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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#16: Once Upon a Time

Earlier this week, we published a blog post about modern fairy tales, and it got us thinking about the fact that no genre of literature is without its own set of tropes — and that certain literary tropes we still see commonly today are rooted centuries back.

This week's prompts are all elements pulled from fairy tales — both modern and old. You can feel free to play them straight: in other words, using the trope traditionally. Or you can feel free to twist the trope on its head. That's the great thing about tropes: they might provide you with a foundation that's already well-worn, but the opportunities to make it your own are endless.

This week's prompts

Write a story around the theme: Be careful what you wish for.

Novel – 79 stories

Write a story that involves love at first sight.

Romance – 87 stories

Write a rags-to-riches story.

Novel – 20 stories

Write a story in which characters are warned not to go into the woods.

Mystery – 98 stories

Write a story about a character on a quest, trying to "prove themselves."

Adventure – 30 stories

Stories

“The Miracle” by David Morrison

Submitted to Contest #16

Dylan came home from work on a Tuesday night in early November, took off his clothes and climbed in the shower. He was exhausted, he had painful blisters on his feet, the sciatic nerve in his back had been acting up, he was dirty, lonely, and cold. The shower let out a warm wave of water, it felt so good, but the moment quickly ended when the water stopped running. It took a minute to process but Dylan understood quickly that the downstairs neighbors didn't pay their electric bill again and some of Dylan's utilities were tied to his apartmen...

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“A Tale” by Haley Hansen

Submitted to Contest #16

Once upon a time, a poor young man lived on a farm by the moor, where the wind blew day and night. He had a small plot of land, and he worked from sunup to sundown until the wind and sun left his skin red and chapped, trying to make his crops grow. He was caring for his elderly mother, but they could barely get by, so the young man and his mother slowly fell into debt as they borrowed more and more money to survive. The neighbors they borrowed from steadily grew impatient. “I don’t want to do this, kid, but you owe us,” a man said one day. “...

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“What The River Did” by Cheza Vidal

Submitted to Contest #16

The river was no longer a nice place to see, smell, and remember.It had gone through different changes in a number of years. Alicia was a witness to these changes. Long ago, only her family lived in these parts. Now, she lived with other numerous families in different shabby houses alongside the riverbank.She was the eldest of six kids--three girls and three boys--who were so stubborn and carefree. They never noticed the river or what’s left of it. All they did was survive through the long summer heat under the iron roofs of their houses. Ea...

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“Beasties” by Caitlyn Hartman

Submitted to Contest #16

She blinked. The little voice pulled her from her thoughts -- pulled her back into the moment. She had been staring at a bottle of wine for three minutes. Lost. With a tilt of her head, she glanced down at a little boy to her side. There was a pellet gun slung over his shoulder. “Excuse me?” “There’s a beast in your woods. I saw it. Last summer. Me and Tom.” “Who are you, kid?” He looked insulted. “I’m your neighbor, duh. ‘Cross the street.” “How do you know there’s a ‘beast’ in my woods?” “I told you. I s...

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“The Monsters that Lie Here” by Jayden Mendez

Submitted to Contest #16

Embers few into the sky, lighting up the eyes of a little mousy, nine-year-old boy named Renan. His small face, pointy nose, and buck teeth glowed in the light of the roaring fire. The timid boy sat huddled between his two parents, staring at the town Elder as his monotonous voice drew out the story of their ancestors. "Long ago, before the great Medicinars created the cures that healed that of the Roaring Sickness, a group of pilgrims came upon a lowly valley. They forged an icy river down from the land of the Drought, and settled here. Thi...

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“Shortcut” by Alma Celia

Submitted to Contest #16

Jasmine was tired of all the efforts she made that doesn't give any results. She had tried everything she could to get her a job that at least would pay her rent and stop her from starving. Everyone in her apartment complex had been talking dirty about her because of her being jobless. They even said that she was an idiot for not getting any job at all.With determination, she got herself ready for her trip to the Green Hills forest, where a magical waterfall, named Moon Waterfall, located. The Green Hill forest was also associated with myste...

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“The Murky Darkness ” by Tracia Tucker

Submitted to Contest #16

My grandmother lived in the country. My brother & I would visit every summer. She owned a beautiful huge plot of land which consisted of deep green pastures, hills filled with lavender flowers, & all the way in the back there was the woods. She would let us play in the pastures & on the hills but she always warned us not to go near the woods. She never told us why, when we would ask why she simply would say "no one knows who lurks within the murky darkness." That phrase always frighten my brother & I. Yet, this summer we were...

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“Attack of the Dead Presidents” by Stevie Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #16

The rain has stopped, but only barely. “Finally!” I shout to the empty room. I can feel my cabin fever drop from my shoulders like a heavy coat. I wouldn’t say I love walking, but I do love the idea, and after being cooped up in this house for a solid week I need to stretch my legs. There’s a wooded area behind my house I find especially enticing on days like this, so before the rain can harass me anymore, I’m getting my tennis shoes on and taking one of those rare walks that I enjoy thinking about so much. I’m surprised by t...

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“Stay Out of the Woods” by Emmalee Everett

Submitted to Contest #16

Every since I was a child I was told to stay out of the woods on the outskirts of town. For a while I thought it was because of my horrible sense of direction and my parents were simply worried I would get lost, but when I got older I began noticing that people who went in those woods didn’t come out. The first time I really noticed was the time my friend Leo went in on a dare. It was just supposed to be a stupid high school party trick to freak everyone out before we went back inside and got even drunker than we already were. ...

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“Whispering Woods ” by Leophel Ampatin

Submitted to Contest #16

In a very vast sky where the flora and faunas meet the beam of light from the sun, a very dark woods that never taste the heat of the sun due to its very chaotic view from a distance. John has a rare condition where he needs a blood transfusion every week in order for him to survive. He has to go to the hospital every Friday for the blood transfusion and this is his condition since he was three years old and now his fifteen years old. His parents- Marcus and Lisa is very determined to give everything for their only son. John was a miracle ba...

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“There was a legend about a well in a garden.” by William Wehrmacher

Submitted to Contest #16

I found myself wandering around the countryside. It was a gorgeous day, the sky was a deep azure with cottony clouds that gave my mind exercises inventing animals and people’s faces. I was walking in a valley of grass that had not been mowed this year and as a result, the breeze made it ripple like waves on the ocean. This valley was surrounded by forests with their canopies a luscious green. It was near 80 degrees and the light dry breeze made the day about as perfect as a day can be. I came upon a path that led off...

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“Into The Woods: Seek and ye shall be found” by Alexandra Petrache

Submitted to Contest #16

.............................................................................................................................Do not go into The Woods, they said. She shrugged, as she pushed back the dense leafy curtain, took a deep breath and stepped in. A cacophony of colour dazzled her for a moment. She took a step and the colours were wiped away by near complete darkness and a weak warm wind. The floor made a cracking noise as something crumbled under her shoes. The place looked like a dark vestibule, with rich smells and sounds. Sh...

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“The Portal” by Hannah Posner

Submitted to Contest #16

“It’s just a forest,” Cass assures me and Toby, leading us closer. She’s right. It looks pretty innocent-- just a bunch of skeleton trees identical to all the others around town and mounds of snow with layers of crunchy leaves beneath them. Toby takes in a deep breath and clenches his fists. I wrap my coat tighter. I can’t stand this December weather.Cass grins at us mischievously, Toby shivers, and I smirk, trying to look calm even though I’m terrified. You’re not exactly supposed to go into the woods. Cass takes the first step i...

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“The Crooked Man of Moss Woods” by Kelly Zimmer

Submitted to Contest #16

“Grab that blanket, Chloe.” “No way, everyone will know what we’re doing.” “You think they’re not going to figure it out?” Brian shouldered his black backpack and trotted off toward the field. I laughed, snatched the plaid blanket off the back seat of Brian’s Toyota, and jogged to catch up. Behind us, the annual fall festival was in full swing under a glorious November sky. Carousel music competed with the guitars of a local band. The chaotic disharmony was punctuated with the roar of carnival rides and childish squeals of fear and joy. My i...

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“Last Call” by Kesten Harris

Submitted to Contest #16

Don’t go in the woods. You’ll find what you love in the woods.That was the bizarre warning that echoed throughout Penelope’s hometown. Every child could recite it word for word. Everyone knew the warning, but no one knew the meaning. Penelope had questioned half of the adults in Fallacyn Town for answers, but none had offered even a variation of the warning. They all shared a collective consciousness when it came to the woods. That strange behavior only increased Penelope’s curiosity. There had to be a reason why they all felt so strongly ab...

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$50

Prize money

314

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 22:59 - Nov 22, 2019 EST

Won by Vivien Leanne Saunders 🏆

Title: The Sackcloth Liar

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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