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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#155: Swings and Roundabouts

One of my favorite British expressions is “swings and roundabouts”. It’s a tricky phrase to define, but it basically means a situation where good and bad, pro and con, ultimately cancel each other out. You might be up at one point, and down at another, but you’ll always end up somewhere in the middle. For example: “It rained on Friday. The laundry I hung out to dry got wet, but the flowerbeds needed watering, so, you know — swings and roundabouts.”

Much of life is a case of swings and roundabouts; accepting the good with the bad, and going along for the ride. This week’s prompts are all about this sense of balance, and the imperfect situations that we still make work.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a character facing a situation that isn't awful, but isn't great.

Middle School – 34 stories

Write a story that includes a character using the phrase “swings and roundabouts.”

Thanksgiving – 37 stories

Write about a character who gets good and bad news in quick succession — not necessarily in that order.

Angst – 46 stories

Write about a character who is pathologically ambivalent, until something shakes them up.

Narrative – 33 stories

Set your story in a kids’ playground, or at a roundabout.

Kids – 44 stories

Stories

“The Museum of OCD” by Karen McDermott

Submitted to Contest #155

I heard Viv’s familiar rat-a-tat on the door and got the hoop of keys out of my pocket to let her in. The new guy, Otto, was also there, slouched against the doorframe as though it were the only thing holding him up. Not for the first time, I wondered if they arrived together because they’d left from the same place together. None of my business though. My business is making sure the Museum of OCD opens on time. Obviously there would be people complaining if it didn’t. Viv traipsed in with a breezy “Good morning, Bob,” while Otto almost im...

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“Late” by L. E. Scott

Submitted to Contest #155

TW: This story alludes to a mass shooting.The vehicles are packed together so tightly we only move a few feet anytime it starts. A sign flashes to my left “expect traffic delays.” Yeah, no shit. I look at the time displayed on my car stereo, the only part that works unfortunately. The time says 9:05. I’m already late. Boss isn’t going to like it, but what can you do? Maybe if I cuss out the hundred cars surrounding me the line will start moving.I consider exiting the freeway and attempting to get to the office by an alternate route. Would th...

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“1.72 Seconds” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #155

1.72 Seconds “Youth is easily deceived, because it is quick to hope.” &nbsp...

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“Nameless Knights and the Messiah of Fire” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #155

TW: Swearing and violence. Stepping from the untouched Province of Schneeland into the ruins of Gennadius Province was stepping from day to night. The earth beneath their feet was black charcoal dust. Towering spires of mighty churches had been reduced to charred rubble. Stone had melted in the blast of dragon breath. The silence of death screamed in their ears. No wind blew to take away the stink ...

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“Hin SanYuan Ph.D.” by John Hanna

Submitted to Contest #155

Hin SanYuan arrives early at his new office wearing the western-style suit jacket, slacks, and tie as is the usual attire for executives and professionals in Boise, Idaho. The room towers over the city on the fifteenth floor of the 8th and Main Building. Hin isn't used to working in tall buildings, even though his home country is littered with them, and stays back from the glass wall. He is encouraged that the furniture of two facing armchairs, his desk, chair, and leather upholstered lounge are all spaced over the lush carpet away from the ...

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“Ghost Babies” by Jim Firth

Submitted to Contest #155

(Content warning: vasectomy/surgical references)I was minding my own—until everyone’s genitalia grew minds of their own. Scientists called it ‘Nocturnal Corporeal Dismemberment’. Whenever anyone became aroused during sleep, their reproductive organs went awol.When it all kicked off, I was spending most of my days on the island repairing small boats. As I caulked and sanded, the soothing waves sharpened my focus. There were rarely any distractions—until he came. The interruption was a besuited man trudging through the sand, bare footed, ...

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“A Night at the Playground” by Prince Vang

Submitted to Contest #155

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” I whisper, “I don’t think this will be safe.” My friend, Wade, rolls his eyes and keeps on dragging me along towards the rusty gates of the abandoned park. “Maybe you should stop being such a pussy and live a little,” he replies as we reach the entrance. The gates slowly swing open, as if inviting us inside. I give Wade a pointed look, but he ignores me as he enters the playground. I scurry right behind him and grab onto his sleeve. “Why did you want to come to this haunted playground anyways?” I ask while ...

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“Wrath of the God of Dance” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #155

I’m the God of Dance. Ridiculous? Ask the children of Hamelin. I can compel anything living to dance. I taught the snake charmers. I’m responsible for dancing bears, which I regret. Other gods mess around with lightning and thunder. Not me. What good are those powers on a clear day? I’m not vicious by immortal standards, but I am vengeful. Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Beyonce. That woman ge...

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“Extending the Apple Branch” by Avery Mossop

Submitted to Contest #155

—The Garney’s Backyard Apple Tree, 16 Golway Road—“Just up a little higher, Janey!” Her mother shouted from the ground.Jane had significant doubts about this new apple-picking method her mother was so keen to try. Mom had bought a new ladder. This theory about needing to collect the apples from the top of the tree then work her way down was probably all some way of proving to dad that purchasing the ladder hadn’t been a big waste of money.Jane climbed to the highest rung she could reach, slung her basket on the closest limb, then started pic...

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“Swings And Roundabouts” by Kev Neylon

Submitted to Contest #155

When I was a child, I always thought it was a strange thing to say. But that was because at that age I was getting the saying wrong. I was sure they were saying ‘swings on roundabouts.’ Which sounded dangerous to me. Having to get across the road to the centre of the roundabout to be able to play on the swings. Surely there were better places for them. I used to look out every time we went past or around one. I never saw a single one with a swing in the middle. Of course, I know why now, but I didn’t then. I wasted no end of time looking ...

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“Letter To My Therapist” by Phoenix Rizing

Submitted to Contest #155

Dear Doc, I’m writing this like fiction because I don’t want to deal with it, not the real-real. I’m afraid, like I’ll break into pieces that’ll never come back together again. I don’t want to touch it close; it’s like suffocating skin, and fiction kind of helps me hide, helps me lie, like wine, to be honest. I really didn’t see the hallucinations and delusions that I describe in my story! Yes, I’m off the meds that you recommended, but I’m also off the booze I never mentioned. Today, Carrie, the cool lady who invited me to do the writing ...

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“The Long Way Home” by Alexis Zaran

Submitted to Contest #155

Riding on the bus sucked. Valerie kept waiting for some kind of nostalgia to kick in. For her brain to suddenly be hit with a fond memory of her youth. For her inner monologue to speak up and say, “Oh! Remember, Val, you used to ride the bus to your job at Clyde’s Drugstore when you were sixteen? Wasn’t that so much fun?” But of course, it didn’t happen. Instead, Val was just reminded that the bus sucked just as much now as it had back then. She shifted, trying to get comfortable. It had been fifteen years; hadn’t they upgraded the seats? It...

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“Little Devils” by Dave Pasquantonio

Submitted to Contest #155

“Thanks for inviting us,” Tanya says to Jocelyn. The two moms are sitting on a bench at the playground. The orange sky is a mix of sun and volcanic plumes, the temperature a pleasant 320 degrees, and the light breeze carries the scent of decay. “This is such a pretty park.”“My pleasure,” Jocelyn replies. “It must be hard, being new in town. I’m so glad that you joined us! We hold these ‘Mommy and Me’ playdates every Tuesday morning until school starts. Gotta keep the little demons busy!”The kids seem like a well-behaved bunch, Tanya thinks. ...

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“THE VOICE” by Riali Hajar

Submitted to Contest #155

I lived pretty much my whole life unsure about anything, never was good at making plans, never knew how to feel about people or things, and never liked being in charge. There has always been someone to make decisions for me; if not directly, then I just leave things to go with the flow, which most people call "destiny." That thought always scared but fascinated me because I could never figure out "what" or "who" was choosing every life path I had crossed for fifty years; even if I ever managed to unveil it, would I want to thank or blame the...

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“This is No Ordinary Life” by Marie Mckenzie

Submitted to Contest #155

The Night of The Full MoonThere’s blood everywhere. Blood on my shirt, blood on my bed, blood in my mouth. As I scramble out of bed, I hear a thump. I look down and notice a small solid form underneath the sheet. Reaching down with a shaky hand, I uncover the body. It’s Mr. Whiskers. His eyes are wild with fear, his mouth agape, frozen wide as if his last moments were spent in agony, yowling for help. No. I couldn’t have. A single hot tear rolls down my cheek.It hurts to breathe. I’m panting for air. You don’t have time for this. Mom and Dad...

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$250

Prize money

194

Contest entries

78

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 22, 2022 EST

Won by Lonnie Russo 🏆

Title: Someone Has Died

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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