Write about a character discovering a surprising strength in either themself or another.

Posted in Character on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 56 stories

“Unlimited Potential by Destiny Pilon” by Destiny Pilon

Submitted to Contest #146

*Warning. This story contains mentions of drug abuse, physical abuse, and mental health including anxiety and depression. Please do not read if these will be triggers. Thank you.* I think the bravest thing in the world is taking down those who limit us. The way we hesitate from going further than the road of faith takes us. How we say, “I will never be able to do that,” when we have yet to try it out. And the things we don’t do to change our lives for the better. Limitation blocks our freedom to try. To choose. To hope. The more we hold ba...

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“Mouthful of Love” by Vincent Paiement Désilets

Submitted to Contest #146

As soon as Melany stepped into the restaurant, her heart pounded. She felt the burn of people’s hostile, disgusted stares. She didn’t belong there. It was a beautiful restaurant, with beautiful people, beautiful candlesticks, and beautiful tablecloths you shouldn’t drop wine on. The hostess greeted them behind her desk. There was that glass candy bowl with fun little white mints with colored lines. Melany stopped herself from taking one. A green one and a red one. Maybe they ...

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“Quacks Like a Duck” by Tom Davis

Submitted to Contest #146

Danielle prepared dinner for her husband’s brother and his wife who should arrive shortly. She puts the finishing touches on her famous beef brisket as her husband, Bobby, is upstairs taking a quick shower. Bobby’s cell phone buzzes on the counter next to she is cutting up the brisket. She glances down to see if it is Bobby’s boss who usually texts him at all hours of the day. But it is a number she doesn’t recognize with the words, ‘Are we still on for tomorrow night handsome?’ She played it off like it was one of those random sex messa...

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“Always and Never” by Kimberly 5

Submitted to Contest #146

Sensitive: sexualized language, and cursing. Three years ago today, it was a Mother’s Day Sunday. There is an anniversary picture on my cell phone of my infant daughter sitting in my ex- husband's lap. The memory holds a story of spouses, out to dinner, with two beautiful children. In the picture, her Father looks blankly beyond the camera, with no affect in his face; the musicians must have been in that direction because my infant daughter is also gazing in the same direction (and there is a rational voice inside me that know...

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“The Road to Heaven” by Michele Duess

Submitted to Contest #146

It was fortunate for old George Rube he was already dead. Otherwise, I would've throttled him myself. It would've been justified, trust me. Seriously, what eighty-eight-year-old writes a will and then never signs it?"He wanted to be buried next to my mother," Daniel said to Julia and me. "But I can't. Do you know how much that would cost?" Then he told us as I eyed the signs in the cemetery's parking lot. They said 24-hour surveillance cameras here. This place might not be happy with what we had planned. I didn't care what George would'...

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“Unwavering” by L.J Sunwing

Submitted to Contest #146

Warning: This piece contains mention of sexual assault (attempted). Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to it. “Alison, c’mere!” Ripley calls over the crowd of people at the party. Alison looks over to her friend who jumps up and down looking as enthusiastic as ever. Ripley looked as though she had discovered buried treasure in the back of the house and had now wanted to cash in on it. Alison elbows her way through a wall of people. She hated parties and thought most people there were obnoxious and annoying. Her friend had ...

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“Monsoon Season” by Dany Villarreal

Submitted to Contest #146

Monsoon Season Tw: suicide attempt, mental health awareness This is not a tale of romance. This is not a spiritual recalling. This is not based on a true story. This simply is, take it how you will, and it began like this… 1. A beautiful clear sky. A beautiful creature of golden brown skin. Limbs stretched across the mushy lawn, chin tilted up towards the scorching sun. Hair tangled in overgrown, cold weed; black and green knots. The creature was braided into the ground when Nichol found it. Its legs and arms are the same color as his, t...

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“The Hardrocker Case” by Olivia Snead

Submitted to Contest #146

One Thursday morning, Edgar Nikephoros Huntinger, private investigator, sat in his living room, with thoughts as gray as the Miami overcast skies. His thoughts hindered on his father’s unexplained disappearance years ago, which brought thoughts of his mother’s unsolved death. The telephone rang in his office. He wearily stretched his legs, got up, and went into his office. He picked up the phone on the fifth ring. “Huntinger.” “Mr. Huntinger, my name is Victor Dumoure. I hope ...

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“Something About Me” by Samuel Foreit

Submitted to Contest #146

I walk into my dorm room with two large boxes filled with clothes and personal items. My parents are with me, helping me unpack and meeting with my roommate. My roommate was chosen by random, so it is also my first time meeting them. I proceed to glance around at the blank slate of gray walls in the room. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable seeing nothing familiar, but at the same time excited to explore new ways to make it feel like home. It felt like just yesterday that I was in high school, talking and laughing with friends that I wou...

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“Hell Hath No Strength Like a Woman Scorned” by Alena Richards

Submitted to Contest #146

[Content warning: Strong language, alcohol use] She stood outside her apartment door, hesitating to go inside. It was a Friday evening and she was all dressed up. Why not pop down to the pub down the road? No, she told herself, and put her key in the door. She was angry, and angry Elise made stupid decisions. Better to stay inside until she calmed down. Another Tinder date, another night being stood up. Last week at Sunday dinner, her brother - eight years older and happily married - and her parents had marvelled at how often she got st...

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“Feast” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #146

Flint’s eyes sparkled as he flashed Luthar his best grin and gave him a twirl. ‘How do I look?’ He asked, fluttering his eyelashes like some highborn lady. ‘Bloody better than I feel.’ Grumbled Luthar, plucking at the high collar of the ridiculous surcoat he’d been given. ‘Who the hell chooses to wear this kind of regalia? I’m done up like a docker’s tart!’ ‘I’m sure Lady Wedderburn will be impressed; you look very handsome.’ Flint’s laughter spilled over as he looked Luthar up and down once more. ‘Come on let’s get this over with.’ ...

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Write about a character discovering a surprising strength in either themself or another.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 56 stories

“Unlimited Potential by Destiny Pilon” by Destiny Pilon

“Mouthful of Love” by Vincent Paiement Désilets

“Quacks Like a Duck” by Tom Davis

“Always and Never” by Kimberly 5

“The Road to Heaven” by Michele Duess

“Unwavering” by L.J Sunwing

“Monsoon Season” by Dany Villarreal

“The Hardrocker Case” by Olivia Snead

“Something About Me” by Samuel Foreit

“Hell Hath No Strength Like a Woman Scorned” by Alena Richards

“Feast” by James Grasham

🌟 Similar prompts

Write from the point of view of a character writing a letter to their past or future self.

Write about a character attempting to meditate or do something mindfully.

Set your story in an unlikely sanctuary.

Start your story during a team building exercise.

Contest #146

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

215

Contest entries

134

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: