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!

#217: Tropes

Last week, we revisited the old “show, don’t tell” rule. This week, let’s throw out the rulebook and have some fun.


In your reading, you’ve probably come across some recurring tropes. In romance, we’ve got star-crossed lovers, fake relationships, enemies-to-lovers, and happily-ever-afters. In fantasy, we’ve got Chosen One protagonists, reluctant heroes, and wise mentors. In mystery, we have unreliable narrators, jaded investigators, locked rooms, and remote settings. It goes on.


Subverting these tropes can be fun, but the tricky thing is that you need to do it for a reason, and in a way that enriches your story. Can you do it?

This week's prompts

Write a story about two characters who like each other but don’t get a happily-ever-after.

Romance – 91 stories

Set your story in a creepy mansion — except nothing horrifying takes place in it.

Horror – 64 stories

Write about a person who's been called to mentor someone in a special skill, but doesn't really want to.

Adventure – 27 stories

Write about a sleuth who’s a little too keen, but not because they have a traumatic past they won’t talk about.

Mystery – 10 stories

Write a story about a warrior who doesn’t want to kill the dragon.

Fantasy – 92 stories

Stories

“The crossroads” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #217

Layla looked at the dark sky as she pulled into Bristol Temple Meads station and couldn’t help but feel a bit queasy. Was it the drawn-out journey from Oxford that had tipped her over the edge after a long week at work? The clocks were about to ‘fall back’ next week and maybe it was the thought of the shorter days. What was it Shakespeare said about entering the night? ‘The night is long that never finds the day’. She was a grown woman for goodness’ sake! She wasn’t walking into a Lion’s Den! Far from it, she was re-uniting with friends, her...

9 comments 9
Read story

“Dragonhearted” by Glen Loveland

Submitted to Contest #217

Blimey, 'ere we go again. Another day, another dragon to slay. Well not on my watch! Name's Maggie—Sir Maggie to you lot—and I ain't your typical knight in shining armor. More like a knight in slightly dingy iron armor with questionable stains of mysterious origin. But I get the job done, even if me methods are a bit unorthodox. You see, I never much cared for all this hacking and slashing business. Seems a might unfair to the dragons, don't ya think? Sure, some of the blighters get a bit cheeky, hoarding treasures and terrorizing villager...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Magic in the Air” by Sue Schroeder

Submitted to Contest #217

“May I sit here?” The burble of voices and the clatter of cutlery made the words difficult to hear the first time. “Do you mind if I sit here?” the woman asked again.Beth looked around, noting that the café was full. People were chattering, enjoying the first refreshing day after a brutal summer. Beth inhaled the steam from her coffee cup, the warm scent reaching into her brain, sending soothing endorphins through her body. Beth nodded reluctantly. She had been enjoying this quiet time. She watched as the stranger sat opp...

15 comments 15
Read story

“Living The Dream” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #217

“Ya know, Joe’s been pressuring me.”Her mother stopped dead in her tracks and spun around. “Are you serious? What did I tell you about boys? He seemed like a nice kid.”“No, not like that. He is a nice kid. But he wants to come over. He says this isn’t normal and I agree.”“You can invite him over anytime you want. I have no problem with that. Just keep your door open.”“Mom. Get real. I can’t have him here and you know that.”“Well, I’m sorry, darling, but this is how it is. You only have a...

14 comments 14
Read story

“Teacher of the Year (Understudy)” by Nina H

Submitted to Contest #217

Here’s a little secret. I have no idea what I’m doing. How is it they don’t know? After all these years?  I placed my travel mug of hot coffee (and only a little Bailey’s) on my desk and checked the time. It was 7:45am. I had fifteen minutes until my class of adoring students filed in, took their seats, and performed whatever tasks I found on the pages of the yellowed lesson plan from the closet.  I took a sip of coffee and opened my school email. Trainings, new sign in procedure, nothing exciting. I noticed an email from my prin...

19 comments 19
Read story

“Branching Out” by Gareth Walcroft

Submitted to Contest #217

‘Do you want to be doing the same old thing day in day out?’ Jessica said.                She sat across from Mark at a table in the Holo-arcade. It was the only thing that was real in this place, probably. He insisted places like this were for kids, but Jessica could never imagine something like this in her old land, she loved it. The arcade floor was a bustling expanse of activity, divided into different sections, each dedicated to a specific genre. Hidden project...

4 comments 4
Read story

“A mansion of Whispers” by Esmeralda M Kelly

Submitted to Contest #217

Once upon a time, in a small town nestled in the countryside, there stood a creepy mansion that had captured the imaginations of the locals. Its broken-down facade, overgrown gardens, and eerie history made it the perfect backdrop for tales of ghosts and haunting. Many believed the mansion was cursed, while others simply found it unsettling. Yet, despite its creepy appearance, nothing truly horrifying had ever taken place within its walls. One day, a young couple named Emily and James decided to move into the mysterious mansion. They were dr...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Something in the Way” by Cade Holter

Submitted to Contest #217

This story contains graphic violence and references to sexual assault. Reader discretion advised.  She was cornered now. It was her third week on campus and that oversized slob Chase had gotten her alone; backed her right up against a wall in one of the hallways with his arms braced on either side of her head. She was staring right at him in all his pale, shiny faced glory, with yellow teeth coloured in so deeply she could smell all of the residual grease that had been left behind.  “Why’re you so cold to me?” He questioned, his to...

2 comments 2
Read story

“St. Michael's Day” by Chris Miller

Submitted to Contest #217

“What are you waiting for?” The idea occurred to Kala that the weight of a gun changes depending on what, or who, you are pointing it at. On the ranges as a cadet pistols, rifles, shotguns had all felt light. Tools of the trade, things to be cleaned and maintained, serviced like the photocopier in the office. They did exactly what he needed them to do. Kala was considered a talented marksman, but to him, putting a tight group of holes in a paper target was no more important than getting the punctuation right in the final draft of a repor...

11 comments 11
Read story

“Goodnight Hazy...” by Joan Of Arc

Submitted to Contest #217

Trigger Warning: This story contains sensitive content like mental health and suicide. Hailey jerked out of her sleep. She looked around to get a grip on reality, but as soon as her eyes met the morning sun beneath the window story, she turned away in an uncomfortable squint. Gosh… A few seconds into sitting on the bed, rubbing her eyes like a baby just waking up, her brows shifted into a confused frown and her gaze automatically turned to the floor. Something was off. Images of her dream last night flashed before her eyes, all jumbl...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Eternal Love” by Le Conteur

Submitted to Contest #217

The pungent smell of flesh drifted from Dragu’s plate. “I want to ask you something.” Dragu said, sitting at the restaurant table. His hand clutched a red gemstone pendant hanging from his neck. “Oh, really?” Said Ailia, who sat across from him at the table. “You look very serious about this question. May I use the restroom before you ask?” She raised an eyebrow. Dragu reached out and touched the back of her hand, which was warm. “Of course you may.” “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Said Ailia, lowering her head. Dragu laughed, “Oh, stop it.” Aili...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Too Many J's ” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #217

Too many J's JJ's opened three months before I graduated from high school in 1985. I worked my way through culinary school as a waitress, busboy, dishwasher, and eventually bookkeeper for the previous owner of the building. When he had health problems and needed to be hospitalized, I agreed to run it until he recovered from surgery. Mr. Jonas was the sweetest boss I had ever worked for. He and his wife were the original JJs, John and Jordan, and their children hated the restaurant business. The name was theirs first. I realized how much they...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Kid Cube” by Robert Egan

Submitted to Contest #217

Sensei Bob pays me 'nother visit in my dreams. He ain't dead or nothin' like that. I just ain't been answerin' my phone. "Billy-san, destiny call. Why you no pick up?" I act like I'm dozin' in my dream, hopin' that old bastard'll finally leave me be. But Sensei Bob's still floatin' above me when I crack open my right eye. He's wearin' that black gi and givin' me that blind soulbreaker stare. And when he pulls out that damn short sword and points it at his pot belly, I know he's fixin' to commit Seppuku, that fancy Japanese way of spill...

14 comments 14
Read story

“George and the Dragon” by Marina Pacheco

Submitted to Contest #217

‘I don’t want to do it!’ George said as he flicked aside the tent flap to take in the camp, huddled in a valley, all mist and pine trees. ‘Why not?’ Layla asked as she rolled over on the bed and flicked back her long, glossy black hair. ‘It’s what you do, after all.’ It was all very well for her to say that. She’d get to stay in the camp, wrapped up in furs. She probably wouldn’t even get out of bed. ‘It’s the last one, Layla. When I kill this one, there will be none left. That’s it. No more dragon. Doesn’t that make you sad?’ George aske...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Life in a Cemetery” by Luna Newman

Submitted to Contest #217

This tale opens on a foggy October afternoon in the year 1921 inside of the massive Erie Manor. A monumental estate made of stone and situated upon the 125-acre grounds of the Erie Cemetery in the Village of Erie in upstate New York. Our players are Mabel and Herman Morgan a lovely young couple and caretakers for the Cemetery. Mabel is a pale faced freckled girl of 28 with auburn hair. Mabel peered out of the gothic shaped windows of the Erie Manor she called home. It was a gloomy autumnal day. Thick mist snaked th...

5 comments 5
Read story

$250

Prize money

284

Contest entries

130

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 29, 2023 EST

Won by Paul Crehan 🏆

Title: Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus?

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to 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 ⭢

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.