20 creative writing prompts to inspire you to write poetry in January 2026

Here are 20 creative writing prompts for writers of all levels to inspire your next poem this soft month of January.

Hi everyone!

January arrived with a clean slate. The year is fresh and new, offering us an abundance of opportunities. We make new promises. Some might come true, while others might be tucked away for another year.

However, what matters most is that at the start of a new year, we open ourselves up to dreaming, giving, enjoying, and exploring what brings us happiness. And the best part is that these promises can be carried on from one year to the next.

I am someone who easily sets impossible deadlines and then feels like a failure when I am unable to meet those deadlines. Does that mean it was a failure? Absolutely not. Because when that promise was made, I made a commitment to myself. And it is those small moments we never seem to celebrate. We never celebrate the seed until the bloom meets us, while we should be celebrating every small moment that offers us growth, love, joy, and excitement. Even when the seed stays a seed for a little longer than we would like. Allow it to remain there so it can grow in its own time.

Every year, I choose a mantra word that becomes my anchor throughout the year. 2024 was the year I chose “Grounded”, and last year the word was “Patience”.

For 2026, I have chosen the word “Gentleness”. Gentleness towards myself, towards others, in actions, in dreams, in my healing journey. Every step I take in 2026, I will let gentleness lead me the way.

What will be your mantra word for 2026?

Let me know in the comments. I am curious to read how you will approach this new year.

January offers us new promises, opportunities, and, of course, new monthly prompts. They are late this month due to some health issues I was having in December and the beginning of January. Still, I hope these 15 poetry prompts and 5 creative writing prompts will still inspire the poet within. I invite you to play around with them. Bend, twist, or transform these prompts as you pen them into your writing. And when one of the prompts speaks to you, I hope you will follow it with joyful curiosity.

Poetry Prompts

• Fractured reflections

• When the blue turns black

• Poetic warmth

• Ballad of tears

• Kindred spirit

• Glacial grief

• Bloom into the night

• All we ever wanted

• A song for the moon

• Hidden hope

• Fistful of wishes

• Wandering the unwritten path

• Time lapse

• Porcelain love

• Back to the beginning

Creative writing prompts

• Write a letter to yourself to read at the end of 2026. What promises did you make in January, and how did you nurture those throughout the year?

• Write about a poet writing a poem in the snow.

• Write an acrostic poem using one of these words (winter, snow, or hibernate)

• Write about a joyful memory you have of snow.

• Start your poem with “It all started with...”

I hope you will allow yourself to let your writing bring you warmth this month. Let it be your northern star within the night, your endless fire through the chilling cold, your fierce gentleness to guide you through the sharpness of winter. And if any of the prompts have inspired you, then feel free to share them in the comments for me to read. I would love to see how you have played around with these prompts.

If you are looking for more writing inspiration, perhaps consider subscribing to my free newsletter for monthly writing ideas. Subscribers to the newsletter receive 5 extra prompts each month through their newsletter.

Thank you for being here with me at the start of 2026. I appreciate all of you taking the time to read and engage with my posts! I keep your kindness and support close to my heart.

All my love,

CoraLynn / A Gentle Quill

You can also find my monthly prompts on Pinterest in an easy-to-follow curated list.

Check out all of my writing prompts on my pinterest here.