Your protagonist has the perfect day scheduled — but things don’t go according to plan.

Posted in Short Story on Aug 30, 2024

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?

✍️ 40 stories

“In the Depths, We Found Each Other” by Mawsy Walshe

Submitted to Contest #266

Evan Thompson had spent his entire life running—from his past, his mistakes, petty crimes, and twisted childhood. But he wasn’t going to let any of it define him anymore.Growing up as an orphan, never finding a family outside of the Agency, each day felt like a relentless drill preparing him for another disappointment. Being raised without the warmth of family, left him with a profound distrust of the world and everyone in it.But this year, Evan had made a promise to himself: he would no longer wait for the world to accept him; he would carv...

0 comments 0

Read story

“BAD MEATS” by J Miles

Submitted to Contest #266

It was supposed to be one of the most special evenings of our lives, our twentieth anniversary. Can you believe that? Me and Lucille have been together, hand in hand for over two decades now. I had planned everything, made sure it was perfect. Our anniversary is on October seventeenth, however, Lucille’s birthday is the following day, the eighteenth. It had always placed a certain level of pressure on the situation. Like a family who’s only child was born on Christmas Day… a lot of presents and attention paid to the special one. Tonight shou...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Just Another Day” by Maggie Bayne

Submitted to Contest #266

JUST ANOTHER DAY The day began like any other day. Sharon Taft opened her eyes wide enough to read the red digits on the clock. Reality struck quickly. It was Saturday, the first day of the weekend and it belonged to her. She could do whatever she wanted. Weeks at the Peterson Insurance Agency were filled with long workdays. As the assistant to the ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Perfect Day” by Vera N

Submitted to Contest #266

Sophia sat at her kitchen table, her laptop open to the meticulously organized schedule she had been refining for weeks. Today was going to be perfect. The kind of day that left you feeling accomplished, like all the puzzle pieces of your life had finally fallen into place. She glanced at the clock: 6:00 AM. Right on time. Sophia’s day was mapped out to the minute. She would start with a brisk jog, followed by breakfast at her favorite café, then a few hours of uninterrupted writing at the library, lunch with her best friend Ava, and finally...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Joan's day off” by Sarah Xenos

Submitted to Contest #266

Joan had something rare in her life: a day off. No errands needed to be run. The kids are off at my mum's house, and her husband is on a work trip. She planned to sleep in, take the dog for a walk, have lunch with Cathy, and end the day with a long bubble bath. Joan was suddenly jolted by the dog barking and then the screeching of an alarm. She grabbed her dress and slippers and stepped outside with the rest of the street, realising that the alarm from the shop across the road was just a false alarm. The police could quickly arrive on the sc...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Grandpa's Dream Vacation” by Burton Sage

Submitted to Contest #266

Grandpa’s Dream VacationbyBurt Sage It’s a bright and warm (for February) afternoon and the Haskell foursome of Dad, my golf professional brother Tim, my ten year old son Jim, and I have finished a rare round of golf together at the Eagle Valley Country Club. Tim has missed a tournament cut down south and come home. He wouldn’t miss the opportunity of a family round—Haskell’s just didn’t do that. Grandpa’s here, too, in his custom golf cart. But he doesn’t play anymore; he rides along and applauds as we play. “When you can’t hit your driv...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Amantes Amentes ” by ATHINA PANTELI

Submitted to Contest #266

The clock on the white wall of the ossuary showed a quarter to five. Isidoros was tempted to lock up early. But before he could decide, a middle-aged man pushed open the door. Shaking off the rain from his coat, he approached the counter and placed a small box alongside a photograph. Isidoros glanced at the photo. Large eyes, a sweet smile, and long black hair. The woman in the picture was beautiful. A warmth spread through his chest, followed by a flush of embarrassment. He opened the large ledger and found her number—134. Amalia Petropoulo...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Prodigal Daughter” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #266

The cuckoo clock chimed seven. Douglas listened to it all the way through before getting out of bed. He glanced at his reflection in the dressing table mirror. Not too bad for an old man of seventy-five. His bearing was erect, his steely blue eyes clear and sharp and although his hair was silver verging on white, he still had plenty of it. He showered, shaved and dressed and was in the kitchen by seven thirty on the dot. He started the coffee maker and began to heat the water for his boiled egg. He set the egg timer and went to consult the w...

1 comment 1

Read story

“The Grandfather Gamble” by David Dean

Submitted to Contest #266

"The storm is worse than I expected," Mares said, shaking the rain from his coat as he joined the poker table. He was a tall, wiry man with a sharp nose and the keen eyes of a gambler. The room was dim, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses providing a backdrop to the flickering lights above the table. The rain hammered against the windows, drowning out the distant sounds of the town. Carlos Biltong, still dripping from his walk there, glanced at Mares, who was shuffling the deck with the practiced ease of someone who knew his way...

0 comments 0

Read story

“KEYNOTE CATASTROPHE ” by J.D. McDonald

Submitted to Contest #266

KEYNOTE CATASTROPHE J.D. McDonald Shortly after I published my book on raising quail, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at a Bird Club. The event took place in a town located four hours' drive from my home. Since we were unfamiliar with the city, Karen, the club's representative, suggested we meet early at a local restaurant near the main highway. She invited us to grab dinner there and then follow her to the event. Karen said that the club would cover the cost of dinner for my husband and me before the meeting. Because Karen...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Afternoon Date ” by Lucien Tibay

Submitted to Contest #266

Tom watched the door open and he smiled wide at his date. “Hiya! Wow, you look great!” He smiled wide feeling his face turn to a bright pink. Natalie smiled back, looking down at her bright, spring dress. She closed the door to her apartment and off onto the city’s streets they went. “Thanks for hanging out with me, today! I’ve been so busy with work, I forgot what a day off feels like! So, what’s first on our agenda?” “I was thinking we can get a quick bite to eat at this Parisian style place, then head to the movies for this comedy I’ve he...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Whirlwind” by Grady Simpson

Submitted to Contest #266

The Whirlwind David Manker’s conscience did not bother him about not attending church today. He deserved a Sunday off. He felt burned out from the same old religious ritual. Relax and fish—that’s what he needed. How could a day be any better than going fishing? If Deacon David could catch enough delicious Sunday trout, he’d invite the preacher to dinner. David chuckled at the thought of watching the preacher eat Sunday-caught fish. Unfortunately, Deacon David didn’t yet understand that what may seem boring is a gift of life and that life is ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Plant and Shoot” by C.C. James

Submitted to Contest #266

It was the Butterfly Gardener Event that was open to the public and Master Gardeners in the local area of Humbum and Syrein were definitely excited about it. This had been the first event that she ever heard of that included gardening activities and seed exchanges. Her passion grew over the past 5 years in regards to gardening landscaping photography and permaculture as a whole. Moreover, the importance of community gardens became her focus although she didn't live in an area that had much understanding of this or outwardly supported movemen...

2 comments 2

Read story

“What makes a person happy?” by Katya Worton

Submitted to Contest #266

I’ve always had the habit of trying to figure out if people are happy. Not through conversations, but purely by examining a person’s mannerisms or hints of expression. Sometimes it can just be from looking at someone’s face, scanning each detail and wrinkle for a twitch of truth. Or tuning into a sigh and waiting for a little whisper of help to seep through. Its not usually someone close to me either. I’ve crossed paths with people on a street, or served a customer at some meaningless retail job, and tried figuring out what or whose fingers ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“It's Her Birthday” by Elena Balaguer

Submitted to Contest #266

My eyes snap open. It’s her birthday. The sun is barely rising as the early morning dew starts to eviscerate from our fogged-up bedroom window. I glance askew and see her, still fast asleep. She is the living example of an oxymoron—such a spunky firecracker when awake and such a beatific creature when asleep. Everything about her is a stark contrast. Just on cue, she wakes up. “Happy birthday hun. Thirty-two!”, as I give her a flurry of kisses, counting up to thirty-two. “Huh? Oh… thanks,” rubbing her eyes and still visibly in her realm of d...

2 comments 2

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone who wants to give up on their career right before their big break.

Short Story – 39 stories

Your protagonist discovers that everything they type comes true. What happens next?

Short Story – 54 stories

Write from the POV of a character in a story who keeps getting re-written by their second-guessing author.

Short Story – 92 stories

Write about someone who summons the creative muse through a convoluted ritual or method.

Short Story – 56 stories

Contest #266

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: The Write Stuff

$250

Prize money

281

Contest entries

108

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 06, 2024 EST

Won by Derrick M Domican 🏆

Title: inspirAItion

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

Your protagonist has the perfect day scheduled — but things don’t go according to plan.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 40 stories

“In the Depths, We Found Each Other” by Mawsy Walshe

“BAD MEATS” by J Miles

“Just Another Day” by Maggie Bayne

“The Perfect Day” by Vera N

“Joan's day off” by Sarah Xenos

“Grandpa's Dream Vacation” by Burton Sage

“Amantes Amentes ” by ATHINA PANTELI

“The Prodigal Daughter” by Bettina Karpathian

“The Grandfather Gamble” by David Dean

“KEYNOTE CATASTROPHE ” by J.D. McDonald

“Afternoon Date ” by Lucien Tibay

“The Whirlwind” by Grady Simpson

“Plant and Shoot” by C.C. James

“What makes a person happy?” by Katya Worton

“It's Her Birthday” by Elena Balaguer

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone who wants to give up on their career right before their big break.

Your protagonist discovers that everything they type comes true. What happens next?

Write from the POV of a character in a story who keeps getting re-written by their second-guessing author.

Write about someone who summons the creative muse through a convoluted ritual or method.

Contest #266

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

281

Contest entries

108

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: