What this tool does

It gives you a ready-made opening for a short story or longer piece of fiction, based on the genre, mood and themes you pick. Instead of staring at a blank document, you get a first paragraph with a character, a setting and a hint of trouble, which you can then take in any direction you like.

You are free to use the prompt word for word, rewrite it in your own voice, or just borrow one idea from it and throw the rest away. It is a starting point, not a script.

When to use it

It is handy if you want to write but cannot think of an idea, if you are stuck halfway through a project and fancy a warm-up exercise, or if you are teaching a class and need a fresh prompt for each student. Hobby writers, students working on creative coursework, and anyone doing a daily writing habit will probably find it most useful.

It also works well for writing groups who want everyone to start from the same seed, or for parents looking to get a reluctant young writer going on a rainy afternoon.

How it works

Pick a genre from the list, then choose a mood and one or two themes if you want to narrow things down. Hit the button and you will get an opening paragraph on screen. If the first result does not spark anything, generate another one, they are all different. Nothing you enter is saved, and you do not need to sign up or give an email address.