Write a story in the form of a list.

Posted in Narrative on Dec 22, 2023

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✍️ 62 stories

“How to Elicit an Unreasonable Reaction” by Morgan Aloia

Submitted to Contest #230

1) Birth the subject in a suburban town in east Texas, in a community that completely and totally denigrates queerness. Let's call this place Pearland, as an example.2) Really work hard to butch them up, because something is clearly amiss on that front.3) They will realize they are trans, but will not have any context for what to do about that and so they will:3a) Internalize prevalent narratives about the pitiful and perverted nature that trans people have inherent to their being.3b) Vacuum-seal themselves in the closet.3c) Learn to disasso...

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“Tomorrow's Checklist” by N Martin

Submitted to Contest #230

Definitely sensitive content, themes of murder, stalking, mental health etc.1 - Target Selection:Identify target: Emily Thompson, 28, lives alone, works late nights.Emily Thompson, a fleeting stranger in a crowded coffee shop, etched herself into my consciousness like an unsuspecting muse. Her silhouette, slender and unassuming, beckoned me to delve deeper into the mystery of her existence. In the dim glow of the café, I observed her solitary habits, the way she sipped her latte, and the rhythmic tap of her fingers against the keyboard as sh...

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“The Baby Bubble Bum Bot Infant Rocker Soother Feeder” by Honey Homecroft

Submitted to Contest #230

NEW! The Baby Bubble Bum Bot Infant Rocker Soother Feeder rocks, feeds, and soothes your infant who can't seem to get over his need for human contact. Perfect for getting a moment to yourself during a busy day. Product features: + Responsive soothing motion to mimic what it would be like if his mother bothered to pick him up. + Programmable bottle feeding function if you're not breastfeeding, which you really should be. + Library of songs and stories for infant brain development — you know how important that is, right? (Monthly subscrip...

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“The List for a (Un)Happy Life” by Daniel James

Submitted to Contest #230

Trigger warnings: Drinking, implied violence, language The List for a (Un)Happy Life EVIDENCE PG. 1 December 10th - Reserve spot at that restaurant for our 4th anniversary - Call Nina’s parents for blessing. - New Year’s Resolutions? o We’ll be engaged finally. Maybe we can have a fall wedding. Nina has always loved the fall. It could be outdoors, She wo...

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“Lost Words” by Erika Darling

Submitted to Contest #230

I open my eyes and alarm starts to build as I take in my unfamiliar surroundings. I’m lying in a single bed with plain white sheets and a thin, white blanket. To my right is a phone, lamp, and two framed photos. One is a photo of me with a man I don’t recognize. I’m smiling at the camera, and he is smiling at me. The other is of a man and woman who look as though they are in their thirties. It’s unclear whether they are a couple or why I’d have a photo of them. There are no other photos or mementos in the room. It’s a tidy room with an ordin...

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“addiction” by Rudy Greene

Submitted to Contest #230

New year’s resolutions December 31 Find a new home (living in the back of my car doesn’t cut it) Stop taking drugs (I can’t afford them anymore) Find a new dealer (oops, I think I just contradicted myself) Maybe change my drug of choice (Fentanyl is just too damned expensive and dangerous) Make up with Zelda (but she won’t take me back unless I stop using) See more of my kids (but first Zelda has to reverse the court order) Get out of New York city (but I’ll need new dealers and never see my kids) Stop contradicting myself (I’ll be clearer w...

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“The Naughty List” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #230

Buy hammer [claw, not lump]Check car boot [crowbar, towel, wellies, petrol can]Fill petrol canNeed new gloves. [Fisting ones are best. Thick and single use.]Check chemical bottle, how much left?Santa sack for presents. [Forgot that last time]Get Santa costume out of wardrobe and lay out readySet alarm for 2.30am [Need to be there for 3am]Check out 22 Winchester Road at least two more times before Christmas EveMake sure they are dead before you set fire to the houseDON’T MAKE ANY MISTAKES THIS TIME!Trent didn’t give a shit about being on the ...

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“A Christmas Wish List” by Ty Warmbrodt

Submitted to Contest #230

Dear Santa, It’s me, Sarah Michelle Klein. I turned seven this year. I don’t know if I’ve been a good girl this year or not, Santa. I don’t do well in school. My grades are bad but I try as hard as I can. Daddy would yell at me every night and wouldn’t let me play with the other kids. I would do my homework until bedtime trying to get it right, just to get more bad grades. I also get into fights sometimes because the other kids are mean to me for not being as smart as them or for the clothes I wear. This makes daddy even madder. He spanks ...

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“To Do:” by Sachi Shah

Submitted to Contest #230

December 1st (Age 10):• Post my letter to Santa. I messed up one part and wanted to start again but Mum said it was fine - we don’t have time to do another one. I hope he doesn’t mind. • Write out cards for all my classmates. Mrs. Hamilton said she will let us use her special pens if we promise to put the lids back on. I always put the lid back on (did you hear that Santa?)• Get a present for Maddie. Dad said he will help me if I haven’t got enough pocket money. I think she will like that sparkly bracelet I saw in the shops the other we...

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“Classified Interview, Pulled for Admission” by Freya Inkwell

Submitted to Contest #230

Primary Witness’ Responses to the Alien Bureau of Investigation (ABI) Interview, Transcribed: Thomas William RennerI was 17-years-old at the time, born January 7th, 2037.I’ve lived in Moncks Corner, North Carolina, all my life. I’m sure you already know that, though, seeing as how you’ve spoken with my father, Chief William Renner. No, I’ve gone nowhere else. Traveling for us laymen has been limited since the alien war.Just one sister—Layla. She’s 13-years-old this year. No, we went to the local schools. I assumed I...

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“ The Curiosities of Cactus Creek: A List-Based Adventure” by Gail Ormsby

Submitted to Contest #230

A tumbleweed whispers secrets through the dusty streets of Cactus Creek, a sun-bleached town clinging to the edge of nowhere. Its population: ten misfits, ten stories waiting to unravel. Sheriff June is sharp as a coyote's grin and weathered by desert winds. Her trusty revolver, Calamity Jane, purrs against her hip, keeping the peace amongst the bar brawls and tumbleweed tumbleweeds. In the ramshackle diner, Amelia fries up dreams on a greasy grill. Her spatula conducts a symphony of sizzling bacon and clinking mugs, fueling the town's gossi...

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“Apocalypse Pizza” by S.E. Tomlinson

Submitted to Contest #230

[Contains strong language] So, newbie, you’ve made it to the end of the world. Congratulations! And welcome to the other side of history! The bombs may have dropped, but there’s still work to do and bills to pay. Some things never change. Another thing that hasn’t changed is pretty simple: People are hungry, they need to eat, and they love pizza. That’s where you and I come in. I’ve been a pizza delivery guy since before the bombs dropped, when cars were ubiquitous and people could place an order on their smart phones and have it deliv...

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“Holiday To-Do List” by Cathy Ramos

Submitted to Contest #230

(Sensitive content: heavy drinking, unhinged behavior. A few swear words peppered here and there. It's the holidays, after all.)Holiday To-Do ListDay 1Go to bank, close mutual fund, transfer to checking accountGo to East Valley mall for siblings (Reference links they provided)-Lindsay - diamond tennis bracelet from Rothschilds, $750-Tasha - Dutch oven set from Posh Pantry, $728-Dean - Box of Cuban cigars, $763 -Donny - Bottle of Darach scotch, $730At the Smoke and Spirits shop, pick up Xmas dinner wine:-1 case of New Zealand Sauvigon Bl...

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“For Those About To Swing, A Bottle Salutes You” by Emanuel Diaz

Submitted to Contest #230

INTRO: DYONISIAN OPENING ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Introduction of the Illustrious Minstrels:Goyaa Unsung, the enigmatic crooner with a voice that echoes the sorrows of forgotten souls.Johann Robins, the virtuoso guitarist, whose fingers dance upon the strings like whispers in the night.Boston C.T., the maestro of rhythm, orchestrating beats that resonate with the heartbeat of a rebellious spirit.Coolly Magnum, the bassist, is a silent thunder whose low notes shake the very foundations of reality.Lurid Ph.D., the keyboard sorcerer, conjuring melodies...

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“Mountain Dogs ” by Edd Baker

Submitted to Contest #230

CW: Violence and brief swearing March fourth, 2024 - Things to accomplish, and various thoughts - Art's Jewelry Shop on the corner of thirteenth Avenue and Bram Street - Survey surrounding area. This includes: - Nearby and adjacent shops, stores, offices and restaurants - Go by Larry's for vehicle, as well as a few more details about the job. He has been quite sparse. For vehicle, preferably something with tread for the harsh Colorado winter, but also with speed in the event it is required - Find spare Uber or Lyft sticker. If I ...

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Contest #230

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Ended on 23:59 - Dec 29, 2023 EST

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Title: The Lop-it-off-a-me List

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Write a story in the form of a list.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 62 stories

“How to Elicit an Unreasonable Reaction” by Morgan Aloia

“Tomorrow's Checklist” by N Martin

“The Baby Bubble Bum Bot Infant Rocker Soother Feeder” by Honey Homecroft

“The List for a (Un)Happy Life” by Daniel James

“Lost Words” by Erika Darling

“addiction” by Rudy Greene

“The Naughty List” by Jed Cope

“A Christmas Wish List” by Ty Warmbrodt

“To Do:” by Sachi Shah

“Classified Interview, Pulled for Admission” by Freya Inkwell

“ The Curiosities of Cactus Creek: A List-Based Adventure” by Gail Ormsby

“Apocalypse Pizza” by S.E. Tomlinson

“Holiday To-Do List” by Cathy Ramos

“For Those About To Swing, A Bottle Salutes You” by Emanuel Diaz

“Mountain Dogs ” by Edd Baker

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.

Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Contest #230

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

362

Contest entries

108

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: