This post is the first of two. Come back next week to steal a story from someone else!
This prompt is part of a two-part prompt. This week we’re writing a story that we won’t mind someone stealing. Next week we’re going to look at someone else’s story and steal their character, setting, premise or twist, and write our own story (a kind of derivative work).
The Prompt
Write a quick story with one strong feature: an appealing (or loathsome character), a great setting, a fabulous twist, an intriguing ‘what if’. Plan to allow someone else to steal from/be inspired by this story
Tips
Don’t worry if the story is less than perfect. As long as it has one appealing feature (character, setting or premise), let the rest go. Just finish it and post it.
Don’t try to write something you’re so proud of that you’ll be loathe to let it go.
Think of this like the kernel of a piece of open source software (like WordPress, on which this site is built). Someone came up with the original nugget, then let everyone else into the sandbox to play with it. Are you more mature than a four year old or will you get annoyed if someone else builds on top of your sandcastle?
Post the story somewhere and provide a link to it. Post it in the comments here if you don’t have a blog of your own.
Come back next week, read the links/stories and create a story based on someone else’s.
The Rules:
- You must write the story in one 24 hr period – the faster the better.
- Post the story (or a link) in the comments.
- Leave a link to your story and say which story it’s based on
- Find something nice to say about someone else’s story and leave a comment. Everybody needs a little support!
Optional Extras:
Share this challenge on Twitter or Facebook
Some tweets/updates you might use:
Don’t miss my short story: Open Source Story #WriteOnWed #storyaday https://storyaday.org/open-1
This week’s #WriteOnWed short story prompt is an Open Source Story! #storyaday https://storyaday.org/open-1
Come and write with us! #WriteOnWed #storyaday https://storyaday.org/open-1
See my story – and write your own, today: Open Source Story at #WriteOnWed #storyaday https://storyaday.org/open-1
If you would like to be the Guest Prompter, click here.
The Write On Wednesday story prompts are designed to prompt quickly-written stories that you can share in the comments. It’s a warm-up exercise, to loosen up your creativity muscles. Come back every Wednesday to see a new prompt or subscribe.
Here’s a short FF piece I wrote Wednesday. It has a lot of potential for someone to take it on and ‘swim’ with it. http://zennjennc.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/will-you-get-your-head-out-of-the-clouds-and-back-in-the-water-where-it-belongs/
Thanks Jenn!
Here’s an older story that I wrote during StoryADay. I think this could definitely be retold from a different angle, or maybe someone could do something with these characters.
https://storyaday.org/wordsmithy/2011/05/02/the-fixer/
Not sure if this is allowed, since it could ultimately be considered a mashup, but I thought it might be interesting to have someone continue this story from the perspective of the “child” (or the small statue in the left of the photo). This is my response to a prompt, but I just wrote it, so…it sort of counts, right? 🙂
http://starvingactivist.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/prompts-for-the-promptless-worship/
I think that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing!