This month, let’s fan the flames and set your creative mind ablaze.
No AI, just human-powered fun! We’ll use the Storymatic® prompts and the Story Spine to stir your creativity.
Background to Get You Up to Speed
Story Spine:
- Build a Story Spine: A post about the method with an example.
- Add Stakes to the Story Spine: A post about expanding the Story Spine.
Storymatic®
- You can view the Storymatic® product on Amazon. It’s an old-school set of cards that contain writing prompts, perfect for making your little gray cells percolate.
- Use the time-tested Story Spine format and Storymatic® prompts to draft storylines that have the potential to become full-length novels.
Instructions
Combining the Storymatic® prompts and the Story Spine format offers a quick way to draft a storyline.
You’ll use the Gold Cards to create characters and the Copper Cards to develop and embellish the story. It’s that simple!
Create your story in steps 1-8 below. Experiment by replacing the [bracketed Story Spine instructions] with as much or as little of the inspiration generated by the Storymatic prompts.
After you create the Story Spine, determine whether the storyline deserves development into a full narrative.
Above all, have fun!
Create Your Story
1. HOOK
Once upon a time, there was a [name the main POV character and his or her role] who was [describe that person and their major flaw].
Gold Cards: subject of a medical experiment; person about to pawn an heirloom;
Copper Cards: particularly inconvenient phobia; if only what was said could be taken back;
2. SETUP
And every day, [describe the POV character’s routine, setting, and time].
Gold Cards: plastic surgeon; person who never gives up;
Copper Cards: secret meeting; library;
3. TRIGGER
But one day, [state what problem or event occurred], and [describe how the POV character tried to solve the problem or deal with the event].
Gold Cards: neglected sibling; person with a devastating secret;
Copper Cards: mishap at the laboratory; beauty contest;
4. THRUST INTO 2
And because of that, [describe the POV character’s decision to solve the problem or deal with the event] and [give details of the plan to fulfill that goal].
Gold Cards: keeper of a family tradition; survivor;
Copper Cards: stranger’s cell phone; separation;
5. MIDPOINT
And because of that, [show how the POV character now faces a new task or risk, and that causes the person’s focus to switch from an external want to an internal need].
Gold Cards: person who asks what nobody ever asks; vet;
Copper Cards: aquarium; lottery ticket;
6. PLUNGE INTO 3
And because of that, [describe what occurred as a result of the POV character’s flaw-driven action], leaving the person feeling [detail that person’s emotional low point].
Gold Cards: person in professional disgrace; person who has broken something that cannot be replaced;
Copper Cards: door won’t open; clown school;
7. CLIMAX
Unfortunately, [describe the POV character’s fortune reversal]. A third battle continued until finally, [show how the person’s need contributed to a battle win, lose, or draw].
Gold Cards: person with a weak heart; person who laughs at inappropriate times;
Copper Cards: forgot to pass along the information; burning house;
8. RESOLUTION
And ever since then, [describe the POV character’s change], which [highlight the significance of that change to the story’s characters and to the readers’ insights].
Gold Cards: person did something bad a long, long time ago; driver of an ice cream truck;
Copper Cards: invitation from a stranger; wish comes true;
Zany Prompts?
Oh yeah, but if you’re anything like me, those prompts will make you more creative.
What’s fun about the Storymatic prompts is how you can shuffle them to create a zillion combinations.
While eating watermelon, you enjoy the meat but spit out the seeds. Likewise, use the prompt ideas you like and discard the others.
Have fun creating your story!
What’s Your Story?
In the comments, paste your story. Let’s support each other and give feedback.
4 responses to “Step-by-Step Guide to Storytelling with Storymatic”
Grant, I’ve had a Storymatic for years. It’s definitely a lot of fun and a good way to prompt creativity. Great highlight today!
Thanks, Mae! Storymatic works, inexpensive, simple, and requires no batteries! 😇 Best of all, it’s good for you brain!
Boy, these crazy prompts should get the creatives juices flowing!
Spot on!