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!

#80: Living History

It's an important truth that those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately, sometimes we find ourselves living through historical moments whether we’ve prepared for them or not.

This week, we’re going to examine all the ways that people live through — and shape — history. Whether that’s an important activist organizer, a daring political leader, or just someone trying to educate people on the past so they can avoid previous mistakes, history is made up the actions of each and every one of us. How will your characters change the course of their world?

This week's prompts

Write about someone who never planned to make history but is now about to deliver a speech in front of millions.

Teens – 104 stories

Write about a child witnessing a major historical event.

Dramatic – 237 stories

Start your story with someone entering a museum, and end it with them settling down to join a sit-in.

High School – 41 stories

Write about an elderly character who was part of a historic movement years ago.

Historical Fiction – 134 stories

Start your story with a major news event breaking — one that will change the world forever.

Dystopian – 156 stories

Stories

“Unreconciled” by Courtney C

Submitted to Contest #80

“That’ll be $47.29, sir. Thank you for visiting The Manitoba Museum, and make sure to check out our Nonsuch exhibition! It’s really something.” The teller slid over the admission tickets, one adult and two children passes, as Animkii paid. “Thank you, we’ll try to,” Animkii smiled. He led his twin niece and nephew into the museum, checking over his shoulder frequently to make sure they were still within eyeshot. Lily had pulled out her phone and was taking pictures of everything they’d passed so far indiscriminately: the Palaeolithic er...

Read story

“Frequency of Insanity” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #80

The day that humankind dreamt of for so long, and was so terrified of, had come with barely an announcement in the back-end section of some obscure scientific magazine. A frequency had been found. And hidden within it, extraterrestrial life. Things that are not accompanied with much pomp and glitter seldom catch the attention of human eyes, for they have been trained to ignore the mundane. It takes a lot of noise to get someone’s attention to break off from their personalized universe of digital distraction; a pity, then, that the frequency ...

Read story

“DAY 14” by Maddy Writes

Submitted to Contest #80

Day 14: I felt it again. The earth shifted underneath my feet, the crooked sidewalks bordering the demolished street. I walked, feeling my feet touch the cold stone, I had lost my shoes and most of my clothes. Everyone had on the 14th day. We had known the storm was coming. Just had never brought it to reality, and yet where I stood, looking around at the bakery shops that once were filled with delighted people and delicious baked goods, the book stores stacked with beautiful literature were now empty. Books were scattered everywher...

Read story

“Sitting Backstage” by Cam Weppler

Submitted to Contest #80

As I sat backstage at the biggest auditorium I had ever seen, I remembered that night in my backyard. Laying there at 2 a.m looking up at the stars, wishing for more. More than what that tiny town gave me. My whole life I saw my neighbors all following the same path. The women would finish highschool, where they peaked. They would marry their high school sweetheart, move into a house that was paid for by their parents and given to them at their wedding. The husband would have a steady office job, probably a lawyer, accountant, something with...

Read story

“Longjohn Whitaker, Local Legend” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #80

“Who is that guy?” I pointed to an old man sitting at the counter of Gooseberry Café sipping black coffee. His skin was the color of rich mocha, his voice was full of resonance, deep and rich with the essence of a life well-lived. There was an aura that told me that he was a man I needed to get to know. I had been on a quest to find human stories that were worth telling. “Longjohn Whitaker.” The man next to me answered as he put some grits on his spook. “Seems like someone carved his face out of stone.” I chuckled, ...

Read story

“NO VICTOR, NO VANQUISH” by Hope Full

Submitted to Contest #80

JULY 6, 1967 (NIGERIA)BANG !Emeka sprung to his feet at the loud sound. Confused, he stared blankly into the air. The village is in chaos, not only could he feel it but also see it. Wails from adults and children filled the air and questions occupied his mind as he couldn't even recall the cause of his unconsciousness. He took few steps out of the bush where he had been lying, into the street and what he hit him was eyesore. Bodies lay, scattered all over the street with blood running down like streams. There were people, out of fear running...

Read story

“Seated at the Right Hand of the King” by Kara Hunsdon

Submitted to Contest #80

My Grandfather had always called himself an unfortunate spectator to the spirit of History. Whenever it seemed like some big commotion was going on, he was there. Poorly dressed for the occasions he stumbled upon, but nevertheless enthusiastic for people to change the world, he was there.The elderly man I remembered was spry and rather gaunt most of the time, despite his love for sweet desserts and hamburgers. At the drop of a hat he would be sprinting down the street or up a flight of stairs, suspenders and all, looking to the world like a ...

Read story

“Hell on Earth” by Pippin Took

Submitted to Contest #80

September 11, 2001 8:31 a.m. I finish the Chapter titled “The Peloponnesian War” in my social studies book and stand up. Mommy told me to read and she’d give me a quiz on it. I stand up and give a swift pet to my cat, Ramen. Then I head down the stairs of our apartment. My parents work in a deli, and we live in an apartment directly above it. I can see the Twin Towers from my bedroom window. It’s a warm September’s day, 2001. “Mom!” I call. “I’m ready to help with the sandwiches!” “Alright, Teresa!” I hear her yell back from th...

Read story

“The Souls of Bones” by Kat McG

Submitted to Contest #80

The Souls of Bones By Katherine McGowan As she stared at the mountain of bones before her, she couldn’t decide if being a coroner made her appreciate the beauty in the macabre, or if her fixation on the beauty in the macabre lead to her career with the dead. The structure of bones crafted to an unfathomable scale still looked raw and primal despite the meticulous polishing and placement of each individual bone as if they were carefully balanced on a series of suspended scales, delicately holding the floating life of these living-dead mono...

Read story

“Welcome to Hell” by Susan Hoff

Submitted to Contest #80

Conten Content warning: depiction of holocaust The clicking of the wheels on the tracks is the only thing reminding me that I’m still alive. I’m sure my eyes are open, yet I can’t seem to see anything. The thick stench of human excrement fills my nostrils as I struggle to breathe. Although it’s barely March, the air flowing through the train car is warm and heavy. I hear silent sobs all around me. We’ve been standing like this since they took us two days ago. A collection of limbs and sweat and tears. That is all we are to them. And although...

Read story

“Unforgettable” by Christina Steele

Submitted to Contest #80

There are a few dates in my life that I hold tight within me. Dates that changed me in such a manner that they’re unforgettable. We all have those dates. But do you remember your first important date? Mine was November 22, 1963. It was late morning and mom sat on the sofa behind a heaping laundry basket of clothes fresh from the dryer. The news broke in and I, all of three, knew something big had happened. Why? Because Mom gasped and her crying caused her to hold me. We sat in silence as Grandpa Cronkite announced President Kennedy had be...

Read story

“My Ship has Sailed” by Philip Hedges

Submitted to Contest #80

Dear Bruno,Forgive me father for I have sinned—or rather, I’m about to unload a bunch of my regrets on you.Isn’t that what confession is ultimately about?One of the nurses asked me, if I wanted to receive pastoral care. When I asked her, if that was the punchline to a joke about the Catholic Church, she explained that many people here want to talk to a priest before it’s too late. Well, that gives me a great excuse to write you. So I’m sending off this letter in the hopes that you’ll understand me across a language barrier and haven’t banish...

Read story

“Mama Tsia” by Roth Sassin (inactive)

Submitted to Contest #80

We gather around Jeng Ma Tsia in the tent. We know it is hers for the many Ourings traced on the old cloth that makes up the tent. There are more Ourings than anyone. My tent has only ten Ourings, for I am ten rituals old. No one knows how old Jeng Ma Tsia is, and no one really visits her. Except us. Me and Pili Do Eurig, my brother. No one questions why we prefer to go to Jeng Ma Tsia's tent instead of Dzia Mi Alabesh, the Storyteller of our tribe. But our reason is simple. Jeng Ma Tsia is older and has more tales -and those tales are more ...

Read story

“Everything Fades” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #80

Back home, in the kitchen she’d kept spotless, was a picture. It hung by the back door, and Anna-Lee had walked past it so often that she didn’t see it any more. If she’d been asked to describe her kitchen, she’d talk about the double stove, and the wonderful gas hobs. She’d talk about her large fridge and the separate freezer, and all the racks she had on the wall for hanging her utensils. With a sparkle in her eyes she’d talk about her herb garden, all the hand-painted pots that grew on a bookcase, so quaint and individual (or so she thoug...

Read story

“What I Just Saw” by Stories Are Fun

Submitted to Contest #80

Date: November 22nd 1963 Location: Dallas, Texas “Is he here yet?” I ask my mother with impatience. “Not yet sweetie” she replies. “When, will he be here”, I ask. “Well he’s due to arrive soon so just hold in the excitement until it happens”. My name is Paul. I am an eight year old boy and my family is here for a special event. Today me and all the whole in Dallas are gathered here because someone very special is going to be coming here. Probably the most famous person in the whole of America. Wh...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

672

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 12, 2021 EST

A winner will be announced soon.

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 ⭢