Ever feel like your fiction writing community discussions get stuck in an echo chamber? Use these Unpopular Opinion templates to spark fresh debates, challenge assumptions, and help members grow as writers. Let your community safely explore bold ideas—without the drama.
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Unpopular Opinion prompts invite members to share perspectives that go against the grain, which naturally stimulates curiosity and conversation. When handled respectfully, these discussions push writers to critically examine their assumptions and broaden their creative horizons.
By fostering a space where less-common views are welcome, you help community members feel seen and valued, even if their opinions are unconventional. This encourages more diverse participation, deeper engagement, and richer learning for everyone involved.
Unpopular opinion: Prologues often hurt more than they help. What do you think?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Prologues often hurt more than they help. What do you think?"
I believe 'show, don't tell' is overrated. Anyone else agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe 'show, don't tell' is overrated. Anyone else agree or disagree?"
Not all main characters need to be likable. Share your thoughts.
💡 Example: "Not all main characters need to be likable. Share your thoughts."
Unpopular opinion: First drafts should be shared, even if messy. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: First drafts should be shared, even if messy. Agree?"
I think writing every day is unnecessary. What does everyone else think?
💡 Example: "I think writing every day is unnecessary. What does everyone else think?"
Villains deserve happy endings too. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Villains deserve happy endings too. Agree or disagree?"
I prefer reading present tense over past tense in fiction. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I prefer reading present tense over past tense in fiction. Anyone else?"
Unpopular opinion: Adverbs are unfairly criticized. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Adverbs are unfairly criticized. Thoughts?"
I think plot twists are overused. Curious if anyone agrees.
💡 Example: "I think plot twists are overused. Curious if anyone agrees."
Unpopular opinion: Fan fiction is just as valuable as original fiction. Discuss.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Fan fiction is just as valuable as original fiction. Discuss."
I do not outline before writing. Does anyone else skip outlining?
💡 Example: "I do not outline before writing. Does anyone else skip outlining?"
Dialogue tags other than 'said' make writing better, not worse. Agree?
💡 Example: "Dialogue tags other than 'said' make writing better, not worse. Agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Endings do not have to resolve everything. What are your thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Endings do not have to resolve everything. What are your thoughts?"
I find writing groups distracting, not helpful. Anyone else feel the same?
💡 Example: "I find writing groups distracting, not helpful. Anyone else feel the same?"
Unpopular opinion: Tropes are tools, not problems. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Tropes are tools, not problems. Do you agree?"
I think writing rules are guidelines, not laws. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think writing rules are guidelines, not laws. Thoughts?"
Unpopular opinion: Word count goals can kill creativity. Share your perspective.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Word count goals can kill creativity. Share your perspective."
Antiheroes are more interesting than heroes. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Antiheroes are more interesting than heroes. Do you agree?"
I think happy endings are unrealistic. Anyone else think so?
💡 Example: "I think happy endings are unrealistic. Anyone else think so?"
Unpopular opinion: Overdescribing settings slows the story. What do you think?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Overdescribing settings slows the story. What do you think?"
I believe genre labels limit creativity. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I believe genre labels limit creativity. Agree or disagree?"
Unpopular opinion: Beta readers are not always helpful. Discuss.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Beta readers are not always helpful. Discuss."
I skip writing exercises. Has anyone else found them unhelpful?
💡 Example: "I skip writing exercises. Has anyone else found them unhelpful?"
Unpopular opinion: You do not need to read a lot to write well. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: You do not need to read a lot to write well. Thoughts?"
I think flashbacks are overused. Who disagrees?
💡 Example: "I think flashbacks are overused. Who disagrees?"
Unpopular opinion: Writing for trends weakens your voice. Share your take.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Writing for trends weakens your voice. Share your take."
I believe writer's block is a myth. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I believe writer's block is a myth. Who agrees?"
Unpopular opinion: Too much foreshadowing ruins surprises. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Too much foreshadowing ruins surprises. Thoughts?"
I do not believe every story needs a theme. Anyone else feel this way?
💡 Example: "I do not believe every story needs a theme. Anyone else feel this way?"
Unpopular opinion: Writing prompts do not inspire me. Do they work for you?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Writing prompts do not inspire me. Do they work for you?"
I find most writing advice too generic to be useful. Who feels the same?
💡 Example: "I find most writing advice too generic to be useful. Who feels the same?"
Unpopular opinion: Infodumps are fine if they are interesting. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Infodumps are fine if they are interesting. Agree?"
I think writing contests do not help my growth. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I think writing contests do not help my growth. Anyone else?"
Unpopular opinion: You can write a great story without planning. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: You can write a great story without planning. Thoughts?"
I believe writing in multiple genres is better than specializing. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I believe writing in multiple genres is better than specializing. Who agrees?"
Unpopular opinion: Writing for money is not selling out. Discuss.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Writing for money is not selling out. Discuss."
I think writing software can distract from actual writing. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think writing software can distract from actual writing. Thoughts?"
Unpopular opinion: Reading your work aloud is not always helpful. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Reading your work aloud is not always helpful. Agree?"
I believe epilogues can ruin a good ending. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I believe epilogues can ruin a good ending. Who agrees?"
Unpopular opinion: Writing is more about discipline than inspiration. Share your take.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Writing is more about discipline than inspiration. Share your take."
I do not enjoy reading multiple POVs in one novel. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I do not enjoy reading multiple POVs in one novel. Anyone else?"
Unpopular opinion: Genre fiction deserves as much respect as literary fiction. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Genre fiction deserves as much respect as literary fiction. Thoughts?"
Choose a template that fits your community's current interests or challenges. Post it with clear ground rules about respect and open-mindedness. Actively moderate comments to ensure civility. Encourage members to explain their reasoning and invite others to share their own takes. Use follow-up questions to keep the conversation going and highlight thoughtful responses.
On all platforms, use clear language, tag relevant topics, and set community guidelines for respectful debate. Pin or feature posts for visibility. On forums and groups, consider weekly Unpopular Opinion threads. In chat-based platforms, use slow mode or reminders to keep pace civil. Always check in and reinforce positive engagement.
To engage fiction writers, focus prompts on widely accepted writing 'rules' and invite members to share experiences of success when breaking them. For example, ask, 'Is it ever okay to use a cliché?' or 'Has overusing adverbs ever improved your narrative?' This approach sparks nuanced discussion among writers who have grappled with these guidelines in their own manuscripts.
When conversations become intense, remind members to critique ideas, not people, and encourage them to back their opinions with examples from literature or their own writing process. Establish clear community guidelines for respectful debate and consider having dedicated threads for particularly controversial topics to keep discussions organized and focused.
Frame prompts to include genre-specific angles, such as, 'Is using tropes a crutch in romance, fantasy, or mystery?' or 'Does worldbuilding matter as much in literary fiction as it does in speculative genres?' Tag relevant genres and invite writers to comment based on their own experiences, ensuring all voices feel included in the conversation.
Yes, but approach these topics thoughtfully. Phrase prompts carefully to invite respectful, nuanced discussion—e.g., 'Is it better to write outside your lived experience or focus on authenticity?' Provide content warnings as needed, moderate closely, and be proactive in guiding the conversation to ensure a safe environment for all participants.
Experienced writers often engage with prompts that question advanced craft topics, such as 'Is a strong narrative voice more important than tight plotting?' while novices may respond to prompts about writing habits or common advice, like 'Is daily writing necessary for improvement?' Rotate your prompts to address the interests and expertise of both groups for balanced participation.
Create prompts that challenge mainstream thinking about these issues, such as 'Is writer’s block a myth or a real creative obstacle?' or 'Is all feedback useful, or can it hinder progress?' This invites members to re-examine their beliefs and share alternative coping strategies, fostering a supportive and solution-focused environment.
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