20 Prompts for different storytelling mediums!
Updated: Nov 10, 2022
Use the following prompts to develop your storytelling abilities. Each prompt
should challenge you in a new way. Once you have worked through all twenty, try
applying different prompts to different mediums for the ultimate storytelling
challenge.
PROSE
1. Describe a character without using adjectives or adverbs.
2. Pause your favorite movie. Describe every detail about the image you paused on.
3. Write a conversation between two characters without clarifying who said what.
4. Write the same scene twice. Once narrated by the protagonist. Once by the
antagonist.
5. Write a short story with five different characters all trying to narrate at once.
SCREENWRITING
1. Write a scene using only two colors to describe it.
2. Write a scene where only one character speaks while the other character listens.
Don’t show the character speaking.
3. Write a scene where all the action happens off camera and characters can only
listen.
4. Write an entire scene as a wide shot.
5. Write a scene from the visual perspective of a side-character.
PLAYWRITING
1. Write a scene that an actor could perform as happy or sad but still yields the
same message or theme.
2. Write a scene that requires the characters to engage with the audience.
3. Write a scene where only one character is on stage performing a monologue.
4. Write a scene with three characters on stage. They can only communicate via
body language and movement.
5. Write a short play with ten different characters, with only two actors playing all
ten roles.
VIDEO GAME WRITING
1. Write a quest that can be picked up and achieved at three different locations.
2. Write a quest with 10 different possible endings.
3. Write a scene where the player must gather info via dialogue. Depending on
their choices, the info they receive will differ.
4. Write a quest where the puzzle or combat is used to move the story forward.
5. Write a scene where depending on where the player walks or looks, the
narrative or story’s perception and arc changes