Do you struggle to get fiction writers to open up and connect in your community? Experience Share templates make it easy to spark meaningful, personal conversations. Use these proven prompts to build empathy, inspire creativity, and help members feel truly seen.
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Experience Share prompts tap into the universal power of storytelling and reflection, which lies at the heart of fiction writing. By inviting members to share their own journeys, challenges, and victories, you create an environment where vulnerability and connection thrive. This builds trust, strengthens bonds between writers, and encourages even the quieter members to participate.
When people see relatable stories from peers, they feel more comfortable contributing their own. Over time, these authentic exchanges foster a culture of support and inspiration. Experience Shares also help members recognize their unique perspectives, which can fuel both their writing and their sense of belonging in the group.
Tell us about a time a story idea came to you unexpectedly.
💡 Example: "I once dreamed about a city in the clouds and turned it into my novel's setting."
Share a moment when you overcame writer's block. How did you do it?
💡 Example: "I took long walks and recorded voice memos. What worked for you?"
Was there a book or author that inspired you to start writing fiction?
💡 Example: "Reading N.K. Jemisin's work made me believe my stories mattered."
What's the most memorable feedback you ever received on your writing?
💡 Example: "A teacher once told me my dialogue felt real, which boosted my confidence."
Share a time when you felt truly proud of something you wrote.
💡 Example: "Completing my first short story felt amazing after years of trying."
Describe a character you created who surprised you. How did that happen?
💡 Example: "My antagonist became a hero halfway through my draft, which I never planned."
What was your biggest writing challenge this year? How did you handle it?
💡 Example: "I struggled with pacing and used beat sheets to fix it. What about you?"
Share a writing habit or ritual that helps you get into the zone.
💡 Example: "Lighting a candle at my desk signals it's writing time for me."
Has anyone in your life inspired one of your characters? Tell us about it.
💡 Example: "My best friend became the witty sidekick in my fantasy series."
Share a lesson you learned from finishing a draft or story.
💡 Example: "I learned that not every scene needs to be perfect in the first draft."
What is your favorite way to brainstorm new story ideas?
💡 Example: "I use mind maps to connect random thoughts until a plot forms."
Tell us about a story you abandoned. What made you stop?
💡 Example: "I lost interest when the plot felt forced, so I set it aside for later."
Has writing ever helped you through a tough time? Share your experience.
💡 Example: "Writing poetry helped me process grief after losing a loved one. What about you?"
Share a favorite line or scene you have written and what inspired it.
💡 Example: "I wrote 'She built her hope from shadows' after a rainy walk."
When was the first time you called yourself a writer? How did it feel?
💡 Example: "I dared to say 'I am a writer' after finishing my first story."
Describe a setting from your life that made it into your fiction.
💡 Example: "My grandmother's kitchen became the heart of my debut novel."
Share a writing goal you achieved and how you celebrated.
💡 Example: "I finished NaNoWriMo and treated myself to a new notebook."
Have you ever written something that changed your perspective? Tell us about it.
💡 Example: "Exploring another culture in my story made me see my own biases."
What's the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?
💡 Example: "Show, don't tell was a game changer for my storytelling."
Share a time when a character took your story in an unexpected direction.
💡 Example: "My detective fell in love with a suspect and I had to rewrite the ending."
Tell us about your favorite place to write and why it works for you.
💡 Example: "The local library keeps me focused and inspired."
What writing milestone are you most proud of reaching?
💡 Example: "Submitting my first story to a magazine was a big step for me."
Share a funny or embarrassing writing moment you have had.
💡 Example: "I once sent my draft to my boss instead of my critique partner."
Describe a time you felt stuck in your writing and what helped you move forward.
💡 Example: "Switching to a new scene helped me break through a tough section. What about you?"
What is something you wish you knew when you started writing fiction?
💡 Example: "I wish I knew first drafts were meant to be messy."
Share a time when community feedback helped you improve a story.
💡 Example: "A beta reader pointed out a plot hole that made my story stronger."
Tell us about the first story you ever wrote. What was it about?
💡 Example: "My first story was about a magical cat who saved a village."
Have you ever based a story on a real event? How did you approach it?
💡 Example: "I wrote about a childhood trip but changed the ending for the story."
Share a moment when you doubted your writing and what helped you keep going.
💡 Example: "Support from this community helped me push through my doubts. What helped you?"
What genre do you love writing most and why?
💡 Example: "I love fantasy because anything is possible."
Describe a writing tool or app that changed your process.
💡 Example: "Using Scrivener helped me organize my chapters."
Share a time when you collaborated with another writer.
💡 Example: "I co-wrote a short story with a friend for a contest."
Has travel or a new experience ever inspired your fiction?
💡 Example: "Visiting the coast inspired the setting of my latest novel."
Tell us about a writing goal you are working toward now.
💡 Example: "I am aiming to finish my draft by next month."
Share a time when you felt like giving up on a project. What changed your mind?
💡 Example: "A friend's encouragement kept me going. How did you get through it?"
Was there a piece of fiction that made you see the world differently?
💡 Example: "Reading The Giver changed my perspective on society."
What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a project?
💡 Example: "I always bake cookies after typing The End."
Share a writing prompt that sparked a story you loved.
💡 Example: "A prompt about a lost letter inspired my latest flash fiction."
Tell us about a time you surprised yourself with your writing.
💡 Example: "I wrote a poem in one sitting that I still love today."
What advice would you give your past self as a new writer?
💡 Example: "I would say to write bravely and share your work earlier. What advice would you give?"
Choose a prompt from the list and post it as a standalone thread or as part of a weekly discussion. Encourage members to respond in the comments or create their own posts using the prompt. Highlight thoughtful responses to show appreciation and inspire others to join in. Mix up the types of prompts to keep things fresh and inclusive for writers at all experience levels.
On all platforms, use clear formatting and tag or mention members to increase visibility. Pin popular Experience Share threads to keep them accessible. Use hashtags or channel labels to organize ongoing prompts for easy reference.
You can use templates specifically designed to prompt members to share how they navigate writer's block, such as asking for personal strategies, memorable breakthroughs, or setbacks. These templates can foster open conversations about common struggles in drafting or revising fiction, helping writers realize they're not alone and providing actionable advice for overcoming creative slumps.
Absolutely! Templates that invite members to share experiences with different plotting methods—such as outlining, pantsing, or hybrid approaches—can spark lively discussions. Include specific prompts asking about successful (or failed) attempts at each style, how it affected their story structure, and any lessons learned. This creates a space for new and seasoned writers to learn from each other's unique processes.
Adapt templates to address pain points unique to different genres. For example, prompt fantasy writers to recount their approach to world-building, or ask thriller authors about maintaining suspense. This helps members connect over shared genre hurdles and exchange targeted advice, making discussions more relevant and insightful for each sub-community.
Use templates that create a safe environment for vulnerability, such as 'Share your first agent rejection and what you learned' or 'Describe a turning point in your query letter journey.' This not only normalizes setbacks in the publication process but also allows writers to support each other with encouragement, resources, and empathy.
Yes! Create templates that invite members to share attempts at nonlinear timelines, multiple POVs, or experimental prose. For example, ask about their inspirations, challenges faced, and reader reactions. This celebrates creative risks in fiction writing and encourages others to explore outside traditional narrative frameworks.
Design prompts that ask members to detail how their main character changed from the first draft to the final version, or to share obstacles they faced in making their protagonist believable and relatable. This opens up valuable discussions on revision, character arcs, and feedback implementation—core challenges in fiction writing.
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