Stuck trying to spark fresh discussions in your fiction writing community? Our Finish the Sentence templates make it effortless to inspire creativity and encourage participation. Use these prompts to get members thinking, sharing, and connecting instantly.
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Finish the Sentence prompts tap into the power of incomplete thoughts, inviting members to use their imagination and voice. By providing just enough context, these templates lower the barrier to entry and make it easy for writers of all experience levels to contribute. This open-ended format allows for a broad range of responses, from playful to profound, giving everyone a chance to feel seen and heard.
Psychologically, people are drawn to complete unfinished ideas, especially in creative spaces. These prompts spark curiosity, encourage reflection, and create a sense of ownership as members shape the direction of the conversation. For fiction writers, this is a natural way to practice storytelling and world-building in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
The story begins when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly...
💡 Example: "The story begins when the clock strikes midnight and suddenly the city lights go out."
If my main character could say anything to their villain, they would say...
💡 Example: "If my main character could say anything to their villain, they would say stop haunting my dreams."
The moment I realized my protagonist had changed forever was when...
💡 Example: "The moment I realized my protagonist had changed forever was when she walked away from her childhood home."
My favorite writing ritual always starts with...
💡 Example: "My favorite writing ritual always starts with brewing a cup of green tea."
If I could ask my fictional world one question, it would be...
💡 Example: "If I could ask my fictional world one question, it would be why is it always raining?"
The first line of my next story will be...
💡 Example: "The first line of my next story will be the wind screamed through the broken panes."
If I could add one magical rule to my universe, it would be...
💡 Example: "If I could add one magical rule to my universe, it would be everyone can talk to animals."
The hardest scene I ever wrote started with...
💡 Example: "The hardest scene I ever wrote started with a whispered goodbye."
My antagonist's secret fear is...
💡 Example: "My antagonist's secret fear is being forgotten."
Once upon a time, in a world where the sun never set, there was...
💡 Example: "Once upon a time, in a world where the sun never set, there was a city of dreamers."
My favorite fictional setting I have created is...
💡 Example: "My favorite fictional setting I have created is an underwater library."
The best piece of writing advice I ever received was...
💡 Example: "The best piece of writing advice I ever received was write first, edit later."
When my character opened the mysterious box, they found...
💡 Example: "When my character opened the mysterious box, they found a mirror reflecting another world."
If I could switch places with any of my characters for a day, I would choose...
💡 Example: "If I could switch places with any of my characters for a day, I would choose the skyship pilot."
The strangest thing I have ever written about is...
💡 Example: "The strangest thing I have ever written about is a haunted teapot."
My main character's favorite memory is...
💡 Example: "My main character's favorite memory is dancing in the summer rain."
The one rule I always break when writing fiction is...
💡 Example: "The one rule I always break when writing fiction is never starting with the weather."
If my story had a theme song, it would sound like...
💡 Example: "If my story had a theme song, it would sound like a thunderstorm with a violin."
The most surprising twist I ever wrote was when...
💡 Example: "The most surprising twist I ever wrote was when the hero became the villain."
If I could invite one fictional character to dinner, it would be...
💡 Example: "If I could invite one fictional character to dinner, it would be Sherlock Holmes."
The last thing my protagonist said in my draft was...
💡 Example: "The last thing my protagonist said in my draft was I am not afraid anymore."
My favorite time of day to write is...
💡 Example: "My favorite time of day to write is late at night."
If I could give my younger writer self one tip, it would be...
💡 Example: "If I could give my younger writer self one tip, it would be finish the draft before editing."
The most fun I ever had writing was when...
💡 Example: "The most fun I ever had writing was when I tried a choose your own adventure format."
If I could invent a new genre, it would combine...
💡 Example: "If I could invent a new genre, it would combine detective stories with time travel."
The next line in this story should be...
💡 Example: "The next line in this story should be she stepped into the portal without looking back."
My favorite writing snack is...
💡 Example: "My favorite writing snack is dark chocolate."
I know a scene is working when...
💡 Example: "I know a scene is working when I forget to check the time."
If my novel was adapted for the screen, the first casting choice would be...
💡 Example: "If my novel was adapted for the screen, the first casting choice would be Zendaya."
A writing goal I am proud of is...
💡 Example: "A writing goal I am proud of is finishing my first draft in three months."
The most vivid image I have ever written is...
💡 Example: "The most vivid image I have ever written is a forest of glowing mushrooms."
If I could rewrite one classic story, it would be...
💡 Example: "If I could rewrite one classic story, it would be Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf's view."
The best feedback I ever received was...
💡 Example: "The best feedback I ever received was your world feels alive."
If my story world had one forbidden place, it would be...
💡 Example: "If my story world had one forbidden place, it would be the silver forest at dawn."
The funniest line I have ever written is...
💡 Example: "The funniest line I have ever written is he tripped over his own shoelaces and blamed gravity."
My protagonist's biggest regret is...
💡 Example: "My protagonist's biggest regret is not saying goodbye."
If I could give my villain a redemption arc, it would start with...
💡 Example: "If I could give my villain a redemption arc, it would start with saving a lost child."
The oldest story idea I still want to write is...
💡 Example: "The oldest story idea I still want to write is a ship that sails between dreams."
The one word that describes my writing style is...
💡 Example: "The one word that describes my writing style is atmospheric."
If my story had to end with a single line, it would be...
💡 Example: "If my story had to end with a single line, it would be and with the sunrise, hope returned."
Post one of these Finish the Sentence prompts as a discussion starter in your community. Encourage members to respond in the comments, share their unique endings, or build off each other's ideas. Rotate prompts regularly to keep content fresh, and occasionally highlight standout or creative responses to motivate continued participation.
These templates work across all platforms. For forums or Facebook Groups, post as a weekly thread and pin for visibility. On Discord or Slack, use in a dedicated writing prompts channel. For Instagram or Twitter, use the prompt as the post or tweet and invite replies in comments or threads. Adapt length if needed for platform limitations.
Consider crafting prompts that align with various genres your group writes in. For example, for fantasy writers, start with 'The dragon's secret was...' while for mystery writers, try 'The detective realized the clue meant...'. Rotating genre-specific prompts can stimulate creativity and ensure all members feel included, while also encouraging genre-blending experimentation.
Use templates that focus on pivotal moments, such as 'Just as the protagonist lost all hope, suddenly...'. This provides a springboard for stuck writers to re-engage with their stories. Encourage members to use these prompts as scene starters or plot twists within their current projects, not just as standalone exercises.
Yes, incorporating archetypes or well-known tropes can prompt members to think critically about character motivation and growth. For example, try 'The reluctant hero finally admitted...' or 'The mentor warned, but...'. This helps writers explore familiar character types in new ways or subvert expectations.
Create prompts that invite continuity, such as 'When the portal opened, they saw... (the next member describes what’s on the other side)'. This encourages members to build off each other's ideas, promoting group cohesion and shared world-building—a key challenge in fiction writing communities.
Frame 'Finish the Sentence' prompts as low-pressure, creative warm-ups rather than polished submissions. Encourage supportive feedback focusing on what intrigued or surprised readers. You might also allow anonymous posting or highlight particularly creative completions to foster a positive, inclusive environment.
Offer a mix of open-ended prompts ('The city’s secret was finally revealed when...') and fandom-leaning cues ('After the wizard left the castle, ...'). Encourage members to interpret prompts through their preferred lens—either with original characters or established ones—thus respecting both creative approaches and increasing participation.
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