Writing a story is more than just throwing some characters into a situation and seeing what happens. A good writer builds a whole world around the story of the characters. This is more than setting: it’s also the soundtrack, the slang people use, the color palette of the rooms, the social hierarchy hinted at… The … Continue reading “[Writing Prompt] World Building”
Today we’re going to take a look at a character from the perspective of age. The Prompt Write About A Character In A Different Age Group By “different age group” I mean either someone who is not the same age as you or someone of an age that you don’t normally write about. Also, you … Continue reading “[Writing Prompt] Ageism”
The Prompt Pick a spectacular or vivid interior space. Set your story in it, paying attention to the space and how it might shape your narrative. Tips: Perhaps your space is large and cavernous and something whispered at one end can be easily overheard at the other. Perhaps your hero is visiting his grandmother who … Continue reading “[Writing Prompt] Space”
Stories have settings, characters and action. Great! Easy. Let’s get writing! A-hem. One of the hard parts of writing is getting the pacing of a story correct. You need to slow things down and speed things up in the right places. It may seem counterintuitive but the place to speed up is often in the … Continue reading “[Writing Prompt] Slow It Down”
I spent Saturday afternoon at a small town annual parade here in the eastern part of the US. There were marching bands, local civic organizations and even Mummers from Philadelphia. Small towns breed all kinds of stories and traditions and secrets. They are ripe settings for stories, especially when you set your story in or … Continue reading “[Daily Prompt] May 23 – Before The Parade Passes By”
It’s the Number 1 question authors are asked in interviews: Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Of course, a large part of being a writer is having ideas, harnessing them, molding them. But we all have days when the ideas aren’t coming. We still want to write, but where to start? Here are some sites … Continue reading “10 Great Sites For Writing Prompts”
Some days finding ideas is easier than others.
On the days where the story ideas are flowing, stick a bucket under the spigot and catch them all. You’ll need them later. Here are some prompts to get that idea spigot to open. Get ready with your notebook…
Sometimes function follows form
If it’s good enough for Shakespeare…
It’s everyone’s guilty pleasure
It’s the highest form of flattery
Your opening lines are important…that’s why we leave them until last
I feel like I should have worked harder on the title for today’s prompt…
This is such a ridiculous prompt you can’t possible ‘fail’
You CAN write a story in five sentences. Really!
Friday Freebie Download your Friday Freebie from stroyADay adn get inspired for a wekeend of writing. Enter your email address below, then check your inbox for instructions. DOWNLOAD Discover More StoryADay Support FIND OUT MORE Treat yourself …to a self-paced, online writing retreat where I’ll walk you through the key elements of successful short … Continue reading “!LP Friday Freebie”
Reveal Your Fairy Art Parents You’re probably overwhelmed with offers of writing freebies right now. Use this manifesto to help you cut through the noise and take advantage of only the offers that align with your values and priorities. Sign up below and I’ll send you the definitive guide to making great creative decisions today and … Continue reading “!LP Writer’s Manifesto Emma 5”
Starting at the end is a fun way to tell a story…
Settings are important in today’s prompt
Settings are important in today’s prompt
Julie Duffy encourages you to keep things short
Tommy Dean leads your character through a story
Days Hours The WRITER Code Masterclass Get Started with the WRITER Code https://s3.amazonaws.com/StoryADay/cleansweep/Launch+Materials/WRITER+Code+-+Superstars+-+2023/The+WRITER+Code+2023+++Pt+1.mp4 DOWNLOAD THE STORY SPARKS CATCHER If you came here from a link and haven’t registered yet for the whole masterclass, make sure you’re on the list Getting Started With The Writer Code (click to expand)) Welcome to the StoryADay WRITER Code Masterclass. … Continue reading “!LP writer code 1”
What if StoryADay went away?
This simple phrase changed everything for me, this week.
The possibilities are as numerous as … the hairs on a human head.
A writing prompt that focuses on a limited set of characters and locations, so you can start and finish your short story with success
StoryAWeek How To Change/Update Your Subscription First, click the ‘Update your profile’ link at the bottom of an email. You will find an ‘Update your profile’ link at the bottom of most StoryADay emails. Next, enter the magic link you receive via email. Clicking on the ‘Update your profile’ link will take you to … Continue reading “StoryAWeek How To Change/Cancel Your Subscription”
OK, you’re in! ACCESS THE CHALLENGE WRITING PROMPTS Here are some resources to help you prepare for your StoryADay challenge. Keep scrolling for workshops, this year’s bingo card, writing logs, graphics and more… And let’s get the conversation rolling. Leave a comment and let us know how you’re feeling right now! Participant Badges (right-click to … Continue reading “!Thx 2022 Classic Challenge Participant”
The Prompt Write a story or a scene in a setting you have never used before. It can be somewhere you have been or somewhere you have always wanted to go. It can be real or imagined. The goal is to try something new. The Author A.T. Greenblatt is a mechanical engineer by day and a writer by … Continue reading “Day 2 – AT Greenblatt Wants You To Go Somewhere New”