine syringes sent to those areas would render their receivers sterile for life.

6. It was there the billionaires of the world gathered to announce their joint decision, either oblivious or indifferent to the revolution brewing next door.

7. Just when she thought she’d finished crying, the phone rang.

8. On a night like this, the sky should be full of stars, but as she looked up, her legs almost gave out.

9. She’d forgiven everyone and emptied her home of all that gave it meaning.

10. Three times, now, she’d almost died, and no one had noticed.

11. Her fifteen-month-old son tensed up in his shopping cart seat when the man approached.

12. “Oh, spare me the theatrics, and go cry somewhere else,” he said, adding, “No one wants to see that.”

13. Her voice broke over the phone when mine did, but she said, “It’s actually pretty nice here.”

14. “Okay, before I tell you, mom, you have to promise not to be mad.” 

15. If they don’t find Ben attractive, they at least find him compelling. That’s the problem. 

16. Once she catches your scent — a scent like yours, especially — she learns everything about you. 

17. “I need something to look forward to that doesn’t come in a bottle. You got any ideas?”

18. It was his living room art display that finally convinced her to leave him. 

When you’re writing your next page-turning fantasy novel , a good first line can get the creative ideas flowing.

Use these as a springboard, even if you end up changing the first line in your final draft.

19. This world was never meant to survive her.

20. As far as she was concerned, he was a typical teenager with a hoodie.

21. It’s not every girl who finds out her mom is a centuries-old superhero.

22. My first tutor was a dragon with a terrible sense of humor.

23. I looked into the crystal ball and saw myself walking hand-in-hand with my mortal enemy.

24. What I made for my mother’s birthday was supposed to be a harmless pendant.

25. I spent a thousand years in that bottle before a child freed me from it and called me “Mama.”

26. He made it sound as though the very worst thing I could be was a witch.

27. She was changed into something else while her parents stood nearby, watching the others.

28. The label on the bottle said “Drink me,” and Alice rolled her eyes and snickered as she poured herself a glass.

29. The freeway was completely deserted, and the only words on the marquee near my exit were “Supplies have run out, and shelters are full.”

30. She told me I was the perfect candidate for their weaponized shifter program; and their target was someone easy to dislike.

31. I knew she’d been scratched during the attack, but until now, full moons hadn’t been a problem. 

32. He shouldn’t have made me choose between my world and this one. 

33. The one thing my mother hadn’t told me about her past was the reason I now lived in an icy cave near the top of the highest peak. 

34. The trolls in that valley are the ones who found me and gave me my name. 

35. I’m unusually tall for a dwarf. My mother was not prepared.

Don’t underestimate the creative power of random thoughts from memories or recent experiences.

Use one of the following to launch into a story that weaves elements of your own or someone else’s history into it.

36. If only she hadn’t bought the red one.

37. One bite, and his eyes closed, his focus turned inward, while she quietly exhaled.

38. She was the kind of person who loudly insulted others’ intelligence while neglecting her own.

39. Doctors told her she could never diet again.

40. I don’t sleep with that stone unless I want to wake up feeling as though I spent the whole night running.

41. It was enough for her that he’d found a lost child and returned him to his parents.

42. You’d think a winning lottery ticket was just what we needed.

43. In exchange for the apartment, she had agreed to bring the inmate his meals.

44. Her father always said driving would be the death of her.

45. What if I told you the separation of church and state is an illusion?

46. The largest golden maple leaf I’d ever seen landed at my feet as I turned the corner.

47. “Help me! I’m not your enemy,” he said.

48. For some reason, no one thought to question the other housekeeping staff. 

49. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, she caught a whiff of something. 

50. Even with a baby in her arms and her hair loose, I knew her. And it all came back. 

51. He waited, nervously clearing his throat until my husband left the room. 

52. His bike still hung on the rack, covered in dust, and one wheel bent into a moon shape.

Sometimes, all you want to write is a poem to express the ideas circulating in your mind.

Use any of the following to open the spigot and let the uncensored words out onto the page. Editing can wait.

53. The sky feels as empty as my chest.

54. The trees would miss you if you left.

55. The sunlight brought me back to you.

56. I was tired before my first sip of wine.

57. Memory is all around us, as well as within.

58. Don’t tell me what I need.

59. No expensive funeral for me, if I even have one.

60. The first step toward you was the hardest.

61. My hope literally took form inside of me.

62. I fight for what you’ve had from birth.

63. I come to shatter this fortress— not protect it.

64. You were born to make mistakes and to change the world as you learned from them.

65. The burn is what gets me. 

66. There’s something in the water that now lives in me. 

67. Why should I get away with it?

68. One bloom outlasted the rest before suddenly dropping. 

69. I wish I could tell you this has nothing to do with me

More Related Articles:

12 Effective Tips On How To Write Faster

How to Start Writing By Creating the Daily Writing Habit

12 Of The Best Writing Websites To Inspire You To Write

70. I know how he sees me; the alcohol helps with that. But it doesn’t argue with him.

71. Every answer to my question begins with, “Now, don’t take this the wrong way…” 

72. No one expected her to be the first among them to succumb. 

73. I could barely look at it. The sticky note attached to the jar read, “Careful. It’s loaded.”

74. She saw me and sneered. “I thought maybe your lawn mower was broken.”  

75. He prided himself on understanding criminals. This one, with his glassy eyes and unerasable smirk, was the first to humble him. 

76. This was the seventh parcel to arrive for her with nothing for a return address but a dried blossom under a square of packing tape. 

77. She’d spend hours in the shop, looking over different stones, holding them briefly in her hand — until she found one that didn’t want to leave her fingers. 

78. The baby’s name was Petra before the neighborhood prophet said something disconcerting to her father. 

79. Her first love lay on the table in a neat, familiar arrangement, while her second love waited for her to come read them. 

80. My mother makes the only perfectly balanced and seasoned vinaigrette I’ve ever tasted. 

81. The party went splendidly until Meredith’s blood splattered on my favorite pillow. 

82. He doesn’t think I know where he hid the evidence from that night. 

83. He quietly rolled the car back down the driveway and into the street before pausing for one last look at my bedroom window. 

84. The first time I remember him looking at me with anything like pride was when I screamed in his face.

85. “Get that lazy eye back where it’s s’posed to be. You’ll scare the cats.”

86. She knew Rasputin was in love with her. That’s what made it so easy.

87. Everyone assumed Jack the Ripper was a man. It was the perfect cover for the family business. 

88. Custer graduated at the bottom of his class at West Point. There was a reason. 

89. We had an understanding, Jefferson and I. He promised me freedom for my unborn children. 

90. “I’d just stepped out of Ford’s for a drink during intermission. Booth was drinking in the same saloon. And then he wasn’t.” 

91. “Now that I’m a mother, my position at court has finally improved. Just as well no one’s asked me who the father is.” (Marie Antoinette)

92. “She called me cousin and friend after the murder of my husband.” (Mary Queen of Scots)

93. “Sixteen was too young to get married — especially to a man I’d only just met. But it beat going back to an orphanage.” (Norma Jean Baker / Marilyn Monroe)

94. “It’s not every actor who gets to be on Hitler’s death list. Too bad for him my job would probably kill me first.” (Curly Howard)

95. “The real Vladimir died a long time ago.” (Putin’s wife + conspiracy theories)

96. “It’s true my husband’s death was tragic. It’s also true that it was necessary.” (Catherine the Great of Russia)

97. “It’s thanks to my slave, James Hemmings, that the American people now have macaroni and cheese, French fries, and crème brûlée.” (Jefferson)

98. “We watched the boat sink with the rest, huddled together in our lifeboat. There were four of us left. ” (lone survivor of the SS David J Morell) 

99. “We stumbled upon 11 of them, mostly kids. They were in bad shape — frostbitten, bleeding, and barely able to walk.” (John Stark, unpaid rescuer of the Donner Party)

100. “I invested $1.5 million of my own money in ‘The Great Dictator’ when the U.S. and Nazi Germany were still at peace.”  (Charlie Chaplin)

101. “I’ve had relationships with both men and women. One of them, poor John, I left at the altar.” (Greta Garbo) 

If the prompts above got your mind working, but you could still use a bit more help, try any of the following first-line generators. True, they don’t know anything about the story you’re writing , but they don’t have to. Sometimes, all you need is a scrap of an idea. 

First Line Generator at WritersDenPantomimepony.co.uk  

Click on the giant blue button, and this generator will give you an opening line inspired by careful analysis of classic openers. The secret to writing a compelling opener is creating a story within a single line. And that’s something the makers of this generator understand.

Keep clicking until one of the options gets you thinking. Then brainstorm as many follow-up ideas as you can. 

Opening Line Generator at Plot-Generator.org.uk  

This generator gives you ten opening line ideas right away. Below them, you can select the number of new opening lines or ask them to suggest a number. Click on “Write me an opening line” to generate as many or as few openers as you like. 

On the left, you’ll see their “Top 10 Generators,” including “Character Name” and “Rap Lyrics.” On the right, you’ll see “Newest Generators,” including “Pirate Name” and “Coronavirus Activity.” 

Random First Line Generator at WritingExercises.co.uk  

The Writing Exercsies website has a wide selection of content generators, including this one for random first lines. You can also find a rhyming dictionary (in case you prefer traditional, rhyming poetry), as well as generators for plots and random bits of dialogue . 

Click on “Generate a First Line” as many times as necessary to find something you can use to get started. 

If you had to choose one first line generator from the selection in this post, which ones spoke to you the loudest?

Or have you already started writing something that has you brimming with creative energy and excitement?

If this will be a long story , remember to do yourself a favor and stop for the day when you still want to keep going.

When you already have an idea of what happens next, sitting back down to it is much easier.

May the words keep flowing. And may at least one of these writing prompts set you on the path to writing something you and your readers will love.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

50 Creative One-sentence Writing Prompts That Will Make You Want To Write

Share this post!

Need a few great first lines to get the ball rolling on your next story? Each of these one-sentence writing prompts gives you an opening sentence that hooks readers from the beginning. Have fun with these creative ideas as you craft your next short story or novel.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission. This commission is paid by the retailer, not by you. Learn more .

Why Use Story Starters in Your Creative Writing Process?

You need a spark of inspiration.

Sometimes, coming up with short story ideas feels overwhelming. Maybe you have an assignment due and you don’t know where to start or perhaps you’re looking to write a little at the end of a long day but you’re creative juices have dried up. Perhaps you have a standard case of writer’s block.

Creative writing prompts with sentence starters or first lines help you overcome these challenges. Without forcing you into a certain direction, they give your story an interesting starting point. They are the kindle you use to start the fire, but tending it is up to you. Fifty people could take the exact same writing prompt and run with it in different directions, and we’d end up with fifty completely different short stories.

As you read through the list of one-line writing prompts below, don’t overthink it. Pick the one that stands out to you the most, the one that creates a dozen questions in your mind instantly.

For example, if you read the first one-sentence writing prompt below, The message inside the fortune cookie, which contained only four words, has become my fate, you immediately wonder things like who ate the cookie? where did they get it? who was it intended for? what were the four words? how did they become his/her fate?

If a first line turns you into an interrogator, you know you’ve found an idea worth exploring.

You Want to Try Something Different

Writers often get stuck in ruts. We find a formula that works for us and we repeat it. This can be great for meeting deadlines or selling stories, but it can also be limiting and boring. An occasional venture outside our comfort zones expands us as writers, exposes us to styles and storylines we might not normally pursue, and lets us play around with unfamiliar concepts.

If you’ve never explored science fiction or fantasy before, you might choose a story starter that offers an escape from reality. Or maybe you want a contemporary setting with just a touch of modern realism. Or, conversely, if you’re used to creating complex fictional worlds and magic systems, a realistic setting with a main character who’s just gotten some bad news could be out-of-the-box for you.

You’re Not a Planner — Or You Need a Break from Being a Planner

I confess: I’m a serial planner. ( This is my go-to guide for novel planning. ) The notes I make before writing a book usually come close to matching the book in length. I like to know everything before I ever write a single word. (This level of planning is probably also a form of productive procrastination).

Planning is helpful, but sometimes it feels like a barrier too. Planners can feel like they can’t write a story unless they’ve done all the planning, and if they don’t have the time or inspiration for the planning, they don’t write. It’s a convenient excuse, but it gets us nowhere.

For extreme planners like me, one-sentence writing prompts give us permission to write without a plan. We’re not trying to come up with the best way to lay the scene for the coming action or set the stage for character development. We’re parachuting into the middle of the action and it’s sink or swim.

Those questions we talked about a moment ago? The ones generated by the first sentence? They’re in charge here. They’re calling the shots. Instead of carefully mapping out a series of plot points, we need to figure out the answers to those questions and reveal them to the reader in the most tantalizing way possible.

The questions — and their answers —will take us where they want to go, not the other way around.

I’m not saying this method will make us leave plotting behind for good — perish the thought! — but it does give us an opportunity to tackle our writing from a different angle, an experience that will only sharpen our writing skills.

50 One-Sentence Writing Prompts

• The message inside the fortune cookie, which contained only four words, has become my fate.
• I’ve walked by that old house hundreds of times in the past two years, but today was the first time I caught the little girl watching me from the window.
• Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any more complicated, my mother decided to open her new business —a coffee shop — in our living room.
• My little sister thought she’d found the best hiding place in the house…until she realized it wasn’t exactly part of the house.
• Susan hadn’t expected the hot air balloon to be filled with two dozen baby animals, but when your great uncle sends you a modern-day ark, you roll with it.
• When I heard that familiar jingle coming down the street, I assumed it was the ice cream truck; I never knew they had mobile deliveries of those.
• The cruise ship was supposed to be the setting for the perfect vacation, and it was — until that stupid movie star showed up and decided we were all going to be part of her game.
• The first step in surviving middle school is easy — always be prepared — but the second rule? That’s not so simple.
• Confused and disappointed, Marcus tossed aside the photo album his mom gave him for his birthday but when voices started coming out of it, he decided to pay attention.
• “Don’t look at me, I thought we were going for tacos.”
• Late for work, I throw open the front door and find myself face-to-face with a UPS driver standing next to the biggest box I’ve ever seen.
• You know that dream where you’ve gone back in time and you’re reliving the craziest moment of your entire life? — I’m living it.
• The house shook with a violent surge like a hurricane had whipped right through it and, just as suddenly, was still.
• We danced until the sun went down and the floor gave way beneath our feet.
• Professor Soto said the assignment would be easy; he never mentioned we’d have to do it on a roller coaster.
• The old man in the seat next to me on the train speaks loudly on his cell phone; I’m pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to let that information out.
• Joanna’s favorite band is playing a sold-out show tonight but thankfully, she’s figured out a way to get in.
• When Jaden and his best friend took the blank page out of the notebook and drew their map of Ancient Egypt on it, they had no idea of the chain of events they’d set in motion.
• “Pick a number, any number,” she said, her voice a taunt, “And I’ll show you your future self.”
• Constance was planting daffodil bulbs in her flower bed when her trowel struck a most unusual object in the soil.
• “In other news,” Zach leans over and whispers to Marie, “they’re expecting you to go up on stage and resign in about, oh, sixty seconds.”
• Hup two three four, hup two three four —wait, shouldn’t we have been there by now?
• Why did she burst through the door like that if she wasn’t going to tell me the truth?
• Though Evie knew the dog was special, she’d never realized he was magical.
• The return address on the gold envelope is in Greenland — had they really tracked me down from the other side of the world?
• I always thought good historical fiction should transport you to another time and place, but when a man in a waistcoat and a top hat enters my room, I realize the book I’m reading has taken that to a whole new level.
• The checkout line at the grocery store wouldn’t have been my preferred place to “be discovered” — fluorescent lights and all — but who am I to say no to Elizabeth Van Zee?
• Is it even worth showing up here again if nobody’s ever going to come and answer my questions about my grandma?
• I can’t justify the crimes I committed, even though they saved lives.
• “Does this purple shirt make me stand out?” asked the giant one-eyed cat.
• I wish I could tell you that everything went as planned, and no one got hurt, but that would be a lie.
• They found my mom’s ratty ball cap by the edge of the creek around a month after she went missing; I wish they hadn’t.
• She’d eaten a lot of pie during her career as a restaurant critic, but never before had she tasted one quite like this.
• It was no problem catching the thief; he left his fingerprints everywhere.
• I knew Jax was meant to be my best friend, from the moment we met right up until his death.
• My knuckles were white as I gripped the armrests of my seat, hoping desperately that our pilot could get the plane back on course before it was too late.
• Riley Davis always said that I was his whole world, but if that was true, he wouldn’t have destroyed my life.
• I didn’t want to have to hurt him, so I ran away as soon as August got down on one knee.
• At first, I had thought telepathy would be a cool superpower, but that was before I knew of the chaos that lives in every person’s mind.
• “Why do you think you’re here?” Dr. Judy asked when I took a seat in her office.
• I had just finished crocheting the small grey elephant for my nephew and was placing it in a gift bag when it let out a little trumpeting noise.
• Teddy had always known there was something fishy about that new girl, and his suspicions were confirmed as soon as he saw the live salmon in her backpack.
• She was on the hunt for a way to ease her anxiety, and it didn’t take her long to discover that goat yoga was not the answer.
• I had never taken an interest in Randy until we both attended the teen fantasy club at the local library.
• Beauty is everything, something I learned from a very young age.
• I’ve been to at least a hundred weddings since I began my career as a photographer, each one a reminder of the love I will never have.
• My sister had always loved flowers, and I felt bad for only ever giving them to her after she died.
• When people ask what happened to my wife, I say it was a car accident, because no one would believe the real story.
• I had no idea how big a polar bear’s stomach really was until I was inside of one.
• When I began my study on ducks throughout the multiverse, I had no idea it would later solve world hunger.

Need more writing prompt ideas? Check out these posts:

• 50 Compelling Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas for an Epic Story
• 60 Creative Journal Prompts for Teenagers

How are you using these one-sentence writing prompts in your own writing practice? Leave a comment and let us know.

Privacy Overview

55 One-Sentence Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Student’s Stories

One-sentence writing prompts are such a fun, helpful way to teach students how to write— and instill a love of writing .

I love watching my children think up new stories. You can almost see the wheels turning and thoughts churning!

But sometimes, those gears grind to a halt, and they get stuck. 

That’s where writing prompts, also known as story starters, come in and save the day!

I especially like using one-liner story starter sentences in our homeschool. 

They don’t require any prep on my part, and the kids love them. 

Make Writing Easier with Free One-Sentence Prompts

Get a printable PDF of writing prompts sent straight to your inbox!

How One-Sentence Prompts Make Creative Writing Easier

I think the hardest part for every student is staring at that blank page wondering “ How do I start writing a story? “

Remember how hard that was? 

Writer’s block is something kids deal with, too!

That pressure—creating a story out of thin air—can be a total inspiration-killer. 

There’s something to be said about just getting their creative juices flowing. 

That’s why I love sentence starters for creative writing because that’s exactly what they do.

One-sentence writing prompts are just what they sound like—an opening sentence or idea that’s meant to inspire a story. 

For older students, I even like using first-line writing prompts for essay writing. You just have to start with prompts that are a little more subject specific.

The art o f writing can be a daunting task for anyone, especially for elementary-aged children and middle school students who are just starting their writing journey. 

Sentence prompts relieve some of that pressure by acting as story starters . 

They allow writers to focus their thoughts while providing ideas for their storylines.

Well-written prompts also help with the basics of sentence constructions, which sets the example and encourages better writing over time.

How to Use One-Line Writing Prompts

When students use one-sentence writing prompts as a starting point for their tales, it often helps them think more creatively. 

It can drum up ideas they may not have thought of otherwise. 

To use these story starters for kids, have your students brainstorm ideas for each one-sentence prompt.

Remind them that there is no right or wrong answer (or plot). 

This brainstorming step can be part of their writing assessment or even part of their writing practice.

After all, every good storyline begins with ideation. 

Even having your students do some journaling before starting a prompt could be useful. Great journal entries have, at times, been the source of wonderful essays!

55 Exciting One-Sentence Story starters

Sometimes, one sentence is all it takes to get those creative juices flowing. So here are 55 creative one-line story starters to ease the burden of the dreaded “blank page.”

Once you’ve cycled through the prompts below, check out our other free writing exercises:

• Picture writing prompts
• Fall prompts
• Winter prompts

Encourage your children to use them as opening sentences for their stories , but also let them know it’s okay to change things up as needed!

1. I received a letter from a great uncle I never knew, stating I was heir to his throne in a faraway kingdom.

2. Suddenly, the merry-go-round stopped and all the horses came to life!

3. It all started when I took home the wrong backpack…

4. When I walked into the living room this morning, my mom had a huge grin on her face. 

5. The next day at school, everyone wanted to know what happened last night.

6. My dad told me he started a new job today, and I found a superhero cape in the backseat of his car!

7. This summer, I’m going to visit my grandparents who live in another country.

8. Yesterday, I saw an old man walking down the street not wearing any shoes.

9. The little boy looked at me and said, “The choice is yours. What will you decide?”

10. I thought it was my new puppy making that strange noise, but it was actually…

11. It sounded like a trumpet, and it was coming from outside. 

12. When I woke up this morning, there were hundreds of balloons everywhere!

13. A few days ago, I went out to play soccer, and suddenly, everything changed.

14. Last week, I met a girl named Mary, and we became best friends even though she’s not like most people I know. 

15. I remember the moment like it was yesterday…

16. I received a letter with no return address, and it said something I never expected…

17. I was through the woods with my older brother when we heard a strange growl.

18. My dad silently handed me a piece of a paper that was actually a treasure map leading to…

19. As I gazed up at the stars, I noticed an especially bright one moving slowly across the night sky. 

20. Today, I got a call from someone saying they have important news about my family history.

21. There once lived a king whose name was forgotten with time, but his kingdom…

22. It was the best feeling in the world…

23. I went with my grandpa to milk the cows, but something was different about the barn today. 

24. Today, I saw a strange-colored bug I’ve never seen before…

25. My favorite teddy bear was nowhere to be found, but suddenly…

26. I felt as if I could fly…

27. I’m so excited because tomorrow I’ll finally meet my long lost cousin!

28. I always wondered what it would be like if it actually rained cats and dogs, then it happened.

29. I’ve always been afraid of spiders, but the world was counting on me, so I pushed through. 

30. Suddenly, all the streets turned into rivers!

31. One minute, I was sitting quietly reading a book; the next thing I knew, I was running away from…

32. I can’t believe how fast the time went by when I was…

33. It was happening—I was finally going undercover as a spy on a top-secret mission. 

34. I was just minding my own business when something stopped me in my tracks. 

35. I was eating lunch with friends when I overheard them talking about a mysterious creature called a MarshCrawler.

36. I was playing hide-and-seek with my friend when I saw something I’ve never seen before. 

37. I was doing my homework when I heard a loud crash downstairs.

38. On a camping trip with my family, we discovered a cave filled with the most beautiful treasures you’ve ever seen. 

39. My dad taught me how to use a metal detector, and you’ll never believe what I found. 

40. I had a dream last night where I was flying high above the clouds.

41. I was walking down Main Street when I spotted a man who looked exactly like my grandfather.

42. I was riding home after school when I came upon a group of kids throwing rocks at each other.

43. I was watching TV when I heard a knock at the door.

44. I was having dinner with some friends when I realized I’d left my wallet back at home.

45. Every story has a hero; this time it was me. 

46. They still had a long way to go when it started snowing.

47. When I opened the front door, I saw someone I never expected. 

48. I was given the gift of any wish in the world…

49. From the next room, I heard my little sister laughing hysterically. 

50. I was walking around the neighborhood when I stumbled onto a secret passage.

51. I was taking a nap when I woke up to find myself surrounded by hundreds of people.

52. I tried desperately to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. 

53. The day began normally until I noticed an odd smell coming from the kitchen sink.

54. We were driving along when I saw a huge black cloud heading our way.

55. Every day, the same strange thing happens…

Want to Print These First-Line Writing Prompts? (Free PDF!)

To make these one-sentence story prompts easier to use, we created a free printable of 55 “short-and-sweet” story starters. 

Get them sent to your inbox below!

About The Author

Jordan Mitchell

• Writing Prompts

60+ First Line Writing Prompts

Did you know that the opening line of a story is one of the hardest parts of writing a great book? Spark your imagination with these 100+first line writing prompts for all ages! These simple one-liners are the perfect way to get those creative juices flowing and find inspiration for your next big short story or flash fiction . 

We have a mix of first-line writing prompts, ranging from fantasy prompts to non-fictional and realistic events. As well as prompts written in the first and third-person view. The one-line writing prompts in this post are a great way to challenge yourself to write something new. In fact, you can even set yourself a challenge to write at least 300 words every day for each of these cool prompts!

60+ Random First Line Writing Prompts

Here are over 60 one-line opening sentences to help you write your next big story:

•  “Er… I hate this song. Why is it always playing on the radio?”
• Every story has a hero and I’m the hero of this one.
• Thunder rattled outside, as Emily tossed and turned trying to sleep.
• Life wasn’t great at all for Mr Pea. It wasn’t even mildly good. 
• They keep calling me “special”, but what’s so special about me?
• Gavin was always getting the best presents. For once I wish I could be like him.
• Balloons popping, confetti dropping and food flying. That’s how Katie spent her birthday each year. 
• Every night, Peter went out to save the world in his own little way. 
• If dogs could speak, then Spike would be thanking Chris right now.
•  Money is everything. 
•  Was it really Jane’s fault?
•  Every day the same thing keeps happening.
•  For the first time in her life, Janie felt powerful.
•  5 AM and still no phone call.
•  Mom’s always telling me to come straight home. 
•  There’s an old legend that talks about magical fairies living in the forest. 
•  Snow fell, as Clarissa made her way home.
•  After the accident, Nelson never felt safe again.
•  Katie’s living the dream up in the hills of Hollywood.
•  The world seemed like such a big place, until the recent discovery in Antarctica. 
•  “Dear diary, today I learned something about myself…” Katie mumbled to herself. 
•  Blinded by a bright light outside his window, Jake jumped up in horror.
•  Sitting at his computer, Martin noticed something odd about his favourite computer game.
•  Rain trembled down the window, as the car radio played in the background. 
•  “Ready or not, here I come!” shouted Millie in the distance. 
• Once upon a time, there lived a young prince with extraordinary powers. 
•  James had it all, but still, it was not enough.
•  Her red hair glistened in the sun, as she walked across the car park. 
•  Mel was always haunted by her dreams. 
•  “Shhhh! It’s your turn now” whispered Kelly. 
•  The room was a dump, as Jack frantically searched every corner. 
•  This time daddy brought a strange teddy bear home.
•  There’s no cure for a beast like me. 
•  People ran inside their homes, as the alarm rang. 
•  Tracking through the woods, Christian found something strange. 
•  Home. What is home anyway?
•  Legend says that if you breathe in and out ten times in front of a mirror something strange happens.
•  Tick… tock… tick… tock… time was going so slow. 
•  The pain was too much, he had to leave right now.
•  Slipping out of reach, she lost it forever.
•  Money, clothes, food, everything you need for a quick getaway. 
•  In the faraway kingdom of Rainbow Popsicles, everything was sweet, apart from one strange-looking thing. 
•  In the damp streets of Manhattan, there lived a fierce little cat. 
•  Being the ‘odd one out’, the ‘weird’ one wasn’t fun at all.
•  “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Shelly screamed in her sleep.
•  Some say the number 7 is unlucky, but to me, it wasn’t.
•  Every Saturday, Joe went to his Grandma’s house, but something was very different this week. 
•  Chores, chores and more chores.
•  For once I wish I could get my way.
•  The sun shone brightly on Oakland farm, but not all was bright.
•  “I got one! I got one!” shrieked Sally, jumping up and down in excitement.
•  She was everything I wanted to be and more. 
•   The same words over and over again scattered all over the floor. 
•  The scariest creatures lived deep in the forest where no-one ever went. 
•  “Abra Kadabra, turn these ripped trainers into the fastest trainers in the world!” exclaimed Victor. 
•  The desert-like sun burned his skin as he lay scorching in the sand. 
•  The sound of rustling leaves turned George’s heart to stone. 
•  Sunny Slimeville was just a normal town with a funny name. 
•  The phone did not stop ringing all week.
•  Another tea party, another game. 
•  How’s a country girl like me ever going to survive the big city?
•  Did you know that not all zombies eat brains?

How To Use These One-Line Writing Prompts

There are a number of ways you can use these first-line writing prompts to inspire your story writing , such as:

• Pick one of the opening sentences and free-write for at least 60 seconds. Don’t stop to think, just keep on writing whatever comes to mind! 
• Don’t keep skipping through all of the prompts above. Challenge yourself and give the ‘hard’ or ‘boring’ ones a go! You never know how they’ll inspire you unless you give them a go. 
• Feel free to adapt these first-line writing prompts in any way you like. You can change the character names, point of view and any other details you feel like.
• Explore your imagination. Don’t be afraid to add more characters, add conflict, add dialogue , add anything you like to really have fun with these prompts!

For more inspiration, check out this list of over 150 story starters . Now go and choose an opening sentence from the above list! And if it inspires you to write something cool, let us know in the comments! You can even publish your story online – Just sign-up to create your free account .

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

Related Posts

Comments loading...

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Here are Some Really Good Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you're struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post - it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you’re struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post – it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Master storyteller that he is, Stephen King was gracious enough to admit that a writer tends to dread the moment when he actually begins writing any piece―this can be a bit of a make-or-break kind of a situation. A flying start tends to set the tone of the work, all positive, of course, whereas an unsure start only leads to the doomed path of redrafts.

You may have the entire concept of your story or essay in mind, but when it comes to the actual act of putting pen to paper, the enthusiasm tends to deflate a little. A rather strange phenomenon, this, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that most writers, at some point, have encountered this experience.

To our fellow budding writers, we’re offering a helping hand by providing a few sample starts to get that creativity rolling, followed by a little inspiration from the stalwarts of the business.

Sample Sentence Starters for Fiction

Fiction writing is a boundless category, and each author has his preferred style of beginning a story or a novel. It is obvious that the beginning of a story depends on the overall plot, but there are times when you can use all the inspiration you need to get the start you were looking for. Therefore, we’ve included 5 ideas you can use in your starter, along with 3 examples for each.

Describe the weather

► The warm Californian sunshine hit her face as she stepped outside for the first time as a free woman.

► It had been raining nonstop for the past six days.

► The night sky was exceptionally clear tonight.

Introduce a character

► Daniel hated reunions and all the fake camaraderie.

► Edie Brent’s gruesome murder made it to the front page of the New York Times.

► Alison loved to keep secrets.

Talk about the city

► The streets of London come alive during the Holidays.

► Springtime is the best time to be in New York.

► Rio de Janeiro was where his dreams were.

Add a little suspense

► Walking home in the dead of the night was not new to Carol, but tonight felt different.

► The key clicked in the lock as Alan opened the door to his apartment. Everything seemed to be in place, and yet, something wasn’t right.

► It was 3 a. m. and there was no sign of Tim. He always called to tell if he was getting late. Why hadn’t he called?

And some drama

► How do you react when you’re told that you have a mere hours left to live?

► Prom queen and head cheerleader, Jessica always loved to be the center of attention.

► “Get the hell out of my life!”, screamed Karen at the top of her lungs.

Sentence Starters for Formal Essays

Middle school and high school students have to draft varied writing assignments, including persuasive essays, arguments, and narratives. In case of essays, particularly, the kind of start you make depends entirely on the topic at hand. However, formal essays or presentations need to begin in a certain manner. We’ve listed a few examples here:

► (The topic) has fostered a debate on …

► There is growing support for the notion that …

► The data gathered in the study strongly suggests that …

► The focus of discussion in this paper is …

► The premise of (the topic) seems to be based on …

► Latest research corroborates the view that …

Learn from the Greats

Who doesn’t seek inspiration from the masters of the field? Agreed, we all do. Therefore, we’ve brought you a list of the first sentences of some of the most iconic novels ever written.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. ― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

Call me Ishmael. ― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. ― J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love. ― Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera

These sample sentence starters ought to have helped you get over your dry spell. Getting the right start is crucial when it comes to creative writing, and you need to give it your all to bring it up to standard.

Like it? Share it!

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Further insights.

Privacy Overview

114 Writing Prompt Sentences For More Creative Stories

Sometimes when you’re writing, you could use a little help getting started. Am I right?

The fact is that some of the most effective writing prompts are actually writing prompt sentences – a single sentence beckoning you to expound upon a thought or storyline. And lucky for you, we have truckloads of them!

The Art of an Engaging Opening Line

Writing prompt sentences offer a first impression into a literary world—they grab the writer’s attention and set the tone for their entire piece. A powerful opener can captivate you and draw you into a narrative you just have to write.

While this post will focus on providing you with fresh, new writing prompt sentences, it’s important to consider how some of the world’s most popular stories begin. Some writers even enjoy borrowing the opening sentence of these popular books and creating a new story from it:

Great First Lines

Great first lines are more than just words; they are an invitation into a story. 

Lines that stand out:

• Are concise:  They aim to be punchy and to the point.
• Evoke curiosity:  They stir the reader’s interest with mystery or an unexpected twist.
• Set the scene:  They provide a glimpse into the world or mood of the story.

For example:

It was the perfect vacation, or so I thought.

This writing prompt sentence sets the scene in paradise, invites the writer (and reader!) to imagine what might have gone wrong, and keeps the door open to a wide array of possibilities with its brevity.

The Power of One-Line Writing Prompts

Writing prompt sentences are compact storytelling engines. Here’s how they can enhance your writing:

• Spark creativity:  They force you to develop complex ideas from a single, powerful sentence.
• Flex writing muscles:  Regular practice with one-liners can improve overall writing skills.

Setting the Scene

Some of the best story starters focus on the story’s setting.

The setting creates the world where characters live and act. Setting-focused writing prompt sentences invite writers to vividly construct these scenes from the get-go.

The Living Room

The man’s living room was cluttered in the most peculiar way.

And setting story starters aren’t limitied to appearance! Consider creative writing prompts that invite writers to describe a setting’s ambience.

There was a faint scent of lavender in the air.

Her cubicle induced anxiety, immediately and lethally.

The Perfect Vacation Scene

The right writing prompt sentences can make writers feel the sun’s warmth and the sand between their toes as they craft the perfect vacation scene. Whether it’s a tropical beach or a cozy mountain lodge, focus on sensory details like temperature, sounds, scents, and textures.

The crisp, fresh air saturating the front porch of the cabin reminded her of him.

The sun was blinding but beautiful, warming his cheeks in a way that reminded him of childhood.

She woke up to the lapping of waves.

He’d never noticed the smell of pine before, passing the time in his cramped apartment, but here it engulfed him in a sweet thickness.

The sand was coarse between her toes, the water biting.

Middle of the Night Zookeeper Adventures

Young writers will enjoy settings that evoke their imaginations, with bonus points for including animals!

I knew sneaking through the zoo in the middle of the night wouldn’t be easy, but I never expected this!

It all started when the night zookeeper caught sight of the strange old man crouched in the shadows.

Of all of the strange encounters the night zookeeper had experienced, this tiny dragon was easily the strangest.

Characters and Relationships

Creating dynamic characters and exploring their relationships is a cornerstone of storytelling. Characters must interact in ways that are both authentic and push the story forward.

The Strange Old Man Next Door

Whether a strange old man or woman lives next door, drives an ice cream truck, or walks the local park in the middle of the night, the allure of the unknown is sure to draw writers in.

The strange old man next door knew something I didn’t.

No one knew it, but the small town cab driver was 321 years old in Earth years.

The next door neighbours were careful to leave the front door of their house unlocked before leaving for their cruise ship.

The Legacy of Family and Friendships

Family can leave you with the warm fuzzies…or a bad taste in your mouth.

The death of my great uncle left a peculiar legacy, one you’ve certainly never heard of before.

The little boy was clearly my son…but how?

I never intended to be gone for such a long time but of course, my mother would be the last person to believe that.

Friendships define your main character, and their involvement often catalyzes growth or change. 

She may never be my best friend again, but her apology was at least a starting point.

The rustling of keys in the lock told me my best friend had arrived, but I could have never prepared myself for what came through my front door with him.

Encounters with a Little Sister

Young writers from 1st grade all the way through high school can benefit from exploring sibling relationships. Story starters involving a little sister or brother represent a chance for them to explore the innocence or mischief of siblings and their relationship to them, and with the right creative writing prompts, even develop empathy.

From the second the words left her mouth, it was clear my little sister never intended to reveal the secret.

The first time my little brother did it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Plot Twists and Surprises

At the core of some of the most compelling narratives are the plot twists and surprises that throw readers for a loop. Incorporating plot twists in your sentence prompts is a great way to help maintain suspense and deliver a jaw-dropping moment.

An Unexpected Fortune Cookie Message

The fortune cookie revealed a crisp piece of paper where, instead of a vague aphorism or lucky number, it read…my address. 

I expected to find a small piece of paper inside of my fortune cookie, not this, not by any means.

The Roller Coaster of Life

Whether literal or figurative, a roller coaster offers a perfect metaphor for life’s unpredictable twists and turns. 

I expected the roller coaster ride to be noisy, but the loud crash at the top of the rails seemed far from intended.

I never knew it was possible to crash from the highest high of my life to the lowest low within a millisecond, a catch of the breath…but here I was.

Sensory Details in Writing

Engaging senses in your writing can transport readers into the scene. It’s like giving them a front-row seat to the unfolding narrative.

The Chill of Icy Fingers

I padded my bare feet across the cold pavement, each step shooting a biting chill, like icy fingers clawing up my calves.

The warmth of my bed met an abrupt halt as the icy fingers grabbed my arm.

Memories from a Photo Album

Flipping through a photo album can evoke vivid memories.

When her eyes fell upon the photo, she immediately recalled how crisp the air had felt on her skin the morning the photo was taken.

He could still feel his itchy sweater in the photo, still smell the stale stench of alcohol, still hear the music jangling out of the jukebox.

Prompts for Different Age Groups

Writing prompts offer a great way to engage with writing at any age. Let’s explore what kinds of one-line prompts best suit different educational stages, from playful themes for young writers to thought-provoking scenarios for high school students.

Engaging Young Writers

To capture the imagination of young writers, consider sentence prompts that allow for creative exploration and storytelling.

Here are a few ideas:

Describe your dream pet.

Tell a story about the day the sky turned green.

Sentence Prompts for Middle School

For  middle school  students, prompts that challenge their thinking and encourage deeper reflection are ideal.

Try these engaging prompts:

Imagine a world without technology.

Write about a character who finds a mysterious key.

High School Writing Challenges

High school students benefit from prompts that tackle complex issues and facilitate critical thinking.

Engage them with prompts such as:

Discuss the impact of social media on your generation.

Create a dialogue between two historical figure.

Incorporating Technology and Novelty

You can use everyday items and fantastical devices to create intriguing story starters. Technology and novelty, especially in combination, have the power to unlock new worlds in your imagination.

The Mystery of the Cell Phone

It was an unlocked cell phone…no contacts, no history, just a single, scheduled notification that read, “Remember gran’s words…or die trying.”

When we finally figured out how to turn on the mysterious phone, it immediately shone a bright light that quickly blinded and surrounded us and carried us into the clouds like a hot air balloon.

Time Travel via Time Machine

The ice cream truck wasn’t an ice cream truck at all, but a time machine.

The very act of time travel is riddled with millions of things that could go wrong…but this scenario, this lifeless body, hadn’t made the list.

The End or a New Beginning?

While one-sentence writing prompts demand a strong start, every creative writing piece also requires a satisying ending.

Imagine every story’s ending as a chance to echo resonances of the beginning. The last sentence should be reflective of the first sentence, giving a sense of closure or perhaps a teasing window into another world.

Much like the last page of your favorite book might do, short stories particularly benefit from this technique. Their brevity allows for a neat, full-circle feel.

When crafting this pivotal sentence, you have the opportunity to nudge your reader. You’re not just ending a story; you’re implanting the possibility of a new beginning in their mind.

Whether it’s the start of a discussion, a reflection, or a sequel to your narrative, you are in control of what that concluding thought leaves behind.

Creative Writing Techniques

Fully harnessing your creative potential requires utilizing a variety of techniques. These strategies are designed to stimulate your imagination and provide a diverse range of resources to suit your unique writing style.

Stirring the Creative Juices

Engaging with creative writing prompts and techniques offers a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

• Creative Writing Prompts : Steering away from average and expected journal prompts into those that challenge your imagination and storytelling skills can push you out of your comfort zone into something new.
• Freewriting : Give yourself a limited time, say 15 minutes, and write continuously without worrying about grammar or coherence.
• Mind Mapping : Visually organize your thoughts around a central concept to explore connections and foster new ideas.

These techniques free your mind from the usual constraints, encouraging a flow of ideas that might just germinate into a compelling narrative.

Resource Types for Diverse Styles

Your style is as unique as you are, and thankfully, there are a variety of resource types to cater to each writer’s needs.

• Books and E-books : Get your hands on writing guides that can provide detailed tips and exercises tailored to different genres.
• Online Platforms : Subscribe to websites offering interactive lessons and forums where you can share work and get feedback.
• Workshops and Webinars : Join live sessions with experts that address specific writing challenges and answer your burning questions.

By exploring these resources, you’ll find the support and inspiration necessary to sharpen your writing and keep your creative journey exciting and productive.

Which writing prompt sentences will you try first? We can’t wait to hear what you write!

Sharing is caring!

Need help submitting your writing to literary journals or book publishers/literary agents?  Click here! →

Writing Prompts: Here’s Your Story’s First Sentence | Writer’s Relief

by Writer's Relief Staff | Writing Prompt | 2 comments

Review Board is now open! Submit your Short Prose, Poetry, and Book today!

Deadline: thursday, april 18th.

Writer, if you want to be inspired by something a little more challenging than typical writing prompts, try this! The publishing experts at Writer’s Relief know the first few sentences can make or break your short story or novel. This is where you need to capture your audience’s attention and intrigue them enough to continue reading. It’s important to learn how to write a great first line , but this time, we’ve done the work for you! Try these first sentence writing prompts and write the sentences you feel would come next.

First Sentence Writing Prompts

We were the last two people on earth, but we couldn’t speak the same language.

As rain pounded against the cabin’s window, the man’s last candle began to flicker out.

Kayla was claustrophobic and hated bright colors, so when dozens of clowns began boarding the already crowded bus, it was the last straw.

Stuck on the roof of the office building without a cell phone, Vince tried waving to cars on the roadway below.

Recently engaged, Catherine never expected her sixth-grade boyfriend to show up at her door twenty years later to say that they had technically never broken up.

It was the end of the world—again.

After the last incident, we knew Grandpa would be banned from the grocery store.

The town had been without rain for three years, but now the clouds were starting to look gray.

The ballet was beautiful, but I had tickets to see a heavy metal band, so I was pretty sure I was in the wrong theater.

The fog machine at Shannon’s party was stuck on full blast.

Daniel was excited but also concerned to see he had 250 new text messages on his phone.

I clung to a large piece of debris and continued floating down the flooded street.

Walking through the doorway, we emerged in a different time.

After everything that happened, I’ll never be able to look at peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the same way.

The man sitting beside Joe on the train looked more like a homeless person than a bounty hunter.

Someone had to be let go from the company, and Pat had to make the final decision.

It had been five years since his husband went missing, so Dave was shocked to see him sitting in the café.

Dear reader, I wish I could tell you where I am.

I had grown accustomed to living next door to aliens.

The doctor told me I had amnesia, but I couldn’t remember what that was.

Bringing home the stray cat seemed like a good idea at the time.

We opened the ice-cream shop on Tuesday, and the third Ice Age began on Wednesday.

The bluegrass band needed a new jug player, and I happened to own a good jug.

If you enjoyed reading these first sentence writing prompts, here are more great first lines:

Memorable, Must-Read First Lines From Our Favorite Books

Classic First Lines Rewritten For The Pandemic

Question: Which first sentence writing prompt will you try first?

Oh my gosh, the clowns on the bus are my worst nightmare! 😂 Thanks so much for these fantastic prompts!!

You’re welcome, Deb!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

See ALL the services we offer, from FREE to Full Service!

Click here for a Writer’s Relief Full Service Overview

Services Catalog

Free Publishing Leads and Tips!

• Name * First Name
• Email * Enter Email Confirm Email
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Featured Articles

Featured Video

• Facebook 121k Followers
• Twitter 113.9k Followers
• YouTube 5.1k Followers
• Instagram 5.5k Followers
• LinkedIn 146.2k Followers
• Pinterest 33.5k Followers

Pin It on Pinterest

• Become A Member
• Remember Me      Forgot Password?
• CANCEL Login

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

• Writing Programs & Pedagogy
• Community & Calendar
• Magazine & Media
• AWP Conference
• Writers' Conferences & Centers
• Guide to Writing Programs

• Advice Articles
• Campus Visit Video Series

San Jose State University

California, united states.

The MFA at SJSU balances literary study with creative writing workshops. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to develop their talents in more than one genre while increasing their knowledge of modern and contemporary literature in a variety of forms and across a diverse range of cultural and critical perspectives. The program also features courses that provide hands-on preparation for beginning one's writing career in a globalized, technologically enhanced world.

Situated in downtown San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley's cultural center, the MFA program offers students a portal into the writing life. SJSU is the literary incubator for Silicon Valley. Students will be taught by instructors who are themselves publishing poets, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, translators, and editors - many of whom work in both traditional and cutting-edge forms, and who are involved in the arts and technology networks of Silicon Valley.

The English Department publishes Reed magazine, one of the oldest campus literary journals on the West Coast, with over 60 years of continuous publication. Reed is student-produced and offers opportunity for the editing experience as well as a possible publishing venue.

Contact Information

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing +

Undergraduate program director.

The goals of the BA in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing are: to provide students the opportunity to concentrate their studies in the field of Creative Writing. To provide these students a course of study in the craft, theory, and practice of writing fiction, creative nonfiction, and/or poetry. To provide these students a course of study in literature and expository writing which will support their studies in Creative Writing courses. Many students earning a BA in English with a Creative Writing concentration will continue on to apply for admission to the MFA Program in Creative Writing, or will pursue a professional Creative Writing career.

Undergraduate classes in Creative Writing at SJSU are supplemented by the readings and other literary programs sponsored by the SJSU Center for Literary Arts (CLA). Since 1986, the CLA has provided readings, lectures and seminars that allow the San Jose community to interact with writers of contemporary literature who have demonstrated exceptional voice and vision. Its mission is to spread the influence of and interest in literature throughout the South Bay area and to facilitate cross-cultural understanding in the region's ethnically diverse population through the appreciation of works of literature. The CLA's Major Authors Series has been the most significant literary series in the region, presenting to the community five winners of the Nobel Prize, fifteen winners of the National Book Award and twenty-eight winners of the Pulitzer Prize.

The CLA is funded by grants and donations from individuals and foundations.

SJSU also publishes REED Magazine, an annual student-run Literary Magazine published every Spring and featuring submissions of original poetry and short stories from across the nation. (For more information click on http://www.reedmag.org/drupal/.)

Below are requirements for this focused concentration in Creative Writing.

(To see a detailed description of the SJSU BA Concentration in Creative Writing curriculum and individual courses, click on: http://www.sjsu.edu/english/undergraduate/degreeplans/majorcreatwrit.)

PREREQUISITE: 3 Units.

ENGL 71: Introduction to Creative Writing (3) - NOTE: English 71 does not count toward 48 units listed below, but it does satisfy GE Area Requirement C2.

15 Units of Creative Writing

ENGL 105: Advanced Composition (3)

ENGL 130: Fiction Writing (repeatable up to 3X) (3)

ENGL 131: Poetry Writing (repeatable up to 3X) (3)

ENGL 133: REED Magazine (repeatable 2X) (3)

ENGL 134: Speechwriting (3)

ENGL 135: Creative Nonfiction Writing (repeatable up to 3X) (3)

LITERATURE REQUIREMENTS: 9 UNITS

ENGL 149: The Romantic Period

ENGL 150: The Victorian Age

ENGL 151: Twentieth Century Poetry

ENGL 153B: Nineteenth Century British Novel

ENGL 154: British and Irish Fiction Since 1900

ENGL 161: American Literature to 1830 (3)

ENGL 162: American Literature: 1830-1865 (3)

ENGL 163: American Literature: 1865-1910 (3)

ENGL 164: American Literature: 1910- 1945 (3)

ENGL 165: Topics in Ethnic American Literature (3)

ENGL 166: American Literature Since 1945 (3)

ENGL 167: Steinbeck (3)

ENGL 168: The American Novel (3)

ENGL 169: Ethnicity in American Literature (3)

ENGL 176: The Short Story (3)

ENGL 177: Twentieth Century Fiction

Foreign Language Requirement

One year of foreign langauge study at the college level or equivalency through examination.

CORE REQUIREMENTS: 24 UNITS

A. Core Shared with the General English Major:

ENGL 56A: Survey of English Lit

ENGL 68A: Survey of American Lit

ENGL 68B: Survey of American Lit

ENGL 100W: Writing Workshop (Expository Writing for English Majors)

ENGL 122: Comp Lit, or 123 A, B, C, or D Global Lit

OR 125A: Homer to Dante

ENGL 144: Shakespeare

OR 145: Shakespeare and Performance

B. Core Course For CW Concentration

ENGL 139: Living Writers Seminar

C. Capstone Core Course for CW Concentration

ENGL 193C: Capstone Seminar in Creative Writing and Self-Reflection

Total Concentration Plus Core Units:

Bachelor of Arts in English/Literature +

Minor / concentration in creative writing +.

SJSU offers English Majors a concentration in Creative Writing. All Creative Writing and upper division classes are 4 units.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing +

Graduate program director.

The MFA at SJSU is a dual-genre program that balances literary study with creative writing workshops. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to develop their talents in more than one genre while increasing their knowledge of modern and contemporary literature in a variety of forms and across a diverse range of cultural and critical perspectives. The program also features courses that provide hands-on preparation for beginning one's writing career in a globalized, technologically enhanced world.

Situated in downtown San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley's cultural center, the MFA program will offer students a portal into the writing life. Students will be taught by instructors who are themselves publishing poets, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, translators, and editors - many of whom work in both traditional and cutting-edge forms, and who are involved in the arts and technology networks of Silicon Valley.

Samuel Maio

Samuel Maio is the author of THE BURNING OF LOS ANGELES (1996), and CREATING ANOTHER SELF: VOICE IN MODERN AMERICAN PERSONAL POETRY (2005), both from Truman State University Press. His poems, essays, and reviews have been published widely in periodicals.

http://www.sjsu.edu/cwmfa/faculty.html

Alan Soldofsky

Alan Soldofsky is a veteran of the San Francisco Bay Area poetry scene. His 2013 collection of poems, IN THE BUDDHA FACTORY, from Truman State University Press, was a finalist for the T. S. Eliot Award. He has been a contributing editor of Poetry Flash, and co-host of the popular poetry show “Planet on the Table” on Berkeley’s KPFA radio. He has published three poetry chapbooks: Kenora Station, Staying Home, and Holding Adam / My Father’s Books, a chapbook that includes a selection of poems by his son, Adam Soldofsky. Over the last three decades, his poems have been published widely in magazines and journals,

http://www.sjsu.edu/people/alan.soldofsky/

Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is the author of the historical novels The Disagreement (Simon & Schuster, 2008) and FATHER JUNIPERO'S CONFESSOR (Heyday, 2013). Nick's work has earned a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship and the Michael Shaara Prize for Civil War Fiction. He has also received support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the William R. Kenan, Jr., Fund for Historic Preservation. Currently Nick serves as Associate Professor of English and Director of the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies at San José State University. In 2014, Doubleday published his first thriller, The Setup Man, under the pseudonym T.T. Monday.

http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty_and_staff/faculty_detail.jsp?id=2136

Cathleen Miller

Cathleen Miller's biography of Dr, Nafis Sadik, CHAMPION OF CHOICE, is the result of ten years of work and many, many strange circumstances. Other publication credits include travel stories for a variety of newspapers and anthologies. Miller is also the coauthor of DESERT FLOWER, the life story of activist Waris Dirie which describes the Somali nomad's experience with female genital mutilation. This book's print version has sold 11 million copies in 55 languages, and was later adapted as a feature film released in 34 nations. Cathleen Miller is a professor of creative writing at San José State University.

http://www.sjsu.edu/people/cathleen.miller/

Scott Sublett

Scott Winfield Sublett, a veteran screenwriter screenwriting teacher, is known for writing BYE-BYE BIN LADEN (2009), GENERIC THRILLER (2009) and PIZZA WARS: THE MOVIE (2002). He also has published a screenwriting guide, SCREENWRITING FOR NEUROTICS (2014).

Sally Ashton

Sally Ashton is a poet, writer, teacher, and Editor-in-Chief of DMQ Review, an online journal featuring poetry and art. She earned her BA in English with a creative writing minor from SJSU, and her MFA in Poetry and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars.

She is the recipient of an Artist Fellowship, Poetry, from Arts Council Silicon Valley and a fellowship from Montalvo Arts Center. She is the author of three books of poetry, two of which were nominated for Pushcart Prizes. Poems also appear in the textbook, An Introduction to the Prose Poem, and Breathe: 101 Contemporary Odes, as well as in literary journals such as Sentence: A Journal of Prose Poetics, Brevity, Zyzzyva, 5am, Mississippi Review, and Poet Lore. She was awarded the Fish Flash Fiction First Prize, an international award, in 2014.

Ashton was appointed the second Santa Clara County Poet Laureate on April 1, 2011. During her term, she compiled a collection of the favorite poems of County residents posted on a project blog. Besides teaching at San Jose State University, she teaches private workshops and at writer’s workshops including Disquiet: An International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal.

http://www.sjsu.edu/people/sally.ashton/

Selena Anderson

Selena Anderson is a writer from Texas. She completed her MFA at Columbia University where she won the Transatlantic/Henfield Prize, and her Ph.D. from the University of Houston. Her stories have appeared in Glimmer Train, Kenyon Review, AGNI, and Cosmonauts Avenue, and The Best of Gigantic Anthology. She is working on a collection and a novel.

Publications & Presses +

Reed Magazine

Visiting Writers Program +

Kim Addonizio, Daniel Alarcon, Tim Cahill, Cristina Garcia., Sandra M. Gilbert, Molly Giles, Andrew Sean Greer, James D. Houston, James Kelman, Caroyln Kizer, Ursula K. Le Guin, Andrew Lam, Ishmael Reed, Julia Scheeres, Simon Winchester, Vendala Vida, Al Young. The 2018 Lurie Distinguished Author-in-Residence is novelist Don George.

Reading Series +

Center for Literary Arts ( http://www.litart.org/ )

Share this page:

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 by AWP. All rights reserved.

The Creative Benefits of Writing Longhand

It can enhance analysis and recall, and–maybe–boost creative flow.

Posted May 30, 2022 | Reviewed by Hara Estroff Marano

• Writing longhand can boost analysis and recall.
• Using pen and ink may also boost creative flow.
• The creative process is independent of which hemisphere is used.

I'm a writer, and to generate words I care about I first write them longhand, with pen and ink on paper. I'm also a teacher of creative writing, and when I tell my students—virtually all of whom write everything, from lecture notes to short stories to grocery lists, on their laptops or smartphones—that I have written 20 novels, three non-fiction books, and countless essays and poems using this historic, analog method of putting down words, they react in two ways: Either they gape in astonished pity at my idiocy and possible insanity (most of them) or they consider the (farfetched) possibility that I might have access to ancient mystical wisdom that involves rejecting convenience, speed, and accuracy in favor of an arcane technique they associate with horse-drawn carriages, outdoor toilets, and the absence of wifi.

In fact I do not at all oppose writing on a computer: Whatever works best to get your story out, I insist, is right for you. But there are reasons to consider switching to longhand, some of which are backed up by recent research. Of that, more later.

My own problem with writing stuff you care about on a computer is twofold. First, it looks too good—the letters are neat and legible, the paragraphs perfectly rectangular, and my brain instinctively reacts by thinking the sentences themselves must be neat and perfect as well. Whereas when I write a sentence longhand in a scrawl that looks like a miniature cockroach took three tabs of LSD, soaked its legs in black ink, and stumbled across the page, hallucinating all the while, I am looking at something as ugly and inconsistent as my first draft most likely is—and I work hard to improve it.

The second reason I prefer longhand is that, because I write small and tight, I can cross out a phrase I dislike and write five others that might work better on every side. Another side-benefit of this process is, when I decide that the first phrase in the end sang better than the others, I can still read what I crossed out and put a check mark there to resuscitate its language.

A student once made what seemed to me a valid criticism, in reference to a point I pound upon while teaching that what drives a story is character, and what drives a character is emotion . If emotions are mostly centered (for right-handed people, ie., 95 percent of humans) in the right hemisphere, she said, but we use only our left hemisphere (which controls the right hand) for writing longhand, would this not imply that writing with pen and paper, and thus with the left hemisphere, afford less access to our emotions? And would this not, therefore, inhibit our ability to instill characters with similar emotions? Would not typing with both hands, on screen or keyboard, allow both hemispheres a chance to express themselves?

I had to admit she might have a point; although I also thought that, of the many writers I admire who created complex emotions for their characters, many wrote before keyboards and screens were invented–and surely they were not all left-handed? And in any case, with lefties, aren't the hemispheric functions reversed?

I started looking—via the internet and a computer keyboard—for answers. I found evidence, in an article by Nielsen, Zielinski et al. , that the popular concept of creative right brain vs. analytical left was at best simplistic and at worst erroneous. Or in scientific terms, "Lateralization of brain connections appears to be a local rather than global property of brain networks, and our data are not consistent with a whole-brain phenotype of greater 'left-brained' or greater 'right-brained' network strength across individuals."

I also found research by neurologist Alice Flaherty demonstrating (this tends to be the case with brain research) that creative flow, like most complex neurological functions, is not restricted to any easily defined area in our heads. "Creative drive's links to better understood systems, such as the drive to communicate, provide both direct and indirect evidence for a three-factor anatomical model of creative drive coordinating frontal, temporal, and limbic systems," Flaherty wrote, adding politely that these deep, back and forth exchange patterns needed to be contrasted with older "hemispheric models" of creativity .

Other research indicates that a different kind of longhand—taking notes—has benefits compared to doing so on a laptop. When writing, more slowly, with pen or pencil, the researchers found , subjects were forced to both think about and condense what they were observing, with the result that they were better able to recall what they had thought about and taken down. When typing—much faster and more neatly—on a laptop, they tended to reproduce what they heard verbatim and without analysis. It appeared to be the analysis function that allowed easier comprehension and recall.

Introspection offers only a tenuous link between the analysis function inherent in longhand and benefits it might confer on creative writing. Certainly using my own scrawled shorthand allows me to focus on the key action or process I am trying to describe, whereas in typing I spend more time making sure the paragraphs stay perfect and ready for printing. And, as noted, the ease of editing, correcting, and re-correcting by hand makes the process of creation smoother, for me at least.

Ultimately, though, my primary advice for writers holds true: Use whatever works for you. If a character or story can entertain and move the reader, then the tools you used were both irrelevant and right.

George Michelsen Foy is an essayist and novelist. He teaches creative writing at NYU. His latest non-fiction book, Run the Storm: A Savage Hurricane, a Brave Crew, and the Wreck, came out in May 2018 with Scribner.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience