35 Journaling Prompts for Writers

I’m a big believer in the power of journaling. I say this as someone with like a gazillion empty journals around the house. Collecting them and writing in them are entirely different hobbies I believe (I’m sorry! They’re just so pretty I don’t want to mess them up!). However, I do think its important to have a place to dump your thoughts every now and then, especially if you’re a writer with a loud brain like mine. I may not do it as routinely as I probably should but I still think its good for everyone to sit for a moment and reflect whether its about the day, one’s identity, your loved ones, goals, or random intrusive thoughts. In summary, I think it’s a great way to process your feelings, work through tough times, and explore new ideas.

So I made a list. I love lists.

Now, to be clear, I wrote these prompts with writer’s in mind, however, the vast majority of them could apply to pretty much everyone so if you’re a non-writer and you’re looking for some prompts, feel free to steal some from the list below because they will probably work just as well for you. I give you permission to cherry-pick.

1. What is your favorite part about writing?
2. Why do you write?
3. What do you like most about writing?
4. Do you have any favorite characters or literary topics that you enjoy?
5. Make a list of your favorite authors.
6. Think about the things that make you happy. What might those be?
7. Write about your favorite places to go.
8. What is your most ideal writing space? How could you change your current one to reflect that?
9. What’s your ideal writing schedule?
10. Do you have a pre-writing ritual?
11. Write about what you’ve learned from a difficult situation, or how you’ve grown from it—even if it was just a little bit.
12. Write about something that’s bothering you, but is also good for you—maybe even give yourself some advice on how to get past it.
13. What are some of your favorite quotes or sayings?
14. Describe where you are in your life right now, and what you’re doing there—wherever that may be!
15. Write about your favorite memories with your parents
16. Describe your life in a few sentences
17. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week?
18. What are you thankful for in your life right now?
19. What’s one thing that makes you feel good about yourself?
20. What did you learn today?
21. What’s something you need to let go of?
22. What are your goals for the coming year?
23. What are you scared of?
24. What’s your favorite day of the week?
25. Write about a dream you had last night/this morning.
26. Do you ever wish you could go back and change the things that have happened in your life?
27. What is one thing that makes you feel fulfilled?
28. Write about the things that make you angry.
29. Write a letter in your journal to someone who hurt you. What would you say?
30. Write a letter to your favorite book character.
31. Write a letter to your favorite author.
32. How do you want to inspire someone else? How do you want your work to inspire others?
33. Write about your favorite movie/book scene. Why was it good?
34. How do you feel about your work overall? Are you proud of it?
35. What is a piece of advice you’d give to a new writer?

Alrighty! I think that’s it for now! Happy journaling!

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