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!

#38: Close to Home

A few weeks ago, our 'Staying Inside'-themed contest received quite a big response from the Reedsy Prompts community. Because this is clearly a relatable theme for so many these days, we've decided to run a second edition of prompts that all revolve around being at home. 

 

But that's not the only popular writing activity we're bringing back: today, we're hosting another LIVE Write-In on YouTube at 3pm Eastern Time! Once again, our guides Shaelin and Jenn will guide you through a series of 20-minute writing sprints. During the breaks, you can share your progress and ask our hosts any questions you may have. 

 

To join, tune in to our YouTube channel at 3pm EST. We hope to see you there!

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who finds a magical portal in their home.

Fantasy – 240 stories

Write a story about someone who is working from home and constantly getting distracted by their pet.

Nonfiction – 98 stories

Write a story about two neighbors talking from their yards, windows, balconies, etc.

Dialogue – 196 stories

Write a story about someone learning how to play an instrument.

Nonfiction – 75 stories

Write a story about someone posting a video on social media that goes viral.

Teens – 54 stories

Stories

“5:27 a.m.” by Salma Luera

Submitted to Contest #38

The willow in my dreams stood above ten feet tall, rain heavily assaulting it and battering it, the droplets riveting the leaves so as to not sway under the harsh winds. I was unable to move as I watched this willow begin to drown in the never-ending rain, and it dawned on me that this willow must be dying. A crack of thunder and the whip of the lightning forced my mind to jump, as my body stayed stone still. I could hear the willow weeping, each bullet of rain that fell off the willow's branches vibrating violently in my cranium. The s...

15 comments 15
Read story

“Fingertips that Burn” by Izzie Q.

Submitted to Contest #38

Her fingertips vibrated like a bee while mine flopped. Her arm remained taut and straight, mine like a stiff blade of grass. The heavy ivory strings pull at my fingers and sent angry bullets of pain through the rough skin.  I tuck my fingers into the palm of my hand and squeeze delicately. My eyes shift over to her glossy black hair that dangles against her back. I consciously reach up to tug my hair and place it behind my ear. It hovers for a...

12 comments 12
Read story

“Those Glistening Golden Eyes” by Izzie Q.

Submitted to Contest #38

My hand slid down the murky window, tracing the glistening wakes of the raindrops. This only leaves me with a murky feeling of procrastination and slacking corruption. I feel sick but not in the I-am-going-to-throw-up way but in the three-is-no-way-I-am-meeting-these-deadlines. The point of my index finger bristled slightly, and I pulled away from the window in profound boredom. My only boundary. In thinking this, I felt like I had been transported, to another mystical world, where ...

34 comments 34
Read story

“A Spirit Brighter Than the Sun” by Zea Bowman

Submitted to Contest #38

8:03 amMonday, May 11Mrs. Walker opened up the windows to her bedroom and sighed, relishing the warmth of the sun and letting the cool breeze run through her hair. Suddenly, a young girl at the age of 8 burst through her own balcony, smiling brighter than light itself. "Hi, Mrs. Walker!" she exclaimed. "Hello, Alex! What are you up to today?""Well...Dr. Morgan is coming again. I don't like her visits." Her smile turned quickly into a somber frown."It's okay; they help you so much.""Sometimes it doesn't seem that way," Alex said, but her frow...

11 comments 11
Read story

“The Window” by Laurentz Baker

Submitted to Contest #38

The drizzle caused the recently paved blacktop in the culdesac to shine under the street lamp. It was an hour before sunrise, too dark for Xavier and James to be seen beyond the broad swath of the L.E.D. light.  Standing at the timber fence that separated their land they peered at Professor Benjamin’s house across the street. Said Xavier, “Professor Ben did say, at his retirement party, he was going on a Kenya safari for a month.”“He did,” says James. “He was likely running late for his flight.”“You spoke to him before he left?”&nb...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Crocs” by Goblin King

Submitted to Contest #38

If you saw the building from the outside, it may not seem like an unpleasant place to live. Windows dotted the structure, each having its own white frame. Through most windows, a set of blinds could be seen blocking out the outside world. Bricks made up the building in an almost perfect pattern, being broken only by the occasional window, door, or other obstruction. The bricks making up the structure varied in color ranging from a dull red to a muddy brown almost black color. The exterior stood out no more than any neighboring building, prov...

8 comments 8
Read story

“Daisies, Marigolds, and a Daffodil” by Maggie Deese

Submitted to Contest #38

My palms are sweaty and raw as I attempt preparing the soil for new spring flowers. I never thought as a florist I would be working from home, but here we are! Not that I mind it all that much. I do miss my coworkers; fifteen year old Lili who saunters in after school with her mother and insists on arranging the red roses for the window display; Mauri, Lili’s mother, who has been working at the shop for over ten years and taught me everything I know; and Casey who is my age, twenty-one, and takes gorgeous photographs for Shower’s Flowers off...

15 comments 15
Read story

“A Small Dilemma” by Holly Pierce

Submitted to Contest #38

All Karen had to do was finish this page. Just one more page. But sweet, playful Fluffy was demanding attention. Fluffy knew just what to do to distract Karen, and so far, it was working."Fluffy, I'm busy. You can't sit in my lap while I work. You're too big, silly puppy!" Fluffy sadly jumped to the floor. She sat on the rug and stared sweetly up at Karen."Oh, fine, I'll pet you. But only for a few minutes. I'm almost done." Karen typed a few more words, then closed her laptop. She reached down to pet Fluffy."You're such a good dog, being so...

12 comments 12
Read story

“(Earth) Boys & Girls” by Emily Sperber

Submitted to Contest #38

MarchWe could see Earth when we looked over the edge of our backyards. It had been quiet lately. The humans were staying at home and away from each other. After some time, we eventually got word of the virus, the global pandemic going on below us. Sure, we felt sorry for them but only as sorry as people who’d never been able to touch one another could be.Steve moved in next door when everyone else moved in. We were part of the research team which involved us conversing quite a bit but, after work, we still talked standing on either side of t...

5 comments 5
Read story

“"The Good Shepherd" ” by Cynthia Prokarym (Scott)

Submitted to Contest #38

Dusk is bringing the day to a close as I enter St. Christopher’s Church in Detroit to hold a vigil for seven-year-old Brandon Foster, the youngest, baptized member of my congregation, who recently passed away. The crowd of mourners remain in their vehicles due to the state lock down.Tall, male attendants wear masks that clash strangely with their black suits and matching ties, while vehicles make their way through a line to the lot. They offer the incoming drivers a blue program leaflet and a matching candle, honoring his mother’s request…Bl...

7 comments 7
Read story

“Morning Meeting” by Quinton Love

Submitted to Contest #38

"Hello, Whitney!""Good morning, Gregor." Whitney nodded her head in a hello, to her friendly neighborly across from her. Gregor, or Greg, as he always corrected her, was waving from his sweet little front porch, made of beech wood.Whitney looked at hers- mostly stone, elegant. She wished she could change it, at least, she approved of the divineness, yet it wasn't very homey. She hoped her positive friend across the road that separated them wouldn't see her jealously, which felt like it was glowing across her face."How are you today? I ate ba...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Distractions” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #38

Shit, another conference call, I think as I see the notification in my inbox. My boss is such an asshole. Why can't he just send an email?I close the laptop and move into the kitchen for a snack. My third snack since breakfast. This working from home sucks. Well, not really. But it's what I'm supposed to think. If I am being honest with myself, I actually love it. I can sleep in until 8, get a quick shower, put on my sweats and a sensible blouse, and I'm all set. I check my Instagram feed and drink my coffee in peace instead of traffic, and ...

13 comments 13
Read story

“As a Compliment” by Alana H

Submitted to Contest #38

“Hey!” A clink at my window. I looked up from my book. I was sprawled across my bed, red hair strewn across the pillow. I should’ve been getting ready for bed, but I was way too comfortable to get up now, and besides, I was at a good part in The Princess Bride. It’s one of my favorite books in the universe. The whole thing’s incredible. I could read it over and over again. I find something new to love about it every single time I open it. I think that’s what makes it a truly great book. More sounds from the window. I dragged myself away from...

9 comments 9
Read story

“One Click” by Holly Pierce

Submitted to Contest #38

One click and... done! Oh man, Valerie is gonna kill me, but it was worth it. It's going to ruin her! She told me to keep the video of her gymnastics fail a secret, but it was so hilarious! Valerie, the star cheerleader and gymnast, messing up a cartwheel! I couldn't keep this hilarious video to myself, so I posted it on all my social media accounts. Next thing I knew, it was recommended on all the sites I go on: "Valerie Greene, Star Cheerleader, Messes Up Cartwheel." Everyone was re-posting it, sharing it, reacting to it. It's already one ...

11 comments 11
Read story

“Living and Dying in 42 Beachley Street” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #38

1I held my breath as the silhouette of the little old lady turned around at the sound of my veranda door opening, then sighed internally when she waved cheerfully in my direction. Okay for one more day, I thought, as she shuffled over towards the guardrail that separated our balconies. One more day, please, God, and another after that. If it’s not too much to ask. “Oh, James, how are you this wonderful morning?” she cooed, pleasantly as ever, her deeply creased face scrunched up in a grandmotherly smile.I grinned at her, squinting in the ear...

4 comments 4
Read story

$50

Prize money

663

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 24, 2020 EST

Won by Clyde Roan 🏆

Title: The Paper Airplane

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

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 ⭢

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

Join our weekly contest

Get 5 new writing prompts every Friday. Write and submit a story for a chance to win $250.