Menu
Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.
Win up to $250 in our weekly writing contest
Submit your short story on Reedsy Prompts.
DIRECTORY
47 Best Dramatic Short Story Ideas
Showing 47 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You are home alone watching TV. A character dials a number on their phone. Your phone rings.
A plane that's been missing for years suddenly lands at a major airport.
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.
"The grass is always greener on the other side." You were prepared to find out.
As the floor trembles and the walls shake, you know there is only one way to survive.
As the sun set, the desert wasteland glowed an eerie red.
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."
"Savor this sunset, folks. It might be the last one we ever see."
There's someone standing on the corner of the street you live on. It's the fifth time they've been there this week.
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 an island in the middle of the ocean. One day you find a bottle washed up on the shore with a piece of paper in it.
Something unusual is found in a winter coat pocket.
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.
You were sitting on a park bench, enjoying the sun, when a stranger sat next to you and started typing on an old fashioned typewriter.
Find the perfect editor for your next book
Over 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.
Save your shortlist
Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!
By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.
Check your email
We've sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Short Story Ideas Directory 🙌
