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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#101: Antanaclasis

Benjamin Franklin’s famous quip “your argument is sound, nothing but sound” may be the best known example of antanaclasis. This is a literary device in which a word is repeated but has two different senses (here, “sound” meaning both “sensible” and “a load of noise”) — reminder that in writing, as in everything, context matters.

With this week’s prompts, we're using antanaclasis as a jumping off point to create stories that play with repetitions, routines, and the importance of context in creating meaning.

This week's prompts

Write about a character doing something they’ve done hundreds of times — only this time, it’s taken on a new meaning.

Character – 148 stories

Write a story about a character who fails to understand something until they have the full context.

Character – 75 stories

Write a story in which the same line recurs three times.

Fiction – 163 stories

Write a story about a character who always repeats themselves.

Character – 45 stories

Write a story that involves a reflection in a mirror.

Horror – 296 stories

Stories

“Return to Me” by Ruth Smith

Submitted to Contest #101

She listened to the sound of the sea as it crashed into the shores of the sound. The tide level was high in the waterway and the winds were blowing strong. Kayla looked out, searching for his ship. There was nothing in sight except for storm clouds. “He better make it home safe,” she said to no one.Kayla turned from the shore and walked sadly inland. She hated this waiting. She blamed herself for this anguish. Kayla had known before she married him that James was a sailor. She knew the risks as well, having lost her father to the sea. Yet sh...

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“The Unread” by Jon R. Miller

Submitted to Contest #101

Losing the capacity to read crushed me. True, I no longer had to conceal my literacy, but that was hardly any consolation. Still, I didn't regret what I did. I would gladly do it again.I hobbled using my cane across the village square to the beverage stand I frequented. Only a few days ago, my eyes recognized writing everywhere. Now the images of the words fell on the retina of my eyes, but the mind no longer registered their form. I couldn’t even picture the alphabet anymore. The Arkeoni had “corrected” me, no doubt making doubly sure the s...

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“Date Night” by Elaine St. Anne

Submitted to Contest #101

Susan didn’t expect to see her brother that day. She was polishing the final draft of her novel, deep into the story, when the phone rang. “Hi Pumpkin. Guess who.” She didn’t have to guess. No one called her Pumpkin-except Bruce. She swallowed hard, feeling like her throat was closing off. “Cat got your tongue?” Bruce’s voice was honey-warm just like on it was TV and in the movies. She struggled to keep her voice smooth. “Just surprised to hear from you.” “Oh, common. Why would you be surprised to hear from you big-little brother?” It was an...

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“Bitter But Sweet, Soft Like Breeze” by Killinjanx Anna

Submitted to Contest #101

I remember once my granny died when I was young—I was ten years old—matured enough to understand things happen around me. She passed away like the silent breeze seeped through your face, so soft and gentle as you didn't realise when it was gone. Ironically, I didn't cry at all when my mom told me she passed away in the early of the morning. I was yawning when she told me but at the same time, I was brushing my eyes when I got woken up. That day was the first ever experienced for me to view death in front of my eyes other than watching from t...

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“Zealous” by Catherine Githui

Submitted to Contest #101

I watched her as she laughed her heart out. She moved closer and leaned next to him. I could see their hands touch. They stood there under the dark sky and the bright stars. The lights of the city illuminated them. Looking at a distance, anyone would have noticed how close they were. In fact, they could have easily been mistaken for lovers. He seemed to enjoy her company, and she seemed to enjoy his company too. My heart burned with jealousy. I felt my heart, burn. You could see my face burn. I breathed in and out with fury. I continued watc...

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“Collateral Damage” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #101

“I can’t stay with you anymore.”The words stung Jeremy’s ears even though he’d heard them many times before. He quietly closed the door behind him and scooted across his bed, knocking a tattered stuffed animal to the floor in the process. He pulled his legs up to his chest, wrapped his arms around them, and ducked his head, a turtle retreating into his shell. “Who the hell is beggin’ you to stay?” The voice from the next room was gruff and slowed by bourbon. “There’s the goddamn door.”Jeremy heard his mother respond but couldn’t quite m...

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“I'll tell you a story...” by Valery Rubin

Submitted to Contest #101

The boss spoke, Alex listened. - Civilization is dying. People have gone mad. For the sake of money, they're willing to do any meanness and murder. Morality? - Nothing to talk about, a waste of time. The church is not able to talk sense into sinners. Their ranks multiply, growing like mushrooms after the rain. Parishioners come to the service in the temple of God, listen to sermons, place a candle, praise Him, but the next day everything repeats again. They confess that they have done wrong, lied, harassed, stolen, raped... just to atone for...

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“The Confidence of a Cat ” by S. F. Brooke

Submitted to Contest #101

Catrina Valeriz — Cat to friends and family — was not a very popular girl. At five foot ten she was a bit of an outcast height wise and to be honest she didn’t have much of a figure. She found that out soon enough when the girls at her middle school made fun of her skinny legs and her freckled face. It didn’t help that she had glasses either. Shooting up like a weed in fifth grade was more of a curse than a blessing when Cat was young. The mirror was her worst enemy, even more than her sexy athletic older sister or the girls that were making...

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“The Woman Next Door” by Amber Davies

Submitted to Contest #101

Abigail started the day the same way she always did. She got out of bed, right foot first, and went immediately over to the window-sill. Each day she would look out over the neighbourhood. Usually, afterwards, she would walk over to her mirror, brush her hair, before tying it back into a tight, slick ponytail in an effort to look professional for her job as a receptionist in the local, failing, law firm. Abigail had always been one to stick to routines. She’d had the same thing for breakfast every day since she was seventeen, now aged t...

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“Happily Ever Avenged” by Kira Krieger

Submitted to Contest #101

I had been out longer than I wanted. Than I promised. The city clock tower mocked me with the fact. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven! Eight! It was dark and cold. I tried to rush home as if it would give me back those two hours. Give those two hours back to my little sister who’s spent them alone. I walked faster with every shiver, risking making every slick spot into another delay, but it was worth it to see the candle flame twirling in the window of the small cabin that had become our home far from town and the people we once k...

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“The Power to Humiliate” by Ulfa Hassan

Submitted to Contest #101

I have been teaching for almost a year. I am accustomed to it now; the ways of the children and the work I must put in to ensure lessons run smoothly. On Monday mornings, I teach English and then History in the afternoon. The children tend to get somewhat rowdy after they have finished their lunch, like a group of football fans on a pub crawl after they’ve had a couple of drinks. It was difficult for me at first, to shout at the children when they don’t listen. It seems barbaric, inhuman to do such a thing. But I have lear...

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“I Can't Keep Doing This” by Annalisa D.

Submitted to Contest #101

TW: suicide Music is all we really had in common, so creating a tribute song makes sense. Well, music, suicidal thinking, and trouble with women, if I’m being fully honest. A funeral isn’t the place for bitterness though. Now isn’t the time to dwell on all the unanswered questions. I’ll have the rest of my life to lose sleep ponder them. I hold my cigarette between my lips while my fingers strum the guitar. My foot taps in a steady rhythm like...

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“A Tribute” by Fiery Red

Submitted to Contest #101

The lady at number 213 woke to the first ray of light at dawn. Today the day was gloomier than usual. The grey clouds hid the sun and the trees danced back and forth in the wind. She was not compelled to start her day at six, but alas old habits die hard. She wrapped the shawl that sat on a rickety chair beside her bed. The chair too was old like her and a little blemished with age. It was made for her brother when he had started to go to school. Nevertheless, she used the chair like a pillar and slowly stood on her feet. Her legs were stiff...

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“A Time I Knew Myself” by NJ Stell

Submitted to Contest #101

My mind is haunted by the image of myself in the mirror. Tears appear to be burning in my eyes. What is the source of my anguish? What have I done so wrong that I am subjected to such inhumane treatment? Nothing in my 18 years of life has been easy. Nothing has gotten to the point where I had to choose which worked best for me. The big day had arrived. The day I accepted my tragic fate. 25th of June, 2021 Dear Dairy I'm at a point in my life where some things are difficult for me to adjust to. Strange new happenings, and good conv...

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“The Beauty We Refuse to See.” by Oluwadara Efunbote

Submitted to Contest #101

When I say my family is weird, people simply say: "Brooke, don't say that, I'm sure your family are lovely people", or something along the lines of that.I just reply to them like: "nope, they are weird."They are all obsessed with something.My dad's life is all about healthy living, working out and vegetables. I was fine with it, until he started waking me up at four o clock in the morning to jog around the neighborhood!My mom; fashion. If you think that's not so bad, think again. The word "obsession" can't be used in a good way.My brother Br...

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$50

Prize money

729

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 09, 2021 EST

Won by Mary Sheehan 🏆

Title: Colleen

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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