Skip to main content

Your Story #108: Winners

Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt above. (One sentence only.) You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.
Photo from Getty

Photo from Getty

  • Prompt: Write the opening line to a story based on the photo prompt above. (One sentence only.) You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.

Email your submission to yourstorycontest@aimmedia.com with the subject line “Your Story #108.”

No attachments, please. Include your name and mailing address. Entries without a name or mailing address with be disqualified.

Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every entry we receive, due to volume. No confirmation emails will be sent out to confirm receipt of submission. But be assured all submissions received before entry deadline are considered carefully. Official Rules

Entry Deadline: CLOSED

Out of 400 entries, WD editors and readers chose the following 10 winners, which were published in the May/June 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest.

1

A penny in a wishing well wasn't enough this time, she thought, as she closed her eyes and tossed her lucky marble over the cliff.
—Karen Foley

2

The marble projected the foreign setting sky into the underworld so they would know it was time to sleep.
—Samara Yadegari

3

To a man, the world is vast; to an angel, a mere trinket.
—Kevin Trusty

4

The Earth, knowing its time was ending, put all of its beauty, wonder, and splendor within the sphere in hopes that someday it will encounter a species that will truly appreciate it.
—John C. Lacasse

5

No one has seen Nevermender since he vanished into the stormglass, but we haven't forgotten him, and on cloudy days, we peer into that strange sphere and wonder if today is the day he'll return.
—Deborah Powell

6

The smallest planet in the galaxy fell to Earth, and no one noticed.
—Art Thomas

7

Bernie thought the crystal lensball from the late night infomercials was the perfect addition to his photography gear, until he gazed into the orb’s depths and saw the end of planet Earth.
—Shawn Bird

8

Exiled for treason, Jamarti's heart quivered in rage for revenge, and some fear, as she cautiously peered out the translucent pod; for sure, it was a godforsaken planet.
—Linda Jinkens

9

I never realized that death would be this way: a long walk over rough ground, with occasional glimpses of a better world.
—Julie McClement

10

She’d begun to think of her life as a snow globe, a finite collection of people and things, perpetually shaken, never given a chance to rest.
—Julie McGue

Through the Years: Every Single Issue of Writer's Digest Magazine

Presenting the Writer’s Digest Digital Archive!

Access more than 100 years of Writer's Digest back issues with the brand new Writer's Digest Digital Archive!

Stuart Murdoch: What Happens in the Margins

Stuart Murdoch: What Happens in the Margins

In this interview, author and musician Stuart Murdoch (of Belle and Sebastian) shares how his wife helped guide his debut novel, what many publishers wanted out of him instead, working with editors on two continents, and more.

Comics vs. Prose: The Novelization of a Comic Book Character, by Fred Van Lente

Comics vs. Prose: The Novelization of a Comic Book Character

Bestselling comics writer, novelist, and playwright Fred Van Lente breaks down the process of novelizing an established comic book character.

One Piece of Advice From Mystery and Thriller Authors in 2024

One Piece of Advice From 54 Mystery and Thriller Authors in 2024

Collected here is one piece of advice for writers from 54 different mystery and thriller authors featured in our author spotlight series in 2024, including Tess Amy, Ace Atkins, C.J. Box, Mailan Doquang, Sydney Graves, Peter Heller, Greg Iles, Elle Marr, Karen Robards, Stella Sands, and more.

P. C. Cast: On Women’s Roles in Mythology

P. C. Cast: On Women’s Roles in Mythology

In this interview, bestselling author P. C. Cast discusses the inspiration behind her new novel, Boudicca.

The Journey of My Debut Novel, by Tara Dorabji

The Journey of My Debut Novel

Author Tara Dorabji discusses the journey of her debut award-winning novel, including the perseverance of many rejections and the research to help write authentic characters and situations.

Jillian Meadows: All Writers Have Bad Days

Jillian Meadows: All Writers Have Bad Days

In this interview, author Jillian Meadows discusses the differences between self-publishing and traditionally publishing her romance novel, Give Me Butterflies.

Poetry Prompt

Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 727

Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started for poets. This week, write an appraisal poem.

How the DOSE Effect Can Improve Your Writing Habits, by TJ Power

How the DOSE Effect Can Improve Your Writing Habits

Neuroscientist and international speaker TJ Power shares how the DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins) Effect can improve your writing and publishing habits.