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!

#50: A Moment Like This

Throughout this contest, we’ve read wonderful entries that provide sweeping overviews of characters' lives (such as "The Tree"), as well as submissions that offer glimpses into distinct life-phases (like "Time Bomb"). We’ve also been captured by stories book-ended by the start and end of one particular moment in time: such as "The Price of a Nice Guy" (a woman gets a flat tire and parks on the side of the road), "Who Speaks to Death" (a story told through a single text conversation), and "To You" (a 50th birthday party).

In the spirit of those last three examples, this week's prompts challenge you to embrace the short story's ability to really dive into and explore one single scene.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a proposal.

Valentine's Day – 211 stories

Write a story about an argument that seems to be about one thing, but is actually about another.

Dialogue – 121 stories

Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.

High School – 162 stories

Write a story told entirely through one chase scene.

Thriller and Suspense – 143 stories

Write a story about a summer afternoon spent in a treehouse.

Summer – 303 stories

Stories

“Karma Buddy Karma” by Judith Buskohl

Submitted to Contest #50

The wind ruffled his brown hair as Mark sat in his daughter's treehouse . It was his wife's idea of bonding with his daughter. Having an afternoon bonding time in her treehouse was something he honestly wasn't too sure of. The boards had creaked from his weight and size. He stood about six foot four and at his last doctor appointment, he weighed in around one hundred seventy pounds. The sun was heating his tanned face and he was perfectly tanned on his face and arms. Under his shirt was another story because at the beginning of ...

Read story

“The Candy Crook” by Paul Malionek

Submitted to Contest #50

There were three suspects. First there was Charles; twelve years old, always wore suspenders, and lived directly across the street from us. Then there was Frank; eleven, but his birthday was the next week. He could never separate from his newsy hat, and lived next door in the bright blue house. Finally there was Eddy, also twelve, looked like a little greaser with his white T and blue jeans. He lived two houses down on the other side of Frank’s folks’ place. We were all friends, but things never felt the same after that foggy day. I was outs...

Read story

“Four Of A Kind” by Cam K

Submitted to Contest #50

It wasn't Theo's intention to face anyone but himself tonight. Neither were the intentions of three others standing in front of the same window he had been thinking about jumping out of. Instead, his thoughts consisted of something quick and straightforward, and he had already written only but a short note to his father, who would only find it after returning from his office job in the city. It sounded like the scene was out of a movie, all four of them coming to the same spot at the same time, yet there was a band of teens, looking the same...

Read story

“An Unwelcomed Guest” by Summer Gill

Submitted to Contest #50

Eric, Adam, Kimberly, and Jennifer stroll through the forest in silence. It has been a couple of weeks since they had hung out at their favorite childhood spot, a large tree house on a hill behind an abandoned home they discovered years ago. A place filled with many cherished memories. Deep down they all knew that these two weeks break symbolized something greater: they have grown up. And with high school now over, soon the four of them will be going their separate ways. They do not want to face the fact that this could be the last time the ...

Read story

“The Moment I proposed to Myself” by Shelba Pittman

Submitted to Contest #50

I have always been a various reader. When I was a girl, I loved Judy Blume books. She helped me in childhood and in my teen years. I wish I would have read more of her books in my thirties and my forties so just as much as this story is inspired by real life. It is also inspired by Mrs. Blume In December of 2007 I had been dating David for than less than a year and I really loved him. Most days he reminded me of a younger brother. He was emotionally twelve years old. I am a big kid myself. In fact, I think most people are kids in adult skin...

Read story

“This is it...” by Ronelle Adant

Submitted to Contest #50

We had been dating for 3 years yet I knew him most of my life being best friends with his sister. It was time. Was this week-long holiday at the coast it? A gentle drive down to the sea. Looking out the window at the forever changing scenes of the 6-hour drive and the never-ending landscapes. One thing you can’t fault South Africa for are the sights that literally take your breath away. The hidden gems all the small towns we pass offer. The rolling hills, the Little Church of Van Reenen (how awesome would it be if he chose this as a rom...

Read story

“Weird Proposals” by Vidyani Lokuge

Submitted to Contest #50

"I can't believe you did this to me.... How could you just tell me one thing and do something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT????????" She was shouting at him because she felt so betrayed. "RELAX!!! It's not a big deal." He tried to defend himself. "Maybe not to you.. But for me, IT IS.... What if someone saw you out there with her??? They'll gossip about you having an affair. Did you even think of me, or how I might feel....????? I'm your wife..!" He stared right into her eyes and started talking. "Let me just remind you.. Our marriage is NOT REAL.. W...

Read story

“Visit Me” by Imogen Bone

Submitted to Contest #50

Come and visit me: words that are bounced around every time we speak but ultimately, words that hold no weight. Seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty-six miles stand between us, popping by for a visit is unreasonable, unrealistic… a fantasy, we both know it but, we never leave it out of a chat. Then before I know it, out of the blue, he announces he doesn’t want to hear from me anymore, being just friends is not enough for him. He misses our history together but, for now, the distance had made us, our friendship “pointless.” Until today. T...

Read story

“The Enchanting Moment” by Marissa Sipes

Submitted to Contest #50

While driving to my parents house John pulls out a jewelry box. He opens the boxes and stares at the diamond engagement ring. John starts thinking about me and what he is about to do. He finally arrives at the house to talk with Mr. Warren. He knocks and my father opens the door. He smiles and looks John in his eyes. “Hello John.” “Hello Mr. Warren, do you have a moment there is something I would like to ask you?” “Certainly please come in and have a seat in the living room. I’ll make ...

Read story

“Keith's Proposal” by Maria Fabiano

Submitted to Contest #50

It was February 14th. I had been dating Keith for 55 days and I woke up with the resolution to sever ties with him, but being Valentine’s day, I couldn’t be so cruel to do so on such a special date. I should be able to wait until tomorrow. I considered that it was highly improbable for him to call to celebrate this date, because I had scolded him like a kid, and his answer transpired that he had heard enough; and also, that he didn’t appreciate my opinion. He was affronted and upset. I regretted having done so; but I couldn’t help it.&...

Read story

“I...Think So?” by Christine Hungerford

Submitted to Contest #50

The guy ran right past the woman, skidding to a halt on the city sidewalk as she called out to him. “What are you running from?” She snickered as he swung around and walked right up to her. “Uh,” he smiled, rubbing at the back of his neck, “I was going back home to help my neighbor’s daughter with her cupcake decorations.” He chuckled embarrassedly, and half-smiled at her. She threw her palms up and shrugged. “I thought…” Hazel eyes shot down at his right hand. “Oh!” ...

Read story

“Failure to Launch” by Abbey Rafferty

Submitted to Contest #50

“I’m sorry, but… I… I just don’t… I can’t, Jamie.” My broken rejection reverberated into the humid September night. My voice was only a whisper, however, the soundwaves of a relationship reaching its untimely end, thundered through the park. That night, even the breeze refused to blow, suspending the moist air amid the tall woody oaks surrounding us. The day began to cool after the sun set, however, the forest still buzzed as it had in the heat of the day. Time encased the two of us, standing alone together, under the generous oak in th...

Read story

“A Imperfect Mom” by Elizabeth Clark

Submitted to Contest #50

James, David and Claire are doing their homework in the living room. Mom is nowhere to be seen. She knows I need to finish my essay. I told her I need a good grade on this. Why do I even bother anymore? Irritated, I drop my backpack by the door. This is why I stay up late finishing my homework. Sometimes, not all the time, just the hard days, I wonder if it would be worse if mom had given us up for adoption. Some people aren't meant for parenthood. Like James and David dad, who left when things got hard. Claire's dad bolted as soon as he fou...

Read story

“It's Too Loud In Here” by A. Speaks

Submitted to Contest #50

You seem to know exactly what I need. I never feel the need to question you because I’ve grown to know, that you know me. I wish that's what I was here to tell you but regardless I’m certain that’s what you're going to hear. Our conversations grow one-sided and yet you tell your friends we talk so often. “Why did you approach me?” “You were so quiet, peaceful looking.” That’s what you said when I asked you anyway. Seeing you now, hearing you today, I can’t say I agree. I’ve always been quiet, that has never changed, that is not t...

Read story

“A Day Out” by Kaelan Rylei Ferreira

Submitted to Contest #50

“No. I shan’t be going with you tomorrow because you shan’t be going anywhere yourself. Even if you do take her, she’ll be imbecilic for going – in fact, she may just decide to go because it is the foolish thing to do. If she does go, I refuse to be trapped in an incubator with her.” For some reason rooted within the strictness of foundational education, and maternal upbringing to match, Ji always found an over-eloquence when in argument. It is the same when persons of multiple languages are angered in some manner and end up reverting to the...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

940

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 17, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Hemmings 🏆

Title: Life in the Trees

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 ⭢