Writing Prompts

Our site has over 3500 writing prompts and is growing. Writing prompts are an essential way of helping writers create, stay creative, and teach writing. There are many kinds of writing prompts. If you want to know more about the kinds of writing prompts see our article Types of Writing Prompts.

Writing Prompts are Outstanding Tools

Writing prompts and story starters are easy ways to get you writing even if you are stuck. Journal prompts are easy ways to get students to write about personal issues that will help you get to know them. There are so many ways writing prompts can help teachers and writers create and inspire; we have dedicated this part of our site to making lists of writing prompts in many categories. All of these writing prompts are useful and fun. So please enjoy them.

Creative Writing

There are many reasons prompts and story starters are important in creative writing—inspiration, trying something new, and ending writer’s block are just a few reasons. Every writer needs help sometimes, and writing prompts and story starters can play a significant role.

Inspiration: Story Starters

There can be a lull when you finish your work in progress (WIP). Emotionally, you might be exhausted or just searching for a new idea for your next WIP. You may need another story arc in your current WIP. Writing prompts and story starters can inspire new ideas. You are welcome to take any idea from these prompts and make them your own. We will be thrilled if one of these prompts inspires your megahit novel! Look through our list. It’s growing daily, and see if you can find something you love.

Writer’s Block

Creative writing can be difficult sometimes, even for seasoned writers. Writer’s block is genuine, and when it comes, you need help to start writing. Writing prompts and story starters can end writer’s block. If you are stuck on a project or can’t get the words out, a fun and imaginative writing prompt can get you writing. Try it! People can’t believe the results. Writer’s block is about something other than writing. It’s about inspiration and losing sight of the fun you have while writing. A fun, funny, or exciting writing prompt can make you feel your writing in a new way. It can open a door you forgot was there and reopened old passions about writing. If you have writer’s block, find a prompt list you like and then a prompt you like and start writing. It will work wonders.

New Directions: Writing Prompts

We have writing prompts for zombies, pirates, cyberpunk, paranormal romance, horror, and every season! The ideas are here if you want to write in an unfamiliar genre. These prompts can get you writing on concepts already deep in a genre you might never have heard of. If you want to try a new direction for your writing, pick a list of writing prompts you have not tried before. Let them take you to a new place in your writing.

Writing Prompts

Teaching Writing

There are many ways writing prompts can help you teach writing. Journal writing prompts can get students to open up about their passions or inspire them to explore parts of their emotions they have not thought of before. As a teacher, you can find out new things about your students. Giving students writing prompts can illuminate their experiences, and then they share those unique experiences with you. It also helps them develop their writing on a different level. We have daily writing prompts for students. We have monthly writing prompt lists (one for every day of the month), and of course, we have 1000s of creative writing prompts to get them writing. You can even find some writing prompts benefits to students on the Department of Education’s website and at the Centers for Excellent in Teaching and Learning.

Emotional Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can be a gateway to social and emotional learning. As a Trauma Certified Educator, I have seen firsthand the impact writing prompts can have on students and teachers. Writing prompts can be one avenue if you are looking for a way to better connect with your students.

Daily Writing Prompts

Daily writing prompts can get students to write every day. This practice can eliminate apprehensiveness about writing in students. It will also, with a little guidance, improve their writing significantly. Writing a little bit every day can give many students the tools they need to face bigger writing assignments with more skill and confidence.

Writing Prompt Posts

Below are our writing prompt posts. We add a new one almost everyday. They are on the lists above, but you might want to browse them in their more beatified state below.