Rivals at the Espresso Bar
Write a story about two rival baristas at a popular coffee shop who unintentionally fall in love over their shared passion for creating the perfect espresso. What event or conversation finally breaks the ice between them?
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
- Coffee After the WeddingTwo strangers at a wedding bond over their mutual dislike of overly extravagant ceremonies. They decide to duck out early and find themselves at a…
- The Minimalist and the CollectorDescribe the unconventional romance between a proclaimed minimalist and an avid collector. How do they influence each other's views on life and…
- The Musician and the Sound EngineerA young up-and-coming musician and a seasoned sound engineer with a broken heart are set to work together on a highly anticipated album. The process…
- A Wedding Against the OddsCraft a tale about a young couple planning their wedding during a series of misfortunate events, only to realize that their challenges are actually…
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.