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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

“Love Is A Blank Space” by Ajahni Crenshaw

Submitted to Contest #161

TW: Sexual Abuse, Substance AddictionI walked through life carrying a person on my back. Every day since that day was a heavy, dark feeling in my chest. I had panic attacks, anxiety, and stress ever since the shadow people latched onto my back. ‘Why don’t you believe me?’ as I screamed and sobbed. I woke up from nightmares dripping in sweat. I’ve been smoking weed to soothe the pain. It worked. I never had to think about it while I felt at a high. I woke up to smoke weed, I had a panic attack and smoked weed, and every night before I went to...

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“Made for Breaking” by John Merino

Submitted to Contest #161

“It doesn’t matter what happens later. It doesn’t matter how you got here. Just think about how good you feel! You can already feel the beautiful acceleration can’t you, the vertiginous thrill running up from your toes into your groin, like taking your foot off the gas pedal and gliding over a hump in the road at top speed? It’s a feeling you haven’t felt since the old, experimental school days. It’s the feeling of true freedom Mike, of traveling past the limits of your feeble biology, escaping the police-state of worry you’ve lived in since...

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“For Your Amusement ” by ER Castaneda

Submitted to Contest #161

Approaching the ticket counter at Six Flags Great Adventue, Beth readied herself for a much needed day off. “One ticket please,” she said to the cashier, handing over cash. “Not the usual look coming into the park, the cashier glanced up and down, noting Beth’s pristine two piece black pants suit with black pumps. “Yeah,” said Beth hoisting her Nike duffel bag up. “I plan on changing. Definitely think the pumps aren’t the best footwear for Six Flags.” She and the cashier chuckled. As soon as t...

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“Then, there was you” by Tam Hoskyns

Submitted to Contest #161

Malaria is a life threatening disease, spread by an infected female Anophelese mosquito. In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide. (World Health Organization) Malaria is both preventable and curable. WARNING: Depiction of illness and death. There is water dripping somewhere: I can hear it, but I cant see it. I might be imagining it, because with every drop, I feel pain. Perhaps my brain has been conditioned to feel each blow of the drop of water. At the same time, I would do anything for a single dr...

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“A Gift of Love” by Gloria Bartone

Submitted to Contest #161

One of my favorite poems is "Grandmother's Old Armchair, " because when I read it I am reminded of how Gran's old furniture changed my life. Maybe I should tell you something about myself first. I am the youngest of three siblings. My brother Craig is sixteen years older than I. He is the successful businessman type who always manages to make gold out of straw. My sister Lorelei is fourteen years older. She is a lawyer,married to a doctor, with three perfect boys, a perfect home with matched designer furniture, all cared for by an au pair ...

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“Lucky Man” by Jack O'Brien

Submitted to Contest #161

A little over a year ago I stood on a small knoll in the veteran’s cemetery in Boscawen, N.H. to deliver a eulogy for my father. He’d trekked thousands of miles on his bicycle but was done in by a simple fall in the kitchen when he struck his head on the marble counter. It is complex, the tenuous relationship that exists between fathers and sons, one contingent upon a son’s quest for approval from the father, for the father, a mental calculation of merit, and worthiness of a son. The depth of a father’s love is conditional. A mother’s love h...

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“Eden's Charmed life” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #161

Eden is my name and many people have said I live a charmed life filled with magic.I would say my life is filled with lots of love from family and friends, charmed I'm not so sure. We will just have to see. I've been blessed with the work I do and the people who work for me. We are family first, co-workers second. I've been lucky to share my passion for Art to help those who need color in their life. Art has helped so many find their way to a better place. Art has comfort people when they were sad or hurt. Art has taught people to believe...

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“LAND OF DROUGHT” by Paul Blackburn

Submitted to Contest #161

LAND OF DROUGHT PART I Rays of bright orange light cut through the pitch black home of the Daniels’ family, their glow lining the cracks of shut curtains. On the stovetop, one lonely kettle catches a ray of sun peering through the window above, emboldened by the refracting power of glass. The shine off of the stainless steel pot grows dangerously bright, and soon the water leftover from yesterday’s coffee begins to steam. The house thermometer’s red ethanol has risen up just shy of its maximum. One hundred and twenty-two de...

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“Planted Blood” by Random Person

Submitted to Contest #161

I'm scared.Of course I am but I'm cold too.Five minutes ago, when an officer came in to ask me if I wanted some water or coffee or anything, I declined, my teeth chattering and body shaking. I'm sure he noticed, but he didn't say anything and neither did I."What you say can and will be used against you in the court of law." I hadn't been arrested, but I'd seen a number of movies enough to know that the same principle would apply here.The door opens and the same woman who brought me in enters. She's wearing a blazer, probably a padded one: I ...

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“She Was Born a Girl” by Joann Massmann

Submitted to Contest #161

She Was Born a Girlby Joann C. MassmannLet’s get something straight from the beginning . . . In today’s world, “I Was Born a Girl” is a title that might conjure up some gender-confusion issues, but that’s not the case. My mother is now 97 years old and sadly lives with dementia. Before her mind completely disintegrates, I want to share her story of growing up in rural Illinois during a time when girls were not valued, except for those jobs that sustained the boys and the men in the family and the farm.My mother was the third child born in 19...

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“Letters to My Loved Ones” by Havana Summer

Submitted to Contest #161

Dear Mommy, Why did you have to go? On all the days, of all the years, of all the generations. Sometimes I still hear the splashing of the coffee machine, now deserted, showering your “Best Mom Ever” coffee cup, sometimes I still smell your Gingham perfume. I wondered a lot about that night. All my teenage questions jumbled up into a hot mess, like when the confetti cannon fires and you can’t get all the confetti out of your hair for a while. My questions stuck like that confetti. Where were you going so late at night? These bells of...

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“Stagnant Dreams” by Melissa SA

Submitted to Contest #161

TW: This story contains sensitive content such as Sexual violence, Mental health, Substance abuse, Physical violence or abuse, and Suicide."It's tea time, and maybe I will have a biscuit or two, but first I must hurry up with myskincare routine; there is nothing like starting the mornings, pampering yourself and doing what you like." Annie said. “Waah waah,” a baby cried.Since I was little, I find myself daydreaming about me being someone else, living the life of someone else who could be me if I didn't have the parents that I have. It ...

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“Fairies Live Forever” by Amanda G

Submitted to Contest #161

**THIS STORY CONTAINS MATERIAL RE: HIV/AIDS** She was mature, albeit 8 years old. Her father died and her mother had left her. It didn’t seem she could handle the commitment of a sick child or even the emotional demands of being a mother at all. A single mother at that. Sure, Shay hadn’t had it easy but what about her daughter? Grandma Pat was who Jess sat with, as she waited in the packed children’s emergency room. “Thank god for good healthcare here in Canada,” Pat muttered to Jess. You could smell the vomit off the child’s swe...

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“How Volcanoes Form” by Deric Behm

Submitted to Contest #161

My grandfather used to tell me, “All the burden you carry in this world is like holding a bunch of stones. At some point you'll be buried beneath the weight." He would tell this to me everyday, and finally end our conversations saying, "You might as well carry the whole damn realm." Grandpa never made since to me when I was growing up. He made even less sense after my father "inherited" the family business. Mom would talk about our grandparents. Somedays it sounded as though she was defending them. Trying to explain the different era they g...

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“Point Man” by Jim Holley

Submitted to Contest #161

Point man Billy was getting nervous. This was his 5th time being the point man for his platoon, and he wondered if his time was running out. He would consider himself now, a seasoned Viet-Nam combat veteran. Being point man on a patrol was the most dangerous position of all on a recon mission. He was only 18 years old but old beyond his years. He thought now he knew all the Viet Cog tricks. Billy’s job was to alert the patrol of an impending ambush. He would be looking for any movemen...

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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!

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