The Spun Yarn

View Original

Cure Writer's Block With These 25 Personal Questions

Ugh. Writer’s block.

Is there anything more obnoxious (and terrifying) than going back to that creative well only to find that it’s run dry? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every writer (and really, EVERYONE who does creative work) hits a dry spell every now and then. Luckily, writer’s block isn’t a permanent state – even if it can sometimes feel that way. In fact, there is a tried and true cure for writer’s block that virtually every writer has used to break the curse and get back to writing: Just. Keep. Writing.

“But if I could write, I wouldn’t have writer’s block! How can you expect me to keep writing??”

Good question. I’ve got a solution for you: writing prompts to beat writer’s block.

The best way to beat writer’s block is to keep writing, and the best way to continue your practice of writing is to write on a subject you know inside and out. That subject is YOU!

That’s “write” (what a terrible pun – so sorry), writing about yourself or your experiences is a great way to continue your writing habit with an aim toward curing writer’s block.

Below, you’ll find 25 personal questions to use as writing prompts. Pick one that speaks to you, write about it, then come back tomorrow and pick another. Don’t expect that any of these will ever see the light of day, but they will get you back on the writing horse and working on your masterpiece again in no time.

If you DO write something based on one of these writing prompts, send it to us here, or on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to read it!

  1. How is the world different from when you were a kid?

  2. What’s your favorite possession in the whole world?

  3. When did you first know what you wanted to do with your life?

  4. Who is the most famous person you’ve met?

  5. What was the first music concert you attended?

  6. What’s your favorite memory with your childhood best friend?

  7. What’s something about yourself that you would never tell anyone?

  8. Who had the biggest impact on your writing?

  9. What is your favorite birthday memory?

  10. What’s one thing you learned from your parents?

  11. Have you ever taken a big risk? How did it go?

  12. Who was your favorite teacher of all time and why?

  13. What’s the best gift you ever received?

  14. What’s the best gift you ever gave?

  15. What’s the best prank you ever pulled?

  16. What’s the best trip you ever took?

  17. What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?

  18. What’s your favorite book and why?

  19. How do you view yourself in retirement?

  20. What’s the last meal you ate out? Describe it in detail.

  21. What did your bedroom look like as a child? Describe it in detail.

  22. Have you ever had a favorite pet? Describe the pet.

  23. What has been your biggest success?

  24. What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

  25. What have you created that you are most proud of? Why?


There you have it, 25 personal questions to use as writing prompts to cure writer’s block. Now get writing!

Another way to break out of a debilitating case of writer’s block is to get some insightful feedback on your current work. That’s where a Spun Yarn Manuscript Report comes in! Check out the different reports we offer and let us know when you want to take your manuscript to the next level.