The Prompt
Sand.
It can be experienced positively or negatively and either type of scenario is fertile ground for description.
Enjoy a brief brainstorming session! Pros and cons of sand. Happy memories versus frustrations with sand. Types of sand. Colors of sand. Uses of sand. Shake out those possibilities.
Find one that works for you and write a story that incorporates sand and some of its gritty glory.
Pressed for time and energy? Consider a drabble.
All the time in the world? Many successful stories incorporated vast deserts of sand.
Whatever you choose to do, hope you find joy in writing a story today.
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Ruby G. Dubois.
Ruby writes wherever she is, whenever she can, wonders what Freddie Mercury would sing if he were still alive, and hopes her attention span and the stars will align so the world can, one day, read her stories.
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.
Here’s your next Game Piece. save the image and share on social media with #storyaday
Prefer paper crafts? Here’s the cut & paste version
I quite enjoyed writing today’s story. It was much shorter than I thought it would be, 220 words. Complete though. Here is my favourite line: “She held his hand and they walked together out into the crazed water.”
It’s about a memory I have of swimming with my husband decades ago when the waves were very high, so high that jumping in the waves made me motion sick!
I wrote a “dribble” (194 words) that is mostly a memory I have of being at the beach. I think it is a memory with short story potential.
Another busy day. But I did manage to write this on my lunch break at work. I thought I would edit it while making dinner. But there was nothing I didn’t like. Maybe too short (only 202 words).
Here’s the link for it.
https://giggiwrites.blogspot.com/2026/05/sand-through-hour-glass.html
This one came out strange. The MC wanders through Dali’s *The Persistence of Memory*, unable to remember something, unable remember even what kind of thing it was. Very high concept, very high school-ish.
Excellent prompt with a great title from Ruby G.!
I wrote a neat little science fiction piece about a planet of living sand.
OK 11:53 pm and I’m getting to post. First night of the Sydney Writers Festival, got to see an author interview and attend the Writers’ debate – both great events.
That, though, means my post today is short, 367 words, and relates to the first of the two events.
https://afstoryaday.blogspot.com/2026/05/trust.html
I used to love going to the beach but I don’t anymore. The sand, cold water, etc. My MC, a young woman, already feels that way but her boyfriend is nuts about going to the beach and doesn’t even care that sand gets in his car.
Sand!! I’m not a fan, still love going to the beach in Australia thought, kids in nappies (diapers) and the beach – nightmare – I think I might have to bank this prompt for later.
Valerie your start above ‘I used to love going to the beach but…’ I just had to comment.
Enjoy your day.
Well, babies in nappies would be another reason to avoid sand, then. (To Andrew)
As usual, I read the prompt and did the warmups. I really love the warmups, they are like friends helping me push start my old VW bug, so I can jump in, shut the door, get in gear, and drive off to write the story. I’m happy with my first effort, a drabble, which featured sand, prominently, and included mild tension and resolution. My second effort involves a sandblaster, and I’m writing time into my schedule to play with sand and familiar characters to explore how to include it (and/or other sensory experiences) in my longer projects.
Skipped the warmup and brainstorming exercises today because almost immediately the line ‘Ezra *hated* sand’ popped into my head. So, I just ran with that. It’s more of character exploration than a true story, I think. And after Ezra’s hate for sand, I wrote Ashton’s love for it. 283 words
Nice!!!