Best examples of examples of create a short story that begins with 'It was a rainy day...'

Let’s skip the theory and walk straight into the storm. Here are several realistic examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’—each one pushing the line in a different direction.

1. The quiet breakup (contemporary fiction example)

It was a rainy day the first time the algorithm suggested I block him.

The notification floated at the top of my screen like a dare: “We’ve noticed this contact causes you stress. Mute for 30 days?” Outside, the rain hammered my apartment window, turning the city into a smear of brake lights and umbrellas. Inside, his last message sat unread, blue dots pulsing as if he were still deciding whether I was worth the truth.

This is an example of how a familiar opening can feel current by weaving in 2024 realities: algorithms nudging your mental health, muted contacts, and the quiet brutality of texting. The rainy day becomes a backdrop for emotional weather—emotional “flooding,” which psychologists sometimes describe when talking about overwhelming feelings in relationships (NIMH).

2. The glitch in the storm (sci‑fi example)

It was a rainy day the morning the storm started buffering.

Not the power. Not the Wi‑Fi. The storm itself. Lightning froze mid‑flash over the bay, a jagged photograph burned into the clouds. Raindrops hung in the air like beads on invisible strings. I stepped off the porch and the world lagged, reality loading in pixel by pixel. Somewhere above the stalled thunderheads, someone was clearly messing with the simulation—and I was the only one who seemed to notice.

Here, the line becomes a portal to science fiction. Among the best examples of examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’, this kind of twist works because it takes the most ordinary part of the sentence—the weather—and makes it the problem.

3. The generational storm (family drama example)

It was a rainy day when my grandmother finally told me why she kept a suitcase packed by the door.

The suitcase had been there my entire childhood, as permanent as the couch. I’d built forts around it, draped it in blankets, used it as a step stool to reach the cookie jar. But that afternoon, rain ticking against the windows like impatient fingers, she patted the cushion next to her and said, “If the sirens ever sound like they did in ’62, you don’t wait for me. You grab that case and you run.”

This example of a rainy day opening leans into memory and family history. The weather is a trigger for stories about war, migration, or disaster—very real themes in an era shaped by climate anxiety and constant news alerts.

For context on how weather and disaster shape memory and anxiety, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses mental health impacts after emergencies and storms (CDC). That kind of real‑world backdrop can deepen your fictional rainy day.

4. The almost‑funeral (dark humor example)

It was a rainy day—perfect weather for a funeral, which was awkward, because technically no one had died yet.

The pastor kept checking his watch. The florist glared at the sky like she’d personally ordered sunshine. My aunt whispered, “Maybe he changed his mind,” as if canceling your own funeral was some kind of social faux pas. On the casket, the raindrops gathered and rolled, like the world couldn’t decide whether to cry or laugh.

This one shows how examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’ can be funny, not just gloomy. The tone flips fast from somber to absurd.

5. The climate protest (2025‑adjacent example)

It was a rainy day for the climate march, which everyone agreed was bad optics.

“Can’t we at least get ironic sunshine?” someone shouted, cardboard sign drooping as the ink bled into unreadable slogans. The livestream comments were merciless: “Nice weather you got there.” “Guess the planet’s fine lol.” But as the thunder rolled over the city, louder than the chants, I realized this was the point. The sky was done being subtle.

This is one of the best examples of how to pull 2024–2025 trends into your story: live streams, comment sections, climate protests, and the way public perception twists everything into a meme. The rainy day isn’t just scenery; it’s a character with opinions.

For writers who like to ground their fiction in real issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shares data and plain‑language summaries on climate change and extreme weather trends (EPA). Reading real reports can give your fictional storms a sharper edge.

6. The hospital window (intimate, quiet example)

It was a rainy day the first time Mom forgot my name.

The doctor had warned us this might happen, like it was a side effect you could scan past on a label. Outside, the rain streaked down the hospital window in crooked lines, rewriting the city in watery smears. Inside, she smiled at me with the polite confusion you give a neighbor you only sort of recognize. “You look just like…” she started, then let the sentence wash away.

Here, the weather mirrors the blurred memory. If you’re writing about illness, loss, or caregiving, you might find it helpful to read real medical overviews so your details feel grounded. The Mayo Clinic has accessible guides on conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s (Mayo Clinic). That research can inform your story without turning it into a medical pamphlet.

7. The small‑town mystery (YA example)

It was a rainy day when we found the footprints on the ceiling.

Not muddy prints on the floor. Not tracks in the yard. Perfect, sneaker‑shaped smudges walking across the kitchen ceiling like gravity had simply changed its mind. “Raccoons,” Dad said, without looking up from his coffee. But even he flinched when one of the prints dripped.

Young adult and middle‑grade stories thrive on the uncanny detail—the one weird thing that doesn’t fit. Among the best examples of examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’, this type of opening works because it hooks curiosity immediately.

8. The unexpected promotion (workplace example)

It was a rainy day when HR called me in “just to chat,” which is corporate for “brace yourself.”

My shoes left damp ghosts on the carpet tiles as I walked down the hallway, rehearsing every mistake I’d made in the last six months. By the time I reached the glass door, I’d been fired, demoted, and sued in my imagination. Instead, they offered me a promotion—and a move three thousand miles away.

This example of a rainy day story starter taps into modern work culture: remote moves, relocation packages, and the quiet panic of being “invited for a chat.”

How to turn “It was a rainy day…” into your own story

Now that you’ve seen several real examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’, let’s talk about how to make that first line work for you instead of against you.

Make the second sentence do the real work

The opening line is a springboard. The second line is where the story truly starts. Look back at the best examples above:

• “...the first time the algorithm suggested I block him.” Suddenly we’re in a digital‑age breakup.
• “...the morning the storm started buffering.” We’re in glitchy sci‑fi.
• “...when we found the footprints on the ceiling.” We’re in strange‑mystery territory.

If you’re looking for examples of how to do this, notice the pattern: the second sentence introduces a sharp, specific surprise. When you create a short story that begins with “It was a rainy day…”, ask yourself: What’s the most unexpected thing that could happen next, while still feeling true to my genre?

Anchor the rain to a character’s problem

Rain by itself is just weather. Rain plus a person who needs something—that’s story. In the strongest examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’, the storm collides with a human problem:

• A grandmother’s fear of sirens
• A protester’s frustration with optics
• A caregiver’s grief in a hospital room

Before you write, finish this sentence in your notes: “It was a rainy day, and my character desperately needed…” to get to the airport, to keep their phone dry, to hide their tears, to make it to a job interview on time. That need will shape everything.

Use modern details: 2024–2025 flavor

If your story is set now, let it feel now. Some of the best examples of rainy‑day openings feel current because they include:

• Algorithms and recommendation systems
• Livestreams, DMs, and comment sections
• Climate marches and viral memes
• Remote work, relocation offers, and burnout

You don’t need to cram in every trend, but one or two sharp details can plant your story firmly in this decade.

Genre-based examples of create a short story that begins with “It was a rainy day…”

To give you more inspiration, here are quick genre sketches—little seeds you can grow into full stories. These are examples of examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’ tailored to different vibes.

Romance

It was a rainy day when the rideshare app matched me with my ex.

There were two million drivers in the city. I checked. The odds should have been impossible. But there he was in the profile photo, same lopsided smile, same scar on his chin from the night we tried to cook together and almost burned down his apartment.

The rain here traps two people in a small space, forcing a conversation they’ve been avoiding for years.

Horror

It was a rainy day when the voices in the drains started using my name.

At first, it was just a murmur under the gurgle, the way water sometimes sounds like it’s trying to speak. But then, clear as a whisper in my ear: “Lena.” The showerhead rattled. The pipes shivered. And somewhere deep in the walls, something laughed.

The storm amplifies every sound, turning ordinary plumbing into a threat.

Slice of life

It was a rainy day and the laundromat was the only place in the neighborhood still pretending it was summer.

The dryers glowed like tiny suns. Someone’s beach towel, printed with cartoon pineapples, tumbled in slow, lazy circles. Outside, umbrellas collided and swore. Inside, the air smelled like warm cotton and cheap detergent and second chances.

Here, the rain contrasts with a small, warm refuge. The story could follow strangers whose lives intersect in that laundromat for one afternoon.

Mystery

It was a rainy day when the town finally agreed the statue was bleeding.

For a week, people had blamed the streaks on rust, on vandalism, on kids with red paint and too much time. But rain doesn’t wash rust upward. It doesn’t bead into perfect, dark droplets at the corner of stone eyes.

The rain here is almost a forensic tool—it reveals what’s real and what’s rumor.

FAQ: Short story prompts that start with “It was a rainy day…”

What are some quick examples of “It was a rainy day…” story starters I can use right now?

Here are a few more fast sparks:

• It was a rainy day when the power went out—and the neighbor’s house stayed lit.
• It was a rainy day when the package finally arrived, three years after I ordered it.
• It was a rainy day when the dog started refusing to go outside, staring at the sky like it knew something I didn’t.
• It was a rainy day when the voice on the emergency alert system said my name.

Use these as examples of how one odd detail after the weather can launch a story.

How long should a short story that starts with “It was a rainy day…” be?

There’s no fixed rule. Flash fiction might be under 1,000 words; many short stories run 2,000–5,000 words; some stretch to 7,500 or more. The key is that every scene earns its place. If your rainy day story feels padded, it’s probably too long. If the ending feels rushed, it might need more room.

Is “It was a rainy day…” too cliché to use in 2024?

On its own, yes—it’s tired. But as you’ve seen from the best examples of examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’ above, you can absolutely revive it by:

• Making the second sentence sharp and surprising
• Tying the weather to a specific, urgent problem
• Bringing in modern details (tech, social issues, current culture)

Think of the line as a writing challenge: How can I make this feel new in the very next breath?

Where can I read more about storytelling and creativity?

If you want to strengthen your storytelling muscles beyond these rainy day prompts, you might enjoy reading about creativity and narrative structure from educational sources. For example, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education often shares pieces on learning, imagination, and storytelling in classrooms (Harvard GSE). Even if you’re not a teacher, those ideas can spark new ways to think about the stories you tell.

When you’re stuck, remember this: the weather is never the story. The person standing in the rain is. Use these real examples of create a short story that begins with ‘It was a rainy day…’ as starting points, then ask, “Whose life changes today, and how?” Once you know that, the storm will practically write itself.