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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✍️ 276 stories

“Come on Thomas” by Pamela Clarke

Submitted to Contest #186

Come on Thomas by Pamela Clarke Come on Thomas, tell me what happened. Why? Because I need to know. Why? You are not part of it. But I am Thomas. I am very involved. I don’t think so. But you could explain a bit. I suppose I could, but I won’t. Not to anyone. Are you frightened? No. Then why? Because it wasn’t supposed to be like that. So it went wrong? I didn’t say that. I said it wasn’t supposed to be like that. How was it supposed to be? Not like that. Was it a mistake? No. Then what changed? It all changed. Yes, it looks like that to m...

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“How I Met Your Grandmother” by Dan Taylor

Submitted to Contest #186

“Dad, how did grandpa meet grandma?” “I imagine it kinda wentlike this.” *** “Hey! Are youse ok?” “No thanks to you!” “I’m sorry! It’salmost dark and with this snow still coming down I couldn’t see youse walkingthere.” “Pearl! Help get usout!” “We’re coming, Ruth!” “Miss, don’t struggleso much. Gimme a chance. You’re making it worse. Let me help ya. Youse must befreezing.” “Okay! Don’t pull myarm outta socket. Who do youse think you are, President Harding, hisself?” “No ma’am. My name isChauncey. I just work for the county. I w...

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“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....

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“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...

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“Hemlock and Lupin” by Caroline Clausen

Submitted to Contest #186

"Who are you?""Who am I? Who are you? This is my house.""Is it now? Interesting.""Who are you and what are you doing in my house?""I'm Hemlock.""Like the poison?""Like the tree.""Well, Hemlock, I think you should leave.""Whatever the lady of the house requests. Can I ask for her name before I go?""Lupin.""Like the wolf?""Like the flower."---"You're here again.""I am.""I'm dreaming again.""You are.""You're not actually here.""That depends on your definition of where here is.""That's a frustratingly vague answer.""Life's full of disappointment...

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“Cowboys & Dinosaurs” by Shalini Ayre

Submitted to Contest #186

“Are you using that kettle you bought?” “Yes, you can see that.” “Are you making coffee? I’ll have a cup.” “No, I’m going to steam a letter open.” “What?” “You heard.” “Who’s letter? Why would you do that?” “I’m nosey, what do you care?” “Um, because it’s an invasion of privacy?” “Maybe.” “No maybe about it, it’s an invasion of privacy. Would you do that to my letters?” “Depends.” “On what?” “Whether I recognize the writing or not.” “Most people use typed labels. And send emails these days, so you wouldn’t be able to recognize the writing.” ...

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“F/D” by Gary Thurgood

Submitted to Contest #186

“It can’t be…” “Oh my God!” “What are you doing here?” “What are YOU doing here?” “It’s good to see you.” “You’re looking good.” &nbs...

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“The Explorer” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #186

“Good evening, Lord Bellington. And how is my Lordship on this lovely night?” “Good evening to you, Mr. Stanley. It is indeed quite a nice night for star gazing. But tell me, I am curious about what brings you here to my planetarium?” “Well, to be truthful, I was hoping I might have a word with your Lordship. I’m planning an expedition to Tibet this coming winter.” ...

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“SOCKS” by Patricia Williford

Submitted to Contest #186

S O CKS “Well, I know it’s not that much, son. Of course, I figured you could take the money there in the envelope and buy want you wanted, but I did want to get you a little something to go with the cash.” “Good Lord, Dot, how many pairs of socks is it? You &n...

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“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...

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“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...

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“I'll Wait For You” by Kerry Batchelder

Submitted to Contest #186

I’ll Wait For You “Hello, Lillian. I’m surprised you called today.” “My darling, you don’t think I would have forgotten our date, do you?” “With your given track record, I would.” “That hurts Anthony.” “It was meant to hurt Lillian.” “I am not a pawn to be pushed around.” “What have I done, Anthony?” “You know I love you.” “I do, Lillian, which is why I put up with your childish behavior.” “Childish?” “Yes, childish and idiotic. What other pathetic loser allows his lover to leave him seated in a five-star restaurant, holding the bill?” “It...

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“How About That Cigarette ” by Nicole Farmer

Submitted to Contest #186

“You’re probably wondering why I called you out here…”“My guess it would have something to do with last night.”“It does...And it doesn’t...I know you had a hand in what happened last night. It all worked out too perfectly for you not to have some part in it.”“I don’t know what you--”“Don’t deny it. Katie told me everything.”“Did she? Well then, exactly what did little Miss Katie say?”“She told me you planned the whole thing from the beginning. Starting on the night you all went out to the clubs. She told me you were planning to get some of t...

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“The body” by Feona Sayles

Submitted to Contest #186

The Body “Do you think she knows we’re here Jan?” “I don’t know Ang, she looks like she’s asleep Or dead..” “Should we prod her?” “Nah, let’s just sit here til she moves” “But that could take ages..” “Yeah, but what else are we going to do? This place is so boring…no wonder she’s dead” “Don’t say that! She is not dead! She is asleep! She’s breathing!” “Are you sure……let’s put a mirror up to her face” “Why the hell would we do that? what is she going to do? Open her eyes and look at herself?” “No dumbass, that’s what I read in a book, its w...

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“2 AM” by Laura Pamenter

Submitted to Contest #186

2 AM by Laura Pamenter “Hello?” “What’s up, kid?” “Don’t call me that.” “Kid?” “Yes.” “Why?” “It’s patronizing, condescending…” “…endearing?” “No. It makes me feel like a child.” “I don’t think that’s my fault.” “Fuck off.” “I was joking, chill.” “Okay……whatever.” “Oh my god; typical.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “You never could take a joke, could you?” “I can take a joke… but only when they’re actually funny.” “Good one!” “Shut up.” “Two strikes! I’m almost out, haha.” “…” “Fine, it’s typical ...

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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

✍️ 276 stories

“Come on Thomas” by Pamela Clarke

“How I Met Your Grandmother” by Dan Taylor

“Uh, Question” by Mai Daniel

“THE GUARDIANS GROW TOO” by Sinbad Omorodion

“Hemlock and Lupin” by Caroline Clausen

“Cowboys & Dinosaurs” by Shalini Ayre

“F/D” by Gary Thurgood

“The Explorer” by Ralph Aldrich

“SOCKS” by Patricia Williford

“Stay Awake” by Alison Hilet

“Faith Healer” by Kathryn Kahn

“I'll Wait For You” by Kerry Batchelder

“How About That Cigarette ” by Nicole Farmer

“The body” by Feona Sayles

“2 AM” by Laura Pamenter

🌟 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

481

Contest entries

142

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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