Writing Exercises to Improve Your Craft

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Why use writing exercises?

Writing exercises help sharpen your skills, spark creativity and break through blocks. They offer a safe space to experiment without pressure. (I once did a dialogue exercise that led to a whole new character.)

Examples:

  • Freewriting for 10 minutes to unleash ideas
  • Writing a scene from a different character’s point of view
  • Crafting vivid descriptions of everyday objects

Tips:

  • Set a timer to keep focused
  • Don’t worry about perfection just write
  • Try different types of exercises regularly

Further reading: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

How can freewriting boost creativity?

Freewriting involves writing continuously without editing or stopping. It frees your mind from self-criticism and lets ideas flow. (It’s amazing how a plot twist can develop during a freewriting session!) Just let the story start to pour out without editing or overthinking, then look back for ideas or surprises.

Examples:

  • Writing whatever comes to mind for 10 minutes
  • Using a random prompt to start freewriting
  • Combining freewriting with brainstorming

Tips:

  • Keep your pen moving or fingers typing
  • Ignore grammar or spelling mistakes
  • Review later to find useful ideas

Further reading: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

How can rewriting scenes improve your writing?

Rewriting allows you to see your work from new angles, sharpen language and improve clarity. It gives you the chance to rethink your ideas, reorganise your structure, and cut out anything that doesn’t quite fit. This process helps reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses in your writing. It is where much of the craft happens, as you gradually mould your initial thoughts into something more polished and engaging. Through rewriting, your voice becomes clearer, your message stronger, and your story more compelling.

Examples:

  • Changing the point of view of a scene
  • Tightening dialogue and description
  • Adding sensory details to bring scenes alive

Tips:

  • Take breaks between drafts to see your work fresh
  • Focus on one aspect at a time such as plot, character or style
  • Ask for feedback before rewriting

Further reading: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

How do timed writing exercises help?

Timed exercises create urgency and reduce overthinking. They simulate writing under pressure and build discipline. (Set a 15-minute timer and hit a scene you’ve been stuck on!)

Examples:

  • Writing a character’s reaction to sudden news in 10 minutes
  • Describing a setting quickly without pausing
  • Composing a dialogue exchange under time constraints

Tips:

  • Use a timer and stick to it
  • Avoid editing while the clock is running
  • Review and polish after the session

Use this guide:

  • Set a clear goal: Before starting, decide what you want to focus on.
  • Use a timer: Choose 10, 15, or 20 minutes depending on your comfort level. Apps, phone timers, or even a kitchen timer work well.
  • Write without editing: Don’t stop to correct grammar or rethink sentences. Just keep writing whatever comes to mind.
  • Embrace imperfection: The goal is progress, not perfection. Timed writing is about unlocking ideas!
  • Review later: Once time’s up, take a break, then come back to revise and expand what you’ve written.
  • Make it regular: Try to do timed exercises daily or several times a week to build stamina and reduce anxiety around writing.
  • Use prompts if stuck: If you’re not sure what to write, start with a prompt or a line from your current project.

Further reading: The Practice of Creative Writing by Heather Sellers

What are prompts and how do they help?

Prompts are starting points or ideas that spark writing. They push you out of comfort zones and inspire new directions.

Examples:

  • A first line to start a story
  • A word or phrase to build around
  • A picture or photo to describe

Tips:

  • Choose prompts that excite or challenge you
  • Use prompts to explore different genres or styles
  • Combine multiple prompts for variety

Further reading: 642 Things to Write About by the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto

Where to find writing prompts?

Websites & Blogs

  1. Reedsy Prompts – Weekly creative writing prompts with competitions
  2. Writer’s Digest Prompts – Various genres and themes
  3. The Write Practice – Daily writing prompts and exercises
  4. Poets & Writers – Prompts focusing on poetry and prose
  5. Reddit r/WritingPrompts – User-generated prompts with story replies
  6. Seventh Sanctum – Random generators for sci-fi, fantasy, horror prompts
  7. DIY MFA – Prompts plus advice for writers
  8. ThinkWritten – Large lists of prompts by genre
  9. The Story Shack – Flash fiction prompts with art
  10. Writers Write – Practical prompts for writers

Books of Writing Prompts

  1. 642 Things to Write About by San Francisco Writers’ Grotto
  2. The Writer’s Block by Jason Rekulak
  3. A Year of Creative Writing Prompts by Love in Ink
  4. Prompt Me by Robin Woods
  5. The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley

Social Media & Apps

  1. Instagram accounts like @writing.prompt.s and @writingpromptsdaily
  2. Pinterest boards dedicated to writing prompts
  3. Twitter hashtags like #WritingPrompt or #WritersLife
  4. Writing Challenge Apps like Prompts, Brainsparker
  5. Daily Prompt Email Newsletters (e.g., Writers Write)

Writing Communities & Forums

  1. NaNoWriMo forums – lots of prompt exchanges around November
  2. Scribophile – community sharing prompts and feedback
  3. Critique Circle – prompts in writing groups
  4. Absolute Write Water Cooler – prompt threads
  5. Medium’s Writing Prompt Collections

Educational & Literary Sources

  1. Creative Writing 101 from university websites
  2. Library of Congress Writing Prompt Collection
  3. Poetry Foundation’s Prompts
  4. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) prompt packs
  5. Local writing workshops and MFA programmes often post prompts online

Random & Fun Generators

  1. Plot Generator.net
  2. Story Cube apps or dice
  3. Fantasy Name Generators prompt section
  4. Random First Line Generators
  5. Character Generator websites

Everyday Life & Inspiration

  1. Your own journal, everyday events turned into prompts
  2. News headlines or obituaries as story starters
  3. Song lyrics or album titles
  4. Photography websites with photo prompts
  5. Art prompts from museums or Pinterest

Classic Writing Exercises

  1. Write a scene with no dialogue
  2. Start with “It was a dark and stormy night…” and twist it
  3. Write a letter from one character to another
  4. Describe a place using all five senses
  5. Write a story with a twist ending

Miscellaneous

  1. Writing prompt books for kids (often great for fresh ideas)
  2. Movie or TV show plot synopses altered for a new story
  3. Famous quotes turned into stories
  4. Dream journals
  5. Everyday objects described as if alien or magical

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