How To Start Writing When You Have No Idea What To Say

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

— Stephen King

Every writer has faced the intimidating blank page. Sometimes, it’s not a lack of desire to write but simply not knowing where or how to begin. When your thoughts seem disorganized, getting started can feel impossible. Fortunately, there are simple, low-pressure ways to start churning words.

Here are some easy techniques for writing, especially when you feel you have nothing to say.

1. Start with Freewriting

Freewriting is one of the most effective tools for overcoming creative block. Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes, and write continuously without editing, censoring, or worrying about grammar. Your only task is to keep your pen moving or your fingers typing. Even if you begin with, “I have no idea what to write,” writing itself is important.

2. Use Thoughtful Prompts

Writing prompts provide a gentle nudge in a particular direction, giving you a place to start when you feel lost. The key is to choose prompts that speak to you—anything that helps bypass the pressure to be “creative” and gets you reflecting instead.

Sample Prompts:

• “Write about a place you remember from childhood. What did it smell like, sound like, feel like?”

• “Finish the sentence: ‘The last time I felt truly calm was…’”

• “Describe a moment you wish you could relive exactly as it happened.”

• “If your inner critic had a voice, what would it say, and how would you respond?”

3. Lower the Stakes

Not everything you write needs to be shared, published, or even saved. Allow yourself to write purely for the experience of doing it. 

4. Write in Lists

Lists are a simple, structured way to gather ideas without the pressure of full sentences or coherent narrative. 

You can create lists such as:

• Things that made me smile this week

• Questions I don’t have answers to

• Titles of imaginary books I’d like to write

• Conversations I remember, word for word

These lists can often lead to deeper reflections or future writing projects.

5. Borrow a Structure

If you’re unsure how to begin, borrow a familiar format: a letter, a journal entry, a recipe, or even a set of instructions. 

For example:

• “Write a letter to your future self.”

• “Create a recipe for a perfect day.”

• “Draft instructions for how to let something go.”

These creative constraints give shape to your thoughts, making starting much less intimidating.

6. Accept That Rambling is Part of the Process

Not every word needs to be clear or meaningful. Let your thoughts wander. Tangents bridges to the ideas you didn’t know you had.