June is here, and for many writers, that means longer days and new ideas or fresh energy for old ones.

Here at See Jane Write HQ, we’re also participating in the #1000WordsOfSummer challenge created by author Jami Attenberg. This challenge, which kicked off May 30, invites you to write 1000 words a day every day for 14 days.

But even if you aren’t doing the challenge, June is still a great time to lock in with your writing practice, and you can do that with journaling. Whether you’re drafting a novel, writing personal essays, building a freelance career, or simply trying to establish a consistent writing habit, journaling can help you stay connected to your creativity and your goals.

These June journal prompts for writers are designed to help you reflect, dream, plan, and write with intention throughout the month. Some prompts are inspired by Jami Attenberg’s book 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. Other prompts help you set your goals for the month and encourage you to think about wellness, reading, creativity, and personal growth. Some prompts are about the writing life and figuring out how you want to show up in the writing world. Others are designed to get your muse moving and help you with your work in progress.

How to Use These Journal Prompts

There is no right or wrong way to use these prompts.

You can work through them one at a time, using one prompt for each day of the month and completing them in order. Or you can simply take what you need when you need it, choosing the prompts that resonate most with you on any given day.

Set a timer for 15 minutes, grab your favorite notebook, and allow yourself to write without judgment. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or whether your thoughts make sense (yes, a former English teacher is saying that). The goal is to explore your ideas, uncover insights, and deepen your connection to your writing life.

June Journal Prompts for Writers

Inspired by Jami Attenberg’s 1000 Words

  1. Why do you write?
  2. Write a letter to yourself about the thing you want to write.
  3. What kind of writer do you want to be?
  4. What do you need to do to get out of your own way?
  5. What’s the throughline in your work?

Monthly Reflection and Goal-Setting Prompts

  1. What kind of writer will you be this month?
  2. What will you do this month to move yourself closer to your long-term vision for your writing life?
  3. What will you do this month to take better care of your body?
  4. What books will you read this month? (Reading only one is just fine. And yes, audiobooks count.)
  5. What other area of life needs attention this month?

More Prompts for Writers

  1.  What’s on your summer bucket list?
  2. Describe your ideal writing day from beginning to end.
  3. What writing accomplishment are you most proud of?
  4. What story keeps asking to be told?
  5. Write about a place that changed you.
  6. What fear has been holding you back as a writer?
  7. What would you create if you knew you couldn’t fail?
  8. Write about a conversation you’ll never forget or one you wish you could have.
  9. What lesson has writing taught you about yourself?
  10. Describe your current writing project as if it were a person.
  11. What does success look like for you right now?
  12. Write about a time you surprised yourself.
  13. What distractions are stealing your creative energy?
  14. What would your future author self thank you for doing today?
  15. Write about a summer memory using all five senses.
  16. What beliefs about writing are helping you? Which ones are hurting you?
  17. If your journal could talk, what would it say to you today?
  18. What are you curious about right now?
  19. What does your creative life need more of?
  20. Imagine it’s December 31. What would make you feel proud of how you spent this year?

Why Writers Should Journal

Journaling is one of the most powerful tools a writer can use. It helps you generate ideas, process emotions, work through creative blocks, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your work.

Many writers think they need to wait until inspiration strikes before they write. Journaling teaches the opposite lesson: writing creates inspiration. The simple act of showing up to the page each day often leads to unexpected discoveries.

As Pablo Picasso once said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

This June, challenge yourself to spend a few minutes each day reflecting, dreaming, and writing. You never know which journal entry might become the seed of your next essay, article, poem, book, or breakthrough.

Next Steps

After journaling consistently for 30 days or writing 1000 words a day for 14 days, I hope you’ll be inspired to WRITE THAT BOOK! And I want to help. Join me on Sunday, June 14 at 4 p.m. CT for my 90-minute online workshop Write Your Book in 90 Days. It’s free for See Jane Write Collective members. If you’re not a member, you can purchase access to the course for only $37 (or you can use that $37 to join the Collective and get access to the workshop and SO MUCH MORE! Cancel anytime.)