Writer’s Block: The monster under the bed of every writer’s existence. It strikes without warning, leaving you staring at the blank page, hoping for a spark of inspiration. But here’s a pro secret: sometimes, you need to stop waiting for the perfect idea to fall into your lap and just dive straight into the bizarre.
After all, some of the best writing emerges from the unexpected, the absurd, and the downright ridiculous. So why not mix the mundane with the outlandish to get your creative juices flowing?
To help you shake off that writer’s block and start writing again, the Author Services Team here at AutoCrit came up with 10 outlandish (but totally doable) writing prompts that combine the ordinary with the strange.
Grab your coffee, a cozy blanket, and a sense of humor, because things are about to get weird. (You’re welcome!)
The Great Pancake Debate: “Which Topping Will Save the World?”
We’ve all had those lazy Saturday mornings where we make pancakes in an attempt to restore balance to the universe (or at least to get out of bed). But today, your pancake toppings have more importance than usual. What if choosing syrup over whipped cream—or vice versa—was the key to saving or destroying the world?
This is the perfect prompt for a ridiculous (yet strangely deep) exploration of priorities, choices, and the fate of humankind. Will your character be the hero who chooses the right topping? Or will they doom the planet with a spoonful of blueberries?
The Backyard Garden of Talking Plants
You step outside to water your garden on a beautiful spring morning, only to realize something’s off. The tulips? Talking. The daisies? Discussing the latest gossip from the birdbath. And the rose bush? Well, it’s giving you life advice. Suddenly, your mundane gardening task has turned into a full-blown conversation with your plants.
Write a story where your protagonist’s garden becomes an unexpected source of wisdom, mischief, or chaos. Do the plants try to manipulate the character into doing something ridiculous? Or do they offer much-needed guidance on the meaning of life?
The One Who Swears They’ve Just Seen Bigfoot…
You’re just grabbing your coffee when your neighbor rushes over, wild-eyed, and demands you listen to their tale. Apparently, Bigfoot was spotted in their backyard—but of course, they don’t have any proof.
This prompt is perfect for working out your writer’s block while exploring the intersection of belief, skepticism, and the absurd. Maybe your neighbor takes increasingly ridiculous measures to prove Bigfoot’s existence, or maybe they end up convincing everyone around them that they’re right (or maybe the whole thing’s just a crazy misunderstanding).
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The Dog Who Knows You’re Avoiding Writing
You know you should be writing, but somehow, you find yourself checking social media for the hundredth time or making another coffee. Enter your dog. You thought your pup was content chewing on toys, but now they’re fully aware that you’re avoiding the keyboard. And they’re not having it.
This prompt is great for a funny, lighthearted take on procrastination. Write a scene where your dog becomes your creative accountability partner—whether they’re barking incessantly, bringing you your notebook, or attempting to literally drag you to your desk.
The Coffee Shop Cat Conspiracy
There’s a coffee shop in your neighborhood where you’ve always gone to write. It’s cozy, warm, and welcoming… except for one thing: the cat. It sits on the windowsill, watching you. You’re pretty sure it’s judging your every word. And maybe it’s not just judging—maybe it’s plotting something.
Write a story where the coffee shop cat is actually a secret agent, tasked with monitoring all the writers who come through, subtly influencing their creative choices, and keeping an eye on the coffee shop’s secret operations.
The Sticky Note War Between Your Characters
You’ve got a mess of sticky notes on your desk, but today, something’s different. Every single one of those notes has been moved and rearranged into an intricate battle map. Your characters—who you’ve lovingly crafted and plotted out—are waging war on each other. Why? Who knows! But they’re clearly out of control.
What we really like about this prompt is the way it allows you to explore the chaotic side of your characters’ personalities. Maybe your hero and villain are fighting over a plot point. Or maybe one of your side characters is trying to overthrow your narrative. Want another twist? Try incorporating a sticky note war between your characters into the actual book. It can be hilarious in office drama or roommate scenarios and add an element of creepy into thrillers or horror.
The Mystery of the Mismatched Socks
You’re sorting laundry when you stumble upon something strange: your sock drawer has become a hotbed for unexplained activity. Some socks are sneaking off, some have formed alliances, and others are plotting against the dryer.
This prompt is ideal for absurd, whimsical world-building. Defeat your writer’s block and write the backstory of a mismatched sock who’s trying to become the next leader of the sock drawer! You never know, maybe the socks are part of an underground movement to free themselves from the tyranny of laundry day! Have fun with it!
The Lost Art of Jumping in Puddles
You’ve been avoiding the rain for days, but today, you finally step outside—into a giant puddle. But here’s the thing: this isn’t just any puddle. It has magical properties and, with each jump, you’re transported to a new world. One jump takes you to a mystical forest, another to the future, and maybe a third one sends you into your own past.
This prompt is perfect for exploring themes of nostalgia, discovery, and the unexpected. What worlds will your character discover? And how will they use their newfound puddle-jumping powers?
The Very Serious Cloud-Reader Detective Agency
You lie on your back, gazing up at the clouds, when it hits you. These aren’t just clouds—these are clues. Each cloud represents a different clue in a case that you’re trying to solve. Is that a bunny rabbit? Or a subtle hint to investigate a neighbor with a rabbit on their front lawn? The cloud-reader detective agency is open for business, and you’re on the case!
Write a story about a cloud detective solving their biggest mystery using subtle signs from the clouds overhead. Immersing yourself deep into a world like this can be an excellent cure for writer’s block.
The Sneaky Squirrel Secret Service
(Say that five times fast!) You’re walking to the grocery store when you spot a squirrel wearing a tiny suit and earpiece. You think it’s cute until you realize: it’s on a mission. Suddenly, you’re sucked into a world of espionage, where squirrels are elite secret agents and you’re an accidental recruit.
Write a spy-thriller adventure where you and the squirrel secret service must team up to stop an international plot, using nothing but snacks and stealthy acrobatics.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Absurdity
Sometimes, all it takes to get out of a creative rut is a healthy dose of absurdity. By mixing the mundane with the bizarre, you’ll not only break free from writer’s block but discover new worlds and characters that you never expected. So, whether it’s writing about pancake toppings or squirrel spies, let your imagination roam free.
Which prompt are you going to try first? Tell us over in our Pro Community or Facebook Author Community. Need more writing prompts? We’ve got you. Here’s FREE access to our 1,001 Fiction Writing Prompts mini course! Happy Writing!
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