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47 Best Dramatic Short Story Ideas
Showing 47 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You discover a secret family member you never knew existed.
You find your grandparent's old chessboard in the attic. Absentmindedly, you move a piece. The next day, an opposing piece has been moved.
You're on a boat that should have reached undiscovered land days ago. Your compass tells you you're on the right path but there is no land in sight.
As the floor trembles and the walls shake, you know there is only one way to survive.
While dozing by the fire in your winter cabin, you hear a knock at the door. Blizzard conditions have closed all surrounding roads, and the nearest neighbor is miles away.
Two friends are meeting at a high school reunion. They have not seen each other in ten years.
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.
As you ride your motorcycle off into the sunset, you see something unexpected on the horizon.
"Have a good night," you say, and breath a huge sigh of relief the moment you walk away.
You enter a room where someone is having a phone call. They don't see you and you overhear a big secret that you clearly weren't meant to.
You're on a train when someone sits across from you and begins to cry.
There is a fountain that truly does grant wishes to those who throw coins in it.
You are home alone watching TV. A character dials a number on their phone. Your phone rings.
Your mother sits you and your brother down, and says, "Kids, I'm gonna tell you an incredible story the story of how I met your father."
"See you later!" you called, not realizing it wasn't true.
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