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 Winters Eve” by Phillip Allen

Submitted to Contest #44

Margaret stepped out of the theater and pulled her coat up as high as she could on her neck. A cold wind bit at her face. This was her third time watching National Velvet. She knew she really should save her money, but she so loved Liz Taylor, and, in her opinion, Mickey Rooney was to die for.She had rushed the hand full of blocks from the factory to the theater when her shift had ended. She missed the simpler times, before the world turned upside down. Sure, money had been tight but at least her family was all together… and alive.She could ...

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“The Red Lady” by Koi KOAH

Submitted to Contest #44

I was no longer the lady I used to see in the mirror as she was dressed by countless maids with only a quill and paper on her mind. "Hurry up Omelia." A whisper from one of the girls hurried me in an even whisper away from my reflection in the mirror to get ready and gather with the rest while I took the last glance at myself who looked as weary as the maids I once myself tormented with countless requests: My long braided hair hidden away by a day cap, the pale almost sickly complexion making my hazel eyes stormy and dull from what they...

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“Family” by Diana Caskey

Submitted to Contest #44

She heard the neighbor’s cock crowing a long crescendo, rolling over her dreaming consciousness. Unlike many of the village cocks he reliably woke and announced the day just at the right time. Time to get up, dress, feed the fire and make bread. Her husband felt her stirring and wrapped his arm around her, snuggling closer. It was tempting to close her eyes again and sleep warmly just a little longer. Pictures in her head rise unbidden, blocking out the remnant of her dream. All the things she needs to do today. Wash day, oh the work of it. ...

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“In Search of James” by Bubba McClure

Submitted to Contest #44

CW: Due to its historical setting, this story refers to people of Romani descent using a term now recognized as a slur The gypsies surrounded the fire. A woman with thick, long black hair was dancing. A man was playing the violin for her to dance to. None of them saw the man hiding in the shadows of the woods. He had a knife in his hand, and his narrowed eyes scanned the scene, trying to find the one light head he knew must be there in the sea of dark ones. He saw nothing. The man cursed inwardly, and was about to turn to ...

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“Pandemic ” by Kathleen Whalen

Submitted to Contest #44

“Will, please get up. It’s time for school.”He barely heard his mother’s voice in the doorway. He ignored her and continued attempting to sleep.“I am not going to ask you again. You can stay home and sit with your grandfather instead if you’d like.”That would be a worse alternative. Since his “recovery” from the flu virus, his grandfather did little but sit in his chair all day staring at nothing. He barely ate anything and rarely spoke.“Fine. I’ll be down for breakfast in a minute.”He dressed quickly, washed his face in the basin and ran a ...

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“Breaking the Rules in a Forbidden World” by Bridget Sam

Submitted to Contest #44

The path seems to be paved for me as I walk down the street. Taking in the crisp San Francisco air, everything smelt fresh and green. The flowers were blooming and the leaves were emitting a scent of spring. However, no one was paying attention to the beauty around them. Instead, they were looking at me. As a new person takes fond of me I can tell they had a look mixed with disgust and sheer wonderment, mostly the former though. You might be wondering, “Well, why are people looking at you?” Well, that’s a question I’m trying to answer ...

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“Hard times, hard work.” by Fern Theobaldo

Submitted to Contest #44

The clouds were covering up the sky, the vineyard, and the cornfield my neighbor owned was covered in snow, so was everyone else’s house. I got up excited and woke my younger sister Luisa up, we both put our jackets on and left the house to play, it was the best moment I got throughout the day because later on, I would have to take care of the house. You see, I am only a twelve years old girl, but my mom is a hard worker she was the one who put food in the table and blankets on our beds. We didn’t have a lot of money, and to be more specific...

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“After Midnight in Mexico” by Jonathan Piscitelli

Submitted to Contest #44

I was lucky to make it back from Mexico alive.It all started out innocent enough. It was just a little two-week foreign exchange program between my high school, and a local high school in Torreon, a small mining town in Central Mexico.Richard and I were going along with twelve other Seniors, chaperoned and led by our Spanish teacher Mr. Fitzgerald.We left nearly two weeks before Halloween and Richard and I had thought about getting mushrooms to trip on our trip down south, making it that much more of an epic adventure, but it turns out we wo...

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“IF ONLY FOR A PIECE OF MIND” by Seema Sharma

Submitted to Contest #44

These times are terrible. It used to be so much more pleasant back then. Open fields, even if not plenty, natural air, even when it was gassed and yes, most importantly: families. Though I have neither seen nor experienced any of these myself but have most earnestly heard it being described by my mother.I guess it’s too late to realise how much I would love socialising because now, there are just virtual rendezvous. I don’t have to leave my room for even a moment for any single thing. These 3D printers really are a thing. Within crojets (cro...

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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 Winters Eve” by Phillip Allen

“The Red Lady” by Koi KOAH

“Family” by Diana Caskey

“In Search of James” by Bubba McClure

“Pandemic ” by Kathleen Whalen

“Breaking the Rules in a Forbidden World” by Bridget Sam

“Hard times, hard work.” by Fern Theobaldo

“After Midnight in Mexico” by Jonathan Piscitelli

“IF ONLY FOR A PIECE OF MIND” by Seema Sharma

🌟 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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