Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

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

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 80 stories

“Dreams and Disenchantment” by Stephanie Carlson

Submitted to Contest #207

Only Jasper St. Clair knows how something so beautiful can be so haunted. Jasper St. Clair, with the boyish charisma and devilish smile, Jasper St. Clair, Hollywood's latest heartbreaker with the ability to charm and create irresistibly volcanic chemistry with anyone in his orbit, Jasper St. Clair, the enigmatic artist with a vision to inspire empathy through each role he plays on screen. Jasper, the lucky lad who managed to snag a model for a partner. Jasper, a man of self-made wealth and success. Jasper, a provider of luxury. Jasper Ke...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Rabbit Fighter” by Corey Joyce Henderson

Submitted to Contest #207

“Get ‘im Shelley!” My brother Tommy yelled as I stomped through the mud.  We were chasing rabbit’s again. Mama was making stew for dinner, and she told us that if we’d caught a rabbit she would skin it and cook it for dinner. Hunting rabbit’s was easy for most folks. But we were just kids, I was only ten and my brother was 7. We couldn’t shoot them or make traps because Pa didn’t let us touch his gun or traps because he didn't think we could handle them. Even if he did, what good would it be to set a trap when dinner would be ready i...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Hidden Smiles ” by Karrigan Weldin

Submitted to Contest #207

I hear faint footsteps heading towards my door. I listen for a moment. Loud at the beginning of the step and quiet as the rest of the foot comes down. They’re walking with the ball of their feet, not wearing heels though you can’t hear the click at the end. Only Margret, Shannon, and Alexa walk like that, but Alexa wear’s heels. A faint tick sounds through the office, like a bone popping. Margaret has joint issues. From what I’ve heard and researched, Joint Hypermobility, born with it. Just to be sure I listen for the jingling of her bracele...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Bullets For Breakfast” by Chad B

Submitted to Contest #207

“Join the CIA,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said. “You’ll help serve your country,” they said.“Order up! French toast with a side of scrambled!” yelled Bob from the kitchen.I hate my job.My name is Abigail Elgort, and, technically speaking, I’m an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency. Like many people in the CIA, I have a cover job; I’m a waitress at a small town diner in Ohio. It’s decently far from Columbus, but close enough that people will still occasionally visit from the city. Those people are why I’m stuck here.See, criminals...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Homecoming” by Rose Belle

Submitted to Contest #207

While the rest of the kingdom was content to celebrate Rym’s recent victory, Loke decided he had enough. It had been over a month since he had been able to sleep in his own bed; a celebration of any kind was the last thing needed. How Rym could handle it let alone choose it, he would never know. As Loke tried to make his way out, he happened to overhear Rym’s loud, boastful voice carry throughout the hall. No doubt interrupting the other conversations and dragging the people in to listen whether they wanted to or not. It didn’t help that st...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Lamb” by Julia Pietrogallo

Submitted to Contest #207

My catechism class was constantly threatened with hellfire. Like quicksand from third grade science class, or peer pressure from the drug unit in the fifth, hell was one of those things proclaimed inevitable, unavoidable and, the worst of all, of nobody’s fault but your own. And that was not the best thing to tell children, and momentarily, I liked the idea of at least having a choice in such a matter; unfortunately, that indifference I had was not shared, nor well received, especially by my religion teachers.  Yet, despite their prev...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A Shock to the System ” by Kylie Payne

Submitted to Contest #207

Watch? Check. Wallet? Check. Glasses? Check. Keys? Check. Oh wait, which ones? Mercedes. Check. I go down the list of things I have on my person as I walk out the door and head to my bi-weekly lunch with Mom. I map out the route to Chez Oskar in my head on the way to my Honda and decide I'm going to take Fulton Street all the way down. I noticed traffic on Bainbridge, my usual route, as I left my opening shift at the coffee shop. I arrive fifteen minutes early, making sure I park far enough away that she won't see me getting into this car ...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Day Three” by Echo Anon

Submitted to Contest #207

I bang the laptop repeatedly against the table in the way that all people believe it might make electronic devices work better: faithlessly, exhaustedly, desperately. Someone behind me tells me to take it out into the bay for a better connection. No shit. Really? I truly thought smashing it to pieces on the desk might restore the internet. I rub my tired eyes and stare at the crew room door with its dingy white paint, stained and peeling, its dirty glass and notes no one ever read which led to the massive garage beyond. Ten feet sudd...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Keeping Up Appearances” by C.G Ripplinger

Submitted to Contest #207

It was close to midnight when Anna decided to leave the bed and shuffle to the living room. No matter what she tried, what white noise she found on the internet, or what techniques her life coaches or associates recommended, nothing could achieve that blissful REM sleep she desired. Something had latched onto her brain lately, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't alleviate herself from that feeling. It had been a long day, sure. She had several meetings planned for the next day, so there may have been some anxiety. But it wasn't he...

0 comments 0
Read story

“SORROWLING” by Manny Arcaro

Submitted to Contest #207

Once upon a time, nestled amidst rolling green hills and enchanted forests, there stood a fairy-tale castle that shimmered like pure gold. Its carefully constructed towers soared to the heavens with elegance and grace.  As the first rays of dawn danced upon its golden walls, layer by layer, the castle came alive. Each tower was adorned with intricate golden filigree, delicate as spun sugar, and embellished with chains of polished gemstones that gleamed like stars. The windows sparkled, painting the air with a breathtaking tapestry of jo...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Z Feels” by Matvii Fedorov

Submitted to Contest #207

Warning: strong language, mental health issues. (?)The city is filled with an atmosphere of stability and decay at the same time: dank streets; cloudy weather; concrete jungle; and a mass of people, seemingly going somewhere, aimlessly. Looking at all of that landscape, it could give a feeling of decay, sadness and over looming desperation. Rin sees that scenery from his window for quite some time in his life.Days of his are like any other. He wakes up from his white slightly crumpled bed, washes his slightly wrinkled face, makes a quick san...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Heist” by Gwendolyn Glass

Submitted to Contest #207

Mara didn’t tell me the truth about who she was until the night of our wedding, after we had said our vows. I didn’t believe her. Not at first. “A cat burglar?” I grinned at the back of her head, her long blonde hair still holding a slight curl as the ribbons of it cascaded over the sleek white gown and its many buttons, which I was in the process of unbuttoning. I assumed she had waited until after we were married to reveal this hidden fantasy to me, somehow ashamed of what I imagined was a relatively common interest. The concept of rolep...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Behind the Scenes” by Jamaal Graham

Submitted to Contest #207

      My mind begged for this conversation to be over.            “And the thing is—”            Tyler’s words turned dull.            “And the other thing is—”            Other thing? There’s another thing?            My hearing began to tu...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Rose's Last Day” by Jill Johansson

Submitted to Contest #207

Warning: This story contains themes of suicide, mental health and hinted sexual abuse. It also contains swear words. /// ”Cut!” It's the ninth time Hanson has called for a cut, and the tension is growing on the set. Lynn's stomach is roiling violently. She bites her lip, trying to distract herself. Calm down. It's fine. For once she's not the one that keeps fucking up the scene. ”Duncan!” yells Hanson. ”How many times do I have to tell you? You've just found out that your girlfriend is sleeping around with another guy, you have to actual...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Against The Odds” by Saud M Lakhani

Submitted to Contest #207

“How long does it take for a fake smile to become an actual smile, for it to become the smile you wear faithfully,” he asked, looking at his reflection posing a self-complacent smile, a smile that may perhaps finally adorn his character. His posture was rhetorical, guile decorated, and yet eyes disloyal, emphasized with exhaustion, burdened and depraved.“Is this the new routine? An alarm, clothes pre-selected, and pure mundanity.” He questioned. “Maybe not disgusting after a while.” “But maybe never.” An insecure sigh which quickly apologize...

0 comments 0
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

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

Dialogue – 46 stories

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…

Science Fiction – 38 stories

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

Character – 31 stories

Set your story in the kitchen of a bustling restaurant.

Fiction – 39 stories

Contest #207

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Behind the Scenes

$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

96

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 21, 2023 EST

Won by Derrick M Domican 🏆

Title: Speed Fate

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢