Frustrated with sparking quick, lively conversations in your fiction writing community? Our Quick Discussion templates make it effortless to encourage members to share their thoughts on trending topics or writing dilemmas. Use these prompts to save time and keep engagement high, even on the busiest days.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Quick Discussions work because they lower the barrier to participation. Members can respond with just a sentence or two, making it easy to join in even if they are short on time or feeling shy. This format taps into the psychology of instant gratification, giving members a sense of contribution without a heavy lift.
By focusing on timely, relevant, or even playful topics, Quick Discussions encourage regular check-ins and spark spontaneous exchanges. The casual tone and brevity help reduce hesitation, so even lurkers or newer members feel comfortable jumping in. Over time, these small touchpoints help build trust and increase community cohesion.
What is your go-to writing snack?
💡 Example: "My go-to writing snack is popcorn, what about you?"
Plotter or pantser - which are you?
💡 Example: "I'm a plotter! Who else outlines everything?"
Share a word you overuse in your writing.
💡 Example: "I always use 'just' way too much. Anyone else?"
First drafts: exciting or stressful?
💡 Example: "First drafts are exhilarating for me!"
What genre are you currently writing in?
💡 Example: "I'm writing fantasy right now. What about everyone else?"
Morning or night writer?
💡 Example: "I do my best work at night."
What book inspired you to start writing?
💡 Example: "Harry Potter inspired me to write my own stories!"
Do you write to music? Share your favorite writing playlist.
💡 Example: "I love writing to lo-fi beats. Anyone else have recs?"
Favorite writing advice you have received?
💡 Example: "Show, don't tell is the best advice I've gotten."
How do you name your characters?
💡 Example: "I use baby name sites for ideas."
What is your current word count goal?
💡 Example: "My word count goal today is 500 words."
Describe your main character in three words.
💡 Example: "Brave, stubborn, loyal. Your turn!"
Share a writing meme you love.
💡 Example: "Here's my favorite meme about editing!"
Do you write by hand or on a device?
💡 Example: "I always write on my laptop."
What trope do you secretly love?
💡 Example: "I love enemies-to-lovers. Anyone else?"
One piece of advice for new writers?
💡 Example: "Just start writing! What's your advice?"
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
💡 Example: "Editing is always the toughest for me."
Pen name or real name - which do you prefer?
💡 Example: "I use a pen name for privacy."
Share a line from your current WIP.
💡 Example: "She opened the door to secrets she wished she never knew."
Do you prefer writing dialogue or description?
💡 Example: "Dialogue is my favorite part to write."
What writing tool or app do you swear by?
💡 Example: "Scrivener changed my writing process completely."
How do you beat writer's block?
💡 Example: "A quick walk helps me reset. What about you?"
Write in silence or with background noise?
💡 Example: "I need total silence to focus."
Best time of day for writing sprints?
💡 Example: "Morning sprints work best for me."
Do you set writing deadlines for yourself?
💡 Example: "I always set soft deadlines to stay motivated."
What is your favorite fictional villain?
💡 Example: "Voldemort is just iconic. Who is yours?"
Share your favorite writing ritual.
💡 Example: "I light a candle before I start writing."
How many stories are you working on right now?
💡 Example: "I have two projects going at once."
Which POV do you write in most often?
💡 Example: "I love writing in third person limited."
Do you prefer standalone stories or series?
💡 Example: "I always end up writing series."
Share an unpopular writing opinion.
💡 Example: "Adverbs are not always bad!"
Do you outline before writing or just dive in?
💡 Example: "I always outline first."
What is your favorite writing prompt source?
💡 Example: "I love using Pinterest for prompts."
Share a writing goal for this week.
💡 Example: "I want to finish my first chapter this week."
Do you write with a writing buddy or solo?
💡 Example: "I write solo, but I wish I had a buddy."
What cliché do you try to avoid in your stories?
💡 Example: "I try to avoid love triangles."
Biggest distraction when you write?
💡 Example: "Social media always gets me."
Do you edit as you go or wait until the end?
💡 Example: "I edit after finishing the draft."
Share a favorite writing quote.
💡 Example: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Do you prefer happy or tragic endings?
💡 Example: "I love a good tragic ending."
What is your favorite part about world-building?
💡 Example: "Creating unique cultures is my favorite part."
Choose a template that fits your community's current mood or any trending topic in fiction writing. Post it as a standalone question or as part of a daily or weekly thread. Encourage moderators and frequent posters to reply first to set the tone. Rotate different types of prompts to keep conversations fresh and invite a range of member perspectives.
For all platforms, use visuals or emojis to draw attention to your Quick Discussion post. Pin or highlight these prompts during peak activity times. Engage with every reply to keep momentum going, and consider using stories or reels for extra visibility if your platform supports them.
Quick Discussion posts are ideal for prompting members to share their opinions on complex topics like plot twists or narrative structure. Pose a question such as, 'Is it better to foreshadow a major twist or deliver it without warning?' or 'What’s your stance on unreliable narrators?' This encourages members to reflect on their own writing techniques and fosters detailed, craft-focused conversations.
Consider prompts that address worldbuilding and unique character arcs, such as: 'How do you balance character backstory with exposition in fantasy settings?' or 'What’s your approach to developing non-human protagonists?' These industry-specific questions resonate with members who face the nuanced demands of speculative fiction, generating meaningful engagement.
Fiction writing communities often have strong opinions on craft 'rules.' If a Quick Discussion post sparks passionate debate, remind members that writing is subjective and encourage sharing of personal experiences rather than prescribing absolutes. You can also follow up with a poll or a resource roundup to broaden perspectives and keep the discussion constructive.
Absolutely! Frame your post around a specific challenge, e.g., 'What’s your go-to strategy when your main character’s motivation stalls?' or 'How do you reignite inspiration after hitting a mid-draft slump?' Such targeted questions tap into shared struggles, promote empathy, and surface practical tips tailored to fiction writers.
Craft prompts that directly address genre-specific craft, like 'Which romance tropes do you love or avoid in your writing and why?' or 'How do you build tension in horror without relying on clichés?' These discussions both validate members’ interests and expose them to new techniques, increasing engagement and learning.
Use inclusive questions that lower the barrier to entry, such as 'What’s one thing you wish you’d known before starting your first draft?' or 'What’s your biggest fear about sharing your work?' Acknowledging common anxieties creates a supportive environment, making it easier for both new and experienced writers to join the conversation.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks