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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

“Sunset on the Overpass” by Sarah Duffey

Submitted to Contest #105

Bystander #1 The concrete vibrated softly underneath us, like being on a lily pad in a pond. A sea of lights flowed toward us before disappearing beneath our feet. Vroom! The boy stood on the wall, holding onto the rusted fence and watching the parade of lights. I looked to the stars for answers. I had been on my way to the convenience store down the road. My friends were expecting me to come back quickly. It was cool outside. I came upon this boy on the overpass, blonde in a grey hoodie, scanning the traffic, the hills in the distance, th...

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“For Everything, There Is A Season” by Trina High

Submitted to Contest #105

TW: miscarriageI awaken when the cock crows, as I have for the last sixty years. Before rising, I stretch my limbs, hoping to alight without pain. The soft 'tick tick tick' of the wall clock accompanies the cricks and cracks that are the hymns of my legs and arms. Jonathan used to joke that we sounded like breakfast cereal when we'd get out of bed. The thought brings a bittersweet smile to my lips, and I ready for takeoff. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, I silently count in my head. And I'm up. One small step for m...

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“Street Cleaners” by Martin Cambridge

Submitted to Contest #105

As the priest walked from one side of the church to the other, he nodded at the statue and silently offered thanks for being the priest in this church, even if it was only in a poor town in a poor country. He had been at this church for six years, but it was quite a comfortable living, in spite of the town being far away from the regional capital. He knew he was lucky and that there were many poor people in his town, but he did not have to worry about this, as his mission was far higher - to save souls. Although the town ...

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“In the Blink of an Eye” by Patricia Jablonski

Submitted to Contest #105

I. Ethel and Leo A Brother in Cordelia First thing to happen, this strange woman calls up. “Ethel?” She says. I hardly have a chance to answer when she goes, “I’m your husband’s brother’s wife and this foolishness has been going on long enough.” I wasn’t real polite then, and that’s not like me. I told her Leo didn’t have a brother, but after a bit she convinced me. According to her, Leo and his brother had a silly argument fifty-two years ago and they haven’t spoken since, bo...

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“Exhibits” by Mike Garrigan

Submitted to Contest #105

Friday, August 5, 2021, 12:22 pm. Evidence. Exhibit A. Eyewitness #1.Format: Audio Recording.My name is Tommy “The Hammer” McGee. You might have heard of me. I won the Golden Gloves in 2001 and 2002. I still box a little, but nowadays, I’m an interpreter. I can speak like nine languages. Ma said that getting hit in the head over and over would turn me into a moron, but maybe it whacked something into place—Tafahma?So, the reason I was at the bank this morning was to deposit my paycheck. I had a med-interp gig down at Baptist. ...

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“A Tale From Long Ago, and New Machinations” by Ryan Haynes

Submitted to Contest #105

My name is Gull. I have been locked away in a maximum security prison for the last 23 years. I have spent this time staring at the same four gray walls, the black and white tv serving as my only connection to the outside world. The one who put me here is an alien that looks like an Earthling, a fellow who is ten years younger than me. He bested me when he was a teenager, has enjoyed more adventures after our battle, and has spent the last 14 years building his own network to spread his heroic vision of w...

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“Journey to finding peace” by Ruth Fernandes

Submitted to Contest #105

The sun is shining brightly outside my car window as I wait at a traffic stop. The sky is a clear blue, the weather a perfect warm; an apt temperature for summer plans; family outings — beach, BBQ, picnic, and the likes. For us, in the car, however, it is quite the opposite. The air in the car is sullen and quiet. I try to make the occasional conversation with my Mum on the back seat, but her replies are in monosyllables. My wife Jess; beside me on the passenger seat, sits silently, mostly in thought, making an occasional comment or a r...

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“The Meet Up” by Dorcas.T Muselemu

Submitted to Contest #105

I know meeting them isn't going to be easy, I wish I didn't have to do this but I know it's the right thing to do. I have always been okay being alone, never needed anyones help. I looked out for myself my whole life and meeting them wouldn't change a thing. I stare at the clock and it's 10hrs in the morning, I am just from taking a shower. The meeting is at 12hrs in the afternoon, I have always been punctual and I must arrive at least an hour earlier. I don't really know what to expect but it's better to get it done with once and for all. I...

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“The Wedding Day” by Kristen West

Submitted to Contest #105

ClaireThe warm zephyr lifted my hair and enveloped me in the rich aroma of espresso from the nearby café. The clouds were voluminous and soft, gliding through the October sky. The comforting rustle of brittle, brilliant leaves drifting in the breeze and crackling under foot punctuated the otherwise quiet scene. Eyes closed and with a slow exhale, I gave myself over to the blissful autumn day.I rarely took time to spend alone, meditating and focusing on just being. Today seemed like an ideal day to be alone, away from the normal th...

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“Second Date?” by Naima Qianna

Submitted to Contest #105

Second Date? By Naima Qianna Kellie I walked into the restaurant at eight o’clock. The hostess greeted me at the front. “Good evening, would you like a table or a seat at the bar?” the hostess asked. “Good evening. I have a reservation under the name Wilson,” I said. She checked the reservations list. “Yes, your table is ready. Follow me,” the hostess said. The seating area was sprinkled with a handful of people ...

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“max's story: the tale of a puppy mill pup” by Violet Nightshade

Submitted to Contest #105

Hi, my name is Max. I'm a dog, and I grew up in a place called a puppy mill. A puppy mill is a place where dogs are bred for profit and are treated poorly. At an early age, I was taken from my mom and placed in a cage with my brothers and sisters. I was the runt of the litter, and no one wanted to adopt me until one day, a gruff looking man named John came to see me. He told my human Sandra that he could use me as bait to train his fighting dogs. I didn't know what that meant so I went with him with little resistance. As we left the p...

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“Who’s the Lier?” by Susan Wells

Submitted to Contest #105

Loud music filled the room, making it hard to hear anything else as we stepped into the Velvet Turtle. An old Survivor song, “Eye of the Tiger,” played on the jukebox. The place was dark interior, black vinyl on the booths, black walls that sucked in the faint glow of light from the neon liquor signs. Scattered throughout the room were round tables; most of them were full. To our far left I could see an outline of a pool table and heard the clackety-thump of a game in progress. I could make out about eight people seated on stools watching a ...

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“It Isn't Daisy's Fault... I See That Now.” by Janet Thorley

Submitted to Contest #105

ROSIE: I see nothing’s changed. Mum is still ensuring the world revolves around darling Daisy, whilst I’m an itch she can’t scratch. “Did you hear, Marjory? Daisy starts at Oxford in the autumn. Two A*s and an A, eh? A child of mine, off to read Chemistry at Oxford,” she says. No mention of the eldest daughter studying paramedic science at Teesside University, but her lack of pride is no surprise. Middlesbrough is not as prestigious. Besides, it’s me. “We visited a few weeks ago,” Daisy states. “Truly amazing and the halls of residen...

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“How bad can it be” by Kayla Thompson

Submitted to Contest #105

So many opinions plague the world. So many ways things ‘should’ be done. Who really is to say which way is the right way? How are we to know that any path that has thus far been found is the correct one to follow? It honestly is outrageously hard to decide, especially when a person has spent such a long time convinced that their path is the only possible one. Granted, this is a path laid before them well before they were of age to make that choice for themselves. This path they walked with a head held high and a heart swollen with pride that...

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“What the gene dreads” by Michael Mannen

Submitted to Contest #105

The sign near the hospital read, "Environment is nothing compared to the gene." As the patient was leaving the hospital, he was eager to see the sign. His greatest fear after leaving the hospital was the gene's power over him. He was shaky when it came to the concept. A man on the street with a tattoo "Will work. In any case, I have an allele.” He asked me for money as I left the hospital. I had no money either. The “gene” is a new tool in the hierarchy of capital. Hereditary screenings that no one comprehended were unavoidabl...

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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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