Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.

Posted in Character on May 24, 2024

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✍️ 35 stories

“Vim of Verisimilitude” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #252

If Marcus Boddy knew it was going to be his last day on earth, he wouldn’t have drank so much. The dark room spun with alcohol-induced vertigo as he lay in the pillowy soft bed, enveloped in the plaid-patterned quilt. He shook his head back and forth, but the stitched, frilled edges still rubbed against his face. He grimaced, soft beds always wrecked his back. Everything was wrong, off track. He had to make a decision, but he couldn’t think straight.He fought through the fog in his head; something important happened earlier, he had a l...

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“Paxton struggles ” by J. I. MumfoRD

Submitted to Contest #252

Paxton pulled over for the third time, desperately searching the bumper for any sign he might have hit the scrawny tabby he often saw prowling at dusk. But the car was clean, as it had been the last two times.“Going on a hike for my gad-dang mental health.”The trailhead emerged like an oasis of serenity. Towering pines, afternoon sun. A gentle breeze carried the piney scent of the forest, a respite from the relentless noise of the city.The gravel around the visitor’s station sends up a cloud of dust as he parks. Paxton closes the windows and...

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“Beneath the laughter” by Severine Desrosiers

Submitted to Contest #252

Aiden leaned back into his chair, nursing a beer as he listened to his friend’s banter. They were seated around their usual table in their favorite bar; A dimly lit dive smelling of stale cigarettes and spilled alcohol. Clinging classes and laughter usually filled the air but tonight, the conversation had a sharper edge.“So, Aiden,” Mike said, a smirk playing on his lips. “What’s this I hear about you and Emily? You’re going soft on us man.” Aiden’s jaw tightened, but he forced a casual smile. “What are you talking about?” “He didn’t st...

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“A Matter of Conscience” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #252

A Matter of ConscienceThe middle child, often struggling for the table scraps of left-over attention lavished on the more accomplished older brother and the oh-so-cute little sister.Average height.Average weight.Average looks.Straight C’s on every report card from First Grade through his Sophomore year in high school, a feat that should have garnered some notice in and of itself but didn’t.Last kid on the bench in every team he ever played on.Even Christened with the most ordinary of names- Bob- frontward and backward the same.Junior year in...

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“One more decision” by Laura Camacho Frias

Submitted to Contest #252

My name is Ella. Growing up, I was told to do my best and conquer the world. My duty was to study, focus on important stuff, and not get distracted. No movies, books, friends, or boys were supposed to derail my mother's goal: I would have what she didn't, and I would share the success with her: my sponsor, my promotor, my everything... at least for a while. School was always tough for me, not because I found it challenging to deal with it, but because I was never as good as others thought I could be. The pressure at school was much better ma...

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“Black and White and Red... All Over” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #252

*** Frequent profanity ***Joe had done a bad thing. He hadn’t meant to, and wouldn’t have if things had gone to plan, had his wife been more understanding instead of nipping his head, wittering on. And if that daughter of theirs hadn’t messed up and been sacked from her job – or whatever the hell it was that had happened - then everything would have carried on as normal, and the dog would not be dead.Much like the weather, the day had started out fine, at least as fine as could be expected, for what was life without a few clouds? He had mone...

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“Cracks” by Hannah Shepherd

Submitted to Contest #252

For the six months following his nineteenth birthday, Tanner did so many drugs that it took him a year to recover. So when Gerald pulls the hand-rolled joint from his pocket and offers it to Tanner, he shakes his head. He is twenty-three now. Gerald is twenty-five, and he offers Tanner something to smoke every time his break follows his. During work, Gerald pulls his hair into a low ponytail that hangs along his spine. He knocked up Tanner’s sister when she was eighteen but didn’t marry her. Tanner’s nephew is three now and his sister ...

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“A Change of Heart” by Diana Davis

Submitted to Contest #252

Dear Reader, This story contains hints of bullying, sexual assault, and physical violence. It is not graphic, however, I must put a trigger warning here. I hope you can enjoy my story otherwise. Thank you for your time “Guys I don’t know about this.” Cami shifted her feet and crossed her arms. She and her friends, Jade and Abby stood on the edges of the property on a Saturday night, where a party thrown by a couple of brothers on the school football team was in full swing. By now most of the partygoers were at least tipsy...

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“It’s Janet” by Paul Littler

Submitted to Contest #252

This story contains sensitive content, please be advised There were just two working the helpline’s dead shift, Janet and supervisor Ivan, as Shannon had called in sick, again.“Typical,” Janet tutted after Ivan told her she’d be on her own. “She’s got a lot on her plate,” Ivan said, pulling on his headset. “What happens when I get my ‘caller’? You know I’m not supposed to rush anyone.” Janet had received a number of advisory comments during her volunteering.“Don’t sigh whe...

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“Prosopagnosia v. Cotard's Syndrome” by TE Wetzel

Submitted to Contest #252

CW: This story contains themes of mental health issues, suicide and physical violence.Prosopagnosia v. Cotard's SyndromeMy new doctor - a bright and friendly guy named Sarbjit - took the time to explain his diagnosis to me. He told me my condition was mental, not physical, but it was hard to pay attention to everything he said because my left arm was numb and rotting from the inside out. I smiled and nodded and then when I got home I looked up Cotard’s Syndrome online. Here is what Wikipedia had to say on it. “Cotard's syndrome, also known a...

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“Watch Your Step or Step Out to be Heard” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #252

Topic: 1) Write a story with a character being followed. 2) who struggles to do the right thing. Watch Your Step or Step Out to be Heard Was my imagination running away from me? Everywhere I went I would see a sinister shadow lurking in the dark corners. At times a hot, sulphury wisp of air would trace across the back of my neck. When I would turn around there was nothing. There were no visible signs that anyone or anything had been following me. I felt convinced, however, that I was being stalked. I now av...

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“It's Called Karma, Baby!” by Courtney Moore

Submitted to Contest #252

Please enjoy a tale from the Hotel Baku, formally dubbed ‘The Ass and the Shrew’.You see, the co-managers here don't see eye-to-eye. Mr. Tall is 6’ 7” and Ms. Small grows on his thigh. They share a chair that’s bigger than their desk. A melded clump of limbs that’s actually grotesque.While holding this position, yes - you must embrace tradition. On the other hand, times are changing and our guests are wide-ranging. Hotel Baku sits inside the gates of a luxury resort. You can enter by docking in a private eastern port.Enter the lobby; enjoy t...

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“Stolen Time” by Sepp Van Gurp

Submitted to Contest #252

The first thing Theodore notices when he gets home is his key bowl. His hand hovers over the slightly translucent green bowl on the stand next to the front door, keys still in his grasp. The ring that usually resides at the bottom of the bowl is missing. He stands perfectly still, searching for the cause with only what he can hear and see from his position. One hand inches towards the knife kept sheathed inside his coat, hidden securely in a pocket against his chest. The cold handle is a stranger to his fingertips, but it fits in his palm li...

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“The Heaviest Emotion” by Brittaney Gambrell

Submitted to Contest #252

Warning; sensitive content : Physical violence, substance abuse, profanity It crushed her. Like a steamroller creeping over her prostrate body; the gravity of each moment pressed down heavier than the last. She cried out to God as the weight macerated her soul. But there was no relief. Why would God offer liberation when he manufactured the pressure in the first place? She...

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“The Yellow Bullet” by Ben LeBlanc

Submitted to Contest #252

The man’s dog was dying. It had been lying in the pink dog bed in the corner for five days. The vet had uttered his diagnosis with quiet finality: liver failure. The dog was only supposed to have two weeks to live, but was still managing to get up long enough to dust off the fleas and sunbathe in the backyard after two weeks and five days.She was a good girl.A sleek, slender yellow lab with long, twiggy legs, in better days, she could run like an antelope–down forest trails, across open fields–like when he used to take her to the s...

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Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 35 stories

“Vim of Verisimilitude” by Marty B

“Paxton struggles ” by J. I. MumfoRD

“Beneath the laughter” by Severine Desrosiers

“A Matter of Conscience” by Murray Burns

“One more decision” by Laura Camacho Frias

“Black and White and Red... All Over” by Carol Stewart

“Cracks” by Hannah Shepherd

“A Change of Heart” by Diana Davis

“It’s Janet” by Paul Littler

“Prosopagnosia v. Cotard's Syndrome” by TE Wetzel

“Watch Your Step or Step Out to be Heard” by Pete Gautchier

“It's Called Karma, Baby!” by Courtney Moore

“Stolen Time” by Sepp Van Gurp

“The Heaviest Emotion” by Brittaney Gambrell

“The Yellow Bullet” by Ben LeBlanc

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character being followed.

Write a story in which one of the characters is a narcissist.

Make a character’s obsession or addiction an important element of your story.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Contest #252

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

360

Contest entries

143

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: