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!

#55: In On a Little Secret

One of The Hobbit's most memorable scenes is when Bilbo encounters Gollum in the Misty Mountains. We know Bilbo has the ring in his pocket, and that Gollum refers to the ring as his "precious." But Gollum doesn't yet realize it's missing, and Bilbo doesn't know who the ring belongs to.

This scene utilizes dramatic irony by providing readers with key information that the characters are unaware of. It creates suspense, tension, and immediately invests readers as we anxiously await the events we know will eventually unfold.

This week's prompts all revolve around the theme of secrets. We encourage you to get creative with how and when you reveal information to characters — and readers!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a meeting of a secret society.

Mystery – 155 stories

Write a story about an old family secret surfacing generations later.

Adults – 141 stories

Write a story that either starts or ends with someone asking, “Can you keep a secret?”

Kids – 421 stories

Write a story involving a conversation that’s packed with subtext; the characters aren’t quite saying what they mean.

Dialogue – 78 stories

Write a story where the readers are in on a secret that the characters are unaware of.

Novel – 101 stories

Stories

“the box” by Melanie Winkler

Submitted to Contest #55

“Shelly found a box in one of the second-hand cupboards she sells. She took the box down and saw some things. One of the names she saw was Templeton. She knew that was my last name so she thought she would look at it. Now it was my grandfather’s name and about him. She hasn’t gone through it all, but I want to know what it all says. It might tell me why my grandfather never felt he could come back.” “So how did his stuff get into a wardrobe?” “It isn’t his stuff, but he is mentioned. We haven’t decided what to do with it all yet. Shelly an...

Read story

“Her children” by Cezanne Panay

Submitted to Contest #55

I am thirty-seven years, yet I love sleeping with my mother. When I visit them, I take this sleeping arrangement a luxury. One night, I confide on her about the anxiety building in my chest, the pressure of getting married. I know I am not getting any younger, but I am not also in a hurry. I told her, if only marriage is just buying a medicine in a pharmacy nor picking a flower in a garden I could have done so long ago. My mother used to laugh when I tell here this, but perhaps as I grow older, she became anxious as well. She believe that a ...

Read story

“Twist in Sobriety” by Henry Farley

Submitted to Contest #55

This would be a good night. Getting past the security devices had been easy and it wouldn’t take long to find the safe. Alfie was a criminal, but he only robbed from individuals who could afford to accept the loss and probably had their valuables insured. Sir and Lady Manning could manage the loss. The safe was located inside one of the wardrobes of the main bedroom and made to look like part of the drawers. Yes, this would be simple. His day hadn’t started well. While having a leisurely meal with his partner Ra...

Read story

“STANDING ON TRADITION” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #55

STANDING ON TRADITION “Why are you standing on your head?” I tried to look up and focus on the person asking the question. He was a small man with a thin mustache that appeared to be painted above his lip. He had a squeaky voice, the kind that reminds one of the little whiners back in grade school who used to wipe their noses with their sleeves and then touch everything within touching distance with their slimy, germ-ridden paws and say th...

Read story

“ The Letter” by Rachel Alex Wall

Submitted to Contest #55

Knock Knock Knock, Ding Dong Ding Dong, Knock Knock Knock “Pick a noise!” she yelled angrily towards the front door. She hated being shocked awake. She hated it more when people both knocked and rang the door bell. she swung her legs out of bed and checked for phone for the time 9 am. She walked down the stairs nearly tripping over the cats tail. She opened the front door moodily, the cat beside her. He never left the house. “Can I help you? I’m not expecting a package and I don’t know my neighbours. ” She said. The man wore a boring brown j...

Read story

“The House Of Secrets” by Felicia Ong

Submitted to Contest #55

'I don't think it's a good idea, Rick. Maybe we should head back.' 'Oh ! come on guys. We are already here. Don't you dare chicken out on me this time.' Rick gestured to Vera to open the door as he turned on his flashlight. The creaking door noises make it even more eerie. Not to mention, sneaking into an abandoned wooden house located in the middle of the woods at night time is already a bad idea. The interior of the house is just like any typical house, simple yet comfy decoration, nothing lavish, but extra dusty. 'The li...

Read story

“One racist slur” by Joanne Taylor

Submitted to Contest #55

"Brad! Tasha! Come here!" Molly shrieked from the kitchen door at her grown children as they sat on the deck. They got up, bewildered and afraid of their eccentric mother. As they reached her, she flicked her greying purple hair around to lead them inside. Molly led them all the way through the kitchen, into the entrance hall, and turned on her heel as she grabbed the front door handle. "I have terrible, terrible news. No one can know, come outside with me." Brad and Tasha looked at each other and followed their mother like two children abo...

Read story

“Bonded By Blood” by Yashaa Bajracharya

Submitted to Contest #55

"Now, Liana, Sophiya," Father said. "I would like you to meet Walter Harrington. He's the son of Mr. Harrington.""Nice to meet you," Walter said, bowing his head slightly."Nice to meet you too," I said, as Sophiya bowed her head. I could see her blushing slightly, well, I don't blame her. Walter is quite a handsome man, he had the same dark hair like his father and similar facial features. Except his eyes were green, unlike Mr. Harrington's who had brown.Father and Mr. Harrington were business partners. They've been working together in the s...

Read story

“The Basement Door” by Serenna Antoine

Submitted to Contest #55

Lai never knew what it was, but the new house him and his parents moved into gives off a creepy feeling. Although it had been his grandparents house in the 70s, the outside doesn't seem welcoming at all. He always talks about how the trees, are so big and scary. The steps are old and almost worn out, as if there was a war, and everyone had to run back and forth upon them. He always claims that he saw a blood stain, on the cobblestone path on the way inside the house.The inside, as Lai describes it, is, "just made for old people". From the so...

Read story

“A secret held for decades” by Jade Moonstride

Submitted to Contest #55

I was baffled truly confused and terrified for my life. I’m only a twenty year old college student! I have my whole life ahead of me, Heck I hadn't even narrowed down what I wanted to study !… Well I had my whole life before me. Now I am scrambling against the clock to figure out what is wrong with me before it was too late. The doctors that have seen me have no idea what is wrong and even they seem frightened for me. Ever since the day of my 20th birth day at exactly 3:33 pm and Am I develop a stab wound just over my heart. If that ...

Read story

“Smiling Jack” by Grace Bee

Submitted to Contest #55

The moon light illuminated her face. I stood there for several moments stroking her cheek before walking to the broken window of the warehouse, peering out and down on to the street. Running my finger along the shards, I feel the sharp glass push against my skin, yet lightly enough so it would not pierce and rip my tender flesh “Where am I?” a voice rang out from behind and echoed around the room. “Relax, Agent Rogers”, I replied smiling, tearing my eyes away from the alley below. She strained against the handcuffs that held her firmly...

Read story

“Digging For Roots, Uncovering Secrets by Donna Marie” by Donna Marie

Submitted to Contest #55

Laura sat at the picnic table. I followed her gaze. Butterflies, floating around the bush behind the barn. Laura agreed to meet me here, but didn’t know why, not yet. I put the tape recorder down and leaned the shovels against the nearby fence. Laura: Shovels? This puts digging into family history in a new light. (She chuckled.) Aunt Laura. Our relationship transcends family, we are actually great friends. Our current topic of interest – family history. Past history, no problem. Recent his...

Read story

“ When Grampa Pulls Out His Bible” by Glen Benison

Submitted to Contest #55

It always seems to be a Saturday night when we lower our guards and slip up. The polite, formality that exists throughout our dinner has been persevered and the kitchen cleanup is behind us, when we gather as a family around the television. We channel surf between old movies and the Saturday night hockey game. MY father is always in control of the remote control. ...

Read story

“The Villain so close to home.” by Cony Ruiz

Submitted to Contest #55

There was once a young girl who lived close to cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was all sunshine and rainbows, why wouldn't it be? Can you imagine how cool it would be to just wake up and walk less than sixty seconds, knock on a door and your cousins that are around your same age answer the door. You get to play from sunrise to sunset and nobody is complaining because you literally live right there. Having Grandma alternate between houses because you live so close and she wants to be with everyone. Well that was the story of little young Cony....

Read story

“A delicate mystery” by Miriam Orrico

Submitted to Contest #55

Can you keep a secret? The little girl stared at me with wide eyes full of sincere expectation. Looking at her she was a few years younger than me, she was thin and slender, and the dress full of lace almost made her sink. My mother had just been hired as the official seamstress of that noble house, and I, still too young to be useful as an errand boy, had been assigned as a playmate to the Duke's niece. According to the rumors, she had been in an orphanage for some years, since her parents had both died of an epidemic and her only living re...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

896

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 21, 2020 EST

Won by B Easton 🏆

Title: Secrets for the Living

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 ⭢