Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Posted in Adults on Oct 25, 2022

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✍️ 283 stories

“Hey y'all: Stronger Together” by Rena Mistinguett

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city, I’m in a land-locked prison with the loveliest people, a strange dichotomy to be sure. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to leave Oklahoma City. Born and raised in the smack-dab-in-the-middle-city of America, as a creative nature loving kid OKC felt like a sort of prison. All I could feel was gray concrete and felt a longing for technicolor that was somewhere… out there. The ocean, redwood trees, rainforests, snow capped mountains, the colors and textures were all constantly calling an...

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“The Fame Factor” by Ini Okaka

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city, it throbbed with life. A fast-paced and unashamedly colourful life. The life force of big cities. A life force that flowed... Or rather rushed into you, filling up your veins, shutting out every other background, filling you up with it's varied life. A life force that transformed you from whatever you were into something different, something wierd, a Lagosian. It didn't matter who you were or where you came from, Lagos transformed you, turned you into a fast-paced, fast-talking, fast everything N...

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“The Longhorn Racher and The Wannabe Anti-Hero... and her Girlfriend” by RIC .

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing about this city, always some big superhero fight happening at SEVEN THIRTY IN THE MORNING!” Raquel shouted as a giant bird creature collided with the building across the street. People were screaming, running, trying to get away. Cars either stopped, crashed into one another, or somehow got onto another street. But Raquel and Eriko were not fazed by the wave of people trying to get away from the creature. “No need to be so ...

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“Daichi’s city” by Claude Underwood

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city, cool things can happen. Daichi Sakamoto was walking with his friend Kaito Ishikawa and Daichi’s dog, Miku. a brown and white Borzoi. It was raining slightly so the ground was wet. Daichi and his companion were walking on the nature trail as they normally go but something new happened. Miku started chasing something. She pulled Daichi behind her while Kaito followed. Daichi dug his heels into the ground. Kaito was trying to get in front of Miku and grab her but slipped in the mud. Hee was trampled over by bot...

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“The City” by Scott Chadwick

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing about this city. It’s better to have things done early, ” Brian’s landlord warned. “You have to pay rent if you want a place to stay. Tomorrow! On time!” The landlord’s guttural emphasis drifted as Brian floated through an agitated night’s sleep. Toxic yellow sunlight infiltrated his weary dreams. I’m late! He threw his blankets aside, hurried to a window, parted the curtains. Ash was falling from the sky again. Sunlight meagre as it was, hushed shadows into nocturnal hiding places. He peered outside. He had no idea what th...

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“City Of Feels” by Adesola Toluhi

Submitted to Contest #85

See that's the thing about this city everyday is not the same the feelings even if we don't admit it sometimes its different its either anger or happiness or just plain relief that something is always going to be there or it isn't and sometimes it's the fun or the legendary "special" skilled drivers and the skilled is quoted for a reason, if you know what I mean, see that's the things about this city people know it for different reasons and its weird when you meet someone that knows so much about the city you spent all your life grooming for...

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“Without You ” by Chris Buono

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city, it just isn’t the same since you’ve left. I came back after an extended time, the longing to return growing inside me as a monster locked in a cage. However, when I came back, it wasn’t home anymore. I remember that last night. The one you left. “I know it’s sudden notice,” you told me, looking at your shoes rather than my eyes, “I’m sorry to be leaving so soon after you arrived, but ...

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“MY CITY” by Amber Hodgson

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city, thought Michelle as she opened her front door to let in the cool morning breeze. Every Morning Michelle would wake up a 530 am, make her self a cup of coffee and sit out on her front porch watching the sunrise, it was the only time of day that she could truly be at peace. The rest of the day was spent looking after family, and attending to mundane chores. The view from her front porch was not all that inspiring, a glaring yellow neon sign promoting a pet store, a gray wall with the logo of the local me...

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“Flight” by Christina Coltau

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. It might not be that hard: getting off the plane. Saying goodbye to the stewardess. Walking down a corridor, out into the Arrivals Hall, and seeing you. But this time it was. I open my eyes and look out the window. Once again, I have dreamed of what it would be like to see you. I would stand before you with outstretched arms, and I would know that you are where I belong. I lean forward and pick up the bag of nuts that had fallen. I open it slowly. I will enjoy every single second of this new experience. ...

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“This City” by Lia Tegan He

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city –it’s charming, it’s exciting. The streets are filled with people, people from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds, with a multitude of opinions and desires. In Singapore, they find unique expression in being who they are. In the centre of the city, people get to be who they want to be, anything possible. I was once part of this scene, but four years ago I left Singapore to pursue a different life. Since I left, many things happened— some too much...

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“The boy no one knew nor cared about ” by CJ Ribbera

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. everyone’s too consumed in their own lives to ever pay the slightest attention; cars ranting with angry drivers all prioritising their own issues over anyone else’s, teenagers consumed by what dress looks best with their shoes or what killing games next to be released; we’re selfish- all of us, even if we’re too stubborn to admit it. To them I’m just a another kid from another town.MISSING. The massive word flashed on the bottom of the many posters that littered the town- my soulless skull drawn express...

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“A TRIP TO THE MALL” by Tracy Lentine

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing about this city… there’s no way out of it,” yelled the teen wearing a bright orange scarf in the middle of summer. Henry had been sitting with his family in the food court overlooking the rest of the mall when the boy first appeared. It was strange. Henry could hear every word the boy was saying but never saw his mouth move. The teen had a plastered-on grin that was in complete contrast to the timbre of his voice. “This isn’t right. I don’t belong here,” cried the boy. Henry called out, “Hey kid, what’s your name?” The...

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“P.T.A” by Sun Set

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city. Knowing that I would be only a walking distance away from the nine-metre tall Nelson Mandela statue should have persuaded me to come here but it never even once crossed my mind. As I walked along the city streets for the first time I could feel my heartbeat changing. It was as if there was music playing but only my heart could hear it and I was expected to just dance along. I guess that's the reason I chose to come here after all...the uncertainty. I knew of day and night as two different entities that influ...

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“The Thing About West Holpry” by Cara H

Submitted to Contest #85

The Thing About West Holpry A Walk in the Wild West End “That’s the thing about this city.” The crone’s voice was barely audible, but her companion would have known her thoughts even if she had not spoken. From a superficial viewpoint, she was an unremarkable woman of medium height and build with a countenance that none would consider comely. The crone had cultivated her appearance to call as little attention as possible to herself, her wild gray hair and the deep lines on her face shielding her from the nuisance of having to parry the unde...

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“Starlit City” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city… It can change itself into different worlds for different people. It can line up pull carts with all kinds of greens, purples, oranges, reds, whites and the colours in between for the buzzing evening crowds dragging their feet after the day’s work. It can offer them the pleasure of pinching, squeezing, smelling and haggling before they carry some greens or reds and ask their wives to cook dinner. It can also line up dimly lit restaurants, brightly lit cafes, bustling bistros and neon-lit nightclubs into which...

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Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 283 stories

“Hey y'all: Stronger Together” by Rena Mistinguett

“The Fame Factor” by Ini Okaka

“The Longhorn Racher and The Wannabe Anti-Hero... and her Girlfriend” by RIC .

“Daichi’s city” by Claude Underwood

“The City” by Scott Chadwick

“City Of Feels” by Adesola Toluhi

“Without You ” by Chris Buono

“MY CITY” by Amber Hodgson

“Flight” by Christina Coltau

“This City” by Lia Tegan He

“The boy no one knew nor cared about ” by CJ Ribbera

“A TRIP TO THE MALL” by Tracy Lentine

“P.T.A” by Sun Set

“The Thing About West Holpry” by Cara H

“Starlit City” by Suma Jayachandar

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a major city that your character has a love-hate relationship with.

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Write about someone fighting to change their city neighborhood for the better.

Write about someone fighting to keep their city neighborhood the same.

Contest #85

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

671

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: