Beginning writers often wonder how to start writing. It's worry they get themselves into right away that mostly hinders them from getting anything written down. Experienced writers often get stuck in middle of their novels, stories or articles. They sometimes agonize and worry about what to write next and that's how they are delayed.
Beginning and experienced writers and writers in between can sometimes fall into trap of getting themselves "blocked."
So here are 12 writing prompts you, beginning writer or experienced one, can use to start off your writing.
PROMPT # 1 "I write because..." Think of as many reasons as you can. Any reasons you know and feel you should and could write, and why you write. Then from your list, see if you can turn your reasons into an essay, a story or a poem.
PROMPT # 2 Sit still for five minutes. Close your eyes and listen. Don't think, just listen. What sounds do you hear? Is there music? Rustling leaves? Is your TV on? After five minutes, write down all sounds on a piece of paper. If you can't think of correct words for sounds, write how they sounded (example: "bbbzzztttt" for something you heard). Now use sounds on your list to create "sound poetry."
PROMPT # 3: Use this prompt to start off your story: "When dust settled, he saw..."
PROMPT # 4: Quotes are powerful writing starters. They evoke emotions, insights and inspirations for any writer. What's your favorite quote? It may be something a famous dead person said, or a line in a song, or a passage in Bible. Write quote on top of your page and write your interpretation of your favorite quote. You can inspire, motivate or even impart a lesson.
PROMPT # 5: When was last time you received a letter? Or a postcard? Who sent it? What did it say? Did you reply to letter? Write yourself a letter. Pretend that you are somebody else. Put yourself in your neighbor's shoes, or your old friend's shoes. If you were them, what would you want to tell yourself, or want to know about yourself?
PROMPT # 6: When you ride a bus or a car in one of your trips, what do you do? Do you sleep during trip? Do you stare out window and watch unseeingly view? Or do you take it all in -- greenery, buildings, people, colors, hues, clouds? Recall most recent trip you've had. Where did you come from and where were you going? Why were you going there? How long was trip? What did you see on way? This short exercise will help you with your power of recalling details. The more you recall, more detailed your writing will be. Do this exercise on a regular basis and you will be able to write with good use of details.