Prompts and motivation to create something out of nothing

How to Tag Prompts

Prompt tags are those square brackets you see on the posts in this sub. They are automatically given flair, which helps us organize and create filters for specific types of prompts.

Before you post, make sure you are familar with the rules or it may be removed. Things to keep in mind:

• Prompts are not for stories (with the exception of [PI] and [CC])
• Prompts go in the title and should not be an entire plot synopsis, just a means to inspire
• No posts that encourage low-effort responses (100 word minimum, joke-responses, AI-generated, etc)
• No recent reposts (even unintentional) or copycats (taking a recent prompt and changing a small detail)
• No sexually explicit content
• No homework or calls for writing services
• Nothing harmful to the community, including any forms of hate speech, racism, pedophilia, bestiality, incest, or rape
• No real world drama, including politics and recent tragedies
• Put the tag at the start of the prompt, not the end or in the middle.

Acceptable tags are as follows:

WP: Writing Prompt

• [WP] is for the most basic prompt. No restrictions (other than the rules of the sub). Your prompt is just simple ideas for inspiring narrative fiction, poetry or any other form of writing.

  Example: [WP] The fate of the world is decided... in a baseball game!

SP: Simple Prompt

• [SP] is the same as a basic prompt, but it must contain no more than 100 characters in the title (including the tag).

  Example: [SP] You never knew who they were, but they knew who you were

EU: Established Universe

• [EU] is a tag intended to bring writers and readers alike into a pre-established world with fan fiction, adding new scenarios to beloved series and characters such as Harry Potter, Transformers, CSI, and anything else in the world of fictional media.

• You are also encouraged, though not required, to include links to reference wikis for the particular universe, especially if the prompt is vague or the EU is not well known, in the additional text box.

  Example: [EU] The Chicago Cubs and the Avengers have a baseball game.

  Example: [EU](Warhammer40K) Emperor of Mankind goes out for tea.

CW: Constrained Writing

• [CW] contains constraints and limits to what your writers can respond with. With a [CW] Prompt, you are able to restrict certain words or otherwise add other limitations or requirements, such as word limits or writing styles

  Example: [CW] Write about the World Series without using the word 'baseball'.

  Example: [CW] Write a poem that rhymes about sadness

  Example: [CW] In 400-500 words, write about the joy of meeting a new friend

  NOTE: Be careful calling for word counts including the phrase "or less" as they may violate rule 1.

TT: Theme Thursday

• [TT] prompts are our weekly focus on certain styles of writing (War Stories, Hardboiled Detectives, High Fantasy) and must conform to whatever that week's theme is (see the sidebar for the current Theme)

• We reset it each Thursday and will sticky those prompts randomly during the day, but are encouraging them all week

• Normal prompts are still allowed on Thursdays, it's just that we take that day to focus on them

• Please do not post TTs with previous week's themes. They will be removed and you will be asked to repost as a general [WP].

PM: Prompt Me

• [PM] prompts are an inverse [WP], in wherein your responses prompt you to write something, rather than the other way around.

• In a [PM] Prompt, you respond to comments as if they were prompts, and thus help you expand your creative output and writing skills.

• Before posting one:

  • You must have responded to prompts before posting your [PM], meaning you've written a top-level story or poem as a reply to a prompt.
  • You must respond to your prompts within six hours or it will be removed. Clogging the sub with neglected [PM] prompts is a very bad thing!

  Example: [PM] Prompt me sci-fi and action, please. I want to practice writing!

MP: Media Prompt

• [MP] are Media Prompts, and use linked audio or visual media to inspire a piece of writing, and are a useful method of inspiring writers in a way that does not necessarily require a prompt text itself.

  Example: [MP] Ludwig Van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

IP: Image Prompt

• [IP] are Image Prompts, and are similar to Media Prompts but instead of video or audio media, include a link to an image which should inspire stories or poems from the writers.

  Example: [IP] A Shiba Inu glares sideways at the camera with raised eyebrows.

PI: Prompt Inspired

• [PI] are prompt-inspired text, and are usually standalone responses to prompts that are at least three days old.

• [PI] posts must have a link to the prompt that inspired the story, and contain the story within the text area of the post itself, not as an independent comment

  • Responses should be written by you. If you come across an extraordinary response from someone else, consider submitting to /r/bestOfWritingPrompts.
  • If it's a continued story too large for the text, you may continue into the comments

  Example: [PI] A woman kills her husband. Make me sympathize with both characters.

  Note: Rules 3 (No plagiarism) and 4 (No content harmful to the community) still apply to [PI]s.

CC: Constructive Criticism

• [CC] are [PI] posts specifically for prompt responses from prompts at least 3 days old that you would like critiqued

• They should be over one hundred and fifty words

• Be sure to correct all grammar and spelling errors before you post!

  Example: [CC] Carley and Doug

  Note: Rules 3 (No plagiarism) and 4 (No content harmful to the community) still apply to [CC]s.

OT: Off Topic

• [OT] are off topic and not prompts, but are writing related. Not for stories.

• [OT] Should not be used for top level comments. Top level comments should specifically be story replies.

• Not for complaints about subreddit content. Be the change you wish to see in the subreddit, post the type of prompts you wish to see more of

  Example: [OT] Some writing techniques to help you improve dialogue!

  * OT as an Advertisement!

  In the case of using an [OT] as a call for submissions, to link to an external site and/or advertise a book, website, or service that involves money (subscription/purchase), please vet it with the moderators first via modmail. We reserve the right to remove or deny any such use of [OT] that does not conform to the intent of our subreddit or does not appear in the spirit of appropriate use. The criteria for allowing OT posts for writing based on prompts can be found in our FAQ here.

RF: Reality Fiction

• [RF] prompts are for things that have happened before or should be able to happen in the real world to unknown people. Not what you think could happen in the future.

• Acceptable as [RF]:

  • Rooted in reality
  • Vague and open-ended

  Example: [RF] A man walks into a shady bar

• Not Acceptable as [RF]:

  • No alternate history
  • No speculative / what ifs
  • No established universes / fan fictions
  • No celebrities, characters should be created by writer
  • No sci-fi / fantasy
  • Think reality, not realistic

  Bad Example: [RF] Germany won World War 2

  Bad Example: [RF] Texas secedes from the Unites States

  Bad Example: [RF] Batman found a Green Lantern ring

  Bad Example: [RF] President Obama washes his car

  Bad Example: [RF] Aliens invade while you're washing your car

  Note: Stories and poems written in response to RF prompts don't follow the same restrictions.

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