Now that you have more spare time, how about a fun writing exercise? Think of it as a break from making sourdough bread, or searching for toilet paper.
People love food writing prompts. Readers give me good feedback about my food writing exercises in each chapter of Will Write for Food. And when I give out a prompt during
a live class, students get going. They hunch over their paper and scribble away, absorbed in their task. Many want to keep writing when I say it’s time to stop.
So now it’s your turn. I found these prompts below in a file drawer I cleaned out. I’d give credit if I knew who created them! These questions are interesting to me because they’re not the usual. They create emotion in the writer. Provoking emotion in readers is a sign of good writing — maybe that will be a natural consequence of your experience?
Memories are some of the most rewarding subjects to write about, regardless of whether they’re good or bad. That’s because we love to write about ourselves. We are experts on our own behavior and back story. We have endless fascinating material. Now’s your chance to get some of it down.
So pick one or two of these. Allow yourself to write whatever comes up. Remember that food writing can be sensuous. Try to engage touch, taste, hear, see and smell. Set a timer if you like, for maybe 10 minutes.
Need a reason to write? Try a few of these food writing prompts:
- What do you eat to remember?
- What do you eat to forget?
- Which food is your enemy?
- Which food is a symbol of your childhood?
- What must you consume in a ritualized manner?
- Which food have you forbidden yourself from eating and why?
- Which food defines you?
- What do you eat to bring up bittersweet memories?
- What do you eat too much of, every time?
- Which food gives you the strength to go on?
If you tried this, did something unexpected come up? Let me know about your experience.
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You might also like:
- Q&A: How Pie guru Kate McDermott Found her Voice
- Speaking Your Truth
- Molly Wizenberg: “Let Your Writing Speak for Itself, and Be Proud of It”
(Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.)
Thanks Dianne, I’ve put these prompts in my diary starting tomorrow to do one every day. I have a feeling I’ll be asking for more at the end of 10 days. Brilliant idea.
I’m so impressed, Sally! I hope it leads to something useful.
Dianne, I love that first paragraph! I haven’t bought a single roll of toilet paper since all this started because I already had some. And I’ve baked bread, including wild yeast sourdough, all my life. But oddly enough, just yesterday my husband asked for a bread lesson! So today I will have him at my side, duplicating everything I do, to make a large loaf of classic white sandwich bread. I was stunned! Must try a few of these intriguing prompts.
At last, Jean, you’re joining the crowd. I’m sure there will be a photo on Instagram, right? I put mine up the other day, except I purchased my loaf.
Yes I hope you will try the prompts. They are not the usual.
Hi,
Food writing prompts work even better when they focus on sensory details like texture, aroma, and flavor memories. One fun exercise is describing your favorite café drink as if it were a character in a story. I recently used ideas from https://7brrewmenu.com/ to explore creative coffee and smoothie combinations, and it sparked some surprisingly vivid writing ideas.
Hello,
These prompts are a great way to get past writer’s block, especially if food memories or restaurant experiences inspire your writing. One fun idea is describing an all-you-can-eat visit and the choices people make. I recently checked https://thegoldencorralprice.com/ for menu pricing and meal details, which could spark some surprisingly relatable food stories.
Hello Dianne Jacob,
“10 Food Writing Prompts to Try” is a great way to spark creative ideas, especially for drink-focused content writing about flavors, combos, and customer favorites becomes much easier with the right inspiration. For anyone exploring coffee and beverage ideas, I’ve found https://7brewwmenu.com/ really helpful since it showcases unique drinks and menu options that are perfect for writing and content inspiration.
Hello,
One prompt I’ve enjoyed is writing a menu-inspired food story around a favorite café order. It helps build sensory details and character voice at the same time. If you need ideas for drinks, snacks, or seasonal items to spark a prompt, I’ve found https://starbucksmenu.us/ useful for browsing options and creating realistic food-writing scenarios.
Great guide! I like how it covers everything from coffee and energy drinks to teas, lemonades, smoothies, shakes, prices, hours, and ordering tips in one place. The 7 Brew Menu with Prices makes it easy to compare drinks, flavors, sizes, and costs before visiting, making it a useful resource for both new and regular customers. https://7brewmenues.com/
The guide is very helpful for anyone looking for the latest Texas Roadhouse menu https://texasroadhousemenuu.com/ prices, and hours. I especially like how it includes lunch specials, serving times, and calorie information, making it easier to plan a visit. If you’re searching for the Texas Roadhouse Lunch Menu with Prices, this resource provides a simple overview of popular meals, value deals, and lunch hours all in one place.
Great guide on McDonalds Feedback auf https://mcdonalds-feedbackss.de/ Gratis Kaffee oder Cola 2026! The article clearly explains how to complete the survey, claim rewards, and avoid common mistakes. It’s simple, informative, and useful for anyone who wants to save money on their next McDonald’s visit.
Hi,
Food writing becomes much stronger when it includes real details instead of generic descriptions. If you’re writing about fast casual dining, checking current menu items, prices, and nutrition can make your content feel more authentic. I’ve found (https://chipotlmenus.com/) useful for verifying Chipotle menu information before drafting articles or recipe-inspired posts.
These prompts are incredibly thought-provoking! It’s amazing how much emotion and memory can be tied to what we consume. For instance, using prompt ten (“Which food gives you the strength to go on?”) to write about a modern energy drink could unlock vivid descriptions of late-night study sessions, road trips, or frantic work deadlines.
These prompts are a fantastic way to break through writer’s block! When writing about food, exploring the emotional and physical boost we get from certain items can make a story highly relatable. For example, describing the sudden rush of stamina, the crisp coldness, and the vibrant flavor combinations of a modern energy drink is a perfect exercise for practicing sensory-rich food writing.
I really enjoyed these food writing prompts—they’re a great reminder that the best food stories are often driven by personal memories and emotions, not just recipes. They definitely spark creativity. On a different note, if anyone enjoys exploring coffee and drink options alongside food content, I’ve found the 7 brew menu to be a handy resource for discovering popular beverages and seasonal favourites.
I really enjoyed these food writing prompts—they’re a great reminder that the best food stories are often driven by personal memories and emotions, not just recipes. They definitely spark creativity. On a different note, if anyone enjoys exploring coffee and drink options alongside food content, I’ve found the 7 brew menu to be a handy resource for discovering popular beverages and seasonal favourites.
These food writing prompts are fantastic! I love how they encourage people to connect food with memories, emotions, and personal experiences. Sometimes the best stories come from the meals and traditions that shape our lives. Thank you for sharing such creative ideas and inspiration for writers and food lovers alike. For more food and restaurant inspiration, check out Whataburger.
I really enjoyed these prompts because they encourage people to connect food with real memories and emotions. It is interesting how even something as familiar as the McDonald’s menu can remind someone of family dinners, road trips, or happy childhood moments. Those personal experiences often make the most engaging food stories. Thanks for sharing such creative ideas.
These prompts really made me stop and think because food memories always bring out real emotions. I feel questions like these help people write from the heart instead of trying to sound perfect. Even something as simple as looking at the burger king breakfast menu can remind someone of a family trip or a quiet morning that stayed with them. That is what makes food writing feel so personal and meaningful..
Food has such a strong connection with memories , emotions, and everyday experiences, which makes these writing prompts really interesting. Just as certain foods can bring back special moments, a good movie or series on Castle App can also create memorable experiences and become part of our favourite ways to relax.
Start your morning with delicious and satisfying choices from the Starbucks Breakfast Menu. From warm breakfast sandwiches and wraps to egg bites and bakery favorites, there is something for every taste. Check the latest starbucks menu food breakfast options and prices before you order.
Start your morning with delicious and satisfying choices from the Starbucks Breakfast Menu. From warm breakfast sandwiches and wraps to egg bites and bakery favorites, there is something for every taste. Check the latest starbucks menu food breakfast options and prices before you order.
Start your morning with delicious and satisfying choices from the Starbucks Breakfast Menu. From warm breakfast sandwiches and wraps to egg bites and bakery favorites, there is something for every taste. Check the latest starbucks menu food breakfast options and prices before you order.
These prompts really made me stop and think because food memories can bring out such genuine emotions. I feel questions like these encourage people to write from the heart rather than trying to sound perfect. Even something as simple as taking a moment to check out Longhorn’s latest menu can bring back memories of a family dinner, a special celebration, or a quiet meal that stayed with you. That’s what makes food writing feel so personal and meaningful.
Fantastic recipe! The result looks delicious, and the instructions are easy enough for anyone to follow. Great post: https://mcdon-menu.com/