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

Posted in Novel on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 175 stories

“Fading path” by Juliet Oledibe

Submitted to Contest #44

QUEENETHIt all began on a rainy Wednesday morning when her parents, sitting across their family lawyer finally and unitedly signed their divorce papers. They have been going on about this for months now and finally, her mother lifted her hands in victory as she was granted custody of their three children. Queeneth couldn't understand why her mother had been so happy and joyous. At fourteen, she knows that divorce is a sad thing and shouldn't be mixed with any emotions of excitement.The events leading up to the divorce had been strange and co...

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“The Birthday Present” by David Adams

Submitted to Contest #44

It was my 45th birthday and, for the first time, it seemed I might get a present worth having. Only now could I hope that my work would change the future for my children, if not for me.Forty years of desperation, maybe longer for I cannot remember too much of those first few years. I do know that they were full of stress for my parents and I lost a brother, I never knew. But even in those early years I was already aware that my world was changing. Slowly the outer air lock opened. It always seemed slow but I had to remind myself that it weig...

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“Hold on” by Bristol Messer

Submitted to Contest #44

I wonder what my life would be like now if I didn't go outside that night? Would I be dead, or find my way to him anyway? I loved him even before I knew him. Here's how it all started.He was facing the opposite way of the bus coming down the road and staring up at the beautiful night sky. I didn't blame him, the sky was almost as gorgeous as last night with my dad, but why wasn't he moving? I could clearly hear the roar of the bus over the blaring music outside. Why couldn't he? Then it hit me; there were a total of three ho...

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“Future” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #44

- eight weeks of pregnancy, said the doctor.In disbelief, I first smiled at him.Then I realized that I have broken up with my boyfriend, more than nine weeks ago! And hadji other in his place, as I was about to loose my job at that time.So....how could that be possible?- Are you sure ? – I asked the doctor - shrinking many “ nos “ in my inner soul, and anxiously promissi g to the God I hardly remembered to worship, in order to have a negative answer.He looked at me , show...

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“A Window With A View” by Daryn Schvimmer

Submitted to Contest #44

There it was again. I was trying to sleep, and the man in the cell next door wouldn’t stop humming. I’d never had this problem back when I was in C-block, but for some reason they had decided to transfer me to cell block A, where it was just me and this man in the cell next door. It wasn’t like I’d even done anything to warrant the transfer. I was a model of perfect behavior. Of course, you’d behave well too if you weren’t actually a criminal, and were put away for something you didn’t even do. I know it seems sketchy, but it’s true. T...

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“Too Much Good” by Karen Kitchel

Submitted to Contest #44

Turning twenty-one should be a day of unbelievable celebrating. And it is for a short while. Being the first of triplet boys, I know I will be sharing my one-special-day-of-a-lifetime with my two brothers until I can escape to the real party with my best buddies.I gave in to Mom’s emotional pleading to have a family dinner with her. While I rarely show it, I understand how she has sacrificed a lot over the years as a single parent for her Three Muskateers. I will pretend to enjoy the company because I know the meal will be one...

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“Fly me to the moon ” by Giovanna Cezar

Submitted to Contest #44

The princess left the castle. She looked one last time to the stone towers she had called home for the past twenty years. There laid all her hopes of a future, a future with a prince who would rescue her and take her to his kingdom, a future where he would break her curse. Now, it was all in the past, nothing but fantasies of a young girl who dreamed too much. She turned her back to the Sky-Piercing Castle, confident and resolute. Still, a small tear ran down her cheek as she crossed the bridge over the lava pit and entered the woods.The Red...

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“Monster Death” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #44

Hannah's mom, Prudence, had died two weeks ago. They had found the body lying in bed with the blankets shreded and bloody on top of her. The police had been summoned. Evidence on the scene was baffling.There was nothing to suggest either a struggle or forced entry. Yet Prudence's corpse had obvious wounds. Her entestines looked like they had ruptured and there were deep gouges and slashes on her abdomen. There was of course blood but CSI said it all appeared to be arterial spray and smeared transfer marks. More confusing was the lack of an...

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“Amaranthine” by Sara Catherine Andrade

Submitted to Contest #44

Getting hit by a truck hurt like hell.What started out as a typical day turned into something inconceivable. The moment I woke up, my body felt heavy and almost alien to me. As I looked in the mirror I found dark circles underneath my eyes and my skin was sickly pale. My copper-colored hair was dull but it was more unruly than usual. I tried my best to tame it with my brush before entering the bathroom.I was debating on going back to bed but I had to get to the university and submit my term paper before the professor failed me. I quickly sho...

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“Goodbye.” by Vaishnavi Venu

Submitted to Contest #44

She looks up at me her black hair dripping wet, cascading like waterfalls down her shoulder. Her eyes brim with tears as she asks pouting, “Why would you do that?” “Uh,” I start, a jug of water in my hand, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. “ It was just a prank,” I say. I hear the door slam open, revealing a very crossed mom. “Priya, you’re the big sister! How could you this to your sister?!” she yells, yanking the water jug from me. “But it was just a prank-“ I start, but the door closes. “Look at that,” I say, plopping down on the ...

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“Forever” by Rachel Hudson

Submitted to Contest #44

“We can’t stay like this forever.” Ada blinked, jolted from her reverie. She gazed up into the man’s kind blue eyes as a small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. The wind ruffled his chocolate-colored hair as he held the door of the tailor’s shop open for Ada to step through. Her cheeks grew warm and her heart skipped a beat. Unaware of how long she’d kept him there, Ada smiled sheepishly as her cheeks grew warm. “I… suppose you’re right. Thank you.” She slipped through the doorway and ducked behind a shelf, watching the man through...

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“In the Closet” by Sharlene Thomas

Submitted to Contest #44

Seven…eight…nine, yes, that’s right, nine steps, forty years ago; nine heavy footsteps echo on the tiled floor approaching the other side of the door. I see the knob begin to turn, then stop, as several voices enter the kitchen, and the footsteps retreat to attend the new arrivals. At first subdued and then growing louder with the confidence of people unaware they are being heard, introductions are made and acknowledged without a name being spoken. I’m sorry; that’s wrong. Forgive me. Not all the voices were loud and confident. There was one...

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“Sight” by Sam Affarano

Submitted to Contest #44

“This isn’t working!” Tommy slammed his fist onto the floor, coddling it immediately after as he hit a rock. Tears oozing from his eyes, “It just won’t work,” he seethed and climbed back onto his feet, turned around and pounded towards the back door, running into the wooden stair railing. There he paused, quivering before using the railing as a guide to lead him up through the back door. At least he managed to thrust it shut with a satisfying thud. Tila yearned to follow him, her heart ached for his struggles,...

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“The Beginning of the End” by Mandy Stanley

Submitted to Contest #44

My sister’s words echoed in my ears as I drove to work: “I’m no longer responding to chemo.” I had gotten ready for work and got a text from Jolene: On our way home. Don’t leave yet. I knew she had some information for me from the doctors. Jolene and Mom had left early that November morning for an appointment in Pittsburgh with the oncology team and then chemotherapy. The half-hour trip always seemed to be longer on the way back. Especially with a nauseous passenger beside you. It was far too early...

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“Dogs and Clowns” by Faith Chrayon

Submitted to Contest #44

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains a scene of sexual assault and a panic attack. “I will eradicate all crime in three to six months!” the dog shouted. The clowns raise their fists and shouts of hurrah echo across the streets. Millions of people surround the circus, most of them wearing makeup and clothes wide enough for two people to wear them at once. Their shoes are uniform: wide, big, getting in the way, yet refusing to acknowledge those it stepped on. The clowns continue to scream and praise the dog that gave them the daunting p...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 175 stories

“Fading path” by Juliet Oledibe

“The Birthday Present” by David Adams

“Hold on” by Bristol Messer

“Future” by Sandra Claros

“A Window With A View” by Daryn Schvimmer

“Too Much Good” by Karen Kitchel

“Fly me to the moon ” by Giovanna Cezar

“Monster Death” by Marian Reiley

“Amaranthine” by Sara Catherine Andrade

“Goodbye.” by Vaishnavi Venu

“Forever” by Rachel Hudson

“In the Closet” by Sharlene Thomas

“Sight” by Sam Affarano

“The Beginning of the End” by Mandy Stanley

“Dogs and Clowns” by Faith Chrayon

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that starts with two characters saying goodbye.

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

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

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

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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