Write a story that starts by establishing its setting in a different time period — without explicitly stating what that period is.

Posted in Historical Fiction on Jul 16, 2021

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✍️ 114 stories

“A marriage of the heart, A marriage of the soul” by V.S. Nilanee

Submitted to Contest #44

“Names have great power, Sunny dear,” Grandmother’s voice echoes in my head. Grandmother, who had been christened Alexandrina at birth, but had donned the name Victoria on her coronation.It is only fitting, I think, that I take my first steps into my new life taking a name reminiscent of Grandmama and Nicky’s adored ancestor, too. Alexandra. I still struggle to think of myself with such a weighty, regal name, a name suited to authority, a Tsaritsa’s name, so used I am to being Alix.The silk of my gown clings to my skin, softly rustling with ...

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“On the Battleground” by Zyönnah Isiguzo

Submitted to Contest #44

It seemed like the dry trees that quivered a mite in the harsh winds of the winter month were the only ones whom felt the sore cold as people walked about their daily activities exchanging a greeting or twain. Or haply they didst feel some few cold, as the women rubbed their gloved hands together, while gripping their shawls tightly around themselves and arranging their feathered hats. The men let their ego best them by ignoring their bodies plea to shiver a bit, but forgot they couldn't disguise their bright red noses that was apparent...

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“Luminaria” by Zilla Babbitt

Submitted to Contest #44

The island of Quadra was strung with lights and lanterns. Strings of popcorn lined the dirt streets, cranberry ropes adorned the necks of tall faceless candle-lit buildings downtown, and turkeys lined up innocently to the slaughtering block. The islanders were preparing for Thanksgiving. A thicket. Densely wooded with blackberry bushes and blackthorn trees scattered haphazardly, the sky was hidden by the knit of thorns and thin twigs. Miles from the coast and miles from the town. The thicket of Quadra was the middle of the island, and the co...

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“They didn't need a bigger boat” by Miles Gatling

Submitted to Contest #44

"Sup bruh!" "Hey, hey what's up my fellow hedonist?"The men chest-bumped each other. "Look at you, wearing those sick priest robes… You off to the temple?" "Damn straight, brother! I'm gonna have me a good-old sacrifice." The other bit his fist, smiled, and slapped his thigh. "Hot damn! Boy, you on a roll! Didn't I see you sacrifice shit a few days back?""Hey, don't hate on me now! You know how I do. Gotta thank the Lord for all he bestowed upon me, know what I mean?" The man pinched his fancy robe with both han...

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“They're Still Human Beings” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #44

I walked past Mr. Abramsen's bakery to see the slurs on the two doors and four windows. I shook my head and walked on. I walked past three more shops that had gotten "painted". I kept on walking through the trash littered streets, looking at the Jews that were being abused. I took a right turn on one of the streets that I didn't know. I was on this walk to go for an adventure and explore, after all. Most of the houses seemed like rich people's houses. After walking a bit down the road, the houses started to change. First it was just smaller ...

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“War” by Crystal Lewis

Submitted to Contest #44

“Hole sweet hole,” shouted Danny, grinning through the mud and muck, an eternal optimist. I wanted to shoot him. It was one of those cold, rainy days that haunted us. The rain would pour down intermittently, just enough to catch us off guard. One good thing about the trenches was that it kept the worst of the wind off us, but it still drove the rain across. It was days like this that command told us to stay the most alert. “This is German territory. They know this land better than us and are more used to her crazy weather.” Easy for them to ...

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“Just the Beginning” by Vicky S

Submitted to Contest #44

Shivering, despite the cloak draped over his shoulders, he strolled through the camp, his boots squelching in the thick mud and his wavy hair blowing in the cool breeze.“Good day sir!”, one man called out as he went past, bowing deeply.He nodded his head in response, trying to smile but his face seemed to have frozen. His stomach felt tight, almost as if it were tied in knots.“Some meat, sir?”, another man asked as he walked past a camp fire, a joint of meat turning on a spit above it, the aroma reaching his nostrils, making his stomach want...

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“Your Forever Friend” by Tvisha Yerra

Submitted to Contest #44

“No. No! You can’t leave me!” I shout, uselessy. I always hated the characters in movies and books that say no when something bad is happening. As if that makes a difference.I pet my pet’s wet cooling body, as it barks for the last time.“You have to let go,” My mom coaxes me away from the lifeless dog that rests in our backyard. A tear slips down my face, and I wipe it away. Dad must be cutting onions again, he just loves eating them. I open the door and step inside my house only to be greeted by Vivya.“It died, didn’t it?” My sister ra...

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“Break The Rules And Be A Rebel” by Artemisia Pearl

Submitted to Contest #44

It was incredibly hot. My mother had been bringing men over during dinner each night this week. She was trying to find me the perfect man. I had no interest in an arranged marriage. I wanted to marry whoever I wanted, but that was frowned upon. Many women just go along with what society comes up with. However, I am perfectly fine with working on the farm. I don’t need a man, because I never have. Each night before dinner, Jia, my older sister, my grandmother and mother would dress me up. They bathed me, powdered my f...

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“Here” by ✎💎 ℂａŁ𝔢в 𝐖𝐄𝓲Ǥ𝐓 ♡💀

Submitted to Contest #44

This galaxy slowly started to intertwine with ours. As the process continued, it started to pick up speed. Stars began to merge together, along with all sizes of asteroids being flung around. And then they came. The Andromedan people. They sought to destroy, and destroy they did. We were already weakened. When they arrived in our system, the man slaughter began. They sent powered people down on Earth, to destroy us. All our armies were destroyed within the hour. I was sixteen when that happened. I remember one man said, "This is the beginnin...

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“You've Got Time” by Tori Routsong

Submitted to Contest #44

Marcellus looked up at Mt. Vesuvius, looming over the city like a gentle giant, protecting their city. He tightened his grip around his younger brother and wished he could fill his brother with the mountain’s strength. “It’ll be good again,” he said. His dog, Dorcea, whined, and put her chin on Crispus’s foot. Crispus sniffed and rubbed his eyes. “I know, but… I can’t believe that she’s gone.” “Crispus… Kiddo, she left two months ago. I thought you were doing better.” Marcellus bit his lip. Crispus had always been over emotional, but this...

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“Showdown in Mid-Town” by Gip Roberts

Submitted to Contest #44

Lincoln was no longer with us. It was a period tucked between two revolutions: one social, the other technological. The eye of an American storm. A time when fashion ruled, and global war didn't. Also a time of selfishness and competition. Of disease and danger. Of envy and enmity. Predators and killers. Talent and stardom. Free will and cheap thrill... They called him "Lone-Finger Pete", and it was no mystery why. Three of them on his right hand - three that had helped give him deadly aim back east during the war - had been amputated d...

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“Montgomery et al” by Kuzivashe Kudzerema

Submitted to Contest #44

(The following writing is based on real life events, or at least that’s what I assumed it went like.) Hugh Montgomery frowned. He pushed back his Pince-Nez eye glasses onto his nasal bridge and examined the objects strewn on the examination table. Hugh’s turtleneck felt like it was strangling him, so he loosened it around the neck. The heat from the Kentucky sunshine was blistering and he took out his pager; it was only eleven in the morning. Montgomery suddenly felt an irrational hate towards the sun. He was working for Christ’s ...

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“IT IS A FUTURE.” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #44

The last light of day was just about gone as Abby walked back to the old farm house she shared with her family. Shabby and in need of repair as it was, the warm glow of light from the Windows was a welcome sight, her family inside and the normal chatter of the days sharing that was so much a part of this family, she could feel the welcome. The contrast to where she had spent her day, to where she spent every day was stark. Never enough heat, or light, never a smile and words so few that when spoke...

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“Pilar From Lugo” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #44

Pilar, as every good Catholic knows (a lot of bad ones know, too, most likely) is a woman’s name derived from Our Lady of the Pillar. At the same time, not many who come from outside Catholicism know that this virgin appeared in the area of Zaragoza in 40 A.D. to encourage Saint James, Santiago, to keep his commitment to Christ and Christianity. That is relevant to this story.That should mean Pilar should have become the main figure in Spain, and James the second place finisher.However, that is not what happened, but since it was so long ago...

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Write a story that starts by establishing its setting in a different time period — without explicitly stating what that period is.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 114 stories

“A marriage of the heart, A marriage of the soul” by V.S. Nilanee

“On the Battleground” by Zyönnah Isiguzo

“Luminaria” by Zilla Babbitt

“They didn't need a bigger boat” by Miles Gatling

“They're Still Human Beings” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

“War” by Crystal Lewis

“Just the Beginning” by Vicky S

“Your Forever Friend” by Tvisha Yerra

“Break The Rules And Be A Rebel” by Artemisia Pearl

“Here” by ✎💎 ℂａŁ𝔢в 𝐖𝐄𝓲Ǥ𝐓 ♡💀

“You've Got Time” by Tori Routsong

“Showdown in Mid-Town” by Gip Roberts

“Montgomery et al” by Kuzivashe Kudzerema

“IT IS A FUTURE.” by P. Jean

“Pilar From Lugo” by Kathleen March

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that starts with two characters saying goodbye.

Write a story that starts with a life-changing event.

Write a story that starts with someone returning from a trip.

Write a story that starts with a character-revealing something unusual about themselves.

Contest #44

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

790

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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