Summary

The article provides a list of over 30 writing prompts to help new and experienced writers overcome writer's block and improve their craft through practice, emphasizing that perfection comes with consistent writing and that the Medium community is supportive of new writers.

Abstract

The author shares their initial struggle with writing their first article on Medium, overwhelmed by the abundance of information and the pressure to get it right. After realizing the simplicity of writing about the writing process itself, the author encourages others to just write and not worry about being an expert. The article emphasizes that writing for oneself can be easier and that with practice, one can become proficient. It introduces a range of personal and reflective writing topics, from favorite vacations to financial management, aimed at sparking creativity and encouraging writers to share their stories, regardless of their experience level. The author invites readers to engage by tagging them in their stories and starting a conversation in the comments.

Opinions

The author initially felt overwhelmed by the writing process and the pressure to produce perfect content.
Writing about personal experiences and reflections can be a valuable starting point for writers.
The concept of "Just Write" is presented as a mantra to combat writer's block and the fear of imperfection.
The author believes that the Medium community is welcoming and supportive, especially to newcomers.
Imposter syndrome is acknowledged as a common challenge for new writers on the platform.
The author endorses the idea that practice leads to expertise, referencing Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000-hour rule.
There is an emphasis on the idea that no one cares what you write about initially, which can be liberating for writers.
The article suggests that writing frequently (quantity over quality) is a path to improvement.
The author values personal growth and self-reflection in writing, as evidenced by the suggested topics.
Engagement with other writers and the community is encouraged as a means to foster support and idea exchange.

30+ Things To Write About In 30 Mins Or Less — Borrow My Ideas

Helping you get those creative juices flowing.

Writing my first article on Medium was nerve-wracking. I had no idea what I would write about and what that looked like for me…I didn’t know what I was doing. There’s definitely no lack of information or how-to guides, in fact, I found a lot of it to be completely overwhelming.

I had started dozens of drafts, that still lovingly sit in my stories section. After weeks of typing away at nothing, I felt more and more overwhelmed with each piece I tried to start, trying to get my very first article, just right.

Alas, I had not completed any pieces.

That’s when it finally hit me.

Why don’t I just write about writing my first article?

The idea was simple and felt too silly but I figured at the very least, I’d be publishing something. The best writing advice I heard to this day wasn’t anything groundbreaking; or anything you don’t already know…

Just Write.

Since that day, it took me a while to get started. Imposter syndrome creeping up and whatnot, if you’re new to the platform, I’m sure you can relate.

When I was writing for myself, the process seemed a whole lot easier. It was for my eyes, there were no stats to worry about or other readers’ perspectives I had to write for.

The reality is though, no one cares what you’re writing about. I mean that in the most honest good-intentioned way I can.

I’d rather see people posting, quantity over quantity. Practice does make perfect.

According to Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, people become experts after roughly 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of practice for sure, but remember we’ve all at some point been a newbie.

So it’s okay to not be an expert, no one expects you to be. In fact, the opposite. I’ve found the community to be extremely welcome.

If you’re new on your journey, welcome. Here are some topics to get you writing.

If you’re a veteran and pressed for ideas, welcome. Here are some ideas you’re more than welcome to borrow.

Your Favorite Vacation
Your Most Memorable Teacher
The Moment You Fell In Love With Writing
The Moment You Fell In Love With Anything
The Best or Worst Job You Had
Your Favorite/Least Favorite Manager
Your Favorite Book
A Person That Changed Your Life Growing Up
A Hobby You Loved As a Child But Miss Now
A Quality Or Trait You Value In Others
A Quality Or Trait You Value In Yourself And How To Make It Shine
A Mistake You Wish You Could Change
A Moment That Changed Your Life
How You Survived The Pandemic
How You Accomplished Whatever You Are Most Proud Of
A Funny Story
A Sad Story
A Story About Your Family’s Origins
A Story About How Your Parent’s/Grandparent’s Met/Fell In Love
Finances~ Like, How You Budget Your Paychecks or Invest
Skills~How You Keep Your House/Schedule Organized
The Thing You Never Leave Your House Without
The Thing You Love Most About Being Single/Married
How To Be A Better Parent(To Humans, Pets, or Plants)
Describe Your Favorite Coffee Shop or Library in Vivid Detail
A Toy You Couldn’t Put Down As A Child
The First Book You Couldn’t Put Down
The First Heartbreak You Experienced
The First Time You Were Disappointed and How You Coped
What You Do To Get Your Creativity Flowing

If you choose one of these topics to write about, tag me in your story. I’d love to read it, comment, cheer you on, and follow you.

Do you have an idea you’d love to share with your Medium community?

Have you written about any of these ideas and it gained traction?

Please comment, I’d love to get a conversation going and share ideas with one another!

Happy Writing!