Set your story over the course of a few minutes; no flashbacks, no flashforwards.

Posted in Narrative on May 31, 2024

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✍️ 94 stories

“So Anyways” by Maggie Grainger

Submitted to Contest #253

Jennie has a real talent for acquiring people. Sure, it sounds like a good quality on paper, but, in fact, it can be beyond annoying. Take for example right now. I’m crammed into a corner booth with Steve? I think it’s Steve. He’s a random dude she met at the first bar we hit up tonight. He was sitting at a high top alone when Jennie beckoned him over for a shot and now I’m the one who can’t shake him. “Tell me a fun fact about you,” I say unenthusiastically, trying to break up the awkward silence until Jennie gets back from the bar.&n...

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“Return from Morning Walk” by Travis Shank

Submitted to Contest #253

The front porch storm door is open, held that way by its sliding clasp. With the heavy entry door pushed in, I can see through to the living room and the kitchen beyond that, even from here on the sidewalk. That furthest room will be filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, intermingling not unpleasantly with the unique savory scent of dried kibble which surely now fills a bowl on the counter. Max and I look at each other, he up and I down, with shared anticipation. We bound up the ten steep steps to where the house sits on...

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“"Handle It"” by NevaJ Lunday

Submitted to Contest #253

A good big brother helps calm their little sister if need be. It seemed to her as if it was the oldest rule because for as long as she could remember her brother had been told it was his job to keep her out of trouble. Well, she may be two short days away from being eighteen. An adult as she liked to remind him, and while she would normally insist that she could handle things herself, she was very glad that he still did what he could to calm her down at this moment. Her eyes still stung from her break down earlier. It had taken everything i...

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“The Elephant Cafe” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #253

Martin walked along George IV Bridge in Edinburgh's Old Town and stopped across the road from the Elephant House cafe to take it in. Its pillar box red fascia and gold lettering above the entrance captured an enticing warmth before entering into the cosy turmeric-coloured interior to meet Craig for another caffeine-fuelled film critique.It had been a big year for movies - Forrest Gump had swept the Oscars when a masterpiece in Pulp Fiction had been largely overlooked despite two Oscar-worthy lead actors and up against a larger production whi...

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Set your story over the course of a few minutes; no flashbacks, no flashforwards.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 94 stories

“So Anyways” by Maggie Grainger

“Return from Morning Walk” by Travis Shank

“"Handle It"” by NevaJ Lunday

“The Elephant Cafe” by Alex McColm

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a highly-strung character learning to slow down, or someone pursuing a quieter way of life.

Start your story with a character canceling their plans.

Write a story that contains the line, "I wish we could stay here forever."

Write about a character who has the ability to pause the passage of time.

Contest #253

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

335

Contest entries

118

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: