Write a story about inaction.

Posted in General on Jun 25, 2020

Submissions are closed!

Sorry, we are no longer accepting submissions. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

✍️ 122 stories

“Purple and Green ” by May Mills

Submitted on 06/11/2020

I looked up at the three moons in the dark pink night sky, they really did look beautiful. I shifted my gaze to our sister planet, Melandriota. Her dark blue surface was banded with stripes of various other shades of blue. I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a squeaky voice behind me.“Miss, it is time to eat.” I turned around to see a short boy far younger than me. He had bright purple eyes and his pale face was shadowed in the dark. He was wearing shabby, ripped clothes and had dirt on his face. I, on the oth...

47 likes

16 comments 16

Read story

“everyday” by Ollie Octopus

Submitted on 06/13/2020

(This is what my friend does) Every day, I have to get out of bed at four, even when school starts at nine. Wash my face and plop down at my banged-up wooden desk. And study. Even if I already get straight As. Even if I studied four hours last night. I still study. Because I know if I don’t, I will never get a good job. I will have to work as a cashier or some other low paying job. Because no one will feel pity for me. Because of what I look like. Everyone seems to hate ...

36 likes

23 comments 23

Read story

“Over The Years” by 𝐿𝒶𝓉𝒶 𝐵

Submitted on 06/10/2020

“Kids know nothing about racism. They’re taught that by adults” -Ruby Bridges The clock had struck noon and the sun was already beating us down. The game of tag was getting harder to play. Beads of sweat were trailing down both our faces. We were hot, sweating, and sticky. Trever’s face had almost turned into a tomato. “Don, I'm gonna get some water. Wanna come with me?” Trever asks, moving his curly brown locks from off his sweaty forehead. “Sure!” I rep...

35 likes

26 comments 26

Read story

“Inner Child” by ♡ noor ahmed ♡

Submitted on 06/12/2020

I have to tell you a quite depressing truth. This may be hard to hear, human.You may blow a fuse.Careful.You may experience incredulity. Careful.Cautiousness is key.Ready?No?Okay. It is okay.You don’t always have to be ready for everything.There are surprises.But I will give you one in some tim...

30 likes

27 comments 27

Read story

“Inaction” by Ayomide Ajayi

Submitted on 06/12/2020

In all sincerity, I was so tired that day. It was a stressful day at work: it rained heavily, yet, my boss won’t cease to send me on an errand. I can’t picture how I got home, either the bus stopped in front of my house or I trekked down from the junction of my home. I took my shoes off and unknot my ties while on my bed. I tried to strip down my shirt and trouser, but the hands did not move. I lay down succumbing to my ...

25 likes

17 comments 17

Read story

“Second Thoughts” by Claire Taylor

Submitted on 06/07/2020

If you’ve ever seen a typical American high-school movie, you know the plot: there’s a nerd, who likes a jock, but the jock is dating a pretty cheerleader. Or they like the cheerleader but the jock is in the way. Either way, in the end, the nerd ends up dating the one they wanted. Since the cheerleader/jock is always the main antagonist, the nerd is the protagonist who everything works out for. That’s supposed to say that, even if you’re a nerd, you can get what you want. &...

25 likes

23 comments 23

Read story

“The Black Man's Salvation” by Elliott Laurence

Submitted on 06/13/2020

Fire and thick black smoke tower over the city street like an avenging angel gazing down on razed retail stores, restaurants, and a police precinct. “This is what happens when good men do nothing,” stated his father. “But then the others were just as evil as the one who did the killing.” “Several attempts have been made, pop, but when will people realize the destruction of the black race ...

24 likes

11 comments 11

Read story

“no one cares ” by Anja Z

Submitted on 06/09/2020

As I lay there in a pool of my own blood the first thing that came to mind were not that I wanted someone to come and help me, although I wanted, but it was rather the fact that would someone identify me solemnly by my feet. You see my left foot had a big red speck of a birthmark. I found it rather odd that most people had a birthmark rather on their head or on their hip, but mine was a big red swoosh on my toe. Maybe the birthmark knew I would be...

22 likes

10 comments 10

Read story

“Hearts” by Kathleen March

Submitted on 06/12/2020

Dr. Lavinia Rivers was stiffly propped against the wall of her bedsit. Her hazel eyes were too horizontal. Her arms, like stiff wings, hovered somewhere near her waist. Anyone watching her would probably come to one of two conclusions: (1) That she was not feeling well or was tired from the activities of the day; or (2) That she was about to explode. She was feeling fine, but was indeed tired, having walked the better pa...

18 likes

2 comments 2

Read story

“CONDEMNED” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted on 06/11/2020

Malcolm Rowe had never approved of that second referendum. Come to think of it, he had never been that enthusiastic about the first one. But he had gone along with it, telling himself he believed in democracy and consulting the people, and the truth was, that when it came to the EU, he could take it or leave it. He thought that leaving would be bad for the economy (and had been proved largely right, though he admitted there were exceptions) but wasn’t inclined to come over all tearful if he heard Ode to Joy or...

15 likes

6 comments 6

Read story

“Your Fault” by Jessica Buford

Submitted on 06/05/2020

When Jared came strolling out of the abandoned house with a rusty gun swung over his shoulder I knew I shouldn’t have come. He lifted it to eye level and peered down an old sight straight at me. “Ba-pow,” Jared said then followed it with a laugh as he let the sight fall back toward the ground. “That’s not funny, Jared,” I said through the half rolled down car window. “Dat’s not funny,” he mocked, squishing up us face. I swallowed the ball of fury that was creeping up my throat like a caterpillar. I was always ...

15 likes

4 comments 4

Read story

“A Broken Siren ” by Janey Park

Submitted on 06/11/2020

Screaming.The third time the horrible yell echoed across the cold air. There was a short pause which everyone stopped moving. The only movement that occurred on that moment was the gloomy whistle of the wind and the busy sweeping of Arthur’s broom. Arthur had the approval of most of the townspeople. He knew by heart the law to secure his peaceful life in this town. Ignore the troubles. Don’t get involved in anything nasty. Don’t make haste to do anything. Over them all, mind your own busines...

14 likes

8 comments 8

Read story

“A Pleasant Evening ” by Judd Pfeiffer

Submitted on 06/05/2020

“That was nice, a very pleasant evening,” she said. “It’s not over yet,” he said with a grin. “You old hound dog,” she said, patting his thigh as he drove. He searched for any erotic undertones in...

14 likes

2 comments 2

Read story

“Divided” by Johanna J.

Submitted on 06/12/2020

Nestled perfectly in the grass atop a massive hillside, I gaze at the starlit sky. The sound of crickets chirping is the only thing to be heard over a mile away, and the full moon shines its light like a summer day. An owl hoots in the distance as I look past the stars to the newly built wall. It cuts through the forest in a loop, making its way back to where it starts. Tomorrow, this part of the woodland would be blocked off too, leaving the city surrounded by stone. Suddenly, a...

14 likes

6 comments 6

Read story

“Ashen Tears” by Kelly Vavala

Submitted on 06/12/2020

Ashen Tears Train screeches to a halt. Heavy doors roll away releasing the putrid smell lying within, replacing it with the odor of my fate. Smoldering flames escaping chimney peaks. Remnants of past visitors who never returned. Those whose lives abruptly dimmed by the force of a beast. My empty vessel soon to be on the tip of the enemies shovel. Fallen Tears...

13 likes

32 comments 32

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about solidarity.

General – 63 stories

Write a story about activism.

General – 54 stories

Write a story about community.

General – 71 stories

Write a story about change.

General – 190 stories

Contest #45

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: A Time for Action

$50

Prize money

540

Submissions

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 12, 2020 EST

Won by Raven Quill 🏆

Title: Constellations

Won by Yves. ♙ 🏆

Title: The Traveler Wife

Won by Vj Hamilton 🏆

Title: Winds of Change

Won by Anisha Yagnik 🏆

Title: Full Price

Won by Natalie Strawbridge 🏆

Title: Legacies

View details

Win $50 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $50!

reedsybookeditor

Tired of MS Word?

Join the revolution and write your book in a tool designed for authors. 🙌

Includes FREE typesetting to print-ready PDF & EPUB files, track changes and collaborative editing.

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write a story about inaction.

Submissions are closed!

✍️ 122 stories

“Purple and Green ” by May Mills

“everyday” by Ollie Octopus

“Over The Years” by 𝐿𝒶𝓉𝒶 𝐵

“Inner Child” by ♡ noor ahmed ♡

“Inaction” by Ayomide Ajayi

“Second Thoughts” by Claire Taylor

“The Black Man's Salvation” by Elliott Laurence

“no one cares ” by Anja Z

“Hearts” by Kathleen March

“CONDEMNED” by Deborah Mercer

“Your Fault” by Jessica Buford

“A Broken Siren ” by Janey Park

“A Pleasant Evening ” by Judd Pfeiffer

“Divided” by Johanna J.

“Ashen Tears” by Kelly Vavala

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about solidarity.

Write a story about activism.

Write a story about community.

Write a story about change.

Contest #45

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

540

Submissions

Win $50 in our short story competition 🏆

reedsybookeditor

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: