Creative Writing Challenges to Inspire Every Genre

10 Different Genres
3 Challenges for each Genre

1. Fantasy

• Challenge: Create a magic system that is entirely unique and has limitations or costs. Write a short story showcasing a character’s struggle to use it.
• Challenge: Write a scene where two different fantasy races or cultures meet for the first time, focusing on misunderstandings and how they bridge the gap.
• Challenge: Imagine a world where a mythological creature (e.g., dragons or phoenixes) is an endangered species. Write a conservationist’s diary.

2. Science Fiction

• Challenge: Write a story where humanity makes first contact with an alien species that communicates non-verbally. Convey their language creatively.
• Challenge: Describe a future city in 500 words, focusing on how technology has shaped its infrastructure and daily life.
• Challenge: Create a conflict based on a society’s dependence on a particular futuristic technology that suddenly malfunctions.

3. Romance

• Challenge: Write a love story from the perspective of an inanimate object (e.g., a book, a ring, or a bench in the park).
• Challenge: Explore a romance between two characters who communicate only through handwritten letters.
• Challenge: Write a scene where two people meet in an unconventional setting, such as during a natural disaster or in a courtroom.

4. Mystery/Thriller

• Challenge: Start a story with a cryptic note that reads, “You have 24 hours.” Write what happens next.
• Challenge: Describe a crime scene through the eyes of an unreliable narrator, where every detail adds to the suspense.
• Challenge: Write a chase scene with no dialogue, relying only on sensory details to build tension.

5. Horror

• Challenge: Write about a character who realizes they’re being watched but cannot find the source.
• Challenge: Write a haunted house story where the ghost isn’t malevolent but has a tragic backstory.
• Challenge: Create a story where the antagonist is an everyday object that inexplicably turns evil.

6. Historical Fiction

• Challenge: Write a scene from the perspective of a historical figure’s overlooked servant or confidant.
• Challenge: Imagine a letter exchange during a significant historical event, such as World War II or the Civil Rights Movement.
• Challenge: Write a story where the main character changes the course of history unintentionally.

7. Young Adult

• Challenge: Write a scene where a teenager has a life-changing realization during a school event.
• Challenge: Create a story about a group of teens on a summer road trip, where each stop unveils a personal secret.
• Challenge: Write about a protagonist discovering their passion or talent through an unexpected mentor.

8. Nonfiction/Personal Essay

• Challenge: Write about a small, seemingly mundane moment in your life that left a significant impact.
• Challenge: Explore a family tradition and how it has shaped your identity or worldview.
• Challenge: Write a travel piece about a place you’ve never been, based only on research and imagination.

9. Poetry

• Challenge: Write a poem inspired by a famous painting, focusing on the emotions it evokes.
• Challenge: Create a poem using only sensory details—no abstract ideas or emotions.
• Challenge: Write a villanelle or sestina about a theme you’ve never tackled before.

10. Comedy

• Challenge: Write a comedic piece about a character having the worst day ever, focusing on absurd events.
• Challenge: Create a parody of a well-known fairy tale or classic story.
• Challenge: Write a humorous dialogue where one character is completely oblivious to an obvious situation.

Happy Writing ^_^