Having difficulty coming up with ideas to write? You sit down to write, full of joy and determination, and it hits you:

“I have no clue what to write about!”

Or maybe you have a story you’re working on, but you feel stuck on what should happen next or why.

Maybe, maybe, you just need a prompt to add some freshness to your work. Something to give you a different perspective or starting point.

Well, today I’m gonna list 17 prompt generators to help you get past that blank page, and into the flow of writing!

What’s a prompt generator? And how does a prompt generator work?

Well, it’s pretty straightforward.

A prompt generator is an app or website that provides prompts for writing, drawing, and other creative projects (though, today we’re focusing on writing prompts).

There’s usually a button on the page that says “generate” or “get prompt” that you press and a prompt appears! You can re-generate as many times as you’d like. Sometimes the generator has several options to pick from like fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, journaling, etc.

You can’t pick multiple genres (at least, not from the generators I have here), but you can always get creative. Just pick two genres and mush ’em together!

You also don’t have to pick one. Take some time to try them all out! Maybe you’ll find your top 3 generators for writing short stories, poetry, and journal entries. If so, lemme know in the comments below which you’ve found the most helpful!

As a side note, since some of these prompts are for kids and go by the US’s “1st-12th grade” system, I’ve made a conversion list so everyone can understand.

Or, if you’d prefer, here’s a list I found.

Some of these grades can have varying ages depending on the area (particularly when it comes to middle and junior high school). So this isn’t the most exact list, but it’s close enough for its use here.

USA’s Grade-to-age list:
*Preschool – – Ages 2-4
*Pre-Kindergarten – – Ages 4-5
*Elementary School – Kindergarten – 4th Grade – Ages 5-10
*Middle School – 5th or 6th – 8th Grade – Ages 10-14
*Junior High School – 7th – 8th or 9th Grade – Ages 12 -15
*High School – 9th – 12th Grade – Ages 14-18

Now with all the explainin’ outta the way, let’s get to the list!

1. ServiceScape.com

This one has plenty of genres/subgenres. They give you both long and short prompts, but they still give plenty to work with.

There’s this weird glitch that happens when I try to push “next,” the generator doesn’t give me a new prompt. The page stays greyed out, and you gotta refresh it before you can get another prompt.

Not sure if that’s just me.

Despite that, I’ve found the prompts interesting and wanted to keep this generator on the list.

2. AtsuzakiPlayground.Neocities.org

A very simple generator, just add two names and get a prompt for a scene.
Prompts are straightforward, it’s an OTP prompt so it’s all romance-based.

3. PlotGenerator.org.uk

This generator creates prompts mad libs-style where you can either fill in the blanks or hit the randomize button.

They also have many different types of generators.

From fiction genres, movie or story ideas, character generators, and even poems in several different styles.

(Note: the poem generator is not a prompt generator, it creates an entire poem with words you select.)

This one was fun to mess around with, I even screenshot a couple of plot prompts ’cause I liked them enough.

4. JournalBuddies.com

This prompt generator is more for kids, but it’s still a good prompt generator regardless.

They’re short and the writing topics are “writing topics, journaling, creative writing, and story starters.”

The writing prompts are based on elementary, middle, and high school-level writing.

5. Squibler.io

A good first-line prompt generator, it allows you to set a timer and write on the browser page. When the timer’s up, it gives you the option to export your writing into a .DOC file.

Then there’s “dangerous mode.” This is the same as normal mode, except if you stop writing it starts deleting what you just wrote.

A good encouragement to keep writing.

They also have writing software with several different templates. Such as a novel, screenplay, and journal writing to name a few.

6. TheStoryShack.com

They have pretty good plot prompts, with plenty of challenges to follow (like word count and using specific words or phrases).

They also have different types of prompt generators; like characters, phrases, and themes if you need more prompting goodness.

Also, also, you can save your prompts on the website if you want to come back to them. It saves the prompts on your device so you don’t need an account.

7. ElisabethSharpMcketta.com

This generator provides you with starter sentences.

There’s a little text box that you can write with on the page.

PLUS, you can have the prompt and what you wrote emailed to you if you enter your email below the text box.

But if you’re uncomfortable with that, you can always just copy and paste it into your usual word processor.

8. LanguageisaVirus.com

This website has multiple types of generators. From poetry to character names to funny Benedict Cumberbatch names.

Note that the poetry generator isn’t for prompts, but it spits out an actual poem.

However, I think the title of each poem could function as a prompt if you’d like.

They also have fun writing games, exercises, and articles on creative writing techniques.

9. RandomWordGenerator.com

With this generator, you can pick how many prompts you want (max 50), and a bunch of single-sentence prompts will show up.

If you scroll down a bit, you’ll find some links to their other random generators (such as random word, verb, and sentence generators).

10. WritingExcersises.co.uk

They have a variety of generators and writing exercises.

From a plot generator to a rhyming dictionary to character creation exercises to “what if?” scenarios.

Anything you could need to start writing now. Just pick a generator or exercise and write!

I’m personally a fan of the first-line generator and random plot generator. I’ve written a couple of poems with the first-line generator, which has been particularly helpful this NaPoWriMo.

11. Blog.Reedsy.com

To generate a prompt, pick between 5 genres (drama, fantasy, mystery, romance, and sci-fi), or click the random button if you can’t decide.

The prompt includes a protagonist, a secondary character, and a plot (which includes a trope/sub-genre, a setting, a sort-of call-to-action or kick-off, and two extra bits to further flesh out the world and characters.)

You can save your prompt for later by entering your email address, but again, if you’re not comfortable with that just copy and paste it into a word processor.

They link to other story generators lower down on the page if you’re looking for more.

12. CaptializeMyTitle.com

[NOTE: the generator isn’t working for me at the moment. If it’s not generating new prompts for you either, there’s still a huge list of prompts below the generator.]

A nice, single-sentence prompt generator.

Below the generator, they link to a post for 365 prompts to write every day.

They also have a list of creative writing and journal prompts geared more towards kids.

13. 52Prompts.com

This website has quite a few generators. Just pick a type of generator, click the button to generate, and write!

The types of generators consist of hobby generators, choice generators, people generators, and random prompts.

14. CreativityPortal.com

A straightforward generator for a variety of projects.
It’s an assortment of prompts for “writing, blogging, art projects, music, discussion, or anything else you need . . . .”

15. RobertPeake.com

Poetry writing prompts!
You can have up to 50 words (or variations of words) to include in your writing. Plus up to 5 challenges (these are prompts like, “include/refer to/mention this noun”). You can also receive a prompt image for inspiration.

16. Creativichee.tumblr.com

A simple roleplay generator. Just add two character names, and boom, there’s your scene.
Usually, prompts are short: only one-sentence scenes.
It isn’t just for roleplay, though. Put two characters from your own story and have at it!

17. RandomThingsToDo.com

Simple prompt generator. Click the blue “next” button near the thumbs-up/down buttons, and enjoy your writing prompt ride!

If you scroll down a bit, they have more generators that aren’t necessarily writing-related, but still fun to click through (except “Things To Do In Public,” don’t do those things.)

Hopefully, you can find one generator to help you get those ideas flowin’.

You can always go prompt generator shopping until you find your go-to’s when it’s time to write.

And don’t forget: there are no hard and fast rules.

Alter, mash together, or completely flip any of your prompts.

Use multiple prompts for the same project.

Do whatever makes you feel ready to write!

Thanks for reading, and happy writing!