Begin a scene with a non-visual sense. Describe a specific sound, smell, taste, etc to capture your setting, then expand the story out from there.

Posted in Fiction on Sep 29, 2023

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✍️ 174 stories

“The Funfair” by Katherine Williams

Submitted to Contest #218

The drumbeat of the fair pulsed out—the jingle, jangle of the merry-go-round mixing with squeals of happy children. The humid air was heavy with heady aromas as it wafted in through the open car window. It all came back to her in a rush; fat burgers grilling, donuts sizzling, popcorn popping and almonds roasting. She remembered. Summer leaned her head back against the headrest of the car seat, her white hair puffed like a cloud. She knew where she was; she was at the fair. Sniffing, she waited. Then there it was: the sweet smell ...

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“Connecting the dots” by Taylor Campos

Submitted to Contest #218

As I begin to come back to my senses, I hear an interval beep to the right of me. One, two, three, four, beep. One, two, three, four, beep. One, two, three, four, beep. Every five seconds then. I groan out loud as I wonder how long this irritating beep is going to go on for, how long has it been beeping already? Is this real life or am I in a dream? Speaking of reality where the hell am I? I can feel a mattress beneath me, I shift my legs and sense stiff sheets on my bare legs and a thin waffle blanket scrunched between my fingers. I...

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“The Hut” by Peter Stone

Submitted to Contest #218

The troops were near exhaustion after their ten-mile run wearing the full combat gear. Sargent Hillyer was as tough as they came and only wanted the best from each and everyone of his men. He knew that the battle field they were training for would spare them no mercy and it was up to him to prepare “his soldiers” for war. “Ok, if you are not able to pass this final step of your training you’ll be going home today. Two of you will enter into the Hut. You must stay inside until you hear the sound of my whistle. This will separate the boys fro...

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“Sniffer” by Linda Logdberg

Submitted to Contest #218

Sniffer Mr. Niffer agreed to grant this interview to KLML only under the proviso that his location not be revealed. His statements reflect the events that took place last June. OK so I’m a bit of a mutation myself, but I’m certainly no Germ. Germs, that’s where I come in. Phineas S. Niffer, one of a long line of Sniffers who, long ago, like the Turners and the Carpenters, changed our name to what we do--“Sniffer.” It’s my job to use my highly mutated olfactory apparatus to sniff out those scourges of humanity called Germs. Yes, lad...

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“Traditions” by Tom Davis

Submitted to Contest #218

That smell. As my wife and I entered our neighbor’s house the smell of gingerbread, ever greens and cinnamon penetrated my nostril cavity. The house was decorated with Christmas green and red everywhere. Tinsel was hung on almost every surface, a manger sat at the foot of the 6-foot tree. Candles burned and the walls were adorned with various festive banners and signs. I flashed back to my childhood where every Christmas was celebrated and wonderful. Mom would be baking her famous gingerbread cookies with her secret ingredient which she told...

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“A Camino morning” by Susan K

Submitted to Contest #218

Amy never would have considered the sound of zippers closing on packing cubes, clothes being compressed in nylon dry bags, or ziplock bags with travel size toiletries being sealed as loud. However, just like the butterfly effect, where the smallest action of a butterfly flapping its wings could cause a storm across the world, the collective sound of multiple people conducting these small actions to pack their bags woke her up once again. Amy reached into her sleeping bag and pulled out her phone to check the time. As expected, it was 6 am....

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“Stains and Secrets” by Krissi Driver

Submitted to Contest #218

It smells like wet pretzels and old piss. That’s a new combination. “Okay, Mr. Dzhambazov, don’t you worry ‘bout a thing. We’ll get this jacket lookin’ like it did the day you snagged it off the rack at Gimbels,” I say. Thank gawd he’s hard of hearin’ – I don’t think anyone is buyin’ my faked enthusiasm these days. “This is a verrrry special jacket, Irene. It abso-lutely must come back to me in mint condition. Mint. Con-di-shon. You unde’stand?” He taps his right index and middle fingers to the palm of his left with such vigor I worr...

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“Guilty until Proven Innocent” by Lindsay Burns

Submitted to Contest #218

Smooth, silky, cool to the touch. The piano keys had the same feel as the varnish her daughter had insisted on painting on Esther’s nails the night before. The nail varnish may have felt unfamiliar, but the piano she knew by heart, and the delicate sound of the notes carried Esther to another place. As her long fingers slid across the black and white keys, she was no longer just the cleaner taking her break in the sumptuous library of someone else’s house. She was in a magnificent dance hall in a different time and place, waltzing in a red d...

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“The Taste of a Tear” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #218

“Mom, take hold of my hand, we’re going for a walk if you’re ready. I’m so glad you came with us. It’s just a short walk, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” “Why are your hands so dry and rough?” Mom said. “Are you drinking enough water and moisturizing?” “Mom, I’m fine,” Joanie replied. “Remember, let me guide you and take your time.” “I know, I know. I’m blind not stupid.” “Sorry, I’m just overly excited. Let’s go!” Joanie guided her mom to the elevator and down to the ground floor. They turned right and walked toward the main door, which...

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“In the Night” by Kevin Morley

Submitted to Contest #218

The tang of the salt marsh ignited childhood memories as it pushed through the night to settle into my hair, my clothes. The dampness in the air helped it linger there, melting into my being. Distantly, the crash of waves offered an off-kilter timing to the darkness, like a jazz musician, stretching the beat in one measure and rushing it closed in the next. I stumbled forward in the light of the moon, one foot in front of the other, picking my way through the dune grass. It stabbed my feet through worn and torn shoes, but I persevered. I kn...

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“Vomit” by Carlie Beth

Submitted to Contest #218

Vibrating sounds of static filled the air like angry loud bees. Distorted laughing and giggling went in and out with the static. The angry buzzing wouldn’t stop. The soft distant giggles grew louder then went quiet. Loud then quiet, as if someone was turning the volume on a radio up and down. I could smell pungent chocolate vomit underneath my face. I could feel it sticking to the corners of my mouth. The sour and rancid odor mixed with the smell of stale, vacuum burnt lint filled my nose. I could feel the itchy carpet squirming around my fa...

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“Silent Echoes” by Avery Borman

Submitted to Contest #218

The very loud music blasts through the speakers spread throughout the room. I have a red solo cup in my hand filled with the pungent smell of alcohol. I have to push my way past groups of people dancing, kissing and some even collapsed on the ground surrounded with their drink that they spilled. The heat of their bodies radiate onto me. I lift myself onto my toes to try and see over the crowd of people where my friend went. When my heels reconnect with the floor, I take a sip of my drink and keep walking. Eventually I make it to the f...

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“Beulah Land” by Cathryn Keller

Submitted to Contest #218

Beulah Land By Cathryn Keller The blazing midday sun relentlessly beats on my head as I struggle to pull the stubborn weeds that dot the cracked sidewalk. I am part of a team of volunteers this “Make a Difference Day, 2023”, and our assignment is the one-block area surrounding the First Baptist Church and its neighbors, rickety shotgun houses that lean drunkenly on crumbling cinder blocks. From the open door of the nearby old red brick church, a tremulous voice can be heard accompanying the tinny piano. Hearing the familiar words, I am t...

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“How Did I Get Here?” by Adam Serpa

Submitted to Contest #218

Clink clink clink clink, goes the sound of the lift mechanism pulling the roller coaster car upward, gradually climbing the steep hill. The familiar sound transports me to a place I easily recognize. I see a thick wooden door attached to a chain link pulley. As the door slowly moves upward, clink clink clink clink, a small sliver of light is let in. A rectangular tray slides in a few inches in front of my feet before the door crashes back down with a thud against the dusty concrete, creating a cloud of soot that floats for a few seconds befo...

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“It is paralyzing, laying on the sofa” by Lisa Bresgott

Submitted to Contest #218

Anne lay on the living room sofa, whose seating cushions, leather-clad, cicatrized, glued themselves onto her uncoated butt cheeks and lower back. The sofa blue, the cushions brown and the scars about to show up, before long, as gray indentations where as yet the erosion of its leather incrustation was merely perceptible by amalgamating with the sofa in a likewise private pose. She lolling, the springs squeaking, the noonlight enveloped her woman’s body from a different angle with every movement. She drew herself up; tilted her head to the l...

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Begin a scene with a non-visual sense. Describe a specific sound, smell, taste, etc to capture your setting, then expand the story out from there.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 174 stories

“The Funfair” by Katherine Williams

“Connecting the dots” by Taylor Campos

“The Hut” by Peter Stone

“Sniffer” by Linda Logdberg

“Traditions” by Tom Davis

“A Camino morning” by Susan K

“Stains and Secrets” by Krissi Driver

“Guilty until Proven Innocent” by Lindsay Burns

“The Taste of a Tear” by Douglas W. Carr

“In the Night” by Kevin Morley

“Vomit” by Carlie Beth

“Silent Echoes” by Avery Borman

“Beulah Land” by Cathryn Keller

“How Did I Get Here?” by Adam Serpa

“It is paralyzing, laying on the sofa” by Lisa Bresgott

🌟 Similar prompts

Start the story with the absence of a sensory detail (eg. silence when there should be noise).

‘Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once.’ Use the senses to transport a character back to the past.

Write a story that begins, ends, or changes with a song played by a busker.

‘The worst meal I’ve ever tasted.’ Imagine a zero-star TripAdvisor restaurant review: capture the customer’s evening out that compelled them to complain.

Contest #218

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

334

Contest entries

97

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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