A great creative writing exercise you can try when you're feeling stuck in the depths of writer's block is to start with just one word and see where it takes you. A single word may be the simplest of writing prompts, but it can also be the most open to original interpretation.
The Human Experience
As Carol Shields once wrote, great novels "shorten the distance between what is privately felt and universally known." There is nothing more universal than human emotion and thought; seeking to capture what it means to be human can make for some truly insightful writing.
- Regret
- Fulfilled
- Family
- Obsession
- Tested
- Overcome
- Triumph
- Passion
- Jealousy
- Deception
- Tenacious
- Duplicity
- Loyalty
- Routine
- Elation
- Ambition
- Impress
- Focus
- Follower
- Laughter
- Trust
- Ungrateful
- Maybe
- Granted
- Melody
- Nostalgic
- Tradition
- Expectation
- Influence
- Obligation
- Care
- Runaway
- Isolation
- Agony
- Peace
- Pause
- Comfort
- Unfamiliar
- Lost
- Sentimental
- Saccharin
- Forgiveness
- Confusing
- Exhaustion
A Time and a Place
While an entry in a personal journal or diary may focus on the immediate events of the day and the near future, you can also look beyond your immediate surroundings. Transport your narrative to another location or era with one of these single word writing prompts.
- Thanksgiving
- Reunion
- Darkness
- Ruins
- Summer
- Teddy
- Innocence
- Retirement
- Holidays
- Camelot
- Feudal
- Samurai
- Flyover
- Kilimanjaro
- Sunset
- Ocean
- Detention
- Interstate
- Suitcase
- Breakup
- BFF
- Heaven
- Limbo
- Backstage
- Wild
- Classroom
- Interstellar
- Camp
- Metropolis
- Suburbia
- Legend
- Purgatory
- Torrential
- Winter
- Cleopatra
- Mayan
- Monotony
- Village
- Stage
- Outside
- Basement
- Office
- Wasteland
- Refuge
- Heartland
- Johannesburg
- Nepal
- Prehistoric
- Renaissance
A Twisted Mother Tongue
The English language traces its origins back to a random mishmash of multiple languages, deriving and adopting terms from multiple sources. These prompts can add some worldly flair to your writing.
- Gesundheit
- Lingerie
- Gambino
- Padre
- Gung-ho
- Avatar
- Aficionado
- Consigliere
- Milieu
- Qigong
- Guru
- Necropolis
- Dystopian
- Fracas
- Abacus
- Pirouette
- Anonymous
- Führer
- Protégé
- Shaman
- Wanderlust
- Rouge
- Mythos
- Macramé
- Muumuu
- Kamikaze
- Kanji
- Iota
- Affidavit
- Zeitgeist
- Origami
- Raconteuse
- Doppelgänger
- Veranda
- Muchacho
- Schmooze
- Kahuna
- Übermensch
- Ronin
- Clique
- Boudoir
The Hybrid Theory
While the term is also used to describe a large leather suitcase, a portmanteau is a word that is formed when you combine two different words together. This can result in some rather striking and stimulating language.
- Zedonk
- Workaholic
- Shopaholic
- Docudrama
- Bromance
- Glamping
- Manspreading
- Jazzercise
- Hangry
- Funtacular
- Sexting
- Bennifer
- Animatronic
- Californication
- Snowpocalypse
- Jeggings
- Edutainment
- Netizen
- Mathlete
- McMansion
- Gerrymandering
- Sharknado
- Threenager
- Travelogue
- Vlog
- Synth-pop
- Blaxploitation
- Yorkipoo
- Blogosphere
- Guesstimate
- Webisode
- Nontroversy
- Meritocracy
- Chillax
- Solopreneur
- Sexcapade
- Paratrooper
- Podcast
- Cronut
- Staycation
- Frenemies
- Bollywood
- Frankenfruit
The Five Senses
A subtle aroma can elicit strong memories of the past and few things are quite as satisfying as the perfect morsel of food. Humans experience the world through all five senses, and depicting those sensations through words is a noble endeavor for any writer, author or journalist.
- Warmth
- Blinded
- Quiet
- Chills
- Stuffed
- Breath
- Floral
- Spotted
- Putrid
- Starving
- Crunch
- Juicy
- Growling
- Silence
- Hum
- Belched
- Bubbly
- Stale
- Tingling
- Pressure
- Shine
- Bland
- Murmur
- Dusty
- Smooth
- Prickly
- Lush
- Azure
- Dizzying
- Beauty
- Burnt
- Clean
- Music
- Searing
- Homeostasis
- Wrinkle
- Squirm
- Smoky
- Gray
- Billowy
- Sniff
- Crimson
- Blush
- Curls
- Squishy
- Distant
- Supple
Everyday Objects
The greatest inspiration can sometimes be derived from the banalest of circumstances. Consider how you can elevate the mundane to the sublime, starting with these everyday, one-word writing prompts.
- Remote
- Letter
- Lawnmower
- Daffodil
- Sunglasses
- Hanger
- Chopsticks
- Loafers
- Crosswalk
- Chalkboard
- Key
- Cane
- Skateboard
- Armchair
- Rotary
- Postcard
- Wagon
- Tricycle
- Marker
- Desk
- Lunchbox
- Locket
- Label
- Flannel
- Abacus
- Dresser
- Stockings
- Mirror
- Padlock
- Hairbrush
- Handlebar
- Flask
- Yardstick
- Emoji
- Petal
- Outlet
- Microphone
- Flashlight
- Alarm
- Notepad
Is This Just Fantasy?
Illuminating the complexities and nuances of common, everyday life can lead to some incredible revelations. On the other hand, exploring the fantastical and paranormal where all notions of accepted reality are completely thrown out the window can lead to truly remarkable narratives.
- Muggle
- Mutant
- Telekinesis
- Cursed
- Dazzled
- Wormhole
- Hybrid
- Metamorphosis
- Pantheon
- Dreamscape
- Astral
- Precognition
- Prophecy
- Warlock
- Pegasus
- Jackalope
- Ritual
- Rivendell
- Troll
- Creature
- Apparition
- Neptune
- Anubis
- Tempest
- Shape-shifter
- Worship
- Photograph
- Float
- Conjuring
- Superhero
- Undead
- Wonderland
- Dragon
- Shadow
- Epic
- Zealot
- Mirrorverse
- Lilliputian
- Luck
- Sacrifice
- Supersonic
One Word After Another
When drawing a blank on ideas, the right writing prompts can help kids, students and adults alike get those creative juices flowing. Sometimes, all it takes is a single word to inspire the beginning of an incredible story or thoughtful essay.
