Your character is known as the town gossip. One day, it comes back to bite them.

Posted in Adults on May 26, 2023

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✍️ 22 stories

“Spiced Words and Sizzling Karma” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #200

𝐙𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁 Staying afloat? I'm barely managing a doggy paddle. The cost of living climbs the clouds while my income lays low. Take chicken - now a luxury at RM10 per kilogram. Makes a dent in my wallet since my Ayam Golek's a sensation at the Ramadan Bazaar. Around 30 chickens a day, all over 2 kilograms - RM750 out of my pocket. Charcoal, herbs, spices, sugar, salt - extra dents in the bank account. It's less a business, more a charity. But, when my customers' eyes light up after the first bite? Priceless. Aisyah, my shadow, my girl, breaks ...

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“The Weight of Words” by Leah Haberman

Submitted to Contest #200

Eyes carry weight. It is a matter of degrees, of course. A glance feels light on your skin, only a prickle to indicate someone is looking at you. A glare, on the other hand, carries weight. A glare lands on your skin and sinks into your bones. You feel a glare throughout your body. I’m sure some people handle the weight better. I’m sure those who are used to people’s pointed, unapologetic glares can still walk with their heads held high and their nervous systems intact. I am not one of those people, and with all these eyes on me, I am out of...

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“Gossipsin” by Vesta Bartholomew

Submitted to Contest #200

Katya hunkered down behind the Great Eastern Hemlock tree, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. She whispered a loud ,"Sssshh!!," at her younger fifteen year- old sister, Elisabeth, who lay next to her. In this admonition, she most likely made more noise than if she hadn't issued the warning. Elisabeth was the recipient of a spray of spittle that rained down on her blonde hair. Elisabeth toyed with the idea of giving her sister a swift kick, but had learned from experience that the ...

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“Look at me!” by Lindy M

Submitted to Contest #200

Look at me! ***This story contains some sensitive topics which include mental health & suicide mentioned. Tabitha had always loved to be the center of attention. Oftentimes, she’d fake illness or injury in order to get people to talk to her. She loved it when people would stare at her. She didn’t care if it was because of being proud of her, pity or even shock. If people were giving her undivided attention, she would say and do anything. So, naturally, she enjoyed gossip. True or not, she’d spread things around much like a forest fire ...

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“rumor of a witch” by Tiffany Snyder

Submitted to Contest #200

Rumor of a witch Tawny was eccentric with a wild imagination. She told lies and caused chaos everywhere she went. Her stories were unbelievable and tense. She got a kick out of preying on others insecurities and turned them around into rumors. She did a lot to get her name out there. People loved to hate her. She never met a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anyone for hours. A very generous woman but befriending her would usually cost that person humiliation and pain. Tawny worked at a local small-town diner as a waitress and...

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“Did You Hear” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #200

Though she’d never spoken to Sondra’s husband, Ida recognized Neil Donnelly when he came into her shop. It was after three on a quiet Wednesday afternoon. Normally she greeted customers. Asked what she could get or how she could help. In her plain brown uniform, hairnet holding tight her hair, her plump face and serene smile put people at ease. But her customers didn’t usually look demented. “So, this is the world-famous Berry Mills Market.” Neil threw glances down the aisles – like making sure they were alone – and he stalked to where she...

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“The Price of Gossip” by Aimée Thomas

Submitted to Contest #200

“And that’s a wrap for today, folks. Tune in to my next podcast to find out which desperate woman Alessandro takes out next. If we’re lucky, maybe it’ll even end in a catfight. Oh, we can only hope. Fly-on-the-Wall over and out.” Libby stops the recording and takes off her headphones. “Ah, another good day’s work.” She stands and heads to her front door. As her long black hair gets caught in the zipper of her leather jacket, she curses. After tugging viciously, she manages to close her jacket, but not without ripping a few strands of hair...

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Your character is known as the town gossip. One day, it comes back to bite them.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 22 stories

“Spiced Words and Sizzling Karma” by Ian James

“The Weight of Words” by Leah Haberman

“Gossipsin” by Vesta Bartholomew

“Look at me!” by Lindy M

“rumor of a witch” by Tiffany Snyder

“Did You Hear” by Nancy Hibbert

“The Price of Gossip” by Aimée Thomas

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that includes the line “my lips are sealed.”

Write a story about a piece of gossip that becomes more and more distorted as it passes from person to person.

Write a story about someone trying to track down the source of a rumor.

Your main character has a secret superpower; the gossip they spread always comes true.

Contest #200

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

210

Contest entries

116

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: