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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#146: Getting to Know You (And Me)

Mental Health Awareness Week may be coming to a close, but it’s always a good time to reflect and try to treat one another with a little more understanding — even when our experiences aren’t the same.

Of course, understanding others is part of the job description for writers, or else how would we create our characters? With that in mind, let’s explore what it means to build connection with others (and ourselves), and the different types of reflection that may be required along the way.

🥇 Winner

“10 Days to Mindfulness” by Michał Przywara

🏆 Winner of Contest #146

Day one: finding your breath.“Take a moment to listen to your breathing,” the recording of Dr. McCourt said, through the car’s speakers. “Don’t try to control it, just feel the air as it enters and exits your nose.”Garry slammed his brakes and his horn. Just like the driver ahead. Just like the driver behind.“Stop fucking honking at me asswipe!” he screamed over his shoulder. He could see the driver behind him, screaming himself red. Look at this guy! What an idiot.Somewhere a light turned green. All the cars lurched forward a metre and...

154 comments 154

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Junebird and Love” by Gem Cassia

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

Love crept in through the window silent and unannounced, like a mouse tip-toeing its way along the shadows of a dimly lit room. Or at least, that was the effect that she had been aiming for. What happened instead was a clumsy maneuver that involved stumbling over the roughly hewn wooden sill and landing on the floor of the treehouse in a crumpled heap. That was the way she made her entrances— it was the same way she had entered my life and it was the same way she greeted me everyday— stumbling, and messy, and beautiful. She smiled ...

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“A Tempestuous Mind” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

I fear I am unwell.My startling outburst last evening must have confirmed this for you, and it will come as no surprise to anyone if you choose to put me away. I heard the viscount committed his own wife for a much lesser offense; the poor woman allegedly exhibited a fit of rage over tangled embroidery thread. Describing her behavior as “unnerving and volatile,” his assessment was damning enough to secure her future behind a stone-walled asylum. Though I dare never mention where my loyalties lie in the matter, I feel quite sympathetic toward...

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“A San Miguel Roadrunner” by Katy B

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

Maria could tell almost before waking that Santiago was sleeping next to her. From the street came the sound of distant sirens, a noise that had become a comfort to her by familiarity, and she felt the early morning sunlight filter through the curtains onto the bed. With a groan, she rolled onto her back and glanced to her left. There was Santiago, his suddenly long and lanky body sprawled over the white sheets, face dark and expressionless. Maria watched him breathe softly through parted lips. The sun lit up his sweaty head like an angel.“S...

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“Hanlon's Rialto” by C.B. Tannon

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

Hanlon’s Rialto was a redbrick bar occupying a corner unit where the streets Nemsin and Elpis met. A flickering neon sign proudly captioned its entrance. Inside was all dim yellow lighting and old stonework walls, booths with threadworn red cushions that looked like a good smack to one would kill an asthmatic. As fine a bar as any to sit and stare and wallow. Absolutely nothing special about it, absolutely nothing to distract from the drink, which was a ten year old single malt scotch glowing gold in the bar’s sallow light. The bartenders se...

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This week's prompts

Write from the point of view of a character writing a letter to their past or future self.

Character – 70 stories

Write about a character attempting to meditate or do something mindfully.

Narrative – 38 stories

Set your story in an unlikely sanctuary.

High School – 34 stories

Write about a character discovering a surprising strength in either themself or another.

Character – 55 stories

Start your story during a team building exercise.

Adults – 17 stories

Stories

“10 Days to Mindfulness” by Michał Przywara

🏆 Winner of Contest #146

Day one: finding your breath.“Take a moment to listen to your breathing,” the recording of Dr. McCourt said, through the car’s speakers. “Don’t try to control it, just feel the air as it enters and exits your nose.”Garry slammed his brakes and his horn. Just like the driver ahead. Just like the driver behind.“Stop fucking honking at me asswipe!” he screamed over his shoulder. He could see the driver behind him, screaming himself red. Look at this guy! What an idiot.Somewhere a light turned green. All the cars lurched forward a metre and...

154 comments 154

Read story

“All the Things You Cannot Yet See” by Zack Powell

Submitted to Contest #146

Dear middle school me,Let me spare you the suspense and come right out with it: fifteen years from now, you turn out to be pretty damn boring. Plain. Vanilla. Milquetoast. (But at least you know the definition of milquetoast now.) You're the type of guy to walk into the barbershop, not say a word the entire time, and leave with your usual crew cut. The kind of person whose pizza topping of choice is extra cheese. Hey, don't blame me. It's just the way things go. #sorrynotsorry (Oh, right. Hashtags are a thing now. Don't get too attached to M...

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“Junebird and Love” by Gem Cassia

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

Love crept in through the window silent and unannounced, like a mouse tip-toeing its way along the shadows of a dimly lit room. Or at least, that was the effect that she had been aiming for. What happened instead was a clumsy maneuver that involved stumbling over the roughly hewn wooden sill and landing on the floor of the treehouse in a crumpled heap. That was the way she made her entrances— it was the same way she had entered my life and it was the same way she greeted me everyday— stumbling, and messy, and beautiful. She smiled ...

Read story

“Margaret, Meditating” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #146

Today I will focus on my breathing. Today I will-- Is that a dog? I think I hear a dog. That sounds like a big dog. Is the dog in distress? Should I go help the dog? I miss having a dog. But, you know, you get a dog, and it’s like having a child. You have to be home. When am I ever home? That’s not fair. It’s not fair to the dog. If you’re going to-- I need to breathe. I need to focus on breathing. I wonder if Napoleon had a dog? Focus. Focus on breathing. God, breathing is so boring. Why is meditating...

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“A Friend Indeed” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #146

Walter Waterhouse shut his heavy front door with a neurosurgeon’s precision, making as little noise as possible. Clutching a laptop bag in one hand, he breathed a sigh of relief and extended his free arm across the swirling floral wallpaper to flick the light switch. A soft overhead glow illuminated the vestibule and the silent corridor leading to the rear. Walter tiptoed over unopened envelopes, snaked his way past cardboard packing boxes, and entered the empty kitchen to be greeted by a familiar voice.“I worry about you sometimes.”“You don...

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“A Tempestuous Mind” by Aeris Walker

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

I fear I am unwell.My startling outburst last evening must have confirmed this for you, and it will come as no surprise to anyone if you choose to put me away. I heard the viscount committed his own wife for a much lesser offense; the poor woman allegedly exhibited a fit of rage over tangled embroidery thread. Describing her behavior as “unnerving and volatile,” his assessment was damning enough to secure her future behind a stone-walled asylum. Though I dare never mention where my loyalties lie in the matter, I feel quite sympathetic toward...

Read story

“A San Miguel Roadrunner” by Katy B

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #146

Maria could tell almost before waking that Santiago was sleeping next to her. From the street came the sound of distant sirens, a noise that had become a comfort to her by familiarity, and she felt the early morning sunlight filter through the curtains onto the bed. With a groan, she rolled onto her back and glanced to her left. There was Santiago, his suddenly long and lanky body sprawled over the white sheets, face dark and expressionless. Maria watched him breathe softly through parted lips. The sun lit up his sweaty head like an angel.“S...

Read story

“Resettlement Notes” by Cecilia Maddison

Submitted to Contest #146

This story contains themes of mental health and reference to sexual abuse.”Don’t forget your pills.”Alan slurps his tea to cool it. Some dribbles down his chin, adding to the damp patch on his chest. His mouth contorts with involuntary lip-smacking and grimacing caused by years of heavy medication.“Your pills,” repeats Agnes, nodding to the small paper cup on the table. She stands next to him, arms crossed over her stout body as she waits, sternly overseeing this regular ritual. Her eyes swim like fishes in the lenses of her glasses, cold an...

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“To Whom It May Concern” by Thom With An H

Submitted to Contest #146

“What the fuck do you want?”The question Jimmy’s brother asked was straightforward. The answer, however, was not. “My teacher—you see—my teacher, she gave us an assignment. I'm supposed to write a letter or something like that,” Jimmy replied, rambling while trying to maintain his composure. “And I thought you…”“Get the fuck out of here, you piece of shit. I don’t care about your fucking teacher or your goddamn assignment.”Jimmy had thought his commonality with Jamaal would be an asset but, in an instant, he started doubting the ch...

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“The Pick Up” by PJ Aitken

Submitted to Contest #146

John’s watch buzzed, distracting him from the task at hand. Rolling his eyes he continued to complete what he was doing. Thirty seconds later the vibration from his watch was even greater this time, making his teeth chatter. Thinking the next vibration may shatter his wrist, John reluctantly dropped what he was doing and looked at the face of his watch flashing a message back at him.SCHOOL PICK UP AT 4pm – DON’T BE LATE THIS TIME, DAD!“Oh fuck,” thought John, why does school pick up always slip his mind? He knew why really. It was because he...

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“Mind the gap” by Bradon L

Submitted to Contest #146

“Ok, Quiet place? Check! No distractions? Check. Cup of tea? Check! Well, here goes nothing.(Inhale, Exhale)“Since when did we start drinking tea? Does tea make us hip? Are you a hipster now? But, you can’t even grow a beard!””It’s chamomile. It’s supposed to help me relax. Now please be quiet.”(Inhale, Exhale)“You know what’s a fun word to say? Cabbage! It might be even more fun to say than bubbles. That reminds me of a time when….”Do you mind?!”“Oops. I’ll shush.”(Inhale, Exhale, Inhale….)“Somethin bout you, makes me feel like a dangerous ...

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“When We See Him” by Kelsey H

Submitted to Contest #146

He’s not like all the others, he’s different. That’s what my mother told me. But she said that about the others too.The day I met him he walked into the kitchen as I ate my breakfast, his boots heavy on the vinyl floor. He filled up the doorway, blotted out the sun.“Connor, this is Shane,” she said.I looked up at him, saw the shaved head and tattoos circling his neck in a dark ring, like something strangling him.He came into the kitchen and put his hand toward me, like I was a man instead of only twelve. I could see the muscles standing up i...

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“Death's new Pet” by Holly Guy

Submitted to Contest #146

“I can’t believe you just shot me.” Isla scoffed in amazement. Wide eyed, she stared down at the small, gaping hole in her hip. It spurted blood and looked fleshy around the wound, but surprisingly it didn’t hurt. Just like he promised. “I can.” The raven-colour haired man in front of her lowered the gun. A wicked grin licked his lips and the knowing twinkle danced around in his black orbs. For a second his coal-coloured irises seemed to split to mimic a man and a woman, dancing lovingly together in the moonlight in each eye. The man twir...

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“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, JUST DO IT” by Brandi Yetzer

Submitted to Contest #146

WARNING: domestic abuse theme, and a few cuss words.If he says he won’t do it again, don’t believe him.I scroll the letters across the top of the page, biting my fingernail down until the sensitive skin is burning for me to stop. I look down at it and let out an ‘oops’ in surprise. I wipe the small bead of blood on my blue jeans.My attention moves back to the page, and I realize I haven’t addressed the letter to my future self yet. If I’m going to do it, I may as well do it right, eh?To My Future Self, I tap my pencil against the notebo...

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“SANCTUARY ON HELL STREET” by Chris Campbell

Submitted to Contest #146

The Arizona sun completed another life creating and life ending day across the desertscape of cactus and tumbleweeds of the Old West. What had been a hot dusty passage of energy warming all in its radiative glare, made way for the setting of the solar giant - triggering the onset of an early evening chill. Days out in the desert were hot and dry. The nights, bitterly cold and treacherous. That mattered little to the young Mexican family - kneeling before several agitated men baying like dogs howling at a full moon. The goosebumps rising...

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$250

Prize money

214

Contest entries

134

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 20, 2022 EST

Won by Michał Przywara 🏆

Title: 10 Days to Mindfulness

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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