#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

“Footprints ” by Ebony Greenhill

Submitted to Contest #23

She woke up with the sun eclipsing the drawn shades. Those blackout curtains weren't enough to the block out the sun. Sitting up in her bed, shielding her eyes from the sun she felt the pangs of her head throbbing. Stumbling out her bed she trips over the multiple wine bottles skewed around her room, heading to the bathroom to regurgitate the remainder of the contents of those bottles. "I have to get it together", she says as she looks at herself in the mirror. Another trip around the sun, she thinks to herself remembering that her...

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“Tips” by Christine Johnson

Submitted to Contest #23

December sixteenth and Broadmore Street bustled with people. Lunchtime meant midday holiday office parties and Christmas shopping on the fly. With limited street parking, most people walked, scurrying to get to their destinations. The December chill had begun to settle in across the city. Two of the three local television stations were predicting snow at today. One predicted up to twelve inches. Reggie Moore could predict snow better than most. When. How much. Yes, he had watched the weather forecasters and...

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“Too much of a coincidence” by Lynne Fellows

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #23

They passed a smattering of barns and medieval-looking dwellings with thatched roofs, the buildings becoming increasingly few and far between, only snow-dusted fields and trees visible in the car’s headlights. Jack slowed and pulled over. ‘ You sure this is it? It’s a lot more remote than I was expecting.’‘I did warn you it’s in the middle of nowhere,’ Martha said, ‘although I only remember visiting the cabin in summer before, and the last time was almost thirty years ago.’ Checking the map on his phone, Jack heaved a huge sigh. ‘D...

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“Born Again” by Emily Domedion

Submitted to Contest #23

The first thing I see when I open my eyes is the dusky rose-pink patina of my dog's nose.This is what I wake up to almost every single day, and today is no different: first he gently paws my arms, his calloused footpads rough on my skin. When that fails to get me up, he heaves his seventy-five plus pounds up on my bed and lays down by my side. His front paws are on my pillow, his snout is in my face. He gently chuffs warm dog breath on my cheeks, licks his lips and swallows noisily. Then he oh-so-tentatively licks my lips. It is at this time...

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“Snow” by F Dalton

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #23

I played it off as if it was Maddie’s begging that finally convinced me to go to the cabin. It’d been a year since I’d seen my best friend, and I just couldn’t say no. But Lou was going to be there, too. And that was the real deciding factor. We drove separately, because Maddie said it was about time I stayed the night with someone, and she didn’t want to impose by asking for a ride home. I snorted and responded with an inconspicuous thumbs down emoji, as I was too scared to tell her how I’d never felt sexual attraction, and how I’d never fe...

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“The Look” by Cody Ell

Submitted to Contest #23

It’s a bad feeling, being stuck in a confined space with a stranger, knowing that you literally can’t leave or you’ll probably die. Sure, I could get out of the car and try to walk the rest of the way, but it was 7 degrees outside, and we were in the middle of the highway, granted all the cars were stopped, but I wouldn’t be able to see more than three feet in front of me. With my luck, I’d probably walk off an overpass.I’d spent the first hour of the drive with my earbuds in listening to music, but it had died a few minutes ago, and I didn’...

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“A Date with Destiny” by Elizabeth Lowery

Submitted to Contest #23

The adjustment to night shift is always hard. Bleary-eyed, I sip my coffee as I adjust the backpack hanging from right shoulder. At least I don’t have to worry about what to wear. Scrubs. Every day. I yawn as I turn the corner. “Can I help you?” I wave at the young woman in a sleek, black skirt and blazer, opening my coat to show my badge. She continues walking away, her black pumps clicking on the tile. “Hey,” I raise my voice. When she stops, I add, “Visiting hours are over.” She turns around slowly, brushing her black ...

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“The Footsteps” by Sam Harrison

Submitted to Contest #23

Patient informationName: Jacob WallProfession: Project ManagerAge: 39Clinician informationName: Dr. Andrea FrickmanType of Treatment: Individual TherapyRegistration number: 0897392-X4PROGRESS REPORTPatient report of symptoms/behaviorsJacob seems unaware of his disconnect from reality and expressed stress and frustration at my reactions in our session today. Jacob still expresses sadness over his recent divorce but says he has moments of cautious optimism about the future, which was not the case at our last session. He described walking ...

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“Fading” by Nathan Callan

Submitted to Contest #23

“This guy’s got his high beams on- I can’t see Jan,” The man said, attempting to use his hand to shield the light. “Me neither, I ca- Watch out for the curve!” his wife cried. Quickly the man craned the steering wheel left. The wheels cried out in pain, screeching over the gritty highway tar. Then the car with the high beams drove past. Unblinded, the man noticed the guard-rail drawing ever closer. “Hold on!!” he cried, grasping Jan and holding her tight as they collided into the rail. The minivan smashed into it with immense force...

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“Sunrises with Shay” by Josiah Chia

Submitted to Contest #23

As fresh snow blanketed the towering pines and the winding streets, I stared out the window, desperate to get myself a slice of that ivory heaven. I had spent countless winters in the Adirondacks, a short drive from my hometown of Toronto, and the mere sight of acre after white-washed acre never failed to steal my breath away. The winter wonderland exuded a serenity that was majestic yet humbling, like the entire stretch of paradise was mine to revel in despite my relative insignificance. In my youth, feeling the rush of wind again...

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“To Fall Through Your Front Yard” by Winnie Cook

Submitted to Contest #23

Part OneI sit on our worn leather couch, staring out the window at our lawn that is now covered in a fresh layer of sparkling white snow. Just looking at it makes me shiver and I pull my blanket up higher around me. "Beaux," my mother's voice shakes me out of my world of thought and I stand, carrying the blanket with me as I walk over to her as if it is the last thing holding me together.I sit down next to her, her eyes are wrinkling at the corners as she smiles, "You should go for a walk outside." My eyes widen, "It's too cold, Mother. I'd ...

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“OPTIONS” by Mary Rogers

Submitted to Contest #23

The day I first saw the fox was the one after our arrival. His eyes caught my brain and the only thing I thought, from that moment on, was to get a common language so he could guide me through this new world I was choosing. It was a beautiful animal and seeing him made me think about Celtic stories of strategy, cleverness and wisdom. It was a sign.I’ve always hated summer. Warm days take my energy away, so now in my forties I decided it is time to move. It was December when we got to our new home with my husband Alan, my wife Claire (y...

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“Familiar Cold” by Laura Atherton

Submitted to Contest #23

It was early January and it had been snowing for a few days now. The city had been forced to a standstill. Chaos around every corner. But here…it was so peaceful. The snow in the city was mushy, tarred, treacherous. Here it was crisp, shimmering, pure. The whole forest around me was covered in it – glistening elegantly in the moonlight. The gleam reflected off my pale skin making me look glowing, almost ethereal. The skies were so much clearer here. I could even make out constellations. Something I can never see from the tiny balcony of my f...

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“Gone Forever” by Gabby Smith

Submitted to Contest #23

Everyday seemed the same. I worked my boring 9-5 job answering phones at our local insurance office. I didn't enjoy it, but I needed money because my mother was in the hospital with cancer. We had no other family and I was all she had.I hated the small town in Colorado that we lived in too. I wanted to leave years ago, but that got put on hold for multiple different reasons. Now I need to stay here for my mom.When I left my house I could feel that the weather outside was turning colder and colder by the day, it was in the air that it was goi...

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“The Snow That Didn't Show” by Zoey Robinson

Submitted to Contest #23

Its 6 am on a normal Tuesday in Downtown Denver. There’s the usual traffic sounds right outside the window. The wind whipping the trees right outside my apartment and the soft crunching sound of snow made by the early commuters. I sat up in bed and pulled on a sweater before heading down the hall. I stepped into the white-tiled bathroom and rubbed my face. Something looked different but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I pulled my long dark hair into a slick ponytail and looked back in the mirror. I went back down the hall and flung open the ...

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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...