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

“Puppy Love” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #177

Kate looked around in appreciation. The pub was a historic building with a dark beamed ceiling and uneven walls. She scanned the crowd, almost missing Louis until she realized he was in a snug alcove where the conversation of the other patrons and the Christmas music were a pleasant background noise. He jumped to his feet as she approached, rocking the table, a delighted smile spreading over his face. Kate smiled back. He reminded her of a goofy puppy, tall and lanky with a mop of dark curls.“This is a lovely place,” she said. "Great atmosph...

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“Ingrid” by Gregory Day

Submitted to Contest #177

It was his last stop of the day. Ingrid Braid was a middle-aged lady with autism. He couldn’t tell by the work order, but the case manager and he talked beforehand. “She’s in 303. She’s hard of hearing and has a hard time walking so she might be slow coming to the door.” Beverly said. “Sometimes she talks German when she is upset so try not to make her mad” Mark was mapping his route for the next day when he came up with the idea to stop at Ingrid’s apartment last so he could spend more time with the autistic woman. She came from Austria 50...

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“I Heard You, Mostly, but You Won't Hear Me” by L Boogie

Submitted to Contest #177

“Good afternoon Ms Patterson, what brings…” “Peterson, it’s Peterson. Patty Peterson” Dr. Norman noticed Patty looking at him so intently it felt like she was staring a hole in his head. He didn’t feel a sense of intimidation from her stare. Patty bopped her head back and forth like she was listening to a song that only played in her skull but was obviously on mute to the doctor. She simultaneously tapped her foot like an excited rabbit triggering childhood memories of his favorite cartoon, causing the doctor to smile. No,...

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“Relationship Woes” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #177

The glass begins to fog as he breathes on it; taking his hand he wipes it away. There in the display is the white leather overcoat Carol had admired, she hadn't said anything but he had noticed. Digging into his jeans he takes out his wallet; not enough he thought. He worked for $500.00 a week but most of that ended up going toward living expenses. The jacket cost $4000.00 but soon Christmas would be there. He had been saving bit by bit but with only a week left, he was short on money with no visible way to get the extra needed. His mind...

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“The Nature of an Affair” by Heather Rosenthal

Submitted to Contest #177

There is a smooth and glimmering stone at the edge of the ocean. She is structured and unique but is unable to believe that unless it is spoken to her by others. She dreams of conversations and goes into an absolute frenzy when one can provide her new learning or dismantle her previous learning. The stones around her are only concerned with the Earth below them, they do not interact with the air. They don’t feel it’s gentle caressing or slow degradation of their surfaces. She longs to ask the air questions, but can only listen to its ...

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“Express Your Self” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #177

I always thought that it was me. I still do. Forty years on, I know I still do. That was bad once, then I managed to make it work. I managed to take that responsibility and make myself responsible for my life, and I moved on. Only I didn’t quite manage to move on, not completely. I sit here right now and nothing has changed. Not really it hasn’t. I don’t think I will ever find the words that will show her who I really am. The words I need to unlock this circle of pain that we are trapped in remain elusive. But then, the pai...

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“Chance of Snow” by Abbie Davis-Marsh

Submitted to Contest #177

Four hours into the two-hour drive between Belleville and exit 137 the ceaseless sound of rubber reverberating against miles of rocky asphalt beat against Robb’s skull. “I think the game is on.” He tuned the radio, through the static hiss until the fluid voice announcer boomed carried him back, riding alongside his father, cheering on the Spartans together.“I’m a Michigan fan,” Aaron said, pulling at the maize M embroidered on his blue hoodie. Every other weekend wasn’t enough time to keep his son from picking up on his mother’s nonsense.“D...

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“The Christmas Star.....” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #177

'Twas the night before Christmas. Ken Doll O'Flaherty crept through his house. There was no bourbon left, not even a cigarette for his mouse. Ken Doll was now 66 years old. It had been forty years since he had met and dated his one and only love, Barbara. Other young couples had instantly dubbed them Ken and Barbie, so young and good looking. Barbie had been his girl, so fresh and pretty. But these days, Ken would glance at Barbie sitting in the other arm chair. After their shotgun wedding, you might say Barbie had let herself go. Five babi...

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Contest #177

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Title: Colonel Mustard in the Kitchen Without a Hearing Aid

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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

“Puppy Love” by Bettina Karpathian

“Ingrid” by Gregory Day

“I Heard You, Mostly, but You Won't Hear Me” by L Boogie

“Relationship Woes” by Keith Maynard Jr

“The Nature of an Affair” by Heather Rosenthal

“Express Your Self” by Jed Cope

“Chance of Snow” by Abbie Davis-Marsh

“The Christmas Star.....” by Julie Grenness

🌟 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: