It’s the first of the month, and that means it’s Serious Writer’s Accountability Group day at StoryADay.org.
Spend fifteen minutes with me and Monique Cuillerier, a long time StoryADay community member, as we talk about writing, routines, and why she turns up for SWAGr month after month.
You can find Monique online at NotWhereILive.com and on Twitter @moniqueac
Today we explore the power of three and use it to make your story Bigger, Badder, (Too Much For Mr. Incredible!! Wait, no, that’s something else….)
Hey, we’re almost there! It’s almost the end of the month.
By now you’re probably pretty sick of this StoryADay nonsense, but you can’t quit because you’re so close, right?
Take out your frustrations on your protagonist! There’s nothing better for a compelling story than a little bit of mistreatment of your beloved protag…
Today we take a look at pacing, and the differences it can make to a story.
This is a bit of a ‘cheat day’ because I encourage you to write something that may not be a complete short story. Gasp!
Today’s prompt encourages you to think about stirring up some emotions in your readers.
Today’s writing prompt is all about changing perspective. Most of us have a particular POV we like to write in. Today, we try something completely different.
Today we’re going to take a deeper look at genre and the expectations readers have, based on that genre…
Quick: grab a book from your bookshelf, and look at the first page. Can you tell what kind of book it’s going to be just from the tone of that page? Does it match your expectations?
Today you’ll write a story focussing on tone: is it consistent? Is it appropriate to the story you’re telling?
With four weeks of writing under your belt, you will have learned a thing or two about your strengths as a writer. This week we use what you’ve learned and build on it.
Today’s focus: Finding Your Voice
I don’t often give you a traditional ‘story starter’ kind of prompt, but today that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m really curious to see what everyone does with this one!
This is one of my favorite writing prompts of all time – because you don’t have to worry too much about coming up with a plot, just messing with one.
For more resources take a look at the blog post for this prompt.
Today you’re going to tell the story of a painting (literally or otherwise). I have some suggestions for you, and, if you want to find the original blog post, with links to good sources of art, go here: http://storyaday.org/2016-18-painting/
Today’s prompt is to write a story based on a news headline. The caveat, of course, being that fiction, unlike real life, has to make sense!
Today’s Rescue Week prompt is to write a story that would fit on Twitter: 140 characters only! It’s not as easy as you think…
You did it! You’ve made it to week three! Congratulations. And don’t worry if things are getting harder this week. This is your RESCUE WEEK, full of prompts exclusively designed to help you over the hump.
Protagonists and Antagonists aren’t the only characters to turn up in your stories. Today we take a look at the sidekick’s role.
Today’s prompt uses the antagonist to show what the protagonist could be if only they were a little bit worse/braver/less moral.
Today we’re concentrating on character. You love your main character…just don’t let them be too perfect!
Today’s writing prompt is all about painting a vivid setting for your readers.
Today I encourage you to try out the Ugly Duckling story structure: the big moment comes in the middle of the story and is balanced by events on either side…
Today I encourage you to try out the Ugly Duckling story structure: the big moment comes in the middle of the story and is balanced by events on either side…
A welcome to week two of the challenge, where we take a serious look at the Elements of Story. On this first day we look at what I call the “Cinderella Story Structure”. It’s a skeleton you can hang your own story on, fleshing it out with your own interests.
Today you’ll write a story mostly or completely in dialogue.
Today, I challenge you to write a story about a character as unlike yourself as you can imagine. With they be sympathetic? Will they be evil? What can you do with this prompt?
Today’s prompt encourages you to write a story about a character who shares some similarities with you.
Continuing this week’s theme of ‘Limits’, today I’m limiting you to a first-person point-of-view story.
Today you’re going to write a story in 100 words
This is a very silly prompt, but it always gets people writing!
You’re doing it! Good for you!
Today’s episode is a pep talk and your first writing prompt. This week’s theme is “Limits”
You can leave a comment about today’s story here: http://storyaday.org/prompt-30-mins/
Julie shares her best tips from 6 years of Extreme Writing Challenges, for getting your writing done this month. Don’t turn off before the last tip…it’s the best!
Music credit: Alan McPike standardstrax.com
A 6-part journey through the short story.
Starts July 28, 2023