Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Start your story with the line, “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” (Whether this is a literal fire is up to you.)

Posted in Teens 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.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 324 stories

“Rights of a Dragonborn pt. 2” by Serendipity May

Submitted to Contest #63

"By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire." I could hear the loud roars that were accompanied by the fire and destruction. When I had at first walked into the small tavern there was nothing of a sort, but now... Tops of towers were toppled over, people and buildings alike smashed underneath the weight. Men, women, and children, nobody was safe from this dragon that was attacking the small village. The sad thing is, I don't even know if my father is okay. Not thinking about it, my feet moved on their own running to the house in ...

3 comments 3
Read story

“Dragon” by Shaun Calvert

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The buildings were quick to follow and the screams that would never truly end for me were indicative that things far more valuable than mere possessions were fuelling those flames as well.  I suppose I was lucky that my parents had already died peaceful deaths, and that my sister had moved away to live with her fancy man two towns over. I had nothing to lose but the bakery. I was lucky further still that I knew it wasn’t worth saving. As I ran through the streets, I saw many more u...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Color envy” by Marcie Van Cleave

Submitted to Contest #63

Color EnvyWritten by Marcie Van Cleave “By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire.” They were brilliant colors of red, yellow, orange,with tinges of green. The sights were impressive, and the familiar smells brought a new definition to Autumn in my mind. I gazed upon the sunset as a tear ran down my cheek, a flood of emotions found their way to my insides as my stomach flipped and my heart raced. The sky was a beautiful assortment of blues to grey with brushstrokes of pinks smeared into orange that set so brilliantly. How could I...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Wings of Change” by Tiersa Remisha

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I’m enraptured briefly by the crimson and burgundy hues before me. My tiny frame trembles until I burst, throwing my hands in the air in glee. “Momma!” I yell, rushing back in the acorn house and into her arms. Excitedly, I withdraw from her hug to beam at her. “They’re changing!” I shout, pulling the taller woman to the door. “I can see that,” she chuckles softly, running fingers through my raven hair. “But don’t forget the rules. You must wait.” I moan but start laughing when Wind...

4 comments 4
Read story

“The Bonfire” by Elizabeth Corbitt

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. It was pitch black save for the bonfire, and it was only a moment ago I had stepped into the nearby house for a bathroom break, but as the one in charge of the flame, I suppose I shouldn’t have left the work to others. There was something serene in the dry leaves, dancing with their newfound flames, but I knew I couldn’t let them continue to dance. We were too close to the farm and already I could hear the animals protesting. Grabbing one of the prepared buckets, I threw the water onto ...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A World of Colors” by Jadalin Cheney

Submitted to Contest #63

A World of Color By Jadalin Cheney “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” I stared in awe of the beauty around me, my eyes growing misty.  I twirled around as all the color's danced in and out of my vision, not ceasing my momentum, even as I became dizzy! When I finally came to a still I allowed myself to roll onto the ground that was filled with leaves the color of flames. I allowed myself to pick apart every hue I see in this beautiful moment all while remembering what it was like when I could only see gray, bla...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Fire of Miss Moffat” by Lizzie Brown

Submitted to Contest #63

The Fire of Miss MoffatBy the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. A steady stream of burnt oranges and fiery reds; just the ticket to brighten my mood.I reflected on my sleepy surroundings. It must have been where Sleepford got its name with endless rows of trees enclosing the town, only there was a clearing where the branches were thinner, showing the pale patterned bark of the branches.I paused to take a peek at my reflection in a puddle amongst the leaves. I am still sixteen year old Will Kahn. I still have deep olive skin, s...

2 comments 2
Read story

“MY LIFE SET ABLAZE” by Jahnavi Bandaru

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. My hands were trembling as I pulled my brother in to a tight embrace.  My grip tightened when I felt my brother's tears soak my shirt. I grabbed him by the shoulders when we pulled apart. “ I want you to go to the Picket's house and call the fire station immediately. I'm going to go find mom, ok?” I tried to memorize his face just in case it was the last time I ever saw him. “ Promise me that mom is going to be ok,” He croaked as he looked at me with those big glassy doe eyes. “ I…...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The coffee Shop” by Paul Arch

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time i stepped outside the leaves were on fire. Its was october so there wasnt many left hanging from the trees as it was, although this tree in which my eyes locked onto had a unuseual amount left which only acted as more fuel. I just moved here 2 weeks ago and finally built up enough will power to walk into town. As i was scanning my surroundings, including the people walking down the side walk both in the same direction as well as oncoming. thats when i saw it, a tiny little coffee shop practicly 2 blocks down from where i sto...

1 comment 1
Read story

“A Drink of Clarity” by Bernadette Beauchamp

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. So much for taking my break. “I knew it! I knew it!” exclaimed our boss who was the director of the preschool. She ran out, took time to yell at the tree and then ran back inside. I walked back into our classroom and called out to my co-teacher, “Ms. Blythe, there is something you should come and see.” “Should we all go?” she asked. “Oh yes, this is amazing,” I said and our twelve students, all four years old, followed me to the tree with Ms. Blythe. I took time to enjoy the spectacle w...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Curse of the Nightcoma” by Alana Bates

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire, glowing like red embers in the twilight of the sinking sun. A chill breeze caught my collar and whipped it up around my chin, and I pulled my coat closer to keep out the bite of the wind. A carriage rumbled past me and splashed a muddy puddle of water up the front of my trousers. I brushed it off with my hand and then crossed over the dirty road and made my way to the cemetery. The wrought iron gates stood slightly open. As dusk crept down the dark places within began to look lonely an...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Fall Beginnings” by Crouton 828

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire,” I said, finishing the reading of my short story to my class. “Wait, what do you mean ‘by the time you stepped outside, the leaves were on fire’?” my teacher questioned, “Is that the end of the story?” When I nodded, she made a mark in her gradebook and said, “What kind of ending is that? That is not how you finish a story. I’m giving you a D!” I winced. I knew that they wouldn’t understand. This assignment was supposed to be a made-up story about fall, but while trying to write one, I...

1 comment 1
Read story

“Why Me?” by Felicity Edwards

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Not the smoke and ashes kind of fire but the seasonal one, I’m here on the deck in my rocking chair looking out over the forest. Summer melted away without my knowing and here we are in the Fall, which is so breathtakingly beautiful sitting here looking out over the surrounding forest. The leaves are all the colours of a fire from deep red to palest lemon mixed with a dash of bronze. “Dad, here is a blanket.” Sheena smiled and wrapped me up as if I was something precious. “Thank you, ...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Fires Inn; The Mind” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #63

              Fires Inn; The Mind     “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Do you think that is a strange way to answer a question I proposed to my class about life?”     “I guess if I had to be truthful, and I always am, as lies as you know, are nothing more than an attempt to win an argument with yourself.  I’d say it was a pertinent question, and promotes a revealing answer.”    &nb...

0 comments 0
Read story

“My dear uncle John” by Kaylin Rajah

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. A look of horror had swept over my face as I stood in awe to witness the dry neighboring cornfield being engulfed in flames. As the fire traveled towards the fence where I stood, fear had gripped my throat before I could call on my uncle John. The smoke slowly started to sting my eyes, nose and throat. It was only when I started to cough that I found the will to start moving.This was supposed to be my final year of school. I was instead homeschooled because of the global pandemic that h...

2 comments 2
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a coffee shop that’s just introduced a new line of autumnal drinks.

Fall – 161 stories

Write about a character making fall decorations out of construction paper.

Kids – 45 stories

Write a story from the perspective of a bird migrating for the winter.

Winter – 128 stories

Write about two characters going apple picking.

Fall – 249 stories

Contest #63

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Autumnal

$50

Prize money

907

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 16, 2020 EST

Won by Masha Kurbatova 🏆

Title: come to atlanta!

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!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢