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Amanda Stogsdill

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (26)
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14 Followers
34 Following

26 Stories

439 karma pts

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Blue and Other Colors

Submitted to Contest #292

Blue And Other Colors"Do you dream in color?" That's a question I've been asked a time or two. My response is, "No. Sound only. Sometimes, it'll be about a vacation I've taken. One time, I dreamt I was back in high school. I heard my art teacher's voice very clearly. Not sure why."Blind since birth, I have no visual memory. I have light perception, so can distinguish light from dark. I can see the sun, electric lights and shadows, but am unable to tell what shadows are.Color itself means nothing to me. That's not to say I don't know what col...

4 likes 4 comments 4
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Faith

Submitted to Contest #289

FaithThe room is unfamiliar. I've no idea how I got here. All I know is my head's throbbing, and it's freezing!Listening intently, I hear silence. No footsteps or voices. No clues that can help me identify my strange, new surroundings. Being blind from infancy, I rely on my hearing, especially if I’m alone. Like now.Realizing I'm not bound in any way, I slowly start to rise into a sitting position. As the throbbing increases, I quickly lie down again on what I now recognize as a cold, stone floor. Reaching as far as I can, I feel only smooth...

11 likes 3 comments 3
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Baggage

Submitted to Contest #286

Warning: This story contains sensitive content BaggageI already hate this place! Kim screamed inside her head, slouched in the back seat. Beside her lay a ragged duffel bag, containing her few treasured possessions. Having packed in a hurry, Kim hadn't had time to grab anything much, certainly nothing of value."Kim, did you hear me? I explained how your nw home is just for girls." Mrs. Winston sighed from the front, already worn out after another hectic day. Trying to show patience, she continued, "I know you're unhappy. Your mom's in good h...

8 likes 4 comments 4
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Hope

Hope "Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree." The carolers sang, all smiles. Sitting in the back row of the church, my spiritss low, I felt there couldn't be a more dismal time of year.Several months have passed since my son disappeared—every parent's worst nightmare! Detectives had interviewed Lou and I, we'd plastered our neighborhood with Jason's picture. As the weeks turned into a month, then two, I despaired. No leads, just random tips, which ended in false hopes. Sleepless nights waiting for the phone or door, any sign our son had been...

3 likes 2 comments 2
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Orla's Song

Submitted to Contest #279

Orla's SongThe underwater cavern was alive and bustling that star-filled night. The merfolk were preparing for their annual festival to celebrate another peaceful year. It would begin with music and dancing, followed by a feast. In the small town, people were busy, too. In the era of computers and movie streaming, they were bored; tired of the mundane, craving excitement of any kind. Both worlds were unaware how soon they would collide.The submarine was decked out for the celebration. "Welcome everyone. Let's begin." Queen Minerva smiled ser...

13 likes 2 comments 2
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Angels Legacy

Submitted to Contest #278

Angels Legacy Warning: This story contains descriptions of death and abuse Prologue "Come closer, Emma, Aggie!" Mamas voice quivered, the rise and fall of her chest her only movements. Leaning down to her ear, she whispered to us, "Look inside the dresser. Those women needed my help. I was their Angel." Taking a shaky breath, Mama lay still. The attending nurse entered then and motioned my sister and me away."What did she mean?" Agatha was just as confused as I. What dresser? Angel?" Sha...

8 likes 2 comments 2
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Wickedly Sweet

Submitted to Contest #277

Warning- this story contains mild violence.Wickedly SweetThree children sat on the couch with their babysitter. They'd been given chores, but weren’t listening. The babysitter had an idea.It’s about a wolf and a little girl.” She started.“We know that one!” Rita said, rolling her eyes.“I want to watch TV.” Brian shouted.“I want to go to a friend’s.” Casey yelled over his brother. Only Rita was sitting, glued to her phone.Removing the phone, the babysitter said loudly, “If you don’t like my story, we’ll decide on something else.” The baby-sit...

10 likes 5 comments 5
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We Know What We Heard

Submitted to Contest #272

We Know What We Heard by Amanda StogsdillThumpity thump! Inside their cozy living room, teens Danny and Tommy paused their video game. Onscreen, two cars were about to collide with one another. Deciding it was the wintry wind, they returned to their game.Thump, thump. There it was again, a little louder than before. Tommy looked at Danny, perplexed. "Are you doing that?" He shook his head, just as confused as his brother.After about a half hour, their mother returned with groceries. Unpacking in the kitchen, they told her about the mysteriou...

8 likes 1 comment 1
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The Warnings

Submitted to Contest #272

The Warnings By Amanda StogsdillBriara waited impatiently in a very long line. Nearly Halloween, this new haunted house attraction was supposed to be the best around. "Are you scared?" Her Mom asked."Oh, Mom, I'll be fine. It's not that scary!" Briara gazed around, smirking. People were joking and laughing, dressed in costumes. No one was acting really frightened. Yet.Just then, a black dog scampered by. "Hey, that dog cut in front of us." Briara cried."ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!" A voice boomed. Of course, everyone laughed, it was part of the ...

10 likes 2 comments 2
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Fresh Start

Submitted to Contest #270

Fresh Start By Amanda Stogsdill Mandy's stomach was in Butterfly City as she boarded the bus the first day of school. Why did we have to move anyway? She knew the answer; Mom switched jobs, (she now baked at the cafe, which offered better pay than her previous one) and unexpectedly sold their house and moved to a new city towards the end of summer. Life would still be tough for a while. Glumly, Mandy slumped down in a middle seat, and stared out the window. The only bright spot was her Mom was going to teach her how to bake a pie. "Mandy, we...

8 likes 1 comment 1
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Mother's day

Submitted to Contest #268

Warning This story contains themes of pregnancyMother’s Day by Amanda StogsdillStaring at the hospital door, I panic. As my heart accelerates, I'm dizzy. Can I do this? Keeping it isn't an option, if it's adopted, another family could love it. If it were terminated, my problem would be solved. That seems wrong, too. Killing an unborn child, just because I don't want it? It's kicking; I should feel something, but I'm dead inside. I can’t carry it for nine months, then give it up!Chewing my nails, I collapse on the graffiti-covered bench, gazi...

8 likes 0 comments 0
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mended

Submitted to Contest #267

Mendedby Amanda Stogsdill "This call is from Teresa. To accept, press two. You can speak now." An automated female voice directed me."Hello?" I waited, licking my lips."Hi. How are you?" Teresa asked. Her voice was soft, and a little flat.“All right,” I replied, “And you?”"About the same. Stuck inside these four walls. Nothing to do. How's everyone?""We had Tyler's party last week. Same water slide as always. Until the kids get bored, that's what it'll be."Silence. "Wish I was there." Teresa's voice trembled, "Do they ask about me?"Yes, Tyle...

11 likes 2 comments 2
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cursed

Submitted to Contest #266

Cursed by Amanda Stogsdill I slide the manuscript from its hiding place. Staring at the title, I finger its many pages. So much has happened, it seems like a lifetime has passed, instead of months. Would anyone at the agent’s offices read it? Only one way to find out. Pulling out an already-addressed envelope, I place my precious story inside. Sealing it, I almost laugh out loud at the absurdity of the story. Who would believe a word? The truth is stranger than any fiction!****It's a dark, stormy afternoon. As rain hammers on my windows and ...

10 likes 4 comments 4
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My Crazy Year

Submitted to Contest #265

My Crazy Year by Amanda Stogsdill The wintery Colorado wind blew fiercely, numbing tingly fingers as my friends and I gulped in the frosty air. Bundled up in winter coats, scarves, multiple pairs of gloves, we boarded our usual bus to the Center for the Blind.The center was recommended by my vocational counselor, a place for learning new skills while living independently. So, there I was boarding a plane for Colorado. I'd arrived very unsure of what would happen. I was met by staff who assisted me through the airport, driving me to my...

9 likes 6 comments 6
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Beach House

Beach House By Amanda Stogsdill April showers bring May flowers. What a crazy saying! I can't stand flowers, and April showers aren't exactly beautiful. I’m terrified of storms!"Who can tell me what these are?" Mr. Dawes held up a colorful picture of dark clouds."Cumulus clouds." Eddy, my best friend, raised his hand. He loved everything to do with weather, often boring us with daily weather reports. Naturally, he wanted to be a reporter."Very good. Who knows what happens when these clouds appear?"Rain! I thought. Loud noisy rain, with even ...

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