#92: Chiaroscuro
A meteor's dazzling burst of light, a sky faintly illuminated by a crescent moon, or a sidewalk lined by long afternoon shadows, the world is infinitely more interesting for chiaroscuro — the contrast of light and shade. More than that, the binary between light and darkness is one that holds great symbolic power (think yin and yang, Nyx and Erebus, good and evil).
With that in mind, this week’s prompts invite you to reflect on the way light influences a story’s setting, plot, or even its characters. Whether darkness means comfort and privacy or creepy echoing corridors, and whether light reminds you of clarity and safety or of blistering intensity, I’ve chosen prompts that give you freedom of interpretation. Happy writing!
🥇 Winner
“On the Origin of Shadows” by Nina Chyll
🏆 Winner of Contest #92
⭐️ Shortlisted
“Bigger Than The Light” by A.Dot Ram
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“Where the Sun Can't Reach” by Sarah Nour
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“La Sombra” by Alex Arias
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“The Shadows of the Flowers” by Kenley Ellis
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“Still in the Dark” by Adam Schwartz
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“A CHANGE OF HEART” by Jennifer Claire Pulling
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
This week's prompts
End your story with a truth coming to light.
Horror – 184 stories
Set your story in a countryside house that’s filled with shadows.
Horror – 170 stories
Write about a character who thinks they have a sun allergy.
Summer – 117 stories
Stories
“On the Origin of Shadows” by Nina Chyll
🏆 Winner of Contest #92
“They expected the Blackout ” by Guia B.
Submitted to Contest #92
“Angels Among Grief” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren
Submitted to Contest #92
“Rising of Monarch Again.” by Anna Mustafa
Submitted to Contest #92
“The Festival of Lights” by Kanika G
Submitted to Contest #92
“The Shadow Tailor” by Maya -
Submitted to Contest #92
“The Locket” by Sasini Athapaththu
Submitted to Contest #92
“Bigger Than The Light” by A.Dot Ram
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #92
“The Gift” by Melissa Hassan
Submitted to Contest #92
“Make Sure to Pick a Good Title” by TJ Squared
Submitted to Contest #92
“Father Tomassi’s Wet Dream” by Stevie B
Submitted to Contest #92
“Luminescence ” by Charli Britton
Submitted to Contest #92
“House of Shadows - Burning Bronze - Chapter 1” by Clinton Ernest Murphy
Submitted to Contest #92
“Aesthetics ” by Abigail Airuedomwinya
Submitted to Contest #92
“Au Revoir” by Jade Young
Submitted to Contest #92
$50
Prize money
1052
Contest entries
0
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - May 07, 2021 EST
Won by Nina Chyll 🏆
Title: On the Origin of Shadows
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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