Write a story about someone who has put “Blood Sweat & Tears” into getting where they are — only to question whether it was worth it.

Posted in Angst on Jun 2, 2023

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✍️ 47 stories

“The Immortal Impaler” by Allan Bernal

Submitted to Contest #201

I address this letter to you, Helena, though you may have succumbed to the wrath of Valache, the Immortal Impaler. This letter may just be my thoughts screaming out into the void, but I pray someone hears my message of hope. I’m escaping from the jaws of the beast itself, the crown castle of Vallia, where Valache himself dwells, and despite the horrors I’ve seen, I have also witnessed one unthinkable moment. Valache the Immortal Impaler has been dealt a mortal wound before my eyes. As you know, Valache has spent the last two decades unitin...

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“Coulda Been Someone” by William Simon

Submitted to Contest #201

The right hook landed clean. Vincent must have thrown a million punches in his life; he’d probably been hit by just as many. There was nothing he understood better, nothing that felt more familiar. He knew the fight was over as a contest. Joe Maddison reeled back, he instinctively raised his hands to protect his face but he looked like a sailor trying to keep his balance amidst a storm. His legs unsteady beneath him, he staggered backward drunkenly. Vincent felt the moment, heavy around him. Normally when he fought, he was a blank sl...

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“Therapy” by Mitchell Stephens

Submitted to Contest #201

She drops on the couch like a dead weight, and sinks into the beige polyester fabric between two cushions. Therapy. It’s her first session, and Officer Julia Mendez does not want to be here. She has just finished a morning shift, and although off-duty, remains in her Uniform, utility belt and all.“Long day?” asks a man in a finely kept suit, sitting to his chair across from her.“About to be even longer” she says smugly.“I am Doctor Lester Garlin, Head Counselor and Therapist for the 3-1 District. As I understand it, your Chief of precinct ga...

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“Blood, Sweat, and Sprinkles ” by P.J. Lowry

Submitted to Contest #201

As usual for one of his shows, the air felt electric as the crowd erupted with cheer. Their excitement shook the stadium so hard many were surprised some didn’t think there was an earthquake in progress. Meanwhile, the man standing on the stage basked in the waves of adoration, his heart pounding with a mixture of exhilaration and trepidation. The man known to all was Rodney Rivers, a once-ordinary man who had poured his heart and soul into his music, sacrificing everything along the way to grab that golden ring. Rodney had finally reached t...

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“LONELY” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #201

Nobody ever said being at the top was the loneliness job in the world. Nobody ever said being famous was cutthroat and ruthless. Fame kicked me in the butt. It used to be fun and glamorous but not anymore. I use to have fun but that time is no more. I worked hard to get to where I am. I poured all my heart into my work. Blood, sweat and tears, I gave it all. Now I question if everything I gave is worth it. I lost so much time making it to the top. All I want to do now is return to a normal life. My friends and family are gone. No, they a...

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“Blue Rings and Golden Handcuffs” by Felix A Bergmann

Submitted to Contest #201

SENSITIVE CONTENT Suicide, substance abuse, mental health Christopher Leon had been waiting in his manager’s office at Blue Ring Media for over an hour by the time his manager finally burst through the door at 8pm. The man was frantically moving some artist or other’s tour date around for the 3rd time this week over the phone. “…and tell him that’s the last fucking move he’s getting!” he blasted into the phone, slamming his finger on the end call button so hard it was audible when he hit the screen. Christopher hadn’t even turned around. H...

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“Mom, Do You See Me?” by Callie Whittaker

Submitted to Contest #201

Abuse/Eating Disorder/DeathThe efforts I’ve made to be loved by you.Mom, do you see me?The words I spew about things you do go right over your head, as if there is no worth in saying anything at all. If I'm lucky I’ll get a slap or two. I understand you loved him, and now he has passed, but why can’t I be good enough for you?Mom, will you ever see me?Or have I wasted my efforts and the little happiness I have left on you? I have worked so hard to get here. To get him out of our life, why can’t you believe me on that? I loved him too, but it ...

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“Elergy of Chainsaw” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #201

“Hi, Celia Ruttelege here from Out About Town Podcast and today we are going to visit with Miles Abbersaul, the lead singer from the legendary hard rock band Chainsaw. During the 1980 and 1990s this band was on top of the hard rock charts, leading the way for other heavy metal bands such as Metallica and Linkin Park. Drug addiction and constant feuding among the members of the band ended their days of glory as the All-American heavy metal band. Last week Colin Reicht passed away from liver cancer. Condolences for the ...

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“Another Race to Run” by Rose Farrell

Submitted to Contest #201

Fourteen years. And seventy-eight days. All those days, upon months, upon years of waking up before the sun; stretching my body out before pushing it to its breaking point–then further. Countless workouts that made me want to give up. Not eating certain foods. Refusing to go to movies with friends because I needed to be at the track the next morning. Losing those friends, because they couldn’t understand why I needed to be at the track the next morning. Everything, the pain, the suffering, the fierc...

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“Sunglasses ” by Ksenija Rubež

Submitted to Contest #201

*this story contains some swear words, violent thoughts, a brief description of a one-night stand* I scream out loud. The best of the best. I am on top. Sealed. The belt around my waist. My corner lifts me up in the air. My family in the cage with me. The title unified they say. Not that I ever cared about titles, scores, or records. I was always the champ. Everything about me is champ-like. I walk back to the locker. People. So many of them. I seem to be sound isolated. I keep my hands raised. Flashes. Constant flashes. I seem to...

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“Blood Sweat & Tears” by Jacob Warren

Submitted to Contest #201

Kerrigan, short and stocky, stood on the orange, clay road in the middle of rolling, green farmland. He wore a simple tunic and leggings, the ones he could move the most freely in, and rested a hand on the hilt of the single edged sword at his side. He could see his home village in the distance, miles away. Bo-Himmon, tall and broad, was about two hundred paces away. When he was close enough, the two would fight to the death. It was a sad and morbid eventuality on that crisp, spring day, but Bo-Himmon had tarnished Kerrigan’s honor b...

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“The Captains Speech ” by Andy Mac

Submitted to Contest #201

The Captains Speech “Though many a Ship Captain have fought for their crew Tasted the smoke and steel of battle It is the select few in command That bring them home are the ones that will remain truly immortal” Admiral Donald Reeves Former Captain of the Star Cruiser "Leviathan" 2156 AD Those words were written over a hundred years ago. And to this day, in the theaters we created in our age. They still remain true. The words were engraved in a plaque below the great Commandant's portrait in the Captain's office aboard...

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“Blood Before the Crown” by Jordyn Garante

Submitted to Contest #201

The night before her coronation, Azumi Shu dreamt of her father. The dream was that of memory, the day her father was crowned as Ginza's King, one of the Four Rulers of Shuyze. Even now, as she gazed at herself in the mirror, she could still see him sitting on the throne, that citrine-encrusted golden crown fused into the bone above his brows. The dried blood that had streamed down his temples mere minutes before. She'd watched on as he'd sworn the oath proudly, watched him uphold his promise to protect the people of Ginza ...

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“Desolation: Jenny's Story” by Jinelle Doobay

Submitted to Contest #201

Warning: themes of death, blood, mental health, and sadness.Based off of a true storyJennifer was exhausted. Her mood was one of melancholy, swallowing her whole. She didn’t understand why she woke up again. Every day was the same, the copious amounts of homework that piled up every time she thought it would be the end and the constant yelling of her teachers."Why are we still here? Just to suffer?"She slaved over her English project that was worth 45% of her final mark for over 72 hours. She hadn't eaten, slept or seen the light of day for ...

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“The Grind (Coffee and Otherwise)” by Leah Haberman

Submitted to Contest #201

The owner refuses to put any signs out. He wants everyone to be a regular, committed to finding really good coffee which I guess is cool and all. It means lots of regulars, familiar faces, and consistent orders. It also means fewer tips. Alas. Mega-lawyer man, also known as Alex, comes in at 6:45 every morning. He’s fully presentable which should be a crime at this time of day. Today he’s wearing a light gray suit and blue undershirt. The last time I wore a suit was to my cousin’s funeral. That one I borrowed from a friend so it did...

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Write a story about someone who has put “Blood Sweat & Tears” into getting where they are — only to question whether it was worth it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 47 stories

“The Immortal Impaler” by Allan Bernal

“Coulda Been Someone” by William Simon

“Therapy” by Mitchell Stephens

“Blood, Sweat, and Sprinkles ” by P.J. Lowry

“LONELY” by Melinda Madrigal

“Blue Rings and Golden Handcuffs” by Felix A Bergmann

“Mom, Do You See Me?” by Callie Whittaker

“Elergy of Chainsaw” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

“Another Race to Run” by Rose Farrell

“Sunglasses ” by Ksenija Rubež

“Blood Sweat & Tears” by Jacob Warren

“The Captains Speech ” by Andy Mac

“Blood Before the Crown” by Jordyn Garante

“Desolation: Jenny's Story” by Jinelle Doobay

“The Grind (Coffee and Otherwise)” by Leah Haberman

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story at a large entertainment venue, after the show has ended, amongst the discarded plastic cups and confetti.

Write a story from the point of view of a “sasaeng” (an obsessive fan).

Write a story inspired by SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong”, where someone can’t get a song out of their head no matter how hard they try.

Write about someone who has always done something as part of a group, and is now starting to set out solo, or vice versa.

Contest #201

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

170

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: