Ms. Conti's Literature Lab

Much of what we do as writers is toggle the switches between creatives, editors, and promoters. If you’re in need of writing inspiration or resources, check out this page periodically. I update it with writing seminars, competitions, and prompts that inspire you to keep creating. Remember that what you have to say is just as important as the person sitting next to you. Set your mantra, create those writing routines, and release your voice!

Visual Prompts

Every week I add a new prompt to this list. Some of them are my own creation and some are credited from other sites. Remember to always cite the work of others, folks. Let’s lift each other up!

Writing Prompts

Here are a few prompts that have worked in the past. If you have one or two that you want to add to the list, please email me here. Some prompts include a personal description, but please note that not all need one. Choose one and write on, friends!

1 Color, 1 Animal, 1 Verb: This prompt is probably one of my favorites. An undergraduate professor at Georgia State University provided it as a writing exercise and it always gets me out of a writing slump. I hope it helps you too! (Pro-tip: the more specific you are the better!) First, think of a color and write it at the top of the page. Then, choose an animal and write the type of animal at the top of the page. Your last word is an action verb. Choose one and write it beside the type of animal. Now, write a story that includes all three (3) words. Do they have to be connected? You decide. Have fun!

First Line Writing Prompt: Use an interesting line as a starter. You can use the ones I provide below, ask a friend to come up with a line, or ask generative AI to help get you started.

• She rounded the corner and the hairs stood up on the back of her neck.
• His millions only lasted so long. (Feel free to change pronouns here.)
• They said swimming with sharks was safe as long as I stayed in the cage.
• They loved me and then they didn’t.
• From Novelry:
  • I didn’t see it coming.
  • They came over the hill.
  • It was NOT all a dream.
  • I could see them staring at me.
  • I should never have looked at his phone.
  • The frog was supposed to turn into a handsome prince—not whatever this was.
  • I swore I would never tell anyone what really happened.
• From ChaptGPT:
  • Mysterious & Intriguing
    • The letter had no return address, but it was written in my handwriting.
    • Everyone else at the table heard the gunshot—except me.
    • When the clock struck thirteen, I knew I had run out of time.
    • She swore the mirror was whispering her name.
  • Character-Driven
    • He’d always hated surprises, but the one waiting on his doorstep left him speechless.
    • By the time she realized she was being followed, the stranger had already memorized her walk.
    • I didn’t set out to become a liar, but the truth never worked as well.
    • She had three rules: don’t trust neighbors, don’t answer the phone after midnight, and never look back—today she broke all three.
  • Emotional & Reflective
    • Grief has a strange way of rearranging furniture—you notice what’s missing only when you stub your toe on it.
    • It was the happiest day of my life, and the loneliest.
    • I kept the secret for ten years, until it finally started keeping me.
    • Love wasn’t supposed to sound like thunder.
  • World-Building & Speculative
    • The rain hadn’t stopped in ninety-three days, and now the city was learning how to drown.
    • In this town, birthdays were outlawed, but mine had just arrived.
    • The stars went dark one by one, and only we seemed to notice.
    • The robots didn’t rebel—they simply stopped taking orders.
  • Playful or Surprising
    • It started as the world’s worst first date and ended as a national emergency.
    • The cat wasn’t mine, but it left a crown on my pillow every morning.
    • “Don’t panic,” my grandmother said, strapping on her parachute.
    • The fortune cookie read: “Run.”

Writing Conferences/ Seminars

Dr. Heather Davis hosted the WorldShift writers seminar from August 20-23, 2025, for writers of speculative fiction. She packed the schedule with writers and book editors/coaches at different points of their career. I signed up for the full schedule nd found it to be such a necessary source of inspiration. If you click on the image or this link, you can still view all of the authors that presented. Check out their websites, their socials, and get in touch with the. If Dr. Davis hosts this conference next year as well, I’ll update the links.

Writing Competitions

Free

• We Are Teachers compiles a fantastic list of annual writing competitions. Check them out and save deadlines to your calendar.
• The New York Times’ Student Contest Calendar gets updated every year. Click the link for 2025-2026 options.
• Narrative Magazine’s essay/ story contest
• Only Poems Mag runs a winter and summer poetry competition. The summer competition is due August 31!
• John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize
• SPJ/ JEA’s essay competition

Includes a Fee

• Poets & Writers Compiled List: You will have to pay to enter many of these writing competitions, but there are also cash winnings. Be sure to read through each competition’s requirements.
• Alliance for Young Artists & Writers through Scholastic Art and Writing Awards : Their competition runs each year. Click the link for updated entry details.