31 Inspiring Prompts for Writers

Something to Spark your Inspiration when the Writing Fireworks Fizzle out

As a writer everything depends on you. Not to say that it doesn’t for other professions, but authors and those who work in literary fields are consistantly drumming up content. Out of nowhere. From inside yourself. And it has to be meaningful. It’s not like we can throw in a line but if the fish don’t bite it wasn’t our fault. Nor is it as intense (usually) as resetting a broken bone so it heals straight and the patient will eventually walk again because of your skill. No, but it can feel like that a lot. So, here are 31 Inspiring Prompts for Writers – one for every day of a regular month – to help set some positive writing habits.

Choose a Daily Time to Write

The argument of inspiration verses perspiration is as old as papyrus. Personally, I believe it is both. In fact, many authors more established than myself taught me so – Viki King and Cecil Murphey, to name a few. If a whim takes me and I – all of a sudden – can see a scene lay out before me, hallelujah! I write it down. However, I’ve also proven that showing up to write regularly frees up the writer within me. It took 15 years to research and write American Wild and these habits are what got the story to see the light of day. Think of it as “creativity knows when its welcome to show up.”

When I select space in my schedule for creativity, I let my writing know it is important in my life. Yes, inspiration may eek out in various untimely moments of life. But when I’ve carved out space for it, inspiration knows it will be allowed to flow and may patiently await its turn.

Here they are: Your 31 Inspiring Prompts for Writers

Sharpen your pencil! Face the blank page! Ready, Set…here are your 31 Inspiring Prompts for Writers:

1. Listen! Write for 2 minutes about every sound you hear.
2. List everything you need at the grocery store. When you’re done, you’re done. See? Easy peasy.
3. Look up 3 words that start with the letter L in the dictionary. Next, write them down with their definitions for yourself.
4. Ok, imagine you called your mother. Write down what is said by both of you to each other for 4 minutes.
5. Children in a school yard “high-five” each other. Write the story for 5 minutes about why they did that.
6. Six seashells lay on a window ledge of an apartment in the Bronx. Where did they come from? Go on, write for 6 minutes.
7. Sadly, seven days ago you heard someone crying softly but did nothing about it. Who was it? Why? What will you do now?
8. List 8 things you’d like to have one day. Describe them fully. What do they mean to you?
9. On your porch you find a square, green box delivered with your name on it. You open it. What is inside and what will you do with it?
10. The sidewalk is hot. You can feel it through your shoes. Where are you walking? Are you late? Write for 10 minutes about the appointment you’re going to.
11. Eleven members of an elite team gather in a room. You are one of them. What is the mission? Will you participate? What is at stake?
12. The place is on fire. Twelve of the steps on the staircase are missing. Wait! You must save the child upstairs. Write what happens next.
13. No one cares about 13. It’s unlucky. Write the original story of how 13 came to mean bad luck in 13 minutes. On your mark, get set, go.
14. Today is a holiday. Write about your plans for the day. Who may attend? Is everything prepared? What could go wrong?
15. Someone kisses you unexpectedly. Who is it? Why? How do each of you respond?
16. You’re waking up from surgery. Why did you need it? The doctor comes in to tell you the report. What is it and how do you respond?
17. You’re sitting at lunch on a normal day. Describe the setting, meal, company, and tastes.
18. The weather outside is dangerous but you have to leave the house. What is the weather? Why must you leave your safety?
19. Out of nowhere, there is a lima bean sitting on your desk. What else is on your desk? How did the lima bean get there? What happens next?
20. Walking through the hardware store you smell cedar boards. Suddnely, this memory transports you to a certain place and time. When and where?
21. There is a piece of jewelry your grandmother always wore. Who gave it to her? What did it mean to her? Describe it and describe her.
22. Slicing an onion makes you cry. Describe the onion and your cutting tool. Next, outline each step of its process to finally being eaten.
23. You’re showering. The electricity goes out. The water ebbs to a dribble. Describe what happens next. Allow 20 minutes or more to write.
24. Today, you are aren’t a mammal, but an insect. Do you fly? Crawl? Can you live in water? Real or imagined, write as if you’re a bug.
25. First, look around. Then, make a list of 25 things. However, you must write their name, their color, their shape, and who they belong to.
26. You must attend a funeral of someone you love who didn’t care about you. Why? What do you wear? What happens at the end?
27. You’re afraid to go in the closet. What is in there? How long has it been there? What does it mean to you to open the door? Do you?
28. You’re packing for a camping trip to a National Park. Go ahead, research a real one. Describe everything you would need to go there for 28 days.
29. The engine of the boat your on cuts out. Eventually, the captain finds you to explain the problem. Describe the boat, the captain, yourself, and what happens next.
30. You’re buying flowers. What bouquet do you pick? Who are they for? Why? Will you actually purchase and send them? Why or why not?
31. You’re all dressed up. You’re hair looks great. In a few minutes it will be time. Time for what? What do you look like? What does this moment mean to you?

Inspiration will Prompt Writers when it Knows it is Welcome

If you’ve written every day for 31 days you’ve developed a great writing habit. Congratulations. What will you write tomorrow?