The Atheist and the Church
A young atheist inherits an old, dilapidated church from a mysterious distant relative. Describe their journey as they decide to convert it into a community center, only to find themselves strangely drawn to the history and spirituality the church embodies.
Suggested length: A short story: 1,500 to 5,000 words, or flash fiction under 1,000
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Make the conflict something the reader has faced themselves.
- Keep what the hero wants and what they need in tension.
- Tell it through the messages, notes or voicemails the characters leave.
Writing contemporary fiction
People like us, now, in trouble we recognize.
Contemporary fiction is set in the present day and deals with life as it's actually lived: families, marriages, friendships, work, loss. It sits between literary and commercial fiction, often shelved as book club or upmarket fiction.
What readers expect
- A present-day, realistic setting
- Relatable, flawed characters
- Emotional stakes over action
- Issues readers face themselves
A tip before you start
Today is your setting, so use it: the group chat, the parking ticket, the brand of cereal. Specifics make it feel true.
More Contemporary Faith Fiction prompts
- A City Leader's QuestionsDescribe a day in the life of a religious leader in a bustling city who encounters various people from different walks of life. Each interaction…
- Three Views of the FestivalWrite about a religious festival from the perspective of three characters: a devout believer, a skeptic, and a tourist visiting the town. Explore…
- The Inherited RelicNarrate a tale of two siblings who inherit an ancient religious artifact from their grandparents. As they delve deeper into its history and…
- Faith Beyond the FamilyThe youngest child of a strictly religious family secretly joins a non-denominational spiritual group. Explore the dynamics of love, acceptance, and…
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