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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

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. ...

147 comments 147 WINNER 🏆
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⭐️ Shortlisted

“A Tempestuous Mind” by Aeris Walker

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 sympathe...

32 comments 32 SHORTLIST ⭐️
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“Junebird and Love” by Gem Cassia

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 beauti...

14 comments 14 SHORTLIST ⭐️
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“A San Miguel Roadrunner” by Katy Borobia

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...

15 comments 15 SHORTLIST ⭐️
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“Hanlon's Rialto” by C.B Lannon

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...

13 comments 13 SHORTLIST ⭐️
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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 – 71 stories

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

Narrative – 39 stories

Set your story in an unlikely sanctuary.

High School – 39 stories

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

Character – 58 stories

Start your story during a team building exercise.

Adults – 19 stories

Stories

“10 Days to Mindfulness” by Michał Przywara

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. ...

147 comments 147 WINNER 🏆
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“Jacob's Ladder” by Dustin Gillham

“Awake again?”  Bobby stares into the nurse’s pale blue eyes.  “Still trying to figure out if this is heaven or hell.”  He views her curves as she bends down to connect the IV.  He looks at the clouds beyond a tree in the window and then stares at her round bottom.  “Oh, and how could this be such a horrible place?”  “When you’re here, I get a glimpse of heaven.”  ...

65 comments 65
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“All the Things You Cannot Yet See” by Zack Powell

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 att...

39 comments 39
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“To One Not Sociable” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

The tail lights of a Mercedes E-class blink off as it accelerates through the stone gate pillars.An exhaust pipe of a BMW 5-series coughs up a plume of fetid smoke. On occasion there is a slight wave from a Lexus RX 350’s window—a white hand, manicured nails, rings with rocks worth more than my guidance counselor’s annual salary.Finally, the parents leave and I have their sons.And why shouldn’t they leave? They’ve done their job, stroking a six-figure check to matriculate their beloved young men t...

39 comments 39
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“Margaret, Meditating” by Kevin Broccoli

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. ...

24 comments 24
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“A Friend Indeed” by Howard Halsall

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...

12 comments 12
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“Resettlement Notes” by Cecilia L. Maddison

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 ey...

19 comments 19
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“A Tempestuous Mind” by Aeris Walker

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 sympathe...

32 comments 32 SHORTLIST ⭐️
Read story

“Junebird and Love” by Gem Cassia

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 beauti...

14 comments 14 SHORTLIST ⭐️
Read story

“A San Miguel Roadrunner” by Katy Borobia

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...

15 comments 15 SHORTLIST ⭐️
Read story

“The Pick Up” by Pj Aitken

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. ...

20 comments 20
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“To Whom It May Concern” by Thom Brodkin

“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 w...

14 comments 14
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“Mind the gap” by Bradon L

“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…....

40 comments 40
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“Death's new Pet” by Holly Guy

“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 ...

15 comments 15
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“When We See Him” by Kelsey H

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, lik...

26 comments 26
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$250

Prize money

226

Contest entries

143

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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