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Writing Prompts To Kick Start Your Creativity
What Are Writing Prompts?
Look at a blank piece of paper. Now imagine sitting in one spot for an hour looking at that blank piece of paper and having nothing happen. Now imagine your brain as that blank piece of paper, completely flat-lined and incapable of a creative thought.
Not a pretty picture, is it? Writer’s block is the scourge of writers everywhere and most definitely something to be avoided at all costs. Writing prompts help us to avoid that painful experience. For lack of a better definition, a writing prompt is a topic, or a picture, or music, or whatever which helps us to start thinking of writing ideas. It can be as short as a single word, as in word association, or it can be a phrase, paragraph, or photo display. The goal is to give you something to focus upon so that writing ideas will then flow.
It is a very effective tool for writers, one this writer uses quite often. Consider these reasons for using writing prompts:
- It can quickly end writer’s block and get your creative juices flowing.
- Besides ending writer’s block, your writing responses may be used in later writing.
- The result of the prompt may give you ideas for a future article or book.
- Writing prompts can also help to establish routine and get you in the habit of writing regularly.
- They also give you an opportunity to become a part of a writing community. There are several online writing sites, to be mentioned a little later on, where prompts are given daily and members share their responses.
Daily Prompts
- Daily Writing Prompts
Creative Writing Prompts with historical significance for every day of the year. You will find holidays, historical events, birthdays and other interesting and educational prompts to write about. Educate and Inspire at the same time using these writi
Writing Prompts Online
As with most anything in life in the year 2014, the internet has what you need in the way of writing prompts. Check out these sites:
- CreativeWritingPrompts.com
- WritersDigest.com
- Creative-Writing-Solutions.com
It took me thirty seconds to find those three; there are literally hundreds of other sites available to you.
Example of Writing Prompts
The beauty of writing prompts is that they are everywhere and it takes very little effort to think of one. Here are some examples I just came up with:
- He stood in the rain watching…….
- The plane left her behind
- Lavender fields in the distance
- Good day sunshine
- The streets of heaven are filled with angels tonight
- “Why are you talking to me like that?”
- Pink elephants
- A walk in the park with a dog named Dufus
- Rocky Mountain High
What does this do for you?
Musical Prompts
I grew up in the Sixties. I love classic Rock. I can put on an old Beatles’ song and know exactly where I was when I first heard it, and exactly what I was doing there and what I felt when I heard the song.
“Nowhere Man” reminds me of those painful college days when I had no idea who I was or what my purpose was in life.
“Got To Get You Into My Life” was all about a college crush I had for Tammy Johnson.
“Norwegian Wood” was all about…..hell, I don’t know what it was all about, but I know I first heard it while stroking my girlfriend’s hair while sitting on the couch.
“Sexy Sadie” still today reminds me of distrust and the fact that many people don’t walk the talk in life.
And I’m sure you have similar memories about songs that were important to you. Put on some music and let the ideas flow.
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A Photo Writing Prompt Exercise
And so we finally arrive at the main point of this article: the writing challenge.
What follows are a series of pictures. I want you to choose one and write an opening sentence (in 25 words or less) to a story based on one of the photos below. You can write your opening sentence in the comment section below, or just do it at home and don’t share it with any of us….whatever you choose to do, I hope you find it fun and rewarding. Shall we begin? So that you see how it is done, I will give you my own opening sentence for each photo.
Photo One
He ran outside in bare feet to get the morning newspaper; he so enjoyed the newly-cut grass between his toes.
Photo Two
Well this is the address she gave me, but which damn boat is hers?
Photo Three
No, Bev, you cannot try to fly; remember how much emergency care cost last time?
Photo Four
Five generations lived within these walls; five generations of heartaches, joys, triumphs and defeats.
Photo Five
My grandfather was a farmer; he labored for forty years in the green fields of Iowa.
Photo Six
Her beauty was that of golden sunshine on a meadow, spreading warmth, comfort and promises of better days ahead.
Photo Seven
Have no fear of the destination; the joy is in the journey.
Photo Eight
There is great wisdom in nature if one is willing to see and accept it.
Photo Nine
Are you looking at me? You must be looking at me cuz I don’t see anyone else around here.
Photo Ten
Which do you prefer? This or an oil pipeline? You see, the choice really is yours.
Were these helpful?
And That’s All There Is to It
I hope you had some fun with those, and I also hope that they gave birth to some writing ideas.
I have said before that I don’t understand how someone could have writer’s block, but I think the main reason for that is because I was taught so well early on in my career. Writers need to be receptive to the world around them. By that I mean they need to open up their senses and allow stimuli to flow in and ideas to flow out. Staring at a blank sheet of paper, or a blank Word document, is not the type of stimuli that is conducive to creativity.
Shut down your mind and let these prompts, and others like them, to feed your writer’s soul. You just might be surprised by the results. To put it another way, I will borrow from the words of John Lennon: “Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream.”
2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Comments
You are welcome pl.
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Thank you Venkatachari. I appreciate your kind words.
Very interesting and great hub. I liked your style and expression and photos a lot. It is so inspiring and looks to be very easy job.
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Great poinnt mylindaelliott...thanks for your perspective.
I enjoy the pictures as prompts. It gives a different feel to what I write when I have a picture in the beginning.
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Exactly, Dianna...they are sensory experiences. That is the key. Thanks for stating that...that's what I was trying to convey.
I have used photos as a prompt for writing. It is such a great aid in stimulating creative juices. Music is another soothing background noise that can also lead to writing ideas. It's a sensory experience!
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Hi Heidi! I turn on music for ideas and then turn it off when I write. I can't have noise when I write; I get distracted too easily. :) Thanks as always and I hope it warms up there soon.
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Lennon was a whole lot smarter than some give him credit for, Deb.
Love the photos! The fox and scenic ones are just amazing. Looks like you have a lot of beautiful inspiration around you.
As bad as this sounds, my "inspiration" (if you can call it that) often comes from sheer annoyance or frustration I or my friends have experienced with something in our world. Blame it on writing nonfiction! Music (except for nondescript background sounds and tunes) is escapist distraction for me and I can't write a darn thing with it on. But I know music works for lots of writers.
Hope your week is going well. Cheers!
John Lennon was right. Keep all the clutter out of your head, and something interesting will flow in...
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Seafarer, I was once that way so I understand what you are saying. Then the day came when I lost the motor skills necessary for penmanship and I had to find my touch through a keyboard....anyway, thanks for sharing that. I do understand.
Hey Bill,
Great prompts....thanks for the ideas. :0)
It's weird, but when I don't sit down and write with pencil and paper, I don't feel as if I've written, even though I have written much online. It may be that the pencil-and-paper writing comes more directly from a deeper place...and thus I am making the commitment to spend more time with "real-time" writing tools...curled up on the couch with a little background music and my favorite beverage.
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Rasma, that would be quite a sonnet if it included the dog poop. LOL I hope you write it soon. Thank you!
Great tips with pictures and all. I could write a whole sonnet about that fresh cut grass between the toes. lol Passing this on. Keep them coming.
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Well, Brian, I think prompts were made for you and your imagination. Well done my friend, and thank you!
#1: I was seven when my parents gave me my first dog, and even they said it was a big one. ; #2: "You know the big marina?" Billy asked. "When I was a kid, it was just a sandy beach that only locals knew about." ; #3: It was at the Continental Divide that I met Sally Pride. ; #7: "Johnny, can you hear me?" ; #8: "Ain't nobody here but us chickens!"
No time for more.
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Thank you Ruchira! I hope these help you somewhere down the road.
have bookmarked those sites since honestly there are times I wanna write but just can't think of any topic...
loved the picture story you put in...creative indeed :)
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Glad to hear it Sheila! I love pictures as prompts; I get most of my ideas from either a picture or a scene in real life.
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I'm glad you liked them, Genna, and I like having you visit. Thank you!
I'm really enjoying reading all of the first lines inspired by the photos.
Your photo writing prompt exercises are terrific, Bill. Seriously, this is the stuff of which writers are made. Thank you! :-) Voted way up and sharing.
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It's always a pleasure, vkwok. Thank you!
Thanks for more great writing tips, Bill!
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Nadine, a lovely image for this Tuesday morning. LOL Thanks for taking part and I hope your day was a good one.
Ha Ha that first photo made me smile. I could even smell the turd.
"He ran outside in bare feet to get the morning newspaper; he so enjoyed the newly-cut grass between his toes, that when he felt the soft mushy substance squeezing under his feet, and smelled the pong that was sticking to his soles like glue, his feeling of joy turned into anger at the dog from next door."
Now I better get on with my work! Thanks for your challenge Billy
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I will indeed, Christy, and you do the same. I hope it isn't as soggy up north as it is here.
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Thanks Donna; nice job on #2
Aw, Bill! You have a great night, my friend!
I like writing prompts. They help me do some free writing. Thanks for your hub and for some great ideas.
Photo #2. Sailing with Tom today was a fitting end to a glorious summer!
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I agree with you Barbara. Life is interesting no matter what we have done during our lifetimes...and most of my ideas come in the morning when I'm showering. :) Thank you!
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Christy, I don't really think you need help but thank you...and thank you for sharing.
Bill, I'm so glad you included music here as a prompt. We are encouraged to write with our ears and our eyes :)) Thanks for helping so many of us!
Another Educational, neat read Bill, with lots of interesting and unique thoughts. Sometimes I can't decide which way to go with a Hub, or even what I'm going to write about. It usually comes to me at night when I can't sleep. I find the Everyday things in Life are the easiest and most fun to write about.
Voted UP & Interesting.
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LOL...Greg, it used to drive my mother crazy....I would still be barefoot if it wasn't for her. LOL Thanks buddy!
This was a neat hub Billy. Man I have felt that kind of grass between my toes too, but Maggie says my feet stink. Hmmmm....
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LOL...Ann, we can't keep her away from that darn clay. Thanks for the laugh.
Photo 1: Oh my gosh, Bill! Your dog ate my purple clay again!
Great hub and great ideas, my friend!
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Sheila, glad to be of assistance, and nice job on #7. :) Thanks for playing my game.
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Ann, you are very welcome.
bill
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DrBill, there is not enough time in the day my friend. I wish there was...maybe if we don't sleep????
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Manatita, don't tell Bev she can't really fly. Why ruin her fun? LOL Thank you!
#7. Jake stands there looking up the path wondering if the moan he heard was human or just the wind blowing across the mouth of the cave.
Well, I'm at least imagining the dark shadow in the rocks is a cave. I'll have to write this one down for my book since the story will involve Jake finding a cave.
Thanks for the tips on clearing up writer's block. I usually don't have any problems when it comes to my novels, but hub ideas are often harder to find. The next time I get stuck for an idea, I'll have to go through my photo albums.
Well, thank you, bill; what a lovely thing to say! Ann
Great tips! I don't recall ever having this problem, however. My problem is too many ideas, and trying to find the time to pick out the good ones and get to work! ;-)
"I have said before that I don’t understand how someone could have writer’s block."
Yes, Bill. I thought so when I began to read your work, so I'm glad you said this at the end.
I had lots of fun with your humoristic side. Humour is one of my favourite friends. So Bev can fly? (smile)
Cute animals and above all useful tips for writers.
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LOL..Faith, I owe you $7.50. Sorry about that...hee hee!
blessings and thanks always
bill
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DJ, I do not envy you and that book of yours. What you are doing is very difficult and I wish you well as you do it. As for your kind words....ah, shucks! I'm just a guy...a writer....nothing special about me my friend, but I am surrounded by super people. :)
bill
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Suzanne, I love it! Well done....I love the imaginations of writers, don't you?
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All is well, Jamie; busy and loving it. Thank you!
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Dim, you are sweet...thank you, and I happen to think you are great as well. :)
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Rachael, I look forward to reading your writing...make sure you let me know when your account is activated...and thank you!
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yes they do, Monis....thanks for stopping by my friend.
Great tips Bill, and great photos too! I do not get writer's block too often. Well, my opening sentence to your first photo ... Well, thank you very much, dear friend, for I just wasted $7.50 on my lunch!
hehehe ... I am forewarned now when reading your hubs on my lunch break! At least I am taking the rest of the day off to not have writer's block.
Have a great day,
Faith Reaper : )
Great photos, Bill. You have really mastered that new camera.
I have no problems with prompts. I am still hung up in WWII.
I have learned far more than I ever wanted to know about that war.
My word! What a tangled mess. 104 countries were at war! Trying to
give the right amount of information, but not making it all about the war, is getting under my skin. How much is enough; how much is too much? I am trying to think like the reader. As a reader, I would want to know briefly what is going on; what is facilitating this military move or that. I have been adamant about keeping the story line within the bounds of historical events. I have mountains of research....just have to find a way to condense five years into a manageable amount on paper.
Thanks for letting me spout off and decompress a bit.
Super article, Bill. I have come to expect nothing less from you.
You do make it look so easy. A beautiful wife--a beautiful life!
As always, thanks, Bill,
DJ.
Day 39. We are almost out of water. Last night, Ramil was taken by a bear and we found his leg this morning, half covered in brush and with a few bloodied knee tendrils worming into the earth. We buried it out of respect and said a prayer, while praying for ourselves and the 548 miles we had yet to travel.....inspired by the woods photo! Thanks for the handy tips. Voted interesting.
Great advice and great prompts. Well done Bill. I hope all is well. jamie
Thanks for this. l found it really helpful. Tom Petty was icing on the cake.
I think you are great.
Hi Bill, You are correct about the many places and ways to pick up prompts. For me, ideas come from everywhere. Without music, photos, overhearing conversations in a checkout line, and even some television dialogue, I don't think my newspaper column would be as successful as it is. By the way, I'm going to be starting my own Hubpages account this week. I'll still be moderating awordlover's account, but there is no opportunity for me to put my own writing on that account because of how unique her hubs are. So I'll let you know by following you when I get settled in. I don't want to miss any of your hubs, because if I don't overhear conversations, see interesting photos, hear music, or pick up dialogue from a TV show, at least I will have billybuc's hubs to kickstart me with ideas! Thank you for your service to writers everywhere.
Rachael
Photos can really give great ideas to write, they get the imagination going.
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Ann, I love your sentence. You are a writer for sure; you see things that those who do write do not see. Never lose that my friend. The world needs insights that you can provide.
Thank you my dear; it's always nice to be back on Mondays, refreshed and overflowing with ideas.
bill
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Yes, Victoria; welcome to my mind. LOL
'The boat stopped in the mirrored waters with nothing to be seen against the snow-topped crags; then figures emerged over the low barren ridge.' I love those mountains; reminds me of the Norwegian coast and as soon as I saw that photo I wanted to know what was between that low ridge and the mountains! Great illustrations and superb ideas.
I find as soon as some inspiration starts flowing, I get into the habit of looking for stories in just about everything. I have to write everything down before I forget!
Good to have you back after the weekend; it's very quiet without you around! Ann
You took a picture of poop!! lol
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I love it Ruby...you had me going and I thought you were talking about something that really happened.
Hey, I'm writing a hub for you...so thanks for always being here.
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LOL....what, Jackie, you don't like purple poop? What's the matter with you? :) Thanks my friend. I will be by shortly.
Oh yea, baby, very helpful!
I remember growing up in this old white house at 405 W seventh St. The memories are raging, like it was yerterday. I remember the day a gunman held us captive..............Prompt four..
This was a lot of fun and really helpful. Thank you Bill
Great tips and love those photos, getting professional there! Well, accept the one, could have done without that...ewww. lol
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Flourish, I can't imagine a writer not finding inspiration from photos....thanks for your thoughts on it.
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Excellent, Sha! That's what I'm talking about. Well done!
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Oh I think so, Carol....thanks for stopping by...maybe you can find a tote idea from pictures and wouldn't that be cool? :)
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LOL...John, I love it! Thanks for the great laugh this morning.
I liked the lead-ins to your photos. I don't get writer's block (too much pent-up energy in there), but this is a great way to approach the problem. I love taking photos and often find that looking at them prompts several ideas and creative uses of them.
The Tom Petty video reminds me that his style and sound changed once he joined The Travelling Wilburys (Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty). Since then, he has adopted a distinctive Dylan-esque quality.
Now for the writing prompt: photo #10
The majestic mountains, mirrored by the water's depths, seemed to speak a silent truth; a reminder that we are reflections of our souls.
I just had fun reading the script with the photos...I see where you are going with this, Even though I am not writing a lot these days I really appreciated this hub and can be so helpful...Maybe a tote with Get Rid of Writers Block
Hey Bill, thanks for the fun prompts. Photo One: This was the first real evidence Dan, the State's leading cryptozoologist, had found relating to the existence of the flying purple people eater.
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Joelle, that is a valid statement for sure. Bridging that gap in languages must be very hard. Thanks for sharing that and best wishes to you.
My problem is not the lack of ideas; I am more afraid that it will not be written well enough. "Technical writting" is better now (it used to be a problem too) but the "fluff" is very hard to write for me. I have that barrier both in French and in English :-(
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Well thank you Mari! Have a great week in Idaho!
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kerlund, thank you very much!
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Blessings to you, Linda, and my thanks always.
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Randi, we all need those breaks from time to time. When you are ready I'm sure you will come back stronger than ever....until then, don't feed your animals any beets. LOL Thank you!
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Thank you LCD...good to see you again. I'll be by to visit shortly.
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Thank you Susan! I'm beginning to think there is nothing we can't find on the web.
i love these prompts. they are basic, real life, everyday images that people often take advantage of. thanks!
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I appreciate that DDE; thank you!
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Stop by any old time, Eric. I'll be glad to give you a kick start. LOL
Great and inspiring:) Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Sir William! As always, informative, thought-provoking, useful and fun! Write On, Man!
blessings, L.
Thank you, Bill. Great thoughts and prompts. All I keep thinking of when I see that first picture is, "Damn, I shouldn't have given the dog beets last night!" I haven't been writing too much lately. Lots of ideas, just no real direction. I'm calling February, a break!
Gorgeous and inspiring photos! Very nice.
I'm always looking for ways to get inspired and I never knew that there were actual sites one could go to to find this. Wow! What a very helpful hub!
Thanks Bill!
Great photos and so interesting your tips are useful indeed.
Thank you. I think if I get block I will just visit your places.
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Good morning Janine and thank you for being the first as you almost always are. Have a wonderful Monday my friend.
Great tips Bill and have pinned. I will say that even when I think I have writer's block, like you said a song, a photo or even a news article will trigger my juices flowing. Thanks for sharing and Happy Monday now!
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