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!

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.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 276 stories

“Trust & Advantage” by Adriana De Leon

Submitted to Contest #186

PART ONE: “I’m sorry Henry, I can’t do this again.” “I thought this was what you wanted.” “It is. Or, at least, it was. Things between us were easier when you were over there and I was here. Now things are just complicated.” “Oh, I see. You don’t want anything real; you want some half-ass, long-distance relationship, where sexting is our only form of intimacy!”  “No! That’s not true! I want it all. I want it all with you!” “Bullshit!” “Please just listen to me! Because of my autism, my brain has a hard time processing thin...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Stalker” by Meghin Lane

Submitted to Contest #186

“So, you’re telling me you’ve killed someone?” “You don’t have to say it like that.” “How am I supposed to say it, Henry? You literally just told me you ended someone’s life! How can I feel safe around you now? I don’t even know who you are anymore!” “I did it for you, don’t you understand? I am not a cold-hearted killer, Mila. You are looking at me as if I’m just a psychopath. I had a reason!” “There is no reason to end someone’s life! What could they have possibly done that was so horrible that they needed to be killed?” “You, you’re the r...

6 comments 6
Read story

“THE GUARDIANS GROW TOO” by Sinbad Omorodion

Submitted to Contest #186

“Good Afternoon, Ana, it is afternoon over there, I hope.” “Good Afternoon, Tony, and yes, it’s afternoon.” “Good, then.” “Yep. Our countries are only one hour apart, actually.” “Quite frankly, I did not know that.” “Oh that’s Okay” “So how is your day going?” “It’s going... fine...ish” “Ha ha fine-ish, why the ‘ish’?” “I dunno like the day’s kinda good but it’s been really boring till now, but it’s still good, so... fine-ish” “That makes sense. By the way, why’s there a countdown on the screen?” “Oh yeah, the app only...

2 comments 2
Read story

“A Difficult Case” by Edina Lancz

Submitted to Contest #186

‘Tell me about the problem that brought you here.’ ‘I can’t make up my mind.’ ‘You have so many problems that you can’t pick one to talk about. I see.’ ‘No, you don’t see it. My problem is that I can’t make up my mind.’ ‘About what?’ ‘About anything.’ ‘But you made up your mind when you decided to come here, didn’t you?’ ‘I had no choice. This problem is making my life like hell.’ ‘And why’s that?’ ‘Because my job is to make decisions and act on them.’ ‘What’s your job?’ ‘I’d rather not say.’ ‘All right, let’s skip work. Is it easier for you...

0 comments 0
Read story

“From Scratch” by Nicole Davis

Submitted to Contest #186

“Now, I know this is new to you, Jerry-” “Jared.” “Like I said, Jerry, but we will have this cake done in no time.” “Well, I hope so, Margie, but the party is in two hours.” “The last person that called me Margie was my friend Ben in first grade. That was the day he learned what dirt tasted like.” “… So, it’s Margret?” “Only if you don’t want to tell me how fresh this flour is. Now, hand me the whisk from the tumbler over there.” “What’s a whisk?” “Boy, you haven’t been in a kitchen in a while, have you?” “Well, I figure it’s about time to s...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Stay Awake” by Alison Hilet

Submitted to Contest #186

Stay Awake ‘Commander Treadway, wake up…. commander Treadway wake up…..commander Treadway WAKE UP-‘ ‘Huff…. I’m awake, I’m awake!’ ‘Oxygen levels are approaching critical. I detect a sharp increase in your respiratory rate, impaired co-ordination and borderline response to visual stimuli-‘ ‘I’m awake! Just…give me a minute to focus. See, look I can read the instrument display. Our vector is five-niner-zero and our velociraptor…velcrocrapper…vel…’ ‘Commander Treadway, I predict you will lose consciousness in under five seconds. Initiating n...

5 comments 5
Read story

“Thinking Out Loud” by Shenoa Loewy

Submitted to Contest #186

“I love you.” “No, you don't, and you shouldn't say things that aren’t true.” “Maybe, but I really want to love you. I’ve heard it's healthy to try.” “I don't need you to love me, I don’t need love or anything else from you. You've done nothing, but hold me back.” “I didn't do that.” “Of course you did!” “If so, I was just trying to keep you safe, keep you from getting hurt.” “It happened anyway.” “I know.” “Why are you even here? This seems like a huge waste of time to me.” “It's not a waste, although I suppose I don’t put much value on my ...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Faith Healer” by Kathryn Kahn

Submitted to Contest #186

“You were doing it for how long?” “You mean, formally?” “With them, I mean.” “A few months.” “And how long since you stopped?” “Three months. Two and a half.” “And why?” “I just couldn’t do it there anymore. I was in agony. I couldn’t make them understand.” “But you want to resume? It was valuable?” “I think so.” “So you came to me. Why me?” “We’ve known each other forever.” “Yes, we have.” “You’re not a stranger. I trust you.” “I said I’d help you, and of course I will, but I need to ask a few questions.” “Abou...

15 comments 15
Read story

“Long Overdue Conversation!” by Ali Rose

Submitted to Contest #186

"I thought I might find you here""I was hoping you would and then maybe you'd remember""I never forgot""You sure about that?""Ali, I'm sorry for how I reacted when I saw you back there. I just wasn't expecting to see you""I was surprised too but in a good way.""I am happy to see you""Uh.. Didn't really seem that way""Ali…""It's all good. You haven't spoken to me in more than 5 years, so I wasn't surprised at all by your reaction.""Maybe I should go.""More silence should make it better, right?""You don't understand.""You're right, I...

3 comments 3
Read story

“THE BUS DRIVER AND THE LADY” by Lujira Cooper

Submitted to Contest #186

    “Why do you drag on the bus each night?”     “Tired. I run a small business.”     “Come sit with me? I have thirty minutes.”     “I don’t want to intrude on your layover time. Just help me step out for air.”     “It won’t be. You look tired. Come have coffee and a bite to eat.”     “If I sat back here, I’d never wake up. Damn, these seats are comfy.”     “I’m Roma.”     “Kathryn, my fr...

1 comment 1
Read story

“The Funeral” by Sharon Williams

Submitted to Contest #186

Please note this story alludes to paedophilia and incest. ‘They say robins are dead souls that come back to visit the earth’ ‘If you’re thinking it’s her, why would she? ‘Smoke?’ ‘Ta.’ ‘Why’d you come?’ ‘She was still our Mam…and I didn’t think they’d be many here.’  ‘You got that right.’ ‘How’d you hear?’ ‘Letter from a solicitor.’ ‘Me too…’ ‘D’you reckon they’ll be any money?’ ‘Nah…Come on…We’d best go in.’ *** ‘Welcome everybody. Today, family and friends are gathered here to say a sad farewell to Linda Frangopaulos. We’ll beg...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Before Midnight” by Sara Jacobelli

Submitted to Contest #186

“May I help you?” “You got books on zombies, apocalypse, end a the world?” “Fiction? Nonfiction?” “It’s all true.” “OK. Nonfiction then. D’you have a library card?” “There’s no time. No time. This is urgent. World’s gonna end. Tonight.” “D’you have any ID?” “No.” “A piece of mail? Anything with your name on it?” “Uh. Well. Gotta food stamp card. No name on it though. Just a number. You know, Miss, we’re all just numbers. They give us all numbers.” “That’s good enough. I can make you a temporary card. And find you some goo...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Small Town Secrets” by Kestrel Baker

Submitted to Contest #186

Story contains language, brief mentions of abuse and suicide. “Who orders a plain latte?” “I do, apparently.” “It’s like the most basic thing I’ve ever heard of.” “Better than pretending to be someone you’re not.” “Damn. I was only joking.” “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.” “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. How’re you holding up?” “As good as can be expected.” “So bad.” “I’ve been better.” “If you’re looking to talk to someone, I have the number – “ “Actually, I wanted to talk to you.” “You can always talk to me.” “Good. I w...

4 comments 4
Read story

“Gang Slang” by Alexander Brotherton

Submitted to Contest #186

“Is this the place?” “This is the spot.” “Cool. I’ve never interrogated anybody in a car trunk before.” “It’s not that exciting.” “Not even your first time?” “No. Remember, one of us needs to have our gun pointed at him the entire time or he might try somethin’.” “What do I look like?” “The guy that needs to pop the trunk. Forget it. I’ll make sure to hold my gun on him.” “Alright, fine. Poppin’ it.” “Now I’m only gonna ask you this once, what’s the-” “It’s 7-30-93! It’s 7-30-93!” “That was easy.” “Call the boss.” “Way ahead of you.” “What’s...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Uh, Question” by Mai Daniel

Submitted to Contest #186

“Isn’t this such a beautiful day?”  “Are you talking to me?” “No not really… but… how are you doing?” “I’m… fine?” “Are you sure? You sounded a little unsure.” “Yeah I’m fine. Just… I got a lot on my mind.”  “Might hel…” “No it won’t and why are you in my business anyway?” “You actually got in my business first.” “No I… My apologies.” “No need. I’m happy for the conversation. I don’t get to talk to people that often. So, what’s going on? It might help to talk to a complete stranger about it.” “No, I’m good.” “Well now, hear me out....

2 comments 2
Read story

🌟 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 – 19 stories

Contest #186

Enter our weekly contest!

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

$250

Prize money

481

Contest entries

142

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!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

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 ⭢