Wondering What to Write About? Try These Prompts

We are writers.  We are committed to writing regularly.  Some of us face a blank page every day. 

Writing is generally a solitary exercise. The topics about which we write arise from the deluge of our thoughts, from the minutiae of our impulses and emotions. Sometimes, though, our minds may feel blank. What will we write about today? We need help. We want a fresh idea that comes from somewhere outside ourselves. 

A writing prompt can save us from the frustration of feeling stalled, not knowing where to begin. A prompt gives us that nudge that we may need to get started. It may lead us to surprise ourselves with what appears on the page.

During my years of teaching college writing, I have collected writing prompts and offered them to my students as ways to maintain a journal or to develop ideas for personal essays or memoirs.

If your determination to write needs a nudge, try writing about one of the following.

1. Your memory of a fragrance or odor

2. Something you have never done but would like to do

3. A premonition, an intuition, or a hunch that you have had

4. A word or a phrase that someone in your life uses habitually

5. A time when you took someone’s advice and regretted it

6. What you do when you are alone

7. Someone for whom you feel sorry

8.  Something that is unimportant or trivial

9.  The hands of someone you love

10.  A color that has a particular meaning for you

I hope that one of these prompts will lead you to some great writing!

Photo: Pixaby, Pexels.com



10 responses to “Wondering What to Write About? Try These Prompts”

  1. I could use a prompt right about now. I’ve been sitting with a blank brain for a week now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hope one of those will spark your interest.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. One definitely did, but it’s a topic I’ve always avoided. I’ll need to think about it some more.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Ellie Thompson Avatar

    It’s nice to meet you, Georgia. I found you through Jeff Cann‘s blog, which I’ve been following for quite a long time now. He’s a great writer and always has something interesting to say.

    Regarding prompts, reading yours is the first time I’ve found they’ve worked for me. I find the WordPress prompt questions, which churn out daily, somewhat uninspiring. However, I’ve read through your above prompts, and I can already find two or three that trigger a thought for a blog post. I especially like the last one about ‘a colour that has a particular meaning for you.’ Something appropriate jumped straight into my head when I read that, and if I have time tomorrow, I will try to write about the colour that means something to me. It’ll be a challenge for me to write two blog posts in two days, but one I’ll enjoy. Thank you for sharing those ideas.

    I’m looking forward to browsing through your website very soon. I wish you well. Ellie X 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice to meet you, Ellie. Thank you for exploring my blog. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts, now that I have found your blog. Yes, I’m an admirer of Jeff Cann’s writing, too. I have enjoyed his blog for the past year that I’ve been on WordPress.

      I’m glad that a few of the prompts I posted sparked ideas for you. I hope to read your post about a color soon!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ellie Thompson Avatar

        Hi, Georgia. Thanks for replying to my comment. I’m so glad Jeff introduced me to you. It’s strange how your prompts are the only ones I’ve come across that have sparked something in my imagination, although it’s more fact than a story. I’m definitely going to write about my colour. I also need to catch up with a few blogs, but I’ve got behind with reading. I follow many people and like to engage with those writers rather than just clicking on the Like button. I’ve had many good conversations with writers and bloggers I follow. X

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I think that building community among writers is important. Otherwise, writing is a lonely business. I hope you and I will have some good conversations in the future.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Ellie Thompson Avatar

        .🌷🌹🌷

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  3. […] my previous post, “Wondering What to Write About? Try These Prompts,” I listed ten writing prompts that I have offered my creative nonfiction writing students to help […]

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    […] I was delighted that I had found someone, Georgia Kreiger, from her blog, ‘Person On The Page‘ who had written some prompts I could relate to. She is a great writer, and I am now enjoying […]

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