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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 – 295 stories

Stories

“The Boring” by Deborah Curci

Submitted to Contest #101

By Deborah Curci, writing as Kate Kersey Boris stood at the window, looking at the tossing sea that spread from horizon to horizon. He was alone when he muttered, “I just can’t take it anymore… the, the boring…”. He twitched lightly, shoulder meeting cheek, arms wrapped around himself in a reassuring self-hug. The well drilling rig had been out in the sea for as long as anyone cared to remember. It was as much part of the view as the gulls and the waves. Deep beneath those waves was a drill so large, with a bit so huge and fierce,...

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“Positively Yours” by Jon R. Miller

Submitted to Contest #101

“I’m positive.”I paused and clarified myself. “I mean. . .I’m a positive thinker. An optimist.”It was the first day of beginner’s Japanese class. To break the ice, Kenji—our teacher—had each of us describe ourselves with one word, and he rendered the word into Japanese for us.The class fell silent as we waited for Kenji’s translation. The spring gale churned the sounds and scents of urban nightlife from the street below and rammed them through the cracked open window. I longed for one of those alcoholic concoctions humans poured down their t...

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“Dugout” by Drew Kizer

Submitted to Contest #101

According to the policies determined by the board of the Milton County Little League baseball program, a coach may protest an umpire’s call as long as he informs the umpire of his intention during the game and submits $100 to the board at the time of his protest, which will be deposited either into the coffers of the Office of Parks and Recreation or back into the coach’s wallet after the meeting, depending on the board’s decision. I have coached Little League for six years, since my oldest son turned seven, and I have protested a call only ...

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“Three's The Charm” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #101

When you were growing up, did your mother or father call you to do something but you were too absorbed in doing something of your own? Not ignoring them, just really caught up in your moment? Concentration is a powerful thing. My mother would often call me to come to supper. After lunch I would often spend hours doing the same thing. I frequently didn’t hear her call me, but that didn't mean I was asleep. Eventually I would hear her voice, yes. But I wanted to pretend I hadn't. I had my book and wasn’t hungry. After all, we’d just had...

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“Meep- The Meepening.” by Consistently Lost

Submitted to Contest #101

"Meep" I look at the frazzled red haired puppet to my side. "What?" "Meep." He persists. "But I have to tell him." I shrug off his suggestion. "I know he's going to get mad but he deserves to know." "Meep meep?" "Cause," I pause not really knowing how to answer that question. "Meep." He rolls his eyes. "Excuse me?" I look at him offended. "I am not looking for drama." "Meep." He states blatantly. "Well. FINE then." I fold my arms, looking away. I feel the soft plush of his hand caressing my shoulder, and an apologetic Meep...

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“Mirrored” by Katharine Widdows

Submitted to Contest #101

She cut Dad that particular frown, and cut through his harsh exterior. A trick I had never learned despite having exactly the same face as her.‘If you lock me up here any longer I’ll run away. I swear you will just wake up one day and I’ll be gone.’ Marie stomped up a couple of stairs then stopped and turned as if to yell some more.‘OK, OK, you can go, but back by ten.’ Dad said, leaving the room before he changed his mind.‘How do you do that?’ I curled my lip.‘I’m the favourite. I was born six minutes earlier than you, they’ve loved me long...

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“Someone Else” by Shaquita B.

Submitted to Contest #101

I waved as my grandmother pulled out of the parking spot and drove away. Heading up the stairs and towards the doors of the huge brick building, I stopped, turned around, and peered into the road. Once her red Toyota Camry was out of sight, I began walking down the stairs and in the opposite direction. People were out and about, and I took in the various storefronts, including the florist shop and a yoga studio. I was in a great mood and had worn my favorite pink and white polka dot fit-and-flare dress. The heels of my white pumps tapped aga...

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“It's Quiet” by Frostie Whinery

Submitted to Contest #101

It's quiet. No, not exactly. There's sound, faint— a distant chorus vibrating from the trees outside my window where the katydid's quaver: katy katy did, katy katy didn't. katy katy did, katy katy didn't. It's an endless cry that I easily close my eyes to, nothing like the cry of a newborn, the newborn sleeping, finally, in the bassinet next to me. The thought of his cry jolts me and I sit up. Is he breathing? I stare at him: his chest, his ribs, waiting, watching, counting my own heartbeats until wait— I shuffle ...

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“Amaya's Armour” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #101

He will be the first born during the eclipse on the thousandth anniversary of the Last Battle with Fire and Light. He will breathe in Water. He will bring back the rainclouds and the night. He will defeat the Lord of Fire and Light or doom the world to never sleep again. Based on that prophecy Tomesha Phaedra had drowned every boy born on the prophesized date and the day before and after just to be sure. The Lord of Bleached Bones had taken no chances. Despite that Amaya Ara had been found by a group called the Hidden from the Temple of ...

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“Grow up” by Ash Barwick

Submitted to Contest #101

The car ride seemed like hours, the energy wasn't easy and my body was tense, my jaw clenched and there was so many things I wanted to yell at him.I have grown past that violence, I no longer re act that way, even though my body tried and my mind tried a little hard, I didn't let myself slip.It was only a 30min trip in reality.I asked him how the food was, he's reply was "ok"Simple dead end conversations all the way.Then I composed myself from anger to love, looked him in the eyes, I told him it was time to grow up, that he's wasted the last...

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“Three times three” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #101

The only thing I remembered the moment I opened my eyes, is that all the light flashes and dot covering my eyes, and a clear conclusion hitting my head: - I am in heaven. I died – while listening to angelic voices originated in my dreams and rebounding in my confusing ears. In the middle of the dots, think I saw somebody opening an unexpected door , slowly opening and fastly closing. An unrecogni...

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“I'll Be Back” by Amy Jayne Conley

Submitted to Contest #101

“I’ll be back.” With that, he was gone. A swish of a coat. Silence enveloped the room, ripping a hole in my chest a little bigger each time. I knew it was coming, every time. He can never stay, that’s his rule. At first, I was happy with that. No strings attached, we both got to live our lives, but there was a huge string attached that neither of us acknowledged. I’m his. He’s mine. I know enough not to tell him I caught feelings, but I want to. I know he has a history, I know he’s bad for me. But for those precious hours we spend togethe...

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“The Repetition Task” by Navitha Paranavithana

Submitted to Contest #101

“Oh ,how many times have I pulled off early mornings and late nights every day which were dedicated to learning a new song on piano. But, I think I’ve barely scratched the surface of becoming a great pianist,” my inner voice scolded me aggressively.I didn't actually mean to treat myself like that, but sadly my ego took it too far. I was not a huge fan of music and I had a mixture of an amateur and soldier mindset, which is not the mindset that you would wish to have in your life. I was proud, reluctant and wanted to be spotlighted as a great...

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“A mysterious fatherhood of a child” by Sharon Wang

Submitted to Contest #101

“No! No! No! I’m too young to be a husband! I’m only in elementary school!" I shouted to my “wife” Ema, the pig. Yes, a pig… Not even another human being, a pig. When I was in elementary school, my class was learning about health and how babies are produced. We had only learned a tiny bit before the school year ended. From what I had gathered, in order to produce a human, it only took two people sleeping together. As a child I lived on the farm, I had plenty of friends and we loved to play hide and seek. Once, I decided to hide below s...

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“The Scent of Freedom” by Nidhi Bhattacherjee

Submitted to Contest #101

Saba's light footsteps were all that could be heard around the house. Everyone else was fast asleep, as should Saba be too. But she had planned an adventure for herself: one from which she didn't plan to return. Clutching the straps of her backpack tightly, she made an effort to keep the noise she made to a minimum. This was the night she had planned for the past year, and she couldn't mess it up now. She had met Ajay four years ago. She remembered that day like it was yesterday. She had been walking down the main lobby of her college, tryin...

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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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