Finding ways to spark quick engagement in your writing community can be tough, especially when members are shy or pressed for time. Our This or That templates make it easy to kickstart playful conversations and get everyone involved. Bring your group together with light, fun choices that anyone can answer in seconds.
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This or That prompts tap into our natural instinct to make quick decisions, creating a low-pressure environment where everyone feels welcome to chime in. The simplicity of choosing between two options removes the intimidation factor that can come with more elaborate discussions, making it easy for even the quietest members to participate.
In writing communities, these prompts encourage members to share their preferences and habits, opening the door to deeper conversations and connections over time. The playful tone keeps things laid-back, helping maintain a positive group atmosphere while still fueling meaningful engagement.
Pen or keyboard - which do you prefer for first drafts?
💡 Example: "Pen or keyboard - which do you prefer for first drafts? I am team keyboard all the way!"
Plotter or pantser - how do you approach your stories?
💡 Example: "Plotter or pantser - how do you approach your stories? I love outlining everything."
Writing at dawn or burning the midnight oil?
💡 Example: "Writing at dawn or burning the midnight oil? I am a night owl for sure."
Short stories or novels - which do you enjoy writing more?
💡 Example: "Short stories or novels - which do you enjoy writing more? Novels have my heart."
Writing with music or in silence?
💡 Example: "Writing with music or in silence? Always silence for me."
First person or third person narration?
💡 Example: "First person or third person narration? I find third person more flexible."
Handwritten notes or digital notes?
💡 Example: "Handwritten notes or digital notes? I use my phone for everything."
Editing as you go or waiting until the draft is done?
💡 Example: "Editing as you go or waiting until the draft is done? I edit after I finish."
Writing in coffee shops or at home?
💡 Example: "Writing in coffee shops or at home? Home is my creative space."
Fantasy or contemporary settings - what excites you more?
💡 Example: "Fantasy or contemporary settings - what excites you more? Fantasy all the way."
Writing by outline or discovering as you write?
💡 Example: "Writing by outline or discovering as you write? I like to surprise myself."
Longhand brainstorming or mind mapping apps?
💡 Example: "Longhand brainstorming or mind mapping apps? Pen and paper for me."
Character-driven or plot-driven stories?
💡 Example: "Character-driven or plot-driven stories? My stories always start with the characters."
Dialogue or description - which is more fun to write?
💡 Example: "Dialogue or description - which is more fun to write? I love writing dialogue."
Writing prompts or writing challenges?
💡 Example: "Writing prompts or writing challenges? Prompts inspire me more."
Paper books or ebooks for research?
💡 Example: "Paper books or ebooks for research? I love flipping through real pages."
Beta readers or critique partners?
💡 Example: "Beta readers or critique partners? Critique partners help me grow."
Writing sprints or slow and steady sessions?
💡 Example: "Writing sprints or slow and steady sessions? Sprints keep me focused."
Big twist endings or open-ended conclusions?
💡 Example: "Big twist endings or open-ended conclusions? I love a big twist!"
Standalone stories or series?
💡 Example: "Standalone stories or series? I dream of writing a series."
Using real locations or fictional worlds?
💡 Example: "Using real locations or fictional worlds? Fictional worlds are my jam."
Writing alone or co-writing with friends?
💡 Example: "Writing alone or co-writing with friends? I am a solo writer."
Morning pages or end-of-day reflections?
💡 Example: "Morning pages or end-of-day reflections? Nighttime reflection helps me unwind."
Long chapters or short and punchy?
💡 Example: "Long chapters or short and punchy? I prefer to keep it tight."
Writing in one genre or mixing genres?
💡 Example: "Writing in one genre or mixing genres? I mix genres for fun."
Worldbuilding first or characters first?
💡 Example: "Worldbuilding first or characters first? Characters come first for me."
Writing with snacks or no food near your laptop?
💡 Example: "Writing with snacks or no food near your laptop? Snacks are essential!"
NaNoWriMo participant or watcher?
💡 Example: "NaNoWriMo participant or watcher? I watch from the sidelines."
Writing with a goal word count or writing by feel?
💡 Example: "Writing with a goal word count or writing by feel? I set a goal every day."
Keeping drafts or deleting them forever?
💡 Example: "Keeping drafts or deleting them forever? I keep everything!"
Writing fanfiction or original stories?
💡 Example: "Writing fanfiction or original stories? I love both, but originals win."
Using writing apps or traditional word processors?
💡 Example: "Using writing apps or traditional word processors? I am a Word fan."
Writing indoors or outdoors?
💡 Example: "Writing indoors or outdoors? Indoors for me."
Writing with a pet nearby or solo?
💡 Example: "Writing with a pet nearby or solo? My cat is my co-author."
Pen names or real names?
💡 Example: "Pen names or real names? I use a pen name for privacy."
Writing for fun or writing to publish?
💡 Example: "Writing for fun or writing to publish? I do both, but publishing is the dream."
Writing in long stretches or short bursts?
💡 Example: "Writing in long stretches or short bursts? I do short bursts between tasks."
Drafting on paper or drafting digitally?
💡 Example: "Drafting on paper or drafting digitally? Digital drafts are easier to edit."
Writing fiction or nonfiction?
💡 Example: "Writing fiction or nonfiction? Fiction is my comfort zone."
Setting daily writing goals or weekly goals?
💡 Example: "Setting daily writing goals or weekly goals? Weekly works better for me."
Writing with coffee or tea by your side?
💡 Example: "Writing with coffee or tea by your side? Coffee is a must!"
Outlining chapters or just diving in?
💡 Example: "Outlining chapters or just diving in? I like to dive in and see where it goes."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste one into your community platform of choice. Post them as standalone threads, daily prompts, or as icebreakers before live events. Encourage members to pick an option and, if they want, explain their choice. Rotate topics to keep things fresh and invite everyone, from lurkers to top contributors, to join in. For extra fun, share your own answer and tag a friend to respond next.
These This or That templates work on all platforms. On forums, use them as new threads or sticky posts. On chat apps, drop them in group conversations to liven things up. On social media, use stories, polls, or simple text posts. Always encourage replies and acknowledge participation to keep the energy high.
Absolutely! Choosing contrasting writing processes like 'plotter vs pantser', 'first draft by hand vs typing', or 'outline vs discovery writing' can ignite meaningful discussions. These choices are highly relatable in writing communities and invite members to share their craft preferences and experiences.
You can rotate between genre-focused questions (such as 'worldbuilding-heavy fantasy vs character-driven sci-fi') and broader writing topics. Consider adding context in the post, inviting those outside the genre to comment on what intrigues them, or share which genre they'd like to explore next, ensuring inclusivity while celebrating specific genres.
Definitely! Writers often have strong opinions about their tools. Questions like 'Scrivener vs Google Docs', 'physical notebook vs digital notes', or 'track changes vs inline edits' encourage both seasoned and emerging writers to participate, share tips, and even discover new tools.
Addressing specific writing challenges through This or That ('edit as you write vs after finishing', 'share drafts with beta readers vs keep private') helps writers reflect on their processes and learn from each another. These posts often prompt valuable discussions about overcoming blocks or improving workflow.
Frame publishing-focused This or That questions in a way that encourages sharing experiences rather than debate. For example, 'What appeals to you more: traditional publishing's editorial support or self-publishing's creative control?' This invites members to compare paths and learn, rather than argue about superiority.
Absolutely! For poets, try 'free verse vs sonnet'; for screenwriters, 'dialogue-heavy scenes vs visual storytelling'; for nonfiction writers, 'memoir vs how-to'. Tailoring This or That prompts to different writing forms ensures all members feel included and sparks niche conversations relevant to their craft.
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