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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

“Perfect Tyler” by Danny G

Submitted to Contest #105

CW: suicideTheo shoved me to the ground, “Nice clothes, nerd” he laughed. Behind him, his two cronies laughed and I scowled at them.“Where’d you find them? The dumpster?”More laughter.“Hey! Leave him alone!”I looked up and saw Tyler running over. Tyler was six-feet tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. A star footballer and the most popular kid in school. Theo snorted, “What are you gonna do, pretty boy?”Tyler didn’t back down, “You really wanna find out?”He towered over Theo. It was a minute of staring before Theo stepped back. “Fine,” ...

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“Daily Commute” by Ashton Newland

Submitted to Contest #105

Lost in my thoughts, I step sleepily from my apartment complex’s steps into the cool morning mist in the city. Heading left, I stop by my favorite coffee cart to get my morning dark roast coffee, boiled eggs, and bagel. I stash the eggs and bagel in my bag for later and head towards my bus stop around the corner. Cars around me are impatiently honking their horns to nudge the sleepier drivers forward. A bus rushes past me momentarily displacing the atmosphere around it into the surrounding pedestrians. The shuffling feet of the other ...

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“Dear Wilbur, Do You Remember How I Loved You?” by Lisa D

Submitted to Contest #105

Dear Wilbur,Do you remember when we first met? I do. I was the new kid at school, getting teased out of my mind for my pink light up shoes, and my hands trembling. I remember locking myself in the bathroom, tears filling my eyes. And I remember you. You, barging in, like the sun after a thunderstorm, lighting up my life like those sketchers I lost so long ago. Did I ever tell you that you were my sun? You were. You lit up every day after that, every moment.I remember the day he came into the picture too. The new kid, the british exchange stu...

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“Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime” by Eric D.

Submitted to Contest #105

Donovan Lewinsky was one of the most well known influential names in the last decade, at least according to the music world where he had established himself as a pop icon with international recognition. His face would be plastered on every magazine outlet, television and trending social media app. Everyone knew exactly where he would be, even his mundane decisions would have consequential impacts on trends. For example, Don had taken a trip to Quito and the world's eyes were on Ecuador for the few weeks he was there, scrutinizing every ...

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“Happy at Last, See” by Cass Marie

Submitted to Contest #105

"Happy at Last, See" "I just don't get it, Raelene. Sometimes I think the Lord put your brain in backwards. Why do you think you should marry that man after everything he has already put you through?" Of course, Michelle, my best friend of forever, didn't understand. She had never been in love. She left highschool for college, and then into her (almost) dream career as an assistant librarian. She finds love in books...romance novels, she calls them...what do books know an...

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“None so Blind” by Elaine St. Anne

Submitted to Contest #105

I am trying to see things from my husband’s point of view. It is not easy because my eyes are filled with tears. I am grateful for the tears as they have washed away the red film of rage. This evening, after dinner, when we were sitting under the giant Live Oak in our Low Country backyard, Stan, my husband, started in again. ”It was a mistake to move here. I should never have forced you to make such a giant change in your lifestyle. You have never adjusted.” I sipped my Gin and Tonic, the favored cocktail with our new Southern neighbors. No ...

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“Best Friends” by Christine Cassello

Submitted to Contest #105

BEST FRIENDS 1,086 words Janie opened her mail and read the invitation to a Halloween party that Manuella was giving. She looked at the envelope she had just opened to make sure that it was addressed to her and she had not received it by mistake. I wonder what she’s up to, Janie thought. At school the next day, Janie saw Manuella and Karen in the coat room. “Thank you for inviting me to your party, Manuella,” Janie said. “Oh, I had to invite all of the kids in the class or my Mom wouldn’t let me have a party,” Manuella told her. “W...

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“In Lumina Morte” by Drei Etsocal

Submitted to Contest #105

"Starting today, March 16, there will be a nationwide lockdown..." the country's president declared. My jaw dropped at the announcement. Cristine groaned and complained about what she heard. Sam shouted a protest and Martin stomped their feet towards the chicken to cook our lunch mumbling things that mean complaint with the situation. Sam got back to playing with the kids after the flash news. Cristine looked at me anxiously, "Why of all this time, Ate? And when we were going to get back to our hometown? This is outrageous and mad!" I ...

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“Three Minds Intertwined ” by Grace Kalu

Submitted to Contest #105

Lucille's POVI wished I never set foot in this house in the first place because the next I knew, I received the beating of my life. I lay there on the floor, crying, groaning in pain and agony. All I wanted to do was have a little freedom, roam the mysterious streets of my land, but instead, I come home to an unexpected incident. My life couldn't get any worse. "Pull yourself together," I told myself. I took a concentrating shower, bu...

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“Keisha's wedding day” by Olwethu Ntimbane

Submitted to Contest #105

The preacher was running late, the church was over crowded and the groom was nowhere to be found. You called me to explain what a terrible day you were having. You didn't know it at the time but my day had been much worse. I came up to your suite to try and comfort you. I felt the cold stares from your bridesmaids and make-up lady who clearly didnt want me there. "Whats wrong?" I asked. "The congregation is way more than we expected, Lance still isnt here and now the preacher just called and said his car broke down so he's gonna be abit la...

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“Knee-deep in Nonsense” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #105

The devil he claims is a friend of his. I know he doesn’t mean that, but then again, maybe he does. I gave up a long time ago attempting to analyze the unanalyzable. I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but then you don’t know Jude. I hope!Jude is one of those people who believe in astrology, stars, moons, horoscopes, and hororscopes. Most people believe in all kinds of things, but not hororscopes. I asked Jude what that even means. I know what a horoscope is; like being mind read by the celestials, who...

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“Not Seeing Is Believing” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #105

Not Seeing Is Believing Jarod had struggled academically his entire life. Now, finally, he saw himself on the verge of a real future. High school graduation in his rearview mirror and a promising career in IT only awaited his completion of the three-month course--starting the following week. He had scour...

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“RavenWolf” by Samuel Bowen

Submitted to Contest #105

"The winds of winter guard my home, swirling and surrounding me in a shield of nature itself. No beasts hunt in the rifts of the mountains, save for the Jötnar. Thus, with the tales of giants, no man dare venture here. My home between stone is the only haven on the edge of Midgard; defended by the chaos of nature and the fear of myth. No man could find me here." The Norseman sighed. "I did not prepare for guests, young Valkyrie." The Norseman sat at the back of the cave illuminated by the curling flames of a campfire. His fa...

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“Different” by Em Stolt

Submitted to Contest #105

It all started normal. Every day of every week, the same. Month after month, year after year. The same. It happened fast. The day the rhythm stopped, and his life was changed forever. He was walking. His mind clouded with the events of the day. All the same. He checked his watch. It was the same watch he had bought ten years ago. The day he got the job. An ordinary job. Lots of papers, lots of work. Never changing. The job paid well, just enough to pay the bills and feed him. He didn’t own a car. He didn’t need one. He walked everywhere, eve...

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“Through His Eyes” by Alejandra Mora

Submitted to Contest #105

William was not the man I had thought him to be, and he’d hurt me for the last time. I couldn’t endure anymore of the turmoil he’d been putting me through, the ups and downs, the unpredictable moods, the unfounded jealousy. There had been rumors about him and his last wife, about his being abusive. I didn’t know what to believe though, since he never laid a hand on me. It was quite evident that there had been some buzz worthy drama since everyone in the office advised me against dating him and then eventually marrying him. But I ignored...

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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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