Write a story that experiments with tone — perhaps a difficult subject dealt with in a playful way, or an ostensibly happy scene that hints at darkness lurking beneath.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 16, 2023

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✍️ 63 stories

“The Uber from Hell” by Allan Bernal

Submitted to Contest #203

This is the story of how George’s life changed forever. He was standing in the dirty McDonald’s bathroom late at night, examining his thinning hair. George’s glasses were smudgy but cleaning them meant getting a clearer look at his balding head and aggressively average face. “Hey, who was your favorite serial killer?” he asked out loud. “You are m...

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“Written On The Board” by Helaman Vaka

Submitted to Contest #203

Malo 'etau ma'u e efiafi ni (Good Evening) Hello my fellow classmates. We stand here on this great evening to close off on an era that has now ran it's course over the past four years. Starting off as freshmen, now ending it on a graceful note as seniors who are blossoming into young adults with the wings on our back to take to the sky in which we are about to fly off to in the direction of the sunset. When my counselor and principal approached me to give this speech about a door closing right at the nick of ti...

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“THE LAST DANCE” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #203

THE LAST DANCE “Welcome, welcome. Come in and make yourselves comfortable. The others are all here”. Joseph Rosenblatt, dressed in his finest clothes, ushered his final two guests into the apartment. “Naomi, it is thirty degrees, this evening. You feel you had to wear your fur coat?” “Oh, I just love to have an occasion to put it on. I can’t help it”. “Well, tonight, you have chosen the right occasion. This is a special evening as you will see”. As Joseph slipped the coat off Naomi’s shoulders, he cast a g...

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“Mystic Threads: Weaving the Tapestry of Light and Shadow” by Abby Leighty

Submitted to Contest #203

In the heart of a charming seaside town, a colorful carnival took residence. It was a place of laughter, twinkling lights, and joyous melodies. Families flocked to the carousel, where painted horses pranced in circles, suspended on a whirl of enchantment.On a sunny afternoon, amidst the delighted laughter of children and the comforting scent of popcorn, a young girl named Emily found herself captivated by the carousel's whimsical allure. Her eyes sparkled with innocence as she approached the ticket booth."Can I ride the carousel, please?" sh...

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“The Path of Hatred” by Ashley Sawh

Submitted to Contest #203

Contains slight language use. "I like hats." That's what Donald said the day before he killed Sally. Was he trying to tell me something? Was he the one in danger? I don't even get why Donald did it, none of us do. What the hell did he have against Sally? Was it because everyone adored her sweet, innocent little face? Was it because he knew that he'd never get the chance to be the town's prized possession? Did he know that no one would ever love him as much as everyone did towards Sally? Was he jealous that she had a perfect family? Was h...

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“What's in a Name?” by Mark VanTassel

Submitted to Contest #203

What’s in a Name? By Mark VanTassel Lucky whistled while he worked. It was a beautiful day, his knives were sharp, and he had fresh meat to package. The shop was small, but it was his. There was a narrow area in front of the counter where customers could come in and see prime cuts, but only Lucky was allowed behind the counter. After all, we wouldn’t want someone to get hurt. He giggled at his favorite joke, about the butcher who backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work. The meat was soft, and marbled with f...

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“Emergency Room” by Sam Ransom

Submitted to Contest #203

Note: This story contains sensitive content. Mental health, self-harm, suicide.I wake up in the morning sweaty as can be. The night before had not, indeed, opened my eyes (my apologies to The Smiths), but had actually glued them shut further. Figuratively, of course. My mouth was stained neon pink from the 20 Benadryl I swallowed last night. Unfortunately, I had not done my research on a lethal dose of Benadryl, so I am still, unfortunately, 100% alive. Damn. Not even a good attempt. I would rate the attempt out of five stars, but I don’t ev...

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“December 19th, 1995” by C. Charles

Submitted to Contest #203

GREETING CARD FROM ANNETTE CARPENTER TO HER DAUGHTER ALLIE COOK Allie, Rob, and Danny, Congratulations on your first home! I hope this card is waiting for you in your mailbox the first time you check it! I just wanted to tell you all how proud I am of you! I can’t wait to come visit! I just wish your father was still here to bless the house for you, but I know he’s looking down and very proud. Miss you, All my love, Mom (Gramma) * * * July 18th RRRRRRING! RRRRRRING!...

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“Fourteen Weeks” by Alaina Armendariz

Submitted to Contest #203

This story addresses the thoughts and emotions associated with the risks of a preterm delivery and extended hospital stay. On the day of her induction, Erin was wide-awake at five am. She stared up at the dark hospital ceiling for what felt like an eternity, a thousand thoughts racing through her brain. What if we’re making a mistake? Are we sure the steroids had enough time to work? Will the NICU take her away? What if I have a c-section? She rolled over in bed and stared at the lump of blankets on the reclining chair across from her. He...

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“Dear Big Zack” by Saloni Dhingra

Submitted to Contest #203

Dear big ZackThe lion doesn’t hang out with the goats. What does Mama mean? She say this when I ask when is big Zack coming home. She say this when you go to that big school. She say this a lot. But tell me when are you comming back. I miss you. Don’t tell Mama I send you this letter. She scold me. Mama say you are different from us. You have black hair and we all have red. You can also colour your hair red so that we all become same. Mama say you not my real brother. but you are my real brother. I love you so much to the moon. Dada say we c...

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“Orange Roses” by Marie Knight

Submitted to Contest #203

Patties sizzled on the grill as flames met the dripping fat. In the yard, children shuffled, laughed, shouted, and chains clanged against metal bars. Tiny arguments ensued over who would push and swing, finally ending with the patties hitting a plate and their mother shouting, “Time to eat!” They asked for another minute but were denied by their father who smiled and said, “But the sooner we eat, the faster there is cake!”At the table, bright floral placemats surrounded a freshly delivered bouquet of orange roses. Glasses filled with lemonad...

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“I Did 'It' On The Weekend” by Heidi Poole

Submitted to Contest #203

(This story contains themes surrounding abortion and alludes to other mature themes.) I wasn’t paying much attention; I was investigating how long it would take me to drill a hole through an eraser with my pencil. Small grubby pieces of eraser were littering the desk like white ants, I’d look up every now and then to the whiteboard, but it was already something I knew. I glanced up a little more, changing hands to rest my face, we were all in a trance of boredom. The topic had lost its humour as people had started maturing, anyone who was ...

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“Paradise” by Valerie Busch

Submitted to Contest #203

Giselle opens her eyes and lifts her sunglasses. Dierdre is standing over her. “You’re blocking my sunlight,” she says. “G, you’re sitting directly under a palm tree,” Dierdre replies. “Get up. We’re going to a meeting.” Giselle sits up. “What? We just got here an hour ago. And it’s Saturday.” “It’ll be quick, it’s only a short drive down the road,” answers Dierdre. Giselle sighs. “Okay. Let me just get changed and grab my bag.” “No need. The car is already waiting. Mara’s coming too.” “But I’m just in my bathing suit,” Giselle frowns, look...

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“Two Lives in One” by Paul Besancon

Submitted to Contest #203

“Rawr! I'm a tiger!” the little girl squealed, chasing her playmates around the large suburban backyard. The face paint, or rather warpaint, on her nose and cheeks shone those familiar orange, white and black stripes with whiskers. “Roaarrr!” the six-year-old giggled as she gently smacked one of her friends on the back. “Not so hard, Kaley,” her mother scolded the birthday girl. “She’s fine,” her dad said, bringing out the cups and plasticware from the kitchen. “They’re just playing around, babe.” A soft kiss on warm cheek. One of the mothe...

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“Aaron's Brithday” by David Krepel

Submitted to Contest #203

The sign read “Happy Birthday, Aaron!” The smell of cake and wine and innumerous cocktails mingled in the air with excited chatter, live music and the sounds of laughter. The hundred or so invitees of Aaron's party milled about, talking, dancing and helping themselves to the open bar while he sat contemplating the banner that celebrated the start of his existence twenty-five years ago today. He idly stirred his drink with the little umbrella that stuck out from the top of his glass while his mind worked on what those twenty-five years ...

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Write a story that experiments with tone — perhaps a difficult subject dealt with in a playful way, or an ostensibly happy scene that hints at darkness lurking beneath.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 63 stories

“The Uber from Hell” by Allan Bernal

“Written On The Board” by Helaman Vaka

“THE LAST DANCE” by Charles Corkery

“Mystic Threads: Weaving the Tapestry of Light and Shadow” by Abby Leighty

“The Path of Hatred” by Ashley Sawh

“What's in a Name?” by Mark VanTassel

“Emergency Room” by Sam Ransom

“December 19th, 1995” by C. Charles

“Fourteen Weeks” by Alaina Armendariz

“Dear Big Zack” by Saloni Dhingra

“Orange Roses” by Marie Knight

“I Did 'It' On The Weekend” by Heidi Poole

“Paradise” by Valerie Busch

“Two Lives in One” by Paul Besancon

“Aaron's Brithday” by David Krepel

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story during which two conversations happen simultaneously.

Write about how a single event affects a seemingly unrelated area of a character’s life (their friendships, career, romantic relationships, etc.)

Write about two friends getting into a fist fight.

Start your story in the middle of the action.

Contest #203

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

226

Contest entries

121

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: