Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
70 Mythology Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Step into a world of gods, heroes, and ancient legends with these 70 mythology writing prompts. Perfect for teen writers and classrooms, this collection includes epic plot hooks, mythic titles, opening and closing lines, character archetypes, settings, and vivid picture prompts. From Mount Olympus to the underworld, these prompts invite young writers to reimagine timeless myths or create brand-new legends of their own.
70 Cyberpunk Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Cyberpunk is all about rebellion, technology, and survival in a neon-drenched future. These 70 prompts dive into hackers, megacities, AI, and underground resistance movements, giving teen writers the chance to experiment with high-tech drama and raw emotion. Whether you’re teaching dystopian literature, exploring sci-fi themes, or just want to fuel creativity, this collection blends classic cyberpunk grit with fresh, atmospheric ideas.
Dark Inheritance: 31 Haunting October Writing Prompts for Teachers and Teens
October is the perfect month for eerie storytelling, and Dark Inheritance delivers 31 gothic-inspired prompts packed with secrets, curses, and unsettling twists. Each daily prompt includes a title, image, opening line, closing line, and full plot idea—ideal for classrooms or independent writers who want to embrace the darker side of creativity this Halloween season.
30 Daily Writing Prompts for September: The Architect of Fate
September’s daily writing prompts come wrapped in gold thread and shadow. The Architect of Fate is a month-long journey into stories where destiny isn’t fixed—it’s forged. Across thirty prompts, you’ll explore mythic landscapes, surreal machines, whispered bargains, and impossible choices. Each day offers a spark for your creativity, whether you’re a teacher in search of classroom starters, a student finding your voice, or a writer chasing your next great idea. From villages that vanish before dawn to dreamwalkers trapped between worlds, these prompts are designed to challenge, inspire, and unsettle—in the best possible way.
70 Back-to-School Themed Creative Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
The start of the school year is full of story potential — new beginnings, old rivalries, unexpected friendships, and the drama of everyday life. These 70 back-to-school writing prompts include plot hooks, titles, characters, settings, and picture prompts to spark ideas for teen writers and keep creativity flowing all term.
Why I Swear by Picture Prompts for Teaching Literature (And How to Use Them)
Picture prompts aren’t just for creative writing units — they can transform the way students connect with literature. Whether you use them to spark predictions before reading or to inspire a fresh take after finishing a text, the right image can flip the switch from passive reader to active thinker. Here’s how I use picture prompts to teach language through literature, keep lessons fresh, and make analysis feel less like a chore.
70 Romance Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Looking for fresh, heartfelt, or slightly messy story ideas? This collection of teen romance prompts includes everything from first crushes and love letters to emotional plot twists and swoon-worthy settings. Whether you're building a creative writing unit or just want a single spark of inspiration, these prompts are designed to help teen writers explore connection, vulnerability, and what it means to fall in (and out of) love.
70 Historical Fiction Prompts for Teens: Story Hooks, Titles, and Characters Across the Ages
From candlelit courts to war-torn trenches, these historical fiction prompts invite students to step inside the past and imagine the lives history left behind. Whether you’re drawn to whispered secrets at Versailles or the flicker of revolution in the streets, these 70 prompts combine vivid detail with emotional depth - perfect for creative teens and curious minds of any age.
70 Magical Realism Writing Prompts for Teens: Ideas, Openings, and Visual Starters for the English Classroom
Magical realism invites students to see the ordinary world through an extraordinary lens. These 70 creative writing prompts are built for teens who love stories that shimmer just beneath the surface- where lost towns reappear, time bends in kitchens, and emotions take physical shape. Perfect for classroom inspiration or personal writing practice, this collection blends poetic titles, eerie openings, visual prompts, and grounded storytelling to help young writers explore the surreal in everyday life.
70 Mystery Writing Prompts for Teens: Ideas, Openings, and Visual Starters for the English Classroom
From eerie settings to twisty plot hooks, these 70 mystery writing prompts are built to spark curiosity and sharpen storytelling. Whether you're planning a full unit or just want a way to get students writing again, you'll find character ideas, opening lines, titles, and atmospheric visuals ready to use in the classroom.
Save Hours Planning Creative Writing Units with Daily Prompts
Tired of reinventing the wheel for every creative writing lesson? Daily prompts offer a flexible, low-prep way to boost engagement, sharpen skills, and save you hours of planning. Here's how to build an entire unit around them, and where to grab your first month of prompts for free.
70 Dystopian Writing Prompts for Teen Writers
Looking for dystopian writing prompts that actually get teens thinking? This post goes way beyond “write about a world with no rules.” You’ll find story ideas, eerie titles, opening and closing lines, character inspiration, settings, and high-impact picture prompts. Everything you need to help students build powerful dystopian narratives from the ground up.
The Ashridge Collection: A Free Creative Writing Resource for Curious Students and Tired Teachers
Tired of worksheets? The Ashridge Collection is a free printable creative writing mystery designed for curious classrooms. Built from letters, diary entries, and eerie school documents, it invites students to step into a story, and shape it themselves.
10 Creative Writing Challenges to Stretch Your Imagination
Looking for ways to spark fresh ideas? These 10 creative writing challenges are perfect for classrooms, workshops, or solo writing sessions. From genre mashups to story reversals, each quick challenge helps stretch imagination, build skills, and unlock unexpected stories.
Download a Free Daily Writing Prompt for Your Students (Plus 31 Bonus Prompts Inside)
Download a free daily writing prompt to spark creativity in your classroom - plus get 31 bonus prompts when you join the waitlist for my upcoming Daily Writing Prompt Membership. Low-prep, high-impact ideas to keep students engaged and excited to write!
Famous First Lines as Writing Prompts: How to Spark Creativity Without Reinventing the Wheel
First lines are where everything begins -and for writers, they’re often the hardest part. That pressure to hook the reader immediately can be overwhelming. That’s exactly why I started collecting real first lines from published novels.
I use these with students to take the pressure off. Instead of staring at a blank screen, they start with something brilliant and build from there. It gives them structure and freedom all at once. It’s a reminder that writing isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum.
Some lines are eerie. Some are emotional. Some are bold, jarring, or just weird enough to make you lean in. But the best ones all do the same thing: they open a door.
And that’s what these prompts are about. Opening the door, so the story can step through.
The Shoe Lesson: A Simple, Powerful Creative Writing Activity
What if one ordinary object could unlock a thousand extraordinary stories? The Shoe Lesson is one of my favourite creative writing activities - a simple, unexpected way to spark imagination, build character depth, and turn even the most reluctant writers into storytellers. Here's how a single shoe can transform your classroom or writing group.
100 Creative Writing Prompts Sorted by Genre: A Go-To List for Students & Teachers
Struggling to get words on the page? These 100 creative writing prompts are here to help. Sorted by genre and perfect for teens, this list is your go-to resource for sparking ideas, building writing confidence, and banishing writer’s block—whether you're teaching, journaling, or working on your next big story.
Creative Writing Prompts Reimagined: A Story in a Box
Creative writing prompts don’t have to be flat. These immersive, tactile storytelling boxes are designed for writers who crave atmosphere, mystery, and a spark of the unexpected — whether you’re writing alone, in a group, or just starting to explore your voice.
The Power of Daily Writing Prompts in the Classroom
What if your students didn’t freeze every time they had to write? Here’s how daily writing prompts helped mine go from “I don’t know what to write” to confident, creative thinkers - and how you can do the same.