Write about a person trying to learn a new skill or hobby they find intimidating but want (or need) to learn anyway.

Posted in Nonfiction on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 47 stories

“Scars, Burns, and Cuts” by Gabriela Tajzler

Submitted to Contest #15

The swift slice of the kitchen knife hardly made an impression for the first five seconds at contact with her index finger. At first, she assumed it was nothing more than a slight nick that not even an infant would concern itself with. It wasn't until she took a moment for herself to closely examine the half sliced pig shoulder to notice her own finger practically gushing an arc over the raw meat. In a quiet panic she dropped the knife on the plastic cutting board and rushed to the nearest sink and practically ripped off her gloves before un...

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“Calliope's Song” by Emma Goertz

Submitted to Contest #15

The ground of the barren island raked and tore the soft skin that would have the misfortune to walked upon it. The surface was pockmarked with shallow craters that housed small tidepools but, no creature would dare to inhabit them. The sea was perpetually turbulent, and the overwhelming stench of sea spray invaded every pore and strand of hair. Fish and sharks alike were driven far from the Devil’s Isle from fear that their bones would be crushed to dust and their blood drunk as if it were water. The only creatures that inhabited this forsak...

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“No Way Out” by Diana MacPherson

Submitted to Contest #15

He had that feeling again. Like so many of his feelings, he didn’t have a name for it even though he’d experienced it many times before. It was unpleasant. It wrapped itself around his insides like a dark serpent and squeezed at his heart. It made him tense up his muscles and lean forward as his overworked brain tried desperately to squelch the long, drawn-out howl that perched behind his mouth, ready to leap to the outside. His sides ached to let it out…he knew, somehow, that letting that howl out would feel so satisfying. But he had to be ...

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“The Boss' Pet” by Heather Forensky

Submitted to Contest #15

Lizzie took in a sharp breath before she headed into the doorway of her work. The store was decorated with flags and colors of red, white, and blue. It was only June.They asked her to be the new manager since the previous one will be stepping down. She didn't feel comfortable, but everyone took to her being in charge. She did have a type of leadership that was comfortable, but she never liked being a leader.Today Tabetha was going to train her in learning some of the more managerial skills that she needed for work. It was a daring task ...

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“Training Wheels” by Nick Rota

Submitted to Contest #15

The bright beams of the sun seem to only cause an annoyance, blinding Peter as he mounts his bike. Agitated but determined, he narrows his eyes as he’s about to attempt his first time riding a bike with no training wheels. He places his foot on the pedal trying to find his balance, readying himself to conquer his deepest feat. In one swift motion, Peter pushes off his back foot and is now in motion. It’s as if he is walking across a tightrope, one wrong move can be his demise. Finding his rhythm, swaying his shoulders left to right, pedaling...

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“Queen of Cruelty” by Zoie Camp

Submitted to Contest #15

Elysia had never wanted this life.From the time she could walk, she had been handed a sword; she had learned to balance its weight in her hands; she had learned how to fight—where to strike, how deep to cut. A princess must be strong, her father would say. A princess must be the strongest fighter in her kingdom.But Elysia had never wanted to fight. She had never wanted to kill.She was ten when she took her first life. She remembered how easily the blade had pierced through that soldier’s body, cutting straight through his heart as thoug...

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“UNCLE DENNY'S CLASS” by Mercy Duke

Submitted to Contest #15

Clara walks into a room with twenty ladies all almost her age, except one lady who sits in a corner. The corner lady is older than the rest, at first, Clara thought she is the tutor. The other ladies in the room lift their heads and look at Clara. No one said anything to her. The teacher, DENNIS gets up from one of the tables, Clara has not seen him he was behind some ladies. He walks up to Clara."Hi, you must be Clara?" he said stretching his hand for Clara. Clara stretches her hand to greet Dennis"Good day sir. Yes, I am", responded ...

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“The Ballroom Dance” by McKenna McGill

Submitted to Contest #15

My family’s past history was pretty rich. We always had this ballroom in our mansion. It has been here for over 200 years. My past family members had always held this ballroom dance for everyone in the city of London. It was a special time of year. It was such a beautiful time too. Everyone gathered around to dance and have fun. This year was going to be different though. I was the head of planning the ballroom dance.I had never in my life danced like the pastPeople in the ballroom. And I had no clue where to be...

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“Proud to Be Yours” by Kaitlyn Magana

Submitted to Contest #15

“Ack!” I parry her attack with my blade and follow up with a riposte to her upper collarbone. I did not stab her with much force, but she made that noise when I hit her. But I’m pretty sure it was more out of frustration than out of actual pain. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Grace. That was a good attack.” “No, it wasn’t.” She sighs, lowering her blade to the ground. “I’ve hardly been able to land an attack on you all day. I think I’m getting worse at fencing.” “You’re doing just fine for your skill level.” I reassure he...

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“Catherine and the sea” by Lunyzbreid L

Submitted to Contest #15

The underwater world had always fascinated Catherine; she spent countless hours watching documentaries on cable TV since she was a child and was well aware of sea life. When she was a teenager, she befriended Edward, a classmate who was learning freediving during weekends and invited her to watch him practice. The following Saturday, Catherine put on her swimsuit, a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Her friend picked her up in his father’s car, and one hour later, they were at the beach. Although she was interested in the ...

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“For My Dream” by Elizabeth Pinaire

Submitted to Contest #15

They say that the more you practice that the better you will get...but where do you start? I find myself struggling with the new homework that sits in front of me. Math, I grumble. Such awful stuff. It wouldn't be so bad if it had just remained numbers but now they are adding letters. I find my gaze wandering toward the window. It is such a beautiful day outside. Normally I'm not one to even want to step foot outside but on days where there is homework I find myself a little more open to the idea of it. I smile ruefully as I gaze across...

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“Pumping Gas” by Shelley Lerea

Submitted to Contest #15

Jane felt her heart beating as fast as a runaway train. Her sweaty palms were about to cause a flood. She grabbed her phone , began a text and then stopped. She slid out of her car and stared at the monstrous gadget in front of her. She thought about her goal to fight her fears and learn new things. When she told her friends at work that she never pumped gas in her life, some laughed. “ You’re joking, right?” said Melinda as Cassie said, “You’re 45 years old and never pumped gas, oh my God!” The only friend who showed compass...

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“Unexpected Events ” by Candice Clorinda

Submitted to Contest #15

By all accounts I am a clumsy, flannel wearing, leggings loving, high pony tail hair style, awkward lesbian. Not that any of this really matters in the grand scheme of things, but it should be duly noted considering that the very last thing that I am is an athletic, gun toting, sword wielding badass.That was until the apocalypse hit.I always thought that it would be natural disasters of some sort, or maybe a plague like illness, or something close to the Christian or Nordic end of days where the world ends in fire or ice respectively, anythi...

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“War on Hecate” by Karen Cooks

Submitted to Contest #15

"Again." It was the fifth time today she'd tried- and failed- at the simple task of igniting a single candle with her magic. It was a Saturday, just on the edge of Autumn- the air still comfortably warm for most of the day, though with the faintest hint of a chill rising during the nights, when the sun fell slowly behind the horizon, and the stars and moon seemed to reveal themselves as if to welcome the oncoming change in the seasons. The house was still today- none of the typical musical notes coming from the small keyboard in the corner ...

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“ROGER'S HOBBY ” by Mike Sandels

Submitted to Contest #15

"Where is it?""Where is what?""You know..."Ball and two strikes. "No, I don't know." Denice glared at him. Here's the pitch ... ball, outside. "I can't tell you with S-A-L-L-Y in the room. You know. What we’ve been talking about the last few daaaaays..."How 'bout the crowd tonight, Steve? Isn't this wonderful? Roger looked at her. "You mean the uhhhh ... " It sure is, Jack. Sunday home games have been well-attended all year. "Yes, 'the uhhh.' Did you get it? "Of course." "Where'd you put it?""You ...

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Write about a person trying to learn a new skill or hobby they find intimidating but want (or need) to learn anyway.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 47 stories

“Scars, Burns, and Cuts” by Gabriela Tajzler

“Calliope's Song” by Emma Goertz

“No Way Out” by Diana MacPherson

“The Boss' Pet” by Heather Forensky

“Training Wheels” by Nick Rota

“Queen of Cruelty” by Zoie Camp

“UNCLE DENNY'S CLASS” by Mercy Duke

“The Ballroom Dance” by McKenna McGill

“Proud to Be Yours” by Kaitlyn Magana

“Catherine and the sea” by Lunyzbreid L

“For My Dream” by Elizabeth Pinaire

“Pumping Gas” by Shelley Lerea

“Unexpected Events ” by Candice Clorinda

“War on Hecate” by Karen Cooks

“ROGER'S HOBBY ” by Mike Sandels

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about one character’s fundamental misunderstanding of another character’s job.

Write about a character who is a reluctant expert on a topic they wish they didn’t know so much about.

Write about something you consider yourself an expert in, but do it from the perspective of a total novice.

Write about a character’s secret area of expertise, something most of their acquaintances would be surprised to learn they know tons about.

Contest #15

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

160

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: