Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
70 Enemies-to-Lovers Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of the most irresistible in fiction — full of sharp banter, fiery standoffs, and unexpected chemistry. From secret agents and rival royals to academic competitors and stage partners, these prompts give teen writers the chance to explore tension that slowly turns into trust. With 70 ideas covering story starters, titles, opening and closing lines, characters, settings, and picture prompts, this collection is perfect for classrooms, clubs, or any writer who loves a little rivalry before romance.
The Best Netflix Shows and Films to Use in the Secondary Classroom
Streaming doesn’t have to mean “switching off.” Netflix is packed with series and films that open up rich discussions in the secondary English classroom — from dystopian cautionary tales like Black Mirror to tender coming-of-age stories like Heartstopper. Used thoughtfully, these titles can spark debate, connect literature to students’ lives, and bring themes like identity, grief, and power into focus. This guide rounds up some of the best options, with classroom pairings, creative activities, and cross-curricular links to help you use screen time as a powerful teaching tool.
70 Survival Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Survival stories push characters to their limits, forcing them to find courage, resourcefulness, and resilience when everything is at stake. From wilderness challenges to natural disasters, and from deserted islands to post-apocalyptic ruins, this collection invites teen writers to explore what it truly means to endure. Inspired by classics like Lord of the Flies and modern YA adventures, these 70 prompts offer story starters, titles, characters, settings, and picture prompts to keep creativity alive in even the harshest conditions.
Micro Writing for the TikTok Generation (Why Short Bursts Spark Big Ideas)
Micro writing is about stripping things back — short bursts of creativity that can grow into something bigger. This post explores how daily prompts, complete with titles, images, opening and closing lines, and plot ideas, can be used for quick five-minute writes that fit neatly into any lesson. Think of it as a clean, minimalist approach to writing practice: simple to set up, but powerful in what it sparks.
70 November Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
November is full of contrasts — cozy fires and autumn leaves, but also secrets, shadows, and sudden chaos. From Bonfire Night and the Gunpowder Plot to Thanksgiving tables and Black Friday crowds, this month brims with inspiration. These 70 prompts include story starters, titles, characters, settings, and picture prompts to spark teen writers’ imaginations all season long.
The Hemlock Collection: A Witch Trial Mystery Across Centuries
Step into Crowhurst, 1628. A child’s screams in the night, whispered accusations, and a village consumed by fear. The Hemlock Collection is a digital-first creative writing mystery that blends witch trials and folklore with the modern-day disappearance of Beth Crowhurst in 2023. Through letters, grave rubbings, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, students and writers are invited to investigate both timelines and craft their own stories from the shadows left by history.
70 Dark Fairytale Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Fairytales weren’t always sweet and sparkly. The originals were filled with darkness and danger. Cinderella’s stepsisters cut off parts of their feet, the Little Mermaid walked in constant pain, and Sleeping Beauty’s tale was far more unsettling than a simple kiss. These 70 prompts invite teen writers to reimagine classic tales with eerie settings, haunting characters, and endings that blur the line between wonder and horror. Perfect for classrooms, clubs, or independent writers who want fantasy with a sinister twist.
10 Haunting Poems to Teach This Halloween (That Aren’t Just The Raven)
Halloween isn’t just for spooky short stories — poetry can be just as haunting. From Poe’s The Raven to eerie ballads like The Unquiet Grave, these poems bring atmosphere, symbolism, and Gothic chills into the classroom. Perfect for middle and high school, this list offers ten haunting poems that make October lessons both literary and seasonal.
70 Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Dark fantasy blends wonder with menace—cursed kingdoms, perilous magic, and choices that always carry a cost. These prompts invite teen writers to craft atmospheric, morally complex stories with eerie plot hooks, striking titles, opening and closing lines, characters, settings, and picture prompts. Perfect for classrooms, clubs, or solo writing when you want fantasy with sharper teeth.
10 Books by Young Authors That Show Students Their Voices Matter
Many students believe they’re “too young” to write something meaningful. Yet history proves otherwise. From Anne Frank’s diary to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Malala Yousafzai’s memoir, young authors have created works that changed literature, history, and even global movements. This post explores ten powerful books written by teenagers and young writers, showing how their voices can inspire students to write with confidence today.
Halloween Gothic Short Stories & Creative Writing Bundle: Teach Analysis and Imagination in One Go
Looking for ready-to-go Halloween ELA activities? This Gothic short story and creative writing bundle is perfect for middle and high school lesson plans. Explore The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Monkey’s Paw with complete activities, then let students create their own eerie narratives through the Victoriana Creative Writing Mystery Box. A time-saving, engaging way to combine analysis and imagination this October.
70 Halloween Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Get into the spooky spirit with 70 Halloween writing prompts designed for teen writers. From eerie plot hooks and chilling titles to haunted settings and creepy character ideas, this collection brings the mystery and magic of October to life. Perfect for classrooms or young writers, these prompts encourage creativity through suspense, atmosphere, and a touch of fear.
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.
70 Ghost Story Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Titles, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas
Step into the shadows with 70 ghost story writing prompts for teens. From eerie plot hooks and chilling opening lines to haunted settings, character ideas, and picture prompts, this collection is packed with inspiration for spooky season. Perfect for classroom activities, creative writing practice, or anyone who loves a good scare.
10 Best Edgar Allan Poe Stories to Teach (And How to Teach Them)
Spooky season is the perfect time to teach Edgar Allan Poe. From The Tell-Tale Heart to The Masque of the Red Death, his stories and poems hook students with Gothic atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and detective intrigue. This list highlights the 10 best Poe texts to teach — with ready-to-use resources, activities, and creative ideas to bring them alive in your classroom.
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.
Why Silent Debates Might Be the Best Thing I Ever Did in an English Classroom
Looking for a way to boost engagement, build argument skills, and get every student involved in discussion, even the shy ones? Silent debates might just be your new favourite tool. In this post, I break down how I use them in my English classroom (both in-person and online), why they work so well, and how you can start using them right away. Includes tips, examples, and free resources for texts like Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, and more.