Write about a person who constantly has to put on a persona (e.g. at work, in their relationships, etc.) who can finally drop the facade.

Posted in Character on Jul 14, 2023

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✍️ 80 stories

“Bury the Heart” by Susan Laurencot

Submitted to Contest #207

The robin stuck to the truck’s grill like she belonged there, splayed like a ship’s figurehead. A decorative ornament. Artie squatted in front of it, stroked his chin like his grandfather, Ardal, for whom he was named, would have. He looked to the sky, ironically sunny and blue. “I’ve gone and done it this time. Killed it,” he said. He shook his head. “Not much I can do now.” Artie’s girlfriend, Janie, leaned out the window of his steel-gray pickup. “What’s that?”...

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“The Empath” by Nicki Nance

Submitted to Contest #207

Zach was peeling off his cap and gown when Jenny tapped him on the shoulder. “Stop by the shop before you go home, OK?” He was surprised to be looking into the honey-colored eyes he loved and feared.He shook out his unruly black hair. “Uh…OK. Did I forget to do something?”Jennie scoffed. “As if I would make you come to work on your graduation day.” His anxiety shuddered through her. “Nothing to be anxious about. I have a present for you, but it was too big to carry.”Zach gave her a sheepish smile. “Yeah?”“Yeah.” Her eyes were locked on his. ...

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“The Death of Stars” by Kat Z

Submitted to Contest #207

I think I might be the only person that is willing to die for my job. Maybe that is why I’m standing on this ledge. I know for certain, if I do this, I will be the most sought after actress in Hollywood. Let’s face it, no director wants an actor that refuses to do scenes and requests a stunt double. They want excitement and buzz, it’s the only reason I was given a chance in Hollywood in the first place. I will be praised for my performance in the movie, maybe it’s just my sick mind wanting to jump. Or maybe I have truly become the char...

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“chase after belief” by Mara M

Submitted to Contest #207

To whoever believes love to be foolish. I believed in many things. My friends as much as my family said that it was my best trait, that that is what one would call an optimist. I did not think I was. I did not believe in God, though I thought I would have actually been able to call myself an optimist if I had. I believed people could change and I believed I could not. The only thing changing was that rotten shell I was living in, the thing that peeled and twisted depending on which person I was with. I did not believe in God and ...

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“The Light of Absecon” by John Werner

Submitted to Contest #207

“You did it!” Loretta exclaimed, patting him on the back. The cigarette’s column of ash, dangling by the filter from her bottom lip, quivered and fell on the carpet. She brushed its remains from the lapel of her jacket and the spine of the book she carried under her arm before she ground them into the outdated pattern of the musty, faded carpet with a scuffed stiletto.Darren Holme was exhausted. It had been a long time since a magician had been offered a residency of this size in Atlantic City. Let’s face it, Vegas was much more where it’s a...

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“The Usurpers” by Len Rely

Submitted to Contest #207

Abel (whose full name was Abehamr) lived in the city with his nonessential roommate Max. He was a man of few words having been raised with four sisters all of whom were tall, good-looking blondes like himself. People seemed interested in him without much effort on his part which made him an uncomplaining witness to many strange behaviors. He had already achieved the goals of being gainfully employed and having an apartment; now he felt a strong civic responsibility but at the moment the state was torn by a political rivalry in which the civi...

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“The Last Letter” by Q K

Submitted to Contest #207

(Note: This story speaks of mental health, disassociation, and indicates suicide/self-harm.) Dear Mom, remember when we’d write each other letters after what we could call events in our lives. It didn't matter what it was or how minor the moment. Award ceremonies, heartbreaks, embarrassing times, graduations, funerals, etc. We’d pour emotion onto the page, say all the things we thought we couldn’t in person. I want to thank you for the memory you engraved in my brain tonight. Tell you, I love you before I leave. Explain the gravity of lif...

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“The Real You ” by Livana Teagan

Submitted to Contest #207

Vita looked up through her eyelashes at the man in front of her. She appeared even more vulnerable to him than she had a moment before. A quick smile crossed her lips and she melted away any resistance inside him daring to hold her back. She pulled her white, blond hair tight against the elastic at the nape of her neck. "Can you show me how to do it one more time?" She questioned Royce, the large man who loomed in front of her. He was only a few years older than her. Her size was insignificant compared to his which made him feel mu...

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“Shifting Reflections” by Jimit Gandhi

Submitted to Contest #207

Chapter 1: A Mysterious Awakening Amanda Fields opened her eyes, greeted by unfamiliar surroundings. Confusion overwhelmed her as she realized she had awakened in an unknown bedroom, with no recollection of how she had gotten there. As she tried to gather her thoughts, something peculiar began to unfold. She glanced at the mirror and discovered that her reflection was not her own. She was someone entirely different. Her eyes fluttered open, greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. The room was shrouded in shadows, with faint rays of sunlight seep...

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“Running Away From Himself” by Kas Strobel

Submitted to Contest #207

Alex shoved his feet into a pair of old running shoes and laced them up with a sigh. He didn’t really want to do this, go run with Cassidy, but he knew that he had to. After all, he was the one who pushed for a running partner. After two months of putting off inviting her for a run, she had invited him on a run the last time they saw each other – in Costco, both buying cases of kombucha – and for some unknown reason, he had said yes. He wasn’t sure why he was nervous. He’s a trauma surgeon, and a damn good one. He saves lives on a daily basi...

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“Trust A Try ” by Danaé Morriah

Submitted to Contest #207

I chose a Vinyl from the pile and turned toward the curious shop owner. He nodded in my direction, approving of my ability to appreciate a classic. An eyebrow raised with his nod, signifying not many women my age would’ve picked it, but something about me didn’t lead him to ask further questions. Something likely related to his planted stance behind the counter, tapping his pen to The Miseducation of Lauren Hill, flipping through a catalog that predates the music it accompanies. He was just as Mother described. Tall, relaxed, and obnoxiously...

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“Superhero Putting on a Facade” by 3i Writer

Submitted to Contest #207

One day, a gigantic sea creature suddenly appeared near the city’s coastline and had the intention to reach its shore. A guy called Jack Legend sensed that the sea creature would obliterate the whole city within an hour once ashore. He was well-known and well-loved by all in his city as the mightiest superhero of justice. So once again, it was up to Jack to save the day. He stormed out in his most iconic suit and magnificent cape to challenge his oceanic adversary. When the monster saw Jack Legend approaching, it released purple fumes from i...

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“Breaking the Facade” by Camille Dixon

Submitted to Contest #207

Note: Contains some physical violence and suicide. I never guessed my mom was having an affair with Jack Bishop. Looking back, I remember playful glances and small gestures. I see now she maintained her act as devoted wife and mother to avoid another failed marriage. None of us—especially not my stepdad Brian suspected when she cheated on him, but when he found out, he cracked. I missed every hint. My mom would go shopping three times a week. On Saturday mornings, she spent...

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“The Masks Must Go” by William Flores

Submitted to Contest #207

William Flores, LMSW About 2,400 Words 140 Darrow Place, 17E Bronx, NY 10475 347-605-5027 wflores1952@gmail.com Note: This story contains topics concerning mental health and substance abuse which might have triggering effects on some readers. ` The Masks Must Go By William Flores “Good morning Mr Diaz. Members of the board of directors, and some of our investors, are gathered in the conference room. They’re eager to congratulate you on your latest success, winning the National Therapist of...

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“The Memory of Mel Scott” by Eoghan Ó HAnluain Fay

Submitted to Contest #207

Mel Scott walked up High Street towards Magdalen College, Oxford. Though the sky was speckled with clouds, it was certainly a sunny day. With this in mind, it was decided that they would gather outside at St Swithun’s Quad. This was to be the college reunion of Mel’s former fellow students, marking a decade since their graduation. Not since before the Great War had Mel walked through the college gates. It struck him, as it always had, that this was a magnificent place. For three brilliant years these grounds had been a home. Carved i...

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Write about a person who constantly has to put on a persona (e.g. at work, in their relationships, etc.) who can finally drop the facade.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 80 stories

“Bury the Heart” by Susan Laurencot

“The Empath” by Nicki Nance

“The Death of Stars” by Kat Z

“chase after belief” by Mara M

“The Light of Absecon” by John Werner

“The Usurpers” by Len Rely

“The Last Letter” by Q K

“The Real You ” by Livana Teagan

“Shifting Reflections” by Jimit Gandhi

“Running Away From Himself” by Kas Strobel

“Trust A Try ” by Danaé Morriah

“Superhero Putting on a Facade” by 3i Writer

“Breaking the Facade” by Camille Dixon

“The Masks Must Go” by William Flores

“The Memory of Mel Scott” by Eoghan Ó HAnluain Fay

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story on a film or TV set, starting with someone calling “Cut!”

A journalist has been granted permission to visit the premises of a lab carrying out top-secret work. They could never have anticipated what they’d find…

Write a story about a magician who never reveals their secrets — until now.

Set your story in the kitchen of a bustling restaurant.

Contest #207

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

96

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: