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!

#33: Bad Hair Day

The best stories are the ones that make us feel something; the ones that tap into some kind of universal emotion or experience. And there is one feeling that stands out as being particularly universal. More than joy, sadness, fear, or love. More than the excited nerves of a first day at school, or the sweet relief of a spring breeze after a long winter. Something that connects us all is the feeling of... a bad haircut.

This week, your challenge is to write a story that evokes the feelings of a bad hair cut. (Whether or not your story involves this actual plot is up to you!)

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character who can't make up their mind about something.

Character – 64 stories

Write a story about a character who's too polite to tell someone they don't like a gift given to them.

Funny – 49 stories

Write a story about a character making a big change.

Teens – 65 stories

Write a story set in a salon or barbershop.

Fiction – 70 stories

Write a story about miscommunication.

Fiction – 48 stories

Stories

“Bad Hair Day” by Vicky S

Submitted to Contest #33

The soft sponge and icing melted in Tia’s mouth. Saliva trickled out the corner and down her chin. Quickly she wiped the back of her hand against her face and glanced around. The other customers sitting at their own tables hadn’t noticed. They were too engrossed in their own conversations.Deep in her own thoughts, Tia felt her body relax, as her mind wandered to her friend. She started to feel guilty as she thought, maybe she should have taken cake over to her house.Gripping the dessert fork loosely in her fingers, Tia cut into the cake agai...

Read story

“Twice, Seliece Thornton” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #33

The barbershop is no place for a woman. Especially a woman with as many curves as Seliece Thornton. Many reverse mohawks were birthed in the wake of her savage strut. The moment she walked onto the floor haircuts were known to be ruined by an impulsive turn of the head. The hypnotic way she swayed her hips was an incantation to all who dared to look. Per the Unwritten Bylaws of Noah Washington’s Barbershop, a subtle glance is allowed. Maybe even an extended leer, but anything more would be counted as blasphemous and you would be shunned...

Read story

“Masturbation: A Love Story” by Najwa Zandlo

Submitted to Contest #33

My best friend in high school - Bartholomew - told me he masturbated before making any type of decision. He said, “You gotta release the tension before you do anything, even pick out what clothes to fucking wear.” He said we’re all wound up like springs, so we can’t think logically. Back then, I thought he was just a horny teenager that liked to jack off too much. Now, I think he was onto something. Bartholomew grew up in a strict, religious home, and his mom told him that touching himself was the devil’s work - said he’d go blind if he...

Read story

“Bad Hair” by Bruno Lowagie

Submitted to Contest #33

My name is Jordan White, but to the world, I am a Murphy. I was born a Murphy, even before I was given a name. No matter what I do: everything that can go wrong in my life, goes wrong in my life.In grocery stores I’m always in the longest cue. I never get a seat in the bus or metro; I always have to stand in the back. Taxis don’t stop for me and I have no success at hitchhiking. Bouncers at clubs hardly ever let me in, claiming the maximum capacity of the venue has been reached. The list of things that work well for normal human beings but n...

Read story

“A Lesson Taught Is A Lesson Learned” by Artemisia Pearl

Submitted to Contest #33

“Okay, guys. We are going to try something new this week.” Mrs. Larson said. She was the adviser for the National Honor Society “So, I have a bucket filled with names. I have recorded these names from lunch observations. These are kids who sit by themselves at lunch. I want you to get to know them. Be nice to them and sit with them at lunch for three weeks. Then, tell me about your experiences.”She handed the bucket to Clover and she drew a slip from the bucket. Clover grimaced and passed the bucket to Ron and so on. It was my turn to pick f...

Read story

“Donum Ex Deo” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #33

“Well, what do you think?”“Uh…”“You do like it, don’t you?”“Well…”“Wonderful! I’m so glad you’re pleased. You know, I was wondering about whether it was the right gift or not, and — you know — you can never tell!”“Right…” As the word tumbled from my mouth, the box in my hands shuddered a bit. Not much, gosh no, but enough that I noticed it. And… was that a little squeak? I couldn’t be sure of that last one, because they kept talking.“So, what do you say?” interjected one of the ones with wings. I got the distinct imp...

Read story

“Your Move” by Jᴇʀᴇᴍʏ Rᴏᴢᴇɴ ✍

Submitted to Contest #33

“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” I tell Arthur.“Are you sure?” Arthur asked. He seemed very nervous about the whole thing and to be honest, this was the first time that a grown man had ever given me macaroni art as a gift, or at all for that matter. It wasn’t that it was particularly bad, but it wasn’t something that you’d find hanging in the parlour either.“Yeah, of course I’m sure, it’s really something,” I told him, “Come on Arthur, it’s your turn.”Arthur stroked his chin, and surveyed the board. He moved his knight to A3 and then looked ...

Read story

“The Beast on Her Back” by Danielle Burke

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #33

The enchanting night that lay sprawled before Rosita only moments before, offering itself up for her pleasure, perished with a seemingly simple request from her beloved Abuela.Earlier that afternoon, Rosita had caressed the satin of the dress that flirtatiously tickled her knees and hugged her chest exactly as it should. It was certainly the most captivating garment she had ever owned. The color was that of daffodil petals, and she smiled when she considered hers must echo a butterfly’s feelings when it first spread its wings and was mesmeri...

Read story

“The Rollercoaster” by Courtney Myers

Submitted to Contest #33

I look at my hair in the mirror. Fiddle with the short, layered ruin. A few hours ago, it was ear-length, straight, and glossy, just how I liked it, just how I told the perky blonde pimpernel behind the scissors and a pair of gigantic diamond earrings that I wanted to keep it.“But every girl with your face and complexion wants this haircut,” the African-American version of Dolly Parton piped as she locked a papery black sheet around my neck, “and they all look absolutely gorgeous, too!”I told her thanks but no, thanks. Just a little off the ...

Read story

“A child's defeating his fear the monster basement. By Tyra Jonhson” by Tyra Johnson

Submitted to Contest #33

In the dark ,old ,wooden, creepy and cob web ceiling. My enemy and nightmares dwelled in the night time. This monster in my house called the basment; kept me for many years a prisoner of fear, torchure and distress in the nights only. I was being bullied in my own house.The first time I met this monster was when I was 6 years old. I looked inside his dark chamber and he caused me since then to have nightmares of him. Eating ,chewing and crushing my little bones into little pieces.My father had his fishing equipments ,that we would use and go...

Read story

“Hair Head” by Ben K

Submitted to Contest #33

With a large wide stretch matched with a full mouthed yawn, Adam rouses himself from bed. Scratching at his belly tuft becomes button picking which turns to a few scratches south of the border. Stumbling to the bathroom rubbing his eyes with his other hand another yawn flicks the light on and the boxers fly off. In front of the mirror, Adam uses both hands to grab onto the last 5 years of drinking a beer every night. Making a childish raspberry as he folds into himself. Adam tries to make himself look as fat as possible. He never fails to ro...

Read story

“…By a Thousand Cuts” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #33

Gretchen recognized her husband’s mistress as soon as she entered the salon. ‘Those Medusa curls!’ She thought it pretty gutsy coming to her for a cut. “Don’t tempt me,” she thought. The woman approached her and offered her hand. “I’m Samantha,” she said with a smile. “But you can call me Sam.”‘I could call you lots of things… Does she not know who I am? This is going to be weird.’Gretchen had Samantha sit. She spread a sheet over her to protect her from clippings. “Not over my face, please. I’m not a corpse,” Samantha laughed.‘Not yet...

Read story

“The Necklace” by Lilly Blossom

Submitted to Contest #33

Disappointment. Embarrassment. Fear. Those would be the words that I used to describe the feelings I had about the necklace. It was beautiful, don’t get me wrong, absolutely astonishing. But it was all wrong. I couldn’t wear that thing. No way. My friends would ask questions or make fun of me. God, don’t even mention how that would make me feel. It had taken two years to get over Andy. I couldn’t. I couldn’t wear that necklace and be reminded of him all over again. I couldn’t walk down the street knowing what was around my neck. But I had to...

Read story

“An Ocean in the Desert” by Paul Losada

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #33

$1635 was a hefty price for a couch that didn’t match the rest of the living room. Knowing it was 30% off retail didn’t provide much comfort either. “Fuck,” Ken Whitmore muttered. George, his neighbor that helped place it, glanced at him. “What?” “I should have bought it in teal. Bunt sienna is too over-powering.” “I think it looks fine,” George said. “I think it looks funny,” Ken replied. George squinted, trying see what his friend saw. “I don’t know. I guess it’s a little brighter than everything else in the room but who cares? It’s a grea...

Read story

“Sunday Blues” by Phil Manders

Submitted to Contest #33

Sunday tugged on the cuff of her Grey Chunky knit Jumper. The sleeves had been pulled down over her hands so many times they refused to return to their original length. The room was warm but there was no way she was taking it off.“I’m not sure” she said, her eyes not leaving the safety of her lap. She shuffled herself up in the chair trying to avoid embarrassing squeaky noises on the leather.“Not sure about what? Telling your friends or taking a break? I’ve been treating you for years, I would have thought by now you would ...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

296

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 20, 2020 EST

Won by Phoebe Barr 🏆

Title: Pennies and Years

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 ⭢