Sign up for Writer’s Block

Are you a writer in need of inspiration? Consider signing up for Writer’s Block, a monthly prompt delivered to your email at no cost or obligation to you.

The prompts are curated by Danielle Heiert, the Cold Spring Branch’s adult/teen services programmer. All you have to do to sign up is email Danielle at dheiert@cc-pl.org and let her know you’re interested in Writer’s Block. 

You can unsubscribe at any time—just let Danielle know by responding to the email and she will remove you from the list.

The prompts are meant to spark creativity and get your pen flowing (or keyboard typing). If you’ve written something, and feel comfortable sharing it with Danielle, she would love to see them! You can also shoot her a reply with any suggestions, or to simply let her know that you participated that month.

Rough Draft Collab

If you’re looking for an in-person club, the Cold Spring Branch also has the Rough Draft Collab. The club meets every other month and is led by Cherie Dawn Haas, a local published author. Visit cc-pl.org/events for details.

Past Writer’s Block Prompts

Need inspo right now? Check out Writer’s Block prompts from the past six months below, starting with the most recent prompt. Happy writing!


Feb. 2024

Sarah’s parents always told her that ice cream was only meant for dessert. But one day, she wakes up early and sneaks a bowl of mint chocolate chip for breakfast. She discovers that eating ice cream for breakfast gives her the power to freeze time.


Jan. 2024

Two childhood best friends stopped talking after a huge fight in high school. Five years later, they find themselves sitting next to each other on the same 16-hour international flight.


Dec. 2023

Write a short story or poem in which the last line is the countdown to midnight on New Year’s Eve.


Nov. 2023

The smell of a crisp, fall New England morning was so vivid I would have sworn it was real. But it couldn’t be real here. Not on the space station. Was my imagination that good, or had Sam been messing with the…


Oct. 2023

Personification means giving human traits, such as feelings and thoughts, to objects. Personify a Jack-O-Lantern. Write a story from a Jack-O-Lantern’s point of view.


Sept. 2023

Whatever that object in the sky was, it was becoming increasingly clear that only I could see it…


Check back here for updated monthly prompts, which are sent out at the start of each month