Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Posted in Character on Dec 22, 2023

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✍️ 57 stories

“FOREVER LOVE” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #230

I see you. Do you see me? I see you in my dreams. I see you in my nightmares. I see you everywhere I go. Your deep blue eyes. Your thick dark wavy hair. Your smile. I can't stop thinking about you. My feelings are a jumble mess. I can't figure out my feelings. I'm confused. I'm so confused. Why am I confused? I should tell you how I feel. I shouldn't be scared yet here I am running away from you, from my feelings. Best friend is what you call me. But I want to be more than best friends. I want you to touch me. I want to touch you. I want...

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“Spotlight Flashback” by Rory Bolton

Submitted to Contest #230

I stand on front stage, the blackest of canvasses, awaiting a spotlight to illuminate my bald head, the blankest of canvasses. When this light hits I am to boom the opening lines of Dicken’s book “A Tale of Two Cities” which I have the privilege of the part of narrator. The crowd appear as shapeless, black husks; no faces are discernible as I scour desperately for assurance from the audience and my anxiety to speak my first line pervades through my better nature. In this moment of trepidation I cast my mind back to the past, to my first perf...

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“A Drive Through Grief ” by Sofia Nesta

Submitted to Contest #230

“You ready?” “Yes,” I say, as I buckle my seat belt, “let’s just get this over with.” To think that I’ve been sat in this same worn-in seat three times prior to today creates a pit of impending doom in my stomach. Although this might be the only time that actually counts, I can’t help but wonder if I should go through with this at all. As if everything that has happened since then is meaningless and without importance. Wondering whether this is really what she wanted- whether going through another round of anguish is worth all the stress.&...

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“Warm Cider Kiss” by V.L. Evergreen

Submitted to Contest #230

I stood there in silence, my hand pressed against my lips, the taste of warm cider still tingled. For years we had been friends, maybe even the bestest of friends some would say, never once had I looked at her the way she was looking at me in that moment, I didn't hate it to be honest I was just caught off guard. The moment stayed fresh in my mind all day, the only thing I could do to keep from it was to try and distract myself but even that was proving to be a challenge. Her scent in that moment had filled my mind making it go all numb, it ...

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“The Rebirth Of A Child” by Felipe Silva

Submitted to Contest #230

"It's time. Alright, everyone, down the hatch!" I picked up my cup from the Shaman and settled onto the cushioned bed laid out on the floor. Glancing at the man on my right, I gave him a nod, signaling the commencement of our shared journey. "Take a deep breath and contemplate your intentions. What do you seek to learn from this experience?" the Shaman spoke as his assistants created a harmonious and peaceful sound bath melody that filled the room. As I raised the cup to my lips, the woodsy, pungent taste hit me—a flavor as earthy as t...

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“A Mother” by Brad Chessum

Submitted to Contest #230

I don’t know why it came so close to my babies but I had to destroy it. I was full of fear but did not show it. I couldn’t, for the sake of my two little ones and for this colourful and unusual intruder. I felt flustered, I had not seen, heard or smelt this thing and as a result was angry at myself. I stepped toward my little ones to rush them to safety, but quickly understood retreat was not the answer. I turned back to face the threat and I saw shock in its pale face, as well I should have because I bounded toward it with such strides that...

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“Eyes Wide Open: A Carnival Of Discovery” by Becky Allred

Submitted to Contest #230

Cassian slowly weaved through the line at the amusement park, his girlfriend Seraphina taking him sweetly by the hand as they were directed into the ride’s booth-like seats. Cassian nearly tripped climbing into the old equipment, his hands shaking and sweating. He tried to stare at his feet, but the cumbersome handrail nearly stapled to his chest blocked his view. His left leg was shaking uncontrollably. Seraphina stroked the back of his head with her warm, soft hand as the ride started to lift off the ground. The room went dark and the gi...

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“A dialogue in the dark” by Dimitris Profer

Submitted to Contest #230

He woke up again in the middle of the night, alone, his heart pounding. Sleep kept eluded him. Anguish and despair washed over him as soon as he opened his eyes. He sat up straight moving the thin woolen blanket he used to cover himself and examined the trees around him. The night was warm and quiet but he couldn’t find peace. He checked his tattered clothes and muddy boots. His appearance messy and dirty, as it should be since he was on the road for many days. His armor was laying on the roots of a tree next to him. It was missing many smal...

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“The Last Conversation” by Charlotte Sheffield

Submitted to Contest #230

TW: substance abuse, mental health, suicide The music had completely faded behind Evelyn’s retching. She sucked in air, hoping the worst of it was over. The beer she had spilled when she ran into the bathroom soaked through her shoes. She untangled her legs from underneath her. She tugged at her pink sequined dress to try and get it back down over her hips. The dragonfly that had made its home in the bathroom flew by her face and she attempted to swat it away. “This again?” Evelyn turned to see Mia standing at the door, shaking her head. ...

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“The Girl named Daughter” by Elena Franzese

Submitted to Contest #230

The soft hum of the dishwasher was my only company, muted by the separating wall between me and the kitchen as I scrutinized the supply closet in front of me. Fallen brooms and empty bottles scattered at my feet, the offending supplies offering little more than a plop against the floor when I kicked it. “Father…” I growled, soft steps and the creaking of the bathroom door barely recognizable over my own muttering. Bent over the mess of spilled bottles and broken brooms, a soft, barely- there touch grazes across my neck, sending shiv...

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“MOTHS” by Kajsa Ohman

Submitted to Contest #230

MOTHS Ben walks in the night—with the night, as with a friend. The moths don’t bother Ben, though they cloud the streetlights like kinetic haloes. Stray dogs, broken glass, cigarette butts don’t bother him, nor the tatters of paper that blow against his pant legs and cling there. Nothing bothers Ben. Not even the children who smoke and inject in shadowed doorways. Ben’s heart is light as a feather tonight. If he died right now, the guardian at the holy gate would put his heart in one pan and a feather in the other and fi...

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“Crossroads in the City Light” by Charlie Christmann

Submitted to Contest #230

Standing on the balcony, Clara was enveloped by the city's pulsating rhythm. The shimmering lights below wove a tapestry of life, each flicker telling a story. The night air was cool against her skin, carrying the distant hum of traffic and the soft whisper of a breeze that rustled her hair. The scent of rain lingered, a fresh reminder of the day’s downpour, mingling with the faint aroma of jasmine from a nearby balcony. It was a night that commanded introspection, not just anticipation for her impending promotion.But tonight, as she peered ...

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Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 57 stories

“FOREVER LOVE” by Melinda Madrigal

“Spotlight Flashback” by Rory Bolton

“A Drive Through Grief ” by Sofia Nesta

“Warm Cider Kiss” by V.L. Evergreen

“The Rebirth Of A Child” by Felipe Silva

“A Mother” by Brad Chessum

“Eyes Wide Open: A Carnival Of Discovery” by Becky Allred

“A dialogue in the dark” by Dimitris Profer

“The Last Conversation” by Charlotte Sheffield

“The Girl named Daughter” by Elena Franzese

“MOTHS” by Kajsa Ohman

“Crossroads in the City Light” by Charlie Christmann

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.

Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Write a story in the form of a list.

Contest #230

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

362

Contest entries

108

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: