10 Instagram Accounts to Follow for Fun Prompts and Endless Inspiration
Some days, inspiration can be incredibly hard to come by. It’s not that you don’t want to write, it’s that the words seemingly just won’t come to you. Maybe you just finished a month-long writing challenge and you feel like you’re fresh out of ideas. Or your motivation to write is simply nowhere to be found. Whatever the case may be, the poetry Instagram community can be a great resource to get back in the swing of things. There’s no shortage of people posting engaging and thought-provoking prompts and there’s even some accounts that share content to inspire you in your writing journey.
Take a look at 10 Instagram accounts that will no doubt provide endless inspiration through their prompts and postings:
If you’re looking for poetry prompts:
@amykaypoetry
This Pittsburgh-based poet posts daily prompts during National Poetry Month in April, as well as other themed prompts throughout the year. Interspersed between Kay’s own writings and poetry reads/recommendations, these prompts have ranged from rewriting a Sei Shōnagon list to writing a poem that breaks a curse. Other themed prompts have included “Stay Home Write Poems” during the pandemic to fill-in-the-blank poems highlighted in her stories.
@melissasussens
Sussens, a South African poet, has posted two sets of daily prompts just this year, in January and April. The prompts, housed in Instagram story highlights, range from odes to freewrites to unique metaphor explorations. She also posts her own literary accomplishments, poetry book recommendations, and different writing and editing techniques.
@silverleafpoetry
SilverLeaf Poetry, which has garnered a following of nearly 60,000 people, features fun and engaging prompts amongst its eclectic posts. Their prompts have included using specific words or specific titles in poems, list poems, and even image-based inspiration jumping-off points. Along with prompts, they also share other people’s poems paired with aesthetically pleasing photos.
@breathwords
Breathwords, helmed by author Ashley Jane, is a treasure trove of prompts. Between posting her own pieces, she also does monthly roundups of prompts and writing challenges from other accounts within the community. Many offer daily prompts and there are oftentimes more than a dozen lists within each month’s collection. That’s hundreds of potential poems!
@cgcpoems
Caitlin Conlon began sharing prompts for National Poetry Writing Month last year and shared another set this past April. The prompts range from celebratory to happy, to more challenging and formal. Examples include “make a conscious effort to write a happy poem” or “write a poem after another poet.” In addition to the entertaining and thoughtful prompts, she also shares excerpts of her own work, including blackout horoscope poems, quotes paired with illustrations, and random musings.
If you’re looking for inspiration:
@poemsthatdontsuck
Highlighting the works and success of the poets from the Megan Falley-led workshop “Poems That Don’t Suck”, this account offers nothing but inspiration. It shows where people are getting published (literary magazines, journals, books, etc.), upcoming poetry-related events and workshops, and dares (highlighted in stories) that will challenge you to step up your poetry game. One recent writing-advice post even asks the question: “Where are you hiding in this poem?” which will help you write stronger, more vulnerables poems.
@poetryisnotaluxury
This ever-growing account, whose name is inspired by an Audre Lorde quote, features several poems a day from both emerging and famous poets alike. If you’re looking for a daily dose of incredible poetry inspiration, turn on post notifications for this account and be amazed by the beautiful words that are curated and shared.
@poetryexclusively
Sometimes, you’re simply stuck for what poetry book to read. If that’s the case, look no further than Leonard Zawadski’s poetry-only bookstagram. Selections have included When I Grow Up I Want to Be a List of Further Possibilities by Chen Chen, What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer, Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz, The Tradition by Jericho Brown, and Kaveh Akbar’s upcoming collection Pilgrim Bell.
@taylorswift_as_books
In the same vein as the last suggestion, this fan account, curated by Amy Long, features books paired side-by-side with photos of Taylor Swift “twinning” with the cover art. Though they’re not all poetry books, the collections that are posted are sure to inspire your own creative endeavors.
@elisabetvelasquezpoetry
Writer Elisabet Velasquez shares inspirational posts detailing her personal writing journey. One recent post features a screenshot from her Facebook memories 10 years ago that simply says writing with just a few likes. The caption reads, “No such as thing as overnight success. Whatever you love doing. Keep doing it. Even when you’re the only one paying attention. Give thanks every step of the way.” In additional to letting people in on her growth as a writer over the years, she also shares poems she’s written, upcoming events/workshops, advice from other writers, and, lately, some super relatable TikTok videos that are sure to make any writer say “same.” Most recently, Velasquez has been sharing details about her upcoming debut novel “When We Make It” and inspiring others along their own writing journeys.
What are some of your favorite poetry Instagram accounts to follow? Let us know in the comments!
