10 more multi-genre writing prompts
For teachers, students, and writers
Two years ago, I published a list of 15 multi-genre writing prompts after scrolling through website after website, article after article of repeated writing prompts.
At the time, I was looking for prompts to use for a creative writing workshop I was running for teenagers online. Unhappy with the results, I came up with my own list and shared it here on Vocal for others to use.
Once again, I was looking through writing prompts, and I ended up seriously disappointed. Some of the prompts I came across were definitely original, but who really wants to write about boarding a plane with Benjamin Franklin and his carry-on?
I understand that it is probably pretty difficult to list 642 writing prompts, but that one felt a little too niche.
Luckily, reading through hundreds of uninspiring prompts did get my creative juices flowing in the end. I came up with 10 more ideas of my own.
The 10 Writing Prompts
1. Write a poem about your favorite color without naming the color. Why is it your favorite? Share your poem with a friend without any context. Are they able to guess the source of your inspiration?
2. Think about a major current event (i.e., the Queen of England died recently). Where were you when you heard the news? How did you find out? How did it impact your day?
3. Police are knocking on your door. You find out that one of your family members is the prime suspect in the investigation of a serial killer who has been active in your area for the last year. Who is it? Is it surprising? If not, why not?
4. Pick a book on your shelf that you have already read. Open to page 24 and start a story or poem with the first full sentence on the page.
5. What would your life be like if the COVID-19 pandemic had never happened? Describe where you would be, what you would be doing, and how you would have gotten there. Imagine a day in your life in that timeline. How might the world be different today?
6. Think about the house where your grandparents lived when you were growing up. Describe it. If they still live there, how has it changed? If they don’t, picture how it might be different now. Practice writing that setting as though it might be part of a story you are working on.
7. What does it mean to feel at home? Write a poem describing that feeling. Consider when you last truly felt at home. Do you feel at home where you live now? When was the first time you were able to put that feeling into words?
8. Write a personal essay about your favorite home-cooked meal from your childhood. Who made it for you? Did they teach you how to make it? You can include the recipe at the end to create a cooking blog-style approach.
9. Write a love letter to yourself. What are your best features? What is interesting about you? What quirks and imperfections do you love about yourself?
10. What is your favorite pointless argument? Is a hot dog a sandwich? Is cereal a soup? Is water wet? Write an op-ed style article supporting your stance on whatever pointless argument you love to think about. To make it more interesting, try writing in support of the opinion you disagree with.
If these prompts don't interest you and other lists are still leaving you uninspired, you can also try a freewrite to share your criticisms of all the writing prompts you couldn't stand. It might help you come up with a few ideas if you process the topics you don't want to write about.
About the Creator
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Comments (2)
it's written skillfully and offers great information.
Thanks for this, I used number 7 for a poem, let's see if it's published in Poets. I find Prompts intriguing and super inspirational. I also use sometimes visual or sound prompts. The best was during an interactive digital exhibition, when I felt inspired to write a poem.