Free tool
Daily writing prompt
A new prompt each day, with an initial idea and an optional second step for developing it further. Use it for practice, warm-ups, scenes, memoir, poetry or fragments.
Use today’s prompt
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Free writing tools
Useful tools for when writing gets tricky.
Start something, develop a character, find the right name or settle down for a focused writing sprint. The tools are free, practical and designed to help you get on with the work.
Tool library
Choose what would help now.
Each tool deals with a particular part of the writing process. There’s no account to create and no complicated system to learn.
Free tool
Writing sprint timer
Build a short writing block or use a Pomodoro sequence. Choose your intention, note what you’ll work on and let the timer keep track while you write.
Start a writing sprint
Free tool
Character builder
Create a quick character profile or work through the fuller builder to explore wants, fears, contradictions, relationships, habits, pressures and choices.
Build a character
Free tool
Character name generator
Find believable character names by gender, period, regional flavour, tone and rarity, with enough context to help you choose rather than simply producing a random list.
Generate character namesIn development
More useful tools are on the way.
These aren’t links to empty pages. They’re tools planned for future development and will be added when they’re ready to be genuinely useful.
9
Plot generator
Build a nine-point plot with pressure, turns, crisis,
consequence and resolution.
S
Scene starter
Create a scene situation with a pressure point, hidden agenda,
movement and closing turn.
I
Idea mixer
Combine character, setting, obstacle, object, mood and
complication into usable story seeds.
R
Revision checklist
Work through structure, clarity, scene purpose, character
movement, repetition and weaker parts of a draft.
How to use them
Use the tools as starting points, not instructions.
A useful writing tool should give you something to work with. It shouldn’t take over the writing, flatten your judgement or make every idea look as if it came from the same machine.
✓
If you’re stuck
Use a prompt to create one small way into the work.
Use a prompt to create one small way into the work.
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If the idea feels thin
Use a character or planning tool to add pressure, contrast and direction.
Use a character or planning tool to add pressure, contrast and direction.
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If you keep putting it off
Set a short sprint, choose one specific job and begin before another preparatory cup of tea becomes necessary.
Set a short sprint, choose one specific job and begin before another preparatory cup of tea becomes necessary.
Keep in touch
Hear about new tools as they’re added.
Join the WritersGroup list for occasional updates about new tools, prompts, resources, Writing Rooms and events.