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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#161: Digging Deep

Released to much critical acclaim, Jennette McCurdy’s recent memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died is one of the most talked-about books of the summer (and potentially the year), not least because of its provocative title. But behind the clickbait-y headline, the book is a masterclass in memoir writing — digging deep into McCurdy’s life and deftly handling sensitive material, including her time as a child actress and an abusive childhood.


This week’s prompts are inspired by some of the themes in McCurdy’s memoir — the pressure of stardom at a young age, finally speaking one's truth, and starting a process of healing — encouraging you to explore the complex and often gritty nature of human relationships and emotions.

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone sharing a secret that has a big impact on everyone.

High School – 39 stories

Write a story where someone finds comfort in an unexpected event, place, or person.

Adults – 56 stories

Write about a character who lives a seemingly charmed life.

Teens – 25 stories

Write a story where a character has to take on heavy responsibilities (perhaps beyond their age).

Kids – 48 stories

Write about someone who needs to face their past in order to move forward.

Adults – 73 stories

Stories

“Jesus Lies ” by Derric Perez

Submitted to Contest #161

“Those shoes look a little big for you. Do you know your size? I can help you find a better fit.”The young boy’s face brightened with a glow of humor. “These aren’t for me,” he said with a half-smile. “They’re for my grandpa.”       The cashier softened and smiled, pleasantly surprised by this dutiful and considerate boy. “That’s really nice of you,” he says. “I’m sure your grandpa really appreciates you taking the walk for him. It’s not easy to get around sometimes for grandmas and grandpas. I remember my gra...

2 comments 2
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“Rainbow Electric” by Gregg Voss

Submitted to Contest #161

Tears that roll in panic down a child’s makeup-layered face create great rivulets that are not unnoticed by hot sound stage lights and cameras. Deposited from both corners and the center of the iris, the tears eventually unite creating virtual crevices on the child’s face that require a buff up by an annoyed, overworked and underpaid studio makeup artist named Hazel who thinks, You shouldn’t be here.             Of course, Hazel would never say that to her, a paunchy little girl of ...

5 comments 5
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“Forget-You-Not” by Sruthi Putcha

Submitted to Contest #161

I love you so much but Death loves you more.  Death loves you but Time loves me.  Why else would everything be frozen, if not for Time’s sorrow and pity? Time’s gift is an opportunity to weep without fear of judgment, but I don’t take it. It isn’t for a lack of trying, of course. I squeeze and squeeze the rag in my mind holding my tears until my fingers ache.  Maybe sometimes grief isn’t loud or sharp. Maybe sometimes it’s cold, so cold. It coats your heart in an emotionally numbing layer of frost, protecting it unti...

3 comments 3
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“Room For Me” by Donna Williams

Submitted to Contest #161

I wake up every day in that room. Everyday, That room. I've lived in that room almost all my life. From the time I was brought home as a baby, That room. Same four corners. That room. Design has changed over time, from crib to twin bed to Mom's old queen sized frame squeezed into a cramped corner under the window across from the door. Lumpy mattress. Squeaky box springs. The door that is always closed. That closed door. I first closed that door in a fit of anger so many years ago. I wanted to slam it but knew better so I closed it as angrily...

2 comments 2
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“Mansion of Memories” by Zoë Page

Submitted to Contest #161

“How long do you think you’ll be?” Mikael surveyed me with a look of concern on his half-shaven face. In fact, he was still holding the razor, white foam plastered across the right side of his face, the left smooth and shiny. He stood in the doorway to the bathroom right at the top of the stairs, staring down where I was, by the front door, just pulling my coat off the stand and swinging it on. I’d just shouted up to let him know I was leaving and that he was to be in total responsibility of our toddler, Tate.“I’m just looking through it to ...

6 comments 6
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“Ghosts of Chemicals” by Ruby Urlocker

Submitted to Contest #161

I had, at best, a love-hate relationship with the past. Maybe a shy away from for months and then one night obsessively think over relationship with the past is more accurate. There were reasons why I didn't talk about it. Reasons why I told myself I was moving on, when that wasn't quite what I was doing. I was going through the motions. I had a steady job now. I had bought a new wardrobe of flashy, clunky, geeky clothes including yellow button-up shirts I could wear with a white tank top underneath, and lots of jeans I spray-painted and spl...

0 comments 0
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“315” by Francois Kosie

Submitted to Contest #161

Content warning: Swearing, violence.It feels great putting those big plates on the bar and catching the glances of people working out around me. I get someone to spot me, and they comment on the weight I’m lifting. Then my earbuds are belting out motivational speeches and music while I push through one more rep. When I’m done, the barbell clangs loudly onto its stand. After my set I take a moment to think about how today’s going great. Work went well, my workout is going well, and it’s Friday night. Tonight’s my date with Sarah from work! Sh...

2 comments 2
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“Don’t Hate Me, Cause I Love Myself” by Pres T

Submitted to Contest #161

*This story contains the topics of mild physical violence, threats of suicide, as well as discussions surrounding mental illness. Reader discretion is advised Childhood is one of the most important starting points for any future adult. Troy knew this as he watched his wife Valentina, progress more and more in her pregnancy. The young couple was ahead of the ball in so many ways. Getting the nursery prepared months in advance. Troy purchased a new car that was more family friendly. The Lincoln Aviator provided the Brooks family that luste...

0 comments 0
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“Never said Goodbye” by Lynda Baker

Submitted to Contest #161

I always found making friends a chore. Being an only child raised on what had once been a dairy farm there was little opportunity to socialize. By the time my parents had it, both cows and farmers were long gone. The house itself was on its knees begging for a lick of paint and some tiles to stop the rain pouring in. There was an outhouse where we'd keep chickens. They never arrived.   So much for a fresh start! Ever the optimist, Daddy bought paint and allowed me to help brighten the place up "We'll take the tru...

1 comment 1
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“Allison” by Greg Madden

Submitted to Contest #161

We were happily married for seven years before Allison gave me the big news that she was eight weeks pregnant. It should have been a celebrated day. We were in our late twenties, and I had just become the team leader of the IT Applications Support group at my company, Royal Labels. Other than playing basketball twice a week at the YMCA, I was home reading a book or watching TV. Allison worked at Lebanon Premier Hospital as an x-ray technician. Except for a rare weekend shift or covering after-hours emergencies for our jobs, we were usually h...

1 comment 1
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“SINS OF THE FATHER” by Peter Merz

Submitted to Contest #161

Todd manipulated the fidget spinner in his hand. He needed to focus on the problem at hand. His sister, Sally, had reminded him about the funeral and his need to be there. So, Dad really was dead. Those words should have been like a heavy weight being lifted off his shoulders. But that wasn't what he felt at all. If anything, he felt like someone just dropped an even more horrendous weight on his shoulders.He didn't want to go to the funeral, but he realized the aftermath of not showing up at his own father's funeral would only cause unneede...

2 comments 2
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“HER SECRET” by Dee Weinberg

Submitted to Contest #161

HER SECRETBy Dee WeinbergI know her secret. I didn’t ask for it, it was flung at me in a rush of words during a conversation I never expected.It was a perfect autumn morning. The kind that energizes you with warm sun and the delicious smell of mowed grass and fire pit ashes from the night before.I was finishing raking the leaves that had drifted over from the neighbor’s huge maple tree. My back was starting to ache from pushing the piles of leaves into the black garbage bag hung on the fence. I felt my phone vibrate and debated if ...

1 comment 1
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“THE INTERVIEW” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #161

 THE INTERVIEW He, Karl K., was a world-famous figure, a successful singer for, at least,   twenty years, beloved by audiences of  young, old and even children, when, with what he told, or rather, confessed in that interview, he shocked everyone, indeed he knocked everyone out. Ah, who would have expected from someone like him, who had always been told as a very sunny person ( man), with a great charge of humanity and sympathy, that he could have committed something so terrible. The bomb of such great revelation ( co...

0 comments 0
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“Happy Freshman Year ” by Kairi Longoria

Submitted to Contest #161

"I slept with Matie’s boyfriend” are the words that changed my entire high school life but that's for later let's start at the beginning. Hi, I'm Matie, and I'm a freshman in high school. I just moved into Dickinson High school in Texas. I used to live in New York but I recently moved here. I’m not exactly a social butterfly or party freak to be completely honest. I would much rather stay inside wearing an over-sized hoodie and reading a book. Today is my first day of school and I'm not looking forward to it at all. I put on a black crop top...

0 comments 0
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“Orders to kill” by John Berry

Submitted to Contest #161

“Gavin, you can’t be serious.”“Yes, I’ve been one for 15 years,” I said.“Prove it.”“Let’s get into the courtyard and I’ll tell you more.”The siren rang out, and the guards marched 50 prisoners past their locked cells and into the courtyard for free time.Together we sat at the top of our stands, looking at everyone working out, with the fence behind us. 10 guards walked around with submachine guns, ready to use them to stop any riots as they had in previous years. This was a prison of hardened criminals.“Why are you a spy? Why are you telling...

2 comments 2
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$250

Prize money

241

Contest entries

125

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 02, 2022 EST

Won by Marty B 🏆

Title: Long Distance Phone Call

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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