With writer’s block, trying to get the words flowing can be harder than single-handedly putting a fitted sheet on the bed. 

Writer’s Block: Foe

Whether you’re writing a poem or trying to come up with an alluring introduction to your paper on Lord of the Flies, you always risk coming to that feeling of creative blockage. Then,  it’s easy to develop an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mindset. 

And once you’re at the point, it can be hard to turn procrastination into productivity. 

Here is a list of prompts to push you away from the depths of writer’s block, and get the words out of your head—and onto the page.

Note: these prompts may have nothing to do with what you’re writing about—but one of the best ways to get the brain pumping is to just write. 

  1. Describe a day in the life of the president. 
  2. You can travel anywhere tomorrow and spend the entire day there: what do you do?
  3. You run into a genie who can grant you one wish.
  4. What’s your favorite thing to do with friends?
  5. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
  6. If you could have a robot do one job for you, what would it be?
  7. If you could travel to a fictional world, where would you go?
  8. Tell the story of your first big achievement.
  9. What’s your favorite memory? Least favorite?
  10. Describe your favorite adventure.
  11. You’re on the couch watching a movie when suddenly, the characters come off the screen.
  12. Do you have any predictions for the future of technology?
  13. You come home after work and your partner has turned into a worm. 
  14. Describe a time when you were uncertain about your life’s direction. 
  15. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
  16. If you could live in any decade, which would you choose?
  17. What’s something that never fails to cheer you up?
  18. You’re at the circus with your family, and a clown comes by and snatches up your brother. 
  19. Describe a time when you failed at something, and what you learned.
  20. Describe your ideal vacation.
  21. You’re on your porch when out of nowhere, your childhood friend appears next to you.
  22. What’s your opinion on outdoor classrooms? 
  23. What’s a profession completely out of your comfort zone, but one that you think you’d excel at? 
  24. You’re at the zoo, and a zookeeper tells you that you, and only you, are allowed to take home your favorite animal. 
  25. What’s something that’s commonplace now, but will be eliminated in 50 years? 
  26. What’s an invention that will surface in the next ten years?
  27. What do you imagine life is like on other planets?
  28. What would you do if you got to spend the day with Superman?
  29. What are the pros and cons of having robots as assistants? 
  30. What are the best ways to pass time when you’re bored?
  31. Talk about the first time you broke a rule.
  32. You stumble upon a treasure map that allegedly leads to treasure. 
  33. Describe how you feel about mandatory school uniforms. 
  34. Explain how you get all your work done after pushing it all off.
  35. What are the pros and cons of being the star athlete?
  36. On a rainy Sunday, you walk to the bakery and run into Sid from Ice Age. 
  37. Describe what work-life balance looks like to you.
  38. What are some things you hope to accomplish before you graduate?
  39. What does personal fulfillment mean to you?
  40. Do you practice mindfulness? What does this mean for you?
  41. Talk about how you perform under extreme stress.
  42. What do you imagine yourself doing in thirty years?
  43. You’re at home, studying, when young Elvis Presley runs in the door, asking for your help. 
  44. What do you think makes a business successful?
  45. Describe a time when you doubted yourself.
  46. You go to the bookstore, and standing in front of every book, are goblins. 
  47. What’s your stance on the common core?
  48. What are the pros and cons of standardized testing?
  49. You’re getting your haircut, when all of the sudden, someone bursts in the door, yelling about an apocalypse.
  50. How do you feel about letter grades?
  51. Who do you look up to in your life?
  52. You’re at the gym when you suddenly hear the voices of your first teachers coming from the TV. 
  53. Do you think gym class should be mandatory?
  54. You’re in the kitchen cooking spaghetti, when suddenly, a sparkly toad climbs out of the pantry. 
  55. What would you do if you could have a no-consequence day?
  56. Talk about how you deal with nerves before public speaking. 
  57. How do you get out of a rut?
  58. You’re on the train, when suddenly, you spot your 12-year old self across the way. 
  59. Describe your first time going out of your comfort zone.
  60. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long week?
  61. What does a support system look like to you?
  62. It’s 3400 BC, and you’re witnessing the creation of the first piece of writing. 
  63. What are the pros and cons of online learning?
  64. What’s the best and worst thing about social media?
  65. You’re at the movies and as you’re walking to your seat, Michelle Obama pulls you aside and tells you not to sit in your seat. 
  66. What’s the most fascinating thing about your own culture?
  67. How does your identity affect you on a daily basis?
  68. Do you believe in coincidences? 
  69. You wake up and you’re in the body of your brother. 
  70. Describe a time when you felt you were treated unfairly. 
  71. You’re at an art fair, and suddenly realize that all the artists are babies. 
  72. What’s the most important thing when it comes to friendship?
  73. What does self-care mean to you?
  74. Discuss your stance on book bans.
  75. Where do you think educational systems need the most improvement?
  76. Imagine you’re hiking and at the top of the mountain, you come face to face with your long-lost sister. 
  77. How do you feel about mandatory group projects in school?
  78. Talk about the last time you felt jealous.
  79. Imagine what it would be like if you were there for the first rainfall ever.  
  80. Do you think there should be consequences for not recycling?
  81. How do you think technology has impacted your education?
  82. You get a phone call, and the person on the other end tells you that if you run to the nearest bank, you can see your future. 
  83. What are the best and worst things about living in a big city?
  84. If you had the power to solve any issue in the world, what would it be?
  85. If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?
  86. What do you think is the most important professional skill?
  87. You’re at the beach with your dog, when suddenly, you spot Albert Einstein sitting under an umbrella. 
  88. Describe a time in which you feel you made the wrong decision.
  89. What’s one thing that would make the world a better place?
  90. You’re on a picnic with your best friend, and after eating, your friend tells you that they have magic powers. 
  91. How would you spend the last day of your life?
  92. Talk about a time when you had to have a difficult conversation with a close friend.
  93. What’s the hardest decision you have ever made?
  94. You’re at a baseball game and suddenly, look up and see Peter Pan floating above you. 
  95. What’s the best invention? Why?
  96. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
  97. Write about the life of a dog—in their perspective.
  98. Imagine what a hierarchy would look like an animal kingdom—and write about the power structure.
  99. Write from the perspective of a founding father, and discuss issues they might’ve run into at the time. 
  100. Write a story from the perspective of an animal in the year 2500.

 

Author: Lydia Schapiro