Chance to win a hardcover journal from Quotable Journals below.
There’s no better way to clear the cobwebs from your writer brain. Whether you’re stalled out, stopped up, or just need to cleanse your palate—I’ve got you covered. Here’s 25 journal writing prompts to get you writing.
25 Journal Prompts to Get You Writing
- What is the biggest barrier between you and full honesty in your journalling?
- What would you do with $10 million?
- What are the three strangest or most inappropriate sex dreams you’ve ever had?
- What scares you the most about dying?
- If you could start your life over, what three things would you change?
- Write a letter to your 5-year-old self.
- A time traveller offers to kidnap your child self so you can raise him/her. Do you do it?
- “Tomorrow will be better because today I learned…”
- “If I could change one thing about the world, it would be…”
- “The thing I’d be most ashamed for someone to know about me is…”
- “The thing I do most often when I’m supposed to be doing something else is…”
- What are the top five skills you wish you had? Why?
- “I wish I knew these three things for sure.”
- “I am most grateful for…”
- Which book most influenced your life?
- “If I had the courage, I would…”
- Write a letter to a fictional character.
- What are you wearing right now, and why are you wearing it?
- When you picture God, what does s/he look like?
- What is your MBTI personality? And what do you love/hate about it?
- Write a journal entry about something that didn’t happen.
- “I’ve always wondered…”
- What is your favorite hot drink, and how do you make it?
- What is the one thing you wish others understood about you?
- If you knew s/he had to answer honestly, what would you ask?
Win This Hardcover Journal
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[Winner selected. Giveaway now closed. Congratulations to Anna Stewart.]
You might tell me which prompt got you writing, a little about your journalling practice, or share a tip for other journal writers here.
Next, keep up your writing momentum with 58 Science Fiction Writing Prompts. Or check out my answer to prompt #23: The Worst Ginger Tea Recipe You’ll Ever Read (But The Taste Is Worth It)
When one knows the answer to the first question, it opens the door to answer many of the other personal questions. Great list of prompts, Mandy. Thanks for sharing them.
I always love talking to my characters so I would probably write a letter to one of them. When I talk to them I get to know them and then ideas start to flow. It makes Dialogue so much easier.
That’s a great technique for getting to know your characters. Thanks for sharing it, Donnee.
When I picture God He is wearing jeans and a New Orleans Saints t-shirt, a full beard and waving at me to join the group at a table. it looks like they are tearing bread off a loaf and drinking wine. His laugh is deep, full and cheers everyone up. As the theologian Robin Williams said when I sit down Jesus grins and says to me, “So two Irish writers go into a bar….”
As I look down the list I think it would be fun to read the ones about sex fantasies. God, sex, laughter–it’s all creative and fun.
So many good prompts! I can’t imagine traveling without my journal. It’s amazing how many memories the stories bring back when we get home. Usually so much happens on each trip that I can barely remember what happened two days ago if I don’t have it recorded. But I am NOT good about journaling just about daily life, and I do regret that I haven’t been doing that, as the few non-traveling journals I have kept over the years also bring back memories that had been long forgotten.
Mandy, journaling is dear to my heart for so many reasons. One is the feedback that I get from former students who are now parents. They tell me about moving and finding their journal from 7th or 8th grade. They sit down and read it and are amazed at their teen-aged selves. Then they say how precious it is to them.
I journal regularly. In former days, it was often during sad or upsetting times. This week I found the journal I kept when my mother was sick with cancer. I’d forgotten a lot over 11 years, but the journal reminded me of some sweet times in among the tough days.
Now, my journal is more like my writing practice book ala Natalie Goldberg.
Thanks for another dandy post. xoA
These are awesome journal prompts and I’m flagging several for use. I go in fits and starts with my journaling…have periods where I write in it every day. Other times…not so much. I’ve been thinking I needed to jump start my journaling again. And I’m going to have to check out the Sci if prompts too! Should be fun!
Always welcome a new journal to jot down scenes and bits of dialogue and always welcome tips on writing….
I’ve started to write a book and this helped put random thoughts to page. I enjoy finding random blogs that have these prompts to help young writers with learning how to write.
Not sure I love the sound of “random blog” there, Rachel. But I’m glad the article helped you get your thoughts onto the page. Happy writing.
I just love the journal prompts! I try to write daily but I am missing the nice journal. I am going to use your prompts for summer writing with my kiddos! <3 🙂
Awesome that you keep a daily writing practice, Stacey! And I’m pumped you’re using the prompts for summer sessions with the fam. Have fun!
Ive journaled avidly since i was 13 yrs old (24 now). Recently in the past few years, the regularity of my journaling has went downhill, so im trying to reach around for things that will get me writing again. Although the biggest hindrance is simply having the time for it, i think prompts will be helpful as well.
I have wanted to start journaling for a while but I don’t know where to start. It’s hard to make time with how busy life can get. I would like to start working on making time for myself. Everyone I have talked to has said that it can help relieve stress and I could use that. Thank you for the ideas. It’s a great place to start.
I would love a copy of your journaling book!!!
Oct. 2, 2020 ~ 4:47 am
I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR………………………………………………………………………………………………..
All the Love I have in my life. For getting close with Ba, he was that guy
everyone liked being around. Even when he was breaking balls, I still
wanted to take care of him. I know he loves me too. Margaret is another person
I am grateful for having in my life. She brings more fun and support to my life
I would be lost without her beside me. I LOVE her more than anything in this world.
She shows me who I am. For this I am Grateful everyday.
IF I HAD THE COURAGE, I WOULD……………………………………………………………………………….
Show her what she is missing when she isn’t in the mood….What is in her head? What
could be worrying her? In all honesty, where are we now? I hate that I understand why
things are so different. I still feel the same way about her. I Love her with all I have. I
could cry, but that does not help Margaret or myself. Forgive me, please.
Love, Love, Love
Me
xoxo