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!

#196: In Another Life

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the way making a single decision, big or small, can cause your life to fork off in an entirely new direction. There are the obvious crossroads, the big life choices, and then there are the tiny ones; ones we fail to notice are taking place every single day. Waiting at the crosswalk instead of jaywalking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, spending an extra 10 minutes scrolling through social media — even these non-events can make the difference between a life-altering incident happening, or not happening.

But what if we could access those paths we didn’t take? Would we go back and choose a different route for our lives? What if we could sense those “sliding doors” moments as they happened? This week's prompts are inspired by this classic sci-fi dilemma, and by the coulda, shoulda, woulda’s we all live with every day.

This week's prompts

Write about a character unknowingly experiencing a “sliding doors” moment. Write your story in two halves; what could have been, and what actually happened.

Dramatic – 62 stories

Write a story that includes the phrase “Maybe in another life.”

Dialogue – 74 stories

You’re walking down the street, when you spot a familiar figure. It’s another you. And they’ve come from an alternate reality to warn you about something.

Thriller and Suspense – 32 stories

Write a story involving a portal into a parallel universe.

Science Fiction – 61 stories

Set your story in a world where time travel has been perfected, and people can use it to hop between alternate timelines — but at a cost.

Dystopian – 50 stories

Stories

“The Stolen Colouring Book” by Cora Schlöglhofer

Submitted to Contest #196

As Heather wakes up from her visit to her son, her coffee machine is gone. This is alright, she had already figured that she would have to sacrifice something bigger. After all, her visit had lasted for a decent time. She checks her stopwatch. 2 hours 17 minutes. She just watched her son walk for the first time, so her coffee machine is a price she is willing to pay.She wipes a stray tear from the corner of her eye. Marlon had just taken his first steps, and when he couldn’t hold himself on his small legs anymore, she caught him in her arms....

Read story

“WellLorean” by Herbert Perez

Submitted to Contest #196

*light nudity in the story* “What are you doing, trying to catch the next boat to Staten Island,” as I texted Jessica “Oh man, you’re funny what are you doing aren’t you supposed to be working buddy,” are you working on your walk as you head into work, Jessica texts back. “Ha, ha, very funny I’m strutting to work see you in a few minutes,” I text back smiling. I laugh as I begin to strut down Broadway as the “Staying Alive” goes jingling in my head. It never gets old walking down the avenue of the world, whoa what’s the theme to Back...

Read story

“Escapism” by Toby A

Submitted to Contest #196

“Get on the ground, now!”The man in front of me stumbled backwards, his sweaty back pressed up against me as the woman in front of him was tackled to the ground by an officer. The officer ripped a document from her shaking hands, and held it up to one of the travel officials. “It’s forged, sir—her Terms of Travel sheet. She never agreed to the real terms, and so I have reason to believe this woman intends to tamper with the butterfly effect.”The woman’s eyes widened in horror, and the travel official’s blank expression didn’t falter. He stoo...

Read story

“Enough” by G. Poirier

Submitted to Contest #196

I was standing at the corner of Pape and Danforth, earbuds cancelling the living noise of my neighbourhood, my own little bubble, when someone tapped my arm. I held a closed umbrella in one hand and in the other a plastic bag with a tuna sandwich in wax paper, for later, some blackberries (two-for-one), and some organic strawberries (they taste better). I turned to see an older woman, seventyish, with a cane and a pained expression on her face. I removed one of my earbuds and raised me eyes at her in a friendly gesture.“I’m sorry, young man,...

Read story

“Pastel Virtue” by L.J Sunwing

Submitted to Contest #196

Love for good is often a result of knowing the badness in ourselves. The aspiration of, in the conscious and attentive effort, is a noble cause. To lack that understanding though is to hate goodness and love, to be bitter towards it. What we lack in ourselves we search for in others, and as human beings, we are the worst of all. Beatrice ran into the bathroom of the confectionary, the metal clasped door to the stall is swung open in a whirlwind of emotions and abruptly shut. She leans against the door, her chest heaves and she feels somet...

Read story

“Time Traveller” by John White

Submitted to Contest #196

April 28, 2023, I don't know where to start. You asked me to write down my experiences so that I can further your research into time travel. I don't know what I saw or even believe. Perhaps it's some sort of psychotic haze. I've been on my current medication mix for some time and thought I already knew all the side effects, but perhaps I was wrong. Or maybe it's all true. I don't know. Why did you choose me as your 'temporal target"? It is very inconvenient. I'm sure three generations from now, you have heard the whispers of my men...

Read story

“The Solar Trip” by Kimberly Gold

Submitted to Contest #196

Some people, when they find themselves in an unlucky situation, never contemplate what decision had led them there and fall into a frenzy of uttered 'should have's and 'had I only done so and so's. Other people, like Hugo Grey, cannot escape the temptation of imagining a better, more fortunate, outcome and also feel the need to voice such 'necessary information' to others. Aside from the small, everyday misfortunes, there are permanent regrets that he repeatedly complains about, because had he made different decisions, he would most certainl...

Read story

“Morgan and Twanatwain” by Finley Watson

Submitted to Contest #196

I heard my dad snoring in the next room. That’s how I knew it was time. I quietly opened the window and cringed at the loud creak. I leapt down onto the soft, moist grass. I slung my knapsack over my shoulder and pulled my black hood over my face. Time to rescue my stepbrother. I was careful to make sure none of my neighbors saw me at this hour. They would instantly call Dad or Patricia, and I’d never find Patrick. I knew it was risky, visiting Twanatwain again, but Patrick couldn’t wait. When I approached the woods, I stopped...

Read story

“Sliding Doors” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #196

Maddie couldn’t imagine. For everything to be fate would be fine. For God to have created everything for a purpose would work. Even an epic battle between heaven and hell would have meaning. But randomness. That all could change because one stopped for a yellow light rather than rushing through before the light turned red. Unthinkable. Those were Maddie’s last thoughts as she tried to sleep. Δ In the morning Maddie woke before the sun as she always did on runway days. Good to get to the set and walk about in the quiet before her people ...

Read story

$250

Prize money

279

Contest entries

149

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 05, 2023 EST

Won by Delbert Griffith 🏆

Title: The Bullet that Esther Stopped

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 ⭢