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!

#161: Digging Deep

Released to much critical acclaim, Jennette McCurdy’s recent memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died is one of the most talked-about books of the summer (and potentially the year), not least because of its provocative title. But behind the clickbait-y headline, the book is a masterclass in memoir writing — digging deep into McCurdy’s life and deftly handling sensitive material, including her time as a child actress and an abusive childhood.

This week’s prompts are inspired by some of the themes in McCurdy’s memoir — the pressure of stardom at a young age, finally speaking one's truth, and starting a process of healing — encouraging you to explore the complex and often gritty nature of human relationships and emotions.

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone sharing a secret that has a big impact on everyone.

High School – 39 stories

Write a story where someone finds comfort in an unexpected event, place, or person.

Adults – 56 stories

Write about a character who lives a seemingly charmed life.

Teens – 25 stories

Write a story where a character has to take on heavy responsibilities (perhaps beyond their age).

Kids – 48 stories

Write about someone who needs to face their past in order to move forward.

Adults – 73 stories

Stories

“Soulless Deception” by J Stephens

Submitted to Contest #161

Warning: contains attempted suicide, rape, drug use, profanity “Oh no... Something isn’t right,” Crystal McGuinn thought to herself while attempting to find her bearings. “What’s going on? I definitely took more than enough. Or did I?” she continued to question before making a most unsettling discovery. “Wait a second... Oh crap, I can’t move my arms or legs... Why can’t I move my arms and legs? What the hell’s going on? What have I done?” Though unable to blink her eyes or manipulate her mouth to call for help, ...

Read story

“It Was For Me” by Lashun Williams

Submitted to Contest #161

I messed up. I messed up badly. I sat across the table from my ex-wife and watched as she evaluated the cup of coffee that the waiter just placed on the table. Meeting at her local food joint seemed like a better option than her driving two hours to see a man that requested for them to meet. Plus, Elena never liked to waste her time, so I ensured that every moment that she spent with me would not go to waste. After two years, she looked much younger than when I last saw her. Her forty-ninth birthday was coming up in July and she di...

Read story

“The Taste of Tears” by Karen C

Submitted to Contest #161

Pain is often the only word I have to express it.But, on the rare occasion that I’m feeling articulate, I describe grief like this:Have you ever felt like your heart has grown icy cold, frozen over, and then shattered into a thousand shards inside your chest? And afterward the shards remain, cutting you up from the inside out with every breath you take?A year ago on Thursday, I watched my dog die. And I knew I had killed him.Ronan was given to me before breakfast on a Saturday, early in my 10th grade year. His red collar had a tag that said,...

Read story

“Sister Sister” by Dunbarin Fadairo

Submitted to Contest #161

TW: Death of a family member. My sister died almost a year ago and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. Now before you come to a conclusion about me, let me tell you how it all started. Our story began on a warm May night when my mother was rushed to the hospital by my father because her water broke. They went into the hospital expecting to go home with a bouncing baby girl but instead left with two identical girls. They hadn’t planned for me but they did their best, in their own way that is. Me and my sister were like two sides of the same c...

Read story

“Family Matters” by Sharon Williams

Submitted to Contest #161

They stood amongst the vehicles parked in the crematorium car park and watched a robin. Its chest a dash of bright colour against the surrounding grey. Dry leaves were lodged around the tyres of an SUV and it hopped around amongst these, periodically pausing, head erect, checking the visitors out, before resuming its jerky activity. Every now and again a gust of chill wind would stir the rusty leaves, and the bird would fly off, only to return when the movement ceased. Caitlin took a deep drag of her cigarette enjoying the taste on her ...

Read story

“Everybody Has a Secret” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #161

“Come on!” Gale whines. “Everybody’s got a secret that they’ve never told anyone before. What’s yours?” As if he’s disinterested, Brad mumbles, “Ain’t got one.” He then digs deep inside his ear, examines his finger, and flicks something into space. The Noahide couch squeaks loudly as Gale throws herself back, her arms folded across her chest. A few weeks ago, Brad and Gale met in Murphy’s bar. Brad played pool with friends while Gale enjoyed a girls’ night out. That’s when their glassy eyes met. Afte...

Read story

“Oh, The Humanity” by Mark Goins

Submitted to Contest #161

"Grow up; that's what I want him to do," Vic growled as he stormed out of the cabin and off the porch, the squall of anger stinging his head and warming his ears. He blinked at the bang of the screen door he slammed for exclamation. "Damn her," he mumbled as he stomped along a path leading into the woods. The morning dew felt cool on his sandaled feet and turned the kicked-up dirt into mud on his toes. How could she bring this up now? This was supposed to be ...

Read story

“Mourning Doves ” by Emma West

Submitted to Contest #161

** Trigger Warning** substance abuse, foul language.I sink with existential dread and gut wrenching apprehension from the birds chirping at 7am. The birds are chirping and my cheek hasn’t even touched my pillow yet. But, with the light of this morning I must endure the repercussions of yesterday’s morning, and the mornings before that. Including the reverberating laughter, as well as, the gut wrenching sobs ripped straight from the soft part of my underbelly.The birds are chirping and I'm relearning how to hate myself.They’d sing a melo...

Read story

“A Man of Distinction” by Jim Weber

Submitted to Contest #161

DAY 1. Judging from his carriage and the way he dressed, he was a man of distinction. He carried that distinct air of Richard Cory about him. Perhaps he impressed us like the imperial slim Mr. Cory, a walking specimen of perfection on earth. Special, but aloof. Would Richard Cory in E. A. Robinson’s delightful study wear an Armani suit like this Cory clone? Maybe, maybe not. Everyone just knew this guy thought he was better than the average Joe. His vibes were a bit tetchy, but he worked a little too hard at narrowing the gap between himself...

Read story

“Out of Luck” by Kalin Demirev

Submitted to Contest #161

Patrick chewed on the eighth and final piece of ham on his plate and to his horror, it was also tough and stringy. This was the third time today he’d sliced up ham into bites and asked his girlfriend, Samantha, to put half of them on his plate at random. The look on her face said that she was just about done with this nonsense. The first time she’d done this, five of six were tough, the second it was seven out of eight.“Well Pat, I’m going to go get ready for my interview. You know, something actually important and not some childish delusion...

Read story

“The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest” by Sgt. Purple Vietnam 1969

Submitted to Contest #161

Now, this fairy tale here concerns a young fellow named Frankie Lee and his encounter with the mysterious Judas Priest. Well, saying Frankie Lee lived a charming life would be an understatement. He had more money than his grandchildren could spend and a red-headed gal that would soon become his bride. She was finer than frog’s hair split four ways. Bless her mighty soul! Ya’ll folks wouldn’t believe me if I said this, but Mary Ann was the prettiest gal from Texas all the way to West Virgi...

Read story

“Times of Needed Faith” by Nyxlan Marigold

Submitted to Contest #161

DISCLAMER: This story contains the following:Substance Abuse, Physical Violence, Suicided, Bad Mental Health, and Parental Abuse"You don't understand!" I was screaming overtop of the television in the old rundown building I was supposed to call "My Home""I don't care. Get out of my hair you little brat!""You have to care! Their YOUR children! You need to know the importance of this!" I stomped over to the TV and unplugged it."Listen to me!""What are you doing! I was watching that!" He grabbed the bottle he had and took another chug from it, ...

Read story

“Hidden Power” by Jonathan Morris

Submitted to Contest #161

At the far end of the garden there stood a stone wall whose ancient edifice was covered by creeping vines. A stately elm tree grew just outside the wall on the bank of a brook that ran East to West along the length of the property. Robert had often sat with his back against that wall in the shade of the stately elm, listening to the babble of the brook, while reading a favorite book. Unlike his school books, which he despised reading, the stories he read by the wall were full of adventure. They contained stories about boys...

Read story

“Still to be.....” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #161

"You slut!" Ryan roared into his phone. But it was too late. She had already hung up on him. That had been his ex-wife. She was getting remarried, and wanted to move interstate, taking his two sons with her. Ryan was feeling jealous, this was not his idea of an amicable divorce. He and his ex were supposed to be co-parenting in harmony, presenting a united front to their boys. "Ha!" Ryan slammed down his phone, and picked up his can of bourbon. Before too long, he was on another bender. A pile of empty tins were soon his company. He knew he...

Read story

“Full Circle” by Falynn Almeda

Submitted to Contest #161

High school is a time in life where it’s when experiences start to mold you and you can either stay that hormonal, out-of-control kid who thinks they know everything or you can grow and remold into someone you actually want to be. Other pivotal moments in your life will occur and I was at one. But let me lay down the past so you can grasp the present. My life at home was pretty good- my parents and I had our differences but it wasn’t what I could call ‘abusive’. They never hit me and gave me beyond the basic needs; no sad birth...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

241

Contest entries

125

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 02, 2022 EST

Won by Marty B 🏆

Title: Long Distance Phone Call

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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 ⭢