The Prompt
if you’re the kind of writer who mostly writers dialogue, or has been accused of writing stories that seem like they’re set on a blank white stage, this prompt is one that’s going to challenge you.
Write a story where the setting features almost as much as a character.
- This might mean the setting has a strong emotional mood (as in a gothic novel or a 1950’s beach movie
- This might mean you actually give the haunted house a personality, or take your characters to a land where the trees talk and the grass gets annoyed when you walk on it
- This might mean you spend the day making your characters interact with their surroundings – being challenged by the leaky space toilet, or struggling to understand why the broccoli won’t grow in this corner of the garden.
Give us sensation. Give us mood. Give us big scenic attitude.
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Julie Duffy
Julie Duffy is a writer and the host of StoryADay. She has lived in three countries on two continents and, despite decades in the area, cannot master a Pennsylvania accent. She has never successfully grown broccoli.
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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My character hyperfocused on the details of a limousine interior as it seemed to close in on her with a well intentioned panic inducing hug.
Great prompt. My draft is not great, but I end the day with a story, lists of ideas, and an increased awareness of settings. Sincere thanks!
The setting was a movie theater. Now I’m going to write a story around that.
Okay. Today’s story is short, very short, and disjointed. I tried to get down all of the ideas I will need to flesh out for it to be a complete story, but it definitely has a beginning, middle and end. Even a little twist! It is definitely a fantasy/sci-fi piece and I look forward to playing with it more. It might even make a good framework for a series of stories. It all centers around a picture frame. I must admit that I have been watching Harry Potter today with my family and it gave me the idea of a picture in a frame coming to life. The image in my frame is not a full sized portrait though, it is a dwelling. That is really where the setting as character prompt led me and it came to life easily. Thanks for this prompt, Julie! 29 down, 2 to go!
Way to go!!! =)
This may actually be the beginning of a good story. The MC is in dialogue with his 18th century house, as every owner of an old house always is. The house, uncharacteristically, expresses uneasiness in midsummer. There is a violent thunderstorm, which passes without leaving serious damage. The house is still uneasy. Uh-oh.
Sounds great!
Ok, here is my day 29 story against the day 28 prompt – enjoy http://afstoryaday.blogspot.com/2026/05/feck.html
Note I like the location as character – going to have to think about that.
Hope you all have a word full day