How to Write a StoryStack
Learn the Three Methods and take the challenge!
The idea for writing a “StoryStack” came about quite by accident. Initially, it was when I wanted to collaborate with other writers in the fiction community. I’d write the opening 50 words of a story and the other person would finish it off with their 50 words to create a 100 word story. An idea I’m truly thinking of bringing back in a most exciting way in 2025!
This idea manifested itself into taking a 6-word, 25-word, or even 100-word story and expanding up on it. But StoryStack is more than just writing 3 separate stories of different lengths using one prompt. No! The it’s much more complex than that! I mean, as fiction writers we enjoy a challenge, right?
So, let’s see if we can’t unpack what exactly is going on when it comes to writing a StoryStack. Here are the rules (should you choose to follow them) and even a few reasons why this is such a popular concept to participate in and why you should give it a try yourself! I dare you!
Let’s start with the construction and origin of StoryStack.
There are already entire communities, contests, awards, and websites dedicated to various popular micro fiction. There is the 6-word story craze, 50-word story enthusiasts and the one yours truly is the queen of, 100-word fanatics!
What unites all of these unique communities is the fact that these imposed word counts are paramount. If you write 6-word stories, the challenge is sticking to that word count. Same goes for 50-word stories and 100-word stories. The challenge is in the limited amount of words at your disposal. And make no mistake, there is no difference in level of difficulty between writing a 6-word story versus a 100-word story. They require a particular set of skills and a long time to master. But once you understand the value of words, the art of micro fiction will open up to you.
With StoryStack there are many levels to work up to. The reason isn’t to make the challenge that much more difficult, but the complete opposite. So, let’s break down the THREE METHODS I’ve seen used when it comes to writing a StoryStack:
METHOD 1: The Addition Method
METHOD 2: The Continuation Method
METHOD 3: The Separation Method
But don’t worry, I’m not about to leave you hanging with all of this information and not at least provide you with examples of each. And because I’m a masochist at heart, I’m going to apply all three methods to ONE image prompt! How hard can it be, right…
Here is the image:
THE ADDITION METHOD
Step 1: Using the prompt write a 6-word story.
Step 2: Copy/paste that 6-word story and ADD 19 words to it. Creating a 25-word story.
Step 3: Copy/paste that 25-word story and ADD 25 words to it. Creating a 50-word story.
Step 4: Copy/paste that 50-word story and ADD 50 words to it. Creating a 100-word story.
Step 5: Copy/paste that 100-word story and ADD 100 words to it. Creating a 200-word story.
Essentially, if you do every step, you’ll be left with one story that adds upon the last to bring more richness and depth to a final 200 word story. To make this easier for yourself, you can use “//” to denote where each step is happening or put the word count in brackets “[25]” ← like this.
EXAMPLE
Her window to nowhere and freedom. [6]
She sat there every night, waiting for a special star. Like her mother and grandmother, the star meant happiness. [19]
Tonight something was definitely different. There was something about the way the other, less significant, stars in the sky seemed to twinkle that much brighter. [25]
Then she saw it out the corner of her eye and jumped up. Was that it or were her eyes playing tricks on her? She only had one shot to get it right. There would be other stars trying to trick her into spending all eternity in her human form. [50]
She quickly took the mug of cocoa she liked to sip while she waited every night and poured what was left out the window. The liquid stopped and seemed to levitate, never quite falling as they should.
She closed her eyes and, letting go of any fear she had until this moment, took one step forward off the ledge of her window. The stories her mother and grandmother told her late at night from her window suddenly felt more real to her. Clutching the empty mug in her hand she flew to the sky and drank the clouds of life. [100]
THE CONTINUATION METHOD
Step 1: Using the prompt write a 6-word story.
Step 2: Using the prompt continue the story by writing an additional 25 words that can be combined with the previous 6-word story.
Step 3: Using the prompt continue the story by writing an additional 50 words that can be combined with the previous 25-word story.
Step 4: Using the prompt continue the story by writing an additional 100 words that can be combined with the previous 50-word story.
Step 5: Using the prompt continue the story by writing an additional 150 words that can be combined with the previous 100-word story.
The main difference between this method and the previous is that you’ll have a story that is 6 + 25 + 50 + 100 + 150 = 331 words long.
EXAMPLE
It was way past her bedtime. [6]
“Darla, time for lights out, honey.”
“Yes, mom.” Darla opened her windows. She used the light from the stars to protect her while she slept. [25]
From the comfort and safety of her bed, Darla started to doze off, watching the stars twinkle in the sky. In her dreams she imagined the stars dancing around till they entered her bedroom window and settled on her ceiling to protect her.
Thunder rumbled and lightning illuminated the sky. [50]
Darla screamed and the stars in her room went out from fright. Shrouded in darkness her chest heaving, she pulled back her covers and got out of bed. Thunder in the distance rumbled once more as rain drops started to fall. The closer she got to her window the more she felt the raindrops on her face.
She tried to close the window but wind picked up, keeping them open. As it continued to fall she heard a faint whistle in the distance. Looking out the window she saw the water rising and a man in a boat rowing by. [100]
“You aught to be in bed, missus. There’s a storm a brewin’ and the beast, she is restless this night,” the man shouted at her into the wind and rain. He wore a bright yellow raincoat and matching hat that he held down with one hand while holding onto his boat with the other hand.
She screamed after him, wanting to know more about this beast but he didn’t seem to hear her as his boat was swept away by the growing flood.
Darla wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but her room was filling with water as well and when she left her window ledge she dropped down into waist high water. She waded her way towards her bedroom door but it was locked. Thunder rolled and lightning crashed outside.
She looked up and begged the stars to help her but their fear was far larger than hers. [150]
THE SEPARATION METHOD
Step 1: Using the prompt write a 6-word story.
Step 2: Using the prompt write a different 25-word story.
Step 3: Using the prompt write a different 50-word story.
Step 4: Using the prompt write a different 100-word story.
Step 5: Using the prompt write a different 150-word story.
If you ask me, this one is the most difficult. You’re writing 5 different stories. Add to that the length of each story is different as well! I tip my had to the person who attempts this method! Similar to the Continuation Method you’ll have written 331 words but 5 different stories instead of one long story.
EXAMPLE
[6] Tell the stars I said “hello.”
[25] Living underground all his life, he stared at the painting of a girl sitting at her windowsill, looking at the star filled sky with envy.
[50] On this night every child, except for one, is tucked in bed, expecting the boogeyman to pass them by. Most know he won’t come for them because they’ve been good all year long. But not little Molly Gallagher. She has been bad on purpose and now she sits and waits.
[100] “Please, will you tell me just one more story?” She asked her mother.
“You know I can’t my little one.” She felt the clouds beginning to form and block out the moon and stars, and they made her shudder. “I must go now. But I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Please, don’t go. It’s not fair. What if this storm lasts forever and I never get to see you again?” She asked her mother.
“Do not fear the storm. Remember they can never keep the light away forever. We will meet again.” And with that, her mother was gone.
[150] Do you think she’ll be alright?
Undoubtedly. The story I have written for her is some of my best work. She will marry, have three children, and pursue her passion.
What will her passion be?
I haven’t decided that yet. How about you pick something for her? You’re young, just starting out, this could be good practice.
Really? Well, I know what I’ve always wanted to be if I ever had the chance…
And what’s that?
A farmer. I could plant things. Grow things. Build things.
A farmer? Really…
Well, it will also help her have a place to dispose of the bodies.
“Mr. Sniffles, what do you suppose the stars talk about at night?” She asked her cat who was busy grooming on her bed, ignoring her questions as always. “I like to think they talk about happiness and sunshine.”
Mr. Sniffles stopped grooming to look at her sideways.
Micro Mondays here on MicroZine will be reserved for providing you with a prompt so you can create your own StoryStack using one or all of the methods outlined above. I’ll be sure to include these method guides for reference.
TWO BONUS CHALLENGES
BONUS #1: Add an EXTRA Step!
For each Method you can add a STEP 6 as follows:
Addition Method - Copy/paste that 200-word story and ADD 50 words to it. Creating a 250-word story.
Continuation Method - Using the prompt continue the story by writing an additional 250 words that can be combined with the previous 150-word story.
Separation Method - Using the prompt write a different 250-word story.
BONUS #2: Genres / POVs / Tenses
Lastly, as you can see, no mention was made about genre or POV or tense. Those things are totally left up to your imagination when writing your story. You can, of course, challenge yourself with a few self imposed challenges that include things like choosing to write in a certain POV or past tense instead of present tense. Writing micro fiction is a great way to improve those areas in our writing that we all struggle with. So, if you know you always struggle with writing past tense and first person, try giving yourself that added challenge during the next Micro Monday and let us know when you share your story(ies) in the comments so we can tell you how you did.
Here are my examples of the separation method.
Enjoy!
The Window
She sat wondering about the stars 6
Reflections On A Comet
Through her open window Susan could see the comet fly by, its bright tail lighting up the happiness on her face. “Almost home," she thought. 25
A Special Sight
Galileo had first used a telescope to get a close up view of the planets. Through the wonder of science Gina had a much better view from her bedroom window. She reflected on the brilliance of being so close to Saturn’s rings. She stretched out her fingers to touch them. 50
The Gift Of A Star
“Mom, I bought you a star. I can see you right now and every night. It is the best I can do to honour what you mean to me. I miss you so much,” said Joy with tears trickling down her cheek.
She sat quietly pondering the meaning of life. “The people we love are only part of our lives for a short while.” she mused. “There are so many beginnings and so many sudden endings. There has to be another meaning, another reason for their being a part of our lives.
She gently closed the blinds for another night. 100
A Window in Time
This is one amazing window,” Sonya shrieked with glee as she gazed at the window that hung from the ceiling in her bedroom. Thank you for this amazing gift.”
Her parents smiled at her.
“Why does it say “Learning” on this side of the frame?” she inquired.
Her father explained. “It was a gift to your mother when she was a young woman. She used it to study all the techniques she needed to become the painter she is today. She learned from the best teachers throughout history.”
“And on this side it says “family.”
“That is a window to learn from your ancestors. It gives you access to all of them to help you grow.”
Her mom looked a bit concerned. “There are many good things that will come your way but that is to be balanced with all the things that could go wrong. Before you make any entries on either side you should research the times for the risks that may befall you. I was glad I did.”
“I will mom. Thank you again.” she said as they closed the door behind them.
She walked over and eyed the learning side of the frame. “Time to start.” 200
Everywhere she looked there were stars. /6/
In her comfy clothes she waited patiently for her ride. Her head on a swivel she looked on both sides of the window wondering who would show up this time. Would there be an assignment worthy of her time? Who would be her copilot? /44/
She watched a meteor shoot across the sky and wondered how all those rocks got there. What collisions had to occur to send these gigantic rocks across the open skies. Billions of them! It blew her mind. “There you are,” his warm voice called out from far below her window. /100/
‘At last,’ she thought as she slipped into the copilot's seat.
“That window makes it difficult to find you.”
“It’s perfect,” she replied. “What’s tonight’s mission?” she asked with an authoritative air.
“We are tracking a warship. You are to use your talents to destroy it.”
She smiled. Let’s go! /150/
They shot from her window using space noise to hide their forward thrusters. Soon they were in X sector and had the warship in their sights.
“Hold Steady,” she whispered, her mind focused on the large subject. She whispered, “Just a little bit more,” to herself as the warship imploded. /200/