Write a story about a character who struggles to translate their thoughts and feelings into words and action.

Posted in Angst on Dec 16, 2022

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✍️ 53 stories

“Left Unspoken” by Christina Dearman

Submitted to Contest #177

Suzanne was never a big fan of parties, much preferring the peace of an empty room. Being alone was always easier than trying to follow multiple conversations in loud places filled with food and drink. Being alone meant that she didn’t need to think of what to say next, or navigate complex social queues. Working for the sales team of a Chicago-based manufacturer of industrial generators as a mail room clerk was supposed to be a temporary job, but after four years and multiple pay increases, she lacked the motivation to find her dream job. If...

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“Headaches” by Isabel Perlman

Submitted to Contest #177

My head hurts. I have been sitting on the couch of my apartment for days as the world passes by. My mind is asleep but my eyes lay awake and open, as I can do nothing but sulk. My stomach hurts too. I have given up on eating since December. It’s January now and my body has become frail and dead. Though I have not touched a mirror or emerged from the blanket of emotions that I lay in I imagine that I look like a burnt-out cigarette. My skin has melted to the bones of my face and my brows which were once strong, have sloped into a ...

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“Silent Struggles: A Journey of Self-Expression” by Khadijah Jay

Submitted to Contest #177

It was a typical weekday morning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mary was getting ready for her shift at the local coffee shop. As she stood in front of the mirror, trying to tame her unruly curls into some semblance of a hairstyle, she couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't seem to express herself the way she wanted to. Ever since she was a child, Mary had struggled to find the right words to convey her thoughts and feelings. She was often told that she was "too quiet" or "too shy," and ...

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“Haight Ashbury and the Red Picasso ” by Caleb Weingarten

Submitted to Contest #177

If you have been to the Haight Ashbury District, you may remember seeing the neon shadowed Amoeba Music sign, coupled with a slightly larger sign towering next to it that read Bowling. I saw that brightly illuminated sign off the side of the road, and I couldn't help noticing the homeless who were also lit by its broad reach. Across the street from the record shop was a small gift shop owned by one of the counterculture rebels, now old but still flying the wave of psychedelic discovery and promise. I noticed that Marvin - the shop owner, did...

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“The Snow Globe Is Ugly And I Want A Divorce” by A H Nazzareno

Submitted to Contest #177

“I need … grit,” the frustrated young woman with scarlet hair slurred, a pencil clasped firmly between four pearly incisors. Tara Carter glanced up, away from the grotesque Christmas gift her husband had mailed her, and toward the rattling window. She could only think of one thing as her hand ran over a blank sheet of paper: I really need to write that letter. The unconfident procrastinator pouted, contemplating the alleged helpfulness of gritty affirmations. Her therapist had recommended the "I need grit" one last month and she relucta...

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“Stomp, Stomp, Clap” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #177

It’s estimated that ‘humans’ didn’t gain the ability to speak or form any type of language until about seventy thousand years ago, and it’s also estimated that ‘humans’ have existed for more than two million years and the ‘human’ ancestor dates back another five million years. It’s enough to attempt to comprehend what that all means let alone comprehend how ‘humans’ must’ve communicated, during anytime leading up to seventy thousand years ago. Some theories indicate that the migration of ‘humans’ across the continents occurred over tens of...

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“Mako, Book 1-Light in The Dark Tunnel” by Jenny Falcon

Submitted to Contest #177

Mako,book 1 Light, in the dark tunnel. Chapter 1: A Bully. “Alright Brian, time to go to school.” Said Brian’s dad. “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Yelled Brian, after coming back from a fun weekend. “Don't worry, the school year is almost over.” replied his father. “Whatever.” Muttered Brian. He got up from his chair and put his leftover cereal in the sink. He then proceeded to get his backpack, pet his cat Clover, and go to school. It was a pretty normal day at school, until they were about to leave for recess. “C...

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“Value, Personality and Words” by Ayten Nihal Cengiz

Submitted to Contest #177

“You are the funniest person I have ever met!” When I first heard this from the person working at my next desk, it made me very happy. It was my first month of working in this office. I was happy because it was the first time someone had told me I was funny and amusing. It was also very nice to feel accepted by brand new people in a brand new country. I don't remember what we talked about, I wasn't making a joke or there was nothing funny about it, either. I think I was talking about the difficulties of living in a new country or somet...

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“Right time” by Okanda Perera

Submitted to Contest #177

"You need this before midnight ?""Yes Brian, midnight is the deadline for submissions, you know. You can do it before then, right?""Yeah, I'll do my best Luke.""Oh, okay, thank you."Ohhhh, this isn't gonna be easy. I haven't even finished my essay and now this. I should have told him that I won't be able to do both on time. As a friend, he might understand me. But what if he thinks that I'm selfish. Uhhhh, anyway, I told him "yes". Better start writing his essay first. Brian told, as usual, just to himself.After coming home, h...

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“Cycles in Cantonese” by Christopher Ford

Submitted to Contest #177

Long ago, America was duped into a controversial law enforcement program in which certain people in positions of power were allowed to keep tabs on children, sometimes as young as infants, and intentionally lead them down a path of crime so that they can be fast-tracked into a system where they are under the control of an invisible arm of the government for their entire lives without any trial or reasonable chance for appeal. The unconstitutional “Minotaur Program” is polarizing to say the least. As torrential needles spill t...

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“Used” by Diego Portillo

Submitted to Contest #177

Winter came a week early, and I felt it like I felt myself slipping away from Nicholas over the summer – suddenly and unbelievably. How could I have left him? I loved him. I swear I did. And yet, his voice irritated me with its drawn out syllables and small-squared teeth, constantly reminding me of the differences between us. Nicholas: tall, lean, smart, handsome, sexually liberated (his words), and Diego: short, skinny, between majors in college, nice smile, sexually repressed (Catholic background).I’m sitting across from him in my memories...

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“Check Yourself” by Nathania Harris

Submitted to Contest #177

Book entre 1 (Week ONE)Ok, this is so unreal. Jessica is such a nutcracker. Today, Daniah texted me and said “Shakira asked Dionna out to the dance, Sheela asked Jamal, and Miah asked Davion and they all said YES.”. Ok, so now she wants me to ask out Chris. I was terrified to ask him. His bangs are as shiny as a new clean car. As the wind blows, he comes to me and says “Hi, How are you doing, Gabriella? ''. I brushed my hair back and giggled “Ciao, Chris, come stay”?. “Il bene e il Vostro.” I laughed “I think you meant “Bene e tu” We laughed...

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“She keeps typing” by Ksenija Rubež

Submitted to Contest #177

Therefore, practice yoga, the art, and science of working without attachments. Only that can free you from the good and bad reactions. *** How does one recognize a person with a steady intellect and divine consciousness? One is neither overjoyed nor agitated in happiness or suffering. Free from desires, cravings for pleasure, fear, and anger, one’s mind is tranquil. That person would not be recognized in Dušanka. She stared at the writing prompt on her laptop screen. She got home from school an hour ago. She used ...

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“Twas the Week Before Christmas” by Joseph Lewis

Submitted to Contest #177

Twas the Week Before Christmas Ah, at last, the Christmas cards are finally sealed and ready for mailing. All they need now are some holiday stamps from the post office. “Did you get the stamps I asked you to pick up?” my wife called down from upstairs. “Running out now,” I replied, as I threw on my jacket and scarf. “Better hurry. I was hoping to get those cards to everyone before Christmas.” “Not to worry.” I dashed out the door and headed for the car. After a short drive, I pulled into a crowded parking lot in front of the post office. ...

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“Emotianally colorblind” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #177

The friendly front desk lady stood at the door, holding out a giant candy cane to me, almost invitingly. -"I don´t think I like the sight of that." I sighed. She looked at me with puppy eyes and slowly came closer. -"Doctor Harker requires a favor." Molly beings. -"Let me guess." I interrupt her. "a last-minute patient?" She nods silently. -"I have a plane to catch Molly." I say with a sense of urgency. I can see that Molly sympathized with me but was unable to conjure up the words to express it. -"I can give you another free meal vouc...

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Write a story about a character who struggles to translate their thoughts and feelings into words and action.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 53 stories

“Left Unspoken” by Christina Dearman

“Headaches” by Isabel Perlman

“Silent Struggles: A Journey of Self-Expression” by Khadijah Jay

“Haight Ashbury and the Red Picasso ” by Caleb Weingarten

“The Snow Globe Is Ugly And I Want A Divorce” by A H Nazzareno

“Stomp, Stomp, Clap” by Douglas W. Carr

“Mako, Book 1-Light in The Dark Tunnel” by Jenny Falcon

“Value, Personality and Words” by Ayten Nihal Cengiz

“Right time” by Okanda Perera

“Cycles in Cantonese” by Christopher Ford

“Used” by Diego Portillo

“Check Yourself” by Nathania Harris

“She keeps typing” by Ksenija Rubež

“Twas the Week Before Christmas” by Joseph Lewis

“Emotianally colorblind” by F.O. Morier

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about two or more characters who don't speak each other's language (literally or metaphorically), but still find a way to communicate.

Set your story in a meeting where a professional interpreter takes some liberties, with major consequences.

Write about someone who is slowly forgetting their mother tongue or losing their language.

Lost in a foreign city where they don’t speak the language, your character uses a translation app to get around, but constantly runs into problems.

Contest #177

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

150

Contest entries

70

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: