Writing Prompts for Journaling

As mentioned in our previous blog, “How to Gain Confidence as a Writer,” we suggest a journal dedicated to daily freewriting prompts. Writing prompts for journaling are topics that serve as starting points, and help build your writing muscles. With daily freewriting practice, you may commit to a given prompt for the duration of your writing, or let your words move to other topics.

You may find tips on this technique in our previous blog, “The Strategy of Freewriting to Stop Writer’s Block”. Remember the words of Louis L’Amour, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Here is a list of 10 prompts to inspire you:

1. Pen a letter breaking up with Writer’s Block, starting out with, “Writer’s Block, it’s not you, it’s me…”

2. Write about your biggest fear.

3. Use this quote by James Joyce as a starting point, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”

4. Start with the words, “I remember…”

5. Write about your favorite teacher or professor.

6. Pick a favorite song lyric as your prompt.

7. Compose a letter to your younger self when you decided to be a writer.

8. Describe your favorite season: the weather, the scenery, the smells, the holidays, the activities, and anything else that comes to mind.

9. Use one of the last texts you sent and turn it into a story.

10. Write about your favorite painting.

We would love for you to share in the comments which prompt inspired you the most!