I had to choose between a prompt about a sentient floor tile or a time-traveling spatula for a contest in Tampa.

I went with the spatula, and my story about a chef fixing historical recipes won third place and a $50 gift card, but now I can't stop thinking about what that floor tile would have said. Anyone ever pick the 'wrong' prompt and have it haunt them?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannahcraig1d ago

My first writing contest was a local library thing in Boise. I picked a prompt about a lost key over one about a talking mailbox. The mailbox idea still pops into my head at random times, like when I'm actually checking my mail. It feels like a story that's just stuck in a drawer forever. The one you picked always seems to have more potential.

gavin_kim1d ago

Maybe it's just me, but the one you didn't pick always feels more magical. The lost key story probably felt like the safer bet for the contest. That mailbox idea is still hanging around because it's weird and yours. Those are the ones that usually end up being worth the trouble later on.

phoenix_grant1d ago

Hey @hannahcraig, is your mailbox story just waiting for a junk mail coupon to start talking?