exercises to creative writing

Writing Activities

105 Creative Writing Exercises To Get You Writing Again

You know that feeling when you just don’t feel like writing? Sometimes you can’t even get a word down on paper. It’s the most frustrating thing ever to a writer, especially when you’re working towards a deadline. The good news is that we have a list of 105 creative writing exercises to help you get motivated and start writing again!

What are creative writing exercises?

Creative writing exercises are short writing activities (normally around 10 minutes) designed to get you writing. The goal of these exercises is to give you the motivation to put words onto a blank paper. These words don’t need to be logical or meaningful, neither do they need to be grammatically correct or spelt correctly. The whole idea is to just get you writing something, anything. The end result of these quick creative writing exercises is normally a series of notes, bullet points or ramblings that you can, later on, use as inspiration for a bigger piece of writing such as a story or a poem.

Good creative writing exercises are short, quick and easy to complete. You shouldn’t need to think too much about your style of writing or how imaginative your notes are. Just write anything that comes to mind, and you’ll be on the road to improving your creative writing skills and beating writer’s block .

Use the generator below to get a random creative writing exercise idea:

List of 105+ Creative Writing Exercises

Here are over 105 creative writing exercises to give your brain a workout and help those creative juices flow again:

Set a timer for 60 seconds. Now write down as many words or phrases that come to mind at that moment.
Pick any colour you like. Now start your sentence with this colour. For example, Orange, the colour of my favourite top.
Open a book or dictionary on a random page. Pick a random word. You can close your eyes and slowly move your finger across the page. Now, write a paragraph with this random word in it. You can even use an online dictionary to get random words:

Create your own alphabet picture book or list. It can be A to Z of animals, food, monsters or anything else you like!
Using only the sense of smell, describe where you are right now.
Take a snack break. While eating your snack write down the exact taste of that food. The goal of this creative writing exercise is to make your readers savour this food as well.
Pick a random object in your room and write a short paragraph from its point of view. For example, how does your pencil feel? What if your lamp had feelings?
Describe your dream house. Where would you live one day? Is it huge or tiny?
Pick two different TV shows, movies or books that you like. Now swap the main character. What if Supergirl was in Twilight? What if SpongeBob SquarePants was in The Flash? Write a short scene using this character swap as inspiration.
What’s your favourite video game? Write at least 10 tips for playing this game.
Pick your favourite hobby or sport. Now pretend an alien has just landed on Earth and you need to teach it this hobby or sport. Write at least ten tips on how you would teach this alien.
Use a random image generator and write a paragraph about the first picture you see.

Write a letter to your favourite celebrity or character. What inspires you most about them? Can you think of a memorable moment where this person’s life affected yours? We have this helpful guide on writing a letter to your best friend for extra inspiration.
Write down at least 10 benefits of writing. This can help motivate you and beat writer’s block.
Complete this sentence in 10 different ways: Patrick waited for the school bus and…
Pick up a random book from your bookshelf and go to page 9. Find the ninth sentence on that page. Use this sentence as a story starter.
Create a character profile based on all the traits that you hate. It might help to list down all the traits first and then work on describing the character.
What is the scariest or most dangerous situation you have ever been in? Why was this situation scary? How did you cope at that moment?
Pretend that you’re a chat show host and you’re interviewing your favourite celebrity. Write down the script for this conversation.
Using extreme detail, write down what you have been doing for the past one hour today. Think about your thoughts, feelings and actions during this time.
Make a list of potential character names for your next story. You can use a fantasy name generator to help you.
Describe a futuristic setting. What do you think the world would look like in 100 years time?
Think about a recent argument you had with someone. Would you change anything about it? How would you resolve an argument in the future?
Describe a fantasy world. What kind of creatures live in this world? What is the climate like? What everyday challenges would a typical citizen of this world face? You can use this fantasy world name generator for inspiration.
At the flip of a switch, you turn into a dragon. What kind of dragon would you be? Describe your appearance, special abilities, likes and dislikes. You can use a dragon name generator to give yourself a cool dragon name.
Pick your favourite book or a famous story. Now change the point of view. For example, you could rewrite the fairytale , Cinderella. This time around, Prince Charming could be the main character. What do you think Prince Charming was doing, while Cinderella was cleaning the floors and getting ready for the ball?
Pick a random writing prompt and use it to write a short story. Check out this collection of over 300 writing prompts for kids to inspire you.
Write a shopping list for a famous character in history. Imagine if you were Albert Einstein’s assistant, what kind of things would he shop for on a weekly basis?
Create a fake advertisement poster for a random object that is near you right now. Your goal is to convince the reader to buy this object from you.
What is the worst (or most annoying) sound that you can imagine? Describe this sound in great detail, so your reader can understand the pain you feel when hearing this sound.
What is your favourite song at the moment? Pick one line from this song and describe a moment in your life that relates to this line.
You’re hosting an imaginary dinner party at your house. Create a list of people you would invite, and some party invites. Think about the theme of the dinner party, the food you will serve and entertainment for the evening.
You are waiting to see your dentist in the waiting room. Write down every thought you are having at this moment in time.
Make a list of your greatest fears. Try to think of at least three fears. Now write a short story about a character who is forced to confront one of these fears.
Create a ‘Wanted’ poster for a famous villain of your choice. Think about the crimes they have committed, and the reward you will give for having them caught.
Imagine you are a journalist for the ‘Imagine Forest Times’ newspaper. Your task is to get an exclusive interview with the most famous villain of all time. Pick a villain of your choice and interview them for your newspaper article. What questions would you ask them, and what would their responses be?
In a school playground, you see the school bully hurting a new kid. Write three short stories, one from each perspective in this scenario (The bully, the witness and the kid getting bullied).
You just won $10 million dollars. What would you spend this money on?
Pick a random animal, and research at least five interesting facts about this animal. Write a short story centred around one of these interesting facts.
Pick a global issue that you are passionate about. This could be climate change, black lives matters, women’s rights etc. Now create a campaign poster for this global issue.
Write an acrostic poem about an object near you right now (or even your own name). You could use a poetry idea generator to inspire you.
Imagine you are the head chef of a 5-star restaurant. Recently the business has slowed down. Your task is to come up with a brand-new menu to excite customers. Watch this video prompt on YouTube to inspire you.
What is your favourite food of all time? Imagine if this piece of food was alive, what would it say to you?
If life was one big musical, what would you be singing about right now? Write the lyrics of your song.
Create and describe the most ultimate villain of all time. What would their traits be? What would their past look like? Will they have any positive traits?
Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: Every time I look out of the window, I…
You have just made it into the local newspaper, but what for? Write down at least five potential newspaper headlines . Here’s an example, Local Boy Survives a Deadly Illness.
If you were a witch or a wizard, what would your specialist area be and why? You might want to use a Harry Potter name generator or a witch name generator for inspiration.
What is your favourite thing to do on a Saturday night? Write a short story centred around this activity.
Your main character has just received the following items: A highlighter, a red cap, a teddy bear and a fork. What would your character do with these items? Can you write a story using these items?
Create a timeline of your own life, from birth to this current moment. Think about the key events in your life, such as birthdays, graduations, weddings and so on. After you have done this, you can pick one key event from your life to write a story about.
Think of a famous book or movie you like. Rewrite a scene from this book or movie, where the main character is an outsider. They watch the key events play out, but have no role in the story. What would their actions be? How would they react?
Three very different characters have just won the lottery. Write a script for each character, as they reveal the big news to their best friend.
Write a day in the life story of three different characters. How does each character start their day? What do they do throughout the day? And how does their day end?
Write about the worst experience in your life so far. Think about a time when you were most upset or angry and describe it.
Imagine you’ve found a time machine in your house. What year would you travel to and why?
Describe your own superhero. Think about their appearance, special abilities and their superhero name. Will they have a secret identity? Who is their number one enemy?
What is your favourite country in the world? Research five fun facts about this country and use one to write a short story.
Set yourself at least three writing goals. This could be a good way to motivate yourself to write every day. For example, one goal might be to write at least 150 words a day.
Create a character description based on the one fact, three fiction rule. Think about one fact or truth about yourself. And then add in three fictional or fantasy elements. For example, your character could be the same age as you in real life, this is your one fact. And the three fictional elements could be they have the ability to fly, talk in over 100 different languages and have green skin.
Describe the perfect person. What traits would they have? Think about their appearance, their interests and their dislikes.
Keep a daily journal or diary. This is a great way to keep writing every day. There are lots of things you can write about in your journal, such as you can write about the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of your day. Think about anything that inspired you or anything that upset you, or just write anything that comes to mind at the moment.
Write a book review or a movie review. If you’re lost for inspiration, just watch a random movie or read any book that you can find. Then write a critical review on it. Think about the best parts of the book/movie and the worst parts. How would you improve the book or movie?
Write down a conversation between yourself. You can imagine talking to your younger self or future self (i.e. in 10 years’ time). What would you tell them? Are there any lessons you learned or warnings you need to give? Maybe you could talk about what your life is like now and compare it to their life?
Try writing some quick flash fiction stories . Flash fiction is normally around 500 words long, so try to stay within this limit.
Write a six-word story about something that happened to you today or yesterday. A six-word story is basically an entire story told in just six words. Take for example: “Another football game ruined by me.” or “A dog’s painting sold for millions.” – Six-word stories are similar to writing newspaper headlines. The goal is to summarise your story in just six words.
The most common monsters or creatures used in stories include vampires, werewolves , dragons, the bigfoot, sirens and the loch-ness monster. In a battle of intelligence, who do you think will win and why?
Think about an important event in your life that has happened so far, such as a birthday or the birth of a new sibling. Now using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique describe this event in great detail. The 5 W’s include: What, Who, Where, Why, When and the 1 H is: How. Ask yourself questions about the event, such as what exactly happened on that day? Who was there? Why was this event important? When and where did it happen? And finally, how did it make you feel?
Pretend to be someone else. Think about someone important in your life. Now put yourself into their shoes, and write a day in the life story about being them. What do you think they do on a daily basis? What situations would they encounter? How would they feel?
Complete this sentence in at least 10 different ways: I remember…
Write about your dream holiday. Where would you go? Who would you go with? And what kind of activities would you do?
Which one item in your house do you use the most? Is it the television, computer, mobile phone, the sofa or the microwave? Now write a story of how this item was invented. You might want to do some research online and use these ideas to build up your story.
In exactly 100 words, describe your bedroom. Try not to go over or under this word limit.
Make a top ten list of your favourite animals. Based on this list create your own animal fact file, where you provide fun facts about each animal in your list.
What is your favourite scene from a book or a movie? Write down this scene. Now rewrite the scene in a different genre, such as horror, comedy, drama etc.
Change the main character of a story you recently read into a villain. For example, you could take a popular fairytale such as Jack and the Beanstalk, but this time re-write the story to make Jack the villain of the tale.
Complete the following sentence in at least 10 different ways: Do you ever wonder…
What does your name mean? Research the meaning of your own name, or a name that interests you. Then use this as inspiration for your next story. For example, the name ‘Marty’ means “Servant Of Mars, God Of War”. This could make a good concept for a sci-fi story.
Make a list of three different types of heroes (or main characters) for potential future stories.
If someone gave you $10 dollars, what would you spend it on and why?
Describe the world’s most boring character in at least 100 words.
What is the biggest problem in the world today, and how can you help fix this issue?
Create your own travel brochure for your hometown. Think about why tourists might want to visit your hometown. What is your town’s history? What kind of activities can you do? You could even research some interesting facts.
Make a list of all your favourite moments or memories in your life. Now pick one to write a short story about.
Describe the scariest and ugliest monster you can imagine. You could even draw a picture of this monster with your description.
Write seven haikus, one for each colour of the rainbow. That’s red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Imagine you are at the supermarket. Write down at least three funny scenarios that could happen to you at the supermarket. Use one for your next short story.
Imagine your main character is at home staring at a photograph. Write the saddest scene possible. Your goal is to make your reader cry when reading this scene.
What is happiness? In at least 150 words describe the feeling of happiness. You could use examples from your own life of when you felt happy.
Think of a recent nightmare you had and write down everything you can remember. Use this nightmare as inspiration for your next story.
Keep a dream journal. Every time you wake up in the middle of the night or early in the morning you can quickly jot down things that you remember from your dreams. These notes can then be used as inspiration for a short story.
Your main character is having a really bad day. Describe this bad day and the series of events they experience. What’s the worst thing that could happen to your character?
You find a box on your doorstep. You open this box and see the most amazing thing ever. Describe this amazing thing to your readers.
Make a list of at least five possible settings or locations for future stories. Remember to describe each setting in detail.
Think of something new you recently learned. Write this down. Now write a short story where your main character also learns the same thing.
Describe the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your whole life. Your goal is to amaze your readers with its beauty.
Make a list of things that make you happy or cheer you up. Try to think of at least five ideas. Now imagine living in a world where all these things were banned or against the law. Use this as inspiration for your next story.
Would you rather be rich and alone or poor and very popular? Write a story based on the lives of these two characters.
Imagine your main character is a Librarian. Write down at least three dark secrets they might have. Remember, the best secrets are always unexpected.
There’s a history behind everything. Describe the history of your house. How and when was your house built? Think about the land it was built on and the people that may have lived here long before you.
Imagine that you are the king or queen of a beautiful kingdom. Describe your kingdom in great detail. What kind of rules would you have? Would you be a kind ruler or an evil ruler of the kingdom?
Make a wish list of at least three objects you wish you owned right now. Now use these three items in your next story. At least one of them must be the main prop in the story.
Using nothing but the sense of taste, describe a nice Sunday afternoon at your house. Remember you can’t use your other senses (i.e see, hear, smell or touch) in this description.
What’s the worst pain you felt in your life? Describe this pain in great detail, so your readers can also feel it.
If you were lost on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere, what three must-have things would you pack and why?
Particpate in online writing challenges or contests. Here at Imagine Forest, we offer daily writing challenges with a new prompt added every day to inspire you. Check out our challenges section in the menu.

Do you have any more fun creative writing exercises to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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100 Writing Practice Lessons & Exercises

by Joe Bunting | 50 comments

Free Book Planning Course! Sign up for our 3-part book planning course and make your book writing easy . It expires soon, though, so don’t wait. Sign up here before the deadline!

Want to become a better writer? Perhaps you want to write novels, or maybe you just want to get better grades in your essay writing assignments , or maybe you'd like to start a popular blog .

If you want to write better, you need practice. But what does a writing practice actually look like? In this post, I'm going to give you everything you need to kick off your writing practice and become a better writer faster.

100 Top Writing Practice Lessons and Exercises

What Is Writing Practice?

Writing practice is a method of becoming a better writer that usually involves reading lessons about the writing process, using writing prompts, doing creative writing exercises , or finishing writing pieces, like essays, short stories , novels , or books . The best writing practice is deliberate, timed, and involves feedback.

How Do You Practice Writing?

This was the question I had when I first started The Write Practice in 2011. I knew how to practice a sport and how to practice playing an instrument. But for some reason, even after studying it in college, I wasn't sure how to practice writing.

I set out to create the best writing practice I could. The Write Practice is the result.

I found that the best writing practice has three aspects:

Deliberate . Writing whatever you feel like may be cathartic, but it's not an effective way to become a better writer or build your writing skills. You'll get better faster by practicing a specific technique or aspect of the writing process each time you sit down to write.

This is why we have a new lesson about the writing process each day on The Write Practice, followed by a practice prompt at the end so you can put what you learned to use immediately.

Timed . It's no secret writers struggle with focus. There are just too many interesting distractions—Facebook, email, Kim Kardashian's Instagram feed (just kidding about that last one, sort of)—and writing is just too hard sometimes.

Setting a timer, even for just fifteen minutes, is an easy and effective way to stay focused on what's important.

This is why in our writing practice prompt at the end of each post we have a time limit, usually with a link to an online tool egg timer , so you can focus on deliberate practice without getting distracted.

Feedback . Getting feedback is one of the requirements to deliberately practice writing or any other craft. Feedback can look like listening to the reactions of your readers or asking for constructive criticism from editors and other writers.

This is why we ask you to post your writing practice after each lesson, so that you can get feedback from other writers in The Write Practice community. It's also why we set up The Write Practice Pro community , to provide critique groups for writers to get feedback on each finished piece of writing.

Our 100+ Best Creative Writing Practice Exercises and Lessons

Now that you know how we practice writing at The Write Practice, here are our best writing practice lessons to jumpstart your writing skills with some daily writing exercises, for beginner writers to even the most expert writers:

All-Time, Top 10 Writing Lessons and Exercises

These ten posts are our most viewed articles to boost your writing practice:

1. What is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot and How to Use Them . Great stories use similar elements in wildly different ways to build page-turning stories. Click here to read what they are and learn how to start using them !

2. Top 100 Short Story Ideas . Here are over a hundred writing prompts in a variety of genres. If you need ideas for your next story, check this out!

3. How To Use Neither, Nor, Or, and Nor Correctly . Even good writers struggle figuring out when to use neither/nor and either/or. In this post, our copy-queen Liz Bureman settles the confusion once and for all. Click to continue to the writing exercise

4. Ten Secrets To Write Better Stories . How does Pixar manage to create such great stories, year after year? And how do you write a good story? In this post, I distill everything I've learned about how to write a good story into ten tips. Click to continue to the writing exercise

5. 35 Questions To Ask Your Characters From Marcel Proust . To get to know my characters better, I use a list of questions known as the Proust Questionnaire, made famous by French author, Marcel Proust. Click to continue to the writing exercise

6. How a Scene List Can Change Your Novel-Writing Life . Creating a scene list changed my novel-writing life, and doing the same will change yours too. Includes examples of the scene lists from famous authors. Click to continue to the writing exercise

7. Why You Need to be Using the Oxford Comma . Most people I've met have no idea what the Oxford comma is, but it's probably something that you have used frequently in your writing. Click to continue to the writing exercise

8. Six Surprising Ways to Write Better Interview Questions. The interview is the most-used tool in a journalist's bag. But that doesn't mean novelists, bloggers, and even students can't and don't interview people. Here's how to conduct a great interview. Click to continue to the writing exercise

9. Why You Should Try Writing in Second Person . You've probably used first person and third person point-of-view already. But what about second person? This post explains three reasons why you should try writing from this point-of-view. Click to continue to the writing exercise

10. The Secret to Show, Don't Tell . You've heard the classic writing rule, “Show. Don't Tell.” Every writing blog ever has talked about it, and for good reason. Showing, for some reason, is really difficult. Click to continue to the writing exercise.

12 Exercises and Lessons To Become a Better Writer

How do you become a better writer? These posts share our best advice:

Want to Be a Better Writer? Cut These 7 Words
What I Mean When I Say I Am A Writer
How to Become a Writer: 3 Simple Steps
72% of Writers Struggle With THIS
7 Lies About Becoming a Writer That You Probably Believe
10 Questions to Find Your Unique Writing Voice
The Best Writing Book I’ve Ever Read
The Best Way to Become a Better Writer
The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Tools You Can’t Write Without
Should You Write More or Write Better: Quantity vs Quality
How to Become a Better Writer in One, Simple Step
11 Writing Tips That Will Change Your Life

6 Lessons and Exercises from Great Writers

If you want to be a writer, learn from the great writers who have gone before you:

23 Essential Quotes from Ernest Hemingway About Writing
29 Quotes that Explain How to Become a Better Writer
10 Lessons Dr. Seuss Can Teach Writers
10 Writing Tips from Ursula Le Guin
Once Upon a Time: Pixar Prompt
All the Pretty Words: Writing In the Style of Cormac McCarthy

12 Genre and Format Specific Writing Lessons and Exercises

Here are our best writing lessons for specific types of writing, including essays, screenplays, memoir, short stories, children's books, and humor writing:

Writing an Essay? Here Are 10 Effective Tips
How To Write a Screenplay: The 5 Step Process
How to Write a Great Memoir: a Complete Guide
How to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish
How to Write a Thriller Novel
How to Write a Children's Book
How to Write a Love Story
How to Write a Coming of Age Story or Book
How to Write an Adventure Book
5 Key Elements for Successful Short Stories
4 Tips to Write a Novel That Will Be Adapted Into a Movie
Humor Writing for People Who Aren’t Funny

14 Characterization Lessons and Exercises

Good characters are the foundation of good fiction. Here are our best lessons to create better characters:

Character Development: How to Create Characters Audiences Will Love
Writing Villains: 9 Evil Examples of the Villain Archetype
How NOT to Introduce a New Character
The Strongest Form of Characterization
The Most Important Character Archetype
How Do You Build A Strong Character In Your Writing?
75+ Antihero Examples and How to Use Them
How to Explore Your Characters’ Motivations
8 Tips for Naming Characters
The Protagonist: How to Center Your Story
Heroes vs. Anti-Heroes: Which Is Right For Your Story?
The Weakest Form of Characterization
How to Write With an Accent
How To Create a Character Sketch Using Scrivener

15 Grammar Lessons and Exercises

I talk to so many writers, some of whom are published authors, who struggle with grammar. Here are our best writing lessons on grammar:

Is It Okay To End A Sentence With A Preposition?
Contractions List: When To Use and When To Avoid
Good vs. Well
Connotation vs. Denotation
Per Se vs. Per Say
When You SHOULD Use Passive Voice
When Do You Use “Quotation Marks”
Polysyndeton and Asyndeton: Definition and Examples
The Case Against Twilight
Affect Versus Effect
Stop Saying “Literally”
What Is a Comma Splice? And Why Do Editors Hate Them?
Intra vs. Inter: Why No One Plays Intermural Sports
Alright and Alot: Words That Are Not Words
The Poor, Misunderstood Semicolon

4 Journalism Lessons and Exercises

Want to be a journalist? Or even use techniques from journalism to improve your novel, essay, or screenplay? Here are our best writing lessons on journalism:

Six Ways to Ask Better Questions In Interviews
How Should You Interview Someone? Over Email? In Person?
What If They Don’t Want to Talk to You?
Eleven Habits of a Highly Effective Interviewers

16 Plot and Structure Lessons and Exercises

Want to write a good story? Our top plot and structure lessons will help:

The Ten Types of Story and How to Master Them
Points of a Story: 6 Plot Points Every Story Needs
How to Shape a Story: The 6 Arcs
7 Keys To Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel
The Secret to Creating Conflict
4 Tips to Avoid Having Your Short Story Rejected by a Literary Magazine
7 Steps to Creating Suspense
5 Elements of Storytelling
3 Important Rules for Writing Endings
A Writer’s Cheatsheet to Plot and Structure
Overcoming the Monster
How to Satisfy Your Reader With a Great Ending
Pow! Boom! Ka-Pow! 5 Tips to Write Fight Scenes
The Dramatic Question and Suspense in Fiction
How to Write a Memorable Beginning and Ending
How to Write the Perfect First Page

6 Lessons and Exercises to Beat Writer's Block

Writer's block is real, and it can completely derail your writing. Here are six lessons to get writing again:

How To Write Whether You Feel Like it Or Not
This Fun Creative Writing Exercise Will Change Your Life
When You Should Be Writing But Can't…
What to do When Your Word Count is Too Low
7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower
When You Don’t Know What to Write, Write About Your Insecurities

7 Literary Technique Lessons and Exercises

These writing and storytelling techniques will teach you a few tricks of the trade you may not have discovered before:

3 Tips to “Show, Don’t Tell” Emotions and Moods
3 Reasons to Write Stream of Consciousness Narrative
16 Observations About Real Dialogue
Intertextuality As A Literary Device
Why You Should Use Symbolism In Your Writing
6 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Poetry and Prose
3 Tips To Write Modern Allegorical Novels
Symbol vs. Motif: What’s the Difference

3 Inspirational Writing Lessons and Exercises

Need some inspiration? Here are three of our most inspiring posts:

Why We Write: Four Reasons
You Must Remember Every Scar
17 Reasons to Write Something NOW

3 Publishing Blogging Lessons and Exercises

If you want to get published, these three lessons will help:

The Secret to Writing On Your Blog Every Day
How to Publish Your Book and Sell Your First 1,000 Copies
How to Get Published in Literary Magazines

11 Writing Prompts

Need inspiration or just a kick in the pants to write. Try one of our top writing prompts :

Grandfathers [writing prompt]
Out of Place [writing prompt]
Sleepless [writing prompt]
Longing [writing prompt]
Write About Yourself [writing prompt]
3 Reasons You Should Write Ghost Stories
Road Trip [writing prompt]
Morning [writing prompt]
The Beach [writing prompt]
Fall [writing prompt]
How to Use Six-Word Stories As Writing Prompts

Is It Time To Begin Your Writing Practice?

It's clear that if you want to become a writer, you need to practice writing. We've created a proven process to practice your writing at The Write Practice, but even if you don't join our community, I hope you'll start practicing in some way today.

Personally, I waited far too long to start practicing and it set my writing back years.

How about you? Do you think practicing writing is important? Let me know in the comments section .

Choose one of the writing practice posts above. Then, read the lesson and participate in the writing exercise, posting your work in the Pro Practice Workshop . And if you post, please give feedback to your fellow writers who also posted their practices.

Have fun and happy practicing!

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

50 Comments

You have THE BEST content for writing on this blog!!

Thank you, Kristen. This made my morning. 🙂

Thanks Mitch. 🙂

I can’t remember when I started following this website. I have to look in my notebooks because that’s where I did these practices. I didn’t have access to a computer when I did them, so I wrote them out, setting the time limit. But even when I do get to a computer, I have my reservations about putting my practices on the page. even though it’s practice, I want them to be the best, almost perfect. But I know it won’t be. I’ve gotten feedback before that says so. It still gets to me that I didn’t put something together that not everyone liked. I need to get over it. After all, that is what these practices are about: to learn and improve on our craft.

I don’t know either, George, but it’s been several years. Perfectionism is something so many of us face, and it’s made worse when you don’t have a critique community as warm and encouraging as ours is. I hope you and everyone here are always willing to try something new, even if it comes out a little messed up, because you know we’ll support you and try to make you better.

What a great share! Thanks so much!

You’re so welcome, Elizabeth. Thank you for commenting.

when I ran writing classes I wrote. when I am “a member of writing classes” the teacher/leader/facilitator is NOT MY AUDIENCE and so I don’t write as well/as much. I don’t get the feedback I need from fellow students because most of them have never run their own writing projects/workshops. So many people expect you to write their story for them. I’ve actually got quite a few stories of me own. I have finally decided I like owning them. 😉

It sounds like you need a new critique group, Patience! Hope you can find a place where you get the feedback you need.

Wow! Terrific round-up of resources. 🙂

Thanks Stephanie. 🙂

Practice is necessary, period. It doesn’t matter what you want to learn. If you want to improve, practice is vital.

It’s odd. I’ve known and applied that principle for years on a variety of things. Painting. Drawing. Blogging. Gardening. Laundry.

But never writing.

Like you, I had the notion that just writing every day was all it took to improve. Why not the same level of dedication to writing?

Perhaps it’s time to change that!

I can relate, Carrie. It’s easy to confuse the craft of writing with journaling, thinking that you can just write whatever you feel like and you’ll get better, write something worth reading. The truth is that writing interesting things to read is a skill, but the good news is that you can get better at it with practice. Thanks for practicing with us! 🙂

I love these suggestions , and have set Writing Practice as my homepage so the first 15 minutes of my day is spent writing, whether its a practice or exercise here or another that is sprinkled through out this site, Thank you for all you do everyone here at The Write Practice

This is great Debra. I want to write the first 15 minutes of my day too!

I agree with Joe, Do it. Could be your to do list… ( that could lead to something else story wse later)

I love that, Debra. Such a good way to start your day.

Thanks Joe!

The best! Thank you so much for this.

You’re very welcome!

I simply LOVE all the tips and suggestions given on this blog. They are super helpful!

THANK you. We love sharing them with you. 🙂

Hi! You forgot the link to How to Write a Story a Week: A Day-by-Day Guide.

Thanks a lot for your work! This post is amazing.

It’s a great post Thiago. Definitely one of our most shared. Thanks for mentioning it! BTW here’s the link:

https://thewritepractice.com/a-story-a-week/

Wow!! There are so many exercises…. I just love it..! I am gonna really enjoy it..!

Awesome! Thank you for reading and practicing with us. 🙂

I only read halfway , My tootie is jumping all over me, and typing this is a struggle when a 3yr old wants his Toy Story movie on Youtube in this computer. Thank you for this article, will come back later to finish reading.

I know the feeling! Good luck!

Can’t wait to get stuck in with this! 🙂

Very helpful! Thank you!

I’ve just bookmarked this page. Thanks for this wonderful list.

This is awesome! So many helpful tips. I will be coming back to this often. Thanks for posting this!

Wow, so many goodies! Thank you for always providing such amazing content!!

I have enjoyed all these articles. Thank you for the help an inspiration to get my writing on its way. My creativity is boosting with confidence. Tootle loo.

Amazing contents for beginners like me Joe. I am highly inspired by your commitment. Thank you.

Hey, thanks!

Although I have only read half of thisc article, the practice exercises are excellent. Some of them are exactly what a beginning writer like myself needs. I am committing to at least try ALL of them. Thanks Joe!!

very helpful! thank you..

Amazing articles! Thanks so much for sharing!

My god this article made me love this site . You know it’s kinda hard for a beginner writer, who don’t know where to start and fixing goals, even samll ones give us a direction . A place to go , an aim for our creativity so thanks you , this community and this site. Love you all . At your pens ! 😉

Wow. This is great. I find all your posts informative, but this one is the best for me to use as a guide to get my self starting to write….Thank you.

I’m an old lady who wants to publish one more book before I die — have published several, all non-fiction, and done two under contract to a major publisher (reference books). So help me, the BIGGEST problem I have all along, is keeping track of the damned paper work and research that goes into a book!!! Yet I never ever see articles on something as simple as “How to file” — Oh I know, there’s wonderful software these days so probably I will never find a way to get paper organized — everybody will use software and do it on the computer. I’m too old for that — just one look at the learning curve for software, even putting the damned stuff into computer files is even MORE frustrating than paper!! Oh well, somehow I managed in the past to get books published, I may be able to do it one more time.

you enjoy writing more than anything else and you do indeed care to help others write. I love writing but translation from Arabic into English and English into Arabic is taking all of my time from the early hours of the morning till the evening. I will soon get all of your books in order to read them as soon as possible. One thing I am sure of. You know what you are doing very well. Hamzah

Excellent! Many useful tips. Many thanks!

Liz and Joe, I have only looked at a few exercises. Already, I am convinced that your site is one of the best sites out there. Thank your for sharing your wisdom.

Wow, these are the best lessons and exercises for writing. Actually i’m participating in a compitition this wendsday. so, i’m quite nervous and exited. this helped me a lot

Magnificent post ever I have read. This article will help me a lot to write a right way. Thank you.

i need your help to improve to become a better writer please. i think i usually commit moist of these errors and i don;t pay attention to many advices too.

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11 Creative Writing Exercises To Awaken Your Inner Author

I believe there’s a writer inside of all of us.

Even if you don’t think you write well, you do have something to say.

You have a story to tell, knowledge to impart , and experiences to share.

You’ve lived a full life that’s packed with observations and adventures, and you shouldn’t exit this Earth without chronicling them in some way.

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, your life is the laboratory for creating a great book or story.

If you can talk, you can write — even if you need to brush up on grammar and spelling. You’ll naturally become a better writer the more you write.

You’ll learn how to organize ideas, make smooth transitions, and expand your vocabulary.

Reading also improves your writing, so if you have the tiniest desire to write well, read a wide variety of books in different genres.

You can accelerate your writing competence with some simple writing exercises.

Your inner creative muscle needs exertion to stay fit and strong — but writing exercises don’t need to be drudgery.

They can be fun and exciting as you see how much creative juice you have just waiting to be squeezed.

These creative exercises should be practiced without self-judgment, inner filters, or concern about what a reader might think.

The purpose is to allow your creative mind complete freedom to cut loose.

You don’t have to show these writing exercises to anyone if you don’t want to.

It’s a good weekly practice engage in writers exercises to what catches your imagination and awakens your inner author .

1. Answer 3 questions.

2. write a letter to your younger self., 3. use writing prompts., 4. write about your expertise. , 5. write a stream of consciousness page., 6. write a story told to you., 7. pretend to be someone else. , 8. write about something or someone who changed your life., 9. describe your surroundings., 10. pick a number., 11. describe a dream of yours — or the life of your dreams., what are creative writing exercises.

“Perfect” writers don’t exist. Even Ernest Hemingway and Alice Walker honed the craft right up to their waning days. Growth, improvement, and experimentation are the clarion calls of professional and aspiring scribes. And those who succeed put in the work.

That’s where creative writing exercises come in, as they’re designed to help you play with words in a non-judgmental environment.

Common “craft-sharpening” writing games and tools include:

Prompt prose
Timed freewriting
Stream-of-consciousness exercises
Vocabulary teasers / mad libs
Restricted writing (i.e., every sentence must start with a verb, certain words cannot be mentioned, et cetera)

Serious writers — and people serious about becoming better writers — are perpetually composing pieces that will never see the light of day. But just as a tennis player hits thousands of serves during practice sessions, writers scribe thousands of short language exercises. To continue the sports analogy: Writing exercises are the equivalent of an athlete stretching before a game or match.

Here are 11 creative writing exercises to get you started:

In this exercise, you’ll use three questions to stimulate creative thought. You can write these questions yourself, but I’ll give you some examples to show you what to do.

You want to answer the questions as quickly as you can, with whatever ideas pop into your mind.

Write as much or as little as you wish, but just allow the words to flow without pondering too much what you want to say.

Who just snuck out the back window?
What were they carrying?
Where were they going?
Who is Ethan?
Why is he crying?
What is he going to do about it?
Whose house is Julia leaving?
Why was she there?
Where is she going now?

In this exercise, you are writing to yourself at a younger age. It can be your childhood self or yourself just a few years back.

man at coffee house with laptop creative writing Exercises

You can offer advice, compassion, explanation, forgiveness, or praise.

Or you can simply recount an experience you had and how it impacted you as your adult self now.

Try to see this younger self as a real and separate person when you write the letter. This exercise helps you think about your reader as a real person with emotions — a person who can be moved and inspired by your writing.

Again, try not to overthink this exercise. Spend a few minutes deciding the core message of the letter, and then just start writing without filters.

A writing prompt is an idea that jumpstarts the writing process.

The prompt can be a short sentence, a paragraph, or even a picture, but the purpose is the same — to ignite your creativity so you’ll begin writing.

Writing prompts can help you when you feel stuck while writing your book.

If you take ten minutes to work on a writing prompt, you can go back to your book writing primed to get down to business. It stimulates ideas for a writer and releases the creative process.

Here are a few prompts you can use:

Think about something you know how to do well. It can be anything from washing the dishes to selling stocks.

Write a few paragraphs (or more if you wish) explaining some aspect of how to do what you do.

Assume your reader is completely ignorant about the subject.

This writing shouldn’t sound like a dry instruction manual. Try to write in a conversational style, as though you’re verbally explaining the process.

Break down the steps in a way that makes the reader understand exactly what to do, without using business jargon or buzzwords.

This is an easy and fun exercise. You want to write it in longhand rather than typing on your computer, as handwriting slows down the process and allows more time for your creative brain to do its work.

Grab a pen and blank pad and simply start writing. Write down whatever comes into your brain, no matter how nonsensical or disjointed.

man using quill to write creative writing Exercises

There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages — they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.

In this exercise, you want to recount a story told to you by another person.

It can be a story one of your parents or grandparents shared about something that happened many years ago, or it can be a more recent event a friend or family member recounted.

Or you can tell a story you learned in school or through reading about a well-known person or event.

The story can be funny, sad, or educational — but it should be interesting, entertaining, or engaging in some way.

Whether your book is fiction or non-fiction, readers love stories. They enjoy relating to the lives and experiences of other people.

When you share stories in your writing, you humanize your writing and take your readers on a small journey.

In this exercise, you’ll practice writing from another person’s perspective. You can choose a person you know well, or you can write from the point of view of an imagined character.

Put yourself in this person’s shoes, see things through their eyes, and react the way they would react.

Choose one situation, encounter, or setting, and write what you see, hear, think, and feel about the scenario. Get inside of this person’s brain, and try to be as descriptive as possible.

You can write a paragraph or several pages if you’re inspired.

In this exercise, rather than telling the story of someone else or pretending to be another person, you want to share your story from your perspective.

Write about a person or event that has profoundly impacted you and changed your life.

Rather than simply recounting the situation, talk about how it made you feel, what your reactions were, and how you were changed on the inside as well as the outside.

Pour your heart into this writing. Remember, you don’t have to show it to anyone, so be completely vulnerable and real in this exercise.

How These Exercises Can Make You a Better Writer

At first explanation, writing exercises may sound a tad tedious. But people who do them improve by leaps and bounds.

For starters, it all comes down to the human brain’s wiring. In short, every thought and idea we have is conducted by electrical impulses that torpedo around our nervous systems. When we practice something, the associated “circuits” grow myelin, a biological cushion that protects nerves. The added shielding optimizes the relevant electrical paths, rendering them more efficient.

In other words: The more you do something, the better you’ll get. It doesn’t matter if you have an IQ of 80 or 180. Practice yields results. With writing, the more you do it, the better work you’ll produce.

Specifically, creative prose lessons also:

Keep your creativity muscles limber
Help exercise your vocabulary
Present opportunities to think about ideas and situations from different perspectives
Help writers workshop characters, plots, and ideas

Final Thoughts

No matter how experienced you are as a writer, you can always improve and tap deeper into the wellspring of your own creativity.

You can always learn new ways to express yourself and delight your reader.

View these writing exercises as a means to opening doors of insight and imagination and enjoy the process of becoming a better writer.

I believe there's a writer in all of us. Try these 11 creative writing exercises to see what catches your imagination and awakens your inner author. #writing #writingtips #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writinginspiration #author #amwriting #selfpublishing

14 Creative Writing Exercises to Improve Your Writing

Allison Bressmer

Whether writing is a hobby or a career for you, developing consistent writing habits is key to becoming a better writer.

Blank pages are intimidating. Commit to writing every day to conquer that page and develop your writing skills and style.

By engaging in intentional writing exercises daily, you’ll hone your skills and develop a creative mindset.

These creative writing exercises will get you started immediately!

14 Best Writing Exercises to Try (For Beginners AND Pros)

How do you improve your writing skills, 1. practice freewriting.

To freewrite , set your fingers on your keyboard and start writing; don’t worry about mistakes. Your freewriting is for your eyes only and your goal is simply to get words on the page.

Stuck for a topic? Choose an object you can see—your coffee cup; your sofa; the beat-up (or not) car across the street.

Now, write about the object. You might describe it, tell a story about it, analyze its usefulness—anything is fine. Allow your stream of consciousness to flow and bring ideas to the surface.

The endgame of this writing exercise isn’t to produce great writing about boring objects; it’s to work your writing muscles.

As you search for ways to make these objects interesting, you’ll find unexpected ideas, word choices, and wordplays.

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, calls freewriting exercises “Morning Pages” and advises all writers to practice freewriting every day, first thing in the morning, right after waking up.

2. Use Story Starters

Story starters or writing prompts are creative writing exercises that can help you escape a creative rut.

A writing prompt can be anything—a single sentence, a short paragraph, a word. You could even use the first line of a favorite book or newspaper article and take the story in a new direction.

Try building a story from one of these prompts:

I opened the window.
We disagreed.
“It was a pleasure to burn.” (Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 )

There are many places to find story starters and writing prompts online, such as Daily Prompt .

3. Write a “Dear Younger Me” Letter

What would you like to say to yourself five, ten, 20, or 50 years ago? Go ahead and write a letter to that younger self!

Maybe you’ll offer advice or reassurance, relive a special moment with them, or tell them how you’ve changed, or haven’t, since you were “their” age.

Another option: imagine what someone else in your life would say to you at a particular time and write from that person’s perspective.

This activity is a great creative writing exercise and a way to tap into your emotions.

4. Do a Point of View (POV) Switch

Take a segment from a favorite book. Rewrite that segment from a different character’s point of view.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is written in third-person limited POV. A third-person narrator tells the story, but focuses on Harry’s thoughts and feelings.

In your rewrite, focus on Hermione’s POV. What does she see that Harry doesn’t? What is she feeling and thinking?

As you write, notice how the story changes. Chances are, it will take on a distinct form and tone and may inspire an idea for a new story of your own.

Or rewrite the segment from an entirely different point of view. If the original is told from first-person POV, recreate it with a third-person narrator.

Note what other changes you’ll have to make because of that switch.

Should you include more or less sensory detail ? Should you adjust what’s revealed about each character thinks or feels?

This writing exercise can help you determine what POV you like writing in best and demonstrate how a single story can be told in several ways.

5. Put Yourself in the Middle of the Action

Put yourse;f in the middle of the action

Take a story that resonates with you.

Rewrite the story as if you’re the main character.

Now that you’ve got eyes “inside” the story, can you expand on the details to make a situation more intense or to convey your feelings more fully? Can you think of ways to make the story more engaging?

As you generate ideas you’ll likely find a creative direction for a new story.

6. Eliminate Empty Words

Sentences contain working words and glue words. Working words tell your reader key information, convey emotions, and provide meaning. Glue words hold the working words together.

Streamline your phrasing to only use necessary glue words. Unnecessary glue words are empty words that clutter your sentences and slow your writing down.

There are, there is, there are, in, on, of, this, just are common glue words that can become empty.

In this sentence, “There are two birds sitting on the roof,” the only purpose of the words “there are” is to make the sentence complete. A better strategy is to use a stronger, more specific verb. For example, “Two birds perch on the roof” or “Two birds idle on the roof.”

ProWritingAid’s Sticky Sentences Report highlights sentences with too many glue words. With rephrasing and editing, you can streamline those sentences and keep your work moving fluently.

To practice, review a scene in your manuscript and restructure sentences to eliminate glue words.

Replace weak verbs with stronger ones and be economical with your word count. Don’t be afraid to cut; you can always go back and add details as needed.

You’ll find yourself choosing more precise words and constructing leaner, clearer sentences.

7. Outline Dialogue-Heavy Scenes

To create a natural back-and-forth exchange between characters, outline the dialogue in dialogue-heavy scenes first.

Don’t worry about writing descriptions, dialogue tags , or body language cues. Just write the basic dialogue.

Then, go back and evaluate what you need to add to express the characters’ tone, feelings, and personality more fully.

Tip: only use dialogue tags when the speaker’s identity isn’t clear. When they’re needed, it’s best to stick with said and asked . If the exchange needs intensity, add action beats—a telling glance or gesture to heighten the moment.

8. Replace Adjectives with Descriptions

Adjectives are powerful. However, they only tell what’s happening; they don’t give the reader an experience. In this sentence, the adjective tells us Peter’s feelings:

Watching the movie, Peter was scared!

Replacing this with a description allows the reader to experience fear along with Peter:

When the headless bleeding corpse slithered out from the box in the attic, Peter screamed and ducked behind the sofa!

Now you try.

Review your draft. Look for adjectives you can replace with descriptions.

Use sensory words so your reader can experience the smells, touches, sights, sounds, or tastes you describe.

ProWritingAid’s Sensory Report helps you balance sensory details by analyzing the emphasis you put on each sense. For example, in this sample, my writing has a heavy sight-emphasis.

The report measures 67% of the sensory words as appealing to sight, letting me know I might want to make adjustments and create a more balanced experience.

9. Blog Every Day

Blogging every day encourages regular writing habits and is great practice for any writer.

You can consult online resources for tips on how to find a blog topic or niche.

For example, you might decide to focus on food, on being a teacher, on being a millennial, on parenting, or on being a millennial who is a teacher and a parent!

Focus on a different aspect of that topic each day—even if you simply write a “Day in the Life of a _ _ _ _ _” series.

This limited focus provides a framework, but leaves plenty of room for creativity. Explore within that framework as you develop your voice and style.

For an extra challenge, limit the number of words you write. On slower days, the number will serve as a target. On days when ideas flow, it will help you ensure that each word matters.

10. Write a 500-Word Story

In the writing world, a 500-word story is an example of “ flash fiction. ”

Flash fiction includes all the elements of plot, conflict, and character development, but since it’s so short, every word counts.

Want to try? Write a fully formed story that includes these three words: rose, glass, forbid . Add no more than 497 additional words of your choice!

This exercise will help you focus on story structure, word choice, and powerful imagery.

11. Set a Captivating Mood

Readers should be intrigued by the story and drawn into the setting so they can feel for and with your characters. To make that happen, create a mood.

In Creating Short Fiction , Damon Knight suggests imagining you’re a character in a room. Describe what’s happening in that room and how the character sees, experiences, and responds to those surroundings.

Put the exercise into practice. Imagine an enemy from your past just called you, saying, “I’m outside your door.”

Now describe the space around you. Do everyday objects become potential weapons? Is the air heavy with dread or charged with fear or filled with fury?

12. Be Observant

Pay close attention to your own reality and the emotions you experience in response.

Let’s imagine you’re sitting on a beach. Engage your senses and observe your emotions.

What do you see, hear, taste, smell? What does it feel like to sit in the sun and sand?

Are you feeling excited? Tranquil? Contemplative? What’s triggering that emotion?

Perhaps the roaring waves make you feel small and insignificant—or invigorated! Maybe the ocean is quiet, and the small waves’ gentle rhythm soothes you,

Capture those details and feelings in a journal (or on your phone!). Later, write a scene based in that setting, using those captured details to create sensations and evoke emotions.

13. Practice Empathy

Being sensitive to the feelings of others and seeing the world through their eyes will help you create well-developed characters .

Imagine a mother struggling with a stroller and shopping bags on the bus. Her kids are loud, they press the stop button repeatedly, and she has to take a phone call. Passengers are obviously annoyed.

Write the scene from the mother’s perspective, considering her feelings and frustration. Does she notice the passengers’ anger? Who is calling her? Where is she trying to go?

This exercise also works when you make it personal, though it may be emotionally challenging.

Rewrite a part of your life from the perspective of someone you hold negative feelings about—an ex, an enemy, a boss. Consider their feelings and tell “their side.”

14. Group Writing Exercises

Groups can trigger creative writing ideas.

Give each member time to write one or two themes (one sentence each) for a holiday story.

Shuffle those submissions and redistribute them randomly.

For online groups, post the themes in chat and have everyone use the entry following their own.

Set a timer for ten minutes, during which each writer creates a story fitting their assigned theme.

Then, share your stories! Keep the exercise going with a story swap. Have a new author continue each narrative.

Stephen King once observed:

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”

Reading and observing the work of other writers is essential to developing your skills, but isn’t enough on its own.

You must give your writing skills a workout—and these 14 creative writing exercises provide the perfect starting point.

You don’t have to work alone! Professional bloggers, novelists, copywriters, and other writers use ProWritingAid to receive personalized feedback on their work.

It’s a one-stop tool to help you evaluate, edit, and improve your writing. Try it out today.

Do you want to know how to build a world your readers won’t forget? Download this free book now:

World-Building 101: How to Construct an Unforgettable World for Your Fantasy or Sci-Fi Story!

This guide is for all the writers out there who want to construct an unforgettable world that your readers can’t help but get lost in, learn how to invent species, gods, monsters and more in our immersive guide..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Allison Bressmer is a professor of freshman composition and critical reading at a community college and a freelance writer. If she isn’t writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her reading a book or listening to a podcast while happily sipping a semi-sweet iced tea or happy-houring with friends. She lives in New York with her family. Connect at linkedin.com/in/allisonbressmer.

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10 Creative Writing Exercises to Progress Your Story

Creative writing exercises, woman with purple spirals

Written by Eira Edwards

17 january 2024, creative writing.

This post may include affiliate links. That means we may earn a commission if you buy through recommended links. See our full disclaimer policy .

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, we all know what it feels like to lose motivation. Or perhaps you’re a seasoned writer looking to break through a block. Wherever you are in your writing journey, creative writing exercises can help you untap your creativity.

What’s a Creative Writing Exercise?

They’re activities designed to stretch your creativity muscles, helping you to think outside the box and improve your writing skills. Creative writing exercises could involve anything from writing a poem based on a random prompt, to crafting a short story with a specific character in an unusual scenario, or even rewriting a well-known tale from a different perspective. The goal isn’t to produce a masterpiece, but rather to get your creative juices flowing and explore new ways of expressing ideas.

10 Creative Writing Exercises

Ready to dive in? Great! Let’s tackle the creative slump and progress any story with these 10 powerful writing exercises.

1. CONSTRUCT A SETTING

The first exercise that I recommend is the setting exercise. Pick a town or city anywhere in the world and research the location. What smells might exist there? What is the weather like? Research images of your chosen location and describe the sights and textures you see. This creative writing exercise will help you build a list of rich and engaging details to draw from as you write.

Let’s take Edinburgh as an example. I picture a crowded city, filled with breweries and distilleries. In winter winds, a hint of malt hangs in the air. Snow coats the roof tops, with temperatures averaging around 0°C. A white coating of frost blankets the ground and the trees…you get the idea.

The goal of this writing exercise is to build a list of rich and engaging details to draw from as you write. Plus, if you’re creating a new world, this exercise will help ground your setting.

2. USE LISTS TO ORGANISE YOUR PLOT

If you’re stuck on how to progress your story, start making lists. Use sticky notes, notebooks or go digital. List your chapters, then list the scenes you have in each chapter. From there, inspiration might click — is there a gap in the story or a link between one scene and another?

A tip when using sticky notes: Move them around and change up your narrative. Insert more sticky notes. Throw away the ones that aren’t working.

3. THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER

A stranger enters your character’s life. Who is the stranger, what do they want and what will they do to get it?

Let’s say, a woman moves in next door. She has sinister motives and is willing to do anything, even murder, to get what she wants.

This creative writing exercise helps you to start thinking about how you might pitch your novel. It also can help you find the essence of your story.

4. Beyond the page

Reveal a secret that sends your protagonist on a very different path. How do you reveal the secret? What will your character do to hide their secret for as long as possible?

Let’s imagine a bankrupt lawyer is forced to take a loan from a local gang , he hides it from his family, friends and colleagues . But his lies soon pile up , and desperate to hide his financial woes , he descends into a dark criminal world to pay back his creditors.

5. Three act structure

In John Yorke’s Into The Woods, Yorke states: “Everything must have a beginning, middle and end.” And so, he introduces the three act structure, which is identified in most modern narratives. Take a look below:

Act one – the inciting incident
Act two – the journey
Act three – the crisis, climax and resolution

Using the three act structure, start planning your novel. When you find a gap, it’s time to pause and assess. For instance, if there’s no clear inciting incident, then it’s time to create one. No climax? Build more excitement towards the final resolution of your story.

This writing exercise will help you diagnose problems within your story.

For more information, pick up Yorke’s book which explains the three act structure in detail, and the five act structure, too.

6. Links through time

Choose three time periods, and create a character or setting which links them all.

For example, a town’s infamous haunted house is occupied by three different families for a brief period during three different decades.

This writing exercise is a great place to start when you’re working through new concepts for your novel.

7. Bucket list

Create a list of twenty things that would appear on your protagonist’s bucket list. Make sure each entry on the list reveals character in some way. Not everyone wants to jump out of an aeroplane, nor does everyone want to get married. So, a bucket list can be quite telling.

For example, my protagonist might include “visit every continent” on their bucket list as they’ve never ventured further than the next town.

This writing exercise will help you flesh out your characters.

8. Hobbyist

Developing personalities that are complex and multidimensional can be a daunting task. This is where the art of assigning hobbies to characters come into play. This exercise not only helps flesh out your characters but also reveals their unique quirks and motivations.

Hobbies can serve as a subtle but effective way to build an engaging character. It can provide the readers with a glimpse into a character’s personality and interests. It goes without saying that the hobbies you choose should complement your character’s traits. For example, a shy or introverted character might find solace in activities such as painting, knitting, or reading. On the other hand, an outgoing and adventurous character may be drawn to outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing or surfing.

While the purpose of this exercise is to give your characters depth, it’s important to not get carried away. Many writers make the mistake of including too many details, intending to make their characters more interesting. Sadly, this can distract readers from the main story and shift focus to the characters. Not all information about your characters needs to be included in your novel. Keep your characters’ hobbies in mind but only reveal them when it benefits the story.

9. USe all five senses

One excellent technique you can use to include all five senses in your writing is to identify a scene in your work that you feel might need some improvement. Establish the setting and use it as a canvas to paint a world rich and vibrant with sensory details that will help readers experience the scene as realistically as possible.

For instance, if you’re writing about an abandoned hotel, you might focus on describing the musty smell of the building and the creaking sound of the wooden floorboards beneath your character’s feet. Describe the texture of the peeling wallpaper and the coolness of the metal doorknobs. Mention the taste of the dust that has collected in the corners of the room and the eerie silence that hangs in the air in the otherwise empty building.

If you’re ready to go even further with this exercise, look to develop your sensory writing skills and consider how you can use more expressive language in your work. For example, instead of using the word “cold,” you might write “biting cold,” “freezing cold” or “bone-chilling cold.” Instead of describing a texture as “rough,” you can use the words “gritty,” “jagged,” or “abrasive.” Small changes like this have the power to bring your writing to life.

10. There's a shark behind you

Picture one of your characters standing in the ocean, the water up to their waist. But right in front of them, there’s a sign warning about the dangers of sharks. Then, suddenly, you, as the writer, shout, “There’s a shark behind you!”. What does your character do? How do they react? How does their fear take control of their actions?

This is where the magic happens in writing. As the author, you must watch your characters struggle with their fears and weaknesses. When readers see their favourite protagonist struggling with something as simple as arachnophobia, they feel connected to them. It makes the character feel more real, more flawed, and most importantly, more relatable.

Now for the next step in the exercise. Write down each of your character’s main fears. These fears could be anything from spiders to sharks, closed spaces, or even the dark! Once you’ve identified and written down each character’s fear, you can begin incorporating it into your storytelling.

GET MORE INSPIRATION

Creative writing exercises are a great way to overcome writer’s block and fuel your imagination. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just want to push yourself to try new things, exercises can help you develop as a writer and reach your full potential.

Want more writing inspiration? Find tips, tricks and ideas over on the blog .

Written By Eira Edwards

Eira is a writer and editor from the South of England with over five years of experience as a Content Manager, helping clients perfect their copy.

She has a degree in English Literature and Language, which she loves putting to work by working closely with fiction authors.

When she’s not working on manuscripts, you can find her in the woods with her partner and dog, or curling up with a good book.

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The Ultimate Guide to Creative Writing Exercises

Welcome, fellow writer! Are you looking to expand your creative writing skills? Perhaps you\’re seeking inspiration and new ideas to enhance your storytelling abilities? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we present you with the ultimate collection of creative writing exercises. Whether you\’re a novice or an experienced writer, these exercises will help you unlock your imagination, improve your writing technique, and push the boundaries of your creativity. So, grab your pen and paper, or sit in front of your trusty keyboard, as we embark on this exciting journey together.

The Importance of Creative Writing Exercises

Engaging in creative writing exercises is crucial for enhancing various writing skills, expanding vocabulary, and refining grammar. These exercises also have the power to boost creativity, stimulate imagination, and help writers overcome the dreaded writer\’s block.

Enhancing Writing Skills

Participating in creative writing exercises is an effective way to develop and improve vital writing skills. It provides an opportunity to practice and refine ideas, which is essential for any writer striving to create engaging and compelling content. Writers can experiment with different writing techniques, styles, and structures to enhance their storytelling abilities.

Additionally, creative writing exercises serve as a stepping stone for expanding vocabulary. By engaging in these exercises, writers can discover new words and phrases that can add depth and richness to their compositions. Regularly practicing these exercises helps writers become more comfortable and confident in utilizing a wide range of vocabulary.

Furthermore, these exercises contribute to refining grammar by providing a platform to practice syntax, sentence structure, and punctuation. Writers can experiment with different grammatical techniques and rules, allowing them to develop a stronger command over the English language.

Boosting Creativity

Creative writing exercises serve as a catalyst for boosting creativity and nurturing a writer\’s imaginative capabilities. They allow writers to break free from traditional writing boundaries and explore unconventional ideas and concepts. Through these exercises, writers can unlock their creative potential and develop unique writing styles that captivate readers.

By engaging in creative writing exercises, writers are encouraged to think outside the box and consider unusual perspectives and narratives. This process expands their creative horizons and gives them the freedom to experiment with different literary elements such as metaphors, similes, and symbolism.

Moreover, these exercises provide writers with the opportunity to explore various writing genres and experiment with different voices and tones. This versatility enhances their ability to adapt to different writing requirements and engage with a broader audience.

Overcoming Writer\’s Block

Writer\’s block can be a significant obstacle for anyone in the writing field. However, regular practice of creative writing exercises can help writers combat this creative stagnation. These exercises provide a safe space to freely express ideas and thoughts, breaking through mental barriers that hinder the creative process.

When faced with a blank page, engaging in creative writing exercises can serve as a warm-up routine, priming the writer\’s mind and allowing ideas to flow naturally. By consistently practicing these exercises, writers develop a habit of continuous writing, eliminating the fear of the dreaded blank page.

Additionally, these exercises can act as innovative prompts that trigger inspiration and kickstart the writing process. They alleviate the pressure of producing a masterpiece and encourage writers to focus on the joy of creating without any restrictions or expectations.

Ultimately, creative writing exercises hold immense importance for writers at any stage of their writing journey. They enhance writing skills, boost creativity, and provide a valuable outlet to overcome writer\’s block. By incorporating these exercises into daily writing routines, writers can continuously improve their craft and unleash their full artistic potential.

Types of Creative Writing Exercises

When it comes to enhancing your creative writing skills, practice makes perfect. Engaging in various creative writing exercises can help you sharpen your writing abilities and unlock your imagination. In this article, we will explore some of the best creative writing exercises that can help you take your writing to the next level.

Prompts and Story Starters

One of the most effective ways to kick-start your creative writing journey is by using prompts and story starters. These exercises provide writers with a starting point, igniting their creativity and giving them the direction they need to develop unique storylines. A prompt can be a word, a phrase, or even a picture that serves as inspiration for a story. It challenges writers to think outside the box and come up with imaginative and original ideas.

For example, you might be given a prompt like \”Write a story that begins with the sentence, \’The clock struck midnight, and everything changed.\’\” This prompt immediately grabs your attention and sets the stage for an intriguing and captivating story. By using prompts and story starters, writers can overcome writer\’s block and unlock the depths of their creativity.

Character Development Exercises

In order to create well-rounded and relatable characters, writers need to dive deep into their motivations, personalities, and flaws. Character development exercises are designed to help writers understand their characters on a deeper level and bring them to life on the page. These exercises allow writers to explore the psychological and emotional aspects of their characters, making them more believable and engaging.

One effective character development exercise is to create a character profile. This involves giving your character a name, age, background, and personality traits. You can also delve into their hopes, dreams, fears, and desires. By understanding your characters\’ motivations and characteristics, you can develop a more compelling and realistic story.

Descriptive Writing Exercises

Descriptive writing exercises are essential in helping writers sharpen their skills in portraying vivid sensory details, setting the scene, and creating a rich atmosphere. These exercises enable writers to paint a picture with words and transport their readers to different worlds and experiences.

One popular descriptive writing exercise is to write a detailed description of a specific location. This could be a bustling city street, a serene beach, or a mysterious forest. Writers are encouraged to use sensory language to bring the location to life, describing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures in vivid detail.

Another descriptive writing exercise involves describing a character\’s appearance. Writers can focus on physical attributes such as hair color, eye shape, and clothing style, but they can also delve into the character\’s facial expressions, body language, and overall demeanor. The goal is to create a clear and vivid image of the character in the reader\’s mind.

In conclusion, incorporating various creative writing exercises into your routine can greatly enhance your writing skills. Whether you\’re using prompts and story starters to ignite your imagination, focusing on character development to create well-rounded individuals, or practicing descriptive writing to bring your stories to life, these exercises are invaluable tools for any aspiring writer.

Practical Creative Writing Exercises to Try

When it comes to developing your creative writing skills, it\’s always helpful to engage in various exercises that can challenge your imagination and enhance your storytelling abilities. In this article, we will explore some of the best creative writing exercises that can help you unlock your creativity and take your writing to the next level.

Flash Fiction

Flash fiction is a form of storytelling that requires you to write a complete, self-contained story within a limited word count. This exercise is an excellent way to hone your ability to create a compelling narrative within tight constraints. It challenges you to carefully select your words and craft a story that is concise yet impactful.

When attempting flash fiction, it\’s crucial to focus on essential elements such as character development, plot progression, and resolution. With a restricted word count, every word matters, so you must make every sentence count. It\’s a great exercise to push your creativity and test your storytelling skills by creating a captivating story within a limited space.

The Five Senses Exercise

Engaging all the senses is crucial in creative writing. The five senses exercise allows you to practice using sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste to describe a particular scene or object. By incorporating sensory details, you can create a more immersive experience for your readers, making your writing more vivid and engaging.

Begin by selecting a scene or object to describe. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in that particular setting or holding that object. Pay attention to the sensory details surrounding it. What do you see? What sounds do you hear? What textures do you feel? What smells and tastes are present? Take note of all these details and use them to paint a vivid picture in your writing.

This exercise challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and explore sensory descriptions that you may not typically consider. It helps you develop your ability to evoke emotions and create a deeper connection between your readers and your writing.

Letter Writing

Letter writing is a creative writing exercise that allows you to practice different tones and perspectives while improving your storytelling techniques. You can write letters to friends, family members, fictional characters, or even yourself. This exercise provides an opportunity to experiment with different narrative voices and delve into the psychology of various characters.

By writing letters, you can explore different emotions, perspectives, and motives. You can present a character\’s inner thoughts and feelings and delve into their backstory. This exercise not only helps you develop your storytelling skills but also enhances your understanding of the personalities and motivations of your characters.

Moreover, letter writing can be a therapeutic exercise that allows you to express your thoughts and emotions in a safe and creative way. It provides a space for self-reflection and introspection, which can ultimately influence and enhance your storytelling abilities.

Engaging in practical creative writing exercises is an excellent way to develop and refine your skills as a writer. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, these exercises challenge you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and experiment with various writing techniques. So, grab a pen and paper, or open your laptop, and start exploring the vast landscape of your imagination through these creative writing exercises.

Tools and Resources for Creative Writing Exercises

In order to enhance your creative writing skills, here are some tools and resources that you can utilize:

Writing Prompts Websites

If you are struggling to come up with ideas for your creative writing exercises, there are numerous websites available that provide a vast array of writing prompts. These prompts are designed to help inspire creativity and encourage writers to practice regularly. With a simple click, you can have access to endless possibilities and ignite your imagination. From thought-provoking questions to intriguing scenarios, these websites offer a wide range of prompts suitable for all genres and levels of writing. Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, you can find a prompt that resonates with you and kick-start your writing journey.

Writing Workshops and Courses

If you crave guidance and a sense of community in your creative writing endeavors, consider participating in writing workshops or enrolling in creative writing courses. These workshops and courses provide valuable opportunities to learn new techniques, receive feedback from experienced writers, and connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Through interactive exercises, group discussions, and constructive critiques, you can refine your writing skills and hone your creative voice. Additionally, attending these workshops and courses can inspire you by exposing you to different writing styles and perspectives. The guidance and encouragement from instructors and fellow participants can boost your confidence and motivate you to explore new avenues in your writing.

Writing Apps and Software

In today\’s digital age, there is an abundance of mobile apps and software available specifically designed to assist writers. These apps and software offer various features to enhance the writing process and boost productivity. From providing writing prompts to setting timers for writing sprints, these tools are designed to keep you focused and motivated. Additionally, many writing apps and software offer organizational tools, allowing you to structure your writing projects, create outlines, and easily access your work across multiple devices. These digital tools not only streamline the writing process but also serve as a convenient platform to jot down ideas whenever inspiration strikes. With the convenience and functionality of these apps and software, you can nurture your creativity and make writing a seamless part of your daily routine.

By utilizing the aforementioned tools and resources, you can embark on a rewarding creative writing journey. Writing prompts websites can serve as a wellspring of inspiration, while writing workshops and courses can provide guidance and a supportive community. Writing apps and software offer practical features to enhance your productivity and organization. Whether you are just starting your creative writing adventure or looking to refine your skills, these tools and resources can ignite your imagination and help you unlock your full writing potential.

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16 Best Writing Exercises To Improve Your Writing

Alana Chase

With over 10 years’ experience in editing and editorial team management, Alana serves as Eleven's Head of Editing, aiding editors in creating top-quality content and overseeing recruitment to ensure only the best of the best join Eleven’s ranks. A seasoned digital journalist and writer, Alana holds an MA in Creative Writing and is accomplished in spearheading content strategy at high-growth media startups.

Whether you’re an established professional or a wordsmith in the making, writing exercises are hugely beneficial.

In fact, as a professional writing agency, we’ve seen firsthand how writing exercises can help you master your craft and write with greater confidence.

That’s why we put together this list of our favorite and most effective exercises for writers.

Think of it like a full-body workout routine for your creative muscles. Different exercises target different skills, building them up and keeping them strong. Below, you’ll find writing exercises to break through writer’s block, boost your creativity, develop your voice, and master the fundamentals of writing — all while having fun. We’ve even included “Level Up” challenges to push your writing skills even further.

Before you get started

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of writing exercises:

Exercise during your “prime writing time,” before other writing tasks. This is when you’re most focused and productive — whether that’s the early morning, middle of the day, or late evening. You’ll harness your peak creativity and get a nice warm-up.
Write in a designated space. This can be anywhere you’d like — your bedroom or home office, a local café, or a park nearby. Having a designated space for writing makes it easier for your brain to switch into creative mode.
Set clear goals. Think about what you want to achieve and choose exercises accordingly. You might want to practice explaining complex topics in simple terms, for example, or using descriptive language.
Keep an open mind. These exercises are meant to push you out of your comfort zone. Stay open to unexpected ideas, go with the flow, and be comfortable with being un comfortable. Just as muscles grow through resistance, your skills will develop as you challenge yourself and try new things.
Don’t overexert yourself. You may be tempted to tackle multiple exercises at a time, but be careful to avoid burnout. If you're doing an exercise before paid work, it's important you don't use up all your energy. Take short breaks between exercises, and only do a few at a time.

Best exercises to improve your writing

Now, let’s enter the “Writer’s Gym” and explore 16 exercises to improve your writing.

1. Freewrite, then condense by half

How it works: Ignites creativity and strengthens concision and self-editing skills.

Pick any topic you like, set a five-minute timer, and write whatever comes to mind. Don’t stop until the timer goes off.

Once time’s up, read through your free-written text and reset the timer. Rewrite your text in half as many words, conveying the same message or theme.

Halve the text again. (E.g., 100 words → 50 words → 25 words.)

2. The noun + verb exercise

How it works: Provides a launchpad for new work and teaches simplicity in storytelling.

“Take any noun, put it with any verb, and you have a sentence. It never fails.” — Stephen King

Inspired by a quote from Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft , this exercise is simple but effective: Pair a random noun with a random verb to form a sentence. Then, use this to begin a new piece of writing.

Here’s an example:

• Marienne [noun] + panicked [verb] → Marienne panicked. She felt her heart beat hard, blood rushing to her face, as the detective approached her. Did he suspect she was guilty?

3. Use random words, prompts, or plots

How it works: Encourages creative thinking, expands your vocabulary, and improves your ability to overcome writer’s block.

One of the best ways to get your creative juices flowing is to use random words, prompts, or plots as a starting point.

Many writers do it — and one even got a Grammy-winning result! When music producer Rick Rubin was working with the band System of a Down on a song, they were stuck on lyrics. Rubin told lead singer Serj Tankian to grab a book off his bookshelf, open ‌it to a random page, and say the first phrase he saw. Tankian did, and the phrase became a key part of the band’s smash hit, “Chop Suey!”, which won a Grammy in 2002.

Here are a few of our favorite resources and generators for random words, prompts, and plots:

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day : Write a paragraph using the word of the day, or build an entire scene around it.
WordCounter’s Random Word Generator : Request a string of random words and create a custom list of the ones you like most. Then, incorporate all your chosen words into a new piece of writing.
Reedsy’s Plot Generator : Pick a genre — or let Reedsy choose one for you — and get details about a protagonist, secondary character, plot, and plot twist. Craft a short story using this information.
ChatGPT : Ask the AI tool, “Provide me a list of 5 random writing prompts.” See what it generates, and write in response to the most interesting one.
Squibler’s Random Prompt Generator : Generate a writing prompt, select how many minutes (3-60) or words (75-1,667) you want to spend writing, and write directly within Squibler. There’s even a “hardcore mode” that hides your text until you reach your time or word goal.

4. Adopt a new perspective

How it works: Expands your narrative range and lets you see your writing from other perspectives.

Write in a perspective you don’t usually use.

For example, if you usually write in the first person (using I/me/my pronouns), challenge yourself to write a scene or explain a topic in the second person instead (from the reader’s point of view, using you/your/yours pronouns).

Or, if you normally write in the first or second person, try writing in the third person, using he/her/they/it pronouns as a narrator separate from the text.

Take an excerpt from an article, paper, short story, or book you enjoy. Rewrite the text in a different perspective (e.g., first person → second person, third person → first person, etc.).

Rewrite paragraphs from one of your existing drafts from a different person’s perspective. For instance, if you originally shared your unique ideas in an academic paper, rework some paragraphs from the perspective of someone who disagrees with your stance.

5. Write a letter

How it works: Encourages clear, concise expression and gets you comfortable with more personable writing.

Select a person you’re familiar with — a friend, relative, or even your past self — and write them a letter. Tell them a story, explain your viewpoint on a topic, or share a recent experience. Limit yourself to a single page.

6. The “I remember…” exercise

How it works: Lets you access deeper emotions and personal experiences, which can make your writing more authentic.

We discovered this exercise through memoirist and novelist Dani Shapiro . She shared it after reading Joe Brainard’s memoir I Remember , in which every paragraph (usually a single sentence) begins with “I remember.”

In this exercise, you’ll mirror Brainard’s method: Begin with “I remember,” write a sentence, and then build off it with another sentence beginning with “I remember.”

“We discover what we know through what we write on the page,” Shapiro explains. “Every single time you do this exercise, it’ll come out differently.”

7. Write your dialogue like a script

How it works: Hones your ability to create distinct voices and teaches you good conversational flow.

Craft a conversation between two characters without using dialogue tags — e.g., “I said,” “James whispered,” “you answered,” etc. — as if you were writing a script.

Novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin recommends this as a solid approach to writing dialogue. He even uses this exercise with his writing students .

“Invent whatever you want. Write a speech for each [character]. … Make each speech sound different from the other so you can instantly know just from the words [who’s speaking],” Martin instructs. “If they all sound the same, you have a problem.”

Try this exercise with three (or more) characters in the conversation.

8. Constrain your word count

How it works: Promotes concision and clarity by encouraging you to choose your words wisely.

Embrace the art of microfiction by writing a complete story in under 500 words.

Repeat the exercise with a word count limit of 250.

ACraft a two-sentence horror story, inspired by the subreddit r/TwoSentenceHorror. (If horror isn’t your thing, write in any genre you like.)

Write a six-word story, like the famous one frequently (mis)attributed to Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

9. The “ELI5” exercise

How it works: Strengthens clarity, improves your skills in expressing complex ideas simply, and encourages you to think of your audience.

“ELI5” stands for “Explain Like I’m 5” and comes from the subreddit of the same name . There, users explain facts and ideas as if they were speaking to a five-year-old — or, more practically, the average person.

For this exercise, take the ELI5 practice and apply it to your writing: Describe a concept, scene, or event in a way a layperson could understand. Follow the official ELI5 rules: “Avoid unexplained technical terms,” “don’t condescend,” and “keep it clear and simple.”

Do it in 100 words or fewer.

After you complete the exercise, ask ChatGPT to do the same. Compare its work to yours. Which is simpler and more concise?

10. Avoid adjectives and adverbs

How it works: Trains you to avoid writing “crutches” and use stronger nouns and verbs instead.

Create a scene, explain a topic, or describe an event without using any adjectives (words that describe nouns, like “ beautiful dress”) or adverbs (words that modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and sentences, like “sang loudly ”). Use strong verbs and nouns in their place.

For example:

“The moon was snow-white [adjective] and bright [adjective] against the inky [adjective] sky.” → “The moon glowed against the sky.”

“The cat ran [verb] quickly [adverb] into the house.” → “The cat darted into the house.”

Sci-fi author Ursula K. Le Guin recommends this exercise in her book Steering the Craft . “The point is to give a vivid description of a scene or an action using only verbs, nouns, pronouns, and articles,” she writes.

Try also to avoid expletive constructions — phrases that use “there,” “here,” or “it” followed by a form of the verb “to be,” such as “there were,” “here are,” and “it is.” Restructure your sentences with impactful verbs instead. For example: “There were hundreds of butterflies around us.” → “Hundreds of butterflies fluttered around us.”

11. Rewrite a Wikipedia article

How it works: Lets you practice adjusting tone and adapting writing for different audiences.

Wikipedia articles are pretty to the point — but they can also feel somewhat stiff or formal in tone. That makes them the perfect starting point for an exercise in adjusting tone.

Head to Wikipedia, click the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, and tap Random article . This will generate a completely random article. (You can keep clicking Random article until you land on one that interests you.)

Select a few paragraphs from the article and rewrite them in a friendly, casual tone. Think, “How would I describe this information to a friend?”

12. Complete the Proust Questionnaire

How it works: Fosters a deeper understanding of your narrator and your audience, which can help you write more authentically and better connect with readers.

French essayist and novelist Marcel Proust popularized the Proust Questionnaire after answering a series of questions in a parlor game called a “confession album.” The questionnaire is like a personality quiz, meant to reveal the answerer’s true nature. These days, it’s commonly used as an interview tool and writing exercise.

For a writing exercise, complete the Proust Questionnaire as your work's narrator (even if it’s you!) or target audience. This will leave you with a “character sketch” for your narrator or a “persona” for your audience.

You can find the Proust Questionnaire here .

13. Write mock advertisements

How it works: Sharpens your persuasive writing skills and lets you practice using different tones.

In this exercise, you’ll write two ads for a fictional product. Your goal is to persuade your reader to buy it. Think of your own imaginary product, or use an online product name generator if you get stuck.

First, write an ad that would appear in print, like in a magazine or newspaper. These charge per word for ads, so you’ll need to make every word count. Try limiting yourself to 100 words or fewer, and use a more direct, professional tone.

Next, create an ad that would be shared online, such as on social media. For this one, aim for 250 words maximum and use a friendlier, more relaxed tone.

14. Focus on a single sense

How it works: Develops your descriptive language skills and encourages you to make your writing more engaging.

Pick one of the five senses — smell, sight, taste, touch, or sound — and describe how you’re experiencing it in the moment. What can you smell, see, taste, feel, or hear? Spend five minutes freewriting, using as much detail as possible.

Write a paragraph or scene incorporating all five senses.

15. Start at the end

How it works: Improves your understanding of good writing structure, logical flow, and impactful introductions and conclusions.

In this exercise, you’ll write out of order, starting with the conclusion and working backward until you reach the introduction.

To begin, find a piece of writing — a blog article, news piece, research paper, short story, novel, etc. — and go to its ending. Copy its final paragraph. Think of how the text might have progressed to reach this conclusion. How did it begin? What unfolded along the way?

Then, reverse engineer the text in 10 paragraphs or fewer. Consider how each paragraph builds on the previous one and supports the argument or narrative.

16. Create a reverse outline

How it works: Refines your skills in structure, organization, and coherence and encourages you to critically evaluate your work.

You’ll need a finished draft to complete this exercise. Carefully read your draft and, on a new page, write a one-sentence summary of each paragraph. Then, turn your list of sentences into a bulleted or numbered list. Voilà — you have a reverse outline.

Next, read your outline and ask yourself, “Are my ideas well-organized? Do all my points relate to my main argument? Is there no repeated information?” Revisit your draft if you answer “no” to any of these questions.

Ask an AI tool like ChatGPT or Wordtune to create a reverse outline of your text. Then, compare it to your own. See if the AI’s interpretation of your writing matches what you’re actually trying to say. This will help you know how others might interpret your text and whether your writing is clear.

All writers can improve their skills with practice and dedication. By completing writing exercises, you can develop creativity and confidence in your craft — without it feeling like a chore.

We’ve shared our picks for the best writing exercises so you can start flexing your creative muscles today. Remember to write when you’re most productive, in a designated space, at a comfortable pace, and with an open mind.

• To learn more about improving your writing, visit Eleven’s Grammar Hub and explore our writing and editing guides . You can also sign up for Eleven’s Freelance Writing Mastery course .

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ThinkWritten

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

Need a creative lift as a writer? Try these 7 creative writing exercises for writers to boost your writing skills.

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Has your creative well run dry? Are you struggling to find inspiration for your next written work? Creative writing exercises could be the answer.

Just like any other skill, the art and craft of writing will benefit from the frequent working and reworking of your practices and habits. Creativity exercises for writers could unlock that writer’s block that you have been struggling to overcome and spur you on to new and exciting creative directions.

What are Creative Writing Exercises?

Creative writing exercises can take on many forms and can mean different things to different people. However, certain elements are common to most examples of creative writing exercises.

They are often produced in short, intense bursts, for one thing, and they are often entirely improvised. Improvisation is one of the earmarks of the creative writing exercises employed by many writers.

One other factor that most creative writing exercises have in common is that they often encourage the exploration and expounding of familiar subject matters in novel ways.

Many classes and guides that focus solely on developing creative writing techniques involve adopting short and spontaneous approaches.

How often should writers practice creative writing exercises?

Regardless of what form a creative writing exercise takes, it is smart for writers to adopt these practices and incorporate them into their daily routines. The goal is to expand their writing skills and develop the ability to tell the same story in as many different ways as possible.

Start by writing a few lines once or twice a week, spending only a few minutes each session. Gradually increase the length of each session and how many times you sit down to write per week.

Eventually, you could work up to about ten minutes per session, performing these exercises several times throughout the week.

Here are 7 Creative Writing Exercises for Writers

If you feel like taking a break from a writing assignment or are between projects, you can try your hand at these creative writing exercises. They can also serve as inspiration for your next opus or strengthen your creative muscles.

1. Follow your stream of consciousness.

Many writers have become conditioned to feel a great deal of stress or worry about being confronted by a blank page. This exercise will help you address this fear head-on.

Get a piece of paper and start writing the first thing that comes to mind. Don’t even think about what you are writing or edit your thoughts. This type of writing is known as “free writing”. Author Julia Cameron referred to this as the “morning pages” in her award-winning book, The Artist’s Way .

2. Work with different points of view.

If you find yourself struggling with expressing yourself, try switching up your point of view. Take a chapter from your favorite book, or even just a scene if you want to start slow. Write everything that takes place from the point of view of another character. The goal here is to communicate the story in another way.

You could also vary this exercise by writing as if you are the main character by changing their point of view. If the story is written in the first person, try writing it from the third person. Be aware of the details that are omitted when you switch viewpoints. This frequently leads to an interesting new twist to the story.

3. Take advantage of writing prompts.

Writing prompts or story starters can be invaluable writing tools that could encourage you to explore unfamiliar but interesting creative directions. These are sentences or short passages that could serve as springboards for writing spontaneous stories.

We have many writing prompts lists here at ThinkWritten you can use for inspiration, including 365 Creative Writing Prompts , 42 Fantasy Prompts , and 101 Poetry Prompts .

4. Have a Conversation With Yourself

See what it’s like to write a letter or converse with yourself. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a conversation with your younger self, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

You can choose any subject you want, from a significant social or political event or some words of wisdom to your younger version. Try to be as honest and as forthcoming as possible. The results might surprise you.

5. Try Writing Flash Fiction

Try to crank out a piece of flash fiction. As with other creative writing exercises, don’t spend too much time at it. Simply sit down in front of the computer or a piece of paper, and begin writing. Flash fiction doesn’t usually go beyond 500 words, so try to keep it short.

Note: It might be helpful to differentiate flash fiction from the freewriting exercise discussed earlier. While freewriting involves generating words and ideas in an unbridled stream of consciousness, flash fiction is more about writing within a set of guidelines. In this particular exercise, try incorporating structural elements such as plots, conflicts, and character development, all in the goal of developing a logical story arc.

6. Practice writing fake ads

Writing fake advertisements is another potentially useful exercise. Few tasks can flex your creative muscles than trying to sell a product, person, company, or idea. You don’t need a lot to get started either. All you have to do is to select a word at random from a magazine or newspaper and get started writing an ad for it.

It might help to write one ad in a more formal tone, similar to the classified ads published in newspapers. This exercise will train you in using a few words effectively to sell your subject. You can then write another ad in a style similar to that published in online marketplaces, which allow for longer text. In both exercises, try to convince your readers to purchase the product in as definitive terms as possible.

7. Rewrite someone else’s story

Consider adopting a story from someone else and making it your own. Unlike the exercise that involves writing a story from another point of view, this one involves telling the same story from the same viewpoint but using your own words.

It could be any story you want to write about, from something a family member told you about or an urban legend that has long made the rounds of your town.

Whichever story you choose, try to write it as if it happened to you. If certain details are missing–which is often the case with old stories–don’t hold back from adding your own touches. You could even take a well-known story and write it as if you were there when the events took place.

There are only a few of the creativity exercises for writers you can try. There are many more variations that you could use to help you get back into the pattern of writing creatively.

If you ever find yourself stuck and unsure of what your next step should be, consider taking some time off and working on some creative writing exercises instead. After some time, you might find yourself becoming more eager to get back into it and more inspired than ever.

Tell us what you think! Do you enjoy creative writing exercises? Do you have any additional ideas for ways writers can continue to build and work on their writing skills? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Eric Pangburn is a freelance writer who shares his best tips with other writers here at ThinkWritten. When not writing, he enjoys coaching basketball and spending time with his family.

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Writing Tips

5 Creative Writing Exercises to Get Your Creativity Flowing

6-minute read
2nd February 2023

Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or you just want to hone your talent, we’ve got five creative writing exercises to help improve your skills and inspire your creativity for your next novel , short story , or poem .

The Benefits of Creative Writing Exercises

Writing is like any skill: the more you practice it, the better you’ll get. Creative writing exercises are a way to flex your writing muscles. These tasks can help you:

● Look at your writing from a different perspective

● Expand your vocabulary

● Practice certain skills, such as writing dialogue or developing characters

● Generate ideas for longer pieces of writing

Writers of any level, from beginner to advanced, can use writing exercises. We’ve designed the five examples provided below to help you improve your skills, wherever you are in your writing journey.

1. Free Writing

Before you dive into some more specific exercises, why not try a bit of free writing?

This exercise involves writing down your thoughts and feelings as they come and acts almost like a stream of consciousness .

Here’s one way to try out free writing:

Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Typing on a computer gives you more time to think about and edit what you’re writing – that’s not what you want to do here!
Choose one of these prompts to start from:

● Who are you?

● How do you feel?

● What can you see?

● What are you thinking about?

● Why are you writing?

Set a timer for however long you want to write. If you’re new to free writing, we recommend starting with ten-minute periods.
Write nonstop until your time is up.

The idea of free writing is to get your brain and body into the writing mind-set. It’s also a good tool for producing ideas naturally without censoring yourself or interrupting the flow by editing what you’ve written.

You might even find that your piece of free writing has turned up a few gems that you can use for your next work!

2. Describe an Object

Description can make up large portions of a story and helps ground the reader in the world you’re creating while also providing important details.

If you want to sharpen your descriptive writing skills, we’ve got three variations of the Describe an Object exercise to try.

First, choose an object near you. Now challenge yourself by writing a description of that object that meets one of the following criteria:

Doesn’t use the name of the object (for example, if you chose a chair, you can’t use the word chair in your description)
Doesn’t use the word very (for example, use huge instead of very big )
Uses only similes (for example, The chair is like a throne for a very poor king .)

If you’re looking to push yourself even further, you could try writing a description using all three rules at once!

You can also use this exercise to practice describing other things, such as people, places, or emotions.

3. The Truth Potion

Here’s a fun exercise to try if you want to practice your character-writing skills: imagine your character has accidentally drunk a truth potion and now can’t lie!

Write about what happens next and answer these questions:

● How does the character feel about having to tell the truth?

● What unexpected secrets are they forced to reveal?

● How do the other characters react to learning these things?

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You can use one of your own characters for this exercise or borrow one from your favorite book.

By forcing a character to be honest in this way, you can explore their backstory, motivations, and potential development while also considering what details you would normally hide from other characters (and your readers).

4. An Alternate Universe

The plot of a novel or short story often hinges on a series of events or decisions. So what would happen if one of those events happened differently?

This question is the basis for our next exercise.

Choose a piece of your own writing or a scene from one of your favorite books and identify what happens to trigger the next stage of the plot.

For example, in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring , icy weather conditions force the protagonists to enter the mines of Moria, where a deadly battle later takes place.

Once you’ve identified the catalyst in your chosen scene, either remove it or change it. Then write an alternate version of what follows, exploring what direction the plot might now take.

Using our above example, we could write about the Fellowship’s peaceful journey through a sunny mountain pass – but would a change in weather trigger new dangers, such as melting ice?

When you make your change, think about what new obstacles it will introduce to the story and how these will affect the plot going forward.

5. Talk It Out

Dialogue can play a key part in telling a story. But it can be difficult to write dialogue that feels natural and engaging while remaining relevant to the events that unfold.

For this exercise, we challenge you to write a scene using just dialogue – that means no narration, description, or dialogue tags !

You’ll need to take two characters, then write a conversation between them.

If you’re struggling for ideas, here are some first lines you can use as a starting point:

● I should have known it was you.

● Where are you going?

● This can’t wait any longer.

● What happened last night?

● We might have a problem.

● I need to confess to something.

● Do you like surprises?

As you’re writing, think about how you can tell a story and convey information about characters using only the things they say – or the things they don’t.

These are just a few examples of the many types of creative writing exercises you can use to improve your writing skills and explore new ideas.

The most important thing is to find exercises that interest you and inspire you to write.

Each exercise is designed to work on a specific aspect of writing, so it’s important to practice a variety of exercises to become a well-rounded writer.

Expert Proofreading for Authors

We hope our exercises will help you break through writer’s block and free your creativity!

If we’ve inspired you to write your next masterpiece , don’t forget to get it proofread. Our team of proofreaders is here to help 24/7 and can even offer a free proofreading sample .

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50 Fantastic Creative Writing Exercises

Good question.

Creative writing exercises are designed to teach a technique. They are highly specific, more specific than creative writing prompts, and much more specific than story generators.

Creative writing exercises for adults are not designed to lead the writer into crafting a full story, but are only designed to help them improve as a writer in a narrow, specific category of writing skills.

I’ve broken the exercises below into categories so you can choose what category of skill you’d like to practice. Can you guess which category in this list has the most prompts?

If you guessed characters, then you’re right. I think characters are the heart blood of every story, and that a majority of any writing prompts or writing exercises should focus on them.

But I also think any of these will help you create a narrative, and a plot, and help you generate all kinds of dialogue, whether for short stories or for novels. These writing exercises are pretty much guaranteed to improve your writing and eliminate writer’s block.

Also, if you’re a fledgling writer who needs help writing their novel, check out my comprehensive guide to novel writing.

Enjoy the five categories of writing exercises below, and happy writing!

1. Think of the most deafening sound you can imagine. Describe it in great detail, and have your character hear it for the first time at the start of a story.

2. Have a man cooking for a woman on a third date, and have her describe the aromas in such loving and extended detail that she realizes that she’s in love with him.

3. Pick a line from one of your favorite songs, and identify the main emotion. Now write a character who is feeling that emotion and hears the song. Try to describe the type of music in such a beautiful way that you will make the reader yearn to hear the song as well.

4. Have a character dine at a blind restaurant, a restaurant in pitch blackness where all the servers are blind, and describe for a full paragraph how the tablecloth, their clothing, and the hand of their dining partner feels different in the darkness.

5. Select a dish representative of a national cuisine, and have a character describe it in such detail that the reader salivates and the personality of the character is revealed.

7. Describe two characters having a wordless conversation, communicating only through gestures. Try to see how long you can keep the conversation going without any words spoken, but end it with one of them saying a single word, and the other one repeating the same word.

8. In a public place from the last vacation you took, have two characters arguing, but make it clear by the end of the argument that they’re not arguing about what they’re really upset about.

9. Write a scene composed mostly of dialogue with a child talking to a stranger. Your mission is to show the child as heartbreakingly cute. At the same time, avoid sentimentality.

10. Have two character have a conversation with only a single word, creating emphasis and context so that the word communicates different things each time it is spoken. The prime example of this is in the television show “The Wire,” where Jimmy and Bunk investigate a crime scene repeating only a single expletive.

11. Pick an object that is ugly, and create a character who finds it very beautiful. Have the character describe the object in a way that convinces the reader of its beauty. Now write a second version where you convince the reader (through describing the object alone) that the character is mentally unstable.

12. Write down five emotions on slips of paper and slip them into a hat. Now go outside and find a tree. Draw one emotion from the hat, and try to describe that tree from the perspective of a character feeling that emotion. (Don’t mention the emotion in your writing — try to describe the tree so the reader could guess the emotion).

13. Describe a character’s bedroom in such a way that it tells us about a person’s greatest fears and hopes.

14. Root through your desk drawer until you find a strange object, an object that would probably not be in other people’s drawers. Have a character who is devastated to find this object, and tell the story of why this object devastates them.

15. Go to an art-based Pinterest page and find your favorite piece of art. Now imagine a living room inspired by that flavor of artwork, and show the room after a husband and wife have had the worst fight of their marriage.

16. Pick a simple object like a vase, a broom, or a light bulb, and write a scene that makes the reader cry when they see the object.

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17. Make a list of the top five fears in your life. Write a character who is forced to confront one of those fears.

18. Write an entire page describing the exact emotions when you learned of a happy or calamitous event in your life. Now try to condense that page into a single searing sentence.

19. Think about a time in your life when you felt shame. Now write a character in a similar situation, trying to make it even more shameful.

20. Write a paragraph with a character struggle with two conflicting emotions simultaneously. For example, a character who learns of his father’s death and feels both satisfaction and pain.

21. Write a paragraph where a character starts in one emotional register, and through a process of thought, completely evolves into a different emotion.

Characters:

22. Create a minor character based upon someone you dislike. Now have your main character encounter them and feel sympathy and empathy for them despite their faults.

23. Have a kooky character tell a story inside a pre-established form: an instruction manual, traffic update, email exchange, weather report, text message.

24. Write about a character who does something they swore they would never do.

25. Have a character who has memorized something (the names of positions in the Kama Sutra, the entire book of Revelations) recite it while doing something completely at odds with what they’re reciting. For instance, bench pressing while reciting the emperors in a Chinese dynasty.

26. Write a paragraph where a character does a simple action, like turning on a light switch, and make the reader marvel at how strange and odd it truly is.

27. Have a couple fight while playing a board game. Have the fight be about something related to the board game: fighting about money, have them play monopoly. Fighting about politics, let them play chess.

28. Write about two characters angry at each other, but have both of them pretend the problems don’t exist. Instead, have them fight passive-aggressively, through small, snide comments.

29. Describe a character walking across an expanse field or lot and describe how he walks. The reader should perfectly understand his personality simply by the way you describe his walk.

30. Write a first-person POV of a character under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and try to make the prose as woozy and tipsy as the character.

31. Describe the first time that a character realizes he is not as smart as he thought.

32. Describe an hour in the life of a character who has recently lost their ability to do what they love most (a pianist who has severe arthritis; a runner who became a quadriplegic).

33. Write an argument where a husband or wife complains of a physical ailment, but their spouse refuses to believe it’s real.

34. Write a scene where a stranger stops your main character, saying that they know them, and insisting your main character is someone they are not. Describe exactly how this case of mistaken identity makes your character feel.

35. Describe a small personality trait about a person you love, and make the reader love them, too.

36. Write a personality-revealing scene with a character inside a public restroom. Do they press a thumb against the mirror to leave a subtle mark? Do they write a plea for help on the inside of the stall door? Do they brag about the size of what they’ve just dumped off?

37. Give your character an extremely unusual response to a national tragedy like a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Maybe have them be aware their response is unusual, and try to cloak it from others, or have them be completely unaware and display it without any self-consciousness.

38. Have one of your main characters come up with an idea for a comic book, and tell a close friend about the idea. What about this idea would surprise the friend, upsetting what he thought he knew about your main character? Also, what would the main character learn about himself from the comic book idea?

39. Think of an illness someone you love has suffered from. How does your character respond when someone close to them has this illness?

40. Have your main character invent an extremely offensive idea for a book, and show their personality faults through discussing it with others.

41. Have your character write down a list considering how to respond to their stalker.

42. Write a scene where a man hits on a woman, and although the woman acts repulsed and begs her friends to get him away from her, it becomes apparent that she likes the attention.

43. Write about a 20-something confronting his parents over their disapproval of his lifestyle.

44. Have your character write a funny to-do list about the steps to get a boyfriend or girlfriend.

45. Have a risk-adverse character stuck in a hostage situation with a risk-happy character.

46. For the next week, watch strangers carefully and take notes in your phone about any peculiar gestures or body language. Combine the three most interesting ones to describe a character as she goes grocery shopping.

47. Buy a package of the pills that expand into foam animals, and put a random one in a glass of warm water. Whatever it turns out to be, have that animal surprise your main character in a scene.

48. Have your character faced with a decision witness a rare, awe-inspiring event, and describe how it helps them make their decision.

49. Imagine if your character met for the first time his or her long-lost identical twin. What personality traits would they share and which ones would have changed because of their unique experiences?

50. If a character got burned by a hot pan, what type of strange reaction would they have that would reveal what they value most?

Once you’ve taken a stab at some of these exercises, I’d recommend you use them in your actual writing.

And for instruction on that, you need a guide to writing your novel .

That link will change your life and your novel. Click it now.

32 comments

John Fox, you have some excellent resources, and I thank you. I read your comments, then scrolled down to glance at the list of 50 exercises. The FIRST one, “loud noise’ is already in my head. My Hero is going to be side swiped in my Cozy. I was side swiped on a state highway here in Virginia a couple of weeks ago and, although the damage was minor, the sound of that big SUV “glancing” off my little car was SCARY!!! I once heard a fast-moving car REAR-END is stand-still car; that sound was something I’ll never forget. So, your exercise is very timely. THANK YOU!!!

This is a great list! Thanks!

You know what would be motivating? If we could turn these in to someone and get like a grade lol

I’ve been thinking a lot about “how to master writing,” and this is the first time that I found an article that makes it clear the difference between prompts and exercises. I fully agree with you. These are bound to make you a better writer if you focus on doing a variation of them daily.

An excellent list – thank you very much. I run a small writing group and we’ll be trying some.

Yes, thank you. I too run a small writing group and you got me out of a slump for tomorrow’s group!

yes,thank you . It’s good for improve your writing skills.

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What a lovely list! I am working on the final draft of my very first novel, and am constantly working at improving the final product. Your exercises are just what I need to kickstart my writing day. Thank you so very much.

Thank you very much When I turned50 I received my diploma from Children’s Institute in West Redding Ct I got my inspiration from being near water however now that I am in Oregon I have had a writing block thanks to your list my creative juices are flowing

I suppose I better have good punctuation, seeing this is about Writing. Thank you for this great list. I am the Chair of our small Writing group in Otorohanga and we start again last week of Feb. I have sent out a homework email, to write a A4 page of something exciting that has happened over the holiday break and they must read it out to the group with passion and excitement in their voices. That will get them out of their comfort zone!

A formidable yet inspiring list. Thank you very much for this. This is really very helpful. I am from India, and very new to writing and have started my first project, which I want to make it into a Novel. This has been very helpful and is very challenging too. Prompts look sissy when compared to this, frankly speaking. Thank you very much again.

Where can I get the answers for these?

There aren’t “answers.” You create responses to these exercises.

Thank you so much for the detailed suggestions focusing on HOW to put the WHAT into practice; really helpful & inspiring.

Just started rough drafting a story I’ve always wanted to write. Do you have any advice for someone writing their first real story? I’m having trouble starting it; I just want it to be perfect.

I consider this very helpful. Just started my journey as a creative writer, and will be coming back to this page to aid my daily writing goal.

I have always loved writing exercises and these are perfect practice for my competition. I have tried lots of different things that other websites have told me to try, but this by far is the most descriptive and helpful site that i have seen so far.

This is really a creative blog. An expert writer is an amateur who didn’t stop. I trust myself that a decent writer doesn’t actually should be advised anything but to keep at it. Keep it up!

I’ve always enjoyed writing from a little girl. Since I’ve been taking it a bit more seriously as does everybody else it seems; I’ve lost the fun and sponteneity. Until now…..this is a marvelous blog to get back the basic joy and freedom in writing. Or should that be of?:) These exercises are perfect to get the creative juices flowing again…..thank you:)

These are interesting exercises for writing.

These are fantastic! I started reading a really awesome book on creative writing but it just didn’t get any good or easy to follow exercises. So I found your site and having been having a lot of fun with these. Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

creative and inspiring, thank you

I always wanted to have an exercise where a friend and I each wrote a random sentence and sent it to each other to write a short story from that beginning sentence, then exchange the stories for reading and/or critique. Maybe both writers start with the same sentence and see how different the stories turn out.

Thanks for these exercises. Some are really challenging. To truly tackle them I’m having to spend as long beforehand thinking “how the HECK am I going to do this?” as I do with ink on paper. Would be a great resource if other authors submitted their replies and thoughts about how they went about each exercise.

Start the conversation: submit one of yours.

I think I can use these to inspire my students.

Hi there. Thank you for posting this list- it’s great! Can I ask you to consider removing number 42 or perhaps changing it somewhat? I teach sex ed and every year am shocked by how many young people don’t understand issues around consent. Stories about woman who ‘say no but really mean yes’ are deeply unhelpful. Really appreciate your post but felt I had to ask. Thanks.

What’s wrong with the number 42?

It promulgates the belief that when a woman says no, she doesn’t mean it, potentially resulting in sexual assault.

I just make this list a part of my teaching in Creative Writing Classes. Very good list of ideas!

Thank you so much for posting this! I have used it to create a creative playwriting activity for my high school creative writing class–so much good stuff here for me to pick through and select for my kiddos that will allow them to shine and improve their knowledge of writing as a craft!

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57 Genius-Sparking Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

The best writing exercises for fiction writers are the ones that help you tap into the story you already wanted to tell.

Sometimes we writers get ourselves overwhelmed by the thought that there’s something we “should” be writing. We play fill-in-the-blanks with the supposed formula for a bestseller or obsess over style rules until writing is more confusing than fun. That’s why we need writing exercises.

To be clear, I’m not against formulas. Plot structures , character archetypes , and genre tropes exist to help us create seamless, compelling stories that satisfy expectations.

But writing exercises allow us to step away from the formulas, think purely in terms of creation, and harvest our inner fields of genius.

After all, you are a writer because the urge to tell stories is already within you. There is something you want to communicate, even if you haven’t quite put your finger on it, yet.

A great writing exercise helps a fiction writer like you pinpoint that something. It helps you find inspiration in the world around you and connect it with the deeper purpose that drives you. It can even help you improve your voice and style without having to analyze the living daylights out of these elements.

And lucky you! We’ve put together 57 writing exercises just for you. Whether you need help finding story ideas, fleshing out a work in progress, or advancing your prose, you’ll find something here that does the trick.

What’s the Point of Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers?

Close-up of a paper in a typewriter with a poem typed on it.

Unlike, say, math exercises, writing exercises are designed to spark unique responses. There are no correct answers here. There’s only the vast sea of your imagination, washing magical objects up onto the shore when you summon its waves.

Or whatever.

Writing exercises can fulfill a wide range of purposes (more on that in a moment), but one thing they all have in common is they’re meant to inspire new ideas. In many cases, they also challenge you to add complexity or nuance to your storytelling.

And—my favorite benefit—they help you stay connected to the joy of creativity even through the tedious, pride-crushing editing process .

When to Do Writing Exercises

A person with a ponytail writes in a journal with their feet propped up on a table filled with books and notebooks.

Do writing exercises whenever you need them! Seriously. All writing exercises fulfill at least one of these four needs:

Inspiration to get started
Help getting unstuck
A guide for perfecting your craft
Something to reignite creative enthusiasm

That pretty much covers every conceivable goal you might have when you sit down to write.

Not sure what to write about? Do a writing exercise. Your scene description reads like you vomited a thesaurus onto the page? Writing exercise. Discouraged, bored, or distracted? You know what to do.

You can even use a writing exercise as a warm-up before every writing session. The possibilities are endless.

Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

Okay, let’s get to the goods. Here are 57 writing exercises for fiction writers, organized by category. Some prompts are designed to help you come up with new ideas, while others are meant to help you go deeper on an existing project.

Try the exercises that speak to you, skip the ones that don’t, and adapt anything to meet your needs.

Story Ideas

A man sits in the doorway of a green tent, looking at his phone.

Start a story folder. Anytime you come across an article, social media post, or even an ad that sparks thoughts like, “I wonder what that was like,” or “I wonder what happened next,” cut it out or print it out. Put it in a folder. When you need inspiration, open the folder, pick an item, and write the part of the story the article doesn’t show.
Look at your own life and ask “What if?” Imagine if you’d made a different decision or if your biggest worry (or biggest dream) actually had come true. Write that story.
Try a modern day retelling of a myth or fairy tale.
Here’s a fun question: what’s going on in your life right now in a parallel universe? Write that story.
Wander an art museum and find a work of art that speaks to you. What’s the story here? Even if the art is three hundred years old and you don’t write historical fiction, identify a narrative, theme, or emotion. Place it in the modern day (or whenever your stories take place) and get writing.
Choose three objects at random, then look them up in a dream dictionary . Write down what each object symbolizes and imagine the person who would dream about them. What is the dreamer going through? Build a story from there.
Start with a character goal . Write down an obstacle that makes reaching that goal hard. Think of a bigger obstacle that makes it even harder. Do that again three more times. Find an obstacle so big you’re not sure how your protagonist can get around it. Build your story from there.
Write the last line of your favorite book. This is the first line of your story. Keep writing.
Think of an invention you wish existed. Who would invent it? Tell their story.
Start with a problem. A shocking murder, a struggling marriage, melting ice caps… anything. Now create a character who seems like the least likely person to solve this problem. Explain why they’re actually the best candidate for the job.
Search your soul. What ideas do you feel strongly about? What societal issues weigh on your mind? What do you think is the best or worst thing about being a human in the world? What makes you laugh? What does it mean to hope? Love? Rescue someone else? Rescue yourself? Once you find the themes that tug at you, find the story.
Someone is cleaning out their garage, and it’s a bigger deal than it seems. What are they hiding, clearing out, or preparing for?
A hurricane has trapped two people together in a tiny island airport. They have opposing goals, personalities, or viewpoints. What happens?

Two women dressed as flappers—one in a red dress and one in a green dress—smile together in an urban setting.

Take a walk or go to a park. Find a really cool tree. Write about its shape, angles, health, stature, movement, scent… whatever stands out to you. Then use the same descriptions to write about a new character .
Eavesdrop on a conversation in a public place. Zero in on one specific person. Listen until you have a grasp on their voice. Then write a completely different conversation involving that person.
Remove a random object from your junk drawer. This is the most important thing to someone. Write about that person and why the object is so valuable to them.
Explore your character’s signature style. Take inspiration from television characters, magazines, and friends as needed. Write a description of your character’s three favorite outfits and how they feel in those clothes. (For a little help, check out our article on clothing description.)
What was the defining moment that made your character the person they are at the start of your story? Write that scene.
What’s something your character feels very strongly about? Write their rant.
Someone else is toasting (or roasting) your character. Write their speech.
What is the opinion, desire, fear, or behavior that makes your character unique? Write about it from their point of view. Keep digging until you hit on the universal emotion at the core of that seemingly unusual trait.
Imagine someone who would be the polar opposite of your character. Describe them: how they look, what they love, what they hate, what they believe… everything. Then pick one trait and make it part of your character.
Write a dialogue between you and your character . You’re giving them a heads-up about the flaws they can’t see in themselves. How do they take it? Are they ready for this conversation?
Write your protagonist’s one-sentence definition of love. Do the same for every character in your story.
Who does your character love most in the world? Write a scene showing where that relationship is ten years after the story ends. If that person is no longer in the character’s life, write a scene from each person’s life without the other.

An overhead view of seven friends clinking glasses over a meal.

Rewrite the climactic scene of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view.
Write a tense, dialogue-only scene where your characters never really say what they’re really mad about.
What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist? Write a scene where it happens and make their most trusted friend the reason it happens. (I know it hurts. Try it, anyway.)
What is something your protagonist would never, ever do. Now make it something they have to do to reach their goal.
Write a scene that makes your reader think everything is going to be okay. Put it immediately before the most devastating scene of your story. See what that does.
Write about the biggest mistake your protagonist has ever made in their pre-story life. Then decide what mistake they can make within the story that is even bigger than that.
Revisit a scene where a character gets bad news. Make the news worse. See what happens.
Write an apology letter to your character. Tell them you’re sorry for all the misery you are about to put them through. Explain why it’s necessary for the story—why you can’t hold back or solve all their problems immediately. Let them forgive you. Forgive yourself. Writing is brutal.
Write a monologue in which your character confesses what they hate most about themselves. Don’t add the monologue to your book, but see what happens if you give that same quality to the antagonist.
Write the villain’s most painful memory from their point of view. Keep writing at least until you feel genuine empathy for your villain . Read the memory every time you are about to write a scene between your villain and hero.
Pick a scene that’s already heavy with conflict and throw a little nature into the mix. It can be as small as an obnoxious gust of wind or as destructive as a tornado. It just has to be an antagonistic force that cannot be controlled or persuaded to back off.

An empty cafe patio with small, round tables, soft lighting, a wooden back gate, and greenery overhead.

Think about your favorite vacation spot. Look up their local online newspaper and get a sense of what life is like there. Write about a community event from the perspective of someone who was born there.
Think of a place that is incredibly familiar to you. Imagine it, or—if you can—go there. Describe it like you’re discovering it for the first time.
Write about the place where your character feels the safest.
Write about the place where your protagonist feels like an outsider.
Take a tour of your home like you’re at an estate sale or open house. Draw conclusions about the people who live here.
Write a scene where something huge happens in a small place or something small happens in a huge place.
Write a scene in which the setting is important. You can describe exactly five details about the setting. Which five do you pick to give the reader the most vivid image? How can you use dialogue or character actions to deepen the sense of place?
Think of a place that makes you feel big feelings. Describe that place, trying to get the reader to feel what you feel without using any emotion words.
Describe a setting that embodies isolation. Terror. Hope. Anticipation. Security. Adventure. Menace.
Do an Internet search for “abandoned places.” Pick one. Write a scene that takes place there either in the present day, in that location’s heyday, or at the time when it became abandoned.

Bonus Writing Exercise Photo: A person standing at the edge of a sharp mountain ridge, surrounded by thick fog.

Pick a scene from your story. Find every abstract description in your narration—any instance where you talk about an emotion or a “vibe.” Replace it with something concrete that creates the same feeling. (Example: “The guy was creepy” becomes, “He didn’t break eye contact as he wiped his hands on his bloodstained shirt.”)
Highlight all the adverbs in one scene. Delete each one. If it feels like they’re needed to clarify the adjectives or verbs they describe, try finding better adjectives or adverbs.
Try the exercise above but with adjectives. When you remove an adjective, can you replace the noun it describes with a more specific noun? “Louboutins” instead of “expensive shoes”?
Get wild and reckless with language. Make a list of ten nouns. Then write a scene using all ten nouns as verbs. Have your protagonist “flashlight” a memory or attempt to “drywall” someone’s reputation. Don’t worry if it works; just play.
Think of a real-life person whose voice you know very well. Rewrite the first page of your story as in that voice. Then write the page one more time in your own narrative voice. Has anything changed from your original version?
Rewrite a scene as a poem, twelve lines maximum. When you have to recreate your scene as something much shorter and (probably) more emotionally driven, what do you discover? What is the core story at the heart of this scene? How do you draw that out of your prose?
Choose a mundane thing you do every day. Write a story or scene where this action takes center stage as a symbol of something greater.
Choose ten textbooky words from a textbook. Words like “theorem,” “chlorophyll,” or “gerrymandering.” Work them into a scene that is not about that topic.
Buy a postcard. Write a message on it from an imaginary sender. In that one message, tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end .
Go to your local hardware store and get a bunch of color chips from the paint section. Organize them by character. Who would wear cupcake pink ? Whose apartment would be painted in glacial stream ? Add one color to each of your characters’ worlds.
Read. Write down sentences that stun you. Explain what you like about them. Read them again before your next writing session.

When in Doubt, Try Fanfiction

On a grand, philosophical level, fanfiction is a beautiful testament to the way we connect with one another’s stories. On a practical, writerly level, it’s a darn good way to sharpen your storytelling skills.

I was about to disclose that I have never actually written fanfiction myself, but then I remembered that Anne of Green Gables / Little House on the Prairie hybrid play I wrote when I was about nine. My cousin and I performed it for our grandma, and I’ll have you know: she loved it. As for me, it was a useful writing exercise, because it allowed me to play with elements that already worked.

With fanfiction, you’re starting with compelling characters whose rich backstories are already known to you. The world and its rules are clear as day. You’re clear on motivations and goals. All the pieces are there for you to play with. You can take things apart, rearrange them, and reconstruct them.

It’s a hands-on way to understand why things work. Not to mention, it’s not unheard of for a work of fanfiction to morph into its own successful series .

Where Do Your Best Ideas Come From?

Two women sitting at a table behind microphones, doing a podcast interview.

People will ask you this someday. A lot. When you’re on your book tour or being interviewed on television, people will want to know where you get your ideas.

For most writers, this is a semi-impossible question. Our best ideas are often a weird soup made from childhood memories, song lyrics, and the evening news. And of course, writing exercises.

If you need somewhere to manage that mess of ingredients, I recommend Dabble . Between the Character Notes, Story Notes, Plot Grid, Comments, and Stickies, there are plenty of tools for organizing your bursts of inspiration as you plan and as you draft. Bonus: you can try all the Premium Features for free for fourteen days without involving your credit card. Just click here.

‍ And even if you’re not ready to become a full-fledged Dabbler, you can still find inspiration and support in the Story Craft Café community. It’s free, and it rocks.

Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When she’s not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.

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A little understanding of copyright law can go a long way when it comes to protecting your work, maximizing your income, and avoiding accidental infringement. Here's a simple, straightforward guide to get you started.

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✍️ Plot Development Writing Exercises

Curated with love by Reedsy

We found 15 plot development exercises that match your search 🔦 reset

Write a list of images you associate with your theme. Now do the same for each of your main characters. Keep these images in mind as a way to present your theme metaphorically through symbolic motifs.

Plot Development

Any questions.

There's one powerful motivator that led your reader to your book - curiosity. Our brain doesn't stop asking questions because it knows that's how it learns and evolves. Questions raise uncertainty. Unknowns. And if there's an unknown, then humans want to make it known. There will be a big question that drives your story, so take a couple of minutes to consider the mother-question that propels your book from beginning to end.Your manuscript also needs to be powered by lots of little questions. Your book will need a variety of whos, whens, whys, and wheres to keep your reader engaged. In fact, every scene in your book needs to have a question define it. It's what will keep your reader turning those pages. Review each of your scenes and identify the question/s hanging over it, because once you nail that, their mind will be asking the most important question of all - what happens next?

The Outsider

If you're working on a novel or short story, write a pivotal scene from an outside observer's perspective who has no role in the story.

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Grab Your Red Pen

Pick a scene or passage you've written that you feel dissatisfied with. Take a short time - maybe 10 or 20 minutes - to read the passage as though it were someone else's work. Take a red pen and make notes in the margins. If you didn't know anything else about the story, where else could this scene go? Try to get a feel for how malleable the words and the story can be.

Lost The Plot?

How do you start a story - or get a story back on track? If you're feeling lost or blocked, try templating to get your plot on course.Here's what to do: bullet point your initiating incident, your rising action, your crisis, and your resolution for both your main plot and subplots. Make a table to see events running parallel, remembering subplots exist to enhance, complicate _ ultimately, compliment _ your main action. Listing like this highlights any irrelevancies, keeping your tale on track, and makes all you write intertwined and significant to your protagonist's journey. Plan out using this framework as your reference.

A New Chapter

Pick up one of your favorite novels. Open it to a random page. Whatever chapter you land on, rewrite it your own way. Take it in a totally different direction than how it actually plays out in the book.

Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So began Seth Grahame-Smith's book, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which (you guessed it) re-imagined Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in a world with zombies. Sometimes one big twist is all it takes to get you thinking about a story in a different way. How would the introduction of zombies shake things up in your world? How would it affect the relationships between your characters? How would it change priorities? Which parts of your world would stay the same, and which parts would be different? Detail this in a short story of 1,000-2,000 words.

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15 Writing Exercises to Enhance Your Creative Writing Skills

When it comes to honing your fiction writing skills, there are two ways that outperform most others: the first one is reading a lot of fiction, the second one is doing creative writing exercises.

But the latter is particularly effective because it forces you to “write outside the box” so you get to develop new techniques and approaches that you might not have discovered by writing in a self-directed way.

And this is not something that’s reserved for beginners — pros like Stephen King, Julia Cameron and Margaret Atwood swear by this practice too.

In this article, we’ll discuss why creative writing exercises are essential for fiction writers and offer 15 creative writing exercises to help you take your fiction skills to the next level.

Why Are Creative Writing Exercises Important?

Here are a few reasons why writing exercises are so important for your development as a fiction writer:

They’ll help you sharpen your writing skills

Writing exercises will help you sharpen your fiction skills by challenging you to write in different styles, genres, and formats.

For example, you may be asked to write a short story in the style of a specific author, create a scene using only dialogue, or describe a setting you’ve never written about before.

By completing these exercises, you’ll learn how to write more concisely, how to convey emotion through your writing, and how to use language in creative ways.

You’ll also become more comfortable experimenting with different writing techniques, which will ultimately make you a better writer.

They’re great at sparking creativity

Creative writing exercises can also help spark your creativity by giving you new ideas and perspectives to explore that you might not have tried otherwise.

For example, if you’re struggling to come up with original ideas, doing a writing exercise or two may help you get your creative juices flowing again.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Finally, writing exercises can help you overcome writer’s block by giving you a specific task to focus on.

When you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, having a concrete goal to work towards can help you get back on track and start writing again.

15 Creative Writing Exercises

Creative writers use a great writing exercise to generate story ideas

Without further ado, here are fifteen creative writing exercises that’ll help you develop those fiction writing chops:

1. Write as a stream of consciousness

The idea here is to write down your thoughts and feelings as they come to you uncensored, without worrying about sentence structure or grammar. It’s like giving yourself permission to write freely and without judgment.

This exercise can be particularly helpful for writers who find themselves stuck in a creative rut.

By allowing yourself to write without any constraints, you’ll be able to get quickly unstuck and even uncover new and unexpected directions for your writing that you might not have considered before.

Don’t worry about making sense or writing in complete sentences. Just focus on capturing your thoughts as they arise.

Now, if your mind starts to wander or if you get stuck on a particular thought, that’s okay. Just keep writing, even if you end up writing about the same thing multiple times. Your goal is to keep your pen moving or your fingers typing no matter what!

2. Describe a dream

Describing your dreams in as much detail as possible can take you to unknown worlds, introduce you to new characters, and bring up emotions that you may not otherwise experience in your daily life.

Start by writing down everything you remember from your dream. Focus on the sensory details, such as the colors, sounds, and textures you dreamt about.

Also, think about the emotions you felt during the dream. Were you scared, happy, or confused? Write down everything that comes to mind and use it as a starting point for a new piece of writing.

3. Describe an object in extreme detail

Another interesting creative writing exercise is to describe an object in your immediate surroundings in extreme detail.

Choose an object that you find interesting or that holds special meaning to you. Focus on the sensory details, such as the way it feels to the touch, the sound it makes when it’s moved, and the way it smells.

Also, think about the feelings the object evokes. Does it remind you of a particular time or place? Does it hold sentimental value?

4. Personify an animal

Personification is a fun writing exercise. Choose an animal that you find interesting and write from its perspective as if it was a human being.

In other words, imagine the world through the animal’s eyes, and describe its thoughts, feelings, and actions. This exercise will help you develop your character-building skills.

5. Write a book review

Writing a book review is a great way to practice your critical thinking skills. Choose a fiction book that you’ve recently read and write a review.

Begin by providing a brief summary of the book, then analyze the author’s writing style and arguments. Consider its strengths and weaknesses and provide examples to support your claims.

6. Write an opinion piece

Although not strictly a fiction-writing exercise, writing an opinion piece is an excellent way to practice persuasive writing skills. Choose a current event or issue that you feel strongly about and write an opinion piece on it.

Be sure to back up your argument with facts and evidence. Start by stating your position clearly and then use examples and evidence to support your argument.

7. Write about your day

Writing about your day may seem mundane, but it can also be a great exercise in capturing the small moments in highly descriptive detail.

When describing your typical day, pay attention to your sensations. What did you see, hear, smell, and taste? Use specific language to paint a vivid picture for your reader.

For example, instead of saying I went for a walk , describe the feeling of the sun on your skin, the sound of the dry leaves crumbling under your feet, and the smell of fresh-cut grass.

Don’t forget to include your emotions as well. How did you feel throughout the day? Were you excited, anxious, content, or overwhelmed?

8. Create a character

Creating a character is a fun and creative exercise that can help you further develop your fiction writing skills.

Start by thinking about their personality traits. Are they kind and compassionate or cold and calculating? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

Next, consider their backstory. Where did they come from? What kind of childhood did they have? What events in their life have shaped who they are today?

Finally, think about their motivations. What do they want in life? What are their goals and dreams? What drives them to make the choices they do?

Bonus idea! Once you’ve created your character, try writing a short story featuring them. Focus on the details that bring your character to life, like their mannerisms, speech patterns, and thoughts.

9. Describe a fantasy world

Creative writing classes use creative writing prompts to improve writing skills

Creating a fantasy world is a fun and imaginative exercise that can help you develop your descriptive writing skills. Start by imagining the world you want to create. What is it like? What are the rules of the world? Is it similar to our own world, or is it vastly different?

Once you have a general idea of the world you want to create, start filling in the details. What kind of creatures inhabit the world? What do they look and sound like? What’s the landscape like?

As you describe your fantasy world, consider the emotions it evokes. Does it feel exciting, mysterious, or dangerous? Use descriptive language to convey the mood and atmosphere of your fantasy world.

10. Writing about your surroundings

Writing about your surroundings is a great way to practice fiction writing. Pick a place you know well and have spent time in. It could be your home, your workplace, your school, or even a park or a beach.

Take a few minutes to look around and observe your surroundings. Pay attention to the colors, textures, shapes, and sounds.

When you start writing, focus on the sensory details. Describe what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. This will help bring your writing to life. Use descriptive and vivid language to paint a clear picture.

11. Pretend to be someone else

This can be a fun and creative exercise that allows you to explore different perspectives and points of view. Think of someone you know well, such as a friend or family member. Alternatively, you could choose a fictional character from a book, movie, or TV show.

Put yourself in their shoes and imagine what they might be thinking and feeling in a given situation. What are their goals, fears, and motivations?

To help make the writing feel more authentic, use their voice and style of speaking and make sure the actions and thoughts you describe are consistent with the person or character you’ve chosen.

12. Explore a childhood memory

Childhood memories are often rich with detail, making them a great source of material for fiction writing.

Think of a memory from your childhood that had a strong emotional impact on you. It could be a happy memory, a sad one, or something in between.

First, focus on sensory details: what did you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch? Then, describe your feelings about it. How did it make you feel then, and how does it make you feel now?

13. Describe your favorite travel destination

Whether it’s a city, a beach, or a mountain range, describing your favorite travel destination can be a fun and exciting exercise to hone your writing skills when it comes to developing your settings.

Pick a place you’ve been to and love. It could be a place you’ve visited once or a place you go to often. Describe the destination in full descriptive detail to make your readers feel like they were there themselves.

14. Write a song lyric

Best writing exercises for writing fiction

Writing song lyrics can be a fun and creative writing exercise even if you don’t consider yourself a musician.

Start by thinking of a theme or message you want to convey. This could be a personal experience, a social issue, or a feeling you have.

Then, pick a song you really enjoy that fits the mood or tone of your theme and come up with your own lyrics.

Finally, find a karaoke version of the song online and sign your heart out!

15. Write about an issue you’re really passionate about

Fiction writing can be a powerful medium for advocating for social justice and change. If there’s an issue that you’re really passionate about, use this exercise to create a story about it.

Start by doing research and gathering facts and statistics that support your point of view. Next, think about your personal connection to the issue. Why does it matter to you? How has it impacted your life or the lives of those around you?

Use your personal experiences to add depth and authenticity to your writing.

Final Thoughts

The exercises provided in this article are just a starting point — there are countless other exercises and prompts available to help inspire your fiction writing (just Google “creative writing exercises” and you’ll see what I mean 🙂

Writing is a craft that requires practice and dedication. By regularly doing writing exercises, you’ll hone your skills and simply become a better writer. The key is to find exercises that work for you so you can easily incorporate them into your writing routine.

So, pick an exercise from the list above and see where it takes you!

Harry Wallett is the Founder and Managing Director of Relay Publishing. Combining his entrepreneurial background with a love of great stories, Harry founded Relay in 2013 as a fresh way to create books and for writers to earn a living from their work. Since then, Relay has sold 3+ million copies and worked with 100s of writers on bestselling titles such as Defending Innocence , The Alveria Dragon Akademy Series and Rancher’s Family Christmas . Harry oversees the creative direction of the company, and works to develop a supportive collaborative environment for the Relay team to thrive within in order to fulfill our mission to create unputdownable books.

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55 Creative Writing Activities and Exercises

Have you ever heard these questions or statements from your students?

I don’t know where to begin.
How can I make my story interesting?
I’m just not creative.
What should my story be about?

If so, you won’t want to miss these creative writing activities.

What Are Creative Writing Activities?

Activities that teach creative writing serve as drills to exercise your student’s writing muscle. When used effectively, they help reluctant writers get past that intimidating blank paper and encourage the words to flow.

When I think of creative writing exercises , writing prompts immediately come to mind. And, yes, writing from a prompt is certainly an example of a creative writing activity (a highly effective one).

However, writing prompts are only one way to teach creative writing. Other types of activities include games, collaboration with others, sensory activities, and comic strip creation to name a few.

Unlike writing assignments, creative writing activities aren’t necessarily meant to create a perfectly polished finished project.

Instead, they serve as more of a warmup and imagination boost.

Picture-based writing exercises are especially fun. You can download one for free below!

get this picture prompt printable for free!

How to use creative writing exercises effectively.

When teaching creative writing , the most effective exercises inspire and engage the student.

Remember that worn-out prompt your teacher probably hauled out every year?

“What I Did This Summer…”

Cue the groaning.

Instead of presenting your student with lackluster topics like that one, let’s talk about ways to engage and excite them.

For Kids or Beginners

Early writers tend to possess misconceptions about writing. Many picture sitting down for hours straight, polishing a story from beginning to end.

Even for experienced writers, this is next-to-impossible to do. It’s preconceived ideas like these that overwhelm and discourage students before they’ve even started.

Instead of assigning an essay to complete, start with simple, short writing exercises for elementary students such as:

Creating comic strips using a template
Talking out loud about a recent dream
Writing a poem using rhyming words you provide
Creating an acrostic from a special word

Creative writing exercises don’t have to end in a finished piece of work. If the exercise encouraged creative thinking and helped the student put pen to paper, it’s done its job.

For Middle School

Creative writing activities for middle school can be a little more inventive. They now have the fundamental reading and writing skills to wield their words properly.

Here are some ideas for middle school writing exercises you can try at home:

Creating Mad Lib-style stories by changing out nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their favorite tales
Storyboarding a short film
Writing a family newsletter
Creating crossword puzzles

For High School

Your high school student may be starting to prepare for college essays and other important creative writing assignments.

It’s more critical than ever for her to exercise her writing skills on a regular basis.

One great way to keep your high schooler’s mind thinking creatively is to have her make “listicles” of tips or facts about something she’s interested in already.

Another fun and effective creative writing exercise for high school is to have your student retell classic stories with a twist.

List of 55 Creative Writing Activities for Students of All Ages

No matter what age range your students may be, I think you’ll find something that suits their personality and interests in this list of creative writing ideas. Enjoy!

Using only the sense of hearing, describe your surroundings.
Write a paragraph from your shoes’ point of view. How do they view the world? What does a “day in the life of a shoe” look like?
Imagine what the world will be like in 200 years. Describe it.
Write a letter to someone you know who moved away. What has he or she missed? Should he or she move back? Why?
Make up an imaginary friend. What does he or she look like? What does he or she like to do?
Create a story about a person you know. Use as many details as possible.
Write a poem that describes a place you have been.
Soak up the season you’re in with seasonal creative writing prompts. Here are some ideas for fall and winter .
Write a song where each line starts with the next letter in the alphabet.
Create a list of words related to something you love.
Write a short story based on a true event in your life.
Rewrite a chapter of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view.
Write a letter to your future self. What do you want to make sure you remember?
Go on a five-senses scavenger hunt. Find three items for each sense. Create a story using the items you found.
Create a story around an interesting picture ( try these fun picture writing prompts! )
Find an ad in a magazine or elsewhere and rewrite the description to convince people NOT to buy the advertised item.
Write a story using the last word of each sentence as the first word of the next.
Describe everything you’re sensing right now, using all five senses.
Write a list of animals A to Z with a one-sentence description of each one. Feel free to include imaginary animals.
Design your dream room in detail.
Write a script of yourself interviewing a famous person. Include his or her answers.
Describe what high school would be like if you lived on the moon. What would you be learning about? How would you be learning it?
Describe a day in the life of a famous person in history. Include both mundane and exciting details of things they may have experienced on a normal day.
Pick up something on a bookshelf or end table nearby. Now write a commercial script for it to convince your audience that they absolutely must own this thing.
Plan a birthday party for your best friend. Describe the decorations, food, and everything else.
Write a very short story about three siblings fighting over a toy. Now rewrite it twice, each time from a different character’s perspective.
Tell a story from the point of view of a pigeon on a city street.
Create a menu for a deli you’ll be opening soon. Name each sandwich after something or someone in real life and list the fillings and type of bread.
Pretend you just became famous for something. Write 3 exciting newspaper headlines about the topic or reason behind your newfound fame.
Keep a one-line-a-day journal. Every day, write down one thought or sentence about something that happened that day or how you felt about the day.
Have you ever had a nightmare? Write what happened but with a new ending where everything turns out okay (perhaps the monster was your dad in a costume, preparing to surprise you at your birthday party).
Write a “tweet” about something that happened to you recently, using only 140 characters.
Take an important event in your life or the life of someone in your family. Write one sentence answering each of the 6 journalistic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and write nonstop, starting with the words “I remember.” If you get stuck, write “I remember” again until you get unstuck.
Pick something you use often (a toothbrush, your desk, etc). Then tell the story of how it was invented. If you don’t know, make something up.
Choose a princess or hero and write a one-paragraph story about him or her traveling to a distant land.
Pretend you are a tour guide for a local attraction. It can be a library, a park, or a museum, but it could also be a place that wouldn’t normally hold tours (such as an arcade). Write a speech about what you tell your tour group as you walk around the attraction.
Create a marketing brochure for your favorite activity or fun place to go.
Make a list of 10 future story settings. Write one sentence describing each. For example, “ in the dark, musty cellar of my grandmother’s house, surrounded by dried-up jars of canned peaches… ”
Make a list of foods included in a dinner party catered by the world’s worst cook, describing how each course looks, smells, and tastes. Include your reactions while eating it.
Write out your own version of instructions for playing your favorite game.
Pretend you’ve lost your sight for one night. Describe going out to eat at a restaurant, using smells, textures, and sounds to tell your story.
Write a script for an interesting phone conversation in which the reader can only hear one side.
Tell the story of an object someone threw away from the perspective of the person who tossed it out. Then tell the story of that same object from the perspective of a person who finds it and deems it a treasure.
List your 3 least favorite chores. Pick one and write a one paragraph detailing why you can’t possibly complete that chore ever again.
Write an excerpt from your dog’s diary (pretend he keeps one).
Write the script for a movie trailer—real or imagined.
Create an acrostic for a holiday of your choice.
Pretend you’re the master of a role-playing game, describing a sticky situation in which the other players now find themselves. Describe the scenario in writing.
Compose a funny or dramatic caption for a photo.
Parents, place a textured object in a box without letting your student see it. Have him or her reach in, touch the object, and then describe how it feels.
Write lyrics for a parody of a song.
Make a list of 10-20 songs that would be played if a movie was made about your life.
Describe the sounds, smells, sights, and textures you’d experience if you went to the beach for the day.
Write an election speech with ludicrous and impossible campaign promises.

One of the best ways to encourage students to write regularly is by providing fun creative writing activities .

They serve to encourage both the habit and mindset of writing with imagination. If you need extra help with that, check out Creative Freewriting Adventure :

bring excitement into your student’s writing – no prep required!

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

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Picture Prompts

125 Picture Prompts for Creative and Narrative Writing

What story can these images tell?

Paper sits in a typewriter. The words “It was a dark story night” have already been typed.

By The Learning Network

For eight years, we at The Learning Network have been publishing short, accessible, image-driven prompts that invite students to do a variety of kinds of writing via our Picture Prompts column.

Each week, at least one of those prompts asks students: Use your imagination to write the opening of a short story or poem inspired by this image — or, tell us about a memory from your own life that it makes you think of.

Now we’re rounding up years of these storytelling prompts all in one place. Below you’ll find 125 photos, illustrations and GIFs from across The New York Times that you can use for both creative and personal writing. We have organized them by genre, but many overlap and intersect, so know that you can use them in any way you like.

Choose an image, write a story, and then follow the link in the caption to the original prompt to post your response or read what other students had to say. Many are still open for comment for teenagers 13 and up. And each links to a free Times article too.

We can’t wait to read the tales you spin! Don’t forget that you can respond to all of our Picture Prompts, as they publish, here .

Images by Category

Everyday life, mystery & suspense, relationships, science fiction, travel & adventure, unusual & unexpected, cat in a chair, happy puppy, resourceful raccoon, cows and cellos, people and penguins, opossum among shoes, on the subway, sunset by the water, endless conversation, falling into a hole, lounging around, sneaker collection, the concert, meadow in starlight.

Related Picture Prompt | Related Article

Public Selfies

Night circus, tarot cards, castle on a hill, security line, batman on a couch, reaching through the wall, beware of zombies, haunted house, familial frights, witches on the water, blindfolded, phone booth in the wilderness, shadow in the sky, a letter in the mail, hidden doorway.

Point of No Return

Darkened library, under the table, playing dominoes, looking back, a wave goodbye, out at dusk, conversation, walking away, alone and together, a new friend, heated conversation, up in a tree, hole in the ceiling, under the desk, at their computers, marching band, band practice, in the hallway, in the lunchroom, the red planet, tech gadgets, trapped inside, astronaut and spider, computer screen, special key, tethered in space, on the court, in the waves, city skateboarding.

Fishing in a Stream

Over the falls.

Under the Sea

Sledding in the mountains, cracked mirror, wilderness wayfaring, car and cactus, walking through town, tropical confinement, travel travails, roller coasters, atop the hill, climbing a ladder, under the ice, other selves.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

Introduction to Creative Writing

Course description.

Introduces the craft and practice of creative writing. Engages with both contemporary and classic authors within the primary genres of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. May also include exploration of other genres such as drama, screenwriting, digital storytelling, film, and performance genres. Develops use of craft elements discussed in class to compose original work in at least two genres. Covers revision practices for voice and purpose. Audit Available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify the basic craft elements of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing.
Read critically to analyze poetry, fiction, essays, and other written works.
Write original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works.
Participate in workshop method of critiquing creative writing.
Revise works within the creative writing process.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Department suggestions: Original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works, peer workshop, written analysis of creative texts.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: identify the basic crat elements of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing..

point of view
symbolism/allegory
figurative language
rhyme scheme
speaker vs poet
basic poetic forms (i.e. sonnet, haiky, villanelle, sestia, acrostic, ballad, ode, free verse, limerick, etc.)

Outcome #2: Read critically to analyze poetry, fiction, and essays.

identiry genre
identify main idea/point/purpose
describe structure
impacts of author choices
annotating a text
making claims
summary vs analysis
in class workshop
instruction in constructive feedback (both written and verbal)
crafting question as feedback

Outcome #3: Write original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction work.

Brainstorming
writing journal
acrostic prompts
hermit crab/mimic forms
written description of images
timed freewriting
at least one fiction draft
2-5 poem drafts
at least one creative nonfiction draft

Outcome #4: Participate in workshop method of critiquing creative writing.

set community standards for in class workshop
written drafts submitted in advance
instruction on constructive and polite feeback
guided workshop process
both verbal and written feedback among peers

Outcome #5: Revise works within the creative writing process.

reverse outlines
cut & amp; rearrange
scan and highlight
revision checklists
diction/word choice
consistent point of view
shifts in verb tense
sentence/line variety
paragraph breakdown
integrate insights from workshop process in revision work
integrate insights from readings in revision work
write self-assessment of revision process

Suggested Texts and Materials

OER Text: Write or Left: An OER Textbook for Creative Writing Classes. Compiled and written by Sybil Priebe, an Associate Professor at the North Dakota State College of Science.
OER Text: the anti-textbook of writing (remixed). By Sybil Priebe and students.
OER Text: Introduction to Creative Writing. Linda Frances Lein, Alexandria Technical and Community College – Distance Minnesota
OER Text: Creative Writing, Creative Process. Matthew Cheney, Plymouth State University

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Book News & Features

Ai is contentious among authors. so why are some feeding it their own writing.

Chloe Veltman

The vast majority of authors don't use artificial intelligence as part of their creative process — or at least won't admit to it.

Yet according to a recent poll from the writers' advocacy nonprofit The Authors Guild, 13% said they do use AI, for activities like brainstorming character ideas and creating outlines.

The technology is a vexed topic in the literary world. Many authors are concerned about the use of their copyrighted material in generative AI models. At the same time, some are actively using these technologies — even attempting to train AI models on their own works.

These experiments, though limited, are teaching their authors new things about creativity.

Best known as the author of technology and business-oriented non-fiction books like The Long Tail, lately Chris Anderson has been trying his hand at fiction. Anderson is working on his second novel, about drone warfare.

He says he wants to put generative AI technology to the test.

"I wanted to see whether in fact AI can do more than just help me organize my thoughts, but actually start injecting new thoughts," Anderson says.

Anderson says he fed parts of his first novel into an AI writing platform to help him write this new one. The system surprised him by moving his opening scene from a corporate meeting room to a karaoke bar.

Authors push back on the growing number of AI 'scam' books on Amazon

"And I was like, you know? That could work!" Anderson says. "I ended up writing the scene myself. But the idea was the AI's."

Anderson says he didn't use a single actual word the AI platform generated. The sentences were grammatically correct, he says, but fell way short in terms of replicating his writing style. Although he admits to being disappointed, Anderson says ultimately he's OK with having to do some of the heavy lifting himself: "Maybe that's just the universe telling me that writing actually involves the act of writing."

Training an AI model to imitate style

It's very hard for off-the-shelf AI models like GPT and Claude to emulate contemporary literary authors' styles.

The authors NPR talked with say that's because these models are predominantly trained on content scraped from the Internet like news articles, Wikipedia entries and how-to manuals — standard, non-literary prose.

But some authors, like Sasha Stiles , say they have been able to make these systems suit their stylistic needs.

"There are moments where I do ask my machine collaborator to write something and then I use what's come out verbatim," Stiles says.

The poet and AI researcher says she wanted to make the off-the-shelf AI models she'd been experimenting with for years more responsive to her own poetic voice.

So she started customizing them by inputting her finished poems, drafts, and research notes.

"All with the intention to sort of mentor a bespoke poetic alter ego," Stiles says.

She has collaborated with this bespoke poetic alter ego on a variety of projects, including Technelegy (2021), a volume of poetry published by Black Spring Press; and " Repetae: Again, Again ," a multimedia poem created last year for luxury fashion brand Gucci.

Stiles says working with her AI persona has led her to ask questions about whether what she's doing is in fact poetic, and where the line falls between the human and the machine.

read it again… pic.twitter.com/sAs2xhdufD — Sasha Stiles | AI alter ego Technelegy ✍️🤖 (@sashastiles) November 28, 2023

"It's been really a provocative thing to be able to use these tools to create poetry," she says.

Potential issues come with these experiments

These types of experiments are also provocative in another way. Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger says she's not opposed to authors training AI models on their own writing.

"If you're using AI to create derivative works of your own work, that is completely acceptable," Rasenberger says.

Thousands of authors urge AI companies to stop using work without permission

But building an AI system that responds fluently to user prompts requires vast amounts of training data. So the foundational AI models that underpin most of these investigations in literary style may contain copyrighted works.

Rasenberger pointed to the recent wave of lawsuits brought by authors alleging AI companies trained their models on unauthorized copies of articles and books.

"If the output does in fact contain other people's works, that creates real ethical concerns," she says. "Because that you should be getting permission for."

Circumventing ethical problems while being creative

Award-winning speculative fiction writer Ken Liu says he wanted to circumvent these ethical problems, while at the same time creating new aesthetic possibilities using AI.

So the former software engineer and lawyer attempted to train an AI model solely on his own output. He says he fed all of his short stories and novels into the system — and nothing else.

Liu says he knew this approach was doomed to fail.

That's because the entire life's work of any single writer simply doesn't contain enough words to produce a viable so-called large language model.

"I don't care how prolific you are," Liu says. "It's just not going to work."

Liu's AI system built only on his own writing produced predictable results.

"It barely generated any phrases, even," Liu says. "A lot of it was just gibberish."

Yet for Liu, that was the point. He put this gibberish to work in a short story. 50 Things Every AI Working With Humans Should Know , published in Uncanny Magazine in 2020, is a meditation on what it means to be human from the perspective of a machine.

"Dinoted concentration crusch the dead gods," is an example of one line in Liu's story generated by his custom-built AI model. "A man reached the torch for something darker perified it seemed the billboding," is another.

Liu continues to experiment with AI. He says the technology shows promise, but is still very limited. If anything, he says, his experiments have reaffirmed why human art matters.

"So what is the point of experimenting with AIs?" Liu says. "The point for me really is about pushing the boundaries of what is art."

Audio and digital stories edited by Meghan Collins Sullivan .

large language model
mary rasenberger
chris anderson
sasha stiles
authors guild

IMAGES

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Writing Exercise

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105 Creative Writing Exercises: 10 Min Writing Exercises
Creative writing exercises are short writing activities (normally around 10 minutes) designed to get you writing. The goal of these exercises is to give you the motivation to put words onto a blank paper. These words don't need to be logical or meaningful, neither do they need to be grammatically correct or spelt correctly.
24 of the Best Writing Exercises to Become a Better Writer
Write from the point-of-view of a famous historical figure. Write a story or poem from the perspective of an object: a statue, a doll, a roomba, etc. Write from the perspective of a person you dislike. While playing with perspective makes for a great fiction writing exercise , poets and essayists can do this too.
8 Creative Writing Exercises to Strengthen Your Writing
Learning to write fiction is like training for a marathon. Before you get ready for the main event, it's good to warm up and stretch your creative muscles. Whether you're a published author of a bestselling book or a novice author writing a novel for the first time, creative exercises are great for clearing up writer's block and getting your creative juices flowing.
️ 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors
Eight. Pick a fiction book from your shelf. Go to page eight and find the eighth sentence on the page. Start with that sentence and write an eight-line poem that connects in some way to your work-in-progress. For instance, write from the POV of a character, or set the poem in a story setting. Don't worry about poetry forms.
100 Writing Practice Lessons & Exercises
Writing practice is a method of becoming a better writer that usually involves reading lessons about the writing process, using writing prompts, doing creative writing exercises, or finishing writing pieces, like essays, short stories, novels, or books. The best writing practice is deliberate, timed, and involves feedback.
43 Creative Writing Exercises & Games For Adults
A selection of fun creative writing exercises that can be completed solo, or with a group. Some are prompts to help inspire you to come up with story ideas, others focus on learning specific writing skills. Intro. I run a Creative Writing Meetup for adults and teens in Montpellier or online every week. We start with a 5 to 20 minute exercise ...
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5. Write a stream of consciousness page. This is an easy and fun exercise. You want to write it in longhand rather than typing on your computer, as handwriting slows down the process and allows more time for your creative brain to do its work. Grab a pen and blank pad and simply start writing.
29 Easy, Fun, and Effective Writing Exercises
The purpose of creative writing exercises is to expand your imagination and to spark new ideas or thoughts, encouraging you to practice writing these before you start on your next project. Themed writing prompts can be helpful here, breaking down your prompts into different buckets like: Food. Animals. Landscapes.
14 Creative Writing Exercises to Improve Your Writing
This activity is a great creative writing exercise and a way to tap into your emotions. 4. Do a Point of View (POV) Switch. Take a segment from a favorite book. Rewrite that segment from a different character's point of view. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is written in third-person limited POV.
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Prompt 3. Imagine you can describe a sculpture by how it feels as you run your hands over it. Prompt 4. Write about the earliest touch you can remember. Prompt 5. Write about something you can't pass by without touching it. For more on the sense of touch, read the blog How To Use The Sense Of Touch In Your Writing.
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If you're interested in the world of creative writing, we have eight fantastic exercises and activities to get you started. ️🤩 Don't miss on the joy of Creative Writing: here are 8 ways to get started. Click to tweet! 1. Use writing prompts every week. Coming up with ideas for short stories can be challenging, which is why we created a ...
13 Creative Writing Exercises: Become a Better Writer
4 - Take one of your favorite short stories, either one you've written or one you've read, and write it in a different genre. For example, take a romance and write it as horror. This is a super fun exercise, and it lets you practice using tone and perspective! The tone of a story can change the meaning.
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This creative writing exercise will help you build a list of rich and engaging details to draw from as you write. Let's take Edinburgh as an example. I picture a crowded city, filled with breweries and distilleries. In winter winds, a hint of malt hangs in the air. Snow coats the roof tops, with temperatures averaging around 0°C.
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As you write out their words, you'll internalize their writing style, their pace and rhythm, their grammar, their word choice, and their sentence structure. Make no mistake. This is one of the most powerful ways to sharpen your writing skills and build creative muscle. 2. Replicate the Rhetoric from JFK and MLK.
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Exercise #8: Try your hand at a script. Like poetry, scriptwriting comes with its own set of skills and benefits for the prose writer. Whether you're struggling with a scene or looking to get started, approaching it with a screen or stage writer's mindset will help unlock creativity - and strengthen your writing.
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Creative writing exercises serve as a catalyst for boosting creativity and nurturing a writer\'s imaginative capabilities. They allow writers to break free from traditional writing boundaries and explore unconventional ideas and concepts. Through these exercises, writers can unlock their creative potential and develop unique writing styles ...
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Now, let's enter the "Writer's Gym" and explore 16 exercises to improve your writing. 1. Freewrite, then condense by half. How it works: Ignites creativity and strengthens concision and self-editing skills. Pick any topic you like, set a five-minute timer, and write whatever comes to mind.
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5. Try Writing Flash Fiction. Try to crank out a piece of flash fiction. As with other creative writing exercises, don't spend too much time at it. Simply sit down in front of the computer or a piece of paper, and begin writing. Flash fiction doesn't usually go beyond 500 words, so try to keep it short.
5 Creative Writing Exercises to Get Your Creativity Flowing
Creative writing exercises are a way to flex your writing muscles. These tasks can help you: Look at your writing from a different perspective. Expand your vocabulary. Practice certain skills, such as writing dialogue or developing characters. Generate ideas for longer pieces of writing. Writers of any level, from beginner to advanced, can use ...
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How are creative writing exercises different than writing prompts or story generators? Good question. Creative writing exercises are designed to teach a technique. They are highly specific, more specific than creative writing prompts, and much more specific than story generators. Creative writing exercises for adults are not designed to lead the writer into crafting a full […]
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57 Genius-Sparking Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers. Abi Wurdeman. May 6, 2022. The best writing exercises for fiction writers are the ones that help you tap into the story you already wanted to tell. Sometimes we writers get ourselves overwhelmed by the thought that there's something we "should" be writing.
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Fun writing exercises can help you find the love and passion for your writing project again. Creative writing prompts can help you with character development, enabling you to push deeper with your characters and really explore motivation, themes, and plot. Writing exercises - whether contemplating the first word of your novel or attempting to ...
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Hundreds of Plot Development creative writing exercises you'll actually want to try! Filter through them by writer's block, plot development, character development, setting, outlining, worldbuilding, and dialogue.
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Focus on the details that bring your character to life, like their mannerisms, speech patterns, and thoughts. 9. Describe a fantasy world. Creating a fantasy world is a fun and imaginative exercise that can help you develop your descriptive writing skills. Start by imagining the world you want to create.
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Creating comic strips using a template. Talking out loud about a recent dream. Writing a poem using rhyming words you provide. Creating an acrostic from a special word. Creative writing exercises don't have to end in a finished piece of work.
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For eight years, we at The Learning Network have been publishing short, accessible, image-driven prompts that invite students to do a variety of kinds of writing via our Picture Prompts column ...
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Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies. The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self ...
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11 Creative Writing Exercises To Awaken Your Inner Author

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14 Creative Writing Exercises to Improve Your Writing

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14 Best Writing Exercises to Try (For Beginners AND Pros)

2. Use Story Starters

3. Write a “Dear Younger Me” Letter

4. Do a Point of View (POV) Switch

5. Put Yourself in the Middle of the Action

6. Eliminate Empty Words

7. Outline Dialogue-Heavy Scenes

8. Replace Adjectives with Descriptions

9. Blog Every Day

10. Write a 500-Word Story

11. Set a Captivating Mood

12. Be Observant

13. Practice Empathy

14. Group Writing Exercises

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1. CONSTRUCT A SETTING

2. USE LISTS TO ORGANISE YOUR PLOT

3. THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER

4. Beyond the page

5. Three act structure

6. Links through time

7. Bucket list

8. Hobbyist

9. USe all five senses

10. There's a shark behind you

GET MORE INSPIRATION

Written By Eira Edwards

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