Struggling to spark lively, meaningful conversations in your writing community? Conversation Starter templates can help you break the ice, ignite sharing, and get everyone involved. Discover ready-to-use prompts designed to bring out the best stories, opinions, and experiences from all types of writers.
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Conversation starters are the backbone of thriving online writing communities. By offering relatable scenarios, fun facts, or short anecdotes, these prompts lower the barrier to participation and make it easy for members to jump in. Open-ended questions encourage people to go beyond simple answers and share their unique perspectives or stories.
This approach taps into the natural desire writers have to express themselves and be heard. When members see others opening up, it fosters a sense of connection and belonging, which increases return visits and deepens community bonds. Well-crafted conversation starters help uncover hidden gems and experiences within your group, creating a richer environment for all.
Have you ever had a story idea come to you in a dream? Tell us what happened next.
💡 Example: "Last night I dreamed I was flying over a city. Have you ever had a story idea come to you in a dream? Tell us what happened next."
Some writers swear by outlining, others just dive in. How do you start a new project?
💡 Example: "I always outline before writing. Some writers swear by outlining, others just dive in. How do you start a new project?"
Think of a character you struggled to write. What made them challenging for you?
💡 Example: "My antagonist never felt real to me. Think of a character you struggled to write. What made them challenging for you?"
Is there a book that changed the way you write? Share your story.
💡 Example: "Reading The Elements of Style changed my writing. Is there a book that changed the way you write? Share your story."
Some days the words just flow. What do you do when you hit writer's block?
💡 Example: "When I'm stuck, I take a walk. Some days the words just flow. What do you do when you hit writer's block?"
Describe the weirdest place you have ever written. What was the result?
💡 Example: "I wrote a poem on a city bus once. Describe the weirdest place you have ever written. What was the result?"
Do you remember the first story or poem you ever finished? How did it feel?
💡 Example: "I was proud but nervous to share it. Do you remember the first story or poem you ever finished? How did it feel?"
Some writers collect notebooks. What tool or ritual helps you feel creative?
💡 Example: "I light a candle before writing. Some writers collect notebooks. What tool or ritual helps you feel creative?"
If you could have a coffee with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?
💡 Example: "I'd pick Maya Angelou. If you could have a coffee with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?"
What's a writing goal you are working on right now?
💡 Example: "I'm trying to finish my novel. What's a writing goal you are working on right now?"
Have you ever surprised yourself with a plot twist? Share what inspired it.
💡 Example: "Once my villain became a hero. Have you ever surprised yourself with a plot twist? Share what inspired it."
Tell us about a time feedback improved your writing.
💡 Example: "A friend pointed out a plot hole. Tell us about a time feedback improved your writing."
What's your favorite writing snack or drink, and does it help you focus?
💡 Example: "I love coffee. What's your favorite writing snack or drink, and does it help you focus?"
Describe a writing prompt that led to an unexpected story.
💡 Example: "A photo prompt led me to write sci-fi. Describe a writing prompt that led to an unexpected story."
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer? Why does that work for you?
💡 Example: "I type faster than I write. Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer? Why does that work for you?"
Share a line from your current work that makes you smile.
💡 Example: "My villain wears fuzzy slippers. Share a line from your current work that makes you smile."
What genre do you love to write but rarely read, or vice versa?
💡 Example: "I write fantasy but read mysteries. What genre do you love to write but rarely read, or vice versa?"
If your writing space could talk, what stories would it tell about you?
💡 Example: "My desk would share tales of coffee spills. If your writing space could talk, what stories would it tell about you?"
Who first encouraged you to write, and how did it shape your journey?
💡 Example: "My English teacher inspired me. Who first encouraged you to write, and how did it shape your journey?"
Have you ever finished a piece you thought you never would? What helped you push through?
💡 Example: "Deadlines helped me finish. Have you ever finished a piece you thought you never would? What helped you push through?"
What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?
💡 Example: "I treat myself to dessert. What is your favorite way to celebrate finishing a draft?"
Share a time when your writing surprised even you.
💡 Example: "I wrote a poem in one sitting. Share a time when your writing surprised even you."
What song or music helps you get in the writing zone?
💡 Example: "I listen to jazz. What song or music helps you get in the writing zone?"
Describe a moment when you realized you wanted to be a writer.
💡 Example: "Reading my story in class. Describe a moment when you realized you wanted to be a writer."
What's the best writing advice you've ever received?
💡 Example: "Show, don't tell. What's the best writing advice you've ever received?"
If you could live in a world from a book, which one would you choose and why?
💡 Example: "I'd choose Narnia. If you could live in a world from a book, which one would you choose and why?"
Do you keep old drafts or delete them? Why?
💡 Example: "I keep everything. Do you keep old drafts or delete them? Why?"
Share a writing milestone you are proud of, big or small.
💡 Example: "I finished my first short story. Share a writing milestone you are proud of, big or small."
What time of day do you feel most creative, and how do you take advantage of it?
💡 Example: "I'm a night owl. What time of day do you feel most creative, and how do you take advantage of it?"
Have you ever based a character on someone you know? How did it turn out?
💡 Example: "My uncle inspired a character. Have you ever based a character on someone you know? How did it turn out?"
Describe your writing style in three words.
💡 Example: "Vivid, playful, honest. Describe your writing style in three words."
What's the strangest feedback you have ever received on your writing?
💡 Example: "Someone said my story was 'delicious.' What's the strangest feedback you have ever received on your writing?"
If you could instantly master any writing skill, what would it be?
💡 Example: "I'd master dialogue. If you could instantly master any writing skill, what would it be?"
Have you ever written something just for yourself? What was that like?
💡 Example: "I wrote a journal entry. Have you ever written something just for yourself? What was that like?"
Share a writing habit you wish you could break.
💡 Example: "I edit while writing. Share a writing habit you wish you could break."
What's your favorite quote about writing, and why does it resonate with you?
💡 Example: "'You can always edit a bad page.' What's your favorite quote about writing, and why does it resonate with you?"
If you could co-write with any member here, what would you want to create together?
💡 Example: "I'd love to write a short story with Sarah. If you could co-write with any member here, what would you want to create together?"
Describe the feeling you get when words finally click into place.
💡 Example: "It's like solving a puzzle. Describe the feeling you get when words finally click into place."
What's a writing tradition or superstition you have, if any?
💡 Example: "I always use a blue pen. What's a writing tradition or superstition you have, if any?"
What piece of advice would you give to a brand new writer?
💡 Example: "Write every day. What piece of advice would you give to a brand new writer?"
Share a book or story that made you want to start writing.
💡 Example: "Harry Potter inspired me. Share a book or story that made you want to start writing."
To maximize participation, post these templates regularly at different times of day to reach varied members. Personalize prompts by referencing recent community activity or trending topics. Be the first to reply with your own story to set the tone and encourage others. Pin or highlight popular conversation starters to keep the discussion active longer. Rotate prompt styles to appeal to both new and seasoned members.
These conversation starter templates work seamlessly across all platforms, from forums to social media groups. For chat-based platforms, post during peak activity times and use tagging to notify members. On threaded platforms, follow up with questions or reactions to keep threads active. For email or newsletters, highlight member responses in future issues to showcase engagement.
Aim to post 2-3 times per week to keep discussions fresh and consistent, but adjust based on member activity.
Use welcoming language, tag new members, and reply personally to their first comments to make them feel valued.
Absolutely. Feel free to tailor prompts to fit your community's genres, events, or trending topics.
Reply to your own post to model engagement, tag active members, and try a different style or topic next time.
Yes, these prompts are designed for use in any writing-focused group, whether public, private, or niche.
They build relationships, foster regular interaction, and create a welcoming space members want to return to.
Ask follow-up questions, summarize interesting responses, and highlight member stories to maintain engagement.