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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#1: Birthdays

The Reedsy writing prompts newsletter started almost three years ago, and over the past few years, the simple concept of sending out five weekly writing ideas has allowed us to connect with thousands of fantastic authors around the world. This week marks the 150th edition of our prompts newsletter, and to celebrate, we’re excited to launch our brand new Reedsy Prompts page which will host our writing contest moving forward! Also to celebrate our prompts newsletter turning 150 weeks old, the theme this week is — what else — birthdays!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a stressed parent planning their child's birthday.

Adults – 22 stories

Write a story about a sweet sixteen.

Short Story – 13 stories

Write a story about someone turning 100 years old.

Fiction – 47 stories

Write a story about someone trying to find the perfect birthday gift.

Short Story – 19 stories

Write a story about a birthday party with a major plot twist.

Funny – 38 stories

Stories

“Daisy's worst Birthday” by Jerry Peel

Submitted to Contest #1

Daisy was turning twenty years old, blond, and wearing a dazzling yellow dress. She walks in when suddenly twelve people jump out at her yelling, “Surprise!”. She couldn’t believe it. Her mom had thrown her a surprise party for the first time in her life and she would’ve been happier if it wasn’t for the events that transpired earlier that day. She decided she had to tell her mom what happened because not only was she angry she was scared, as anyone in her situation would be. But, before she could speak to her mom, she had to get through a l...

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“Mr. Greene” by Will August

Submitted to Contest #1

“Two please.” “Welcome back on the U.S.S. Michigan Mr. Greene. I have to say I can't believe it’s that time of the year again for you and your wife.” responded the clerk in a familiar matter for he has known Mr. Greene for the past twenty six years. When the calendar strikes May 5th Mr. and Mrs. Greene have created a tradition for the two to celebrate not only their anniversary but also Ms. Greene birthday by enjoying a simple, yet majestic ferry ride on the U.S.S. Michigan, a tradition that has lasted for thirty one years now. No...

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“Blue-Eyed Lies” by Ayla Adkins

Submitted to Contest #1

Rowdy laughter rolled off the walls of the crowded bar as the clanking of five glasses went up at Winnie’s table. An off-key vocal performance of a not-so-sober Happy Birthday song followed. She nervously played with her long brown hair as embarrassment warmed her face. Donny, her lifelong best friend, smiled at her as tried to speak over the room, “To our favorite overgrown toddler! Happy 23rd birthday Winnie!” Echoes of cheer washed over the table. She scowled playfully at him but it didn’t last for long as she smiled wide and took a sip o...

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“No Vices” by Padmini Krishnan

Submitted to Contest #1

I looked at the wizened old man, searching for traces of exhaustion, sadness or signs of giving up. But, all I saw was a childlike excitement, wonder and a desire to get in touch with young people and new things. The old man was my great-grandpa and he was celebrating his 100th birthday the following day. Our town council had arranged a function hall and the celebrations had already started. Many of our relatives were pouring in. I never knew that I had so many cousins; I had met at least 30 of them since yesterday. Some were overtly friendl...

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“Beautiful Lie” by Khay Rin

Submitted to Contest #1

He flashed a smile at me and my whole world stuttered to a stop.I gingerly stepped to the window and opened it, so James would be able to make his way into my room. Alas it wasn’t as easy of a task considering he was over a hundred years old, but with a few struggles interspersed by a couple of giggles, he managed to climb into my room. Lucky for this old chap that my room was on the ground floor, I thought to myself. This thought then managed to send a spike of sadness into my heart as I was reminded of the fact that we were separated in th...

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“They Say it's My Birthday” by Tammy Filipkowski

Submitted to Contest #1

There is no way I am this old and yet here I am surrounded by all these people, with “apples” pointed directly at me. Has another year really passed so quickly, like a blur? It feels like deja vu, except I am sure this time the cake will be bigger. After all, where the hell can you put 100 candles on a little 8” sugary confection? As my mind ponders the possibilities, the room becomes dark and quiet. Wait! There’s this strange glow coming from the back, and that’s when I realize some family member is carr...

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“Timeless” by Ethan Pritchard

Submitted to Contest #1

Eric scrolled through the endless birthday wishes posted on his Facebook timeline, idly hitting the ‘like’ button as he did. There were so many that his thumb had begun to grow weary. Most of them were from strangers and acquaintances from work. None of them really mattered. With a sigh, he put down his phone. He reached over and took a swig from the bottle of whiskey on the coffee table before setting it back down and rising from his seat. He had been up since midnight, the clock on the mantelpiece told him it was almost mi...

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“It took 100 years just so see you again.” by Jocelyne Lessard

Submitted to Contest #1

“Captain America was able to live this long” Ella croaked; her voice strained. She wasn’t talking to anyone. The room was empty, the warm orange walls being the only warmth that comforted her. She didn’t understand the reference. What did Captain America have to do with age? Was it because he was a 95-year-old virgin? Or because he cheated and froze for 70 Years?Captain America didn’t mater not in this moment anyways. Today was the day she would see what she had lost, and Ella was not ready. Since the world has evolved the government needed ...

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“The Last Birthday” by Maggie Kapczynski

Submitted to Contest #1

My eyes opened as if I were a creaking android waking up from its charging port. I could almost hear the squeaking of the gears in my body. Or perhaps that was the aching of my bones. As my eyes fluttered open I could see my only child, Aria, watching me with a pink box on her lap and a neon print wrapped present by her side. "Mom!" She said happily standing up to see me better. "I told you I wouldn't forget!" She bashfully placed the pink box on my bed. "Go on, open it!" My wrinkled mouth stretched into a weary smile as my shaking hands lif...

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“To Give A Life” by Anna Blass

Submitted to Contest #1

My body aches with every move. My spirit is as young as I used to be, but it’s vessel is broken and battered with one hundred years of use come noon today. My hand trembles with age as my fingers wrap around a glass of water. I can hear children playing outside, and I push myself up with feeble arms to see the young ones. Once, I had one visit me. Cassandra. She was the highlight of my week. She came in and danced for me, twirling and spinning in and intricate...

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“The Big 100” by Madeleine Compton

Submitted to Contest #1

“How does it feel, Mrs Hopkins?” I blink and I’m snapped back to reality. Yanked out of the rabbit-hole of my thoughts that I’d allowed myself to tumble down. I look over to the young nurse standing to my right. “Sorry love,” I croak, “How do I feel about what?”“It says here that your 100th birthday is in two days!” She beams at me. “How do you feel about it?” How do I feel? What a loaded question. On the inside I feel as though I should stand up and take a bow, titling my hat to the audience. The audience who isn’t here. If they w...

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“It's been so long” by Valerye Enriquez

Submitted to Contest #1

I didn't think this day would come but here I am at my 100th birthday. I'm alive. I can barely walk but I can move a few steps at a time. I'm looking around and I see my 30 year old daughter Maria making tamales. The back porch is decorated with a bunch of photos of me throughout the years. I have all my children here including their children and many friends. As I'm walking to the bathroom, I heard the front door open and I look over. You won't believe who it is. It's my ex husband. I'm not sure who invited him but he can leave. We divorced...

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“Centennial Celebration” by Jessica Ashworth

Submitted to Contest #1

The sun shone through the blinds and Dolores began to open her eyes. She slowly blinked and looked around the room. It was a bleak sight, the nursing home was coated in beige paint, with standard no-frills furniture adorning the room. She had one picture framed on her dresser: a black and white wedding photo. The year was 1940 and Dolores was glowing in her white tea-length dress. Her husband Eddie was proudly wearing his dress blues. He went on to serve through WWII and was even awarded the Silver Star for his brave service. He never spoke...

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“Best Birthday Ever” by Margaret Renshaw

Submitted to Contest #1

It wasn’t meant to be like this? How does that song go……’I hope I die before I get old’?I never really wanted to die though. Just thought I’d make the three score and ten and then just fade away until I disappeared. Nothing to be afraid of. Didn’t want pain, disease, dementia. Seen enough of that. One hundred! It’s ridiculous.Oh, I’ve seen them on the tele….. those clowns who think reaching one hundred is something to brag about, who bask in the glory of having made it, as though it’s some kind of personal achievement, like winning an Olympi...

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“The End” by Ketevan Mdzinarishvili

Submitted to Contest #1

Alexandra had decided against having children. She never regretted her decision to live without any offspring. Never having to spend her days surrounded by diapers and screaming children. Never having to miss work for a toddler with a runny nose. Never missing friends’ big days for some minute child-related problems. She found it absolutely ideal. Without the encumbrance of children, her life had been a hodgepodge of experiments in finding herself. She had spent years in college, preparing for a career in law, dedicating hundreds upon ...

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$50

Prize money

139

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 09, 2019 EST

Won by Joseph McLaughlin 🏆

Title: To You

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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