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!

#260: A Twist in the Tale

Has a friend ever recommended a book or a movie with the line, "The twist is amazing"? I usually hate when they do that. Even if they don't spill the beans on what the plot twist is, just knowing there is one can spoil the fun. I won't be able to resist trying to pre-empt the plot, and guess what that it might be — but a truly great twist is always rewarding, whether you expect it or not.

Here's a twist I'm sure you saw coming: this week's contest is all about them. Your readers will know there's one on the horizon. Can you still manage to surprise us?

This week's prompts

Write a story with a big twist.

Dramatic – 188 stories

Write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well.

Mystery – 63 stories

Write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path.

Character – 31 stories

Write a story that includes the line, "I didn't see that one coming."

Dialogue – 41 stories

Write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream.

Narrative – 105 stories

Stories

“Walking for Dummies” by Sammi Heilman

Submitted to Contest #260

Nina lay her head on her desk. It was finally the lunch break. Her head pounded with the remnants of a hangover mixed with a sleep debt several nights in the making. The cool wood of the desk felt nice against her forehead, and she breathed deeply, the cheap smell of plywood and the sticky sweetness of lemon candy filling her senses. She needed to stop letting the students sit at her desk, or she needed to clean more thoroughly. She knew the candy smell was probably from Sebastian. He liked to sit at her desk when he finished his work, and t...

Read story

“Psych 101” by Vesta Bartholomew

Submitted to Contest #260

Amelia started her familiar routine that occurred with every breakup. She opened up a pint of ice cream-this time it happened to be Chunky Monkey. She considered a bowl but thought,”Why bother?” Amelia inserted a spoon into its creamy surface and headed towards the bedroom with the full container. She turned on her favorite mindless home improvement show that provided background noise as she went over the details of the restaurant showdown. Y...

Read story

“States of Mind” by Jim Duffy

Submitted to Contest #260

It is the light in the mountains that Dan finds particularly inspiring. There is something about the way the clear sky turns deep blue against the fiercely-reflective snow that lifts his spirits - a world away from the winter gloom of deepest Surrey. Home has its own attractions but Dan is energised by the Austrian Alps and the prospect of fresh adventures along the ski trails of Zell am See and beyond. He’s been coming here since he was four with his parents, always to the same apartment. His dad was the architect for the development a...

Read story

“Edgar's Escape” by Bob Vaddiparty

Submitted to Contest #260

Edgar’s Escape Bob Vaddipartybinarystars1993@yahoo.com24 July 2024 "Edgar, stop lollygagging and move your lazy ass. Everybody's finished and they're headed back to …" were the last words I heard out of my tormentor's mouth before the sound of a thousand bricks hitting the floor reverberated throughout the bathroom. I was cleaning the last of my assigned toilets during the 2022 Superbowl at CenturyLink Stadium in Seattle. Tom Brady, age forty-four, the same as mine, just won his eighth 'big game' in eleven attempts. I ima...

Read story

“A dip in the moonlight” by Shauna Waddups

Submitted to Contest #260

The rope was beginning to tear into his flesh, having all but worn away at the tender skin of his wrists, his ankles. He always knew he'd get got one day, but this? Bound to an armchair in a soon-to-be-flooded sewer? No. This was not the way he'd planned to go. Not that he'd actually planned his demise per se, but had he, there would be decidedly fewer faeces and rats.Blinking away the blood and sweat that had trickled into his eyes, he tried to focus on the area around him, his vision still blurry from the pistol-whipping he'd received only...

Read story

“Sweet Caroline” by Sophie Goldstein

Submitted to Contest #260

When the alarm goes off at 6am and I turn over to look at Gilbert, he is already awake and staring at me with a big smile on his face.“You ready?” he asks.“How long have you been awake?” I counter.“Since 4,” he responds casually.“Since 4? Are you going to be ok to drive?” I ask.“Are you kidding? I’m so ready. Let’s get some coffee and get this show on the road,” he says gleefully, practically jumping out of bed.I stay curled up like a fetus, watching him bounce to the dresser, opening up drawers and singing We Like to Party.“And everybody’s ...

Read story

“Variants” by T Lee

Submitted to Contest #260

My heart pumps furiously in my chest as I run, dodging bullets with either instinct or luck; right now I do not care which. Beside me Lucas yells something, but another explosion shakes the ground and I can hear nothing except a dull ringing in my ears. Ahead of me is the ramp to a light blue flighter, and we are close, so close, but from the corner of my eye I see Lucas stumble and fall. Shit, shit, shit. I hault, changing course to run back to where Lucas is scrambling to get up, my hands alrea...

Read story

“Just a dream?” by Cameron Navarre

Submitted to Contest #260

“What if you’re not dreaming?” Martin was watching the rain drops streaking down the window. The watery paths warped the view of the greenery outside. A fitting metaphor, he thought, but the reason escaped him. For a moment, he wondered where he was, before noticing the familiar smell of old books and stale coffee. “I’m…I’m sorry, what did you say?” Martin replied, slowly turning his head towards his faceless therapist. The man wore a yellow sweater, his torso standing out amidst the washed-out browns and black objects in the dimly lit offic...

Read story

“Codicil of Death” by Bob Canter

Submitted to Contest #260

CODICIL OF DEATH “Another $5,000?” Martin Dreyfus exclaimed, with a mixture of astonishment and exasperation. “What happened Charles; did your latest girlfriend throw you out, again, or was it the racetrack that did you in?” Martin slumped back in his leather desk chair, signaling both his defiance and incredulity, as he awaited his nephew's response. After a tense silence Charles Dreyfus got the courage to meet his uncle's stare. “Yes, Uncle, Stefanie did kick me out,” he admitted. What he did not admit was that it was Stefanie, plus heav...

Read story

“The Funeral” by Daniel Ali

Submitted to Contest #260

It was a quiet, serene Saturday morning, just before 9:00 am. The temperature was cool and crisp, but still a bit warm for this time of year. The sunlight gleamed off the shining chrome rims of the black Cadillac sedan parked in front of the small, unassuming brick building. A small gathering of parishioners muddled about at the entrance of the church, talking in quiet, subdued tones. A young man stood off to the side adjacent to the parking lot, smoking a cigarette, his attention dominated by the touch screen of a cell phone that seemed per...

Read story

“Shock” by Peter Wallace

Submitted to Contest #260

Simon stepped out into his back yard. It was a warm summer night, but the steady breeze made it comfortable to be outside in jeans and a t-shirt. And it kept the bugs at bay. There was a bit of a moon which provided just enough light for him to find his way to the lawn chair next to the flower garden. He sat down and reclined and took in a deep breath of the fragrant nighttime air. &...

Read story

“Temptation” by Cliff Pratt

Submitted to Contest #260

I immediately noticed her pale skin. Pale translucent skin, the type of skin that goes with red hair and freckles. One to two per cent of the population. Long red hair falling straight to her shoulders. Red hair that she shook back, exposing her pale neck. I thought I saw a pulse. ‘Alabaster skin’. Isn’t that what they call it? Green eyes and the delicate look that would get her on the front of any magazine.I dragged my eyes away and concentrated on what my group were discussing. I sipped my drink, but my eyes kept drifting back to the girl ...

Read story

“The Ultimate Fantasy” by Sarah Gales

Submitted to Contest #260

I gazed over Cindy’s head to the view of the beautiful ocean below, the plane was small, so every single bump was exaggerated, but the destination was going to be worth it. An all-inclusive island resort getaway. I smiled and relaxed back into my seat to think of all the fun we could have and reconnect as a family. I looked over at our two teenagers to see they were heavily engrossed in whatever game was the flavor of the month, I managed to capture their attention to draw them to the view. They merely glanced and seemed non plus...

Read story

“Uncle Tom's Theory” by Sue Barnard

Submitted to Contest #260

Sensitive content: Bereavement 10.25am Helen desperately wanted to keep up her strength for the ordeal which was to follow, but she simply could not relax. For what felt like the hundredth time, she picked up the clock from the sideboard, put it down without registering what time it said, then walked across to the window, pulled aside the curtain and peered out into the street. On the other side of the room, the telephone on the mantelpiece pierced the silence. She turned, let go of the curtain and began to walk across...

Read story

“The Zen Archer” by Harlan Roberts

Submitted to Contest #260

The Zen ArcherThe Pretty Bird makes its way through The Zen Archer’s garden, or what The Zen Archer thinks of as his garden.And he thinks of all the gardens in this village as his because he is their keeper. A few months ago, he arrived in this small, quiet village, a haven for the rich from the filth and hustle of the large cities. High walls surround it and there is only one gate for entry and exit, guarded 24 hours a day.Outside the walls, there are lush forests in which roam wild animals that further isolate the rich people of this villa...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

428

Contest entries

131

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 26, 2024 EST

Won by Elizabeth Hoban 🏆

Title: You

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 ⭢