Make a character’s obsession or addiction an important element of your story.

Posted in Dramatic on Sep 16, 2024

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✍️ 130 stories

“The Gambler” by Beth Ann Michele

Submitted to Contest #252

Michael Reed knew too intimately the truth every gambler knows: obsession and addiction are two sides of the same coin. As a lifelong gambler, he had done the same dance with Lady Luck for decades, taking turns around the dance floors of casinos, tangoing in and out of backroom poker games, and waltzing hand in hand down the Las Vegas strip. There was no better partner for Michael, but he knew it was time to hang up his dancing shoes and give his sweet lady one last kiss goodbye. But, when he pressed his lips together in preparation for the ...

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“Myosotis” by Autumn Weiler

Submitted to Contest #252

“This will really help me? Are you sure” “Trust me, you’ll feel better in no time. It’s like an antidepressant or something.” He gave me a remedy. It hurts. A throbbing pain pulsates through my head leaving me a disoriented mess. Ignoring the sting, I turn my head towards where I assume the window to be. The curtains are closed, no light seeps through the gap; good. I throw my legs off the side of the bed and risk pushing myself off. My legs ...

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“The Slope” by Peter Meloche

Submitted to Contest #252

The man coughed as the water tried to strangle him. He rolled to his stomach and expelled the liquid that had seeped into his lungs. He felt a dull throb in his temple as he raised himself up. The sun blinded his eyes and increased the discomfort. He looked to his right then to his left. On either side was coastline stretching as far as the eye could see. He turned around and saw the vast expanse of the lake and felt the waves lap against his feet. Finally he looked forward. He saw sand. Sand that stretched up to the heavens. He followed the...

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“Unending Hunger” by S.G. Williams

Submitted to Contest #252

Clouds obscured the moon, allowing the street lamps to shine all the brighter. Though not bright enough to remove the darkness from all the nooks and crannies of the buildings along the street. These conditions came as a blessing for someone like Aoife on a night like this. This night she hunted, wanting to quell the hunger in her that gripped her mind and threatened to cast out her better judgment. She stood in one of these shadowed hideaways watching silently the early night patrons of the taverns and inns, the people going for late stroll...

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“The golden web” by Hope Wells

Submitted to Contest #252

Trigger content-contains content concerning domestic violence and stalking.It was a dark and dangerous day. The rain bulleted down in pellets. The rain is aiming at my brain Siouxsie imagined. Rain ammunition, firing, firing right inside my skull. Or maybe God is crying. I wonder?The water thrummed on and on and Siouxsie sat there drowning in its waterfall cascade. She didn’t care and wondered if she could be washed clean inside.Drown out the noise-ping a ping ping. Ding a ding ding ring a ting ting. There it was sat inside her pink backpack...

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“Serenity” by Adrian Malcolm

Submitted to Contest #252

The shakes were unbearable. Bill slowly took a handkerchief out of his side blazer pocket and pressed it against his sweaty brow. “My god it is August and I am burning up”, said Bill as he put the damp cloth back into his pocket. It had been 3 days since he had anything resembling food and his mood was anxious, filled with despair and regret. He knew he was at the final stage of hope and could think of anything else but to settle his nerves and hopefully calm the ever increasing sickness in his belly. He looked up wearily and saw a sign that...

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“The Devil Inside Her” by Becky Mathes

Submitted to Contest #252

3:28 a.m. - June 23, 2022 There was a knock at the door. Did they find her? The knock was purposeful and swift but felt hesitant as if the person on the other side was hoping not to wake up the house's occupant. Regan wasn't sleeping. She hadn't slept in the 3 days and 13 hours Lindsey was missing. 10:04 a.m. - June 19, 2022 "Don’t touch it. You can do this. You don’t need it anymore." Lindsey was curled in the corner of the room. Her back against the wall, knees folded up to her chin, slowly rocking b...

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“Call It What It Is” by Savannah Hawkins

Submitted to Contest #252

[CW: Frequent profanity & Substance Abuse] The jazz bar reeks of weed nowadays. I’ve been trying to find the source. I suspect Money, but the last time I saw him smoke was way back in college. I used to buy it from him. That’s how we met. But Money gave up weed when he dropped out junior year. After that, he started selling only the hard stuff and really turned a profit. By the looks of the Wall Street suits and runny noses crowding the bathrooms and darker corners, it seems Money hasn’t abandoned his trade. &...

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“Storeroom” by Andrés Marticorena Hillman

Submitted to Contest #252

“How does the chair feel?” The sudden voice startled the woman standing in the otherwise silent showroom. Despite there being no noise whatsoever in the expansive room, she failed to notice the other woman settled comfortably in the wicker chair, parked right next to her. “Hm? Sorry?” “Oh, I was just wondering how the chair feels. I’m looking for tables for my patio and was looking at this set. Are you looking at this set, too?” She smiled, figuring it would only benefit her to converse with another patron of the store, especially if they ha...

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“Wiser, Smarter” by Andrew Gonsalves

Submitted to Contest #252

I can’t believe it, another instance of someone lacking common sense. I am on my way to the university for my research and I am startled by a driver who swerves in and out around the lanes and other cars. Going maybe forty miles over the limit. I take notice that his vehicle is of particularly high stock. No doubt he seeks the thrill that can be accompanied by speed and near danger. Too bad for him he seems to have crashed his vehicle not long after he passed me. Unfortunately, his stupidity has hindered more than just himself today. The cra...

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Make a character’s obsession or addiction an important element of your story.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 130 stories

“The Gambler” by Beth Ann Michele

“Myosotis” by Autumn Weiler

“The Slope” by Peter Meloche

“Unending Hunger” by S.G. Williams

“The golden web” by Hope Wells

“Serenity” by Adrian Malcolm

“The Devil Inside Her” by Becky Mathes

“Call It What It Is” by Savannah Hawkins

“Storeroom” by Andrés Marticorena Hillman

“Wiser, Smarter” by Andrew Gonsalves

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character being followed.

Write about a character who struggles to do the right thing.

Write a story in which one of the characters is a narcissist.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Contest #252

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

360

Contest entries

143

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: