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!

#230: In a Flash

I’ve been reading a lot of flash fiction recently. It’s a great format for close study, as its compression forces writers to question the function of every sentence.

Since there are many lessons to be learned from reading, writing, and thinking about flash fiction, I thought we could make it the focus of this week’s contest. To be clear, this contest accepts stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words, but this week, I’m inviting you to try and stay as close to the lower limit as you can. Our usual word count range is still the official guideline, and stories that are closer to 3,000 words will not be disqualified — but I hope that with flash stories in mind, you’ll feel inspired to be as economical with language as possible.

Not sure how to begin? Check out our best tips for writing flash fiction.

This week's prompts

Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Narrative – 90 stories

Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Character – 57 stories

Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.

Dialogue – 52 stories

Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Mystery – 101 stories

Write a story in the form of a list.

Narrative – 62 stories

Stories

“Portrait of an ordinary man” by Fox Ferguson

Submitted to Contest #230

[Trigger warning: implied paedophilia and child abuse] He was, altogether, a very ordinary man. He wore jeans and a hoodie, and he was quietly good-looking, neither plain nor showily handsome. His eyes were of a colour you couldn’t remember. Once, on holiday, he had been persuaded to have a caricature portrait taken on the beach; but the picture had come out blandly bad, as if there were nothing in his face which could be grasped or exaggerated but only what was regular. He was a very ordinary man. No one noticed him as he crossed the ...

Read story

“Letting It Go” by Szabolcs Takács

Submitted to Contest #230

The hospital room has that familiar smell of medicaments when you come round. You hear fragments of a conversation as your mind is awakening: ’severe atrial fibrillation... transferred from emergency care... needs occasional supervision... ’, says a man's voice, apparently that of a doctor, with two women's voices chiming ín occasionally. As the last thing you remember is roaming the streets of the city’s historical district, you assume that you have been taken to cardiology after you had had the blackout. Luckily, they had been able to...

Read story

“A Drive Through Grief ” by Sofia Nesta

Submitted to Contest #230

“You ready?” “Yes,” I say, as I buckle my seat belt, “let’s just get this over with.” To think that I’ve been sat in this same worn-in seat three times prior to today creates a pit of impending doom in my stomach. Although this might be the only time that actually counts, I can’t help but wonder if I should go through with this at all. As if everything that has happened since then is meaningless and without importance. Wondering whether this is really what she wanted- whether going through another round of anguish is worth all the stress.&...

Read story

“Warm Cider Kiss” by V.L. Evergreen

Submitted to Contest #230

I stood there in silence, my hand pressed against my lips, the taste of warm cider still tingled. For years we had been friends, maybe even the bestest of friends some would say, never once had I looked at her the way she was looking at me in that moment, I didn't hate it to be honest I was just caught off guard. The moment stayed fresh in my mind all day, the only thing I could do to keep from it was to try and distract myself but even that was proving to be a challenge. Her scent in that moment had filled my mind making it go all numb, it ...

Read story

“Eyes Wide Open: A Carnival Of Discovery” by Becky Allred

Submitted to Contest #230

Cassian slowly weaved through the line at the amusement park, his girlfriend Seraphina taking him sweetly by the hand as they were directed into the ride’s booth-like seats. Cassian nearly tripped climbing into the old equipment, his hands shaking and sweating. He tried to stare at his feet, but the cumbersome handrail nearly stapled to his chest blocked his view. His left leg was shaking uncontrollably. Seraphina stroked the back of his head with her warm, soft hand as the ride started to lift off the ground. The room went dark and the gi...

Read story

“A dialogue in the dark” by Dimitris Profer

Submitted to Contest #230

He woke up again in the middle of the night, alone, his heart pounding. Sleep kept eluded him. Anguish and despair washed over him as soon as he opened his eyes. He sat up straight moving the thin woolen blanket he used to cover himself and examined the trees around him. The night was warm and quiet but he couldn’t find peace. He checked his tattered clothes and muddy boots. His appearance messy and dirty, as it should be since he was on the road for many days. His armor was laying on the roots of a tree next to him. It was missing many smal...

Read story

“The Lottery Ticket” by Joanne Parsons

Submitted to Contest #230

My husband and I agreed not to spend money on Christmas gifts neither of us needed for the sake of having piles of wrapped presents under the tree. He complied, but couldn’t resist filling my stocking with bags of M&Ms and holiday themed lottery tickets. It was a thoughtful gesture and efficient at the same time. One Christmas Eve trip to CVS and his holiday shopping was done. I cursed him for buying the M&Ms, knowing I’d be plowing into the bag after dinner. He ignored me, dug a dime out of his pocket, and told me to get scratchin...

Read story

“FOREVER LOVE” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #230

I see you. Do you see me? I see you in my dreams. I see you in my nightmares. I see you everywhere I go. Your deep blue eyes. Your thick dark wavy hair. Your smile. I can't stop thinking about you. My feelings are a jumble mess. I can't figure out my feelings. I'm confused. I'm so confused. Why am I confused? I should tell you how I feel. I shouldn't be scared yet here I am running away from you, from my feelings. Best friend is what you call me. But I want to be more than best friends. I want you to touch me. I want to touch you. I want...

Read story

“Spotlight Flashback” by Rory Bolton

Submitted to Contest #230

I stand on front stage, the blackest of canvasses, awaiting a spotlight to illuminate my bald head, the blankest of canvasses. When this light hits I am to boom the opening lines of Dicken’s book “A Tale of Two Cities” which I have the privilege of the part of narrator. The crowd appear as shapeless, black husks; no faces are discernible as I scour desperately for assurance from the audience and my anxiety to speak my first line pervades through my better nature. In this moment of trepidation I cast my mind back to the past, to my first perf...

Read story

“The Rebirth Of A Child” by Felipe Silva

Submitted to Contest #230

"It's time. Alright, everyone, down the hatch!" I picked up my cup from the Shaman and settled onto the cushioned bed laid out on the floor. Glancing at the man on my right, I gave him a nod, signaling the commencement of our shared journey. "Take a deep breath and contemplate your intentions. What do you seek to learn from this experience?" the Shaman spoke as his assistants created a harmonious and peaceful sound bath melody that filled the room. As I raised the cup to my lips, the woodsy, pungent taste hit me—a flavor as earthy as t...

Read story

“A Mother” by Brad Chessum

Submitted to Contest #230

I don’t know why it came so close to my babies but I had to destroy it. I was full of fear but did not show it. I couldn’t, for the sake of my two little ones and for this colourful and unusual intruder. I felt flustered, I had not seen, heard or smelt this thing and as a result was angry at myself. I stepped toward my little ones to rush them to safety, but quickly understood retreat was not the answer. I turned back to face the threat and I saw shock in its pale face, as well I should have because I bounded toward it with such strides that...

Read story

“Out There” by PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #230

“If we were in there, we wouldn’t be out here – does that sound too ... out there?”“Does that...? Whoa! Back up!”“Where?”“What?”“Back up where?”“What are you talking about?”“What are you talking about?!”“You started it!”“What?”“Don’t...!”“Okay. Let’s start again.”“Fine. Now, what did you say?”“When?”“For f… All right. Let me put it this way…”“Well?”“I’m thinking.”“That’s a first”“Hey!”“Sorry. So … you were going to put it some way or another.”“I was?”“That’s what you said.”“I’m a bit lost.”“You're not the only one!”“Let’s back up a bit.”“The...

Read story

“Cultural Stroke of Gibberish” by Kevin RRW

Submitted to Contest #230

CHAPTER 1 – WRONG REACTION Festive events suddenly become dire, as inexperienced friends attempt to uncover the meaning of a cryptic phrase.Frat House FrightWithin vintage two-story lime green Victorian architecture this Saturday night, sips of beer provide inadequate hydration for the souls within. Music is blasting while a crowd of young adults, generating clammy body heat, dance to retro boy-band tunes.Entry is by invitation, with attendees bringing appetizers for admittance. An overabundance of cold, under-appreciated Middle Eastern, Asi...

Read story

“Migratory Creatures” by Trinity Penn

Submitted to Contest #230

“It was never really orange. Not like they said it would be.” Grandma wasn’t a liar. She sat in her antiquated rocking chair, fingers gargoyle gripping the armrest with a gentle ferocity of an aged angel, lovely, cracked. An aging senile beauty. Soft whispered words, sharp with an unfocused meaning. No one listened to Grandma, not the way they used to anyway. Not when her youth had already kicked off its shoes, dress hoisted up at the ankles, off into the cold wilderness with rosy, hot snowflakes like freckles melting against her flush...

Read story

“MASHED OUT” by Debra Williams

Submitted to Contest #230

MASHED OUT. I stood transfixed in front of the supermarket freezer, nose pressed against the glass, where the glistening packets of frozen potato mash, adorned with beguiling artwork and colours, pulsated and blew sultry kisses at me. Come on, they said, you know you want us. “Yes!” I answered, heart thumping. “Yes! I do want you!” “Are you alright?” came a voice. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. The young shop assistant who had been stacking shelves on the other side was now behind me. “Oh…oh, I’m sorry,” I blurted out....

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

362

Contest entries

108

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 29, 2023 EST

Won by Ethan Zimmerman 🏆

Title: The Lop-it-off-a-me List

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 ⭢