Fly by the seat of your pants and write a story without a plan.

Posted in Short Story on Nov 8, 2022

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✍️ 68 stories

“Just An Average Tower Princess” by K.J Stars

Submitted to Contest #170

When I was taken to live in a tower—it was expected for a Princess like me to be terrified. To slink into the corner of my (rather an extravagant one mind you) room that I now reside in and wait for some knightly prince to save me as I cower from the dragon. Perhaps even a bit of resistance and attempt escape.Funny enough, I asked for this. I’m relieved to be away from the place I falsely called home which hosted a place of so-called family who was to forcefully marry me off to some higher-ranking prince.Yeah, no.And that dragon who supposed...

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“Southern Heartbreak” by Lancia Stewart

Submitted to Contest #170

Southern HeartbreakIt was a crisp cold night. I lay up here holding my beautiful wife, Leanna. Her beauty revealed itself even deeper to me through the whole in the roof under the moonlight. I had neva seen or eaten chocolate before, but I heard a description about it once being rich in flava, smooth as molasses and so sweet tast'n that it brings you to a sudden and instant joy. A feeling I felt every time Leanna’s smooth skin embraced mine. The crickets sang dey song. The frogs joined in for an amphibious sympathy. It was like music to...

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“Fall” by Deborah Wright

Submitted to Contest #170

Just thinking about way too much as I'm standing at the top of the stairs. I stop to hear people walking by my house, the rustling of leaves pulling my attention away as I put my left foot in the direction of the first step into space. The brisk, scratchy sound of leaves swooshing up into the air with each step of the unknown persons outside my perception. Taking me to a moment in time, not this one. Taking me away from where I should be focusing my attention. Stealing my attention from this critical moment. Now I'm falling, and all though...

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“The Ghost of Music Past” by Miranda Crenshaw

Submitted to Contest #170

I told him not to go into that music store, and maybe that’s why he went. He didn’t like to be told things. You could ask him not to do it, but if you told him that he wouldn’t… Well, he just would… Logan didn’t notice anything weird when he went into the music store. One of a dying breed, music stores still sold CDs and some even had old vinyl on their shelves. The vinyl sold more these days as collectors bought them up. He wasn’t really here to shop; his girlfriend had pissed him off, and a nice walkabout seemed a good solution. He just ...

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“The Little Things” by Victoria Lucas

Submitted to Contest #170

I didn’t want to go out tonight, but Marla said she thought it might be good for me. It's hard to argue with that logic, I haven’t really gotten out much since Owen passed. What’s good for you is rarely what’s easy. Losing him really knocked the wind out of my sails. I never thought I’d be a widow and social recluse at the age of twenty-two, but here I am; a hermit in my prime. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. What’s that old saying? “Man plans, and God laughs.” It was just a small get together at Marla’s house, but anxiety rar...

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“Dizzying Adventures” by John Lindquist

Submitted to Contest #170

As I sit in the chair in his room, the midmorning sunlight shines in through the window illuminating his rocking horse. Two years’ worth of dust caked the antique toy. The dust that has yet to find its final resting place dances in the beams of light. I rarely come in here. I miss him so much. I left it just as it was before he disappeared two years ago at the age of six. I’m too hurt to cry. Maybe this is just how some men are, or maybe I have no tears left. First my wife leaves us, then my son vanishes in the night. Our son Joshua always p...

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“THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #170

THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE It was a lazy afternoon, one of those hot and humid days when people look for a cool place and a cold drink and dogs seek out the shade to lie down and not move unless they have to. Danny Weston pushed open the dusty tavern door and scanned the premises as he headed to the end of the bar. Not many people he observed. Two people were at the bar. Two others were playing pool. A third group sat in a ...

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“Pheromone” by Virtual Chesse Emporium

Submitted to Contest #170

Our footsteps and laughter echoed loudly in my apartment building's narrow hallways. The shopping bags we tugged along banged against our legs, but we didn’t notice. After a day of shopping, eating a luxurious dinner and karaoke, nothing could dampen our moods. Our laughter finally died when we reached my door. “Thank you so much for inviting me, this was amazing!” I said happily. “Of course baby, you needed a night out after the shitty week you had!” My friend Lili said with a grin. I grabbed my keys and opened my door. “Oh, before you go...

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“An Evening with a Writer Without a Plan” by Kathryn Minicozzi

Submitted to Contest #170

“Fly by the Seat of Your Pants and Write a Story Without a Plan.” - Reedsy Reedsy, you don’t know what you are asking me to do. I don’t know what I am doing, which is a definite drawback to good writing. With no plan, I am like James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause,” running around and getting into trouble. Well, you asked for it. Just remember, this was not my idea. The problem with flying by the seat of my pants and writing a story without a plan is I don’t know what to write about.&nb...

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“Lost” by Ann Martin

Submitted to Contest #170

LOST Ann Martin My Dearest Lost Love, It’s been six weeks and they’ve stopped looking. I don’t want to stop, but I don’t know how to go on. Where are you, Jack? Why can’t I find you? Always, always I have known where you are. If not beside me, you were five minutes away, a phone call, a text, an email away. But I can’t reach you now, you don’t answer me and I don’t know where you’ve gone. That’s why I’m writing this letter. I can’t remember ever writing one to you before, but at least I know it will last. Paper and ink do last, long after...

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“Redneck Without a Plan” by Sharon Hancock

Submitted to Contest #170

CONTENT WARNING: violence, gore, naughty words, substance abuse “Not me, Chuck, no way. I ain’t never gon need a plan. Nope. I’m a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of guy.” I flick ice chunks off my beer and close the cooler. Me and my buddy, Chuck, spent the day muddin’. Now we’s pontificatin’— otherwise known as, “shootin-the-shit”, whilst guzzlin cold ones and chill-axing in a lawn chair perched on the bed of my ’85 Ford Pickup. Chuck’s eyes glaze over as he draggs long and hard from a bong, big...

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“Odometer” by Michelle SHAAY

Submitted to Contest #170

The birds loud but beautiful singing was enough to make Linda jump out of bed. Today was a day most would probably play the lottery as favorable odds seemed certain. The weather was gorgeous, it was pay day, and Linda's 45th birthday. A trifecta of sorts, her work anniversary also happened to fall on this day. She was extremely proud too for the path to success had not been easy. For more than 15 years she dedicated her software development talent to Triple Square Innovations, LLC. A mostly male dominated industry sometimes triggered moments...

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“Ellie and the Ethereally Endeared” by Ryan Roarke

Submitted to Contest #170

“I only have three hours?” I asked incredulously. “Less than that, actually: two hours, 39 minutes, 11 seconds.” She was calm and serene, which of course did nothing but add to my already increasing nerves. “But I have nothing to write about!” I argued. “How am I supposed to write a story—with no plan—before midnight?” “Well, you should probably start with a name,” she mused. I paused for a moment, staring at an empty word document on my screen. I’ve always thought that a blank page, cursor blinking on a vacant first line, was one of...

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“When The Sky Cries” by Zoë Page

Submitted to Contest #170

When the sky cries, the clouds thicken and multiply to create an impenetrable sheet that disguises how unattractively it sobs. The farmers are grateful for it: the end of the drought is a moment for rejoice, for they will have produce to sell soon, their land nourished with the tears that fall in heavy pellets. The children hate it. It makes them miserable, stuck up inside because everyone knows it's dangerous to play when the sky cries. The ground becomes slippery, but not only that – when the sky cries, its tears are infectious. To be pois...

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“You've Got Red On You” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #170

“I got nothing.” “Yeah, but that’s always…” started Lando. “Not this time, buddy,” Single was shaking his head gravely, “not this time.” “OK, but there’s the…” began Lando. Single shook his head again. “Really?!” blurted Lando. “Really,” confirmed Single. “But Roy is down there on his own!” gasped Lando. Single frowned, “I know.” “But without the mysterious and unknowable force of the power, that we all know drive the contrived plot…” Lando trailed off. He didn’t need Single to butt in this time. “He will have h...

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Fly by the seat of your pants and write a story without a plan.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 68 stories

“Just An Average Tower Princess” by K.J Stars

“Southern Heartbreak” by Lancia Stewart

“Fall” by Deborah Wright

“The Ghost of Music Past” by Miranda Crenshaw

“The Little Things” by Victoria Lucas

“Dizzying Adventures” by John Lindquist

“THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

“Pheromone” by Virtual Chesse Emporium

“An Evening with a Writer Without a Plan” by Kathryn Minicozzi

“Lost” by Ann Martin

“Redneck Without a Plan” by Sharon Hancock

“Odometer” by Michelle SHAAY

“Ellie and the Ethereally Endeared” by Ryan Roarke

“When The Sky Cries” by Zoë Page

“You've Got Red On You” by Jed Cope

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with the line “I’ve got a plan”.

Write a story about a character who tries to control their life down to the most minute detail — but has to learn to let go.

Write about a plan that goes wrong, for the better.

Write a story that involves the architectural plans for a building.

Contest #170

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

202

Contest entries

125

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: