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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

“October 25th” by Kellin Hess

Submitted to Contest #16

Autumn leaves came falling down from the trees. Few green remained on the trees on the twenty-fifth morning of October. The world was turning orange, reflecting off of the windows on the homes resting on Madding Lane. Victorian homes, most likely hiding a neglectful father and spoiled children. Deborah Jones strolled down this very road, heading to a cul de sac with few homes, near the greaser trailer park. It was 1952, and Deborah, or Debby, was 15. It was typical of girls her age to have a romantic partner sweeping them off their feet, or ...

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“First Impressions” by Hazel Watson

Submitted to Contest #16

It's not a whiff, but a stench. It seeps through the cracks in the wood, through the slight gap between the frame and the door, through the rusted keyhole. I wretch as I step onto the frail porch, the wood is sodden and bends beneath my foot. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying my best to hold down the contents of my stomach as I realise something inside is dead and rotting.I hope it's not Mr. Williams in there. Flashes of a decaying corpse flicker through my mind. I imagine him there, sunken into a coffee-stained armchair, a daytime soap ...

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“Love at first sight” by Kiarra Cotton

Submitted to Contest #16

Three years ago, Deja tried a dating site called Love Birds. Deja is in her late 20s, 5'7, light skin caramel complexion with brown almond-shaped eyes with full lips. She was tired of being single because all of her friends are married and some already started a family. Deja has been on blind dates her friends hooked her up on and she didn't like any of them. She felt they weren't the ones. So she signed up on Love Birds and see where it goes. She started creating her profile. In her description, she was looking for someone who was old schoo...

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“Letting Go” by Tammy Anderson

Submitted to Contest #16

Once upon a time, a bird fell in love with a balloon. Now, while this sounds like it would be a funny story, it isn’t. This is a sad story - at least at first. Unrequited love is always sad... He was a very handsome bird, with glossy black feathers and bright black eyes, and he had a charming way of flitting the tips of his wings when he landed on a tree branch that made all of the lady birds sigh. He knew that he was a very special bird with a fantastic future ahead of him, full of grand adventures and heroic deeds; a bird as han...

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“Woah Woah, careful there!” by Adian A

Submitted to Contest #16

Diamond lifts up the pile of heavy boxes, it is obstructing her view, yet it doesn't truly bother her, since she easily memorized the path and it's not a long-distance anyways, just to the main hallway.Diamond isn't disturbed by the weight of the boxes, it's quite alright, nonetheless her wrist does not seem to be on the same page with her, the strain of the weight appearing to put unnecessary pressure on it and triggering the minor irritation in the injured area; that results in her arm beginning to tremble slightly and for the boxes to wob...

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“Grocery Shopping” by Hailie Durante

Submitted to Contest #16

Goosebumps erupted from my skin as I walked down the dairy section of Food Lion. My dark hair hung wet and limp down my back, telling the world I just showered. My mother had asked me to grab a gallon of milk before heading to volleyball practice. Grabbing a random gallon, I headed towards the front to check out. Eyes glued to my iphone screen, I smacked the milk onto the counter. "Is that all today?" A deep, monotone voice asked. I simply nodded, sending a random meme to my team's group chat. For a minute, I continued to text my friends,...

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“Love at first sight” by Brylee Palmer

Submitted to Contest #16

Love at first sight I have always wished for love at first sight. I have never felt love. My name is Brooklyn Payce. I am eighteen, and all I want is to feel a zing of love when I look at someone. I love my family, but that’s way different. I just want to at least have a crush on someone that likes me. I am kind of a freak though. I'll have a crush on someone, but then when they start to like me, I automatically pull away. I guess I just want what I can’t have? There was this one guy though. Layton Brown. He was quite a catch. I was vi...

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“Just a Damsel in Distress” by Margo Harris

Submitted to Contest #16

You used to be my everything, though to you I was nothing at all. I was just another girl living in her own fantasy world. The world in which you were the king and I was the queen. Together we would have ruled our kingdom in the woods, away from it all. But it was just a dream that should be forgotten, yet it will forever be the scene keeping my imagination alive. You were the perfect guy. Everyone was in love with you, but no one loved you as much as me. I spent years of my life watching your every move, waiting for you to suddenly realiz...

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“The Princess and the Thief” by E. Genao

Submitted to Contest #16

Princess Clara stepped inside the tower and examined the seemingly endless spiral staircase. After weeks of journeying through the woods--fighting monsters and breaking curses, with friends and alone--she had finally made it. All that was left to do was climb some stairs. So why was she so afraid?“Stop,” Clara mumbled. She shook her head violently as if to force out all negative thoughts. Then, she took a deep breath and began the climb.Her mind wandered, and all she could focus on was the ball. That one fateful day that would change the cou...

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“And Had I Not Looked Left” by Megan Rosevear

Submitted to Contest #16

I missed the bus again. Veronica would kill me if she knew; I'd been late four times that week already and was due for more than just a few snide comments this time.I frantically tried to flag down the driver, but it was no use. He peeled away from the curb and out into the evening traffic. Cars were whizzing by, their lights blinking on as the world turned more purple than blue.I stood on the sidewalk and ignored the way that people filtered around me. I could have started the long walk home - at least it would give me some time to think. I...

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“Always in love” by Anie Doe

Submitted to Contest #16

“It is her. She is the girl that I will marry. I have been dreaming about her forever and finally she has come. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind, funny ...” Peter knew that he would have to wait for about thirty minutes before George would need to breathe in and would provide a tiny niche for someone else to participate in the conversation. There came the moment. The question had formed itself his mind about five minutes ago and he couldn’t keep it down anymore. “And will you give her the same ring that you wanted to give to Bia...

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“"First Real Love"” by Mabel Ortiz

Submitted to Contest #16

It just took a glance. Turning my eyes toward the long row of students, I noticed this tall, lanky guy that topped over every one's head. To me, everyone was tall since I was only 58 inches or four-ten. But I kept on going. The cafeteria was packed, and, thank God, Greta had secured us a table, and waited there while I shopped for our lunch. We always went "Dutch "and opted for similar menu options. Hamburgers surpassed "mystery"lasagna casserole and salads seemed safer than " soaked" fries.Someone almost knocked down my tray as I ...

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“My Angel” by Shavon Erasmus

Submitted to Contest #16

The sun hits me straight in the face letting me know that I have slept through my alarm – again! I check the time on the clock. It’s six am and I have to be at work in an hour, which would sound like no big deal since I live right around the corner’ but I still have to shower and wash and dry my hair.Stepping into the elevator once I’m ready for work, I check the time again. I let out a sigh of relieve as I still have fifteen minutes to get to work. Gosh I hate elevators but since the stairs are under construction I had no choice but to get ...

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“"Only in Fairy Tales"” by LeslieAnn Donnelly

Submitted to Contest #16

Sunlight is dappling through the autumn colored leaves, soothing my mind as I travel from Alabama to Tennessee. Purposefully, I chose traveling country roads so I could better enjoy the splendor of the leaves changing. The inspirational talk in Nashville is free so I rationalized the extra gas expense, skipping all interstates. After all, it is my thirty fifth birthday and I am intent on having a good weekend. My favorite author, Lynn V. Andrews is giving a talk in Nashville and her books have been instrumental in feeding me spirit...

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“Just Before Dinner” by Lordofthestrings

Submitted to Contest #16

Ally and I climb the stairs to go to the Social Media class. "I think this is gonna be great!" whispers Ally as she sits down. I agree and pull out my notebook and pens. I glance around. Lots of people from our church are in this class. There's Chloe, Addie, Sarah, Ava, and... "Who's that?" I wonder, "He's...kinda cute." After the class ends, I make my way over to Ava and her "companion". Ava wants the signature of the class leader (Dillon Chase) so, I decide to talk to the guy she's been sitting with. I learn that his name is Cristian, and ...

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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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