WRITING PROMPTS #482: Bon Appétit! 🍽️

[Isabella Peralta]

Write a short story and WIN $250!

Bon Appétit! 🍽️ I've always considered food to be more than just fuel. Something as simple as a bowl of rice, for example, can tell us so much about who we are and what we value. And sometimes, when I take a bite of something delicious — whether it’s a home-cooked dish or a simple burger from my favorite fast food chain — I'm reminded of how we all crave something more than what's on our plates. Comfort, connection, convenience, control… you name it! This week's contest invites you to let food speak for itself. Perhaps a meal becomes an important turning point, an empty plate says more than words ever could, or your storyline swings from simmering tension to a sweet (or sour) resolution. Whatever you write, make every bite count… and maybe even leave us hungry for more! Write a story that includes a recipe, grocery list, menu, or restaurant review. Include the name of a dish, ingredient, or dessert in your story’s title. Start or end your story with an empty plate, empty glass, or something burning. Include a scene in which a character is cooking, drinking, or eating. Write about someone who’s hungry — for what, is up to you. Compete for $250 and a spot in Prompted 💰 Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on one of these prompts. The winner will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $250 via PayPal! We’ll also consider your submission for a future issue of our lit mag, Prompted. (Grab a free digital copy of our past issues here!) The latest winner 🏆 Congrats to Mark Kodak! Their short story, "First Snow," is based on the prompt: "Start or end your story with someone watching snow fall." You can read all 277 entries to the "Winter Secrets with Evelyn Skye" edition of our contest here. The details 🔎 Here’s the fine print for Prompts: choose one of our prompts from this week's contest. Write a short story between 1,000 and 3,000 words, submit it from your Reedsy Prompts profile, and pay the $5 entry fee before 11:59 p.m. EST on the 19th of December. See our Terms of Use and FAQ for other details. Pro tip: If you don’t want to submit to the contest, you can still post your story on your Prompts profile for free. Looking forward to reading your stories, Isabella, Prompts Lead @ Reedsy P.S. Are you interested in going behind the scenes of the Reedsy Prompts contest as a judge? Head here for more information.

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