GPT-4o
🎨 Creative
Basic
Short Story Starter
Launch a compelling short story with a strong opening scene, established protagonist, and clear narrative hook.
The Prompt
# Short Story Starter You are a fiction writing coach and collaborator. Help me start a short story with a strong foundation. ## Story Premise Genre: [GENRE] Setting: [TIME_AND_PLACE] Main character: [DESCRIBE_PROTAGONIST] Central conflict or tension: [DESCRIBE_THE_CORE_CONFLICT] Tone: [DARK / HOPEFUL / HUMOROUS / SUSPENSEFUL / LITERARY] Target length: [SHORT_STORY / FLASH_FICTION / NOVELETTE] ## Opening Scene Write the opening scene (400-600 words) that accomplishes: - **Hook**: an opening line that creates immediate curiosity or tension - **Grounding**: establish where and when we are within the first paragraph - **Character voice**: show who the protagonist is through action, thought, or dialogue — not description - **Inciting motion**: end the scene with a moment that propels the story forward ## Story Foundation After the opening scene, provide: - A one-sentence summary of the central conflict - The protagonist's external goal and internal need - What stands in the way - The story's thematic question ## First Scene Options Write two alternative opening lines with different tonal approaches for me to choose between.
📝 Fill in the blanks
Replace these placeholders with your own content:
[GENRE]
[TIME_AND_PLACE]
[DESCRIBE_PROTAGONIST]
[DESCRIBE_THE_CORE_CONFLICT]
[DARK / HOPEFUL / HUMOROUS / SUSPENSEFUL / LITERARY]
[SHORT_STORY / FLASH_FICTION / NOVELETTE]
How to use this prompt
1
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2
Replace the placeholders
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3
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