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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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.

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 – 52 stories

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

Fiction – 12 stories

Stories

“Down, But Never Out” by Rick Story

Submitted to Contest #141

DOWN, BUT NEVER OUT “I remember now,” Matt said. “Remember what, Matt?” Bar asked. His head looked up from his cup of the good stuff at the Waffle House. He had a curious expression as if he’d just heard something unexpected. Not responding to Bar, Matt’s mind drifted back to a different time and place. The smell of the bacon and sausage sizzling on the freshly cleaned grill triggered memories of his past. To the vast majority of people in the arena, it evoked thoughts of the time of two gladiators entering the ancient Roman colise...

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“Gourmet” by Rob Ryter

Submitted to Contest #141

Sometimes, Tony Gordon reflected, the best pleasures in life are simple, and free. He basked in relief as he drained his bladder, visceral satisfaction enriched by the long, exquisite fart he simultaneously let rip. Just as well he was alone in the restaurant’s bathroom. The dark, heavy fetor embraced him like a lover as he finished and zipped.Washing his hands, his deflated colon and de-stressed waterworks lending him a strong sense of well being, he marvelled at the restorative power of simply emptying a couple of body cavities. Tony’s deg...

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“Tough Love” by VJ Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #141

We walked along the wind-blasted shore, where the scimitar wings of a lone osprey sliced great arcs through the late-winter sky. Syrita was about to drive back to the city. She shoved her hands deep in her pockets, cheeks ruddy from the breeze. “You’ve got Room 201 for the long weekend. No car, no cash, no credit card. No Wi-Fi. Just get the damn thing done. Okay?” I nodded. I felt immeasurable gratitude for her “tough love” approach but between us, it was taboo to say anything sentimental, such as “Thanks for rescuing me, yet again.” During...

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“One Lucky Scar” by Sabrina Semidei

Submitted to Contest #141

1: One. 2: One what. 1: That can’t be. I can’t count well, but I know how to count when there is more than one. 2: One what? 1: Who the hell is Misty Marshall? 2: Should I know? 1: What kind of a name is Misty Marshall? Surely a fake! 2: Either explain yourself or end your story here. 1: One star. Misty Marshall gave my play one damn lonely star. 2: Oh, come on. Who cares about one review! 1: Well, the one star cares all the other four stars fucked away without her.&nb...

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“One year” by Zakaria Hoque

Submitted to Contest #141

Journal entries: January 1st, 2022, The beginning of this year has started out extra cold. I can't believe my short story I submitted. The coldness of my room only adds to the coldness of the moment. God we need to fix that heater. Can you believe what the review said? "Dear Jason Parker, never write again. This was supposed to be a romance and yet I feel no emotion. This story is beyond pretentious, your male lead is a jerk and the female is weak willed, Have you ever even spoken to a female before?" I hate to admit it, but they got a p...

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“No Comet” by Jane Mosse

Submitted to Contest #141

Well, I guess it had to happen sometime: my first (and so far only) one-star review. I always wondered how I’d feel when the inevitable happened. Deflated? A little wounded perhaps? No, I am absolutely devastated. This is worse than getting an E for my History ‘A’ level or failing to gain entry to my first-choice University. I haven’t slept well for the last two nights as my brain goes over and over the hugely negative response to my three years of creativity. My yet-to-become-best-selling-novel. The fact that I was averaging a respectable...

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“One Star” by Moe Andrews

Submitted to Contest #141

Something like a chirp from a cybernetic pigeon awoke Ethan The All-Knowing from his midday slumber. The corners of his mouth were crowded with Cheezo dust and drool, leaving a damp neon orange trail down his cheek and onto the open pages of a densely inscribed tome beneath him. Damn he hoped that wouldn’t stain. He checked his phone, huh, his last customer left a review. He opened the Yodel app and was aghast to see a single star hovering over a single word. 'Scam' Incensed, Ethan let loose a series of guttural utterances, something...

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“Agrarian” by Jonathan Tam

Submitted to Contest #141

Stories from the Last School in the WestIf Rip Van Winkle woke up today, he would notice changes in just about every institution. Except education. In the Fall, he would see students planting. In the Spring, he would see teachers weeding. And in the Summer, he would see schools closed for harvest.Professor Reviews for:EE 100A SEC 005, J. SanchezReview by Kathleen, Class of 2023Easiness: 2/5Workload: 2/5Clarity: 1/5Helpfulness: 1/5Overall: 1 star / 5 starsComments: She is BY FAR the WORST professor that you could ever take in Engineering. She...

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“Escape The Stars” by Charly Woods

Submitted to Contest #141

“One star. Again.” I sighed and put a box of robot parts on the shelf. The screen hovered a second longer in front of my head, reminding me I’m not good enough. Then it disappeared. Somehow I always get one star, even though I really try. Is everyone against me? Is it because I’m below everyone, below all the pilots and the leaders? “Stop messing around, scrap kid. And fix this thing.” A tall figure was standing in the door opening, lifting up his arm. A few sparks and a sizzling sound came from it. I quickly grabbed a few tools, dropping ...

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“The Gray Lady” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #141

Lizzie had no one else to talk to about the Gray Lady, except Mildred, the Inn’s housekeeper. “She’s generally benign, as ghosts go, I mean she does have that odor, and makes strange noises, but she is driving out all the guests! The Inn is not going to make it past summer if we don’t get better reviews, and more guests” “Something changed when you showed up, dear, she’s more active." Mildred said. “I have even seen her walking around more.” “What do you think keeps her here, I mean not passing on?” Lizzie asked...

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“I Knew Better” by Kazel Wood

Submitted to Contest #141

Of course, they only gave me one star. I knew the job seemed sketchy when I took it. First, they were keeping some details secret that were key to the job, and second, they kept giving me incorrect locations. What utter idiots. Ring Damn, she saw it. Ring I really don’t want to have this conversation. Ring “Hello…” I say as I answer my phone but am cut off. “Why do you have a one-star review?” Kathy asks in an exacerbated tone. “Listen, they kept hiding details and giving me the run around!” I reply, knowing she won’t like that answe...

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“Go Out With A Smile” by Renee Elizabeth

Submitted to Contest #141

TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE, MURDER, BlOOD, SUBSTANCE ABUSE Four teens huddled together in the kitchen around a phone. Natalie, Stephanie, Rachel, and Connor, Natalie’s boyfriend. “Come on dude, do it! Unless you’re scared” Rachel taunted. Connor looked at the phone hesitantly. “I know the performance was bad, but is it really worth leaving a review? I mean this isn't even constructive criticism. It’s just nasty. I mean, one star? Really?” Natalie smiled, Connor was always trying to be kind to people. That’s why she fell so ...

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“AirBnBats” by Jared Lenover

Submitted to Contest #141

Review for Thornwood Estate Reviewer: Jane W. (verified guest) Posted: September 5 at 10:14 a.m. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars My husband and I just returned from our lovely weekend stay at this historic manor on the coast. We wanted somewhere special to stay over the last long weekend of the summer, and Thornwood Estate did not disappoint. Situated on a large property a few miles from a wonderfully quaint little village, the house was spacious and conveniently furnished. We enjoyed long walks through the woods and along the seaside cliffs, the...

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“To Manage Inner Fire…With Fire” by K.J Stars

Submitted to Contest #141

It’s quite interesting how fast someone can get in trouble in less than 20 or so minutes. In the steps going by getting called out on, speaking back to the arrogant as frick teacher for correcting there grammar (I mean, aren’t teachers suppose to know some English to be an English Teacher?) then…detention.Sorry. I said that like that was the last step.Not only did I find myself in my lovely spot in detention….I trashed it. I mean, it’s not entirely my fault. Some girl and guy teased me in my frustrated state, an...

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“Constructive Criticism” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #141

“I remember when I was your age I had to make the dinner and not complain about it”. “I bet you didn’t make the dinner when you were nine Grandma” said Johnathon disbelievingly. “Johnathon I did” said his Grandma, thinking back to when at his age she was capable of cooking dinner for the family while this boy in front of her had trouble toasting a piece of bread! “Gran, do you think I am useless?” he asked her lying on the couch. “No of course not. You just haven’t been taught how to do things. It was different in my day because I had to do ...

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$250

Prize money

177

Contest entries

111

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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