Keeping a non-fiction writing community engaged can be tough when inspiration runs low. Fill-in-the-blank prompts are a simple yet powerful way to spark creativity and encourage even the quietest members to jump in. This library gives you ready-to-use templates so you can drive interaction effortlessly.
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Fill-in-the-blank prompts lower the barrier to participation by providing structure and inviting short, playful responses. Members do not need to come up with ideas from scratch, making it easier for everyone to contribute regardless of their confidence or experience level.
These prompts tap into the psychology of creativity and community engagement. By offering a partial sentence, you stimulate curiosity and invite members to share personal insights in a low-pressure format. This fosters connection, showcases the diversity of thought in your group, and keeps conversations lively and inclusive.
My favorite place to write is ______.
💡 Example: "My favorite place to write is the library."
I feel most inspired to write when ______.
💡 Example: "I feel most inspired to write when I am having my morning coffee."
The best non-fiction book I have read lately is ______.
💡 Example: "The best non-fiction book I have read lately is Atomic Habits."
If I could interview any person, I would choose ______.
💡 Example: "If I could interview any person, I would choose Maya Angelou."
My biggest writing challenge right now is ______.
💡 Example: "My biggest writing challenge right now is staying focused."
The topic I am most passionate about is ______.
💡 Example: "The topic I am most passionate about is climate change."
I started writing non-fiction because ______.
💡 Example: "I started writing non-fiction because I love sharing real stories."
The one writing tool I cannot live without is ______.
💡 Example: "The one writing tool I cannot live without is Google Docs."
My ideal writing session lasts ______ minutes.
💡 Example: "My ideal writing session lasts 45 minutes."
If I could master one writing skill overnight, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could master one writing skill overnight, it would be editing."
The first thing I do before writing is ______.
💡 Example: "The first thing I do before writing is make tea."
The hardest part of finishing a draft for me is ______.
💡 Example: "The hardest part of finishing a draft for me is staying motivated."
I get my best non-fiction ideas from ______.
💡 Example: "I get my best non-fiction ideas from podcasts."
My favorite way to research is ______.
💡 Example: "My favorite way to research is visiting the library."
A non-fiction writer who inspires me is ______.
💡 Example: "A non-fiction writer who inspires me is Malcolm Gladwell."
The best feedback I ever received was ______.
💡 Example: "The best feedback I ever received was to write for myself first."
When I get stuck, I ______.
💡 Example: "When I get stuck, I take a walk."
My go-to snack while writing is ______.
💡 Example: "My go-to snack while writing is almonds."
The writing advice I give others most often is ______.
💡 Example: "The writing advice I give others most often is to write every day."
If I could write about any place in the world, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could write about any place in the world, it would be Tokyo."
The best title I have ever come up with is ______.
💡 Example: "The best title I have ever come up with is Small Steps to Big Change."
I usually write about ______ in the mornings.
💡 Example: "I usually write about productivity in the mornings."
One non-fiction topic I want to try is ______.
💡 Example: "One non-fiction topic I want to try is memoir writing."
My favorite way to outline is ______.
💡 Example: "My favorite way to outline is using mind maps."
I edit my work by ______.
💡 Example: "I edit my work by reading it aloud."
The most surprising thing I have learned while writing is ______.
💡 Example: "The most surprising thing I have learned while writing is how much I enjoy research."
A quote that motivates my writing is ______.
💡 Example: "A quote that motivates my writing is 'Start before you are ready.'"
If I could write with any author for a day, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could write with any author for a day, it would be Joan Didion."
The biggest myth about non-fiction writing is ______.
💡 Example: "The biggest myth about non-fiction writing is that it is boring."
My favorite time of day to write is ______.
💡 Example: "My favorite time of day to write is late at night."
The writing ritual I never skip is ______.
💡 Example: "The writing ritual I never skip is making a to-do list."
If I could improve one aspect of my writing, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could improve one aspect of my writing, it would be clarity."
My favorite non-fiction genre is ______.
💡 Example: "My favorite non-fiction genre is biography."
The first thing I write in a new project is ______.
💡 Example: "The first thing I write in a new project is the introduction."
A historical event I would love to write about is ______.
💡 Example: "A historical event I would love to write about is the moon landing."
If I could give my past self one writing tip, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could give my past self one writing tip, it would be to write every day."
The most rewarding part of non-fiction writing is ______.
💡 Example: "The most rewarding part of non-fiction writing is helping others learn."
A writing habit I want to build is ______.
💡 Example: "A writing habit I want to build is daily journaling."
The most helpful resource for my writing is ______.
💡 Example: "The most helpful resource for my writing is podcasts."
If I could write a book with one message, it would be ______.
💡 Example: "If I could write a book with one message, it would be that change is possible."
The best compliment I received on my writing was ______.
💡 Example: "The best compliment I received on my writing was that it made someone think."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste them into your community platform as conversation starters. Adjust the wording if needed to fit your brand voice or current discussion themes. Encourage members to respond in the comments or as replies. For maximum engagement, post at times when your community is most active and consider pinning popular prompts to keep the momentum going.
These templates work on all community platforms, from Facebook Groups to Slack, Discord, or forums. Use platform features like polls, threads, or reactions to highlight responses and foster more interaction. Tag active members to kickstart engagement and use scheduled posts if your platform supports it.
You can leverage the templates by creating prompts such as: 'My go-to research tool is ____ because ____.' This encourages members to share niche databases, citation managers, or note-taking apps specific to non-fiction writing, sparking discussions around effective research strategies unique to the genre.
Focus on templates that zero in on common non-fiction hurdles, like: 'The section I always struggle to draft is ____ and my strategy is ____.' This approach invites members to exchange practical solutions for outlining arguments, structuring chapters, or transitioning between sections.
Use prompts such as: 'Before including a statistic, I always ____ to verify its accuracy.' This encourages members to discuss their source vetting routines, favorite fact-checking websites, or experiences with unreliable references—a recurring challenge in non-fiction writing.
Absolutely. Try prompts like 'My biggest question about querying non-fiction agents is ____.' or 'The most challenging part of writing a book proposal is ____.' This sparks targeted conversations about proposal writing, agent expectations, and publisher requirements unique to non-fiction.
Create prompts tailored to fieldwork, such as: 'The most insightful interview question I’ve used is ____.' or 'I prepare for interviews by ____.' This encourages members to exchange practical interview tips and storytelling strategies crucial for robust non-fiction narratives.
Consider using templates like: 'An ethical dilemma I’ve faced while writing non-fiction is ____ and I handled it by ____.' This opens dialogue around sourcing, anonymity, and representation—topics that are top-of-mind for non-fiction writers but less so in other genres.
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