The Power of Asking Questions in Writing
- Bair Klos
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
How to Unstick Your Story and Deepen Your Writing
Why Asking Questions is the Key to Better Writing
Writing is an act of discovery. Whether you're a meticulous plotter or a chaotic gremlin panster who thrives on vibes alone, asking the right questions can guide your story, deepen your characters, and keep your world feeling alive. When you’re stuck, struggling with a weak scene, unsure of where your plot is headed, or staring at your manuscript like it just insulted your ancestors, questions are the best tool to unlock new ideas.
Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike (spoiler: it’s unreliable and flaky like that one friend who never texts back), train yourself to ask more questions—about your characters, setting, and story structure. The more you ask, the more possibilities you create. Questions act as stepping stones, helping you navigate the vast landscape of storytelling and ensuring that no part of your narrative feels underdeveloped.
Table Of Contents |
When to Ask Questions in the Writing Process
Before You Start Writing (Idea Generation & Planning)
Need a new story idea? Ask “What if?” repeatedly until something excites you. (Bonus points if it spirals out of control into existential horror.)
Unsure about your protagonist? Ask about their past, fears, and motivations. (And whether they have deep-seated trauma. They probably do.)
Struggling with worldbuilding? Ask about how people live, work, and survive in your world. (Or how quickly they’d get canceled on fantasy Twitter.)
Want to establish strong themes? Ask what moral or philosophical question your story explores. (And how you can emotionally devastate your readers with it.)
Developing a magic system or futuristic technology? Ask about its limitations and consequences. (Would it make capitalism even worse? Would wizards unionize? Discuss.)
While Drafting (Breaking Through Blocks & Deepening Scenes)
If your scene feels flat, ask what could go wrong. (Then make it worse.)
If your character feels one-dimensional, ask what they want vs. what they need. (Then emotionally wreck them by denying both.)
If your dialogue feels boring, ask what the characters aren’t saying. (Nothing screams tension like repressed emotions and unsaid words.)
Trying to boost tension? Ask how the stakes can be raised for the protagonist. (Literally or figuratively—drop a chandelier on them or force them into an awkward dinner conversation with their ex.)
Feeling stuck? Ask yourself what the character is struggling with emotionally. (Then make them suffer more.)
During Revision (Strengthening the Story & Fixing Weak Spots)
If a plot twist feels weak, ask what would make it more surprising. (Could an enemy turn ally? Could someone spontaneously combust?)
If a scene feels unnecessary, ask what it adds to the story. (If the answer is vibes only, maybe rethink it.)
If a character arc feels incomplete, ask what lesson they need to learn. (And whether you should let them be happy. Probably not yet.)
Want to ensure continuity? Ask what details need to be reinforced throughout the story. (Wait, does this kingdom have indoor plumbing or nah?)
Unsure if your pacing is right? Ask where readers might need a break or a faster tempo. (Not every scene needs to be dialed to trauma & suffering. Sometimes you need gay yearning or chaotic found family banter.)
The Ultimate List of Writing Questions
Use these to deepen your story, fix weak areas, and get unstuck.
Character Development Questions
Who is my protagonist? What shaped them into who they are?
What’s their greatest fear, and why?
What’s the biggest lie they believe about themselves?
What’s the worst thing that could happen to them right now? (Do it.)
How do they react under pressure? What’s their breaking point?
What’s something they refuse to admit—even to themselves?
Who do they trust the most? Who do they wish they could trust?
How would their enemies describe them?
What childhood memory still haunts them?
How do they justify their bad decisions?
What are their moral lines, and what would make them cross them?
What’s their ultimate comfort food? (And what tragic memory is attached to it?)
What’s their biggest ick when it comes to other people?
Do they have gay panic moments? Be honest.
Worldbuilding Questions
What’s the political system like? Who has power, and who doesn’t?
What do people in this world fear the most?
What traditions are sacred? What happens if someone breaks them?
What’s a common misconception outsiders have about this world?
What’s considered a luxury vs. a necessity?
How do people in this world handle death and grief?
What are the major conflicts shaping this world right now?
What’s a small detail (a superstition, a folk tale, a tradition) that makes this world feel alive?
How does geography affect culture and behavior?
What is the world’s relationship with technology or magic?
What’s the weirdest local superstition? (Do they believe in haunted soup?)
How do laws and societal expectations influence everyday life?
Plot & Story Questions
What happens if my protagonist fails their goal?
What’s the absolute worst decision they could make right now? (Make them do it.)
How does this scene connect to the bigger picture?
What’s at stake in this moment? Can I raise the stakes?
Does this scene reveal something new about my characters?
What unexpected consequences could happen next?
If I cut this scene, would the story still make sense? If yes, do I need it?
Who benefits the most from what’s happening in this scene?
How does my protagonist change from the start of the story to the end?
What’s the one thing my protagonist swore they’d never do? (Make them do it.)
What motivates my antagonist beyond simply “being evil”?
What themes run beneath the surface of my story?
Creative Jumpstart Questions (For When You're Stuck)
What would happen if I completely changed the setting of this scene?
What if this character is hiding something important?
What if I wrote this scene from a different character’s POV?
What’s a small but powerful way I can add tension to this moment?
What’s the most unexpected thing that could happen next?
How can I make this conflict more personal?
What’s something the protagonist doesn’t know yet that will change everything?
What happens if I rewrite this scene in the opposite tone (humorous instead of tragic, hopeful instead of tense)?
Using Questions to Get Unstuck
Asking questions is one thing, but knowing how to use them effectively is another. Here are some techniques:
Freewriting with Questions
Choose one question and write for 10 minutes without stopping.
Let your mind wander—don’t censor yourself.
Even if it’s messy, you might discover something surprising.
The “What If?” Chain
Write “What if…?” and answer it.
Then, take that answer and ask “What if…?” again.
Repeat 5-10 times—by the end, you’ll have a completely unexpected idea.
Switching Perspectives
Stuck in a scene? Rewrite it from a different character’s POV.
Ask: What does this moment mean to THEM?
Sometimes a fresh perspective unlocks the heart of a scene.
Shaking Up Expectations
If a moment feels predictable, flip it.
What’s the opposite of what I expected here?
How can I challenge the reader’s expectations?
Concluding Thoughts
Writing isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions. The best stories aren’t built in a single moment of inspiration—they’re shaped by curiosity, exploration, and discovery.
The next time you feel stuck, don’t panic. Ask a better question. The answer might lead you somewhere incredible.
And if all else fails, remember: chaotic gremlin energy always wins. Lean into the chaos, embrace the uncertainty, and throw perfectionism into the nearest volcano. Writing is meant to be wild, messy, and filled with unexpected surprises. The more questions you ask, the more you invite possibility—and the more you allow yourself to break free from self-imposed constraints.
So write. Write nonsense, write brilliance, write something that makes you cackle at two in the morning. Just write. Because the only story that truly fails is the one that never makes it onto the page.
What’s a question that helped you break through a writing block? Drop it in the comments!
Happy writing!
—Bair✍︎
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