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47 Best Dramatic Short Story Ideas

Showing 47 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

You live in a future where music in any form is considered repugnant. You find an old music box.

You're on a train when someone sits across from you and begins to cry.

"Have a good night," you say, and breath a huge sigh of relief the moment you walk away.

You are an astronaut spending your last few hours on Earth before a journey into space.

You discover a secret family member you never knew existed.

Two friends are meeting at a high school reunion. They have not seen each other in ten years.

You thought you were the last person left on Earth. Today you found out that might not be true.

As you ride your motorcycle off into the sunset, you see something unexpected on the horizon.

"See you later!" you called, not realizing it wasn't true.

There's an urban legend about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you step into this cab.

Something unusual is found in a winter coat pocket.

You've done the unthinkable in the 21st century: found undiscovered land.

You are home alone watching TV. A character dials a number on their phone. Your phone rings.

A woman drops her wallet on the street, and it falls open. You pick it up and are about to return it to her when you notice a strange picture inside.

A bittersweet farewell: bitter for one person, sweet for the other.

Everyday you are delivered a newspaper at your front door that accurately predicts what will happen in the next 24 hours.

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