The Inn by the Coast
On a whim, a young book editor decides to take a solo vacation to a remote coastal town. At the quaint inn where they stay, they meet a local who is trying to save their family's historical landmark from being sold. Together, they devise a plan that not only protects the landmark but also sparks an unexpected romance.
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.
- Tell it from the point of view of the one who falls first.
- Write the first meeting so it goes badly, in a way they'll laugh about later.
- Show the moment one of them almost walks away.
Writing romance books
Not whether they end up together, but how.
Romance puts a love story at the center and promises a happy ending: happily ever after, or at least happy for now. Readers know where it's going. The pleasure is in the obstacles, the banter and the moment the two leads finally stop fighting it.
What readers expect
- Two leads the reader roots for
- Obstacles that keep them apart
- Emotional growth, not just attraction
- A happy ending, guaranteed
A tip before you start
The happy ending isn't optional. Without it you've written a love story, and romance readers will tell you so.
More Contemporary Love Story prompts
- The Diary Before ThirtyA month before her 30th birthday, one friend starts a diary addressing the other, recounting their past laughs, fights, and silent moments filled with…
- A Novelist and a PhotographerA novelist and a photographer meet at a gallery that's featuring photos inspired by literary works. Create a narrative exploring their blossoming…
- The Rival Pastry ChefsTwo rival pastry chefs find themselves assigned as partners for a prestigious nationwide baking contest. Forced to collaborate, they realize their…
- The Fairground DanceEvery year at the local community fair, there's an old-fashioned dance contest. This year, a professional dancer whose career was cut short by an…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.