Write a story entirely of dialogue. Nothing but dialogue. No attributives (he said, she said, etc.). No descriptions of scenes or gestures or movements (unless these things are presented in the dialogue). Just words between quotation marks. Pure, beautiful, untainted dialogue.

Posted in Dialogue on Feb 17, 2023

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✍️ 275 stories

“The Choice” by Heather Wolverton

Submitted to Contest #186

Trigger Warning: Contains Themes of Teen Pregnancy and Abortion “Are you certain, Dr. Lovel?” “Yes, we ran it twice. It was positive.” “I see. So where do we go from here?” “Well, now you have a choice to make. Here, Hannah. This pamphlet outlines your options for terminating. And this one explains how your body will change if you choose to carry to term. If you have any questions, you can call my office. I know this is a lot to take in.” “Thank you. What do you think I should do?” “Hannah, this is a family matter now. Thank yo...

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“Pasta Carbonara” by Jarleene Almenas

Submitted to Contest #186

“One tablespoon of black pepper.” “That can’t be right.” “Is that too much? A tablespoon can’t be that... OK, that’s a lot of pepper.” “It says one teaspoon. Check the recipe.” “I think I did need my glasses. Should I pour the rest back, then?” “Why don’t you take over the pancetta? The spaghetti should be almost done too.” “This smells amazing, doesn’t it?” “Yes.” “Just like Italy, right?” “Yep.” “Remember the night we first had this? That little hole-in-the-wall place with the broken lightbulb above the entrance. We walked in and everyone ...

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“Soul-searching” by Laarni Odsey

Submitted to Contest #186

There you are. I knew there was a Housekeeper in here, but you hid yourself so well I couldn't find you. What you doing in there? Sitting. I can see that, and that wasn't the question. You know the place is empty, right? I do. So why aren't you out here? I…I like it here. What? This part of the attic the location of a missing head from a gruesome murder a hundred years ago? This house isn't that old. There’s only been one family. Why don't you come out then? Well? This is my space. Was. Not anymore. The world is yo...

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“You Are Worthless” by Laura Magee

Submitted to Contest #186

“I can’t believe you’re doing this again.” “Fuck off.” “You think you are going to get any work done? You’re not. You’re not good enough. You’re worthless, remember?” “You think I am worthless. I’m not.” “No, you think you are worthless. And you are the only person whose opinion matters. I am only here telling you these things because you want me to.” “I don’t want this. I want to get my work done. I want to focus.” “Bullshit. You want to be the best. You want to already be done. You want to get attention and be told how go...

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“Acquired Daughter” by Mike Males

Submitted to Contest #186

Note: refers to sexual violence, suicide, mental health issues, and contains normally explicit language but no explicit descriptions of sex or violence. Acquired Daughter “Nice day for skipping school.” “I am not skipping school.” “So, why’d you hike all the way up here instead of joining the gathering behind the amphitheater fogging away this fine Friday afternoon?” “I’m Rhona. You didn’t ask. Why are you here?” “I teach at the college. I come here Fridays because it’s high up. I’m into views and swings and drinking bad wine and r...

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“Riven” by Jennie Stevenson

Submitted to Contest #186

Riven “Maggie! … What are you doing down here? You’ll not come to see me off then?” “I wanted to – but I couldn’t … I thought if I came down here and climbed the tall rocks, I’d be able to watch you all the way across, see you safe all the way to New York.” “Pfft, it’s unsinkable, you goose! It’s the absolute pinnacle of modern technology. All the papers say so. They say nothing short of an act of God himself could sink it.” “Well, even so, maybe – maybe I just needed to feel like I was doing something to keep you safe … Do you have time...

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“What's Wrong?” by Jennifer Addison

Submitted to Contest #186

What’s Wrong? “What’s wrong?” “What do you mean?” “I mean, what’s wrong? I can tell something’s off…I don’t know. I just see it. And I have my own things to say, but just tell me.” “Your own things to say?” “Baby. What’s wrong?” “Do you really want to do this tonight? It’s been a long week.” “Yes! I want to know what I did.” “It’s nothing you did. I just feel…sad. Lately.” “Sad about what?” “I don’t know. How we used to be. I feel like we’re just going through the motions. I don’t feel heard, or valued, and it makes me sad.” “I’m working...

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“The Singer” by Peter Briggs

Submitted to Contest #186

“I am told you are looking for a vacation home. I might know a place. Word travels fast here, and I am happy to oblige. It comes with a history. The fate of a man, a troublemaker, you see. Let us walk and talk. Enjoy the summer air, the breeze coming over the hills. It is a shame you have come today. Last night you would have experienced the feast of San Giuseppe. The fireworks. The marching band. But do not worry, there are plenty more celebrations throughout the year, if you are planning to stay. Turn here on Via Garibaldi. Every town has ...

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“Come, Gentle Night” by Richard Banks

Submitted to Contest #186

Act 1“So, you're in seats J8 and J9. Take a left here and head straight down the stairs. Enjoy the show.”“I see you've splashed out on seats this time.”“It was a last minute Groupon thing, Sarah, we can go back home if you'd rather -”“James, I'm joking, calm down. Always so bloody defensive.”“It's probably because I've just spent fourteen quid on a tiny beer and a glass of cheap plonk after already paying for tickets. Also, I've still got to pay for parking when we leave. It doesn't exactly fill me with -”“Enough. Done. N...

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“To Lose a Battle Before Breakfast” by Melissa D

Submitted to Contest #186

"Honey? You up?" "Hmm?" "You awake yet?" "Yea…sure, yup. I’m up. What’s up?" "I’m not feeling too well, I think your uncle gave me the same flu he had last week." "Oh man, really?" "Yeah. My throat’s aching bad. Could you stop by the drugstore and grab me some cough drops?" "Sure, you need anything else? Nasal spray? Soup?" "No, thanks for asking though honey. We should still have some in the basement. I’ll check after I take my nap." "Sure, sure. If you change your mind just give me a call." "Mhm." "Yeah…okay, cool. Let me just take a showe...

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“Be careful what you try to stop” by Caroline I.Night

Submitted to Contest #186

‘If only I could pluck up the courage to tell you what I did. You’re sitting there peacefully like you normally do. I dread to think what you would do if I told you the truth. If only you could hear my thoughts, it would be way easier.’ ‘Oh gosh, if only you knew I can actually hear your thoughts! But I don’t want to know. Don’t you dare tell me whatever you did. Don’t you even dare think about it. It’s easier this way … I guess I know what you want to tell me, anyway …’ ‘I’m gonna get some tea, you want some?’ ‘Sure, thanks.’ ‘Great...

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“Comic Relief” by Paul Attmere

Submitted to Contest #186

“Lyn, that you? Door’s not locked—just come in for fuck’s sake—I’m famished … Who the frig are you?” “Brett.” “Do I know you?” “Not really.” “Who let you backstage?” “No one.” “What’s the matter with your nose.” “Nothing. Walked into a door.” “Looks pretty cut up. So I don’t know you?” “Well, not exactly, no.” “Then get the fuck out. Hang on … Lyn, where are you? I tried to call you a moment ago … I want some … Shit wait, phones out of juice. I ain’t got my charger. Hey, Brad!” “Brett.” “Quickly mate, you’ve gotta phone? Great. T...

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“He Still Ain't Heavy” by Yusef Ben Shlomo

Submitted to Contest #186

He Still Ain’t Heavy “Oh, hi! Wow you’re here! Thank you so much.” “Hey, I haven’t moved from yesterday.” “Cute. At least you ordered fresh coffee and somebody brought you a change of clothes?” “Yeah, and a sponge bath. I have a great valet. You like this outfit? Can I get you a coffee or something?” “No, I’m good. I’m glad you got your bath and look, your jeans are clean.” “Are you saying I was wearing dirty clothes yesterday? Anyway, truth?” “Yes, truth.” “Yeah, I confess, I had gone through the entire day yesterday, ...

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“So, Just Bite Him.” by Ruth Simms

Submitted to Contest #186

SO, JUST BITE HIM “ I hear he’s going to be at the party tonight.”“Yes! Go for it girl!”“Stop it! If I spend too much time thinking about him, I'll freeze when I see him and won't be able to say a word.”“So, don’t think about him.”“But then. . . when I see him, what will I say?”“Like I said, don’t think about him.”“But here’s the thing, when I see him, I need to say something witty and charming. Something to capture his attention…”“So, what will you say?”“I know! I'll say, Beat billy oatin dotin bo bo be deaten dotten. Becau...

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“Dorrie's Coming Roon!” by Jan MacFarlane

Submitted to Contest #186

“Well, we’re all agreed.” “That’s fine by me.” “And you C?” “The morra night?” “Yes. Have you a problem with that?” “Aye! A dinna think, A can dae it the morra.” “Hmmm! Why not, this time?” “Well, a’ve got ma art class the morra night.” “Art class C.? “ “Aye! It’s virtual - online ye know.” “Of course! You couldn’t miss it, could you?” “Naw, C. That art class of yours is second to none!” “A’m glad youse understand. Ah really don’t want tae miss it. Besides Dorrie wad think somethin’ wis up and be roon here at the toot.” “Well, s...

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Write a story entirely of dialogue. Nothing but dialogue. No attributives (he said, she said, etc.). No descriptions of scenes or gestures or movements (unless these things are presented in the dialogue). Just words between quotation marks. Pure, beautiful, untainted dialogue.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 275 stories

“The Choice” by Heather Wolverton

“Pasta Carbonara” by Jarleene Almenas

“Soul-searching” by Laarni Odsey

“You Are Worthless” by Laura Magee

“Acquired Daughter” by Mike Males

“Riven” by Jennie Stevenson

“What's Wrong?” by Jennifer Addison

“The Singer” by Peter Briggs

“Come, Gentle Night” by Richard Banks

“To Lose a Battle Before Breakfast” by Melissa D

“Be careful what you try to stop” by Caroline I.Night

“Comic Relief” by Paul Attmere

“He Still Ain't Heavy” by Yusef Ben Shlomo

“So, Just Bite Him.” by Ruth Simms

“Dorrie's Coming Roon!” by Jan MacFarlane

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in which each paragraph begins or ends (or both!) with the same sentence.

Write a story of fragments. Many options here: no verbs, sentence fragments, short sections, nothing but objects, etc. The fragments should relate to one another obliquely, hesitantly, subtly, ambiguously, preposterously, marvelously.

Write a story within a story within a story within a ...

Write a story that formally utilizes a mathematical sequence; e.g., the Fibonacci sequence could determine the number of words in each paragraph, or start with a number and work backwards. Make sure the formula is made clear, either within the story, or before or after it.

Contest #186

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

479

Contest entries

141

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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