Daily Writing Prompts

Daily Writing Prompts To Keep Writers Motivated

If your passion is writing, you will want to write as much as possible. However, like any job, there will be times when your energy levels are low. Writing can become difficult, and writer's block may set in. I have used daily writing prompts in the past when my creativity has lagged. To keep writers motivated, here are twelve prompts that may help.

Writer's block can happen at any time. Here is a list of daily writing prompts to help you out of your writing slump. I've also added some suggestions on where the story could go and genres that will work for each prompt. I hope these will be helpful in keeping writers motivated and engaged.

A dedicated writing space can help with writer's block. And daily writing prompts can too.

Twelve Writing Prompts to Get You Motivated

Here are twelve writing prompts to inspire you. Use them to write a blog post, create social media content, or draft your next novel.

1. Opening line: It was a day when seeing my mother was not the worst thing that happened that day.

What is the main character's issue with his or her mother? What is the worst thing that happens on that day? This could be a contemporary fiction novel or a short story about a mother who returns after twenty years. The main character may struggle with how to deal with this unexpected reunion.

2. The internet explodes. Write about what happens.

Imagine a science fiction or dystopian novel set in the near future. The story could explore how humanity deals with such an occurrence and whether it can be fixed at all.

3. Use certain words to develop a story – raining, slip, event, outdoor.

This type of writing prompt is common on social media. You might also see 'write a 6-word story for this photo above.' The usual word count is around 500 words, and the genre can vary. The suggested words could fit into a story about sports or an outdoor activity where something dire happens. Alternatively, it could be a romance set against a sporting backdrop.

4. Write a story about a normal day. And the murder that happened.

Set this in a sleepy coastal town or a small country town as a crime or mystery drama. Daily life may seem nondescript until a murder of the local publican sparks life into the town. The media and ex-residents could double the town's population, all eager to uncover the suspect.

5. Write a humorous line, then flip it - make it sad, satirical, or cruel. Turn it into a story.

This is a unique challenge. As a writer of drama fiction, I find this intriguing. Once you flip the line, see if you can craft a short story from the result. This could even evolve into a compelling horror story.

6. Write about an inheritance given to the wrong person.

Death can bring out the worst in people, especially if a family member is estranged. This family saga could weave a tale of lies, jealousy, and sibling rivalry.

7. Your main character wakes up with a tattoo, but no memory of having it done. And it’s in a language they don’t speak.

This prompt could work across various genres—travel, time travel, science fiction, or contemporary fiction. Imagine your main character waking up in an Asian country with no recollection of how they got there or why they have a tattoo on their upper left arm. The character could be someone who would never consider getting a tattoo.

8. Write a fantasy about - A letter arrives, written in shimmering ink on dragonhide parchment, addressed to your protagonist in a language only they can read. It's dated 100 years in the future and warns: "Do not trust the one who teaches you magic."

This prompt is fascinating. I would give it a dystopian twist, with the main character knowing who the letter's writer is, but they are living in the present. How can they be alive in 100 years?

9. Write a story where a seemingly minor lie spirals into an uncontrollable situation.

Having written stories where secrets and lies ruin lives, I appreciate this prompt. My debut novel, The Decision They Made, explores a secret held for forty years and how two sisters are torn apart. This type of story can fit various genres—contemporary, historical, crime, or murder mystery. Choose your favorite.

10. Begin with the line: "The lights flickered once, then everything went black."

This story could fit into cli-fi (climate fiction) or dystopian genres. It could also work as a mystery. My preference would be a cli-fi story featuring a scientist living in a remote location who discovers an unusual method to reduce climate change's effects. Research is essential to understand how scientists tackle climate change.

11. A character finds a photo of themselves in a stranger’s house, but they’ve never met. Why is this character in this house?

This could involve a journalist investigating a cold case from years ago. They stumble upon a brand-new house on a hill and see the photo. What connection does this house have with the cold case? The house didn't exist thirty years ago, yet the photo bears an uncanny resemblance to the main character.

12. Write a story set during a severe storm, where someone and a valuable object go missing.

This scenario could fit into the cli-fi genre or resemble a 007-type story. The valuable object could be something that can destroy the world or grant immense power to its creator. Perhaps it begins with a dinner setting among a group of misfits. Did the missing person take the object? Or are there other factors at play?

Conclusion

These twelve writing prompts are designed to pique your interest and banish writer's block. Daily writing prompts can keep you motivated to write. By regularly engaging with these prompts, you can break free from your writing slump and enhance your skills.

Happy writing!

Maria P Frino