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39 Best Fiction Short Story Ideas
Showing 39 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.
You pass by a person sitting with their face to the sun, the most content smile you've ever seen on their face.
While spring cleaning, you come across something you had forgotten all about.
You're sitting in a coffee shop watching someone type on their computer. They type the words, "It begins raining outside", and it instantly starts raining.
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.
An elderly person finally takes the last picture on a film camera they've had for decades. Today they're going to print it.
A story that takes place in the Wild West, but the world is frigid, covered with snow and ice instead of sand.
A tree falls in the woods. You're around to hear it.
Pick a genre and then write about a long walk home after school.
You work at an airport and notice the same person waiting in "arrivals" every week. Each time, they leave alone. One day you muster the courage to ask who they are waiting for.
Write a story where your character is at odds with a family tradition.
Write a story where your character faces a deep fear.
Write a story where your character gets close to obtaining their greatest desire.
You were waiting at a crosswalk when someone you didn't recognize started waving from across the street.
A pessimist becomes an optimist.
You witness a total solar eclipse.
The last person on earth celebrates their own birthday.
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