Writing inspiration for authors

Prompts and Exercises to Beat Writer's Block

Are you an author looking for inspiration? Is writer's block attacking again? Are you just getting started with writing and don't know where to begin?

I've got you covered! Below, find some writing exercises that can help you polish your manuscript if you're just not feeling like writing today but still want to get some work done. PLUS, I've included 18 writing prompts that you can work on today if you're just out of ideas. The key? Do something that moves you forward with your writing every single day. I've found that the days I don't want to write but do anyway turn out to be the BEST days...and I'm convinced that winning on those days leads to big wins.

Writing Exercises:

1. Do a search (CTRL+F) for the word “that” in your manuscript. Eliminate as many as you can.
   
2. Do a search (CTRL+F) for the word “very” and try to enhance the verb in order to eliminate “very.” Pinterest is a great place to find help for this/charts!
   
3. Write a paragraph describing your antagonist from your protagonist’s perspective. Then, do the opposite. This will help you finetune your characters’ worldviews and depth.
   
4. Reexamine your first three lines of your manuscript. Can you make the words have stronger connotations? More punch? More of an emotional connection?
   
5. Choose a page at random and pay attention to your sentence structure. Do a lot of your sentences start the same way (Many new authors tend to use the same structures repeatedly without realizing it. Try to mix it up to keep it interesting!)
   

Prompts:

1. Write a page about the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to you…using only one-syllable words.
   
2. Describe the ocean incorporating all five senses into your description. However, you cannot describe any colors.
   
3. Explore the definition of loneliness in poetic form. Incorporate at least five similes, five metaphors, and two examples of personification.
   
4. Take a scene from your most recent story or book and rewrite it from a minor character’s perspective.
   
5. Describe yourself from one of your enemy’s perspectives.
   
6. Describe yourself from one of your closest friend’s perspectives.
   
7. Describe who you are now to the childhood version of you.
   
8. Find a famous painting online. Describe it so vividly, someone could redo it just from your description.
   
9. Take the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you and retell it in a way that makes it sad in tone.
   
10. Take a typically sad event and write it in a way that infuses it with humor. 
    
11. Write a letter to your favorite author explaining why you love their writing style. Really dig into the complexities and specifics of their writing.
    
12. Take a page from your favorite book and do a write-like; try to mimic the style, tone, or plot in your own way (Do not publish this anywhere! It’s just for fun and practice).
    
13. Write an alternative ending for your favorite book, movie, or story.
    
14. Describe the perfect cup of coffee. Be sure to use at least two examples of personification.
    
15. Write ten analogies about the feeling of being cold. Try to move beyond the basics or expected!
    
16. Write a paragraph of “How to Spot a Red Flag in a Relationship.”
    
17. Create a monologue from the perspective of a toaster. Yes, seriously. Just do it.