Introduction: The Trap of Trying to Get It “Right”
So many writers get stuck because they’re trying to write something good. Something worthy. Something publishable. They revise before they finish a sentence. They stop mid-draft because it’s not “working.” They judge every word as it comes out.
That mindset? It kills creativity.
Instead of writing with wonder, they write with fear.
Instead of discovery, they focus on control.
But here’s the secret to writing with joy again:
👉 Follow your curiosity.
Why Curiosity Beats Perfection Every Time
Curiosity is playful. It doesn’t care about grammar, pacing, or plot arcs. It whispers:
“What happens if…?”
“Why would someone do that?”
“What’s behind this weird idea?”
Perfectionism says, “This better be brilliant.”
Curiosity says, “Let’s just see what happens.”
That mental shift — from judgment to exploration — is what unlocks flow.
How Curiosity Improves Your Writing
When you write from a place of curiosity…
- You stop obsessing over quality and start producing more.
- You discover new directions that outlines alone won’t give you.
- Your writing becomes more alive because it’s powered by interest, not anxiety.
- You actually enjoy the process, which keeps you coming back to the page.
3 Ways to Invite Curiosity into Your Writing Practice
1. Ask Weird Questions
Start with “What if…?” and run with it:
- What if the moon were hollow?
- What if a character could hear their future self?
- What if every object had a secret backstory?
Weird questions open strange doors.
2. Freewrite with No Outcome in Mind
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Don’t stop. Don’t edit. Don’t plan.
Just follow the thought that sparks even a flicker of interest.
3. Use Open-Ended Prompts
Avoid “write a scene about X” and lean into prompts that invite exploration:
- “Describe something that shouldn’t be there.”
- “Your character finds something they weren’t meant to find.”
- “Write about a moment that feels both ordinary and supernatural.”
Don’t Write to Impress — Write to Discover
You don’t have to write perfectly. You just have to write curiously.
When you stop chasing perfect prose and start chasing your own interest, your voice returns. Your imagination reboots. The joy sneaks back in.
And that’s what really matters.
10 Wonder-Fueled Prompts to Set Your Imagination Loose
📜 How to Use This Pack:
- Pick a prompt (or let fate decide — close your eyes and point).
- Set a timer for 10–15 minutes.
- Freewrite without editing or backspacing.
- Follow the odd tangents. Dig deeper. Ask “what if” as many times as needed.
- Don’t worry about “good.” Chase what fascinates you.
🔍 1. What’s in the box?
A character receives a mysterious box with no return address and a single instruction: “Open when alone.” What’s inside—and what changes because of it?
👁 2. Something’s watching you… but it’s not human.
Describe an ordinary day from the perspective of an inanimate object in your home. What does it think about you? What secrets does it keep?
🔄 3. A memory you don’t remember
Your character wakes up with a vivid memory of something that never happened. They’re sure it’s real… but no one else remembers. What do they do?
🪞 4. The mirror lied
This morning, your character sees someone else’s reflection in the mirror. Who is it—and what happens when the reflection begins to speak?
🧃 5. What happens when you drink the glowing juice?
Your character grabs a random drink from the fridge—then realizes it’s… glowing. After one sip, everything looks different. What changed?
🐦 6. The bird knows your name
A bird lands next to your character, looks them dead in the eye, and says: “We need to talk.” What do they discuss? Why now?
🧤 7. The lost glove's journey
Someone loses a glove on a park bench. Describe its journey through three different characters’ lives before it finds its way back to the original owner—or doesn’t.
📻 8. The song no one else hears
A strange song is playing from your character’s car radio… except it’s not turned on. The lyrics seem to be describing their exact situation.
🕰 9. The day repeats—but one thing changes
Your character is stuck in a time loop. Every day resets… but one small, unexpected detail is different each time. Today, it’s the color of the sky.
🌊 10. Underwater discovery
While wading in a lake or ocean, your character feels something under the water—a door handle. What do they find when they open it?
🖊️ Optional Reflection:
After freewriting, take 2 minutes to jot down:
- What surprised you?
- What felt fun, strange, or oddly compelling?
- Would you explore this further?