Writing Prompts

 

PROMPTS FOR WRITING POEMS, STORIES, MEMOIR AND FICTION

 

 First Lines

  • In a world like this...
  • Just before ...
  • No one else knew that...
  • I didn't wait...
  • One moment...
  • It was the kind of place...
  • It came to me all at once...
  • How could he ever forget...
  • She stood up and said...
  • What can you say when...
  • He stopped just as...
  • The light was like...

Contact Anne about speaking at a literary program or providing a workshop. 

  

Probing Questions

  • What makes you feel most like yourself?
  • When has someone surprised you?
  • What event changed your life forever?
  • Whose voice speaks to you even now?
  • What place holds unanswered questions?
  • Who confuses or disturbs you?
  • What are you afraid to consider?
  • Whose life story inspires you?
  • What is the history of your organization?
  • What challenges are you facing now?
  • How did you overcome early obstacles?
  • What amazing world events have you seen?
  • What did you plan to do with your life?
  • Where have you dreamed of going?
  • What do you hold sacred?
  • What angers you?
  • How did you get here?
  • What is your soul's true occupation?
  • What do you want to know more about?
  • When do you feel really blessed?
  • What makes you cry?
  • What historical event intrigues you?

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Creative Starters

  • Write a prayer or wish.
  • Make up a ridiculous decision and its consequences.
  • Write an alternative version of yesterday.
  • Write a letter to a stranger.
  • Write down honest but unspoken feelings.
  • Tell a secret that is fictional.
  • Create a news story about a friend.
  • Brainstorm words you like; use them.
  • Combine verbs and nouns to make new words.
  • Create a character who is your opposite.
  • Capture a single everyday moment.
  • Choose a word you seldom use as a title; write to it.
  • Tell the inspirational story of what you have overcome.

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Ways to Invite the Muse

  • Free write about this very moment.
  • Sit quietly with your eyes closed. Listen.
  • Read poetry out loud.
  • Listen to music and write in response.
  • Look through old photos for moments to share.
  • Reread your own writings.
  • Take a walk, jotting down your thoughts.
  • Sing. Dance. Skip. Run. Rest.
  • Be still, silent, sacred.
  • Make lists of people and places you love.
  • Brainstorm word associations.
  • Stare at something beautiful.
  • Assume an unusual posture. 

Check out InSpiritry Literary Resources.

Writing Prompts for Introspective Writing 

  • What event changed your life forever?
  • What have you never told anyone?
  • What place holds unanswered questions?
  • Who confuses or disturbs you?
  • What are you afraid to consider?
  • What are you afraid to say?
  • What would you include in your autobiography?
  • What challenges are you facing now?
  • Who would you like to visit one more time?
  • How did you overcome early obstacles?
  • What amazing world events have you seen?
  • What did you plan to do with your life?
  • Where have you dreamed of going?
  • What do you hold sacred? 
  • What memory makes you laugh even now?
  • What would you like to forget?
  • What remains a family secret?
  • What about Nature frightens you?
  • What noises remind you of home?
  • Who has loved you just like you are?
  • What do you find beautiful?
  • Where do you feel safe?
  • What sound soothes you?
  • What do you need to write about?

 

For more Writing Prompts, purchase Wingbeats: Exercises and Practice in Poetry,

in which Anne's poetry lesson essay "Speaking the Unspoken" appears.

 

Contact Anne at InSpiritry!