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.
Get the StoryADay Challenge Handbook for 2026 – custom warm-up and brainstorming exercises for every prompt, delivered as a private podcast with transcripts.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
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.
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