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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#85: City Living

There’s something deeply compelling about cities, isn’t there? Whether it’s the influencer-driven styles of LA, the laid-back sophistication of Athens, or the perfectly manicured greenery of Singapore, each one truly has its own unique soul. Those who visit are awed and at times overwhelmed, either falling in love or swearing them off forever — while lifelong residents take up a fierce loyalty that nothing can shake.

When writing, it’s often helpful to think of your setting almost like another character. Cities are an excellent way to explore this line of thinking, so for this week, pick a favorite and invite your readers in. What gives your city (whether real or imagined) its local “flavor”? And what impression do the people there give to the many tourists traipsing down their streets? Tap into your inner tour guide — it's time to travel the world!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a major city that your character has a love-hate relationship with.

Middle School – 153 stories

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Historical Fiction – 154 stories

Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Adults – 283 stories

Write about someone fighting to change their city neighborhood for the better.

Teens – 44 stories

Write about someone fighting to keep their city neighborhood the same.

Teens – 34 stories

Stories

“Roses” by David Antoine

Submitted to Contest #85

There was something about Gérard’s eyes that Marie-Claude didn’t like, but she had never brought herself to look at them long enough to figure out what it was. As she stood at the altar, though, with the slightly-too-squeaky voice of the priest grating her ear, and the eyes of a hundred relatives and complete strangers searing into her, it occurred to Marie-Claude what it was: Gérard’s right eyeball, and only his right eyeball, had a single, spidery vein that ran from the inside corner of his eye to his iris. This was the first time s...

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“YESTERDAY AND TODAY” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #85

Today was the long awaited day for this part of the harvest season. The rice would be gathered and hopefully provide enough sustenance for the winter season. The murky stream was soft and clear and remained the perfect setting for their hoped for bounty. The McInnis family remained thankful that this plentiful area was maintained by the elderly gentleman who lived in the home prior to their arrival. Gordon, father of the clan McInnis, had attended to the horses and let them out to pasture on this sunny fall day. The carriage was in need of ...

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“What Lies Buried Must Always be Found ” by Elliot G

Submitted to Contest #85

1949:The sky was completely dark due to the large and menacing clouds that had rolled in, blocking the sun and refusing to let even the slightest ray of light seep through. Every so often, a sudden and distant flash would illuminate the solemn obscurity, emitting a thrilling crackling noise, sometimes accompanied by a loud and thunderous grumble that emerged from below. Though the storm was not yet near, a strong wind swayed the trees back and forth as a fierce and heavy rain beat down from above, drenching everything within the small rural ...

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“On Edward's Hill at Tilstow” by Mike Burgess

Submitted to Contest #85

The security guard ran through the corridors towards the Foster Gallery, his footsteps echoing among the statuary. In their control room on the other side of town, Charlie and Sam watched. “There are two of them. One’s huge”. Ted only picked out one word in three. Reception was poor in the museum. The walls were two-feet thick in places, with plenty of metalwork to break up the signal. It was once the town prison and, before that, a monastery, probably founded during the sixth-century. Though it twice fell prey to rai...

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“Cajamarca” by Martin Mendoza

Submitted to Contest #85

TW: violence, warfare, colonialism It had been a long night for Jim Calloway. He had trouble sleeping on buses in general, but the television above him playing movies late into the night didn't help. The constant turns and twists of the road also made his stomach a bit queasy and he barely managed to keep down his dinner. As soon as he got off the bus, his head began to hurt, his eyes felt dry, and he was a little short of breath, despite his general athleticism. In contrast to him, his travel partner and new friend, Alim, seemed completely ...

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“The ghost in room 506” by Khloe Crawshaw

Submitted to Contest #85

August 21, 1863- 5:17 a.m. Something about the stars that night looked surreal. Struggling to keep up with her peers, Elizabeth heaved the bucket of water she was carrying along, finally setting it down outside the back door to give her arms a break. She stopped again for a moment to watch those twinkling stars on the clear night, and the moon settling itself on the horizon. The August heat was dying down with the sun setting, and the cool night air was blowing through her hair. For a moment, everything felt completely at peace. ...

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“MY CITY” by Amber Hodgson

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city, thought Michelle as she opened her front door to let in the cool morning breeze. Every Morning Michelle would wake up a 530 am, make her self a cup of coffee and sit out on her front porch watching the sunrise, it was the only time of day that she could truly be at peace. The rest of the day was spent looking after family, and attending to mundane chores. The view from her front porch was not all that inspiring, a glaring yellow neon sign promoting a pet store, a gray wall with the logo of the local me...

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“Flight” by Christina Coltau

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. It might not be that hard: getting off the plane. Saying goodbye to the stewardess. Walking down a corridor, out into the Arrivals Hall, and seeing you. But this time it was. I open my eyes and look out the window. Once again, I have dreamed of what it would be like to see you. I would stand before you with outstretched arms, and I would know that you are where I belong. I lean forward and pick up the bag of nuts that had fallen. I open it slowly. I will enjoy every single second of this new experience. ...

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“The Blarneystone and How I Got to Work There” by Frank Emerson

Submitted to Contest #85

Frank Emerson Word Count: 2,355 790 E. Spiller Street Wytheville, VA 24382 276-228-6726 276-613-0598 femerson@embarqmail.com The Blarneystone and How I Got to Work There That’s the thing about this city: Somerville, Massachusetts. Friendly and funny, it’s sort of a half-way place that lies between Medford and Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston. It is an “All-America City.” At both ends of the town, there are signs that say so, just as big as life. I believe the moniker is an honor. I also believe the signs are there t...

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“The Busy Over Gate ” by Ley Heffley

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city, there are millions of tourists coming to this city but they're never allowed to enter just one street. There are many houses and people in the street but when someone calls to them they seem as if they can't hear and they continue their work. As of this reason this street is named as 'The Busy Over Gate. ' This street is separated from the others with a tall gate. If you go and touch it at around 12:00 noon it'll burn your hands. The sides have a huge wall covered with ivory. Scientists and researchers come ...

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“Little do they know” by Lucy Thompson

Submitted to Contest #85

That's the thing about this city... Who would have thought one chilly December morning, could change everything in a small city... Taryn, a young, beautiful, 13-year-old girl, just trying to get on with life. “Mom!” Taryn yelled as she made her way to and out the door for school,” I'm headed to my bus stop I don't want to miss it!” “Okay please be safe!” her mom yelled back. But Taryn was already out the door jogging and praying she didn't miss her bus stop. As she makes her w...

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“Quiet Car” by John Meiners, Jr

Submitted to Contest #85

Quiet Car &nb...

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“Home town” by Nigel Dougill

Submitted to Contest #85

Michael (1) City Living That is the thing about this city, it draws you in. There is inevitably always something going on. From loud music and arguments, inquisitive tourists, or locals going about their everyday lives. It sucks you in, and makes you feel at home. At whatever time of day or night there is always something to make you stop and think. The sense of community is incredible, all around are people that have known you their entire lives. There are no secrets, the locals probably know you better than you know yourself. That can prov...

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“Yeah it is a thing about the rest...” by Lis Lovén

Submitted to Contest #85

Yeah it is a thing about the rest… That´s the thing about this city...that it´s a bang-bang place, that we all have come to look upon in a sexy way. It is more of a place, I guess. A way of living that we have come at pace with. It is a genuine thing having this Smolandic centre of all green woods and meadows around us, out there somewhere. The centre of the southern Sweden. A university with a famous name. Students swarming around, filling the museum to the brim. Meeting at coffee-houses over a talkative discussion about the last second...

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“The boy no one knew nor cared about ” by CJ Ribbera

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city. everyone’s too consumed in their own lives to ever pay the slightest attention; cars ranting with angry drivers all prioritising their own issues over anyone else’s, teenagers consumed by what dress looks best with their shoes or what killing games next to be released; we’re selfish- all of us, even if we’re too stubborn to admit it. To them I’m just a another kid from another town.MISSING. The massive word flashed on the bottom of the many posters that littered the town- my soulless skull drawn express...

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Ended on 23:59 - Mar 19, 2021 EST

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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.

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