Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Kristy Schnabel

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories
Comments
Library
49 Followers
33 Following

27 Stories

808 karma pts

?

Deadly Confessions

Weekly Contest #271

(Sensitive themes: alcohol, DUI, murder, mental health)Ruby Marshall grew weary of listening to people's problems, which was unfortunate because, as a psychotherapist, that was her job. On a late October afternoon, she ushered a new client into her office, painted light blue, a color that bored her. Ruby hoped her mysterious client, calling himself John Doe, would be interesting. Still, she'd poured herself another cup of coffee just in case. "Have a seat." Ruby pointed to the beige sofa. When John entered the room, a serene golden...

14 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

The Egg Substitution

Weekly Contest #270

Fiona Wesley dreaded having the conversation she needed to have. Driving to Goldie's apartment, she devised ways to break the shocking news. She trod carefully up the unlit stairs. By the time Fiona knocked on the door, she had no idea how she'd broach the difficult subject, but time was of the essence."Hi, Fiona." They embraced. "Come on in," said Goldie. "I hope you don't mind. I'm baking." Goldie led the way to the small kitchen. Goldie stood in the kitchen near the mixing bowl and measuring cup on the counter. Fiona took a seat on the ba...

22 likes 8 comments 8
Read story

The Locket with Four R’s

Weekly Contest #269

A UPS truck driver knocked three times on Olivia Martin's apartment door on Saturday morning with a mysterious package. It was from her aunt, and since they weren’t close, Olivia was curious. When she opened the box, she immediately knew these were mementos from her recently deceased Granny. The box contained a Christmas brooch, a miniature glass bunny, and a locket necklace. Olivia placed her hand on her heart and whispered, “Granny.” The granddaughter had admired these items through the years. They weren’t of equal value because Granny wor...

18 likes 8 comments 8
Read story

Double Betrayal

Weekly Contest #268

Tap. Tap. Tap. Maggie heard the rapping on the front door of her apartment. She glanced at her nightstand clock and saw 7:25 a.m. What day is it? Saturday. Not wanting the knocking to disturb the neighbors, she arose quickly, grabbed her robe for warmth and coverage, and darted for the door. Maggie stood on her tip-toes to look through the peephole. Uh oh. Billy. She cracked open the door. Billy had disheveled hair and beard stubble as if he just rolled out of bed. “I came to apologize, babe.”  Maggie hadn’t opened the door wide enough ...

13 likes 3 comments 3
Read story

The Heirloom Rift

Weekly Contest #267

My niece's bridal shower guests weren't due for two hours, but I could only think about how to ask my sister for Gran's bracelet. Gran died six months ago, but Clara had yet to mention the 18-carat gold bracelet with robin's egg blue turquoise in-lay, which I had coveted my whole life. Gran promised it to me, and having this precious heirloom on my wrist would connect me to my beloved grandmother in a visceral way.  I'd recently discovered by accident via DNA testing that my sister and I were only half-sisters. Did Gran already have a b...

4 likes 7 comments 7
Read story

The Murderer Next Door

Weekly Contest #266

(This story indirectly hints at alcoholism and physical abuse.)I’ve been a member of an online writer’s group for three years, and tonight, I’ll be mixin’ the agenda up in a way they couldn’t imagine. We critique each other’s writing to make it better. First, we offer praise such as “good characterization,” “Nice pacin’,” or “Great descriptions.” Then, we go in for the kill: “The story bored me in the middle,” “The character lacks emotion and depth,” or “I didn’t get the endin’.” It can be brutal, but if we can survive the criticism, we end ...

8 likes 5 comments 5
Read story

My Jane Day

Weekly Contest #265

"Are you traveling alone to London?" asked the middle-aged woman sitting beside me in the international boarding area."Yes, yes, I am. I'm calling this trip my 'Jane Austen's Literary London' excursion. I'm paying homage to my favorite author as a reward to myself for recently obtaining my English degree. That's how I spent my pandemic years, righting a wrong from years ago."The woman eyed my shoulder-length gray hair and aging neck, undoubtedly putting me in the senior category. "Bravo! Righting a wrong, you say?" She looked surprised and d...

13 likes 11 comments 11
Read story

Wedding Llamas

Weekly Contest #264

It took all my strength not to roll my eyes as Heather ambled into our family room, juggling three overfilled binders, which she flung onto the coffee table. Dad bristled at the thudding sound. Heather had been planning her perfect wedding for more than a decade. With her groom ensnared, she just needed Dad's bank account to realize her dream. Dad looked at Heather, "Don't we need David here for this discussion?" Dad sat rigidly, and his hands tightly grasped his Chicago Cubs coffee mug. I feared the cup would crack from the strain. Heather ...

16 likes 11 comments 11
Read story

Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab

Weekly Contest #257

Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab March 2023 When I entered our kitchen, I saw Brett hunched over his coffee cup with a worried look. “You’re up early. Are you okay?” “No.” I'd never seen him look so defeated. “Your Mom?” “Yes. What am I going to do?” asked Brett. He looked tired and disheveled, and the bags under his eyes were more pronounced than usual. “I’m so sorry, hon.”  “She wants to die. She’s in such pain. They won’t give her any more pain medication because they’re afraid it’ll kill her. Ironic, right?” “No li...

8 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Why Are You Here?

Weekly Contest #255

Week 1:As Neal entered the room, she said, "Please sit wherever you are most comfortable. The chair or the sofa." He chose the chair. "Why are you here?"Neal responded with an attitude. "You tell me." "That's not my role. Answer the question, please.""The City put me on leave.""For…""They say I need," he made air quotes, 'anger management.' I had a bad moment."She got up and walked to the desk. She grabbed an envelope with the return address 'City of Springfield, Department of Human Resources.' According to this, you threw coffee a...

5 likes 5 comments 5
Read story

The Bath Encounter

Weekly Contest #254

As the butler seated us in the drawing room, I turned to my daughter. "Oh my, Violet, you're a regular Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. You did read that new novel I purchased for you?" I kept my voice down since we were expecting the Lord and Lady of the manor to enter at any moment."Not yet, mother. What do you mean?" Violet appeared irritated with me, as usual."I mean, this is quite a place. To think one day you'll be the lady of the house.""Oh, stop, mother. It's a surprise to me, too. I fell in love with Charles, the man. It's ...

7 likes 2 comments 2
Read story

My Plus One

Weekly Contest #250

As I steered into the wedding venue parking lot, I hoped the picturesque setting would impress Nadine. I didn't want her to regret the deal she made with me to be my plus one."What a view, Zack," said Nadine. Her looks alone put her outta my league.The Columbia River Gorge had that effect on people. The sun hadn't yet set, and the Hood River portrait was complete: blue sky, sheer rock cliffs, and emerald green river populated by windsurfers. The only thing missing were the bald eagles. I grinned. My focus wasn't on the landscape. My mis...

7 likes 2 comments 2
Read story