The Garden Rivals
Write about two people who meet while volunteering at a community garden. Their initial dislike for each other blossoms into a playful rivalry, growing into something deeper as the seasons change.
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.
- Put them in close quarters they can't escape.
- 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.
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 Romance prompts
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- The Project After the BreakupAfter a disastrous public breakup that goes viral, your protagonist vows off dating and decides to focus solely on personal growth. Their plans are…
- Strangers on the SubwayTwo strangers meet every morning on a busy subway commute without ever speaking a word to each other. After a series of events causes them to miss…
- The Barista's Morning NotesCreate a story about a barista and a regular customer. The customer leaves a mysterious, poetic note along with a tip every morning. The barista…
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