In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's up late at night because they're having trouble sleeping.

Posted in High School on Oct 26, 2022

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?

✍️ 237 stories

“The Lament of the Mediocre Hitman” by Esme Gal

Submitted to Contest #36

|||| |||| |||| ||||Every evening as the food heats up, I turn the stove to low. I drink my coffee and listen to the ocean by the window. And I wonder—and I wonder, if tonight will be my last supper. Every night, I roll out of bed at this unholy hour, a quarter to three in the morning, and I wonder how close I am to dying. I wonder if the tiniest crack of a twig is the click of a gun, and if that window with the sea will be the last thing I see. I know why. It’s been twenty nights since I let my humanity go. I tally them as I go r...

6 comments 6

Read story

“I Want To Be Remembered” by Artemisia Pearl

Submitted to Contest #36

August 29, 1358Dear Diary,At first, the plague was slow. Nothing to worry about. Just in Southern England…. But now it is everywhere. My neighbor, Aldith, just contracted it. Her husband, Charles, had died from it; her children were staying away from their parents, in a bedroom. I really hope that I don't catch the plague. I have hardly taken off the cloth that I tie around my face. I change it out once every week, so Mother can wash it. I am terribly scared of the circumstances. I can't sleep at night, for the fear of catching the plague an...

1 comment 1

Read story

“deeper” by Eden Conner

Submitted to Contest #36

April 8, 2020Dear Diary,Sleep is a foreign term in my life. It is like a father who says he will come for dinner, but does not return to his family for days. Usually, I spend my nights lost in a book or trying, with lackluster results, to find a movie that I can manage to sit all the way through without skipping to the end. Some say that writing down my thoughts will help me sleep, but so far I don't believe them. Writing about the fears and hopes swirling around in my brain like an endless whirlpool will not make them go away, but amplify t...

3 comments 3

Read story

“In the Quiet of the Night ” by Rachel Ryan

Submitted to Contest #36

December 16th, 20111:48 AMThere is no rest for me tonight. Outside, the wind howls with yet another winter storm; here, in this remote cabin the university has so graciously afforded me, I find the gale closely resembles the sound of a woman screaming. It is maddening to toss and turn like I have, so preoccupied with falling asleep that the effort itself is what is keeping me awake. So I return to these pages once more, a man half-crazed with exhaustion – yet the impulse to record these musings jolts the energy to my bones that is so strange...

10 comments 10

Read story

“No Rest for the Weary” by Eian Wright

Submitted to Contest #36

4th of March of 2020And the 5th of the same month.And the 6th.But also the 3rd and 2nd and 1st.You know what. Let’s just do this:1st of January to 31st of December of 2020Dear diary,Here we are again, my old friend. It’s still only 3 o’clock. And I still can’t sleep. I don’t know why it always ends up like this.Do you ever get lonely? Well, of course you don’t, you’re just a journal. I really am losing my mind, aren’t I? Talking to a journal like it has feelings, not being able to sleep, feeling a pit in my heart. No. In my soul. There’s som...

18 comments 18

Read story

“Hunter” by Manan Suraiya

Submitted to Contest #36

9:30 p.m.Mom and Dad are away tonight. They have to go for some wedding. I was mercifully spared from accompanying them and babysitting my annoying cousins. They left after leaving some food on the table, with clear instructions to go to bed on time. I wish I could. But, sleep is something that has eluded me for as long as I can remember. In fact, I am called a night owl by my friends. Of course, I did not tell them why I couldn’t sleep.My parents locked the door from outside, to avoid waking me up when they return. It is also a safe mo...

18 comments 18

Read story

“A New Life” by Preeth Ganapathy

Submitted to Contest #36

9.4.2020Dear diary,It has been a long time since we met last. It was probably sometime in the middle of my pregnancy. The last time we got talking was when dear sleep eluded me. Today again, I am unable to sleep.The last time, remember, I told you about my increasing discomfort with the growing belly, rising temperatures, sweat dripping from all parts of the body and settling along uncomfortable crevices. A lot of water, almost a river swelling over to the banks, has flown under the bridge thereafter, buddy.An emergency necessitated my visit...

5 comments 5

Read story

“Darkness.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #36

Darkness.21 st October.Here I am again, 2.32am, I have been lying restless in my hated bed since 11.30pm. This happens every night, night after night, I cannot find the words to describe how tired and drained I am. My eyes burn from within, my head throbs continually and my body aches all over. I toss and I turn, fidgeting and agitated yet sleep alludes me night after night. I am struggling for coherent thoughts, starting to become confused about what is real and what is not. Yet sleep eludes me, it will not come. The minute I close my eyes ...

2 comments 2

Read story

“As They Watch” by Cory Pines

Submitted to Contest #36

Dear Journal, I couldn't sleep again last night. I know that they are still there, watching me. I don't know why they are here, to protect, to harm? I tied to tell Jason about them, but he wouldn't listen. I don't understand, we sleep in the same room and yet, he can't see them. I hope Mr. Galifar doesn't yell at me again for sleeping in his class. It's the only place that I'm able to get rest. I hope they can't find me at school, I don't know what I would do then. Maybe I could go sleep in Mom's room, or even my sisters, would they follow m...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Night Terrors” by Gracie Jean

Submitted to Contest #36

April 1God. God, oh God. I don't think I will forget, ever. Right now, it is 12:23 in the morning. And I am awake! What the heck, I'm so tired I can barely move. But I can't sleep! For the past two nights, I have been having terrible dreams. Oh, god! Never in my life have ever experienced such terrifying things. I didn't write about my dream yesterday because I thought it was nothing. But now? I am so tired, but I can't close my eyes. Every time my eyes feel as though they can stay open no longer, the ghastly images flood back into my vision...

11 comments 11

Read story

“Authur and his fear of scary movie.” by Tyra Johnson

Submitted to Contest #36

17 June 2001Dear DiaryRoger, Roger, Roger Authur the soldier is reporting to you dairy during the war with my enemy called zombies. I am locked in my bedroom with the lights turn off; it is now 12 am.In my bedroom naked with my skinny legs, little penis and my bony chest outside and my white socks on my feet because the bottom feels cold. I lay in my bed with Mr Robin bedside me, he is my best friend and a teddy bear for years. I love and care him throughout the years with all the fun, loving and joyful memories we shared.Tick Tock I been sh...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Helpless, Magic-less & Forgotten” by Kat Gruszka

Submitted to Contest #36

Hello Journal, It is currently 3 in the morning over California and I should be diligently at work as opposed to writing this entry. I should be feeling how heavy my wings are; my arms should be sore and tired, and I should be happier than ever. But instead, I am feverishly throwing words at this blank book, while I exhale loudly through my nose about the stupidity of it all. Other people would relish in the idea of having a day off, but not me. No way; this is a sign of the end. This is the end of the line. I’ve seen this before. Do you rem...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Day 23” by Sara Tonsy

Submitted to Contest #36

Lockdown Day 23 11:11 p.m. I make a wish from my bed, already covered and set to sleep. Writing in my diary is the “last” thing I do everyday since the start of this lockdown. I am upset with the book I am reading. “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” That Dostoyevsky! He makes me think at night, which is what I am trying not to do. I miss going out for walks more than anything. I went out to buy groceries today and the Police stopped everyone that di...

2 comments 2

Read story

“~Beloved Anastasia~” by Luna Lovegood

Submitted to Contest #36

**trigger warning: suicide, depression, and anxiety**September 19, 1997Diary,I'm up as always tonight. My insomnia is the worst it's been in awhile. Dr. Peters suggested I keep a diary to keep track of when I'm sleeping and when I'm not. It might seem strange to some, considering I'm a 24 year-old man. Honestly, I'd really do anything to help my insomnia dial down a bit, though. Dr. Peters said the diary might also benefit my anxiety and depression which are one of the main causes of my insomnia. I know I won't be able to sleep, but I'll sto...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Touched ” by Hope Teunisje

Submitted to Contest #36

June 24th, 2019Every time I close my eyes I see it. I cannot sleep. I cannot even blink. I’ve taken a week off of work. I let my phone die, and I refuse to charge it. I haven’t eaten. I’ve lived on coffee, tea, and energy drinks for the last two days. My dog is getting restless here at the apartment. I hired a dog walker because I can’t leave the apartment. It’s too much. Fresh air and grass and stone brings me back to the image of an unbreathing chest. I don’t want to talk. I feel alone, but I like it that way. I do everythin...

5 comments 5

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just decided to take up journaling.

Adults – 117 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone on a long-awaited trip.

Holiday – 56 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just experienced a big "first."

High School – 94 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write a story that provides glimpses into a person's life at different ages.

Character – 135 stories

Contest #36

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Dear Diary

$50

Prize money

639

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 10, 2020 EST

Won by Zilla Babbitt 🏆

Title: Kiss of the Snake

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

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's up late at night because they're having trouble sleeping.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 237 stories

“The Lament of the Mediocre Hitman” by Esme Gal

“I Want To Be Remembered” by Artemisia Pearl

“deeper” by Eden Conner

“In the Quiet of the Night ” by Rachel Ryan

“No Rest for the Weary” by Eian Wright

“Hunter” by Manan Suraiya

“A New Life” by Preeth Ganapathy

“Darkness.” by Marsha Webb

“As They Watch” by Cory Pines

“Night Terrors” by Gracie Jean

“Authur and his fear of scary movie.” by Tyra Johnson

“Helpless, Magic-less & Forgotten” by Kat Gruszka

“Day 23” by Sara Tonsy

“~Beloved Anastasia~” by Luna Lovegood

“Touched ” by Hope Teunisje

🌟 Similar prompts

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just decided to take up journaling.

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone on a long-awaited trip.

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just experienced a big "first."

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write a story that provides glimpses into a person's life at different ages.

Contest #36

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

639

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: