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39 Best Fiction Short Story Ideas

Showing 39 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

Write a story where your character faces a deep fear.

A story that takes place in the Wild West, but the world is frigid, covered with snow and ice instead of sand.

While spring cleaning, you come across something you had forgotten all about.

You got on the wrong bus and ended up in a remote town where things seemed a little odd.

Mars is the new wild west, complete with gunslingers.

A forgotten object is found in an attic during spring cleaning.

Write a story where your character is at odds with a family tradition.

You witness a total solar eclipse.

Write about the origin of the saying "April showers bring May flowers."

A habitually fearful person turns brave.

You're at your computer feeling heavy writer's block. Suddenly words start appearing on the screen.

For a week or so you've noticed a stray animal hanging around your home. One day you let it in.

A pessimist becomes an optimist.

A tree falls in the woods. You're around to hear it.

You pass by a person sitting with their face to the sun, the most content smile you've ever seen on their face.

You come across an ATM that gives you the exact amount of money you need to survive for the day, how you spend it is your choice. Today you are given $10 million.

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