Writing is an incredibly personal and individual process, which is why it can be so rewarding when you find a writing challenge that resonates with you. Whether it’s something as simple as writing a character list for a short story or something more complex, like writing a long synopsis for your novel, these creative writing challenges will help you stretch your abilities as a writer. So, whether you’re a novice or an experienced writer, check out these creative writing challenges and see what makes them so special!
Creative Writing Challenges
Here are five creative writing challenges that every writer should try:
- Write a story in which a character falls into a deep sleep and has a dream sequence. What does the character see? How does this affect the rest of the story?
- Write a story in which two different characters meet and interact for the first time. What starts out as a casual conversation quickly turns into an intense argument. Why did these two people suddenly fall out with each other?
- Take on an anthology theme – something that hasn’t been done before in your genre or style. For example, write a science fiction short story in which humans are transported to an alternate universe ruled by aliens, or write a horror story set during Lent, where the protagonist is forced to eat rabbit flesh as penance for sin.
- Write about a person or object who has lost their sense of identity – either because they’ve changed so much over time (like in flash-forward scenarios), or because they’ve been isolated from society (think about monsters who have hidden among us all this time). How will this change the course of the protagonist’s life?
- Finally, take on a challenge that pushes you outside your comfort zone – whether it be writing something from a different perspective (a dual narrative, for example), writing in another genre entirely, or submitting your work to be judged by someone you don’t know.
How To Find Inspiration
In order to be a successful writer, you need to find inspiration. There are many ways to find inspiration for your writing, and the following are just a few.
- Look at your own life experiences. What have been some of your biggest challenges or successes? What has inspired you in both cases? Use these elements as sources of inspiration when writing about characters, settings, or stories.
- Check out books and other works of fiction. What have been some of your favorite novels or stories? Why did you like them? What can you learn from them that can help improve your own writing?
- Talk to other writers. Ask them how they find inspiration for their work, what techniques they use, or what kind of feedback they get from readers. This is an invaluable resource not only for finding new ideas but also for getting constructive criticism on your own work.
Tips For Success
- Write for fun. If you want to be a good writer, you need to enjoy writing. If you only write because you think it’s important or because you think other people will judge you, then your writing will suffer.
- Take time for self-editing. No one is perfect, and as a writer, you should be willing to edit your work constantly. Even if you think your work is great right now, there’s always the potential for improvement.
- Be patient with yourself. Don’t expect to become a great writer overnight – it takes time and practice to develop your skills. Be supportive of yourself and keep pushing forward no matter how difficult the process may seem at first.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with your writing style. There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to write – what matters most is how well your words engage the reader and evoke a reaction in them. Experimenting with different techniques can help you find what works best for you and helps spark creativity in others as well!
No matter what stage of your writing career you are at, there are always new and exciting challenges to be had. By trying out some of these creative writing challenges, you can develop your skills and learn new techniques that can help you become a better writer. Whether you are looking for ideas for your own personal projects or want to share some prompts with fellow writers, the following challenges will be sure to get your creative juices flowing. So without further ado, here are ten fun and challenging creative writing challenges that every writer should try!
