In Field Guide to Flash Fiction, edited by Tara L. Marsh, Robert Olen Butler states that “a short short story [is] not a prose poem because it has at its center a character who yearns.” To play on the exercise he provides in the book, let’s write about two characters in a romantic relationship who yearn for different things.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Yearning appeared first on Writer's Digest.

In the Greek myth, Hera cursed the nymph Echo to only repeat what’s been said to her. For today’s prompt, reinvent this myth—or bring it into the present day.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Echo Echo appeared first on Writer's Digest.

One of our most challenging experiences as writers is to capture the way that an emotion feels in the body. Today, let’s practice by translating the way that loneliness feels to the page.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post The Way Alone Feels appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, take the following character traits and use them to write a story. You can mix and match them or use them all for a single character; the choice is yours!

1. A natural flirt
2. A person mistaken for a movie star
3. A person who’s been stood up

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post A Little Flirting appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, write about the sudden return of a forgotten memory and a phone call at 3 a.m.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Midnight Memories appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, write about someone discovering one of the following three items in a library book:

1. One half of a ripped love letter
2. Something beautiful yet useless
3. One-way plane ticket

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Discovery at the Library appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, I’ll be giving you two character details. You can use them for two separate characters or combine them to create a single character, but however you decide to use them, it’ll help you hit the ground running!

1. A person who can’t wait any longer.
2. A judge.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Just Can’t Wait appeared first on Writer's Digest.

Prompt: Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt below. (One sentence only.) You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Email your submission to yourstorycontest@aimmedia.com with the subject line “Your Story 139.”

No attachments, please. Include your name and mailing address. Entries without a name or mailing address will be disqualified.

Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every entry we receive due to volume. No confirmation emails will be sent out to confirm receipt of submission. But be assured all submissions received before the entry deadline are considered carefully.

Entry Deadline: December 23, 2025.

The post Your Story #139 appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, imagine a secret ingredient that makes people relive memories.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Secret Ingredient appeared first on Writer's Digest.

For today’s prompt, write about a toy that comes to life to protect a child.

Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.

The post Guardian of the Small appeared first on Writer's Digest.