#252: Obsession
The Netflix series Baby Reindeer, inspired by a real-life stalker story, has garnered millions of views over the past month while receiving both critical acclaim and heavy backlash. In the show, a chance encounter between a barman and a total stranger descends into a chaotic tale of stalking, destruction, and mutual obsession. Delving into themes of personal boundaries, power dynamics, identity struggles, and mental health problems, the show depicts some of the complexities and contradictions inherent in human psychology.
Inspired by Baby Reindeer, this week's prompts are an invitation to explore some of the nuances of human behavior. Whether you write a witty story, a heartwarming tale, or something tense and gripping is up to you!
This week's prompts
Start your story with a character being followed.
Dramatic – 100 stories
Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.
Character – 35 stories
Write a story in which one of the characters is a narcissist.
Character – 40 stories
Make a character’s obsession or addiction an important element of your story.
Dramatic – 131 stories
Write a story that includes someone saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Character – 55 stories
Stories
“Patience” by Allie Mae Sakry
Submitted to Contest #252
“Love and Madness” by Colleen Ireland
Submitted to Contest #252
“Slow Down” by Jeannie Labelle -Potvin
Submitted to Contest #252
“Just a hairdresser” by Lyle Closs
Submitted to Contest #252
“Darker” by Liam Murphy
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Baggie” by Tabatha Hartman
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Nail-Ripper” by Axel Finnie
Submitted to Contest #252
“Ratio” by Brittany Mackeown
Submitted to Contest #252
“Shattered Sanctuary” by Lindsay King
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Waiting Rats” by Daniel Crepault
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Art of Deception” by Isabella Krieg
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Feathered Obsession” by Ben Murphy
Submitted to Contest #252
“One Day at a Time in Bellewood” by Emily M. Reiser
Submitted to Contest #252
“The Gambler” by Beth Ann Michele
Submitted to Contest #252
“‘All play and no work NOW”!” by Andrew Venn
Submitted to Contest #252
$250
Prize money
361
Contest entries
143
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - May 31, 2024 EST
Won by Danielle LeBlanc 🏆
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!