Writing Prompt Wheel
Spin a character, a setting and a problem, and you have a story. Lists for genres and original first lines too, all classroom-safe.
- 50 story parts
- Original first lines
- Three-spin story method
- Free, no sign-up
Click the wheel or press Ctrl + Enter to spin
Paste a whole list at once. To give an entry more chances, add *2, *3… at the end of its line, or set an exact share with *25%.
No spins yet. Your results will appear here.
Run thousands of spins on your current list in a few seconds, using exactly the same secure draw as the wheel, and compare each entry’s real share with its expected share. Test spins are not added to your results.
…Post this fingerprint before a draw. Afterwards anyone can paste the list on the verify page to check it wasn’t changed.
| Entry | Expected | Got | Times |
|---|
The wheel picked
The method
Build a Story in Three Spins
- Who: spin Characters.
- Where: spin Settings.
- What goes wrong: spin Problems.
- Optional: spin Genres for the tone, or First lines to start writing straight away.
Example: a lighthouse keeper, a town where it never stops raining, a message arrives from the future.
Use it for
Ways to Use Story Prompts
- Ten-minute free-write: one spin, set a timer, don’t stop writing.
- Class story chain: each student writes a paragraph, then spins a new problem for the next writer.
- Plot unstuck: spin Problems when your own story stalls.
- NaNoWriMo-style sprints: spin a first line each day.
All the Story Parts
Characters (12)
A nervous dragon · A retired superhero · A kid inventor · A talking cat · A lost robot · A lighthouse keeper · A new student · A grumpy wizard · A twin who swapped places · A baker with a secret · A young explorer · A ghost who is afraid of people
Settings (10)
A floating city · A school on the moon · A snowed-in cabin · A busy train · A desert market · A shipwreck · A town where it never stops raining · A museum at night · An island no map shows · A tiny village under a bridge
Problems (10)
Something important goes missing · A door appears that wasn’t there yesterday · They wake up with a strange power · A storm traps everyone inside · They must keep a big secret · A message arrives from the future · Their best friend disappears · They break something magical · They have one day to fix a mistake · Nobody remembers them
Genres (10)
Mystery · Adventure · Fantasy · Science fiction · Comedy · Fairy tale retold · Spooky (not scary) · Animal story · Diary entry · Letter
First lines (8)
The last thing I expected to find in my sock drawer was a map. · Nobody told me the new teacher was a dragon. · The robot had been waiting three hundred years. · It was raining upwards again. · I only opened the box because it said “Do not open”. · The cat looked at me and said, “We need to talk.” · Every clock in town stopped at exactly 3:17. · The footprints led straight up the wall.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these first lines original?
Yes. We wrote them for this wheel, so you can use them freely in your own stories.
Is it suitable for school?
Yes. Every list is kid-safe. “Spooky (not scary)” keeps things light.
Can I add my own prompts?
Yes. Type them one per line; the list is saved in your browser.
How do I get a different combination each time?
Each spin is independent, so the three lists give hundreds of combinations.
Keep exploring
Related wheels and guides
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Random Character Wheel
Build a character to write about.
Classroom Question Wheel
Book talk and reflection questions.
Random Word Wheel
Spin three words for a story.