12 Days of Prompt Tools for Fiction Writers
Day 1: Storymatic
It is no surprise that I have something of a prompt tool collection, and while I love the idea of you joining me to share in all their joy during our Stop Writing Alone events, I was reminded that you, too may want to start a collection of your own. Over the next twelve days, wrapping up on Christmas Day, I am going to share one post a day briefly describing and introducing you to some of my favorite writing prompt tools to share with fiction writers.
*Many links in this series will be affiliate links (any that direct you to bookshop.org), so if you use these links to make a purchase, please know that the shop itself will pay me a commission as a result of your purchase.
Now, let’s begin.
Day 1: Storymatic
If you just want one, simple writing prompt tool that can be used over and over again without any worry of real repetition in inspiration, my first recommendation will always be the Storymatic deck of cards.
Purchase at Storymatic Studios
Regulars in the Stop Writing Alone writing community, or fans of the 52 Stories in 52 Weeks series on the NV Rivera channel are in no need of an introduction to this set, but in case it is new to you, here’s a quick rundown of how it works, how I use it and why I love it.
How It Works
The Storymatic decks (there is a classic deck and a deck for kids — I use them both for myself!) are split into two sets of colored cards. One color represents color cards, the other color cards are what I like to call story cards. In traditional play, you select two character cards that you combine to inspire the character in your story, then you select the other color card to see what your character will be dealing with in your story.
It’s simple, it’s reusable, it can be used alone or with a group.
How I Use It
One of the things I love about Storymatic is how flexible it can be. You can play a number of different games beyond the traditional way I described above. Here is a video of me describing and sharing one of my favorite variations, XYZ, where we think of the the sentence
X is in conflict with Y about Z
Where X, Y, and Z are cards selected from the deck:
What I’ve Written With It
Here are stories I have shared online that have all come from some Storymatic Studios Product:
flash fiction Mercy’s Lesson {Storymatic Classic]
flash fiction Nights With Nonna [Storymatic Kids!]
short story Rabbit, Rabbit [Synapsis]
Why I Love It
The amount of stories I have created inspired by Storymatic Studios products is incredible. Brian Mooney, the creator of all things Storymatic, really gets it (my interview with Brian Mooney and our very special Stop Writing Alone Writing Prompt Party with special guest Brian Mooney). He’s in the trenches sharing prompts with writers and using them himself. A deck of cards that can be shuffled, selected at random and then shifted into different types of games lends itself to so much re-usability, you honestly don’t need any other prompt tools if you have one of these decks on your shelf.
Where To Buy It
I have seen Storymatic products popping up all over, but I recommend you go straight to the source and purchase from Storymatic Studios. Not only are your decks ready and waiting for you, very often your purchase will be packaged with a fun little Storymatic gift like a Storymatic sticker or pencil!
The List
Just in case you do not have the time or patience to wait out all 12 days to see the tools I will be sharing this season, here’s a bit of a master list. You can come back when it suits you to check out the reasons I love these tools and how I use them. As the posts go up, I will update this list with the links to those posts.
Games that are great prompt tools (You’ll have to check the post out for these links!)
Now Write! Books
Stop Writing Alone Paid Subscription (you really can’t blame me for this! With this option, you have access to all of these AND MORE all the time!)
12 days! This is so cool.