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Kristy Schnabel

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (23)
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41 Followers
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23 Stories

695 karma pts

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The Heirloom Rift

Submitted to Contest #267

My niece's bridal shower guests weren't due for two hours, but I could only think about how to ask my sister for Gran's bracelet. Gran died six months ago, but Clara had yet to mention the 18-carat gold bracelet with robin's egg blue turquoise in-lay, which I had coveted my whole life. Gran promised it to me, and having this precious heirloom on my wrist would connect me to my beloved grandmother in a visceral way.  I'd recently discovered by accident via DNA testing that my sister and I were only half-sisters. Did Gran already have a b...

4 likes 7 comments 7
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The Murderer Next Door

Submitted to Contest #266

(This story indirectly hints at alcoholism and physical abuse.)I’ve been a member of an online writer’s group for three years, and tonight, I’ll be mixin’ the agenda up in a way they couldn’t imagine. We critique each other’s writing to make it better. First, we offer praise such as “good characterization,” “Nice pacin’,” or “Great descriptions.” Then, we go in for the kill: “The story bored me in the middle,” “The character lacks emotion and depth,” or “I didn’t get the endin’.” It can be brutal, but if we can survive the criticism, we end ...

8 likes 5 comments 5
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My Jane Day

Submitted to Contest #265

"Are you traveling alone to London?" asked the middle-aged woman sitting beside me in the international boarding area."Yes, yes, I am. I'm calling this trip my 'Jane Austen's Literary London' excursion. I'm paying homage to my favorite author as a reward to myself for recently obtaining my English degree. That's how I spent my pandemic years, righting a wrong from years ago."The woman eyed my shoulder-length gray hair and aging neck, undoubtedly putting me in the senior category. "Bravo! Righting a wrong, you say?" She looked surprised and d...

14 likes 11 comments 11
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Wedding Llamas

Submitted to Contest #264

It took all my strength not to roll my eyes as Heather ambled into our family room, juggling three overfilled binders, which she flung onto the coffee table. Dad bristled at the thudding sound. Heather had been planning her perfect wedding for more than a decade. With her groom ensnared, she just needed Dad's bank account to realize her dream. Dad looked at Heather, "Don't we need David here for this discussion?" Dad sat rigidly, and his hands tightly grasped his Chicago Cubs coffee mug. I feared the cup would crack from the strain. Heather ...

16 likes 11 comments 11
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Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab

Submitted to Contest #257

Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab March 2023 When I entered our kitchen, I saw Brett hunched over his coffee cup with a worried look. “You’re up early. Are you okay?” “No.” I'd never seen him look so defeated. “Your Mom?” “Yes. What am I going to do?” asked Brett. He looked tired and disheveled, and the bags under his eyes were more pronounced than usual. “I’m so sorry, hon.”  “She wants to die. She’s in such pain. They won’t give her any more pain medication because they’re afraid it’ll kill her. Ironic, right?” “No li...

8 likes 0 comments 0
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Why Are You Here?

Submitted to Contest #255

Week 1:As Neal entered the room, she said, "Please sit wherever you are most comfortable. The chair or the sofa." He chose the chair. "Why are you here?"Neal responded with an attitude. "You tell me." "That's not my role. Answer the question, please.""The City put me on leave.""For…""They say I need," he made air quotes, 'anger management.' I had a bad moment."She got up and walked to the desk. She grabbed an envelope with the return address 'City of Springfield, Department of Human Resources.' According to this, you threw coffee a...

5 likes 5 comments 5
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The Bath Encounter

Submitted to Contest #254

As the butler seated us in the drawing room, I turned to my daughter. "Oh my, Violet, you're a regular Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. You did read that new novel I purchased for you?" I kept my voice down since we were expecting the Lord and Lady of the manor to enter at any moment."Not yet, mother. What do you mean?" Violet appeared irritated with me, as usual."I mean, this is quite a place. To think one day you'll be the lady of the house.""Oh, stop, mother. It's a surprise to me, too. I fell in love with Charles, the man. It's ...

7 likes 2 comments 2
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My Plus One

Submitted to Contest #250

As I steered into the wedding venue parking lot, I hoped the picturesque setting would impress Nadine. I didn't want her to regret the deal she made with me to be my plus one."What a view, Zack," said Nadine. Her looks alone put her outta my league.The Columbia River Gorge had that effect on people. The sun hadn't yet set, and the Hood River portrait was complete: blue sky, sheer rock cliffs, and emerald green river populated by windsurfers. The only thing missing were the bald eagles. I grinned. My focus wasn't on the landscape. My mis...

7 likes 2 comments 2
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