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!

#266: The Write Stuff

Hello, fellow writers! Before diving into this week’s contest, I have an exciting announcement to make: the Reedsy Book Editor, our beloved (and free) writing app, is now Reedsy Studio! This cozy space is designed to be your creative haven, where you can make boards to sketch out your wildest character ideas, set goals to help you reach the finish line, export your stories with beautiful, customized typesetting, and so much more.

Studio is a gorgeous, functional book editor where your creativity can truly flourish… which brings me to the focus of this week’s contest. If you’re an aspiring author like me, you’ve probably experienced writer’s block at least once in your life — not to mention all the distractions life seems to perpetually throw at you. So, this week, let’s write stories inspired by artists and the creative process. Whether you’re the world’s biggest procrastinator or have been waiting for inspiration to strike, there’s bound to be a prompt below that speaks to you!

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone who wants to give up on their career right before their big break.

Short Story – 39 stories

Your protagonist discovers that everything they type comes true. What happens next?

Short Story – 54 stories

Write from the POV of a character in a story who keeps getting re-written by their second-guessing author.

Short Story – 92 stories

Your protagonist has the perfect day scheduled — but things don’t go according to plan.

Short Story – 40 stories

Write about someone who summons the creative muse through a convoluted ritual or method.

Short Story – 57 stories

Stories

“Fairest of my Muses” by Ann Marie Kalus

Submitted to Contest #266

I had all of it laid out: my Phrygian cap, the Golden Fleece, the epic poetry tablets of Calliope, the sacred laurels of Apollo, fragrant incense, milk, and honey. Desperately, I chanted her name over and over, my words lost to the rustle of leaves. Everything I had, and everything they ever required, lay before me on the grass as my full offering.But she wouldn’t show up. Nobody had truly done it before, yes. But nobody who’s ever tried has ever been her son. Surely, she wouldn’t turn me down. Minutes passed, and I grew restless. Would a so...

Read story

“By the Book” by Rhiannon Lee

Submitted to Contest #266

I outline the circle in a thin line of chalk. Thin because this is the fifth time I’ve done this in this month alone. Note to self, go to Mike’s Friday for more. Mike’s, the only mom and pop hobby store in town, is the only place I’ll spend my money for something as important as this… Plus, the ten percent employee discount makes anything I buy at Mike's a steal. I write out the string of sigils along the outline in red paint. It’s too runny from the water I’ve added to the bottle, but it’s important to use every la...

Read story

“The Alchemist's Muse: A Ritual of Urban Enchantment” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #266

In the heart of a bustling metropolis, within a narrow, dimly-lit apartment on the top floor of an aging skyscraper, Elara sought the elusive muse that had long evaded her creative grasp. Her apartment was a curious blend of modern minimalism and arcane relics, an unusual sanctuary amidst the city's relentless pace. This juxtaposition provided a unique backdrop for her intricate ritual. Elara’s journey to summon inspiration was as complex as the city skyline was vast. It began with the meticulous selection of thirteen rare herbs, each one im...

Read story

“Nine Inch Spin Cycle” by Tom Harvey

Submitted to Contest #266

The rhythm of the dryer reminded me of industrial metal. Seated on the blue plastic chairs under the cool white glow of fluorescent lights, I closed my eyes and imagined Trent Reznor sitting backstage waiting to come on. The squirt of water into one of the washing machines added to the symphony, and the increasingly manic whir of the rapid cycle brough the tempo up a notch. The laundromat was empty except for me and one old guy who was sitting on the opposite side of the room. I doubt he was expecting a Nine Inch Nails gi...

Read story

“Right before you fly.” by Anonymous Morningstar

Submitted to Contest #266

Jamie was in the airport’s bathroom, and she couldn’t believe that she was actually about to walk out and go home instead of getting herself to the gate and on the flight that would change her life. It was the occasion of a lifetime, the moment she had been waiting for. But she wanted to give up, if she were to be honest, she had been wanting to give up for a while now. It all seemed so useless sometimes, she just felt like she had waisted 24 years of her life for nothing. Did it really matter if she finally had a breakthrough in ...

Read story

“Dream Big” by Breanna Aguiar

Submitted to Contest #266

This story contains depictions of mental health, substance abuse, and suicide. I always knew my daughter was a creative and dream-driven mind. She had big ideas with no plans, impressive dedication where passion grew, and a heart that would never stop loving. As a little girl, I watched her choose a sparkly purple shirt with pink polka-dot shorts and white butterfly shoes as a first day of school outfit. She'd pick out a blue pair of peace sign earrings and clip her bangs back with her hair in a low ponytail. I'd send her off to play with f...

Read story

“Why do you write?” by Ngozi Essu

Submitted to Contest #266

Why Do You Write? “I’m sorry. Your story isn’t what we are looking for.” Chidinma rubbed her hand under the table. The cafe felt stifling, even though there were four AC units at each corner. She never liked cafes. Why pay $12.30 for a cup of coffee when you could make your own at home? It bothered her that Lindsay's coffee was still untouched. Chidinma felt out of place here—this wasn't her country, so why did she feel like she was begging them to recognize her? “Not what you are looking for?” she stammered—a bad habit. Nesara was a s...

Read story

“Maze” by Prem Swamy

Submitted to Contest #266

It’s a Maze. If you’re hung from the ceiling, you see a huge space bounded by glass walls, Filled with boxes: more of half cut boxes with each having an opening to enter and exit and a computer on the table inside it. Groups of these boxes are interconnected by wide walkways which can fit two people at a time. There are special glass boxes too, with large rectangular table, chairs, a projector and screen.People fill up these boxes over the morning, move around throughout the day, leisurely retire by the evening. And some even reserving half ...

Read story

“A cliff of a ravine with shallow water” by Faris Suljic

Submitted to Contest #266

A cliff of a ravine with shallow waterThough void of decorations, such as paintings or family portraits, the white wall which Frank starred at was all the canvas necessary to compliment his inner world. He was motionless and expressionless, and one could only hope there was something happening behind those hopeless eyes – his chest occasionally stretching to signal air coming in and out was about the greatest indicator that he was, in fact, among the living. In his rented one room apartment, located on the second floor of a building not too ...

Read story

“Morx on Site” by William Simon

Submitted to Contest #266

Morx gripped the armrest of his seat a little tighter and tried to think steadying thoughts. He wondered if it was too late for different career path as the ambassadorial class cruiser skipped nimbly past the sixth planet of this solar system and flickered down the astral shute towards their destination. Each short quantum leap carrying them rapidly forward and skipping chasms of empty space. The sensation for a passenger was like that of your foot reaching for a step that is just a little further away than was anticipated. A mild drop you...

Read story

“Down and Out in Desperation” by Sierra Hall

Submitted to Contest #266

The night was young and tranquil in the small town of Chester, Vermont. A young man walked the undisturbed streets with his head down. Anybody to pass by could tell there was something troubling his heart. The streets were dark with only the moon and a few street lights illuminating the area. The man grew tired of walking and decided to settle himself inside a bar, empty just as the streets were. He sat there waiting for his drink in his own solitude. The slow patter of rain sounded on the windows making the night even more dreadful. The man...

Read story

“A Blank Canvas” by Jessica Goss

Submitted to Contest #266

What is art? I mean, what truly is it? It means nothing to me. It but a simple fragment of what is all but meaningless to me now. A canvas with a vague colour, is all but a blank canvas to me. A stroke of nothingness--ironic really--reflective almost, like a mirror into the window of myself and what I have become. Perhaps what I always have been. How long have I been staring at this canvas? Could it have been minutes? Hours? If canvases were to age in the way we do, I am sure it would be well seasoned with age, wrinkled lines fabricating the...

Read story

“The Misfortune Teller” by Dale Bankhead

Submitted to Contest #266

“We’ve had a complaint,” said my supervisor Jerry as he cleaned his nails with a letter opener. “A woman celebrating her eighty-fifth birthday at Full Moon Noodle House got a fortune cookie that read, ‘Enjoy life while you still can.’ The next day, she died from a massive stroke.” I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression. “I hardly see how we can be held responsible for that,” I said. “People just want someone to blame when tragedy strikes.” &nbsp...

Read story

“Magic Typewriter” by Bracy Ratcliff

Submitted to Contest #266

It was a typically troublesome day at work. Grumpy clients, uncooperative employees, late vendors, and typical tech problems, all just making me wonder, “Is it worth it?” I finally got it all sorted out, tidied up my desk and my desktop, the physical and the digital, and headed for the door. I never looked forward to my commute home, knowing that it was always at least 45 minutes of anxiety, stopping, starting, asking Siri if there was a faster route. Finally pulled into my driveway, parked, headed toward the front door, ...

Read story

“Sands of Time” by Jennifer Nix

Submitted to Contest #266

I finished my horror novel where an elderly man had suffered a heart attack from being scared to death by a ghost. I poured my heart into it. It was exhausting writing such things because it was out of my scope. I had written only about Eskimos and the frosty north. People up there would only transport things by airplanes, not by roads on the northern plains. Not many people lived up there, it was a desolate place. A tundra. I got to my feet and left my room to check on Grandpa. It was time for his meds and to make sure he would get fed. Gra...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

282

Contest entries

108

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 06, 2024 EST

Won by Derrick M Domican 🏆

Title: inspirAItion

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 ⭢