Write about a character who makes a dramatic life change to pursue a goal they’ve secretly always wanted.

Posted in Novel on Oct 26, 2022

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 120 stories

“Lavender Scented Paths” by Adilene Victoria

Submitted to Contest #66

P.O.V = Point of view from any outsider's perspective: The cobbled lanes swarm with people who blanket the narrow streets in layers of beige. The people in their tweed jackets with little clocks hanging out their little pockets or their frilly and puffed blouses with their fluted skirts. The people with their noses held high and their petite waists, their hair held back perfectly. All these people judging everyone with their snake like eyes in their renowned frames of life. All these people puffing o...

2 comments 2

Read story

“On Killing” by Yellow Lemon

Submitted to Contest #66

Killing someone was never what I'd ever do. Or what I had never thought I'd do. But when he came in my way, I knew it had to be done. To save my reputation. Let me begin at the beginning. I am always a silent girl. Shy, introvert. I jump when a spider comes my way. I jump when someone suddenly barges. I jump when someone speaks in deep silence, I jump when this happens .....I jump when that happens.... You get an idea. Girls call me 'Scaredy-Kat.' "Um...Becca, I...can I please have my way...?" I nervously stutter, as I try to make my ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Ups and downs” by Tariq Saeed

Submitted to Contest #66

Hi,uncle,What’s up"Nomi greeted me .He was looking very happy and jolly.Nomi,what about your ,didn’t you rent it “.I asked.Uncle luck favored me, a business man hired my house for one lacs rupees. He had given me twelve lac of rupees as advance for one year, tonight I would take you for the dinner”Nomi invited me. In the evening I went to the restaurant in Which I was invited.A man near fifty years of age was sitting with Nomi. He introduced me to that person as he was new lessee Mr Victor.Sir,I know you “you were in Karachi”.Mr Victor ...

12 comments 12

Read story

“So...what's next?” by Palash Jhawar

Submitted to Contest #66

I was running so hard that my lungs felt like they were going to burst. I looked up to see them standing in the distance, but they seemed so far away that I wasn’t sure that I could make it. I just looked down again & ran with every pinch of energy I could muster. I had almost reached them as I felt my head spinning & was about to collapse when one of them caught me & held me up. When I finally looked up at them, I saw bemused expressions on the face of all my friends. “What?”, I barked at them. “We should ask you that. Why d...

0 comments 0

Read story

“A New Magical Beginning” by Ana Chirila

Submitted to Contest #66

London is the city that became a world of its own. So many people immigrate and emigrate to London that one would imagine the rest of the United Kingdom does not matter for foreigners. Economy is well, education is well, the health system could be better but still London is a city where many want to work in. Such was the dream of a man in his thirties, an age when adults do not dream anymore but work in order to sustain themselves. But not him. He worked so much that he ended up looking at the world with too many expectations. “10 minutes ...

6 comments 6

Read story

“Meet by the fire.” by Jordan L

Submitted to Contest #66

Day 4062, he counted as he watched the brilliant amber light of the rising sun reach over the expanse of flower filled rolling hills to reach this magnificent manor, the house accepted the warm embrace in a sickeningly peaceful solitude. The sign should be here any day now, he thought, watching the beautiful sight in agony, waiting for the day he will be released from this prison. ‘Thomas!’ the young master squawked from his bedroom behind Thomas. Fuck, he felt himself sucked back into his uncomfortable and embarrassingly flagrant sui...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Time of Your Life” by Aisa M

Submitted to Contest #66

I slam my apron on the bar counter and leave as the printer vomits paper after paper of orders: beer, mojito, whiskey, cosmopolitan, tequila shots, and vodka orange. The night is young and the swelling crowd is vivacious. Gerard looks at me as I storm out the counter and head to the stage. He must think I am crazy to leave him as he sweats profusely with the number of drinks he needs to serve. But I really don’t care. I’ve had enough of life compromising my dreams. Sandra and her shiny, wiggly, skimpy dress that makes her look lik...

4 comments 4

Read story

“0815” by C Alexis McGregor

Submitted to Contest #66

The radio crackles at 0815, a hollow voice alerting officers to attend a firearms complaint at a nearby house. Clicking on the lights and siren, I wheel my unmarked black SUV around, heading at speed to the rural town of 900 souls. Upon arriving, my ears ring with fired shots volleyed from outside the one-level residence towards our vehicles. I crawl below the gunfire to comfort a woman shot by the suspect. My eyes scan her injuries that my first-aid trauma trained brain recognizes as a significant threat to her life. A lull ...

3 comments 3

Read story

“On High” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #66

Patrick O’Reilly, like many growing up in a Roman Catholic household, was taught to love God, go to church regularly, and to treat people with respect. Soon after graduating from college with a BA in World Religions, Patrick decided to follow his mother’s advice and join the seminary. His college degree combined with the education that he would receive through St. Peter’s seminary, would set him on his path towa...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Secret Romance” by Jon Robles

Submitted to Contest #66

Bob Parker was sitting in his office one day, slaving away at some program designed to keep the office’s work securely encrypted. To some, it was repetitive; to Bob it was a different challenge each day. He loved writing programs and the repetition. He felt comfortable in a pattern, and that boiled down to his personal life. He kept a neat and tidy small house, both on the inside and outside. Minimal, yet comfortable. He was a tall slim middle-aged widower, living within walking distance of downtown, and drove a regular car. At first glance,...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Lilies Have Come” by Grace Tofte

Submitted to Contest #66

The Lilies Have Come By Grace Christine Tofte Naomi Landreth awoke as the sun's shy rays crept through her window curtains. Although the day had dawned bright, darkness loomed. Today, Naomi would move from the only place she had ever called home. Her father had served as the king’s gardener, and she had grown up on the vast countryside near the castle. However, after her father’s death, the king did not think that a young girl would be able to maintain it. He had decided to reclaim the land. The stage coach was set to arrive at the te...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Najwa's Unread Letters” by Marina Y.

Submitted to Contest #66

My beautiful notebook, you’re the dream I worked so hard to pursue. Welcome to your new home, I’m Najwa, your owner, and today, the 1st of November 1997, is my birthday. You’re the gift I bought myself to celebrate my ability to write.Writing is such a blessing; imagine having your complex thoughts made visible in front of your eyes on clear paper. A few years ago, all forms of paper in my life were used in cleaning or making simple origami to entertain the kids. Now, I am able to hold my pencil and pour all the words I have inside into you,...

17 comments 17

Read story

“THE FORTUNE TELLER” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #66

THE FORTUNE TELLERBy Andrew Paul Grell“More anatomy books, Walt? Birds, this time? Planning a career change? Veterinarian? Barb’s poodle Dixie had a torn ACL, cost her $5,000 for the surgery. Prices like that, you might consider making the switch.” Audrie and Carl Henshaw shared a laugh; Carl’s bonus from last year paid for ten shelter dog rescues, plus flights to their forever homes, in addition to contributions to the grandchildren fund and a vacation in the Gaspe. “I like seeing the way the pieces fit together.&nb...

0 comments 0

Read story

“A change for the better.” by Evlirown Rod

Submitted to Contest #66

The ticking of the clock gave away the seconds that passed, though it felt more like an eternity. Nervous fingers fidgeted with the sleeves they were contained in until a small Rubiks cube was slid across the table. The eyes that were previously darting all over the place suddenly stilled at the object. A shaky breath was exhaled before a hand reached towards the cube, immerging into the patterns to make it whole again."Take your time to think about what you wanted to say, we're not in a hurry," said a soft voice, breaking the silence. ...

3 comments 3

Read story

“Into the Unknown” by Tatiana S.

Submitted to Contest #66

It starts with a newspaper. The newspaper he picks up on his way to the office in a desperate attempt to get figures floating under his eyelids – an annual effect of late night work on the annual report - disappear. He replaces them with words, which works well for the first thirty minutes of his daily hour-long bus ride. He flips through the news: people are getting married and divorced, royal babies are being born, politicians promise and politicians lie. He absorbs those trivial facts that will be forgotten by lunchtime when suddenly o...

0 comments 0

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Novel – 132 stories

Halfway through a fierce competition, your character is given the opportunity to cheat their way to victory: do they take it?

Short Story – 52 stories

Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Adventure – 145 stories

Write about a character who’s finally on the verge of achieving their lifelong dream.

Dramatic – 135 stories

Contest #66

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Ready, Set, Go!

$50

Prize money

584

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 22:59 - Nov 06, 2020 EST

Won by David G. 🏆

Title: Mahalo King Cod Filet

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write about a character who makes a dramatic life change to pursue a goal they’ve secretly always wanted.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 120 stories

“Lavender Scented Paths” by Adilene Victoria

“On Killing” by Yellow Lemon

“Ups and downs” by Tariq Saeed

“So...what's next?” by Palash Jhawar

“A New Magical Beginning” by Ana Chirila

“Meet by the fire.” by Jordan L

“Time of Your Life” by Aisa M

“0815” by C Alexis McGregor

“On High” by Greg Gillis

“Secret Romance” by Jon Robles

“The Lilies Have Come” by Grace Tofte

“Najwa's Unread Letters” by Marina Y.

“THE FORTUNE TELLER” by Andrew Grell

“A change for the better.” by Evlirown Rod

“Into the Unknown” by Tatiana S.

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Halfway through a fierce competition, your character is given the opportunity to cheat their way to victory: do they take it?

Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Write about a character who’s finally on the verge of achieving their lifelong dream.

Contest #66

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

584

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: