Today I’m taking you right back to the beginning…the very first StoryADay May prompt, from May 1, 2010.
The Prompt
Today, go to the Newest Articles section of the front page of Wikipedia.
- Choose one. Scan the titles, stop at the first one that grabs you and click. Don’t second-guess yourself.
- Read the article. As you read, look for some detail or phrase or idea that strikes you.
- Write your story. Don’t try to retell the story as it was told in the article. Focus on the idea or detail that caught your imagination. Turn that into a story.
GO!
What Now?
Today is a particularly important day…you’ve spent the past month focusing on your writing and your life as a writer.
I couldn’t be more proud of you!
I encourage you to download the post-challenge worksheet attached to this page and either print it out or simply use the question and answer them in your journal.
What worked?
What was a sure-fire way to torpedo your writing day?
What surprised you?
WRITE IT ALL DOWN
While you’re in the throes of the challenge it’s easy to think you’ll never forget all the lessons you’re learning.
You will.
So save the lessons, put them somewhere safe, then take the rest of the day off. Maybe tomorrow too. You deserve it.
Celebrate Your Success
And don’t forget to download your Certificate of Completion. Print it out, fill in your name, and post a picture of yourself on social media with the hashtag #StoryADayMay
Read A Book, Support An Indie
This year’s StoryADay May official bookseller is Reads & Company, a privately-owned indie bookseller in Pennsylvania. Any purchase from the site this month supports Reads & Co.
Special thanks to all the writers who provided such brilliant and inspiring prompts for our 10th anniversary. Do consider going back to your favorite prompt and buying a copy of one fo the authors’ books, and leaving them a review (the ultimate ‘thank you’!)
Leave a comment and let us know how you used the prompt, and how you’re celebrating!
I chose the item about the conflict arising in the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the European Union.
My story is about an administrative assistant attached to the chief UK Brexit negotiator who becomes so concerned about the damage that is being done to the population of the UK by the severance from Europe that she decides to expose the corruption that she has uncovered. She has documented and video evidence of manipulation by major world powers that influenced the outcome of the Brexit referendum in UK. Her life is threatened and she has to change her identity under police instruction, for her own safety. Will she be successful in saving the UK from total collapse?
Julie, Just want to thank you for Story A Day May. This year was the first one in a while for me writing a story every day, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the prompts. One of my stories has even been published on National Flash Fiction Day on their FlashFlood online journal. Thanks a million for all the inspiration!
Fantastic! And congrats on the publication!!
What a wonderful challenge! I spent the first part of the month writing flash fiction and memoir, which cleared out flotsam in my head and allowed me to settle into a long-term writing project. Thank you!
I love how you took the challenge and made it your own! Good for you! I totally know what you mean about ‘clearing out the flotsam’… 😉
I wrote a story based on one of the historical headlines/topics. A line in the article inspired me to write about finding the truth. Interestingly, the story ended up resolving an issue in a novel I was writing (I struggled with the direction of a side plot). I am super excited about that.
In addition, I want to thank you. I had a wonderful (and challenging) month writing stories based on your prompts. Even though I tend not to post much or interact with everyone on the boards frequently, I am there pitter-pattering along, all caught up in the story prompts.
Well done! That’s such an accomplishment and thanks for posting today…I love to hear how people got on!
As I scrolled, the story about George Floyd was what caught my eye and an interesting ramble came out, more SOCS than a story, as such, but a piece of writing with a message.
Thank you for this month!
I think we HAVE to speak/write about this stuff, don’t you?
The story I read on Wikipedia linked in very well with a story idea I have been developing.
The setting is in a research laboratory where a team of top scientists are working to develop the first British Atomic Bomb. Each scientist has with him his own team of fellow researchers. Over the years of working together on this project, intense rivalry builds up. When a successful Atomic bomb is tested, a press release praises all the scientists and attributes the original idea to one of them. A massive dispute follows because a member of that scientist’s team claims the idea came directly from him. The story is around this disgruntled person gathering supporters and evidence to prove his case. He is one man against the machinery of to strong world powers. Britain and US. There is more at stake for these world powers than meets the eye