Back in 2010, when Twitter was a new thing, I used to post a creative writing prompt every day. I did this for a few years, as a creative experiment. The experiment was a success.
Over the years, I developed a technique that consistently inspires writers to think differently, notice fresh details, and play with context, character, and structure in creative ways.
These daily writing prompts are different. They’re crafted by me, using details to trigger your imagination in new ways. They’re highly specific and unusual.
They make the act of writing feel easy and fun.
Thousands of writers use these prompts now. They’ve started many stories, characters, and novels over the years. And they just keep on giving! Everyone reads a prompt differently, so the results are wonderfully weird, unique, and moving.
They’re versatile: use them as warm-ups, flash fiction starts, or work them into your novel to enliven the scenes you’re already writing.
It’s much easier to write when you have a clear place to start!
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“I thought of you with such gratitude this morning. How can this simple exercise be so fulfilling and so satisfying? Words are bubbling up out of me like colorful balloons at a county fair. I've discovered an eager little writing voice who thrills to the challenge — I set my alarm, put pen to paper and sprint to the task, not giving myself more than a few seconds to contemplate the topic du jour. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Lorrie Beauchamp
“This is just a quick thank you . . . Two or three times a week I get to your prompts and, without them, I would not be writing at all. I look forward to a more peaceful time when I will be able to settle in and take your course and get back to writing much more. At age 61 I have found my new passion or, rather, rekindled an old one. Just wanted you to know I am grateful.”
Leslie Davidson
“Just wanted to pop you a line to say that today’s prompt was brilliant. I’m going through a particularly difficult time so I haven’t been writing much lately. But when I read this one, I thought: “Ha! I can do that!” The first 5 minutes of 20 were spent crying but by the end it was like coming out of a deep, creative savasana and inspiration was flowing.”
Jeanie Keogh
“I have been writing the prompts daily . . . and I have to tell you, I am enjoying it immensely. There is a nice variety of assignments. And writing each one is like a dive into the deep end of a pool: Once I plunge in, I enjoy the water and I wonder why I don’t spend more time there! The feeling of accomplishment is addictive! Thank you very much for the effort you put into this. It is very much appreciated!”
Sue Seeber
“My first prompt was to write a scene with mica. Seriously? I stared at your message. Mica? I didn’t want to write about mica. I wanted to write about Annie and Elizabeth, two of the protagonists in my new book. And so I did. Putting them on a rocky Alberta beach, where the coarse sand and water both glittered because of the mica in the rocks. I knew something momentous had happened... I had written first thing in the morning instead of getting distracted by life for the first time in a year. And I did the same thing the next day. And the day after. Each day since. Sometimes, I couldn’t wait to sit down to write — I already knew what aspect of my characters I was going to play with, and the challenge would be to see if the writing prompt worked in with that. Or would it spark me, take me somewhere else?”
Jane Colette
“You are AWESOME Sarah — and very devoted to this work you so generously share. Many thanks and every blessing to you in the coming year. May it kick and crackle for you!”
Alanna Grace
“I have not won every single day’s wrestling match with myself. But, the writing prompts remind me to try. Thank you.”
Tammy
“Thank you for your wonderful gift of the writing prompts. I haven’t missed a day.”
Glenda Roselle
“I have been writing every day for the past month, and it has been amazing! I love leafing through the pages of my old notebook that I filled with prompts. My favorite prompt so far, has to be, “Write a scene that starts with the line ‘I have nothing to apologize for.’” That prompt really got me excited to write, and I wrote more than five pages on it! I think all of your prompts are brilliant, and they have helped me grow as a writer. Thank you so much, and keep up the amazing work.”
Maddie Thompson
“I absolutely LOVE your writing prompts. I have signed up to other writing prompt services before, but none have moved me to action quite the way yours have . . . I haven’t been writing every day, but I’ve gone from talking about writing, to writing at least 4 times a week. Some days I even manage to write more than once. And I’ve even given up my habit of cherry picking the prompt I like. I force myself to write from whatever prompt is on that day and the work has been flowing ever since. Thank you for sharing your gift.”
Kelly Gibbons Berry
“Your writing prompts have been extremely useful in helping me get into the habit of writing daily, every day. Since I received your first prompt I haven’t missed one. I’m a 68 year old woman who has always thought I should write, even needed to write, but life got in the way with other plans . . . I found it very difficult to develop a daily writing habit – there are so many things that always seem more important than writing . . . So, off to Google to find some suggestions, which led me to your site and a daily writing practice that is gradually becoming an indispensable habit . . . The major way your prompts have helped me is that I’ve discovered, to my great surprise, that I actually can come up with something to write about in response to each prompt. In other words, I’m discovering aspects of my mind that I didn’t even know existed. I’ve never been a story teller, more of a quiet observer of life from a bit of a distance. But apparently there are emotional and experiential depths within me I wasn’t aware of. The variety of prompts is wonderful; they help me think about writing in new ways every day . . . Your prompts remind me to get busy and write . . . I can’t thank you enough for providing me a simple and effective way of exploring my creativity without judging myself too harshly. So, thank you, dear Sarah, for your help and inspiration.”
Lynn Bishop
“I love your website and writing prompts and pretty much everything you’re doing. You’ve inspired me to return to writing. I’ve found a quiet place near where I live to go and write undisturbed . . . I have written almost everyday for the past three weeks. I’m enjoying the process . . . I’m considering taking your writing course this fall . . . I’m not sure why I’m dragging my heels? Maybe I’m afraid it’s going to change my life? Thanks again for your encouragement.”
Bill Balfe
“This morning I was a passenger on a train, a sheep, a crumbling town, a mountain that was only a pebble in a child’s hand, an ocean in a bath tub, a fish, another fish, a pearl and a stitch on knitting needles, a train and a snake devouring towns and mountains and sheep. Too bad I now have to go and be a lawyer…”
Renee Miller
“I recently came upon your website and signed up for your daily writing prompts. This morning, I received my first one from you . . . Your prompt compelled me. As I wrote (about my father’s hands), I had so many realizations pop up. It’s almost as if my hand was writing by itself, and I had no control over it. I wanted to write to you today to say thank you . . . I have now adopted you as my mentor. I plan to write everyday, because of you.”
Anastasia
“I owe you enormous thanks, because these daily prompts have helped me win the battle against writer’s block. Up to this point, I had the worst case of brain freeze every time I approached my notebook or my laptop. These prompts have helped get the inspiration flowing, and the best part is that they have led me into some really unexpected places … Again, thank you for these prompts. They have transformed writing — a long-held dream for me — from this rather scary, impenetrable rock to a flowing series of navigable steps. I look forward to these prompts every morning!”
Greg Volkar
“Thank you for the prompts . . . they make my day.”
Nancy
“I haven’t written every single day but I’ve written more days than not and that’s a huge win for me. Thank you.”
Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan
“I want to thank you for sending me daily writing prompts. I find them to be inspirational.”
Nancy Gazo
“Your daily writing prompts have been a surprisingly great motivation to get me writing again. I’ve never had much faith in scene prompts, and while I probably won’t end up using most of the material I’ve written, I have been writing, almost every day. Which is incredibly awesome. So, thank you!”
Sean King
“I have enjoyed the daily prompts enormously . . . My written imagination has stretched and my willingness to allow situations and scenes to develop has also expanded. Thank you so very much for this.”
Sophia Bonnie Wodin