11 Of The Best Writing Prompts Books

What writer wouldn’t love a writing prompts book?

If you’re reading this article, you’d probably like to know more about the options available and why you should consider any of them.

For the writer who already has a stockpile of journals, pens, and snacks, a book of writing prompts is the perfect gift to say, “I’m so proud of you, my writer friend, and since I can’t buy you coffee every day, this will help light up that brain of yours and get those fingers tapping out words.”

For those days when you’d like an easily accessible book full of unique writing prompts — either printed or available on your e-reader app — the following five options are ideal.

And since they don’t depend on continuous internet access, you can use them anywhere.

Paperback or Ebook?

The first three books listed are available in paperback only since they provide writing space after each prompt.

The great thing about a print book of writing prompts is when you fill the entire book with your writing, you have a journal of sorts to save for future inspiration.

The ebook options have their advantages, too, as you’ll see with the fourth and fifth books listed.

Whatever you choose, the following books will help you keep the words flowing even on those days when your brain feels as empty as your coffee cup.

So, refill that cup and consider the following writer-tested options.

11 of the Best Writing Prompts Books

1. 500 Writing Prompts by Picadilly

500 Writing Prompts writing prompts books

With 204 pages, this 8” by 10” book has enough writing prompts to keep you busy for well over a year, if you only tackle one a day.

The lay-flat binding makes it easier to write on the wood-free and acid-free archive-quality paper, which will probably last long enough to allow your grandkids to enjoy (and possibly publish) the ramblings of your younger self.


2. 300 Writing Prompts by Picadilly

300 Writing Prompts writing prompts books

With 300 writing prompts, this one has the same number of pages but comes in a smaller size (5.6” by 8.5”).

It has the same lay-flat binding and archive-quality paper but will more easily fit into a purse or laptop bag.


3. 400 Writing Prompts by Picadilly

If 300 writing prompts aren’t quite enough, but you like the smaller size, this book is the one to get. At 5.9” by 8.4”, it’s still small enough to easily fit into a handbag but large enough to provide ample writing space.

It has the same lay-flat binding, so you won’t have to make an ugly crease in the cover it to make it stay open while you write.


4. 1,000 Awesome Writing Prompts by Ryan Andrew Kinder

If you want your writing prompts grouped by type, and you’d rather write or type your responses into a print journal or digital page of your own choosing, this book provides an organized list of 1,000 writing prompts in either ebook or paperback form.

The paperback is 6” by 9” and has 84 pages, which makes it easy to take it anywhere with your journal or laptop.


5. 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts Box Set by Bryan Cohen and Jeremiah Jones

With five books in this digital box set, you actually get 5,000 unique writing prompts.

Unlike any of the former options, you can get this only in ebook form.

As long as you keep it downloaded to your e-reader app on your phone or tablet, you’ll have easy access to it (even without WiFi) when you need inspiration for your next journal entry, blog post, character sketch, flash fiction challenge, or book idea.

Plus, you have a great excuse to buy extra journals and pens (and snacks), thanks to the cognitive benefits of writing by hand.

However you get those words out, though, the important thing is that you make it a habit to write every day — even if it’s only a one-sentence answer to a writing prompt.

Your brain will thank you for it.


6. A Year of Creative Writing Prompts by Love in Ink 

Two passionate authors got together to create this collection of hand-picked and hand-crafted writing prompts — hundreds for each of the genres included. It also has a special section of writing challenges using a variety of rhetorical techniques. 

With a year’s worth of fresh, carefully-crafted writing prompts — from writing exercises to book ideas —  this creative workbook will banish writer’s block and make “writing for fun’ a regular part of your day. 


7. Prompt Me: Creative Writing Journal & Workbook 

Clean enough for teens and challenging enough for seasoned writers, this option gives you plenty of variety to keep you both busy and entertained — from “self-discovery topics” to “fill in the blank” exercises to “dialogue prompts,” among many others. 

This journal/workbook is designed for writers, teachers, homeschooling parents, screenwriters, and anyone who wants to beat writer’s block and hone their storytelling skills. 


8. 642 Things To Write About (Guided Journal, Creative Writing, Writing Prompt Journal 

This prompt journal is the brainchild of 35 writers from a creative community/workspace known as the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto. 

Along with various writing exercises — from the absurd to the philosophical — you’ll have plenty of space to write as the prompts inspire you. 

Designed to look like a fresh notebook (and what writer isn’t drawn to that?), this journal makes an ideal gift for novice and seasoned writers alike. 


9. Dare To Write: Creative Writing Prompts for Young People and Word Rebels Everywhere 

If you’re a young writer or a rebel in your own right, use this workbook to break through writer’s block and get you writing in ways you never have before. 

Look through the generous selection of prompts and writing exercises for each genre to develop your characters, brainstorm plots and subplots, and ask thought-provoking questions to reinvigorate your story. 

This book is all about doing things your way — but with fresh inspiration. 


10. 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts to Unstick Your Brain – Volume 1 

This one keeps it simple with 1,000 prompts to get you writing and thinking about your current project in new ways. As the title says, the goal is to “unstick your brain” with prompts generated by the online Writerspark creative writing group. 

Start at the beginning or choose prompts at random to give your brain an exciting mini-project for the day. You never know what ideas will come to mind as a result. 


11. Writing Prompts for Romance: Creative Writing Journal (Story Starters Workbook) 

The prompts in this journal are all about romance and everything this genre demands. Sometimes you run out of ideas for witty banter or how to introduce the love interest. 

How do you build tension and keep the reader curious about the will-they-or-won’t-they question? If you’re stumped, look through the prompts in this book and write directly on the page to get your story started or craft your best bit of dialogue yet. 


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Inspiration & Gratitude

Now that you know more about five great options for writing prompt books, I hope you’ll give yourself (or a writer friend) the gift of inspiration by buying one or more.

They make great bedside table gifts or surprise packages for any occasion.

And do you really need an occasion to bless yourself or a writing buddy with a gift that makes it easier to get your words out and improve your writing skills?

Think of it as a way to express gratitude for the gift of writing and to further develop that gift with every day you have.

Let each writing prompt act as a wand that draws magic from that messy but glorious mind of yours.

Create a Writing Prompts Group

You could even start a writing prompts group to work through one of the books listed.

Why argue a chance to meet and write at a coffee shop or another favorite meeting place?

If that’s not feasible, you can check in on each other regularly by phone or messaging to ask questions like “What was your favorite writing prompt this week?” or to say things like “Today’s writing prompt gave me the perfect idea for my next book!”

Having an accountability partner or team will help keep you going at the pace that best fits your life.

Be the Spark

Ultimately, anything that helps you create and keep the habit of writing every day is worth sharing with others.

Just as you value your own emotional health and mental clarity, you know that whatever helps you and others to safeguard and strengthen those gifts is something that should be readily available.

This is the whole reason for articles like this one. It doesn’t make sense to discover something that renews or gives a boost to our creative energy and then to keep to ourselves.

We want as many people out there as possible exercising their creative genius. It’s a survival thing. It’s also about thriving.

And we want you to thrive – creatively and in every other way!

What writing prompts books grabbed your attention?

Now that you have so many inspiring options, which ones are in your top three? That’ll depend, of course, on which descriptions made you think, “That’s what I need!” 

If you can write in them as well as read them, you won’t even need a separate notebook. The more you write in it, the more valuable it becomes.

Choose something you’ll use every day. Make it a daily treat for your brain. 

Who knows what other treats it could lead to. 

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