Writing Prompt Wednesday: Setting-O-Matic

Begin by creating a collage using magazine pictures (National Geographic or travel magazines are a great place to start!). Once you find a photo you like, use it as the starting point for creating a new world and setting for an original character. Is your character a human? A monster? A person with super powers?

Use the questions below to round out how this setting should inspire your story:

1. What is this place called?
2. Pick a specific location that your story will take place. (Example: A submarine, a cave, ancient ruins, etc.)
3. Use the five senses to describe what this place is like. (Example: A rusty, miniature submarine that constantly smells of rotten eggs and is filled with framed portraits of fluffy kittens in teacups.)
4. What are a few details about the LARGER world this story’s setting is within? Is this submarine on Earth? Beneath Chicago? On a distant planet far, far away?
5. What are the rules/boundaries of this world? Do inhabitants have magical powers? Are there inherent dangers to this world?
6. What sort of people/creatures live in this world? What are their daily lives like?

Consider including an unexpected “rule” of this new world. Do fish turn to paper when it snows? Does everyone turn into a rainbow-crying fairy at midnight on Halloween? Does everyone use magic? All of the rules of a story can be written through the setting!

“This is the story of a lifetime, starting in the village called Dullahan Village. The village was a kingdom ruled by a king. The village was made up of brick houses, a forest, mountains, and a huge waterfall. The village was like a festival, full of decorations, pearls, crystals, and jewelry. All of the Dullahans were half-man, half-horse, with no heads. They wore decorations like rings, headbands, bracelets, and necklaces. All the jewelry gave them great powers like magic defense, magic attack, and magic strength. They were fearless.”

–”Mighty and the Three Kids” by Oscar, 826CHI

Read more of Oscar’s story, download a classroom handout, and find more resources for this writing prompt on 826 Digital.

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