The Rector’s Manuscript
The rector of an ancient church discovers a hidden manuscript that contradicts centuries-old teachings. As they struggle to reconcile their faith with the new revelations, they must decide whether to share this knowledge with their congregation or keep it buried.
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.
- Let a minor character change the ending.
- Set it all in one day.
- Make the conflict something the reader has faced themselves.
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
- The Entrepreneur and the PropheciesAfter surviving a near-death experience, a formerly non-religious tech entrepreneur becomes obsessed with religious texts and prophecies, believing…
- Faith in a Moral CrisisWrite a story about a small, close-knit community facing a moral dilemma that challenges their religious beliefs. Explore how different characters…
- The Professor’s Unexplained VisionAfter surviving a near-fatal accident, a renowned atheist professor has an unexplainable spiritual experience. Explore his internal conflict as he…
- Stormbound at the FestivalDuring a large religious festival, a massive storm traps attendees and locals together in a small city. Among them is an atheist doctor and a deeply…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
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