Birthday Week '22: 18 Word Story Competition

As you all know, our dear YWS is turning 18 today (11/14)!! In honor of its birthday, the mod team has decided to host some fun activities this week, including this one!


Who: The 18-Word Short Story contest is hosted and judged by @looseleaf!
What: For this competition, you have to submit an 18-word short story of any genre by the end of the week. If it exceeds eighteen words, it will not be judged.
When: Entries should be submitted by midnight your time on Sunday, November 20th.
Where: Post your submissions in this thread!

Please have nothing explicit or anything that wouldn't be OK for the majority of YWSers to read in your stories! I look forward to seeing your submissions!

Here's my submission for now!

Once I fell straight into the sky and met the sun; we are still spinning, him and I.

My Super short story: Righteous

I lived for myself. Useless, I left home. I search. I see. I conquer, prove, and gain purpose.

-Myth (Happy Birthday YWS!)

A Remnant of Love

He gave her his jacket, firehouse red. Now it sits clumped in her closet, faded to rust.

The tides have finally turned, and we are no longer the same anymore. What did we do wrong?

A war was at play in her mind, but nobody knew.
But he saw her scars.
He knew.

After long struggles, the first Sky-squid in millennia was born -- and promptly rained ink into Earth’s oceans.

oOOoOooO this should be fun!


"Hey! I know it's been a while. How have you been?"
"I'm so sorry, but who is this?"

Death held it's hand out and ask me to dance. I met it's dark gaze and dared it.

Their hearts had sunk into the ground - had festered there; had become cold stone. Stone couldn't feel pain.

Once upon a time, there was a homely princess and an imperfect prince. Was there happily ever after?

Unknown man, her mother's funeral. His eyes are her own. Does he know? Does everyone? She can't ask.

Before we start, I just want to say a good job to everyone who participated! I'm in awe of how you could all write such amazing stories in eighteen words. :))) Now, without further ado, here are your 2022 18 Word Short Story contest winners!



Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Oh wow, these are all super cool, guys, great job! I love how poetic these are

Whoa third place. Cool!