#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
⭐️ Shortlisted
“La Sombra” by Alex Arias
This week's prompts
End your story with a truth coming to light.
Horror
–
186 stories
Set your story in a countryside house that’s filled with shadows.
Horror
–
173 stories
Write about a character who thinks they have a sun allergy.
Summer
–
117 stories
Stories
“The Shadow Tailor” by Maya -
“The Gift” by Melissa Hassan
“Luminescence ” by Charli Britton
“Au Revoir” by Jade Young
$50
Prize money
1062
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.
Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!