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!

#94: Stubborn as a Bull

Those who dabble in astrology may know that we’re nearing the end of Taurus season — and that one of the “typical” Taurus traits is stubbornness. I’m only a casual fan of horoscopes, but I will say I’ve met a few stubborn Tauruses in my time; that said, I’m pretty sure that’s because most human beings are stubborn, not because it’s intrinsic to those born in late April and May.

Still, Taurus season is a great excuse to delve into this fascinating character trait! Stubbornness, tenacity, perseverance, or stupidity: whatever you call it, this week’s prompts are all about the refusal to give up or give in, and all that might mean for your characters.

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone sticking to a course of action even when it’s clearly wrong.

Middle School – 182 stories

Start your story with someone accepting a dare.

Middle School – 185 stories

Write a story about two people who need each other, but are too stubborn to admit it.

Teens – 164 stories

End your story with someone finally conceding to another’s point of view.

Middle School – 97 stories

Write a story in which a character justifies an argument with: “Because I said so.”

Middle School – 97 stories

Stories

“after party ” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #94

Candles lit Rosaire: Romain! Where are you? And cake is done Romain: I don’t know, I can’t see. Part’s over Rosaire: Just keep saying my name, I’ll find you. Now the fun is left to rot Romain: I think something fell, I’m not sure. The glass is shattered Rosaire: Are you okay? On the sofa Rosaire: Are you okay? I need to know you can hear me. Folks are battered Rosaire: Romain, please, can you hear me? Worn from dancing Romain: Yes, I’m sorry, I think I- Blind of li...

Read story

“is it okay if i love you?” by Euphorias Pink!🌸

Submitted to Contest #94

Trigger ⚠️: Indicates depression 1 Week Before Mom Died ”God Marley, can you at least help out around here? It’s like your Mother does everything!” Dad had exclaimed dramatically, waving his arms around. Mom had quietly continued to sweep the floor, not looking up at the either of us. By the time she had finished sweeping, the floor screamed in agony. The self-despair oozed off of her, like greasy, thick slime. “If Mom needed help she would ask me to do so! It’s not like I ever see you going out of your way to clean a dish. The most ...

Read story

“The Sins that Betray Us” by William Richards

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #94

A fictional moment in the life of Eugène Vidocq, the criminal turned criminalist *** It was a warm Parisienne evening and fog rose from the Seine. It mingled with the smog of industry and clouded the gas street lights that dimly lit cobblestone streets. Beside the Seine, in the 4th arrondissement, was La Force Prison, within which was the man Eugène Vidocq, whose wrists were shackled to the dungeon wall by cold steel chains and ankles bound by manacles. Eugène had black, curly hair and long, thick sideburns that taunted the corners of ...

Read story

“Daddy's Little Girl” by Emily Thompson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #94

TW: Alcoholism, verbal abuse, brief mention of eating disorder and sexual assaultShine on You Crazy Diamond, Pink Floyd (1975)**Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.Shine on, you crazy diamond. You’re seven years old and you sit next to Dad. The waitress fills his mug with black, black coffee and the steam swirls up and cradles your nose. You want another donut, Poot? He asks. You smile your gap-tooth smile and the waitress brings another donut, setting it on the napkin in front of you. You spin around in...

Read story

“Sivard attempts to enact a death plan” by Kathleen `Woods

Submitted to Contest #94

Aloe and Canella, Valerian and Chamomile, as always this was the bitter smell of healing. It was always times like this, after a fight where he was something to care for, that he felt indebted. They were always helping him with his obligations, though he’d long sense given himself up to those burdens. Their soul is full of Violets and Yarrow, when their dearest Sirvard is injured. Souls are the kinda thing that grows flowers when you save them, and Sirvard did so much more, at least according to Lian. Thornless Roses were the first to ...

Read story

“My School Saga” by Ewang Mesode

Submitted to Contest #94

Tom accepts a dare. It was a new academic year and as usual we were all excited to secure good beds in our dormitories male and female students alike. It was a custom for us to welcome new students and make them feel at home in their new school. As boarders, we had just us. No contact with the outside world except on visiting days. There was much competition amongst students. Not academic competition though. Almost everyone in my class, lower sixth had a boyfriend. But there was a new trend of happenings that year. My school had seen s...

Read story

“Man Bites Dog” by Tom .

Submitted to Contest #94

I read once that revenge was like biting a dog that bit you. Whoever said that failed to realise everyman must bite his dog. The secret is to bite the dog first. That is what happens in the wild. When a new litter of puppies is born into the pack, the alpha dog, on their first night, bites each puppy hard on the scruff of their necks. It is important. It is their initiation into the pack. That puppy knows pain for the first time; knows its source and respects and fears it. When you first take that new puppy home, for your family; you must ...

Read story

“Sol Losers” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #94

The Sun bristled and swirled dead ahead, Hell personified in a sphere.“This is madness!” said Nancy Mendez. “We’re escaping one fiery hellhole—” she gestured back to the charred remnants of the Earth “—for another! Are you all insane?”“Lady,” said a rotund man with the face of a toddler. “We all voted for this.” He nodded, in affirmation, then took a sip from the straw of his coke. Bubbles thrummed in the container. “Democracy.” He squinted at her. “Are you saying you don’t like democracy, huh? What are you, some kinda communist?”The other p...

Read story

“BITTERSWEET MEMORIES” by Irene Gitau

Submitted to Contest #94

KIRA’S POV I was sitting in my office preparing myself for a meeting with one of my clients. I’ve got to admit being a CEO and having so many people depending on every decision you make was tiresome and stressful. Yeah you heard right, I am the CEO of House of Alexa. It’s a multi-million fashion company that has branches all around the globe. I studied my first degree in Business Management at MSU then later on did my MBA at Harvard. Most people wonder how I’d managed to pull that off at such a young age. Well that’s thanks to my photogenic ...

Read story

“Mother Said” by Amelia Bowen

Submitted to Contest #94

Mother said you wanted to be donated. When you die. We’d just been to a museum, and all I could see was your skin peeled back like an orange to reveal muscle and dried-out bones, steeping in the heavy gaze of onlookers who claimed it was all in the name of science. The image paralyzed me. I was terrified. Could I resist every brochure for a natural history or university museum I came across, all so I wouldn’t see you there, strung out, hung up, feet dangling how you hated behind some smudged piece of smudge-proof glass? I wondered if they wo...

Read story

“Someone to Believe in” by Arwen Dove

Submitted to Contest #94

I had always been the timid one. The person that always sat in the corner nibbling on her biscuit and never said a word. To anyone. I enjoyed the soft breeze brushing past me, the first rays of morning sunlight bathing on my face. I longed for a time where I could be me, when I didn’t have to hide myself from these people that seem to laugh in my face every time I dared to speak up. Which I never did of course, for I didn’t have the strength to look darkness in the eyes and send it fleeing in the opposite direction. I would say I was ‘f...

Read story

“Black Barrel” by Monica June

Submitted to Contest #94

TW: goreBefore I begin my account of this story, you must know that I cannot be held accountable. My mind doesn’t work right, and I black-out. I don’t know what happens when I black-out, and sometimes I don’t even know that I’ve done it. I’ll just suddenly realize that I don’t know how I got to the other side of the room, or in the next room over, or sometimes in a completely new place. As an example, I’ll tell you that one day, I was driving. I was just driving for hours on end until I suddenly...

Read story

“I Need You More Than I Thought I Did” by Pippin Took

Submitted to Contest #94

Trigger Warning: kidnapping, violence Claire I run into Jack’s arms, hugging him tightly. “Hello!” I say, looking into his deep grey eyes. They always remind me of storm clouds, but not in a bad way. Jack is my best friend. We’ve been friends for 12 years, since we were 5 years old. People always make fun of us, singing that ridiculous “K-I-S-S-I-N-G” song, but Jack always told me to ignore it. That’s one of the reasons I started having a crush on him over Christmas, his obliviousness to teasing, and how he defends me from Jessi...

Read story

“Lost” by ☠️฿ⱤɆ₵₭ł₦ ₦ØⱤ₮ⱧⱤɄ₱😎

Submitted to Contest #94

“Come on.” Shirley said. “We don’t want to be late for the safari ride.” “Coming!” My friend Jessica yelled. We hopped onto the safari,and the tourist guide gave us instructions. I had already been on this ride a million times so I didn’t need them. While we were on the ride we saw rhinos,zebras, and giraffes and more. We also saw one of the rarest species in the world. The African White Rhino. I had heard that there were only two left and I was amazed that I actually got to see one in person. When we got off the ride, ...

Read story

“A Friendship Worsens” by Charlie Murphy

Submitted to Contest #94

“No, I will become the leader of the world with or without you!”“Audrey, please!”“No! If you won’t help, then GO AWAY!”“Fine! Do whatever you want! Don’t come crying to me when you’re in a jail cell screaming for help!” The scene played in Audrey’s mind as she shaved the last hair down there.I don’t need her. I’m doing just fine by myself; the global economy is up. I passed many laws, helped to maintain peace across the globe, and banned the use of fossil fuels around the world.“Madam, you got a call on line two.”“Thank you.” She stood ...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

725

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 21, 2021 EST

Won by Caroline Greaser 🏆

Title: How to Cook Pasta

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 ⭢