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

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 275 stories

“TALK THE TALK” by Eshawnial Lowry

Submitted to Contest #186

"It's beautiful!" "What's beautiful?...Gene?" "The way you smile, the way you look at the world the-" "Spare me the B.S. Gene, sarcasm is not, your, strongest attribute!" "I'm no Mary Jo Smith, but you already know that. No one can live up to your title" "Uuuuh men!" "Uuuuug, women!" "When Pam told me to swipe left I should have listened." "..." "Did you just shake your head, and roll your eyes at me? I hate it when you do that." "You clearly saw me shake my head. And if I want to roll my eyes I will roll my eyes!..There...how's that?" "A li...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Two Steps Away” by Deborah Landers

Submitted to Contest #186

This story contains references to self-harm and attempted suicide, as well as neglect. "What the hell are you doing?" "Oh. Hi, Scarlet. I didn't expect to see you here." "That's what you're going to say to me? Get away from the edge!" "Why?" "Because you'll fall!" "No, I won't. Besides, it wouldn't matter if I did. You know that." "I'm not talking about this with you standing there. Just please... take two steps back towards me, okay? Just two steps." "Why should it matter where I'm standing for this conversation? It's not like it's going ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Shortfall” by Linda Lovendahl

Submitted to Contest #186

“Stop. You at the door cannot come into this room to speak to me if you are followed by a servant. You alone may enter with my guard.” “Sir, he is not a servant. He is my brother.” “No. He is first and foremost a black man.” “He is under my command in the Patriot Army.” “By the color of his skin, he is a slave.” “He is not a slave but a soldier on my administration staff.” “I don’t give a damn how you entitle him. You have gotten away with him as an escort in accordance to the traditions of Venezuela – nothing else. I contest his presence i...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Tell Me How You Feel” by Madison Eccleton

Submitted to Contest #186

“It’s weird, the way you make me feel.” “Tell me about it.” “My heart is a chorus of butterflies when you walk into the room, and for a moment I feel as if the butterflies are going to lift me off my feet and carry me farther away. Away from you, and then that thought brings this … tightness to my chest, that makes it feel as if I can’t breathe. The butterflies fly me away from you and it’s all I can do just to breathe again.” “It sounds like the way I make you feel makes you miserable, Emil.” “The opposite, actually. You make me feel warm, ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Cleanup” by Soledad Alfaro-Allah

Submitted to Contest #186

''When?'"Today""Today? Now?'"Yes. Now, today. Get in the truck""I'm eating. Give me a minute. You should've said it was today.""I didn't know it happened today, so we need to go now.""Now? Today, now? And you couldn't have called yesterday to tell me today?""Fuck you Tommy.""Stop smoking in my face will ya? You're ruining my breakfast. 'Now. Today.' Like I didn't have plans. You know, I do make plans. I like my free time.""Whatever. I told you it's today, so we're going today." "Now? Today?" "Today! Today, today, today! God! You're...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Pinky-Swear” by Faith Richardson

Submitted to Contest #186

This story gives some explicit description of Jesus's death on the cross. “God?” “Yes, child.” “How can you love me after what I’ve done?” “What exactly have you done, child?” “Oh, God! Please don’t make me say it out loud.” “It needs to be spoken in order for others to hear.” “But why would you choose me? I’m nothing. I’m no one. I have done horrible things and horrible things have been done to me. I am blemished, bruised, and battered, standing before you in filthy rags. Why would anyone listen to me? I am not worthy.” “ ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Better Days” by Anthony Dayton

Submitted to Contest #186

“Well, well, well,” “What?” “After fifteen years, you’re back? Just like that?” “Why are you so angry?” “Why am I angry? For fifteen years you left me forgotten in a folder with the rest of your feverish brain’s outpourings. And now all of a sudden you’re rereading me? And don’t think I don’t know why!” “Okay. I’ll bite. Why?” “Because you’re dry. The old creative juices aren’t flowing lately, are they? So you thought you’d come back here to me, sort of like stealing diamonds and gold from a wreck at the bottom of the sea, excep...

0 comments 0

Read story

“New, Improved Axis” by Samm Murphy

Submitted to Contest #186

“So yeah. We’re here.” “I am. Can’t say the same about you.” “Sure. Whatever. What’s next?” “You tell me and we’ll both know. Okay, you’re right. That wasn’t fair. I think we go up to the door. One of us waits outside, one of us goes in and scopes the scene out. Ready to see who does what? Rock paper scissors. I have rock. You?” “Hey hey hey. I haven’t agreed to any of this no matter how irresistibly charming you think you are. What happens after we scope the place out?” “Geez must I be the brains of every. Single. Step? We compare notes and...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Cause and Effect” by Rex Verborum

Submitted to Contest #186

Note: This story touches on topics related to physical violence, domestic violence, and/ or death/ murder.“Curb your anger. Restrain your emotions.”“You can’t be serious; you’re saying this is my fault?”“No. Of course not.”“Then what the hell are you saying?”“There is only one enemy at play here and it is not you. We have been robbed and deprived of our birthright. It will not stand. It cannot stand. But when you lash out and react like an animal, you harm our cause. Don’t you see?”“You’re right. I lost control and I apologize.”“Take heart, ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“DISCOURSE TM” by I M

Submitted to Contest #186

| "Am I the only one who didn't love the A Tale of Sturm und Drang remake? I mean, it was cute, but it didn't blow me away like the original."| "Aya Seck's performance as the princess was...underwhelming." || "Honestly I agree. The original was a masterpiece. Perfectly made film." || "The costumes were so bad omg." || "The original is what got me into high fantasy. Very disappointed with the remake!" || "Don't worry. They'll do a better job when they inevitably remake the remake in twenty years."|| "I don't know...t...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Senior Squabble ” by Cheryl Wolf

Submitted to Contest #186

SENIOR SQUABBLE – by Cheryl Wolf Did you read the brochure? I skimmed it. Oh, so in other words, No. Yes, I did. I skimmed it. That’s NOT reading. Sure it is. I glanced it over. That’s NOT reading. You miss lots of important parts. No, I hit all the important parts. Like what? What do you mean? Name ONE important part. Hmm…. I don’t know. You don’t KNOW because you SKIMMED IT! I got the main idea. So, what’s the main idea? I don’t remember. Oh, so you forgot? No, I didn’t forget. I just don’t remember. THAT’S THE SAME THING. No, it’s n...

1 comment 1

Read story

“BETWITCHED” by Bonnie Sanders

Submitted to Contest #186

Words 1,079 BETWITCHED “Wow, this place sure looks different. Smells kind of funky too, like, like --” “You mean like nothing! Well, maybe Lysol.” Yep, the ambience is gone; that’s for sure. And this place is so goddamn clean. Not a crumb or peanut shell to be found. “Wonder why? This always was one of my favorite haunts. “Health inspectors closed it. Vermin.” Well, that’s a crock. “But at least we can be alone. That’s why I chose this very empty place. C’mon, join me on the ba...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Shut Up Buddy” by Matt Wallace

Submitted to Contest #186

“You can’t always have it your way.” “I am aware of this Buddy, but you know that I am always right.” “And stop calling me Buddy, dammit! You know my name is Walter. Call me Walter. I’ve asked you a thousand times.” “But they used to call you Buddy. Do people not give nicknames to othe...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Saving Cel” by Yolande Whitely

Submitted to Contest #186

[THIS STORY CONTAINS SENSITIVE COMMENT AS IT REFERS TO SEXUAL TRAFFICKING.] “I can’t breathe.” “What’s happening? ” “Dad!” “Why can’t I breathe?!” “Calm down Cel. One deep breath at a time. That’s it. There you go.” “Now… Wake up!!” “Aaaaaaaarghhhh” “Oh God! Oh my God” “Oh! thank goodness! I was dreaming.” “Or was I… … remembering really…my dad…that nightmare moment… Where’s the tissue…I better wipe these tears and blow my nose before mom comes into my room.” “Celeste are you OK?” “I’m ok mom.” “Hurry up and get...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Way I Remember” by Julie Eremeeva

Submitted to Contest #186

“Look at me.” “What for?” “I am trying to draw you.” “Will you draw me with a big fish in my hands?” “You didn’t catch anything, grandpa.” “I had a few bites. I bet one was a pike. Bigger than what your dad caught last year.” “It doesn't count. I am drawing you standing on the boat launch with the sunset behind you. Just the way I see you, no fish.” “Such a shame, I did not realize my granddaughter could not draw fish.” “I can’t draw you when you’re talking, grandpa.” ********************** “Grandpa, I...

0 comments 0

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

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

Fiction – 77 stories

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.

Fiction – 54 stories

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

Fiction – 55 stories

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.

Fiction – 18 stories

Contest #186

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Story Form with Erik Harper Klass

$250

Prize money

479

Contest entries

141

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 24, 2023 EST

Won by Michał Przywara 🏆

Title: Mouse!

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

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

“TALK THE TALK” by Eshawnial Lowry

“Two Steps Away” by Deborah Landers

“Shortfall” by Linda Lovendahl

“Tell Me How You Feel” by Madison Eccleton

“Cleanup” by Soledad Alfaro-Allah

“Pinky-Swear” by Faith Richardson

“Better Days” by Anthony Dayton

“New, Improved Axis” by Samm Murphy

“Cause and Effect” by Rex Verborum

“DISCOURSE TM” by I M

“Senior Squabble ” by Cheryl Wolf

“BETWITCHED” by Bonnie Sanders

“Shut Up Buddy” by Matt Wallace

“Saving Cel” by Yolande Whitely

“The Way I Remember” by Julie Eremeeva

🌟 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 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: