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!

#237: Sugar Rush

As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and it has been ever since I was young. I can still remember how excited I would get whenever I gave and received candy hearts in class: those heart-shaped chunks of sugar said so much in just a few letters, from cute little confessions to grand decorations of love.

As romance is in the air this month, let’s write some stories inspired by the following candy heart messages: “1 4 3,” “MARRY ME,” “DATE NIGHT,” “LET’S KISS,” and “EMAIL ME.” Whether you write something heart-wrenching and contemplative, or sappy and sweet, is up to you!

This week's prompts

Write a love story without using the word “love.”

Valentine's Day – 102 stories

Write about a successful marriage proposal, or one that goes horribly wrong.

Valentine's Day – 44 stories

Write about a cynical character who somehow ends up on a blind date.

Valentine's Day – 39 stories

Write a story about a first or last kiss.

Valentine's Day – 108 stories

Write a story about two people falling in love via email.

Valentine's Day – 32 stories

Stories

“The Date” by Shannon Ambroson

Submitted to Contest #237

“I’m not swiping left or right or up or down on that thing,” Bettie told her friend, shoving the phone back at her. “Dating like that is ridiculous. No one wants to get to know each other or find something lasting. It’s all hookups and hangups.” Her friend Shay kept swiping through the app. “Guys are so self-serving,” she reiterated. “Look at that one, he’s sooooo perfect looking. I bet he really just wants someone to do his laundry and tell him he’s amazing.” She peeked at the screen as Shay swiped. Brenton. “What kind of a name is Brent...

Read story

“The Valentine Dress” by Tammie Williams

Submitted to Contest #237

“HEAVENLY GATES NURSING HOME” Normally just hearing the words brought a sense of peace, but today the tightening in my chest did not subside. I knew what was waiting for me beyond the white wooden doors that held a wreath with the words WELCOME in the center. Rocking chair porches lined the front of every entrance of the large brick building, where an assortment of elderly people sat with warm fuzzy blankets across their laps. They would usually wave at me as I crossed the parking lot for my weekly visit. &...

Read story

“More Than Just Four Letters” by Melanie Yorke

Submitted to Contest #237

“I understand” he says and the worst part, the part that hurts the most, is that he does. He knows without me saying a single word about how important this is to me. How I have to go, have to do this, have to leave. All that is left now is to find out how to say goodbye.“It’s not forever” I say as I lean into his embrace, my cheek pressing against his chest. I close my eyes comforted by the warmth of his body radiating through the soft wool of his jumper, hearing his heart beat steadily and reassuringly. He kisses me on the top of my head. “...

Read story

“A Kiss For Kyra” by Leah J. Simmons

Submitted to Contest #237

How can you have so much love for someone you just met?My daughter, Kyra Jane, finally made her entrance into the world today. I love her so much, I could just die.Everyone tried to tell me what to expect. But they could never have prepared me for a day like today.When you're carrying your first child, all kinds of well-meaning people go out of their way to tell you that you can't possibly imagine the depth of love that will flow through your body when you finally hold your newborn in your arms for the first time."It's like nothing you've ev...

Read story

“I'll See You Later, Okay? ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #237

Growing up, I was always active. I remember one afternoon; I tore through the house like a Tasmanian devil. I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. I knew I probably could’ve peed outside instead, but I’ve always been a girl with standards. I didn’t want to waste a single second of daylight though, so I rushed myself. I sat on top of that porcelain throne with my ass barely touching the seat, squeezed out my bladder and then spun that roll of toilet paper like it was the Wheel of Fortune. I was up and gone in less than a minute.On...

Read story

“Where the Mundane Would Seem More Useful” by Morgan Aloia

Submitted to Contest #237

“I’m a guildfellow, here,” Ferrik tried to cut through the excited din of the tavern to his date, “I work as a smith.”“Oh! An artificer, how lovely!” Orivyre was dressed too well for this dive, where the tables were all beersticky and the bartender knew next to every face. “I always thought that the process of enchanting was such a noble pursuit, the binding of magic to material.”“Oh, no,” Ferrik leaned away on his stool. “I mean, sure, I know some very talented artificers, and they’re great, but I’m not one of them. I’m a smith, I do metalw...

Read story

“The Blind Date” by Stevie Burges

Submitted to Contest #237

The Blind Date Becky pushed her way through the swing doors of the bustling open office she had worked in for the last eight years. Becky, a slim, good-looking woman, about 30 years old, is a proofreader for the renowned ‘Whiz - The Young Persons’ Lifestyle Magazine.’ “Whiz” had just received the Magazine of the Year Award (1982), and Becky, like all those who worked for the magazine, was justifiably proud of the achievement. In the 1980s, the magazine’s large office was mainly staffed by young, excitable women whose main goals in ...

Read story

“Oh,Linda” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #237

Linda Howlett, knew she was not the most attractive girl on the scene, She attended the local youth club to feel part of the scene. Linda had thick brown curly hair, that prefered to do its own thing ?Partularly when washed it become very frizzy. Recently Linda had started to wear mod clothes. Shorter skirts. Her legs were good, Problem being she had freckles on her face and proturding teeth. How she wished she was pretty like Jill and Sue. Vibrant with warm brown eyes like Viv who many "fellas fancied. It was the seventies, fella, being the...

Read story

“Ted Everlasting” by Jeff Stone

Submitted to Contest #237

Ted Everlasting Sanchez Gas N Go I’ve got tendencies that have always been there. I didn’t realize how much she kept them at bay, until now. My wife, that is. Her name was Gail. I guess you could say she kept me in line. If you’re very lucky, a great gal will do that for you, Sanchez. You have a girlfriend? How old are you, anyway? Oh wow, now that’s a good age! I had a girlfriend at 14…Betty Lou Granger, the best ya-yas in six counties, I tell ya. I can see by the look on your face I’ve brought up Betty Lou before, but boy, does she bear ...

Read story

“Farewell” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #237

FAREWELL Standing at the crossroads, the looming specter of separation hung heavy in the air, enveloping them in a suffocating embrace of almost tangible tension. Each step forward felt like a reluctant concession to fate, an acknowledgment of the irreversible divergence of their paths. Yet, they walked together, their strides hesitant, as if defying the relentless march of time. How they wished for time to halt, to immortalize this fleeting moment of togetherness. But reality beckoned, pulling them apart with an unyielding force. His pa...

Read story

“Some Place Just South of the Moon” by Todd Crickmer

Submitted to Contest #237

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” Alan kept repeating as he gazed across Biscayne Bay from his twentieth-floor balcony. The shadows of the high-rise condominiums that line the Miami shoreline began stretching out across the bay as the sun slowly settled behind him. He took another sip of his gin and tonic and winced as it was much more bitter than he expected. The clouds out over the ocean were slowly turning from white to a soft tangerine as the last rays of the setting sun slowly settled on the opposite horizon. Alan’s l...

Read story

“Letting Go” by Peyton Fleek

Submitted to Contest #237

Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go. I have found this quote to become somewhat of a life motto for me. I discovered it during a breakup, but now as I ride this wave I realize it is helpful even in these moments. My hands must release their grip on my surfboard. I am afraid to let go, I am afraid my legs won’t hold me steady. It is good to let go. I stand up cautiously, keeping a generous bend in my knees, my stomach muscles squeezing. In letting go I find new strength. I bring my board back to t...

Read story

“Goodbye Kiss” by Grace Ann Brown

Submitted to Contest #237

"Well. Here we are." I look around the hotel room. It's bigger than where we stayed during our honeymoon, five years before. The expansive windows display a glassy, picture-perfect sea. Dots of surfers, their boards coral-pink or sunshine-yellow, dart across the waves. Their happiness mocks me. "I'm going to shower," I mutter, unable to untangle myself from the dark cloud hanging over my head. Jack nods but doesn't say anything. This is a dance we've danced before: when I get upset or sad or angry, I tend to shut him out. Maybe it's why ou...

Read story

“See with your kiss ” by Lylian Xanakis

Submitted to Contest #237

My wife is my everything. She has a superpower that allows us to have somewhat of a normal life. You see -ha,- when I was just twelve years old I lost my vision. It wasn’t all at once. Nope. It was a slow descent into blindness. First went my left eye, and then slowly, inexorably, my right eye followed. I knew it was going to happen, but you’re never ready to go blind. Truth is, even if every doctor, eye specialist, and ophthalmologist I have ever seen (see what I did there?) told me that I would go blind, in the back of my heart I always ho...

Read story

“TIFFANY AND THE WOMAN IN RED” by Penelope Stephens

Submitted to Contest #237

Tiffany Burke is lonely, desperately lonely, and she doesn’t have a clue how to change that fact. Every time she meets someone interesting – and it happens often – there is some reason, usually the presence of a spouse or significant other or kids, that having a relationship would be impossible with them. Tiffany is convinced it is a running joke God is playing on her putting attractive people in her path, then yanking them away when she becomes interested. She knows she should refuse to play along, but she can’t seem to help herself.H...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

324

Contest entries

132

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 16, 2024 EST

Won by Eliza Levin 🏆

Title: Love.edu: Courtship and Coincidence in Modern Academia

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 ⭢