Advice from a Rebel Leader

79 Prompts to Break Your Block

Writers, get ready to put out.

I’m a storytelling coach. I work with humans trying to separate their stories from their experiences, excavating the best work for general consumption. Not all the stories we craft are for every audience, and that’s a beautiful thing. Because when you find your audience, your words will flow like milk & honey — you’ve finally found where you belong.

Until that magical moment occurs, you may experience writing block. Whether you’re debating about a niche, struggling with tone, or simply unsure which story to tell next, I can help. Here are 79 story prompts I use in my work as a writing coach to help writers become storytellers.

You know there’s a big difference, right?

Photo by Andraz Lazic on Unsplash

Tell me…

1. About a time your heart was broken.
2. How you learned about the last time someone lied.
3. When you knew you were on the wrong path.
4. How you found the gall to become a writer.
5. About the last time you danced.
6. How to cook your favorite meal.
7. Why you chose that name for your child.
8. What made you decide to slow down.
9. What it means to you to live “fully alive.”
10. Why you decided to practice your faith.
11. How you first learned about sex.
12. What makes you laugh uncontrollably.
13. Where you go when you’re deeply in pain.
14. About the last “rabbit hole” you went down.
15. Who taught you your current mantra.
16. About when you learned how to drive.
17. How you manage your eating habits during the day.
18. Why you believe something controversial to be valuable.
19. Why you’re keeping that secret until you die.
20. How your education shaped your career choices.
21. What you daydream about.
22. Your top five favorite unusual words (writer’s have those).
23. Which three literary characters you wish you could meet.
24. Who taught you the meaning of integrity.
25. Why those characteristics are “turn offs.”
26. What book you would write if you could only write one.
27. What you want to be known for.
28. How you find courage to embrace discomfort.
29. What it means to you for someone to hold space.
30. About who first gave you permission to dream bigger.
31. What caused your greatest frustration last year.
32. How you overcome the fear of public speaking.
33. Your secret to the world’s greatest spaghetti sauce.
34. What you would call the “chorus” of your life’s work.
35. Who first showed you life would not be easy, but worth it.
36. How you rise from a fall.
37. What makes you wake up in the morning.
38. About a time you learned humility.
39. How you overcome your anxiety without #psychtips.
40. Why you write.
41. How you stand out in a sea of sameness.
42. What it means to value your time over your contribution.
43. How you live in the wilderness.
44. How you cultivate simplicity.
45. Why uncomfortable moments are to be treasured.
46. What brings you immeasurable joy.
47. How you silence the critics and persevere.
48. What you do to release tension in a relationship.
49. About a time you were betrayed.
50. About a time you did the thing you said you would never do.
51. Why you choose to abstain from something common.
52. How you survive the things that hurt.
53. About the person you call when life is too much.
54. About a time that you settled.
55. About an encounter with a motivational speaker.
56. What you did when you realized they were a narcissist.
57. Why you haven’t quit trying to write.
58. What it means to you to find your truth.
59. Who you could meet that would take your breath away.
60. What you hope to leave as your legacy.
61. About the person who taught you to swim.
62. About a moment you were in over your head.
63. Why you avoid your grief.
64. How you are pursuing healing in your life.
65. What you would create if you had no limits.
66. What makes you feel pure rage.
67. About the last fight you lost.
68. About a regret.
69. How you are overcoming addiction.
70. What you do when the chips are down.
71. About a failed idea or investment.
72. About an elder you admire.
73. The time you first noticed you had a voice.
74. About a moment you felt truly alone.
75. The WHY behind your habits.
76. About accepting the thing you cannot change.
77. The song that would be your entrance theme as a professional wrestler.
78. About a guilty pleasure you keep to yourself.
79. How your childhood dream shaped who you are today.

I can’t wait to hear your story.

Mandy Capehart is a small business owner and certified life/grief coach.
She is the creator of The Restorative Grief Project, an online community focusing on one another’s stories and new methodologies for grief, creating a safe environment for our souls to heal and our spirits to be revived. To join for free, visit www.MandyCapehart.com/grief or follow along with weekly columns on Ask A Grief Coach!