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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#105: Gaining Perspective

Selecting which point of view to tell their story from is one of the most crucial choices an author can make. Whether you opt for the intimacy of first person (“I”), the directness of second person (“you”), or the versatility of third person (“they”), this decision is critically important in creating a story that resonates with readers. Identifying your POV characters is also of the utmost importance: a story might actually be more interesting when told not from the perspective of the action hero, but through the eyes of their overshadowed, long-suffering sidekick.

With this week’s prompts, I’d like you to consider your choice of perspective, and maybe try something new! Put yourself into the shoes of an unexpected character — or ask your character to consider another’s point of view. How meta!

Like I mentioned, we’re currently working on some big changes to Prompts. With that in mind, we’re asking again for you to submit your stories 24 hours earlier than usual, to make those changes possible. The deadline for submitting a story to this week’s contest is 11:59PM EST on Thursday, August 5th. Stay tuned!

This week's prompts

Write a story from the point of view of three different characters.

Character – 191 stories

Write about a person trying to see something from another’s point of view.

Nonfiction – 92 stories

Write your story from the perspective of a side character.

Character – 143 stories

Write a story that switches between first person and third person point of view.

Kids – 100 stories

Write about a character who can suddenly see through another person's eyes — literally.

Adventure – 131 stories

Stories

“The Third Eye” by Sakshi Pansari

Submitted to Contest #105

"Hey You, Come here", Someone from the back called me. "Yes sir", in a serving voice I answered. It was cold and chilly wind blowing and I with my 3 friends Rohan Rima and Vijay were in the hotel room waiting for the client to come. The client came and the meeting started. "If you want me to sign the deal then you have to do something that I will say, there may be a chance of losing life", the client said. "But sir how is this possible for us we are here for professional purpose and this is not the deal", Rima said. "You can decide if you...

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“Chemistry” by Nikki Rae Jensen

Submitted to Contest #105

Before I opened my eyes, I know what kind of day I was in for. I’m filled with the overwhelming urge to cry and scream at the same time. How can I wake up with this much emotion? Nothing has happened to me in the last nine hours but I am so angry. I kick off the sheets in frustration, throw myself out of bed, and stomp into the bathroom, shutting the door. “I’ll make your tea,” he says softly from the room. I inwardly groan with shame. Luke is about to make my tea and make me breakfast before clearing out of the house so I can have space t...

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“Dead Eyes” by Mel Kheios

Submitted to Contest #105

"You sure this is gonna work?" Jesse asks uneasily, toying with the patch covering the emptiness where his left eye used to be. Hanzo slaps his hand away and adjusts it back into place. "No." "Yer confidence is so inspiring," Jesse mutters. Hanzo doesn't reply, striking a match to light the pair of incense sticks on the low table between them. The scent of burning wood drifts into warm sage, filling up the small space quickly. "That really necessary?" "You are incapable of relaxing on your own," Hanzo points out bluntly, flicking...

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“A Medium Medium” by Alexander Kozdra

Submitted to Contest #105

“He’s sitting on a sofa, watching the Knicks I think.” “You think? Dammit I thought you could see?” He’d hire me to consult to track this guy. We were in a quiet white room. Lights off. It was one of the interrogation rooms leftover from the days when they were needed. “ A light blue wall. No defining features. A bachelor pad if I ever saw one. We ain’t even get up for commercials.” “That’s it? C’mon Charlie, give me something.” “It’s a bit fuzzy.” No doubt a transmitter error, I think. “I think it could be any apartment in Brooklyn. Hel...

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“Through her eyes and heart ” by Corina Savu

Submitted to Contest #105

It's a hot summer, but I'm trying to enjoy it. I know this will be the last one, no matter how hard I try to deny it. I'm waiting for a miracle. I don't even know why I'm waiting for her, but I'm waiting. Ultimately, destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. It is not something to be expected, it is something to be done. It is not about luck, it is about everyone's choice. How stupid! It is natural for doctors to give false hopes through pompous quotes. If it were a choice, then I would choose to start a family in the next f...

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“Into The Eye” by Malame Faida

Submitted to Contest #105

My name is Hope. They say names are more than just an identity. Sometimes it's a prayer, a gift or even a curse. I never understood the meaning of my name until the day I turned eighteen. The age eighteen represents so much people. To others it represents freedom, to some it's a painful memory and to others it's the beginning of something new. I'm not sure which of those represents me, but one thing am certain of is that I didn't ask for it. On the morning I turned eighteen, I woke up feeling different. Call it a hunch or paranoia, I instant...

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“The Retina” by Mon Salai

Submitted to Contest #105

Thomas rapidly opened the doors to his room, screaming out loudly. ,,Mom where did you put my red shirt? I can’t find it, so obviously you had to put it somewhere!’’ His mother is in the kitchen at this time preparing food for the family. He can clearly hear the sound of glass plates being placed on the table and the smell… the smell that makes everyone hungry - chips coming along with fried chicken. Thomas screamed again. ,,Vanessa are you deaf? Where is my red shirt!’’ ,,Calm down Thomas, its all gonna be okay, we will ...

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“Pretty Views” by You'd Think A Writer Would Have A More Creative Name .

Submitted to Contest #105

1091 wordsRated PG; blood, painPrompt: Write about a character who can suddenly see things through another person's eyes--literally.Author's note: Really short story because this can't be extended.“Uh, I think it worked?”“Yeah, that’s right! It did! We did it!”Nama runs over and hugs me. She hides her face from me, burying it into my chest. I know why. However, I appreciate it, so I don’t call her out. It’s a little weird, with her being almost my height, but I can’t complain. She's also probably hiding so she doesn’t have to look at me, to ...

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“The Fourth Mamoru” by Penny Polendina

Submitted to Contest #105

*sequel to On the Brink of War* Matriarch Aloina Asi, daughter of the imperial Asi Clan of Hanei, thought herself to be a fairly reasonable person. She listened intently and without bias to the pleas of her citizens that came from all corners of their nation, and made swift and effective decisions in the face of danger. Her popularity amongst the common folk was fairing excellently, as well. However, breaking into the Rainforest Sanctuary, standing before the Kiniro Pond witho...

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“The Wash House” by Peter Larsen

Submitted to Contest #105

2020 The auctioneer licked his lips. Down to the last two bidders. He stood to make a killing on the commission- a little more spruiking should do the trick. “Ladies and gentleman, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure a piece of local history.” A murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd. “This property was owned and occupied by one family for almost 100 years. It has been lovingly cared for and is a time capsule of life as it used to be.” He waited for the gravitas of his speech to sink in to the assembled throng. Peopl...

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“Green Rivers” by Anne Perry

Submitted to Contest #105

1. The best thing about being in Branson, Missouri, ordering "Green Rivers" at the drugstore. The counter boy would squeeze fresh limes and add sugar, a thick green syrup, and soda water. It would get frothy, and I’d sit up with my legs wrapped around the red stool feeling proud I knew what to order. Back then, anyone who came in for a Coke or a shake seemed ignorant. Me and my sister and brother would stay in that store for hours, drinking our Green Rivers and wishing...

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“Does Anyone Even Know Anymore?” by Oliver Paradox

Submitted to Contest #105

Ame"It's hard to tell who has your back, from who has it long enough just to stab you in it."― Nicole Richie⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧⪧Ame paced back and forth, tossing the powerful ring that she had confiscated from her irresponsible companion into the air. Tension filled the empty space, adding extra awkwardness to the silence that had materialized after the recent argument. Finally, Joss took a breath and broke it."I never specifically said that this was a good idea!""Then why did you help her do it?""It was her plan, not mine!...

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“It is just the beginning of our story” by Muffin Hill

Submitted to Contest #105

When I first left my home for school, that was the beginning, of our encounter, of our cutest story.After graduating from community college, I was so excited to get rid of those crazy and naïve boys who thought they were superior and cocky about everything. They were actually just stupid and liked bullying girls for nothing. Out of excitement and dreams of an academic world, I went to a city that is white dominated and only speaks your language. I thought I could be living good there. I went to the University that seems kind and offering me ...

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“Kisses and Axes” by Racheli Berkowitz

Submitted to Contest #105

Most people don’t anticipate meeting an axe murderer right when they walk into their home. It would be a rather strange meeting, mused Alice, as she wrestled with the doorknob. Strange, but not unexpected. Well, not to her. There wasn’t much she didn’t expect anymore. Said axe murderer placed a pale hand on her shoulder before her bright pink flip-flop shod feet could even touch the floor of the small entranceway. Surprised in spite of herself, Alice lurched forward and stumbled into a chokehold. “Ah…she falls ...

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“"And whose fault was that?!"” by Rumeysa Mert

Submitted to Contest #105

CarolShortly after the ding sound, the familiar stinking smell of Mom’s cheap shampoo filled the air; they were behind the door but the odor was so strong it passed every obstacle. Mom always used that shampoo because it was even cheaper than soap. Mom made us use it too; I always hated it, it made my already itching head feel like a dozen bees stung it. Maybe it was a mistake.I tried to shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen… And I was to blame… I arranged this…Soon they were knocking on the door. Even though we were ...

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$50

Prize money

662

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 05, 2021 EST

Won by Vi Bisky 🏆

Title: The Next Good Day

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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