Feb 10, 2022

This is an updated version of a post originally published on Beyond Bylines.

Congrats for making it through all 900 days of January! If you’re feeling a little lethargic about this time of year, you’re not alone. These long winter months can take a toll on us physically, mentally and even creatively. As you know, and we’ve acknowledged previously – creative thinking is one of the most valuable skills PR and communications professionals have in their toolboxes.

If you’ve had a hard time flexing those creative muscles lately, we’ve come up with a list of unique writing prompts to get you thinking outside of the box again.

While you don’t need to necessarily publish anything that comes of these prompts, this is just an exercise to help you get those juices flowing again. (And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up writing the next great American novel.)

Writing Prompts to Get the Words Flowing

  1. Write about how you’re doing with your New Year’s resolutions.
  2. Write about the most interesting article you’ve read this week. What hooked you?
  3. Write a post centered around the idea “better late than never.”
  4. Write about a time you were proven wrong.
  5. Write instructions for your favorite hobby, recipe, or game (practice your technical writing and avoid jargon!).
  6. Write about your dream vacation (whether it’s happened already or not).
  7. Write about the last time you cried.
  8. Write a list of pros and cons. The list can be for your career, city, or anything!
  9. Choose a random word from the dictionary and include it in your post title.
  10. Write about how you're trying to live greener.
  11. Write about your most recent dream.
  12. Write a story about getting lost.
  13. Write a post that begins with “It started out like any other Tuesday…”
  14. Write a story that ends with “…and I never looked back.”
  15. Write about a unique family tradition.
  16. Write a scary story.
  17. Write a post that begins with a haiku.
  18. Write a story that ends with a question.
  19. Write a post that’s set in the future.
  20. Write about your anti-bucket list (what you never want to do).
  21. Write about something you can’t live without.
  22. Write about your five-year plan.
  23. Write about another writer that inspires you.
  24. Write a story that begins and ends with “It was just a job.”
  25. Write about the achievement that makes you proudest.
  26. Write about how you chose your career.
  27. Write down the first three words that come to mind and create a story using these as the main ideas.
  28. Write about a life-changing decision you’ve made.
  29. Write a list of do’s and don’ts for your favorite hobby.
  30. Write a review of the most recent book you read.
  31. Write a story from your pet’s point of view.
  32. Revisit the first article or blog post you ever published. Rewrite it or critique it.

While we’re on the subject of writing, now’s a good time to shake off those cobwebs and ditch any bad habits you may be (however unconsciously) holding on to. Check our post on 6 Bad Writing Habits for PR Pros to Ditch in 2022.