The Prompt
Think of a character who seems like a bit of a cliche. Begin writing a scene where they act in what looks like an irrational or out-of-character way.
Finish the story by adding more context: what has happened, in your character’s day, that makes their actions necessary or relatable? (You can add this context before and/or after the first scene you wrote).
Optional question: will you resolve matters for the reader or leave them guessing?)
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Julie Duffy
Julie Duffy is a writer and the host of StoryADay. She is also the host of the StoryADay Superstars writers’ group, and is available to talk to your group, on your podcast or at your conference. You can find her short fiction in anthologies and publications, including Analog.
Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!
Remember: Please don’t post your story in the comments here (and I talk more about why not, here). Best practice: Leave us a comment about how it went, or share your favorite line from your story.
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Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version
I had to do some research for this one to get a better understanding of character tropes. The concept made sense to me, but I couldn’t think of any cliches or tropes. In my warm-up, I didn’t actually set a timer, I just did some searching for ideas. I found one that really appealed to me, the cliche of the mad scientist. I played around with it in the brainstorming and connected more with the character. The story I wrote is boring and doesn’t actually have an ending other than “they were never seen again.” There’s no explanation for anything and no character development. I am learning a great deal though about my lack of writing habits. And, I did write a story for today’s prompt, so I am succeeding at Story A Day May!
Story fifteen is in the books. Happy Friday. =)
Day 15 down.
This one came about pretty easy. I wrote is loosely based on something that happened at work when I surprised fellow coworkers by standing my ground. I was a pretty quiet person but when someone pushed my buttons I “snapped”. After that people would say “Don’t make Lisa mad. It won’t end pretty.”
My story includes a trusty assistant and a scatter-brained witch. Whoo hoo!
This sounds fun!
My cliched character is a 50’s housewife. She does something very unexpected. The reason turns out to be a surprise to everybody, especially her husband. This in turn makes other housewives follow her idea. This is happening on another planet. On some planets people are still living in the 50’s.
This prompt didn’t really turn into a story. I did get quite a few characters onto the page, but no one rose to the top, begging for a story.
I think I have 7 or 8 really good stories/story starts so I am not too concerned.
I showed up, I wrote. That is the main thing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this prompt! I ended up combining a cliché (midlife crisis businessman) with a theme for an upcoming call for stories and ended up with a draft I like quite a lot. Cheers!
PERFECT!!!
So you’ve got your first draft for a submission? That’s excellent.
Excellent! (steeples fingers like Mr.Burns, but with good intentions.)
OK, so as per usual, I’d started my efforts and then Julie’s prompt for the day came in, and I was torn momentarily, yet too far gone on what I’d begun.
So a bit of a nod to Lara Hughes’ day 9 prompt, confined space and a phone. Day 15, though, I felt I needed to shake it up yet again and have a crack at a style I’ve not yet done. The chat from you all over the last day or two about show don’t tell, I upped the anti and did a ‘Vignette’, no ‘dialogue’. Do let me know what you think. This was a bit of fun.
https://afstoryaday.blogspot.com/2026/05/ring-ring.html
Good to see you’re still plugging away, Andrew! Nicely done!
Andrew, I loved the vignette! No dialogue needed. I enjoyed the over the top descriptions all the way through, and then the payoff! The phone continuing to ring turned the piece into something even more special, poetic.