What Is a Writing Prompt?

If you are interested in writing but don’t know where to start, you are not alone. Many beginners sit down to a blank sheet of paper and wonder, “What can I write about?” That’s where a writing prompt comes in exactly.

A writing prompt is a little idea, question, sentence, image or situation to give you somewhere to start your writing. It helps you to start faster, think better and practice your creativity without getting stuck. In simpler words, a writing prompt provides you with a starting point of what to write. It’s one of the simplest ways for beginners to establish a daily writing routine and improve their writing skills without coming under pressure.

Writing prompts can be used for non-fiction (such as journals or reflections) as well as fiction (such as stories, characters, and imaginary situations).

If you are looking for ways to try and improve your daily writing habit, check out this article, How to Build a Daily Writing Habit That Actually Sticks. You can also check out Beginner’s Guide to Writing Your Book if you are writing something larger.

Writing Prompts are beneficial whether you are just starting out or have just run into a brick wall and are looking for some new ideas.

What does it mean by that?

The writing prompt is something that helps to come up with an idea. It can be very short, like,

“Write about a rainy day.”

“Say what would you do if you found a secret door?”

“Tell us about your bedroom as a kid.”

Or it can be more detailed. For example,

Write a story about a girl who receives an envelope from her future self.

These prompts could lead to personal writing, or full-on fiction stories, depending on how you want to take it. The point of a writing prompt isn’t to take control of your writing. It is simply to help you start. That’s why writing prompts are so useful for beginners, it takes the stress of coming up with an idea. Instead of asking “What should I write?” you can ask, “How can I research this idea in my own way?”

A good prompt gives you direction, but leaves room for your imagination. You can think of it this way, a prompt is your initial push and your writing is everything that comes after.

There are many reasons why writers use prompts,

To practice writing on a regular basis
To improve creativity
To overcome writer’s block
To get ideas about new topics and story ideas
To build confidence

You don’t need to follow the prompt exactly, it’s just a starting point.

So, if you have ever wondered what a writing prompt is, the simplest answer would be, it’s a starting idea to help you write.

How To Make Use of a Writing Prompt Step by Step

If you are wondering how to use a writing prompt as a beginner, here’s a simple method that you can follow.

Choose one simple prompt

You start with a prompt which is not too complicated and is clear. Good beginning prompts can be about day-to-day life, feelings, memories, or simple “What if” fictional circumstances.

Example:

“Write about a place that you feel safe in”.

Don’t spend too much time trying to find the perfect prompt. Pick one and begin.

Read the prompt slowly

So before you get started on writing, spend some time understanding it. Ask yourself,

What is this prompt really asking for?
What ideas come to mind first?
Is this more for a story, scene, paragraph, or personal reflection?

Your first idea is often a good one to start with.

Write down quick thoughts

Do a quick brain storm for a minute or two. You can write,

words
images
feelings
memories
possible characters
simple events

This is a small step, but makes the actual writing much easier.

Choose one direction

A prompt can lead to lots of ideas. That’s normal. Pick one direction, not try to include everything. For example, if your prompt is ‘Write about a place where you feel safe’ you might choose,

your grandmother’s kitchen
your bedroom at night
a library
a made-up magical treehouse

If you are more into fiction, you may use the same prompt and create an imaginary place or character who is safe in that place. One direction is better than 5 half-finished ideas.

Write without thinking too much

Now write for 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t take the time to correct every sentence. Don’t worry if it doesn’t sound perfect. Your primary focus is to answer the question.

If you are writing fiction, don’t try to explain everything, but rather a scene, character, or moment. This is the best way to use a writing prompt step by step. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Add simple details

Once you have a few lines to work with, make your writing stronger by adding details. Ask,

What does it look like?
What sounds can be heard?
How does the person feel?
What is the interest in this moment?

In fiction, details help to bring your world and characters to life. Details make a simple response into actual writing.

Read and improve

Once you have written, go back and read your work. Look for places where you can,

Make a sentence clearer
Add one strong detail
Remove repeated words
Improve the ending

Don’t judge yourself too harshly, the goal is to practice!

Repeat regularly

The number one way to get better with your writing prompts is to use them consistently. Even 10 minutes a day will help you improve. Over time, it becomes easier to begin, your ideas come faster and your confidence grows.

If you are thinking, ‘can I just go ahead and start writing a book right?’ it’s helpful to understand planning first. You can read more here, How to Plan or Just Start Writing Step by Step.

Examples/Mini Tips

The best way to understand a prompt is to see one in action. Here’s how prompts can work for personal and fictional writing.

Example 1: Personal prompt

Prompt: Write about a time when you were nervous. A beginner might write about.

The first day at school
Speaking in front of a class
Attending a job interview
Meeting new people

Don’t just say “I was nervous.” Show it with small details. For example, “My hands were cold and I kept checking out the door.”

That one thing makes the writing more real.

Example 2: Creative prompt

Prompt: You wake up and you can hear the animals talk. A beginner could turn this into a piece of fiction like,

a funny story
a children’s story
a mystery
a personal diary entry

Ask an additional question to develop the idea further. For example, “What is the first animal that I hear and what does it say?”

That question provides you a better starting scene.

These examples show that there isn’t just one correct answer. The same prompt can result in lots of different pieces of writing and that’s part of the fun. This is where fiction can be so powerful, you can take a simple idea and try to develop an entire story around it. The goal isn’t to get it perfect, it’s to get started and see where your ideas take you.

Common Mistakes Made By Beginners

When learning how to use writing prompts, there are small mistakes that you make as a beginner. The good news is, they are easy to fix.

Some writers look at the prompt for too long, saying to themselves “Is this the best prompt?” You don’t need to have the perfect idea. You just need one idea that works. Start there.
New writers tend to try using difficult words to make their writing sound “writer-like,” but simple, clear writing is usually better. Concentrate on being easy to understand.
Don’t forget to keep the prompt as your guide, even if you take it in your own direction.
If you are constantly stopping to correct grammar or re-write every sentence, you are losing momentum. Write first. Edit later.
Not all prompts will feel like they are interesting to start out. Sometimes it isn’t interesting until you begin writing. Give it a real chance, then give up.
For fiction writers another mistake is trying to plan the entire story before you start writing, start with one scene and build from there.
Another mistake that is common is overthinking, writing will come faster if you are actually writing and not only planning.

FAQ

1What is a writing prompt example?

A writing prompt is a beginning idea that will help you get started writing. For example, “Write about a day when everything changed” is a writing prompt. It provides direction but leaves the room for your own ideas.

2How do a writing prompt by beginners?

Beginners can use a prompt by selecting a straightforward idea, thinking about it for a bit, writing without thinking too much about it, and then improving it later. The important thing is to get started, not perfect.

3Are writing prompts for creative writing only?

No, writing prompts can be used for all sorts of writing, from journaling, to blogging, to fiction such as short stories, scenes, character ideas.

4What is the best approach to a writing prompt step by step?

The best way this is to choose a prompt, understand it, just write for a few minutes, add details and then work on your writing. Doing this on a regular basis helps to improve over time.

Final Thoughts

A writing prompt is such a simple tool, but it makes a big difference for new writers. It gives you a place to start, helps you practice on a regular basis, and makes the writing process less overwhelming. Whether you are interested in writing thoughts on your own life or inventing fictional stories, prompts are an easy way to get started.

So if you are just starting out, don’t wait to be inspired and write. Use a prompt, write a couple of lines and keep going. Over time, these small (little) writing sessions can morph into stronger ideas, better structure and more confidence. Every good writer starts somewhere and sometimes, that place to start is just good one prompt.

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