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!

#62: Forward Thinking

Last week, we took a trip down memory lane. This time, we’ll be looking forward: to the future, and all the infinite ways it can unfold.

Of course, in the real world we can never know exactly what will happen — that’s what makes it both exhilarating and terrifying (or sometimes both at once). And while you as the author may know exactly how the story will end, the characters are just as ignorant as the rest of us.

This week, we invite you to dig into your characters’ hopes and dreams for the future. Do they long for it, or dread it? How are they trying to prepare? Who knows, maybe they’ll even get a glimpse at events still to come…

This week's prompts

Write about a character who can suddenly only “remember” their future, not their past.

Thriller and Suspense – 129 stories

Write about a character who’s had their future foretold from birth — but isn’t sure if they believe it.

Fantasy – 152 stories

Write about two characters on the verge of a life-changing event, but one has rigged the outcome.

Dramatic – 90 stories

Write about a character preparing to go into stasis for decades (or centuries).

Science Fiction – 108 stories

Write about a character putting something into a time capsule.

Science Fiction – 141 stories

Stories

“What Was I Saying Again? (Part 1)” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #62

“S is for stalker,” Ken told the kindergarteners. “S. T. A. L. K. E. R. For example, I need to leave here soon, because I have a stalker I’ve been avoiding and they’re going to show up in…” Ken closed his eyes, letting visions of possible futures sweep over him. He plucked the worst, but most lucky, one from the river like it was a mutant fish and he was starving. Ugly, but necessary for survival. His stomach growled. On second thought, he's hungry. When was the last time he ate? His brain refused to answer. Ever since he got this ‘gif...

Read story

“Momma” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #62

She’s perfect, really. The curls that cascade around her shoulders, dark as chocolate. Those wide eyes that follow my every movement. That giggle that seems to fill the room with sunlight and strawberries and every other good thing the world has to offer.“Momma,” she says, “can we go play?”“Sure, honey.” Honey. I love that word. She’s all the sugary goodness of honey, and more. Lydia hops down from the breakfast table and runs to the door, Barkley skidding on the hardwood floor behind her. She laughs and wraps her arms around Barkley’s ...

Read story

“On the Way” by Itay Frenkel

Submitted to Contest #62

Some people read to find themselves, others to lose themselves. You can replace ‘read’ with any other verb and the statement will still hold up. The night sky grew darker, the street lights brighter. I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Hello,” a woman said. She was walking with a friend in the opposite direction. “Hey,” I answered in a hoarse voice. That’s what happens when you try to talk after you’ve been quiet for a very long time. I was late learning to speak, but when I did start, I talked all the time. When that...

Read story

“The Chieftess” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #62

Far in the mountains of Adilade, deep within the High Cave, lay a snow leopard. Faded spots dotted her back, and she sported a large scar across her left ear.Tucked under her belly wriggled a tiny cub--the smallest cub the snow leopard had ever seen.“I’m hungry, Nan,” squeaked the cub.“Hush. The hunter’s on his way.”“I want food now.”“Hush! Don’t make me say it again, Shortpaw.”Shortpaw squirmed underneath her grandmother, who curled her body tighter around the cub.Heavy thumps echoed around the cave and another snow leopard bounded up to Na...

Read story

“Where Anything Is Possible” by Prachi Kumbhare

Submitted to Contest #62

I scrutinized at the light of the tungsten-halogen incoming right through my room’s window. There was some construction work happening, loud noises of workers and machinery couldn’t enfold the only sentence persisting in my mind saying, ‘You are cured.’ That sentence was a lie. I was resting on my bed, wondering why me? Asking god, folding my legs while the cushions supported my back, ‘What sins did I do in my past life to face this demon in my life again? I thought I was past it two months back. Please, let me die this time. I was afraid to...

Read story

“The Stasis Experiment and How Not to React to It” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #62

“Welcome to the Fredrickson Internship,” Dr. Levon Fredrickson said with the world’s cockiest smile on his face. “As you know, we’re the largest government-funded psychology program in New Beckom.”He gestured for his interns to clap. Hesitantly, they did.“Thank you. Thank you. Now, we’ll start by conducting my most famous psychology experiment: The Stasis.” Dr. Fredickson clicked a remote and a presentation shot across the lecture hall wall. “In this experiment, you will all be assigned one subject that has agreed and signed a contract to be...

Read story

“Future on hand” by Pratheeksha R

Submitted to Contest #62

“Hurry up Anwesha! We’ll be late and I cannot afford to miss Ma’s preaching on your birthday!! You’re stepping into your teenage years.” Asma screamed at her daughter, as she hurriedly packed some documents into her handbag. Anwesha came from her room, sulking and rolling her eyes. It was not only about waking up at 6 AM on a Saturday Morning, all the more so on her birthday that bothered Anwesha, she wouldn’t wake up any other day, at any time for Ma’s preaching. Ma meant Mother but Asma wasn’t referring to anyone’s biological mother; ...

Read story

“Do Popsicles Dream? ” by S. Closson

Submitted to Contest #62

Do popsicles dream? In any other scenario that would be a ridiculous question, but my situation warrants the consideration. I’m shivering like a leaf in the wind on the stool near the stasis chamber, the only thing keeping my ass from freezing off is a small towel that is draped over the cold metal seat. When I arrived at this procedure, I disrobed before being given one final physical. My uniform has been stuffed into a small box by the door with my name on the lid. I keep glancing over at it, I hope they at least fold my du...

Read story

“Planet Nine Project!” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #62

(Write about a character preparing to go into stasis for decades (or centuries).)Renae sat before her mirror critically studying her own features. Her hair color, like harvest wheat in the sunshine, was natural looking. She wore it long and she enjoyed twisting it around her fingers creating ringlets. She was very aware that men often turned to look, at least briefly, when she entered a room or meeting. She was in the prime of her life. Her age, fitness, career and relationships were right on target.&n...

Read story

“Never Over the Moon” by Christina Steele

Submitted to Contest #62

The ground rumbled. A plume of moon dust rose in the distance near where Samantha was collecting samples. Ed dropped his instrumentation and headed toward the west ridge of the Sea of Serenity crater. He opened his comm to alert ground control.“Sam—Lieutenant Harris, check-in. Do you copy?”“Captain Seran, this is ground, we are showing sharp spikes in Harris’ vitals. She’s not responding. What’s going on up there?”“Samantha Harris, check-in. Do you copy?” Captain Ed Seran continued toward her last location.“Ground this is Seran. Harris was c...

Read story

“Deodorant” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #62

At the end of the season, the townsfolk knew that they would have to get ready for the big event. After the first day of autumn, the harvest was in and the nights grew shorter. Men and women prepared for the winter to come (always vicious and long, as usual); children found they had to put away endless numbers of apples, pumpkins and vegetables in their cabinets and larders; grandparents shared stories of their own childhoods over strong glasses of cider and hot chocolate. People in the town greeted each other and smiled at their friend...

Read story

“Future Cryonics” by Shannon Ethel

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #62

“I can save your life.” The words reverberate in Felix’s skull, mocking him. How can five words make him shake? How can five words stop everything? They are so straight forward. Clear. No double meanings. No softening. Just there. Not like the words he’s heard before. You have a terminal diagnosis. Five percent survival rate. I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do. Why can’t they just say the obvious? You’re going to die. He stares at the woman in front of him, takes note of her pointed features and long legs. Not his typ...

Read story

“Boxed In” by Lina Oz

Submitted to Contest #62

The young girl sprints through the trees, her long, wavy hair wildly fluttering about her face.“We’re gonna get you! We’re gonna get you!”The voices taunt her, follow her; the phrase repeats over and over, out loud and in her head, a musical canon wrought with terror. She pushes her legs faster, releasing a sob.“We’re gonna get you! We’re gonna get you!”Panicked, she wildly looks around for an escape route. To her left is an open road. Exposed. In front of her rests a school. Too many places to get cornered. To her right sits a dark, quiet f...

Read story

“The Devil's Gift” by Sophie Aay

Submitted to Contest #62

You've probably heard of the circle of African gods, right? No. Well, a week ago I would have said the same. I would have sworn to the heavens that I knew nothing but contrary to what we think, several gods exists and call it myth or fiction...it's left to you.Like you, I didn't believe in witches, monsters, angels and other mystic beings either...I knew one prophecy though. The same one burnt into my soul. Mom said the high priestess of the Malicar clan in Egypt read her fortune while she was pregnant with me and told her these words.On a d...

Read story

“The Boys” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #62

The Boys got him again. Jackson Creed, flanked by Kurt Marshall and George Paulson, the new kid with pimples, cornered Timothy into the stall and pushed his head into the toilet. The water wasn’t so bad. Timothy had practiced holding his breath at home, during bathtime. Sure, he flailed his legs and screamed into the water so bubbles erupted around his head, but he just knew he needed to make a show.But his neck—now that hurt. Jackson seemed to shove his entire weight against Timothy’s neck, and one minute into the torture, Timothy thou...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

620

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 09, 2020 EST

Won by A.Dot Ram 🏆

Title: No Hard Feelings

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 ⭢