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!

#57: Legacies

Everybody hopes they’ll be remembered. It’s a big part of why writers write, artists paint, and singers sing. It drives some to rise to great heights in politics or business. It’s part of why people have children.

But whether you hope to build a legacy through words, kind deeds, grand ambition, or a strong familial line, the truth is, we don’t always know how history will look back on us. All we can do is put our best selves forward, and hope that our integrity and values will resonate long after we’re gone.

This week’s prompts invite you to delve into people’s hopes for the future — and the legacies that may or may not be what they dreamed of.

This week's prompts

Write a humorous story about the descendant of someone remembered for an insignificant act.

Funny – 73 stories

Write a story about someone who’s famous for something they never actually did.

Character – 119 stories

Write a story about someone breaking a long family tradition.

Angst – 170 stories

Write a story about someone who travels to the future, and isn’t happy about how they’ve been remembered.

Science Fiction – 131 stories

Write a story that starts with someone writing their will — one they know people won’t like.

Dramatic – 183 stories

Stories

“Of Death and a Mistake” by Lizzy Burt

Submitted to Contest #57

I died last week. Apparently there was a little mix-up with someone else who died last week. My name is Richard Jacobson, and I died a pretty heroic death. I’m not trying to exaggerate or puff out my chest, I just think once you know my story you’ll agree. In the middle of the night I woke up to the sounds of a fire a couple blocks away from my apartment. The firefighters hadn’t shown up yet, and I overheard worried parents telling others there was a five year old boy still in the building. The fire wasn’t too bad, at least I thoug...

Read story

“Alley, the Un-Werewolf” by Jeni Conrad

Submitted to Contest #57

“By the great moon, you’re her, aren’t you?” a voice purred at Alley, breaking up her brooding glare out the rainy window from her restaurant seat next to the window.With a sigh, Alley turned to look at her accuser. It was a younger pup, maybe in his late forties, and he was attractive with starry eyes and broad shoulders for days. But, then again, all the male werewolves seemed to be attractive. “Whoever you think I am, it’s not me.”“No, way. It’s totally you, Alley, the werewolf who has somehow been able to fight the moon’s curse. I’d reco...

Read story

“Freedom to fire the flies ” by Tejas Chandna

Submitted to Contest #57

"Coruscating, as a thousand fireflies were worshipped, gorging on my father's ashes. He burnt himself to death as the tradition of Yasas say ' To burn to the glory of flies'. The flies gorged on his burnt parts and a thousand Yasas celebrated to weep for their king's death. Here people celebrate to weep on their King's death. The king or queen belongs to the royal family of Yasas. I am a Yasa too. My family has been royal and lavish in itself, the maximum life expectancy recorded to be of 40 years. My grandmother, Yahoti Yoshi, the longest-l...

Read story

“Lift, Honk. ” by Evan Rocker

Submitted to Contest #57

My latest endeavor failed so horribly there wasn't any amount of aspirin to help. My blinds were drawn at the Elder Care Home. My roommate, Fern Louise Peabody, was waking me by exhaling across my face and thumping her thumb on my forehead. Her morning routine bugs me but not enough to complain at the nurse’s station. There are far worse elderly residents. I don’t want to replace Fern. I kindly remind her how much I prefer a silent wake-up call. However, Fern doesn't remember much. When she isn’t thumping me, she’s my friend ...

Read story

“The Chaos of One Key ” by Charlotte Pafk

Submitted to Contest #57

My fingers curl around the pen painfully, the joints popping as I write. Despite the discomfort, I am the happiest I have ever been in a while. I’m ecstatic, actually. Not many people can say that when they’re writing their own will while resting on their deathbed. A cough wracks through my body and I pull my hand away from the paper before I make any unwanted marks. Through the sound of my coughing, I hear the telltale tap, tap, tap of Jeremy’s polished cordovan shoes upon the marble floors outside my door. “Sir, are you-”, J...

Read story

“For the Birds” by Lynn Smith

Submitted to Contest #57

FOR THE BIRDS 2020 Smith, Lynn Rilean “They, my parents, did what?” I asked. We do so solemnly swear this Last Will and Testament leaves everything we have to the birds. Mind spinning. This can’t be happening. It’s a joke right? I thought for a moment that maybe they were filming a new episode of punk’d or impractical jokers. I was the star of the show. Being an only child has its pros and cons. That’s where I come in. Me. I’m the only child. I spent years overlooking that my parent’s bought love and that my needs were typically met ...

Read story

“The Gift in Disguise” by Emma Knights

Submitted to Contest #57

“Oh! I hadn’t thought about who to leave things to in my Will. Everything just goes to my children” It wasn’t meant as a hurtful statement but hurt it does. I never planned to be alone with no children, no part of me to live on beyond my lifetime. The branch that I sat upon on the family tree would hold me and nobody else. It was a little depressing when I thought of my nieces and nephews drawing their family trees in the future. I would hope that one might have some compassion for my empty branch. Maybe they will add my dog on the branch ...

Read story

“Credit card ” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #57

- And at the end of the year, we take some days off during this high season, dear, as we have to rest from this kind of life we live, you know, we are always working and working every single day – the grandma was saying to her new maid, a black young woman that was always chewing gum - I see – snatching a pink bubble on her face - You deserve a little trip – chewing. Where are you planning to go this year ? - We always ho to the beach, because it is so hot that days. And the kids love the water...

Read story

“Not What You Think...” by Silvia Bartolini

Submitted to Contest #57

We enter a living room through double French doors, satin curtains billowing in the ocean breeze. The beach is like a mural painting through the tall windows, framed by clear blue skies and palm trees. Inside, everything is white fabric and woven bamboo. Bright-orange, tropical-afternoon sunshine engulfs the space.A smartphone lies face up on the coffee table. A tinny voice, irritant like a flying mosquito, fills the room, the words indiscernible. A young man sits on the plump sofa, hands in fists as his excitement mounts. A low-volume footb...

Read story

“The Betrothed and The Damsel's Nostalgia” by Mary Rodriguez

Submitted to Contest #57

On December 20, 2019 my friend invited me at the mask ball. At the mask ball. All the damsels are wearing their elegant gowns. During that night I was nervous. I sat near in the window while looking at the garden. And I saw a gorgeous damsel walking on a small bridge. I went at the garden because I’m so curious to her. On that night she worn her mask. And her blue gown with a crown. During that night I worn red gown without crown. “Hi” “Hello” she looks into my eyes. And she introduced herself. “My name is Bianca Benet and you are” I i...

Read story

“The Last Word” by Inna J

Submitted to Contest #57

One of my hands is sticky and the other one is hot. I want to put down the steaming mug of Jack Daniels and tea before it permanently injures me, but there is no good surface. I rush to the kitchen island and slam the mug down, I move my hand away just in time to miss the drops of the hot liquid bouncing out of the mug, grasping for their last chance to burn me. My other hand is clutching a Boston cream donut with such intensity that I put a hole through it and the cream oozes onto my fingers. I lick it off. I’m a woman of simple...

Read story

“Because it Mattered ” by Kristine Murdock

Submitted to Contest #57

“So what’s the deal?” My assistant is on the line, and seriously should be promoted. He does practically all the work--except for what I do. Which might just be the most important stuff… actually on second thought he definitely does the dirty work. Respectable. I only hope I can reach his level someday and repay him. But for now, being best friends is just going to have to work. “It’s a bike shop on Finney and 6th. The owner just died of cancer, the city wants to shut it down and put something else in.” “You know wha...

Read story

“Blood sweat and tears” by Phil Manders

Submitted to Contest #57

“Hi darling, come, sit next to me.” Babs patted the sofa, her glossy blood red finger nails threatening to go straight through the beige fabric. “Are you excited about your birthday tomorrow? Mummy’s little baby turning eighteen! I can’t believe it.” Tom hung in the lounge doorway in his pyjamas. Babs patted the cushion again and he reluctantly made his way over. Carefully stepping over his Father’s outstretched legs who sat in his favourite chair hiding behind a huge newspaper. Tom chucked himself next to Babs, the sofa nearly swallowing hi...

Read story

“My Never-Reality” by Yaki Lim

Submitted to Contest #57

"Your selfish life is so goddamn meaningless! The moment you leave this world is the moment this world will be relieved from a burden like you!"My mother's line kept repeating itself in my head, over and over, tainting my thoughts and intentions like oil against water. My eyes trailed down to look at the purple, pink and yellow blotches of skin that hadn't cleared since the last time she bottomed another bottle of alcohol.Ensuring my doorknob was locked, I took out my headphones and allowed myself to escape into the never-reality. I gave mys...

Read story

“Nature's Baby Girl” by Samantha 😜

Submitted to Contest #57

My name is Amber Hawthorne. My family has an unusual tradition of everyone having a name inspired by nature. I made a bold move one day, and broke the tradition. Let me tell you the story. My boyfriend had just gotten me pregnant. When i found out, i excitedly went to tell him. I never expected what he said. “Get rid of it Amber,” he said. “B-but Hunter!” I exclaimed, “This is our baby, not some broken smartphone! I will keep it!” “If you keep it, I will leave you,” he said nonchalantly. I stormed off and began packing his clothes into a wal...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

676

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 04, 2020 EST

Won by Iona Cottle 🏆

Title: Et Tu?

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 ⭢