Set your story during — or just before — a storm.

Posted in Dramatic on Jan 31, 2025

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?

✍️ 144 stories

“The Trees” by Ashlee E. B.

Submitted to Contest #288

Content warning for mental illness and allusions to domestic violence.. The trees were harassing my mother again. I edged toward her room when I heard her cry out. “What’s wrong, momma?” Rain pattered in through the open window and swirled her chestnut-brown hair with chilly gusts of wind. Hovering in the doorway, I shivered in my favorite nightgown, the one gramma made for me. My fingers clutched the pastel-colored butterflies she embroidered on it, each one fashioned from her light and warmth. Tears poured down momma’s fac...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Storm” by C. M. H.

Submitted to Contest #288

Staring out the large window in her living room, Jess briefly wondered if the torrential rain pelting the panes was trying to break into the 1920’s-circa farmhouse, as if it too was escaping from the storm clouds blanketing the land for miles in every direction. Jess had never seen a storm like this. There had been no watching the storm clouds rolling in from over the mountains over the course of several hours, no National Weather Service alerts or beloved local weatherman, Dan Patridgeson, with his sleeves rolled up outlini...

7 comments 7

Read story

“the outcasts of granny flats” by Mark Linsky

Submitted to Contest #288

The Outcasts of Granny Flats An Original Story &nbs...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Bad Vibes” by Gary Gallant

Submitted to Contest #288

BAD VIBES Her screaming hit him louder than the thunder and rain.“I’m done with this; we are over. Let me out now.”“Janie, that’s crazy. Let’s go back to your sister's house, or hotel, I call it, because 10000 square feet, stables, horses, and a swimming pool the size of their tennis court is not a house.”‘If you would get a good job instead of being a teacher, maybe we could have something bigger than that dump we live in,” she screamed, slightly less loud now. “Pull the car over”. Her face was red and scrunched up in anger. “ Now Melv...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Trip to Katie's Party” by John Cardamone

Submitted to Contest #288

This morning, I stood in the relentless rain, a half-eaten glazed donut in one hand, an inadequate umbrella in the other. Bosco, my dog, was out doing his business (the reason we were both getting drenched) when I dropped the slippery donut onto some newly erected condominiums of mushrooms. I had never seen this variety of mushroom, so I scooped a few up to make an omelet while my wife got ready for the party. With Bosco relieved, the omelet devoured, and the Sunday morning paper drying in the oven, I went to take a hot shower. We had a...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Storm” by Tony Jones

Submitted to Contest #288

Margaret heard the rain starting to fall at a very slow pace. “I guess the storm is about to begin,” she said. The weather report predicted a storm that afternoon. She remembered what her mom had called “the storm of all storms” that she experienced when she was only ten years old. “Mom was right,” she thought aloud. “That was a storm that will never be equaled,” she said, now talking to her dog, Benny. Margaret was now 22 years old and married. Her husband, Rick, was out of town on business. So, Benny was her only companion this afternoon. ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Preachers of Times Square Don’t Want You to Forget” by James V

Submitted to Contest #288

The preachers of Times Square stood lined up on their makeshift pulpits—soapboxes, overturned crates, cardboard stands—each delivering their daily sermons to anyone willing, or unwilling, to listen. They came in all forms: different faiths, different beliefs, different levels of sanity. This was the reality of the city—freedom of expression at its most unfiltered, ready to invade your mind with the most incoherent ramblings you’d ever hear.A storm was coming. The wind was crisp, cutting through the city streets as Sarah and Joseph walked tog...

1 comment 1

Read story

“How not to Prepare for a Monsoon” by Don Beausoleil

Submitted to Contest #288

My suitemates get a kick out of shopping with me. Ever since that random person at the Safeway on Seventh Avenue made fun of me for asking about the best crawfish spots in Phoenix, they’ve been on my tail – no pun intended. Every time I go shopping with them, they laugh as I try and fail to find Louisiana staples. Gumbo filé? No luck. Enjoy some watery soup. After trying that one butcher in town who sells andouille and boudin, I doubt that man has ever set foot anywhere near the Bayou State. My friends’ jokes don’t let up when we go to coffe...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Mother Ocean” by Xander Newman

Submitted to Contest #288

The great vastness of the sea never ceased to amaze me. The ocean is a great friend and a great foe to the men and women who dare to make their profession on her mighty back, and in her great depths. She is the mother of life on this planet and in that way we have her to thank for our existence. She birthed us when that first fish walked out of her salty womb 423 million years ago, and provided us with food when we were hungry. Along with that when we upset her, her wrath knew no bounds, the hurricanes and storms that have slain sailors sinc...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Unveiled ” by Rachel Liddell

Submitted to Contest #288

“The sky has caught up, Baba.” Adonis muttered. The words shook a little in his throat as he tried to choke down a lump and hold back his tears. His father, not even taking a second to glance over his shoulder , just kept rowing the caique as fast as his sore arms would pump. The light skiff skimmed quickly over the ocean’s surface. The only sound came from his father’s grunts and the oars slap...

1 comment 1

Read story

“A Stormy Night in Seaside Bay” by Mychal Brackens

Submitted to Contest #288

To begin, one would have to be introduced to Seaside Bay first before becoming acquainted with the city itself prior to meeting the residents of this South Florida hamlet. SB (as the town is referred to affectionately by its inhabitants) is roughly 75 miles from Miami and was first settled back in the year 1704 by English settlers. Flash forward to the present day, Seaside Bay is a resort town where several billionaires reside. Several of the individuals who live here are extraordinarily wealthy and that is where our story begins. Kate Montc...

7 comments 7

Read story

“Sprouts of Grace ” by Amy Dear

Submitted to Contest #288

Story includes themes of child loss that may be triggering.Helen skimmed her fingers over the pastel knitted blanket draped over the dark cherry wood cradle. If she inhaled deep enough, she swore she could pick up on the faint lingering scent of baby powder. Logically, she knew too much time had passed for that to be true, but it made the sinking feeling in her chest a little lighter from pretending. The floorboards creaked behind her, but she didn't bother turning around. She could already see the pity written across her husband's face. It ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Flood Stage” by Jamison Brown

Submitted to Contest #288

Frank Johnson's fingers tapped against the steering wheel of his police cruiser in time with his father's old Johnny Cash tape, the one he couldn't bring himself to eject, though the sound wavered with age. The unseasonably warm October night pressed his shirt against his back, and the bottle of whiskey beside him felt heavier than it should. Beth at the liquor store hadn’t even asked anymore. She just handed it over with that knowing look she’d had since Isabelle’s funeral. He hadn't opened it. Not yet. But having it there felt like holding...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Last Laugh” by Ruby Carmody

Submitted to Contest #288

The Last Laugh Sophia told herself to remember it. Distill it, cast it in amber to trace tomorrow. She’d want to be back here, in the prologue, the calm before the storm and her clothes still dry - there’d be tears in the morning. So she remembered. The crackle in her car speakers, the tinkle of her keys against her thigh. The sky glowering, fervour thick in the air, electric, just waiting for him to touch her before it sparked. The steering wheel smooth as it rolled through her grip, turning her onto Blackmore Street and into the speckled g...

4 comments 4

Read story

“In The Alley” by Ramona Scarborough

Submitted to Contest #288

In The Alley You never know when or exactly where I, the Destroyer, will strike. I respect no one, people, animals, houses, or possessions. Hear me roar as I approach. Dark clouds and sky announce my coming. Witness my violence. Trees fall. Glass shatters. Puny man-made cars flip over. Roofs are ripped off. Light poles are bent. There is no stopping me.*** “A storm is coming, Mitzi, I can feel it in my old bones,” Gladys Moore said to her cat that morning. “Better turn on the news to see if the weather people know anything.” Gladys had lived...

2 comments 2

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with a breeze brushing against someone’s skin.

Short Story – 70 stories

Write a story where the weather mirrors a character’s emotions.

Dramatic – 61 stories

Start or end your story with someone standing in the rain.

Dramatic – 93 stories

Set your story in a place where the weather never changes.

Short Story – 48 stories

Contest #288

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: A Perfect Storm

$250

Prize money

416

Contest entries

164

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 07, 2025 EST

Won by Christina Marie 🏆

Title: Motherhood

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

Set your story during — or just before — a storm.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 144 stories

“The Trees” by Ashlee E. B.

“The Storm” by C. M. H.

“the outcasts of granny flats” by Mark Linsky

“Bad Vibes” by Gary Gallant

“The Trip to Katie's Party” by John Cardamone

“The Storm” by Tony Jones

“The Preachers of Times Square Don’t Want You to Forget” by James V

“How not to Prepare for a Monsoon” by Don Beausoleil

“Mother Ocean” by Xander Newman

“Unveiled ” by Rachel Liddell

“A Stormy Night in Seaside Bay” by Mychal Brackens

“Sprouts of Grace ” by Amy Dear

“Flood Stage” by Jamison Brown

“The Last Laugh” by Ruby Carmody

“In The Alley” by Ramona Scarborough

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with a breeze brushing against someone’s skin.

Write a story where the weather mirrors a character’s emotions.

Start or end your story with someone standing in the rain.

Set your story in a place where the weather never changes.

Contest #288

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

416

Contest entries

164

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: