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#141: Everyone's a Critic

Like it or not, everyone gets criticism sometimes. And while a dose of reality can be healthy once in a while, it’s important to not get stuck in a rut of viewing the world, or yourself, too critically.

This week’s prompts examine criticism from a range of angles, from professional hole-pickers, to well-intentioned advisors, to the ones on the receiving end.

🥇 Winner

“The Lonely Color” by Hannah P. Simmons

“... I want to paint you.”She was surprised, sure enough. But she was also curious. Her face concealed nothing, and that was what fascinated me. As she walked through the gallery, each piece evoked something unique from inside her, and she did not bother to mask it. Anyone could read the critique in her face, if they took the time. It is an artist's dream – to clearly see the emotions we inspire with our work.Many had passed by my work since the showing began, pausing for a moment, offering a quick word of praise. I didn't a...

156 comments 156 WINNER 🏆

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Black Four Seater” by Shea West

TW/CW: Some cussingSeller’s Rating: 🌟For Sale: $4500 Firm, 1985 Buick Grand National GNX**Please read the entire ad before you inquire**The time has come for me to sell my 1985 Buick Grand National, and before you give me any shit about selling an actual legend of a car, just keep reading. Especially you Barbara Jean, this is not an invitation for you to come on my property again, you white trash, homewrecki...

86 comments 86 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Microwave” by Ryne Moore

“ONE STAR?!?” “What now Cindy?” “That damned food critic from The Commercial Appeal. He gave the restaurant a one-star review. That asshole!” “What’d he write?” Cindy murmured unintelligibly as she skimmed the newspaper. “The fried chicken was of obvious low quality with generally bland flavor, the collard greens were drenched in oil (and not in a good way), and t...

47 comments 47 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“ILY” by Scout Tahoe

CW: one swear word(Sign language written in traditional format.)HELLO, WELCOME, Professor Le Roux signed to her American Sign Language 101 class, TODAY ME TEACH-you GOODBYE. The lecture hall was quiet, students stilled with confusion. “We’re learning about basic goodbyes today,” she clarified. It was after lunch and everyone was worn down, still digesting their meatloaf and gossip. Someone coughed. “Now, a bit of deaf culture background to begin: usually, deaf individuals stand farther apart...

37 comments 37 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Star Status” by Zelda C. Thorne

C/W: drug use, swearingIt all started when the illustrious Cassiopeia Café ran out of ketamine. My girlfriend, Tabitha and I were enjoying a day off together. We’d been shopping in the city, mostly at Kenzo, Gucci and 3D Warehouse, ordering an obscene amount of clothing to be delivered to our respective homes, before deciding to take a break on the café’s beautiful terrace.It was mid-afternoon and sunny, a good time of day to be seen in Cassiopeia. Tabitha, being an online fashionista personality, knew such things...

92 comments 92 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“No Returns Policy” by Katharine Widdows

Buyer's Bazaar Message Screen:RE: Listing B34781 - Silver box with sun and moon detailBoxMaster360'I'm not taking it back. I said no returns. Check my shop policy. Check the listing.' Clive_London'The description left key information out. You mis-sold the box to me.'BoxMaster360'The listing was accurate. Every detail was correct.'<...

45 comments 45 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“Taco Bell” by Sonora Binkley

I have never been to Taco Bell. I did not grow up in an outing family. Though I pictured it to be spices and aromas of crisp tortilla shells laid out by the thousands, I am sure that I would discover none of the sort. Maybe three or four, at most, tossed together with some questionable greens, at the hands of two groggy teenagers exchanging no more than a word or two in a shift. That is a stereotype, of course, a prejudi...

10 comments 10 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“Psychological Putrefaction ” by Ron Davidson

(T/W Mental Health/Gore)There it was in section 13A of the Times, a one-star review given by Mrs. Marlene Whatley. I pulled the paper close to my face so that I could read the tiny print. I read aloud, “Ed Bulwer takes us on a depressing, self-indulgent journey to nowhere.” My blood was boiling. I couldn’t read any further than the critic’s opening line. “That fucking bitch!” I screamed as I slammed my fist down against my plastic seat.I quick...

23 comments 23 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The human restaurant” by Ness Turner

It had been more than a month since Otto had last used remote controlled explosives to break into a building and he’d forgotten how bright the blast was. Bright, but nearly silent, with glass and debris drawn into the explosion without a sound. The wonders of new technology. Otto led the way in, ducking through his newly made entrance hole. His colleague, Kessie, followed behind, a hand on her rifle. Some of the colleagues he had since removed judged it strange that they still carried 21st century guns, antiques of ...

13 comments 13 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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This week's prompts

Write about someone who critiques things for a living, or acts like they do.

Character – 35 stories

Start your story with someone receiving a one-star review.

Dark – 52 stories

Write a story about someone struggling to swallow some harsh (but fair) constructive criticism.

Middle School – 26 stories

Set your story in the lowest rated restaurant in town.

Fluff – 55 stories

Write about a character named after one of our contest’s judges.

Fiction – 13 stories

Stories

“The Lonely Color” by Hannah P. Simmons

“... I want to paint you.”She was surprised, sure enough. But she was also curious. Her face concealed nothing, and that was what fascinated me. As she walked through the gallery, each piece evoked something unique from inside her, and she did not bother to mask it. Anyone could read the critique in her face, if they took the time. It is an artist's dream – to clearly see the emotions we inspire with our work.Many had passed by my work since the showing began, pausing for a moment, offering a quick word of praise. I didn't a...

156 comments 156 WINNER 🏆

Read story

“The Good Soil” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

“I’m going—I’m going,” she mutters, pushing her three-wheeled shopping cart out of the alley. As the proprietor glares at her, hands on his hips. She stops to inventory her possessions, often rifled through by miscreants in the middle of the night. “I warned you about coming back here,” the man says, menace in his voice. “And I curse you and your children.”The man shakes his head in disgust.“And I curse your restaurant and your health and your cock!” she cries. “I’m calling the police.”

Read story

“Black Four Seater” by Shea West

TW/CW: Some cussingSeller’s Rating: 🌟For Sale: $4500 Firm, 1985 Buick Grand National GNX**Please read the entire ad before you inquire**The time has come for me to sell my 1985 Buick Grand National, and before you give me any shit about selling an actual legend of a car, just keep reading. Especially you Barbara Jean, this is not an invitation for you to come on my property again, you white trash, homewrecki...

86 comments 86 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“The Microwave” by Ryne Moore

“ONE STAR?!?” “What now Cindy?” “That damned food critic from The Commercial Appeal. He gave the restaurant a one-star review. That asshole!” “What’d he write?” Cindy murmured unintelligibly as she skimmed the newspaper. “The fried chicken was of obvious low quality with generally bland flavor, the collard greens were drenched in oil (and not in a good way), and t...

47 comments 47 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“ILY” by Scout Tahoe

CW: one swear word(Sign language written in traditional format.)HELLO, WELCOME, Professor Le Roux signed to her American Sign Language 101 class, TODAY ME TEACH-you GOODBYE. The lecture hall was quiet, students stilled with confusion. “We’re learning about basic goodbyes today,” she clarified. It was after lunch and everyone was worn down, still digesting their meatloaf and gossip. Someone coughed. “Now, a bit of deaf culture background to begin: usually, deaf individuals stand farther apart...

37 comments 37 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“Star Status” by Zelda C. Thorne

C/W: drug use, swearingIt all started when the illustrious Cassiopeia Café ran out of ketamine. My girlfriend, Tabitha and I were enjoying a day off together. We’d been shopping in the city, mostly at Kenzo, Gucci and 3D Warehouse, ordering an obscene amount of clothing to be delivered to our respective homes, before deciding to take a break on the café’s beautiful terrace.It was mid-afternoon and sunny, a good time of day to be seen in Cassiopeia. Tabitha, being an online fashionista personality, knew such things...

92 comments 92 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“Foodie Heaven” by Howard Halsall

Dear Reader, It’s with a heavy heart that I must report the ‘Queen of Culinary Criticism’ has left the building for the last time. I’m struggling to continue in her absence, despite my formidable reputation. It was she who provided the zest that made my weekly article so entertaining. My final despatch is both a farewell to you and a dedication to my dear wife. Very few food enthusiasts knew of Pamela, but fans of my column may recall mentions of ‘my lovely companion’ or ‘dearest Mrs Guillemot.’ #Reginald Gu...

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“At The Last Meal” by Riel Rosehill

It was Ruby’s first day working in her aunt’s crossroads restaurant, but it wasn’t her first time seeing someone drop dead in front of her after she gave them something to eat.There was something strangely nostalgic about it, when the heads banged on the hard wood of table two as the guests collapsed. The kind of nostalgia one might feel remembering their school bullies. Ruby stood, holding the jug of water she was ready to put on their table. Slowly, she turned and walked back behind the bar. When was the first time you...

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“Ratebook” by Kathleen Fine

“No, it’s Ji-wi-an,” Jillian repeated herself to the beady-eyed woman sitting behind the glass at the county clerk’s office. “That’s what I said, Ma’am,” the woman gazed up at Jillian, revealing her irritation, “Jiwian Wester.” Jillian heard two little girls behind her giggle, clearly eavesdropping on her conversation. She turned around to see what-must-be their mother, grinning at her...

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“Just In Case” by Thom Brodkin

“What are you doing up there?”I have no idea, Maggie thought to herself, contemplating her mother’s question.“I’m going through some old pictures,” she finally responded. “I think it’s time to purge.”“Hooray,” came the reply from the bottom of the ladder. “Two years is too long.”Maggie’s mom was right. It had been two years since she had shown up on her parent’s doorstep, mascara smeared around her eyes. Thanks to her best friend, her marriage had ended in an...

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“No Returns Policy” by Katharine Widdows

Buyer's Bazaar Message Screen:RE: Listing B34781 - Silver box with sun and moon detailBoxMaster360'I'm not taking it back. I said no returns. Check my shop policy. Check the listing.' Clive_London'The description left key information out. You mis-sold the box to me.'BoxMaster360'The listing was accurate. Every detail was correct.'<...

45 comments 45 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“The Name Of The Fame Game 🎤🎶😡” by PJ Aitken

Cassie stood frozen to the spot trying to slow her breathing as she felt the embers of her fury start to drift upwards from her toes towards the top of her head. From an early age she’d had a temper but had done all of the necessary and recommended therapy and training to master and contain it for the most part. However, on this occasion she could feel the emotional lava creep further up her legs.It’s not like she’d not done an audition before but she had not expected such harsh criticism for this kind of job. Her brain was trying ...

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“Return to Sender” by Zack Powell

Content warning: Some swearing Dear Ms. Huxley, Listen carefully. Well, I guess you can't very well listen to a missive, can you? Read carefully. This is a ransom note. I have your son. Don't believe me? Then how would I know he's five years old, skinny as a Twizzler, his name is Timmy, and he never shuts...

Read story

“Psychological Putrefaction ” by Ron Davidson

(T/W Mental Health/Gore)There it was in section 13A of the Times, a one-star review given by Mrs. Marlene Whatley. I pulled the paper close to my face so that I could read the tiny print. I read aloud, “Ed Bulwer takes us on a depressing, self-indulgent journey to nowhere.” My blood was boiling. I couldn’t read any further than the critic’s opening line. “That fucking bitch!” I screamed as I slammed my fist down against my plastic seat.I quick...

23 comments 23 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

“Taco Bell” by Sonora Binkley

I have never been to Taco Bell. I did not grow up in an outing family. Though I pictured it to be spices and aromas of crisp tortilla shells laid out by the thousands, I am sure that I would discover none of the sort. Maybe three or four, at most, tossed together with some questionable greens, at the hands of two groggy teenagers exchanging no more than a word or two in a shift. That is a stereotype, of course, a prejudi...

10 comments 10 SHORTLIST ⭐️

Read story

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$250

Prize money

181

Contest entries

112

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 15, 2022 EST

Won by Hannah P. Simmons 🏆

Title: The Lonely Color

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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