Freely Written: Short Stories From a Simple Prompt

Send a text 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 Common Cause. You can also visit 5calls.org to stay up to date on issues and easily contact your representatives. More...

Send a text 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, Indivisible, and Common Cause. You can also visit 5calls.org to stay up to date on issues and easily contact yo...

Send a text 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 for ways to speak out about our current situation (in the U.S.), you can check out 50501, Indivisible, and Common Caus...

Send a text 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 the U.S.), you can check out 50501, Indivisible, and Common Cause. You can also visit 5calls.org to stay up to date ...

Send a text 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 check out 50501, Indivisible, and Common Cause. Stay safe. More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly...

Send a text 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 Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared as a way to let go of perfection and encou...

Send a text 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 short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared as a way to let go of perfect...

Send a text 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 Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared ...

Send a text 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. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared as a way to let ...

Send a text 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 Psychic Traveler Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing brea...

Send a text 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 Traveler Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared ...

Send a text 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 standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are c...

Send a text 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 mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society. Susan's sh...

Send a text 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 series: The Psychic Traveler Society. Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quic...

Send a text 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 be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank you! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, i...

Send a text 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 for Freely Written. You can also send me a prompt suggestion, and I'll be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank y...

Send a text 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 also send me a prompt suggestion, and I'll be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank you! More about Susan Q...

Send a text In today's story, Go Go Boots, Daria is up for a promotion Today's prompt was inspired by '60s fashion and the Summer of Self-Love theme at the yoga studio where I teach, Sthira Sukham Yoga. 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 be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank you! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two stan...

Send a text In today's story, Five More Minutes, Maisy has a special app that comes with a cost Today's prompt was inspired by my busy schedule and a frequent wish for just five more minutes... Though not at the cost Maisy is willing to pay. 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 be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank you! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty m...

Send a text In today's story,Vintage Vinyl, a casual party takes a strange turn Today's prompt was inspired by a recent album purchase, a vintage copy of Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson. 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 be sure to credit you in the episode. Thank you! More about Susan Quilty Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone...