#168: Choo Choo!
The concept of train travel has always been a powerful motif in story telling. Train wagons can be a great setting for serendipitous love encounters, like for Jesse and Céline in Before Sunrise, or mysterious murders, like in Agatha Christie's classic Orient Express.
On a train, the mind wanders, time shifts, and life… unfolds. We hope that these train-inspired prompts will put you on the right track to writing some great stories.
🥇 Winner
“SOUTHBOUND” by David Sweet
🏆 Winner of Contest #168
⭐️ Shortlisted
“Far Away and Fast ” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“The End of the Line” by Zelda C. Thorne
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“One Day in October” by AnneMarie Miles
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“By The Withernsea” by Chris Campbell
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“The Last Train” by Zoë Page
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
This week's prompts
Start your story with someone looking out a train window.
Middle School – 99 stories
Write a story about a character who is moving on, literally or figuratively.
Narrative – 58 stories
Make a train station an important part of your story.
Narrative – 75 stories
Write a story about a character who misses a train, for better or worse.
Adults – 33 stories
Write a story that includes someone saying, “Bon voyage.”
Adults – 17 stories
Stories
“SOUTHBOUND” by David Sweet
🏆 Winner of Contest #168
“Far Away and Fast ” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“The End of the Line” by Zelda C. Thorne
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“Pursuit of Truth” by Michał Przywara
Submitted to Contest #168
“All the dandelions were gone” by Flore Lazcano
Submitted to Contest #168
“One Day in October” by AnneMarie Miles
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“How I Came to Leave Hartfield Manor” by Aeris Walker
Submitted to Contest #168
“Tomorrow Is Yesterday” by Thom With An H
Submitted to Contest #168
“Stories on a Train - Xinjiang 1995” by Scott Christenson
Submitted to Contest #168
“Bread and Butter for the Journey” by Seán McNicholl
Submitted to Contest #168
“Baking up Trouble” by Graham Kinross
Submitted to Contest #168
“Rush Hour Crush” by Rebecca Miles
Submitted to Contest #168
“By The Withernsea” by Chris Campbell
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #168
“Love on the Rails” by Graham Kinross
Submitted to Contest #168
$250
Prize money
282
Contest entries
105
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Oct 21, 2022 EST
Won by David Sweet 🏆
Title: SOUTHBOUND
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!