53 Memoir Writing Prompts

Writing about yourself doesn’t have to be scary and intimidating. Often, writing about ourselves teaches us to think in new ways and reveals things we don’t know about ourselves. 

Below, we’ve written a list of prompts to help you dig a little deeper into the mind of the most important person you’ll ever know—yourself!

Using These Prompts

You can use this list however you’d like! It’s yours to use as a way to write about yourself and get to know yourself a little better. If you need help picking a prompt, try one of these ideas below:

  • Challenge yourself to write using one prompt every day for a week.
  • Use a number generator to pick a number between 1 and 53.
  • Count how many shirts you own and use that number to pick your prompt.

Let’s Write About You!

  1. Write the story of how you got your name.
  2. What is your favorite family tradition? When did it start?
  3. What’s the funniest thing that you believed when you were younger?
  4. What is your favorite subject in school? What is your least favorite? Why?
  5. Which parent or guardian are you closest to? Why?
  6. Write a letter to yourself 15 years from now.
  7. Describe your social life. What group do you fit into?
  8. How do you help those in need?
  9. Write about the first time you felt like a “big kid”.
  10. Do you have a special toy that you cherish? Where did you get it?
  11. If you could compare yourself to any fictional character, who would it be? Why?
  12. What is your favorite movie? Why?
  13. Do you have beliefs that have been challenged by others? How did it make you feel?
  14. What is your favorite chore? Least favorite? Why?
  15. What’s your biggest challenge in school? Why?
  16. Describe your pets. How long have you had them?
  17. Write about a time when you should’ve been nicer to someone.
  18. Who is your role model? Why?
  19. Write about a time when you failed at something. What did you learn?
  20. What are you most afraid of? How can you overcome this fear?
  21. Write about something you’ve never told anyone before.
  22. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
  23. Write about a time when you felt betrayed.
  24. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
  25. Write a poem about yourself: your appearance, your dreams, your likes, and dislikes, etc.
  26. Do you enjoy summer or winter more? Why?
  27. Write about the best vacation you’ve ever been on.
  28. Do you have a favorite teacher? What do you love about them?
  29. Describe your surroundings right now, using all of your senses.
  30. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
  31. Do you play video games? Which is your favorite?
  32. Write a poem about your favorite things.
  33. What is your favorite meal? Why?
  34. If you could play any sport, what would it be? Why?
  35. What are some ways that you could be kinder to yourself?
  36. What is a skill that you’d like to improve? What can you do to get better?
  37. Do you think you would ever try bungee jumping or skydiving? Why?
  38. Write about your best memory with your grandparents.
  39. Have you ever been picked on? How did it make you feel?
  40. What kind of books do you like to read? Which is your favorite?
  41. Do you have any siblings? Do you get along with them?
  42. Write about your happiest memory.
  43. Do you prefer to wear shoes or go barefoot? Why?
  44. Have you ever been to the zoo? Write about your favorite experience.
  45. Write about a time when you were proud of yourself.
  46. How are you different from your peers? How are you alike?
  47. Is there a sport or hobby that you are really good at? Write a few paragraphs about why you like it.
  48. Are you an early bird or a night owl? What do you like about getting up early/going to bed late?
  49. Write an acrostic poem using your name.
  50. What is the most important thing you’ve learned this school year? Who taught you?
  51. What is your dream job? How can you achieve this goal?
  52. What is something used to embarrass you but no longer does? How did you get past it?
  53. Write about the best birthday you’ve ever had.

Looking For More?

We’ve got writing prompts for nearly every interest and every level of writer. We also have resources for parents and teachers to help writers along the way.

If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it, just let us know. We’d love to hear your great ideas!