#23: Winter Wonderland

By the time the holidays have passed, and the first week of January is in full swing, it's impossible to deny one fact any longer: winter is here.

Shorter days and colder temperatures often mean more time spent indoors writing. This week, we suggest you sit by a window and let the wintery world outside inspire your newest piece of short fiction.

This week's prompts

You go for a walk in fresh snow. Suddenly you realize you're not leaving any footprints.

Fantasy – 128 stories

Write a short story that takes place in a winter cabin.

Winter – 76 stories

A busy city is quieted by a big blanketing of snow. Write from the perspective of two (or more) characters who live there.

Winter – 51 stories

Write a short story about someone experiencing their first winter.

Winter – 31 stories

Write a short story about people stuck in traffic during a blizzard. There's nothing much to do but wait, and talk...

Dialogue – 67 stories

Stories

“Nyctophobia” by Krysten Jackson

Submitted to Contest #23

Outside the windows, there was low visibility. Snow, blown disorganized and angrily, built up an extra layer of wall separating the inside from the outside only letting in a small amount of moonlight. Nonetheless, little flaws in the cabin—small gaps between logs or unsealed edges by windows and doors—still allowed a chilly breeze to lick up against Charlotte’s neck and arms. Behind her, an unimpressive wood heater struggled to combat the dominant temperature. Primarily, it ma...

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“Stalker” by Angela W

Submitted to Contest #23

Isabel had many rituals, one of which was to enjoy a view of the Pacific from a wooden bench with her twin brother Isaac. Nailed to the bench back was a gold plaque dedicating it to their mother, ‘Sylvania Eng, Devoted Wife and Mother’. The guardrail was a few yards away, beyond which was a steep drop down a craggy cliffside into the roiling waters of the Pacific. Just three years ago, they’d stood at the rail with their father, at the very spot where their mother had on...

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“The Moral of the Storm” by Mandy Moseley

Submitted to Contest #23

The last time Pottersboro experienced a snow fall of this magnitude was sixty years ago. Many residents weren’t alive to experience it and those who were shudder at the memory. In many places in the country snow is a common occurrence during the winter season, but not for Pottersboro. Each year a light dusting will fall once or twice, but other than that fall lingers until spring, while winter is seemingly passed over. Since snow is uncommon, and certainly not six feet in a span of twenty four hours, the city is not prepared. Cars are in the...

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“Quiet, Peaceful, and Cold” by Jamie Harkens

Submitted to Contest #23

The snow had come down in the night, like a silent thief, falling to the ground without a sound. It covered the entire city, and just kept on coming. Each small snowflake, seemingly insignificant on its own, yet strangely beautiful and unique, fell among its hundreds, thousands of brethren, which came together when they hit the ground. And so when the morning came, the city found that it had been invaded, and didn't come alive like it normally did every morning. The city remained in a sort of slumber, or more like a half-sleep, where people ...

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“Holy Ghost” by Laurie Boden

Submitted to Contest #23

Holy GhostA Short StoryBy Laurie BodenJello swiped at the counter with the old dishrag more out of habit than necessity. No one had been inside the little deli since the storm started three days before. Snow plows weren't able to function and she was even surprised to see that Mikey made it in. Cops weren't patrolling, and he was the first human she'd seen out. As it was, the blizzard drove him through the door earlier and he'd set up shop at his usual place, paper spread before him, a dark coffee ring ruining the outdated copy of Times Expr...

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“Deep Drifts” by Antoinette Berthelotte

Submitted to Contest #23

Deep Drifts Alex was pissed. It was cold, it was early, and he hated to travel, but he was mostly mad at me. “Dammit Hannah. The least you could do is tell the museum you’ll be late and drive me to the f’n airport. That old art’s been around for ages, it can wait a few hours more.” I didn’t respond. I already told him I had an eight o’clock appointment with some art restoration experts. &n...

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“Snow place like home” by Ruqayyah Shabazz

Submitted to Contest #23

There had been times when Alicia despised living in the city. Granted that moving there was her idea against her friends and families own thoughts, she decided to learn to either love or hate the city on her own. And hate the city she did. If it wasn't for the office of her dream job residing there, in the middle of times square, she would have packed up and moved back home months ago. But instead she decided to give living in New York a shot and chase the dream she had dreamt since she knew what a dream was. But now, staring wide eyed at a ...

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“Waiting By The Window” by Kate H

Submitted to Contest #23

ChristyI sat by the window looking out over the city. The great city of Candolf stared back at me, mocking me with visions of freedom and excitement. I looked at children playing at the park. Students toured the museums and gardens. They looked happy. They were healthy. Unlike me. Unlike the teenage girl stuck inside because her heart was so weak. They said I’m getting stronger and I’m close to a full recovery, but I think they killed me the day they put in the pacemaker.I’d stared out my window long enough to know that snow is coming. The c...

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“The Cold tears before Christmas eve ” by Andersen Deguzman

Submitted to Contest #23

The Night before the awaited Christmas eve, right after I finished my work that day I decide to head straight towards the Town's park to take a breath from work and contemplate around this beautiful white Christmas setting around the town and besides it is just 8:00 pm i still have enough time before Christmas eve assuming that no one will be there at this time of the year. But as I continue walking pass by the well litted streets, I notice that the streets are quite deserted, it is probably strange around this time of the year, maybe the pe...

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“Nerves, Flurries, and On Demand” by Abigail Bitz

Submitted to Contest #23

Yawning I reached over to silence the ringtone that had robbed me of my sweet dreams. I heard a loud “huff” then felt a furry tuft of hair rub up against my foot followed instantly by a long, wet lick. Cringing I yanked my foot back into bed and rolled over to see my hound’s large brown eyes pleading up at me to let him out to potty. Rubbing my tired eyes, I lumbered out of bed, throwing on my pants and slippers. I snapped the dog’s leash into place and pulled the door open to be greeted by a swoosh of icy, fresh air colliding with my half-d...

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“How to Stay Warm on a Winter Day” by K M Hasling

Submitted to Contest #23

“No school today. Do you want to build a snowman?” Her mom knew just what to say. “Yes!” she cried. “Then go bundle up! Do you remember where your mittens are?” She ran off, serpentine down the hallway to her room, practicing ...

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“The Nor'easter storm that took a city hostage” by Sherry Monfils

Submitted to Contest #23

This is a very large, bustling city, usually. Right now? I can't hear much beyond my barelyopened window, ( which took 10 minutes to open,) The news last night said to expect quite a bit of snow.They said, " Possibly 8-10". Understatement of the year,in my opinion. That 's why I tried & eventually was able toget the window open. Of course, once I did, blustery, freezingsnow blew right into my face.My eight year old son " Little man," comes rushing out of hisroom, P.J.'s still on & holding his big tabby cat. "Hey momdid you see how m...

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“Baby, It's Cold Outside!” by Julia K

Submitted to Contest #23

Sandra Millers I smell snow. I breathe in deeply, the fresh but cold air filling my nostrils and eliciting an unfamiliar sense of tranquility in me. I look all around me at the abandoned streets of New York City, savoring the emptiness. I’m completely alone, surrounded by nothing except for the beautiful canvas of snow that lines the streets. Each windowsill is perfectly dusted with a layer of white snow. I take a few steps, each causing a satisfying crunch beneath my feet. I can’t help but smile as I begin walking....

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“Snow Day ” by Dana Schellings

Submitted to Contest #23

Mary sighed as she stared out the window of her kitchen. At this time of day, at this time of year, the sun should have been peeking over the horizon, its brilliant rays shining between the skyscrapers like long narrow fingers. But not even the sun could penetrate the grey clouds that had descended upon the city. It had spent the entire night dumping nearly two feet of snow on the ground and was now hanging around like a lingering party guest who couldn’t take a hint. Mary glanced down at the car-shaped mound of snow and sighed. Time to get ...

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“Marjorie's Penny” by Hannah Rose

Submitted to Contest #23

Marjorie’s Penny By, Hannah Rose. Marjorie’s penny In ...

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$50

Prize money

353

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 10, 2020 EST

Won by Angeliki P 🏆

Title: Pied Piper

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!

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#23: Winter Wonderland

This week's prompts

You go for a walk in fresh snow. Suddenly you realize you're not leaving any footprints.

Write a short story that takes place in a winter cabin.

A busy city is quieted by a big blanketing of snow. Write from the perspective of two (or more) characters who live there.

Write a short story about someone experiencing their first winter.

Write a short story about people stuck in traffic during a blizzard. There's nothing much to do but wait, and talk...