Writer’s block is no joke. And for some reason, it always strikes when you need your creative brain the most. Luckily, fellow writers have shared the tips and tricks of their craft, offering inspiration for those with empty minds and equally blank pages. For all who love to write, here are seven unique books that’ll banish the block and kickstart your imagination.
A Year of Creative Writing Prompts: 1 by Love in Ink
If you’re feeling stuck, then look no further than A Year of Creative Writing Prompts. With a whole year’s worth of prompts, plus the brain power of two passionate co-authors, this’ll deliver all the creative inspo you could ever need.
The book is designed to push the limits of your imagination, getting you to think outside the box. Think of it as a workout for your brain, with plenty of unusual suggestions, including fantasy-style prompts, that’ll spark the wildest of ideas. What’s more, it makes the perfect gift for any writer, especially those in a rut or not sure where to begin.
Irresistible World Building for Unforgettable Stories: A Creative Writing Guide for World Building That Sells by Janeen Ippolito
Embrace your inner curiosity with Irresistible World Building, the book. It focuses on reimagining world-building prompts, helping writers to see such elements from a new angle. The prompts will rejuvenate your imagination (your very own mental spa day) and guide you on how to create compelling story worlds.
It’s highly relevant for aspiring novelists who need a push in the right direction when it comes to creating their all-important world. Ippolito has published several bestselling novels herself, so she’s basically the master guide when it comes to world-building.
Writing Prompts: A Collection of Short Stories Inspired by Imagination, Compiled by Inc. Jan-Carol Publishing
Something unique about this book is that it contains creative writing prompts that inspired winning stories in contests. The format is distinctive, with this combination of prompt and story. Readers are free to browse through the stories for both personal pleasure and to pluck creative strings from this huge tapestry of ideas
The book also showcases a wide range of voices and styles, from flash fiction to non-fiction, offering something for every kind of writer. If you’re after a prompt book with variety, this one’s a perfect pick, and who knows? You might just find your next award-winning idea within its pages.
100 Unusual Prompts for Writers of Horror, Weird, and Bizarro Fiction by J.W. Donley
As the title suggests, J.W. Donley fully delivers on both strangeness and creativity in this expansive collection of writing prompts. Ideal for writers drawn to horror, fantasy, or the delightfully weird, this book pushes you beyond your comfort zone and straight into a bizarro state of mind.
Not only will you expand your creativity, but you’ll be prompted to conjure completely unexpected ideas. Use this book when you’re in need of fresh inspiration. Simply flip to a random page, and see where the prompt takes you.
Murder Death Resurrection: A Poetry Generator by Eileen R. Tabois
Eileen R. Taboo’s book is certainly unique as far as unusual prompt books go. She cleverly fuses together the Indigenous Filipino trait of kapwa (togetherness) with computer calculations to create her own “manual artificial intelligence”.
The result is nothing short of striking. Tabios uses her homemade formula to generate poetry that’s refreshingly original and deeply inventive, inviting readers to explore her work and draw inspiration for their own. The book also includes study questions and workshop suggestions, making it ideal for anyone in need of both guidance and creative inspo.
Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric by Violette
Violette’s companion to journaling is a wonderful source for creativity. Journal Bliss features prompts to inspire your journaling practice, including beautiful visuals and exercises centered on doodling your own ideas.
This is an eccentric way to gather original concepts for your next piece of writing, as it encourages you to uncover ideas that may already live within. The writer herself embodies authenticity as an illustrator, writer, and lover of mixed media artwork.
1,001 Ways to be Creative: A Little Book of Everyday Inspiration by Dr Barbara Ann Kipfer
And if you still feel like you need just a little extra inspiration beyond the list so far, 1,001 Ways to Be Creative will certainly have you covered. In this huge and exciting guidebook, Dr Barbara Ann Kipfer compiles countless sources of creative inspiration, from tips and quotes to interactive exercises, all designed to test the limits of your imagination.
Kipfer’s book is distinctive due to the sheer quantity of creative prompts, designed to provide you with everyday pieces of imagination, that will hopefully reveal the puzzle of your next writing feat.
So, the next time your screen stays blank or your pen refuses to move, reach for one of these unconventional companions. With the right prompt and a touch of eccentricity, your next great idea might be just a page away.
In need of more inspo? Check out tips on creativity and momentum here.
Read these books, and more, on our Writer Inspiration – Tips, Tricks, and Book Recs on Becoming a Better Writer shelf on Bookshop.org.
