50 Summer Writing Prompts

For me, the hardest part of writing fiction is getting that initial idea. What helps is getting a scenario, a message, or a setting that branches out into a fully fledged story idea.

Writing prompts are always a great way to get some writing done. Whether it’s something that turns into something that can be submitted for publication, practice for that future idea that leads to something publishable, or something fun that’s just for you, a friend, or just a small group of people.

When I was blocked, I used to seek out writing ideas and had a hard time finding them. So, I decided to come up with prompts for those who are currently struggling with the same.

Since summer is approaching, I went with a summer theme that should help with tone and the general creative process. You can borrow just pieces of the prompt, mix and match, or use them as inspiration for a completely new story idea that comes to mind. You can also twist them to fit fiction, non-fiction, age level, or any genre.

The spooky prompts can turn into horror comedies. The sophisticated prompts can turn into cute picture books. And pretty much any of them could become a personal essay or memoir chapter if it fits any part of your lived experience. I tried to keep them specific enough that they didn’t feel too generic but vague enough so that the possibilities are endless.

The prompts

1. A tornado occurs in an unlikely place.
2. A character works at a historical tourist attraction with roleplay actors.
3. A kid goes missing at camp.
4. A character wins a free summer trip to somewhere unexpected.
5. Look up a past image of a local spot, and write a story from that time period.
6. A controversy develops when somebody steals a baseball from a kid at a game.

1. A puppy or kitty shows up on the front porch of your vacation home.
2. Your estranged sibling drops their children off at your house and leaves for the weekend.
3. There’s a heat wave in an urban neighborhood.
4. A body is found floating in the public pool one morning.

1. A character chronicles their DIY summer home project.
2. A story told from the POV of the ice cream man/woman.
3. A story set in the summer in the era and town in which you grew up.
4. A story from the POV of an inanimate object that is exclusively used in the summer.
5. A supernatural phenomenon occurs on the summer solstice.
6. Nobody shows up to a summer birthday party. The party planner gets revenge.
7. Hijinx or tragedy ensues at an outdoor concert or festival.
8. A kid gets trapped somewhere outdoors, and it becomes a major news event in the town.
9. There is family drama at a graduation party.
10. The staff of a hotel prepare for a sold-out weekend during a big summer event nearby.
11. A story from the point of view of the fireworks company on the Fourth of July.
12. High school graduates complete a bucket list over the summer before heading off to college.
13. After their flight is canceled, a group of strangers with different personalities rent a car to get to their destination.
14. A story that chronicles the same summer day over the course of several years.

1. A movie star is tasked with promoting their first summer blockbuster. How does it go? What are the unlikely outcomes?
2. A story that features the internal monologue of a runner in a marathon. How do they push themselves to the finish line? Do they make it? What are they thinking about besides running?
3. A teen’s summer job as a lifeguard either at the pool or beach and the remarkable experiences that they have.
4. A retelling of a classic story in a modern summer setting (ex. Pride and Prejudice featuring teens on summer vacation).
5. A disguised sequel to a favorite summer movie.
6. Create a playlist of your favorite summer songs and develop a story around this playlist.
7. A road trip that features very specific stops, such as roadside attractions, quirky museums, or a specific gas station or restaurant chain.
8. A story set in the most unusual place you’ve ever visited in the summer.
9. A story based on your first summer job.
10. What summer is like for a character who is allergic to the sun.
11. Characters with no survival skills try to figure out how to survive being lost in the woods.

1. A story set around a specific piece of clothing or accessory that is worn throughout the summer.
2. A summer story based on a dream you’ve had.
3. A story that takes place exclusively on a front or back porch.
4. A story about building a treehouse. Who is it for?
5. An astronomical event that occurs on a summer night. Is it a big town event or just a small group or individual who is excited about it? How does it relate to the characters?
6. A summer at an unorthodox grandparent’s house.
7. A summer that never arrives.
8. A story that takes place during a round of mini golf.
9. A conflict at a farmer’s market.
10. A creature lurks through a suburban neighborhood on a summer night.
11. Prepping for a historic hurricane. How does it play out?
12. A retelling of your favorite summer childhood book.
13. A picnic where everything goes wrong or one major thing goes wrong.
14. Guests are invited to a barbecue but realize it’s a surprise summer wedding.
15. A summer parade that makes the news.

I hope these prompts are helpful and give you a lot of inspiration. Please feel free to send me your drafts to read if you end up using any of them now or in the future. You can email them to laura@laurabooksandblogs.com. Good luck and happy summer writing!

For more information check out my posts

Summer Road Trip Movies

Writing Stories About Baseball

Travel Essays by the Blogging Community

Using Real People in Your Writing

11 Ideas for Writers Using Setting

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