Writer’s block is the woooorrrrrrsssstttt.

If you have ever sat down to do some writing and found yourself just sitting and staring at an empty screen or a blank notebook page, you know what I’m talking about.  Sometimes I describe it to my husband by saying “there’s just no words in my brain”.  For someone who is a writer to come up with such a terrible description is a fitting tribute to how agonizing writer’s block can be.

There are lots of ways that writers use to beat the block, but today I’m going to offer some tips on writing prompts.

Generally, writing prompts (or “daily prompts”) are short writing exercises that a writer follows as a way to generate ideas.  The prompt can be anything from a word, a starting line, or even a photo, and the writer’s job is to create a poem, story, or any other creative work based on the prompt.

If a prompt doesn’t, well, prompt you to think of a story you can always use it to write about a current event or describe a fictional character.  You could even use it to remind you of a story from your own life, and then write down that story as your response to the prompt.

The best way to beat writer’s block is to just write something.  Often when we see words on a page, it helps get over that initial hump and the story starts to flow a bit easier.  Think of the writing prompt as that booster that gets you over the initial hump!

Here are some one-word writing prompts for you to use when you’re faced with the blank page!  Remember: it really doesn’t matter what you write in response to these, just write something!  If you don’t understand one of the words, use a dictionary to look it up – often the dictionary definition can really get you started with your writing!

 

One-Word Prompts

• Oblivion
• Accident
• Smooth
• Fateful
• Deadline
• Crystalize
• Shattered
• Whirling
• Baked
• Wretched

 

I would love to hear how you use writing prompts and if they help you beat writer’s block!  Share in the comments!