A Story in Five Objects
A Story in Five Objects
A Narrative of Identity
A Narrative of Identity
Tell a story about yourself, a fictionalized version of yourself, or a completely invented character—but do it through five meaningful objects.
Rather than telling us directly about your narrator, let their possessions, keepsakes, or everyday items reveal who they are.
Your narrative should move through five objects that each carry weight—they should symbolize a moment, relationship, conflict, or core part of identity.
Choose five objects—they don’t have to be valuable, just meaningful.
Each object should reveal something about the narrator (fears, relationships, regrets, hopes, etc.).
The objects should be woven into the story naturally, not listed mechanically.
Can be written as a traditional story, poetic prose, or fragmented vignettes tied to each object.
"A Lifetime in Five Objects" – Follow a character from childhood to adulthood, with each object marking a key turning point.
"The Five Things I Took With Me" – A narrator leaves home, runs away, or starts fresh, bringing five objects that hold their past.
"The Five Things I Lost" – A reflective piece where a narrator remembers five lost objects and what they meant.
"An Inventory of My Life" – A character makes a list of five things they keep close and why, revealing their personality in the process.
"A Mystery Told Through Objects" – Someone discovers five strange objects in a forgotten drawer, an abandoned house, or a loved one’s belongings and has to piece together the story.
What does each object say about the narrator?
How does the narrator feel about these objects? Do they cherish them? Resent them?
What memories or emotions do the objects stir up?
Does the narrator still own them, or have they been lost or given away?
How does the last object tie everything together?
A cracked pen – A writer struggling with self-doubt.
A blurry photo – A childhood memory they can’t fully remember.
A concert ticket stub – The last night with a lost friend.
A broken controller – A symbol of simpler times before life got complicated.
A half-eaten apple – A reminder of something unfinished.