30 Prompts to Help Fiction Writers Find Their Voice
Staring at a blank page? Let’s fix that.
Journaling isn’t just for documenting your day—it’s one of the most underrated tools to spark creativity and make your writing better. Whether you’re battling writer’s block, developing characters, or brainstorming new ideas, these 30 fun and creative prompts will help you put pen to paper. Plus, we’ve crafted these prompts with one goal in mind: to improve your writing while keeping it playful and inspiring.
Ready to challenge yourself? Grab your notebook (or snag a sparkly new journal here), set a timer for 15 minutes, and let the words flow!
How to Use These Prompts
There’s no wrong way to approach this challenge. Here are some ideas:
One a day: Treat this as a 30-day journaling challenge and write daily.
Pick randomly: Scroll through the list and choose the one that speaks to you.
Free write: Don’t overthink. Let your ideas spill out on the page.
Each prompt is designed to get you writing and flexing your creativity muscles. Use them as warm-ups before diving into your current writing project or as standalone exercises to experiment with new ideas.
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The Prompts: 30-Day Journaling Challenge for Writers
Part 1. Imaginative Story Starters
Journaling isn’t just for reflecting on real life—it’s a chance to dive into worlds that don’t exist yet. Imaginative prompts help you stretch your storytelling muscles and explore the "what ifs" that can turn into incredible tales. Think of it as a playground for your creativity.
"The creative adult is the child who survived." ~Ursula K. Le Guin
Use these prompts to rekindle that childlike curiosity and invent worlds only you can dream up.
Part 2. Character Deep Dives
Characters are at the heart of every great story, and journaling can be a powerful way to get to know them better. These prompts are designed to help you discover your characters’ secrets, quirks, and inner lives. Remember, the better you know your characters, the more authentic they’ll feel to your readers.
"You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better." ~Anne Lamott
Dive deep into your characters’ worlds and let them tell their truths—messy, surprising, and all.
Part 3. Personal + Reflective Prompts
Writing is a deeply personal act, and reflective journaling helps you explore your own emotions, experiences, and perspectives. It’s a way to process life while sharpening your voice as a writer.
"I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking." ~Joan Didion
These prompts will help you tap into your own truths and uncover the emotions that make your stories resonate.
Part 4. Writing Craft Prompts
Think of journaling as a gym for your writing skills. These prompts are designed to help you experiment with techniques, hone your craft, and step outside your comfort zone. Writing isn’t just inspiration—it’s a skill you build with practice.
"You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it." ~Octavia E. Butler
Use these prompts to refine your craft and try out new approaches.
Part 5. Unexpected Twists + Creativity Boosters
Sometimes the best way to spark creativity is to throw in a twist or approach something from a completely unexpected angle. These prompts are designed to jolt your imagination and push you to think outside the box.
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ~Toni Morrison
Let these prompts surprise you and remind you why writing is pure magic.
Take the Challenge & Keep Writing
These prompts are designed to help you improve your writing one day at a time. Whether you’re experimenting with new ideas, exploring characters, or just breaking through writer’s block, the key is consistency. Commit to these 30 days, and you’ll be amazed at what you create.
*Coming Soon - Want to make this challenge even easier? Grab the printable version of these prompts to keep in your writing space or take on the go. Happy journaling!
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