Picture writing prompts spark creativity and boost writing skills. But finding good prompts can be tricky.
Many writers struggle to come up with fresh ideas that inspire engaging stories. We understand this challenge.
That’s why we’ve assembled a collection of 79+ picture writing prompts suitable for all ages. These prompts will help you overcome writer’s block, improve your descriptive writing, and see things from new angles.
In this post, we’ll share many picture writing prompts to get your imagination flowing. Whether a student, teacher, or seasoned writer, you’ll find ideas to kickstart your next writing project.
Prepare to explore new worlds and bring your stories to life with our carefully chosen picture prompts.
What Is Picture Prompt Writing?
Picture prompt writing is a creative technique that uses images or image descriptions to inspire writing.
Writers observe a picture or read about one, then craft a story, scene, or other content based on what they see or imagine.
This method helps overcome writer’s block, improves descriptive skills, and encourages new perspectives. It’s useful for various writing forms, from short stories to poems.
Picture writing prompts can be actual images or written descriptions, making them versatile for different settings.
They’re popular in creative writing exercises, classrooms, and among professional writers looking for fresh ideas.
This approach offers a fun, engaging way to spark creativity and develop writing skills.
A Stormy Beach
1. Describe the emotions of a person standing alone at the water’s edge.
2. Write about a message in a bottle washing ashore.
3. Imagine the storm has a voice. What is it saying?
4. What secrets might the ocean hold beneath its stormy waves?
5. Write about someone waiting for a ship that may never come.
A Lonely Cabin in the Woods
6. What’s the story behind this cabin, and who built it?
7. A mysterious sound comes from inside the cabin—describe what happens next.
8. Write about someone who stumbles upon the cabin after getting lost in the woods.
9. Imagine this cabin has been untouched for decades. What’s inside?
10. Write from the perspective of the cabin itself. What has it seen?
A Crowded City Street at Night
11. Write about the life of someone walking through this street.
12. What’s happening behind one of the glowing windows above the street?
13. Imagine a sudden power outage—what do people do?
14. A stranger bumps into you on the street and slips a note into your pocket. What does it say?
15. Describe how the city sounds at night from someone’s window.
A Child’s Playground, Empty at Sunset
16. Why is the playground empty? What happened earlier that day?
17. Write about a child revisiting the playground as an adult and what memories resurface.
18. The swing moves on its own. What’s the story behind it?
19. Describe a game that children invented on this playground.
20. Imagine an old photo of the playground. Who are the kids in the photo?
A Mountain Range Covered in Snow
21. What kind of person might venture to the top of these mountains?
22. A sudden avalanche—how do the people in the scene react?
23. Write about the perspective of a lone animal living in the mountains.
24. What secrets lie hidden beneath the snow and ice?
25. Describe the first successful expedition to the range’s highest peak.
A Desert with Cacti and a Setting Sun
26. Write about someone’s journey through this desert—what are they searching for?
27. Describe the desert’s transformation after a rare rainstorm.
28. A traveler stumbles upon an oasis. Is it real or a mirage?
29. What’s buried beneath the sand, waiting to be discovered?
30. The desert seems endless—how does it affect the traveler’s mind?
A Hot Air Balloon Floating Over Fields
31. What does the person in the balloon see that changes their life?
32. Write about a festival of hot air balloons and the people attending.
33. Imagine the balloon goes off course. Where does it land?
34. Describe the view from the balloon as the sun rises over the horizon.
35. Write about two people riding their first hot air balloon together.
A Cracked Mirror in a Dark Room
36. What does the reflection show that isn’t in the room?
37. Write about the history of the mirror and who owned it.
38. The mirror shatters completely. What happens next?
39. Someone tries to piece together the broken mirror. Why?
40. Describe what someone sees in the mirror late at night.
A Boat in the Middle of a Calm Lake
41. What thoughts are going through the mind of the person in the boat?
42. Write about someone fishing in the boat. What do they catch?
43. The lake looks peaceful, but something stirs beneath the surface.
44. Describe the scenery surrounding the lake from the boat’s perspective.
45. A dense fog rolls in. What happens to the person in the boat?
An Abandoned Carnival at Night
46. What happened to the carnival, and why was it left to decay?
47. A group of friends dares each other to explore the carnival. What do they find?
48. Describe the sounds still heard in the empty carnival.
49. One ride still works. What happens when someone tries it?
50. Write about the memories of someone who used to work at the carnival.
A Rainy Day in a Small Town
51. Describe the town from the perspective of someone watching the rain from their window.
52. A stranger arrives in town on a rainy evening. What brings them here?
53. Write about the stories shared in the local café as the rain pours outside.
54. A secret is revealed on this rainy day—what is it?
55. Imagine the thoughts of someone walking through the rain without an umbrella.
A Cat Sitting in a Windowsill
56. What does the cat see that no one else notices?
57. Write about the life of the cat’s owner and their bond with the cat.
58. The cat disappears one day. Where does it go?
59. Describe a quiet moment shared between the cat and someone in the room.
60. Imagine the cat watching the seasons change from the windowsill.
A Garden Overgrown with Vines and Flowers
61. Who once cared for this garden, and why did they stop?
62. Describe the life of the creatures now inhabiting the garden.
63. Write about a discovery made in the middle of the overgrown plants.
64. A visitor stumbles upon the garden and decides to bring it back to life.
65. What story do the flowers in the garden tell about its past?
A Book Lying Open in an Empty Library
66. What’s written in the book that captures someone’s attention?
67. Write about a character who finds the book and what it reveals to them.
68. The book starts to glow as it’s being read—what’s happening?
69. Describe the library and why it’s been abandoned.
70. A note falls out of the book. What does it say?
A Starry Night Sky with a Full Moon
71. What kind of wishes are being made under this starry sky?
72. Write about someone watching the stars from a rooftop. What are they thinking about?
73. A meteor shower begins—what significance does it hold?
74. Describe the moon and its effect on the creatures below.
75. Imagine what the sky looks like from another planet.
Under the Ocean
76. You discover an ancient, sunken city deep under the ocean. What secrets does it hold?
77. A diver encounters a mysterious glowing creature in the darkest part of the ocean. What happens next?
78. Write about the life of a mermaid living in the hidden depths of the ocean.
79. A submarine explores an uncharted underwater cave—what do they find inside?
80. Imagine the ocean floor comes to life. What stories do the coral reefs and sea creatures tell?
Summing It Up
Picture writing prompts offer a fun way to boost creativity and writing skills. We’ve shared 79+ picture writing prompts to inspire writers of all ages.
These prompts can help you:
- Create vivid stories and characters
- Practice descriptive writing
- Explore new genres and themes
- Overcome writer’s block
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to use these prompts. Let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you. You might surprise yourself with the stories you create.
Why not try one prompt today? Pick an image that speaks to you and start writing. Don’t worry about perfection – just let the words flow.
We’d love to hear how these picture writing prompts work for you. Share your experiences or stories in the comments below.
Happy writing!
