I’ve seen these story cubes around and always wanted to try them, so when I walked into my library and saw that I could borrow them – yes, I immediately snatched them up. If you’re not familiar with them, they’re just nine dice with images printed on them in a tiny little box. Super portable! I thought they would be great ways to break up a day of writing (or whatever) if you have writer’s block and just need to get the creative juices flowing or maybe it’ll actually inspire your story or blog post? Who knows!

They even have an app that you can download if you don’t want something physical. Below I copied some of the rules that they provide for the game.

When playing with family and friends take turns as the storyteller. The storyteller rolls all 9 cubes. Begin with ‘Once Upon a Time’ and tell a story that links together all 9 face-up images. Start with the first image to grab your attention. Use three cubes for the beginning, three for the middle and three for the end of the story. There is one rule: there are no wrong answers.

My Hero: Roll three cubes and use them to create a character. Now roll all nine cubes and tell a story featuring your hero. What will happen when your hero finds herself at the pyramids in Ancient Egypt, or with a turtle for a sidekick?

Epic Stories: The first player rolls all nine cubes and weaves the opening chapter. Taking turns, each consecutive player adds a chapter to the story. The last player must tie up all the loose ends and bring the story to its epic conclusion. Add different sets of Rory’s Story Cubes® to give your stories a whole new dimension. Stuck for ideas? Pick your favourite movie, book or TV show. What new and imaginative stories can you spin using these characters and settings? Use your imagination.

Makes sense? Alright, so now we’re going to try it out and let me know what stories you come up with in the comments below!

Once upon a time…

In a kingdom of magic and mystery there lived a girl who was destined for greatness. It is said that upon her birth, a brilliant shooting star streaked across the sky and named her the chosen one. Blessed by the gods, Seraphina had been gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men. With just a wave of her hand, she could call down strong winds or summon waves of brilliant turquoise water from the sea.

One day she realized that there was something wrong at the temple. As it sat on top of a hill, surrounded by tiny houses – it was the tallest building around and the focal point of the city. Sera noticed more smoke than could possibly be from sacrifices to the God of a Thousand Stings, Be’azor, billowed out through the columns and a sense of dread overcame her. She rushed up the hill and was abruptly brought to a halt by the vibrant and glimmering vermillion scales of a beast. A dragon. But dragons don’t exist. They’re myths. Legends. And yet…

With a deep breath, Sera centered herself and began to draw upon her strength and the gifts of the gods. A thunderous crash shook the ground as a nearby house that had caught fire collapsed to the ground. She called upon her water gift from the Goddess of Turtles and Fish, Merina. Sera directed the water over each plume of fire and blazing tendril before it could destroy more of her city, careful to limit the destruction her own powers might inadvertently cause. Putting all of her will into the strike, she smashed a freezing wall of water onto the dragon’s face which immediately put out the fires warming its belly as the drops trickled down its throat. With an indignant splutter, the dragon shook itself off and took to the skies, hoping to find a city more open-minded and willing to incorporate it’s fire motif into the city’s exterior decorating.

The End.

In case you couldn’t tell, this was the order in which I used my cubes.

What did you think? I mean, it’s legitimately just for fun. Don’t pressure yourself too much or it won’t be as cathartic as its meant to be. Just have fun with it. Make the story as sensical or nonsensical as you want it to be. Enjoy!