Build a Story

How to Play

Setup

1. Choose a facilitator to keep time, set prompts, and guide the flow.
2. Arrange participants in a circle (in-person) or gallery view (virtual). Ideal group size: 4–12. For larger groups, split into sub-circles or use breakout rooms.
3. Agree on a theme or genre (optional), such as product launch, customer success, sci-fi, or a current project. Keep it light and inclusive.
4. Decide how to capture the story: a shared doc, whiteboard, or recording. In virtual sessions, use chat or a collaborative doc so everyone can see the story as it grows.
5. Set a timebox (10–15 minutes) and determine the order of turns (clockwise, alphabetical, or facilitator cue).

How to Play

1. The facilitator opens with a seed sentence, e.g., 'Once upon a time, a developer loved coffee more than code.' Keep it open-ended and neutral.
2. Going in order, each person adds exactly one sentence that builds on the previous sentence. Aim for 5–20 words to keep the pace lively.
3. Encourage callbacks (names, places, goals) to maintain coherence. Nudge players to move the plot forward or deepen a character.
4. Continue around the circle for multiple rounds until the timebox is reached or the group lands on a satisfying ending.
5. The facilitator concludes with a brief closing line or invites one last participant to wrap up. Optionally, title the story and take a quick 30-second reflection: What surprised you? What made it coherent?

Rules

1. One-sentence rule: one sentence per turn, delivered within 15 seconds (about 25 words max).
2. Build on what exists: honor facts introduced earlier; avoid contradicting established details.
3. Yes-and mindset: accept previous contributions and advance the story; avoid blocking or undoing others' ideas.
4. Keep it respectful and workplace-appropriate. Avoid sensitive topics and exclusionary inside jokes.
5. Pass option: each person may pass once per round if stuck; the turn moves on.
6. Keep the tempo: if silence exceeds 5 seconds, the facilitator may prompt or skip to maintain energy.
7. Virtual chat version: post only on your turn, don’t edit earlier lines, and number turns if needed (e.g., #7) for clarity.

Tips

• Prime creativity with a 30-second warm-up (word association, genre callouts).
• Use constraints to boost focus (e.g., include a customer insight, a color, or a sound effect).
• Encourage specificity: names, places, and concrete details make coherence easier.
• End with a hook or cliffhanger to hand off smoothly to the next person.
• Rotate the starter sentence across sessions to vary tone and ownership.
• Share the transcript afterward for laughs and team memory.

Variations

• Popcorn: no fixed order. Anyone says 'Next' to claim the turn; the facilitator ensures balanced participation.
• Constraint Cards: each round adds a rule (include a number, a metaphor, a piece of jargon, or a new character).
• Genre Flip: switch genres mid-game (e.g., mystery to superhero) and justify the shift in-story.
• Team Relay: in large groups, sub-teams alternate sentences; compare endings and vote on Most Coherent, Funniest, or Best Plot Twist.
• Silent Thread: 10 minutes of chat-only storytelling in a shared doc or Slack thread—fast, focused, and great for remote teams.