Struggling to get your writing community talking? Guessing Games are a fun, low-pressure way to spark conversation, break the ice, and get members involved. Use these ready-made templates to bring playful energy to your group and make participation easy for everyone.
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Guessing Games tap into our natural curiosity and love of playful challenge. When a post poses a riddle or leaves out just enough information, it invites members to think, speculate, and share their ideas. This low-stakes approach makes it easy for even reserved members to jump in, since there are no wrong answers and the focus is on having fun.
For writing communities, Guessing Games leverage members' creativity and familiarity with storytelling tropes, literary references, and wordplay. They spark friendly competition, foster shared discovery, and create memorable moments, all while keeping the tone light and inclusive. Regularly using these games can help build trust and camaraderie, making your community more active and welcoming.
Guess the genre: A detective, a locked room, and a single red rose. What am I writing?
💡 Example: "Guess the genre: A spaceship, a lost dog, and a secret code. What am I writing?"
I just finished a draft with an unexpected twist ending. Can you guess what happened?
💡 Example: "I just finished a draft with an unexpected twist ending. Can you guess what happened?"
Which famous author am I describing: Lived in the 1800s, loved spooky tales, wrote 'The Raven'?
💡 Example: "Which famous author am I describing: British, wrote about orphans, created Scrooge?"
Guess which writing tool I cannot live without: It is not a pen, not a notebook, but helps me erase mistakes instantly.
💡 Example: "Guess which writing tool I cannot live without: It is digital, counts my words, and checks my grammar."
Can you guess my favorite writing snack? It is crunchy, salty, and comes in a bag.
💡 Example: "Can you guess my favorite writing snack? It is sweet, sticky, and goes great with tea."
I am thinking of a story that starts in a small town and ends on another planet. Guess the genre!
💡 Example: "I am thinking of a story that starts with a letter and ends with a mystery solved. Guess the genre!"
Guess this classic novel: It features a ship, a whale, and obsession.
💡 Example: "Guess this classic novel: It has an orphan, a cruel school, and a happy ending."
Which writing habit am I describing? I do it every morning, sets my mood, and involves coffee.
💡 Example: "Which writing habit am I describing? I do it at night, helps me unwind, and lights my creativity."
Who said this famous quote: 'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you'?
💡 Example: "Who said this famous quote: 'All you have to do is write one true sentence'?"
Guess my favorite writing genre: It has dragons, magic, and quests.
💡 Example: "Guess my favorite writing genre: It has detectives, clues, and suspense."
Can you guess which writing prompt sparked my latest story? It involved a thunderstorm and a locked diary.
💡 Example: "Can you guess which writing prompt sparked my latest story? It started with a midnight phone call."
I am thinking of a book with a color in its title. Can you guess what it is?
💡 Example: "I am thinking of a book with an animal in its title. Can you guess what it is?"
Guess which point of view this story uses: I, me, my throughout the text.
💡 Example: "Guess which point of view this story uses: He, she, they in every paragraph."
I am writing about a world with no electricity and lots of magic. Guess the genre!
💡 Example: "I am writing about robots falling in love. Guess the genre!"
Can you guess the famous pen name: Mark Twain's real name?
💡 Example: "Can you guess the famous pen name: George Eliot's real name?"
Guess the story: A boy, a wizard school, and a lightning scar.
💡 Example: "Guess the story: A ring, a journey, and a volcano."
Which writing cliche am I hinting at: 'It was a dark and stormy night'?
💡 Example: "Which writing cliche am I hinting at: 'She let out a breath she did not know she was holding'?"
I am describing a literary device: It compares two things using 'like' or 'as'. What is it?
💡 Example: "I am describing a literary device: It gives human traits to objects. What is it?"
Guess my writing inspiration: It is a place, quiet, filled with books, and smells like paper.
💡 Example: "Guess my writing inspiration: It is a time of day, silent, and just before dawn."
Can you guess which word I overuse in my drafts? Hint: It starts with 's' and describes something unexpected.
💡 Example: "Can you guess which word I overuse in my drafts? Hint: It means 'very' and starts with 'r'."
Guess the writing format: Short, 17 syllables, often about nature.
💡 Example: "Guess the writing format: 14 lines, often about love, with a strict rhyme scheme."
Which type of antagonist am I hinting at: Not a villain, but the hero's own fear?
💡 Example: "Which type of antagonist am I hinting at: Nature itself, not a person."
I am thinking of a famous fictional detective who plays the violin. Who is it?
💡 Example: "I am thinking of a famous fictional spy who loves martinis. Who is it?"
Guess the trope: A hero pulled into a new world, learns they are special.
💡 Example: "Guess the trope: Enemies who slowly become friends."
Which classic novel am I hinting at: Green light, parties, and lost love?
💡 Example: "Which classic novel am I hinting at: Manor house, manners, and matchmaking?"
Can you guess which month is National Novel Writing Month?
💡 Example: "Can you guess which day celebrates World Poetry Day?"
I just wrote a scene with a cliffhanger. Guess what happens next!
💡 Example: "I just wrote a scene where the lights go out. Guess what happens next!"
Guess the book: A dystopian future, burning books, and a fireman protagonist.
💡 Example: "Guess the book: Talking animals, a farm, and revolution."
Which punctuation mark am I describing: Ends a question sentence?
💡 Example: "Which punctuation mark am I describing: Shows excitement or a shout?"
I am thinking of a fairy tale with a glass slipper. Can you guess which one?
💡 Example: "I am thinking of a fairy tale with a poisoned apple. Can you guess which one?"
Guess my favorite writing season: The leaves change, and stories seem to write themselves.
💡 Example: "Guess my favorite writing season: Cold outside, warm drinks, lots of inspiration."
Can you guess which writing app I use daily? It is known for its distraction-free interface.
💡 Example: "Can you guess which writing app I use daily? It syncs across all my devices."
Guess the plot twist: The villain is actually the hero's sibling.
💡 Example: "Guess the plot twist: The treasure was inside the main character's home all along."
Which famous writing rule am I hinting at: 'Show, don't tell'?
💡 Example: "Which famous writing rule am I hinting at: 'Kill your darlings'?"
I am describing a famous poem: 14 lines, often about love. What is it called?
💡 Example: "I am describing a famous poem: 3 lines, 5-7-5 syllables. What is it called?"
Guess the antagonist: Wears a hook, haunts Peter Pan.
💡 Example: "Guess the antagonist: Has a big red apple, hates Snow White."
Can you guess what my main character's secret is? Hint: It is related to their past.
💡 Example: "Can you guess what my main character's secret is? Hint: It involves a hidden talent."
Guess the writing milestone: Reached 50,000 words in a month.
💡 Example: "Guess the writing milestone: Submitted my first short story to a magazine."
Which literary award am I thinking of: Given yearly for the best novel in English?
💡 Example: "Which literary award am I thinking of: Honors the best mystery novel?"
I am thinking of a writing snack that is warm, sweet, and often paired with coffee. Can you guess?
💡 Example: "I am thinking of a writing snack that is cold, fruity, and eaten in summer. Can you guess?"
Guess the story setting: A haunted mansion on a rainy hilltop.
💡 Example: "Guess the story setting: A bustling city during a blackout."
Choose a template that fits your group's vibe and current activity level. Post it with a friendly prompt, and encourage everyone to guess in the comments. After some engagement, reveal the answer or highlight creative/funny responses. Use these posts between heavier discussions or as weekly features to keep energy high and participation steady.
These templates work on all platforms. For forums and Facebook, post as a new thread or group post. On Slack or Discord, use them as chat prompts or in designated game channels. On Twitter or Instagram, use them in posts or stories and invite replies or comments. Adapt the format to fit your platform's post style and engagement features.
Aim for once a week or as a recurring feature to keep engagement fresh. Adjust frequency based on member response.
Keep questions simple, low-pressure, and celebrate all answers, not just correct ones. Tag or personally invite new members to participate.
Wait for a few responses to build suspense and engagement. Reveal the answer later, and highlight creative or funny guesses.
Absolutely. Tailor clues to match holidays, community milestones, or special writing challenges for extra relevance.
Yes, if your platform allows, visuals can provide extra clues and make posts more eye-catching and shareable.
Seed the conversation with your own guess or ask a moderator to reply first. Keep the tone friendly and try different topics.
If you use direct quotes or factual trivia, it's best to credit the source for accuracy and transparency.