Writing Prompt Challenge: Create a Story in 500 Words!

Brought to you by Obsidian Skull Press – where imagination meets ink.

Why a Word‑Count Challenge?

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page and thought, “I have too much to say,” you’re not alone. Writing a complete, punchy story in a tight word limit is a secret weapon for any writer:

If you need proof, check out the science behind “creative constraints” – the same techniques used by famous authors like Ernest Hemingway (The Iceberg Theory) and Ray Bradbury (The "Don't Think" Theory) in the Writer's Digest article Constraint Is What a Creative Needs.

🎯 The Challenge – YOUR 500‑Word Story

Prompt: “A forgotten relic awakens, and with it, a long‑lost memory resurfaces.”

You have exactly 500 words to tell a story that captures the moment the relic comes alive and the memory erupts.

Rules (the good kind):

1. 500 words – no more, no less. Use a word‑counter like WordCounter.net to stay on target.

2. Original – no plagiarism; this is your voice.

3. Theme‑centric – the relic and memory must be central to the narrative.

Optional – Include a title (max 8 words) and a brief tagline (under 15 words).

Need Inspiration? Check These Resources

• r/WritingPrompts – A treasure trove of creative prompts, perfect for warm‑ups. (WritingPrompts subreddit)

• Micro‑Fiction Masterclass – Tips from award‑winning flash fiction writers on squeezing drama into a few paragraphs. (How to Improve Your Flash Fiction Writing Skills)

• NaNoWriMo 2.0 – Even though it’s a month‑long marathon, the daily word‑goal drills are excellent practice for bite‑sized challenges. (NaNoWriMo daily goals)

Quick “Write‑Fast” Toolkit

• Google Docs

• Scrivener

• Grammarly

• Obsidian

What to do

1. Write your story (500 words, exactly).

2. Export as a .docx or .pdf.

3. Email it to submissions@obsidianskullpress.com with the subject line:
   500‑Word Prompt – [Your Title].

4. Optional – Include a brief author bio (≤50 words) and a headshot if you’d like us to feature you.

Our editorial team will review all submissions. The top three stories will be:

• Featured on Ink & Shadows (the Obsidian Skull Press Blog) and in the Obsidian Skull Press online fiction library (with author bios).

• Highlighted in our monthly Newsletter, Obsidian Echoes.

• Earn a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a digital badge for your writer’s portfolio.

• Earn a chance to be published in our annual anthology (Print and Digital).

Deadlines: Submissions close Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. Winners announced August  20 via our blog and social channels.

Ready, Set, Write!

Grab your favorite notebook (or open a fresh Google Doc), fire up that word counter, and let the relic’s pulse guide your pen. Remember, the magic isn’t in how many words you write—it’s in how powerfully you use each one.

"Writing is a lot like prayer in that you're in conversation with the universe." — Erika L. Sánchez, Mexican American Author

We can’t wait to read the worlds you conjure in just 500 words. Happy writing, and may your prose sparkle like an obsidian skull under a full moon!

Obsidian Skull Press – Publishing the stories that linger in the shadows.

Got a question? Drop us a line at info@obsidianskullpress.com.

P.S. Feel free to share this challenge with fellow writers. The more, the merrier—because every story deserves to be heard.

References

Abyss, D. |. (2024, March 29). Spotlight On Creativity Of the Best Writers — Ernest Hemingway. Retrieved from Medium: https://medium.com/creative-passions/spotlight-on-creativity-ernest-hemmingway-iceberg-theory-code-hero-lost-generation-956fed6fbed9

The untamed genius of not thinking: Bradbury, creativity and the two minds. (2024, March 24). Scott Loftesness. https://sjl.us/2024/03/24/the-untamed-genius-of-not-thinking-bradbury-creativity-and-the-two-minds/

Rollins, A. (2025, December 11). Constraint is what a creative needs. Writer'S Digest. https://www.writersdigest.com/constraint-is-what-a-creative-needs

Prompts and motivation to create something out of nothing. (n.d.). https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/?solution=c9fc604347afbe6ec9fc604347afbe6e&js_challenge=1&token=bbbe4bf1c9a2b5160829c4be34da586123b03df6e951f5bd1760b68474f690c4&jsc_orig_r=

MasterClass. (n.d.). How to improve your Flash fiction writing Skills - 2026 - MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-flash-fiction-writing-skills

NaNoWriMo 2.0 - home. (n.d.). https://nanowrimo2.com/

Erika L. Sánchez. (n.d.). Erika L. Sánchez. https://erikalsanchez.com/