Writing prompts for beginners 

By Sarah Cannata

Am I describing you here?

  • You like the idea of writing but can’t seem to establish a regular writing practice that works for you
  •  You journal off and on, but it never sticks
  •  You enjoy writing but are time-poor 
  •  You’re busy with your career or business and don’t have a lot of time for self-care
  • You’re a loving parent who always puts their own self-care last
  • You’ve read all of the science about the benefits of writing, but you have no idea where to start
  • You’re going through a challenging period or situation in life
  • You’re looking for a modality to complement the professional support you’re seeking
  • You struggle with your feelings and emotions
  • You’re someone who only sees a point in writing if there is a specific outcome in mind (for example, a book)
  • You feel like an observer looking in on your own life
  • You feel stuck or lost
  •  You struggle with other self-care practices, such as meditation

Keeping it simple

While I enjoy talking about embodied writing and how what I teach is different to standard journaling, sometimes it’s best to keep things simple. If you’re looking for writing prompts for beginners, here are 15 writing prompts to get you started. What I like about these prompts is that they allow your imagination to run wild.

  1. What if you could time travel? Where and when would you go? What would you do?
  2. Describe your dream holiday destination. What would you do and see there?
  3. Write about an ordinary day in your life, paying attention to the small details that make it unique.
  4. If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
  5. Imagine a day when all technology suddenly stops working. How do people react, and what do they do?
  6. Describe the most thoughtful and meaningful gift you’ve ever received. What made it special?
  7. Recall a specific memory from your childhood that brings you joy. Describe it in detail.
  8. Imagine a world where everything is black and white. How does this affect the people who live there?
  9. Create a world where animals can talk and have their own society. What is it like to live in this world?
  10. Describe a door that leads to a different world. What adventures await those who pass through it?
  11. Write about an unfinished painting that comes to life when someone looks at it.
  12. Describe a letter that was never delivered, but its contents could change someone’s life if found.
  13. Imagine a day where there are no rules or restrictions. What would you do, and how would society function?
  14. Describe a bookstore where every book is enchanted and leads to a different world or adventure when read.
  15. Write a mystery about a town that mysteriously disappears and reappears.

 

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