#184: Technical Difficulties
If you’ve ever experienced technical difficulties, you know the boundless frustration it can cause. Glitches, bugs, constant buffering, or — worst of all — no connection whatsoever; these small inconveniences can throw our days off balance (and make us want to pull our hair out). Taken to the extreme, technological failures and a breakdown of the internet infrastructure could have far-reaching and devastating consequences on a global scale.
This week’s prompts are inspired by technostress and issues of connectivity, inviting you to take your frustration out on the keyboard — or even imagine a world without the internet! 😱
And psst! While we have you, remember to check out your free digital copy of PROMPTED — a new literary magazine, featuring winning stories from weekly Prompts contests just like this one, edited by Reedsy professionals.
This week's prompts
Start your story with someone saying “Houston, we have a problem.”
Dialogue – 41 stories
Set your story during a complete city or nation-wide blackout.
Thriller and Suspense – 52 stories
Write a story about a character who is experiencing glitches in their reality.
Mystery – 81 stories
Write about someone who has chosen to disconnect and live an analog life.
Character – 36 stories
Write a story where a character has to decide whether to press the button or not.
Science Fiction – 70 stories
Stories
“Houston, We Have a Problem” by Ed Wooten
Submitted to Contest #184
“Only Fools are Positive, My Mother Used to Say” by Suzanne Seely
Submitted to Contest #184
“The Box” by Jacob Weber
Submitted to Contest #184
“A Meadow” by Jack Kimball
Submitted to Contest #184
“Murder in the Dark” by M Hepburn
Submitted to Contest #184
“Press Delete to Reset” by Steve Warford
Submitted to Contest #184
“My Name Is Not Shirley ” by Murray Burns
Submitted to Contest #184
“In the Shadow of the Oak Tree” by Kandi Zeller
Submitted to Contest #184
“Steak Diane” by Niki Smallwood
Submitted to Contest #184
“DO NOT PRESS!” by Tamarin Butcher
Submitted to Contest #184
“Don’t Matter” by Sophie F
Submitted to Contest #184
“sand” by Masha Kurbatova
Submitted to Contest #184
“The Heart of Dunamis” by Emily Eakin
Submitted to Contest #184
“The flip of a coin” by Erica Dorsey
Submitted to Contest #184
“A Simpler Time” by Erik Brun
Submitted to Contest #184
$250
Prize money
280
Contest entries
121
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Feb 10, 2023 EST
Won by Michelle Oliver 🏆
Title: All the Lonely People
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!