Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Photograph

Published July 24, 2026 | By Laura

Welcome to Fiction Friday, our weekly flash fiction challenge.

Here’s how it works:

Set a timer for five minutes and start writing

Keep going for as long as you can once the timer goes off

No editing allowed—raw writing only

When you’re finished, feel free to share in the comments (but there’s no pressure.)

Today’s prompt – The Photograph.

A woman buys a second-hand coat from a charity shop. When she slips her hands into the pockets, her fingers close around a photograph she’s never seen before. Two people she doesn’t recognise, standing somewhere she’s never been, smiling at someone she’ll never know.

Write the moment she finds the photograph. What does she see in it? What details does she notice — the background, the clothing, the expressions, the light? What story does she begin to piece together from the image alone?

Write what she does next. Does she try to trace the people in the photograph? Does she keep it? Does something about the image unsettle her, comfort her, or mirror something in her own life she wasn’t prepared to face?

You May Also Like...

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.

Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: The Photograph

You May Also Like...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply