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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#132: Time to Blume

On February 12th, Judy Blume turns 84 — and her bestselling book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, is finally becoming a feature film this year. To celebrate, we’re featuring prompts based on the YA classic released over 50 years ago.

If you need a refresher, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret follows 6th grader Margaret Simon in her quest for a religious identity. Her mother was raised Christian, her father Jewish. They’ve decided not to impose one belief or the other on their daughter, but that leaves Margaret longing for a god of her own to talk to.

Dive into this blast-from-the-past and relive your childhood reading by writing a story based on one of our five Judy Blume prompts.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a character saying “Are you there, God? It’s me…”

Dialogue – 108 stories

Write a story where a character is exploring their religious or spiritual identity.

Fiction – 59 stories

Write a story about a couple with fundamentally different beliefs.

Valentine's Day – 23 stories

End your story with a character saying “Thank you, God. Thanks an awful lot.” (sarcastically or not).

Dialogue – 44 stories

Write a story about a teenager whose family is moving.

Teens – 46 stories

Stories

“Deviation” by Kelita Sim

Submitted to Contest #132

The family of three (minus Caleb’s wife, who had booked a solo all-day retreat last minute without telling her husband) rattled through the turnstile after the holiday club rep Carmita as she signalled the direction of the activity pool and facilities.“Be quick,” she warned, in accented English, and tapped on her Casio as Caleb steered his family towards the changing room, “the swimming has already started.”The family changing room was completely empty, much to Caleb’s relief. With a huge sigh, he allowed the luggage he’d manoeuvred from the...

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“Eternity” by Jean Lagacé

Submitted to Contest #132

"Are you there God? It's me." When I awoke, there was someone on the bed. I hadn’t slept too well and I mostly sensed the intruder’s presence by the pressure he applied on the box spring than by seeing who he was. Then my eyes adjusted to the semi darkness and I realized that it was God who had come to visit me. This put me in a kind a stupor. Why was God so near that I could touch his clothing? Well, more like drapery than sensible clothes. He had plenty of beard and hair, both white. Still, he looked younger than me, all dressed up in one ...

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“The CheKa” by Ron French

Submitted to Contest #132

T he frightening news arrives that Lenin's dreaded secret police, the CheKa are in the area, searching for the Dyachenko family. For Bohdan Dyachenko to know that the CheKa is now hunting specifically for him, not just any bourgeois, is terrifying. It is equally worrying for the villagers, who realise that their risk is greater than before, as the CheKa must have information that the Dyachenko family is hidden close by. So far the villagers have avoided their village being trashed, by accepting the Red revolutionary demands. N...

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“The Cabin ” by Harriett Ford

Submitted to Contest #132

The CabinThe afternoon drifted into the ravine like a cat on little fog feet. Yeah, I know, the Sandburg metaphor is reversed. However, the storm soon followed on the sharp claws of a ravening wolf.Lightning glinted like steely teeth visible in the wind-whipped mouths of darkening clouds. My English lit teacher says I’m good at figurative language.It was time to dive for shelter, and I had no idea where to find even an overhang in the rocky walls beside me. I was in for a soaking or worse if the swollen stream I had followed became a raging ...

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“Son of the Eagle” by Paul Brown

Submitted to Contest #132

Son of the Eagle.Garrick is freezing, his breath frosting in the tiny compartment. Why did I agree to this he thinks frowning, oh yeah it was his bright idea, nice one dumbass? Infiltration being his specialisation or just something he is generally good at usually, but it was a crazy idea, which might be a more appropriate term for his little adventure at this precise moment. Is he losing consciousness again? He stumbles the few centimetres into the cold metal wall in front of him with a dull thud, wincing at the noise, hoping that no one wo...

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“Moving On” by Susannah Meghans

Submitted to Contest #132

“Why now?” Sandy thought. What was the point of doing this now? She thought of all her friends, knowing she would never see them again. Her frustration grew until she wanted to scream and throw something, anything around her. “How would that change things?” she thought in protest. The decision had been made and there was nothing she could change it. Her bedroom walls were a pale yellow, which always cheered her up until now. Now they se...

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“Moving” by Warner Witherell

Submitted to Contest #132

“It’s not just cold it’s dry too. In the summer it’s nice but in the winter when I sleep my tongue cracks. Right down the middle in the front. And when I wake up and I can sense it and I try to fold my tongue in on itself to feel the little gap. And there’s a weird taste in my throat, part of it is I’m dehydrated but it’s like I didn’t brush my teeth the night before even if I did. And not just my tongue but my thighs, they get so dry they crack. I get these chalky white lines and when I’m wearing pants it itches. So I scratch it and scratch...

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“A Spring Morning Blows Up” by Eric Coulson

Submitted to Contest #132

I never expected to be sitting here, in the California Department of Motor Vehicles hoping to get my driver’s license on my 16th birthday. But here I am. I had a four o’clock appointment and the man who would be my mom’s next husband had brought me. We were going to be waiting awhile. We were number 84; they weren’t even to 70 yet. Man, when I get my license I can get out of here. Well maybe not out on my own, but at least down to Tower Records. I won’t be stuck at home every night. And her next hus...

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“THE START OF SOMETHING NEW” by Paula Young

Submitted to Contest #132

THE START OF SOMETHING NEW BY Paula E. Young "Libby, your dad has orders again! Guess where!" The pecan leaves were just beginning to turn with the first hint of fall in the air. Lorraine caught up with her daughter, Libby, walking the dog. "Mom! Where and WHEN? This is my senior year of high school! We can't move now!!" Libby swished her dark brown ponytail back and forth and held her hands to her mouth, dreading her mot...

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“The second time I died.” by Alexandra David

Submitted to Contest #132

This story is written in response to the prompt "Write a story about a teenager whose family is moving." - contest organised by Reedsy. Story content: My love life is ending just as fast as it began. It’s ending because of them. It’s not enough they keep breathing down my neck all the live long day since Jonathan was caught red handed at Jan’s party 3 months ago. Like it was my fault. I mean, yeah, we hang out and everything, but it’s not like I put that stuff in his backpack, used it or gave it to others. I wasn’t even there at the party...

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“MY SQUIRREL IS FLYING” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #132

MY SQUIRREL IS FLYING “ You will see how many friendships you’ll make there in the city, of course even ( with) girls” His mother kept repeating him for days. “Oh, think, you will go to a very prestigious school ,the renowned international high school Albert Einstein “ &nbs...

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“Strawberry Jam” by Deborah Elliott

Submitted to Contest #132

“Are you there, God? It’s one of your own.”“I have to say, I didn’t expect you’d manage to take time out to talk with me. I just prayed you would, and now I’m here in your beautiful palace. Everything is so awesome-looking, and I can hear the angelic choir down the hall. I’ve never heard music like it before; it’s way different from Heavy Metal and Rap, but it’s catchy; I will never forget it. Anyway, there are a couple of things on my mind. I know you already know everything, but if you just let me say what I’v...

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“Sorry” by Danaé Morriah

Submitted to Contest #132

“Are you there, God? It’s me, Kin.” He said as he knelt on the floor of his closet. He prayed for a way out, with no obvious rescue in sight he hoped for a miracle. Kin knew he was trapped in the mayhem of his own devising. He had done this to himself and now there was no way out of it. As his hands shook, fingers locked together, he hoped that God had heard his words. Even as his bedroom door squeaked open, and he could hear boots on the hardwood floo...

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“Are You There” by James Morris

Submitted to Contest #132

“Are you there, God? It’s me. I know I don’t deserve you listening to me. I think the last time I called on you was when I was just a child. But if you are there, I could really use your help.” The dry desert air made the coolness seem more acceptable. Jason stayed on his knees with his hands cuffed, looking into the clear, starry night. His cuts on his face and arms had already clotted. “I know I haven’t called on you, or prayed, or… whatever. But if you exist, I could really use your help.” He could still see the taillights of the S...

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“Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey” by Marcia H.

Submitted to Contest #132

Are you there God? It's me, Hortece. It’s been a while since we have actually had a sit down conversation. You know I rarely go to church anymore and my grandma, Nana, is probably rolling in her grave on that one. She took us to church, me and my sister every Sunday that she could and sometimes even my bad cousins who couldn’t keep still to save their necks. She was always pinching one of them to sit still and of course they wouldn’t. Their mother blamed it on the fact that they were boys but we knew better. Them being boys had nothing to do...

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$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

127

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 11, 2022 EST

Won by Adam El Nabli 🏆

Title: Inshallah

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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