Writing Ideas for Short Story Writers/Novelists

Writing Prompts Straight From Creative Story Titles or Novel Titles

Oct 6, 2009

Want to write a novel or short story but can't find a story plot or starting point? These great writing prompts are based on interesting story titles.

Aspiring novelists and short story writers often know they have the ability to construct a great story... if only they could think of one! Where do creative ideas come from? Here are a few suggestions that have the advantage of not only providing a story prompt but offer a ready-made title, as well. Writers can feel free to use them without fear of having committed plagiarism. These titles used in the exercise did not belong to any published novel, at the time of writing.

Book Titles as Writing Prompts

Book titles are a great source of inspiration. Browse the fiction shelves of the local library and jot down titles that grab your attention and spark some interest. Just jot them all down without pausing to consider what could be done with them. Some titles may be books you’ve already read, which carries the danger that you will not escape from your memory of how another author used that title. Nevertheless, that’s a decision for later.

Once home, select the few titles that hold most appeal, take each in turn, and brainstorm ideas. What could that title signify? What is the mystery attached to it? What characters suggest themselves? Once on your way with a new novel or short story, resist the temptation to see what the book was really about. It will colour your thinking.

Change the Title

When you are well satisfied with the story you have developed, have locked characters in place, and feel that the story is yours, make it entirely yours by discarding the writing prompt title and choosing something that is totally appropriate to your new book or story.

Writing Prompt Exercise

Here are a few ‘pretend’ book titles. Select one that jumps out and says “Pick me; pick me!” Brainstorm ideas for a plot and characters – maybe even try an opening paragraph. Who knows, the characters might drive the plot all the way to the end of the book. With these pretend book titles, it is not even necessary to change the title, if the story ‘grows legs’.

There are lots of other wonderful sources for writing prompts, quite different from the book title concept. The jaded writer might like to try a visual prompt exercise or short story prompts from public transport or newspapers. There’s a golden idea out there waiting for every aspiring writer ...it remains to find it!

The copyright of the article Writing Ideas for Short Story Writers/Novelists in Writing Short Stories is owned by James Parsons. Permission to republish Writing Ideas for Short Story Writers/Novelists in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.