Finding it hard to spark meaningful conversations in your fiction writing community? Our collection of community question templates is designed to encourage members to share their experiences, opinions, and creativity. Use these prompts to drive thoughtful discussions and build a more engaged group.
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Community questions tap into the natural curiosity and shared interests of fiction writers. By inviting members to express their opinions, share experiences, and debate ideas, you foster a sense of belonging and validation that keeps writers coming back. Open-ended and thought-provoking questions encourage diverse perspectives, making every member feel seen and valued.
This approach also leverages social proof and peer learning. When members see others sharing openly, they are more likely to participate themselves. Regular community questions can help break the ice for new members and reignite passion among veteran writers, leading to higher retention and deeper engagement.
What is the most difficult scene you have ever written and why?
💡 Example: "The hardest scene I wrote was a character's death. What is the most difficult scene you have ever written and why?"
Plotter or pantser - which approach do you prefer for your stories?
💡 Example: "I am a plotter, but I want to hear from you all. Plotter or pantser - which approach do you prefer for your stories?"
What is your favorite writing prompt of all time?
💡 Example: "I love prompts about lost cities. What is your favorite writing prompt of all time?"
Have you ever based a character on someone you know? Tell us about it.
💡 Example: "I once based a villain on my old boss. Have you ever based a character on someone you know? Tell us about it."
If you could co-write a novel with any author, living or dead, who would it be?
💡 Example: "I would team up with Octavia Butler. If you could co-write a novel with any author, living or dead, who would it be?"
Share a writing superstition or ritual you swear by.
💡 Example: "I need coffee before writing. Share a writing superstition or ritual you swear by."
How do you overcome writer's block when it strikes?
💡 Example: "I take a walk outside. How do you overcome writer's block when it strikes?"
What is the oddest piece of research you have done for a story?
💡 Example: "I once researched medieval plumbing. What is the oddest piece of research you have done for a story?"
Share a line from your current work-in-progress that makes you proud.
💡 Example: "Here is my favorite line: The sky burned red. Share a line from your current work-in-progress that makes you proud."
What genre do you struggle to write and why?
💡 Example: "I find sci-fi tough. What genre do you struggle to write and why?"
If your main character walked into this community, what would they say?
💡 Example: "My hero would ask for coffee. If your main character walked into this community, what would they say?"
What is your go-to source for naming characters?
💡 Example: "I use baby name sites. What is your go-to source for naming characters?"
Share a time when feedback changed your story's direction.
💡 Example: "A friend's comment made me rewrite my ending. Share a time when feedback changed your story's direction."
What book do you wish you had written and why?
💡 Example: "I wish I wrote 'Dune.' What book do you wish you had written and why?"
How do you keep track of your story ideas?
💡 Example: "I use a notebook. How do you keep track of your story ideas?"
What trope do you love or hate to see in fiction?
💡 Example: "I love found family. What trope do you love or hate to see in fiction?"
Share a time your character surprised you while writing.
💡 Example: "My villain became a hero. Share a time your character surprised you while writing."
What is your favorite setting to write about and why?
💡 Example: "I love writing about old cities. What is your favorite setting to write about and why?"
How do you know when a story is truly finished?
💡 Example: "When I stop tinkering. How do you know when a story is truly finished?"
What is one writing tip you wish you knew earlier?
💡 Example: "Show, don't tell. What is one writing tip you wish you knew earlier?"
If you could try any genre for a day, what would it be?
💡 Example: "I would try horror. If you could try any genre for a day, what would it be?"
Share your favorite fictional villain and what makes them memorable.
💡 Example: "I love Moriarty. Share your favorite fictional villain and what makes them memorable."
How do you balance worldbuilding with storytelling?
💡 Example: "I weave world details into dialogue. How do you balance worldbuilding with storytelling?"
What is the biggest lesson you have learned from writing fiction?
💡 Example: "Patience. What is the biggest lesson you have learned from writing fiction?"
Have you ever abandoned a story? What happened?
💡 Example: "I lost interest after ten chapters. Have you ever abandoned a story? What happened?"
What is your favorite way to brainstorm new story ideas?
💡 Example: "I use mind maps. What is your favorite way to brainstorm new story ideas?"
Share a piece of dialogue you are proud of.
💡 Example: "Here is my favorite line: 'I never wanted the crown.' Share a piece of dialogue you are proud of."
How do you choose names for places in your stories?
💡 Example: "I mix languages. How do you choose names for places in your stories?"
If you could give your younger writer self one piece of advice, what would it be?
💡 Example: "Don't rush the process. If you could give your younger writer self one piece of advice, what would it be?"
What book or movie has inspired your writing style?
💡 Example: "Blade Runner inspired my style. What book or movie has inspired your writing style?"
Share your favorite metaphor or simile you have written.
💡 Example: "My clouds were 'cotton castles.' Share your favorite metaphor or simile you have written."
What is your biggest writing distraction and how do you deal with it?
💡 Example: "Social media is tough. What is your biggest writing distraction and how do you deal with it?"
How do you handle negative feedback on your writing?
💡 Example: "I take a break, then review. How do you handle negative feedback on your writing?"
If you could set a story in any time period, which would you pick?
💡 Example: "I would choose Victorian London. If you could set a story in any time period, which would you pick?"
Share a writing goal you are working toward this year.
💡 Example: "I want to finish my novel. Share a writing goal you are working toward this year."
What is the most important quality in a protagonist?
💡 Example: "I value resilience. What is the most important quality in a protagonist?"
How do you decide when to reveal a plot twist?
💡 Example: "I plan my reveals in advance. How do you decide when to reveal a plot twist?"
Share a moment when you almost gave up on writing.
💡 Example: "I almost quit after a big rejection. Share a moment when you almost gave up on writing."
What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?
💡 Example: "I treat myself to pizza. What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?"
How has your writing process changed over time?
💡 Example: "I outline more now. How has your writing process changed over time?"
Select a question template that aligns with your community's current interests or challenges. Post it with a short personal note or context to model vulnerability and kick off the conversation. Tag relevant content pillars or upcoming events, and encourage members to reply in the comments. Rotate question styles and topics to maintain interest and reach different types of members.
These templates are designed for all platforms. Adapt your posting style to fit the platform's format: use short, punchy questions for fast-paced chats like Discord or Slack, while providing more context or visuals on platforms like Facebook or forums. Always monitor replies to keep discussions positive and on-topic.
To engage members around worldbuilding, select templates that invite detailed creative input, such as 'What unique rule would you add to magic systems?' or 'How do you avoid info-dumping when introducing a new world?' Tailor your questions to the genre focus of your community, encouraging members to share their own techniques and examples from their work-in-progress.
Pose character-focused questions that prompt members to share their writing process or dilemmas, like 'What's the hardest flaw you've ever written into a protagonist and why?' or 'How do you reveal backstory without using flashbacks?' These types of questions invite detailed replies and foster deeper discussion.
Yes! Use templates that validate the struggle while inviting actionable advice, such as 'Share your most unusual trick for overcoming writer’s block,' or 'What scene sparked your creativity when you were stuck?' Framing questions in this way encourages empathy and practical support from other fiction writers.
Customize questions within the templates by specifying the format, for example: 'What’s the biggest pacing challenge in a short story?' or 'How do you maintain subplot threads in a novel?' This recognizes the different craft issues writers face at various lengths and invites targeted discussion.
Definitely. Frame questions that focus on craft rather than direct promotion, such as 'What kind of feedback helps you most during revisions?' or 'Share a snippet (max 100 words) that gave you trouble and ask for line-edit suggestions.' Make sure to set clear guidelines in your post about feedback etiquette to prevent self-promo.
Select or adapt templates to probe opinions on tropes, e.g., 'Which overused trope in your genre do you secretly love or hate?' or 'How do you subvert expectations with familiar storylines?' Such questions tap into shared knowledge and spark lively debate tailored to fiction writers’ experiences.
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