Freely Written: Short Stories From a Simple Prompt

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, The Chosen One , Ted and Mary do a little shopping Today's prompt was inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's short stories for Freely...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Reflecting Pool , Daryl throws a pool party Today's prompt was inspired by the fiasco that's unfolding at the Reflecting Pool in DC. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan&ap...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Touch Grass , Beth struggles to balance work and motherhood Today's prompt was inspired by a brief moment in an old Bewitched episode. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan'...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Petrichor , Ed introduces his new dog to his old friend Today's prompt was inspired by the ongoing rain in Northern Virginia. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's short s...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Paperweight , Jane tries to pick up a piece of paper Today's prompt was inspired by a paperweight we made during a recent trip to Newport, RI. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Sus...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Road Trip , Captain Mae Pauly agrees to a new journey Today's prompt was inspired by the warm weather and an urge to hit the open road. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Sixth Sense , coworkers at a university library have a late-night chat about ESP Today's prompt was inspired by a recent newsletter topic. If you'd like to sign up for the Grounded in Reality newsletter, find it here: Grounded in Reality with Susan Quilty If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Su...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Tit for Tat , a teacher tries to impart an important lesson before school lets out for Spring Break  Today's prompt was chosen from a list of common expressions. If you have a suggestion for a writing prompt, please let us know!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Tra...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Watch Out , the king's men are sent out to explore strange sounds in the forest Today's prompt was inspired by a recent tornado watch, not to be confused with a tornado warning... which can be really confusing.  Note: If you're looking for ways to speak out about our current situation (in the U.S.), you can check out 50501 , Indivisible , and...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Donuts with Grownups , Livvy invites her Uncle Mal to a school event.  Today's prompt refers to a fairly common school social event where students can bring a parent or other adult to enjoy doughnuts together before classes begin.  Note: If you're looking for ways to speak out about our current situation (in the U.S.), you can check out 50501 , Ind...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Millions of Peaches , Daria and Tommy are learning to survive on their own in their mostly abandoned town Today's prompt is a phrase from the lyrics of a song that was stuck in my head: Peaches by The Presidents of the United States of America. Anything can be a writing prompt. If you have a suggestion, please let me know! Note: If you're looking f...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Give an Inch , Madame Zara offers words of wisdom at a school's Winter Carnival Today's prompt was chosen from a list of English idioms. In these challenging times, a short story break may help you step away from everything else and take a little time to nurture yourself.  If you're looking for ways to speak out about our current situation (in...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Miss the Boat , Tommy and Tabitha hurry to catch a boat to the woodland college Today's prompt was chosen from a list of English idioms. In these challenging times, a short story break may help you step away from everything else and take a little time to nurture yourself.  If you're looking for ways to speak out about our current situation, you can...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Winter Slumber , Grandad teaches Meredith a gentle lesson Today's prompt was inspired by the start of 2026. Happy New Year! May you stay safe and see a turn toward better days.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's short stories for Freel...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Gingerbread , Penny comes home in time for the family's annual gingerbread contest Today's prompt was inspired by Sweet Gingerbread Man, a song by Sammy Davis Jr. that always makes me smile.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's shor...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Cranberry Sauce , Jason learns to make his mom's spicy orange cognac cranberry sauce Today's prompt was inspired by my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner: cranberry sauce! For those who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Take a Hike , Emily's friends lend support during her first mountain hike  Today's prompt was inspired by my own recent hike and by stories of my child's recent hike, both with lovely mountain views.  More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Sus...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Window Washer , Daisy's new office has a window that could be a benefit or a distraction Today's prompt was inspired by an afternoon of cleaning my windows (less fun than writing!).  If you have a prompt suggestion, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Cabin in the Woods , three friends enjoy a leisurely break at a very special cabin Today's prompt was inspired by a recent long weekend with my close friends, Wendy and Jen. If you have a prompt suggestion, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Travel...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Dream Catcher , Harold shows Molly how to catch and combine wisps of dreams Today's prompt immediately made me think of an entity that could give dreams to people, though it took a different turn when I started writing. If you have a prompt suggestion, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalon...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Two-Day Shipping , Mary is frustrated with the botched plans of her billionaire boss Today's prompt came up while I was online shopping before writing. It didn't spark an immediate idea, but I managed to write my way into something that kind of works...? If you have a prompt suggestion, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainl...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Cut and Paste , friends spend their day off together Today's prompt is in honor of the very useful cut-and-paste function, something I use quite often. Though the story wanders into weirder territory. If you have a prompt suggestion, please let me know! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Bite the Dust,  fairy life is shaped by prophecy Today's prompt is an idiom that means to die or come to an end. It takes on a very different meaning in this story of life in the fairy world.  If you enjoy today's story, please share it with your friends and leave a review for Freely Written. You can also send me a prompt suggestion, and I'll...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Spotted Lanternfly, the night foragers are in search of a light source Today's prompt was inspired by the invasive species that are gaining ground in Virginia and many US states. They're quite pretty insects, if only they weren't damaging crops and trees.  If you enjoy today's story, please share it with your friends and leave a review fo...

Send us Fan Mail In today's story, Under the Weather, the neighbors are watching Today's prompt was chosen at random from a list of idioms. Note: the occasional background sounds are thunder from the rainstorm that was raging during recording. It was much louder in person! If you enjoy today's story, please share it with your friends and leave a review for Freely Written. You can al...