#136: The Old College Try
Though its origins are debated, it looks likely that the phrase âthe old college tryâ was first used in baseball. According to Babe Ruth, to âgive something the old college tryâ is to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you â like chasing a flyball out into foul territory, just in case you somehow make the impossible catch.
Thereâs a lot to be said for those who keep trying despite knowing that their chances are slim. This weekâs prompts take a closer look at those determined (or perhaps foolhardy) folk among us. After all, as the saying goes, God loves a trier.
đĽ Winner
âCigarettes: A Romanceâ by Howard Halsall
đ Winner of Contest #136
âď¸ Shortlisted
âHackâ by Deidra Whitt Lovegren
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âOf glints, and collecting firefliesâ by B. Oyewole
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âDead Man On Trainâ by Valerie Vince
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âThe Last Hussarâ by Chris Campbell
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âHow to Play Shortstopâ by Sarah Duffey
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
This week's prompts
Start or end your story with someone saying âYouâll never know unless you try.â
Dialogue â 57 stories
Write about somebody who knows theyâre probably going to fail at something, but does it anyway.
Narrative â 32 stories
Write about a character giving something one last shot.
Narrative â 51 stories
Set your story on a baseball field.
Middle School â 39 stories
Write a story where hard work doesnât pay off.
Angst â 28 stories
Stories
âCigarettes: A Romanceâ by Howard Halsall
đ Winner of Contest #136
âHackâ by Deidra Whitt Lovegren
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âSix Shades of Splendidâ by Stevie B
Submitted to Contest #136
âOne Last Chanceâ by Kathleen Fine
Submitted to Contest #136
âThe Curse of Adamâ by Hannah P. Simmons
Submitted to Contest #136
âCoffeeâ by Amanda Lieser
Submitted to Contest #136
âOf glints, and collecting firefliesâ by B. Oyewole
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âDead Man On Trainâ by Valerie Vince
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âOn the Moundâ by Story Time
Submitted to Contest #136
âHow to Play Shortstopâ by Sarah Duffey
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âThe Last Hussarâ by Chris Campbell
âď¸ Shortlisted for Contest #136
âIgnorance Is Blissâ by Sachi Shah
Submitted to Contest #136
âThe Guide to Being Yourselfâ by Zack Powell
Submitted to Contest #136
âEmployee of the Monthâ by Cindy Strube
Submitted to Contest #136
âDust to Dustâ by Caroline Clausen
Submitted to Contest #136
$250
Prize money
207
Contest entries
100
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Mar 11, 2022 EST
Won by Howard Halsall đ
Title: Cigarettes: A Romance
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.
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