It’s the weekend, and that means time for another challenge. Normally I’d sent the challenge word count for you based on the intended length of the finished story. In this case, you’ll be setting your own word count goal.

To get your word count goal, you’re going to grab a dice. A standard six sided dice (d6) will work, but you may want to grab a d12 or d20 if you have one.

Below you’ll find five story starter prompts and five dialogue prompts. You’re welcome to use as many of them as you like, or skip them entirely. Once you’re ready to start writing, roll one dice.

Multiply your result by 100. That’s how long your story needs to be. As an example, if you roll a 3, your goal would be 300 words. If you roll an 8, then your goal is 800 words, and if you rolled a 20, your goal would be 2,000.

Because sentences don’t always line up exactly, you have a leeway of ten words either direction, but should aim to get as close to your exact count as possible.

Ready? Set? Roll!

The Prompts

• Rain drowned any hope of a cookout.
• Wafting cotton candy scents drew them towards the fair.
• His mother would never forgive him for breaking the deck chair.
• Excitement on the last day of school meant no work and no rules to follow.
• He noticed their mismatched flip flops first.

• “I’m covered in dirt but I have so many fresh vegetables.”
• “We can go anywhere you want as long as it’s the beach or the pool.”
• “At this point it’s more economical to rent a cow than mow the lawn.”
• “There’s no ice and no cube in my drink.”
• “You want to get up early and jog on the first day of summer vacation?”