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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

“Daddy Issues” by Andrea Davis

Submitted to Contest #161

WARNING: the following story contains possible triggers of both, violence, domestic violence, child abuse, mental health struggles and sexual abuse. I know that I'm about to feel the leather of his black utility belt. The peeling screech of Velcro echoes across the room. "Place your hands on the bottom of the mattress and don't move". His voice is deep and terrifying. Each time we do this, it's the same routine, the same questions, same sounds of the Velcro and belt crack, and ultimately me alone in my bed crying. "How many licks do...

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“the town” by Adrian Gascoigne

Submitted to Contest #161

"It's a bad season." Mike had a wet towel on his shoulder, sweat already soaking through his vest, and though he was already sweating profusely, he stood there like a stake, and he looked again at the poster on the wall: it was an advertisement for the sale of fruit. Apples, bananas, watermelons, these very common fruits have never appeared in Mike's 42 years, and he remembers a foreigner who once came to the town to promote his products: "I invented a new fruit juicer. Just one apple can squeeze out two glasses of apple juice! "What a ...

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“Some Enchanted Evening” by VJ Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #161

Nurse Alford noiselessly opened the door, just wide enough to poke her head around it. “Did you buzz?” she said to the woman who lay like a darkened splash on the slanted bed. “Yes,” said the woman, tapping the translucent IV line attached to her arm. “Please get me some more of whatever this is. I can’t bear how these afternoons drag on.” “Mrs. McKennitt,” the nurse said and sighed. “I would gladly ask the doctor to increase your medication, but you will need a better reason for it. An ‘afternoon dragging on’ is not reason enough, you know....

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“The Bridge” by Margarita Escobar

Submitted to Contest #161

The Bridge Carmen added a final touch to her outfit–a white carnation to her hair. Esteban’s favourite flower. She fluffed her skirt once more and left the apartment. Her heart galloped in her chest as she rushed to the park. Sunny skies filled her soul with joy and anticipation. She hurried to her destination. Fidgeting with her blouse and her jean jacket, she sat on their bench and waited for Esteban to appear beside the little bridge over the creek. He never came close, but she knew he’d show up, just as he has done every Tuesday f...

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“Insidious” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #161

The old man claimed her innocence when she was a small child, and gave her the gifts of blame and shame in exchange. I, the selfish secret, was planted. A well-hidden whisper that dictated the choices and beliefs of a young girl growing up, and she didn’t even know it. I hid in in the back of that girl’s mind, quietly, for a long time under the guise of protection. She was a good girl. She wanted to protect her family, so I was buried deep. Then she unexpectedly found her voice. Dug me up. Now, I’m vulnerable to the world. This is a...

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“The Balcony” by MELANIE WOODS

Submitted to Contest #161

It wasn’t until Lockdown that Jacob realised he was lonely; before that, he had thought of himself simply as someone leading a quiet life. What he missed most was the noise, secondly the smells: the noise and the smells that had, up until now, infiltrated his subconscious from the balcony below, filling his head with joy, hope and that indefinable feeling of being truly, fully, alive. Ire, who lived in the flat beneath Jacob had, until 2020, a constant stream of friends and family religiously streaming into her welco...

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“Goodbye, Saint Nick” by Macy Farmer

Submitted to Contest #161

She was starting to grow tired of the crunch of snow beneath her boots. An hour of following deer tracks produced nothing but a half-eaten corpse and a pair of lethargic Howlers that—thanks to their recent meal—barely put up a fight as they were dispatched. Dara pulled her arrow from one’s temple groan. “Don’t suppose we can salvage anything from the doe, huh?” Knelt by the corpse, Kole hummed in thought as she looked over the damage. “I mean… they only got the butt end, maybe if we only cut from the ribcage up… no, wait, there’s a...

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“Mali's year” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #161

A grey sky looked down on the grey ground. As far as the eye could see, everything was grey. A treacherous muddy river made countless bends between its banks. At Harry's bend, the water was constantly churned by the heavy wheel of a mill, scarred by storms and the sun, in the same desolate colors as its sad surroundings. On a cliff above, a dozen unfenced houses stood in a group. All day, all night, day after day the mill pounded with maddening monotony. In the summer, the sun blistered and burned the whole valley, and in the winter the wind...

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“The Paradoxical Effect” by Ian Matonti

Submitted to Contest #161

George flipped on the television. The cathode ray tube set hummed and the picture came into focus. “The coronavirus has spread to every major city in the United States. Governor Huard issued a state of emergency. Lockdowns go into effect at midnight tonight. If you need to go to a store you must wear a mask—“ George stared at the screen in a mixture of horror and disbelief. His cheek twitched as he watched; a tic he acquired a decade earlier. His doctor said it was from nerves. That was a ridiculous diagnosis. George didn't s...

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“Trampled Back to Life” by Althea Gowen

Submitted to Contest #161

Libby Porter had been raised in a devoutly religious household, and believed there was no problem in the world that could not be solved by prayer. Libby never had any reason to doubt this; so, when her faith failed her and she could not find comfort when she needed it most, she was utterly lost.Her twin sister, Carla, was hit and killed by a drunk driver when they were 18. Libby’s world collapsed and her faith seemed to be gone, along with Carla. Their home had been quiet and serious even before Carla died, but after, all joy was snuffed out...

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“Even One Connection” by Francois Kosie

Submitted to Contest #161

I feel lucky to be at an enormous mansion standing proudly on the edge of a small seaside cliff. The floors are made of smooth mirror-like stone and there’s a wide ocean view dotted with sailboats. It’s starting to get dark, and the lights just discreetly turned on. All around me, fancily dressed people are enjoying cocktails, laughing at each other’s jokes, and closing business deals. White sand beaches stretch out lazily below us, and some of the wedding invitees are playing in the waves, under the gentle orange rays of the evening sun.I d...

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“Skeleton in the Closet” by Sabrina Hauer

Submitted to Contest #161

So this is the peak of my life I guess, John thought to himself as smooth jazz music tickled his ears and the scent of coffee filled the room. He leaned back on his cushy dining room chair and closed his eyes. A soft creak of the hardwood floorboards drew his attention and his eyes fluttered open to see the silhouette of his wife. In her hands she carried an ornate silver tray with small Turkish style mugs. “Coffee is ready,” she said in a soft voice. To his left, his father sat up in his chair at the sound of her voice. “My goo...

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“A Stranger in These Lands” by Jen La Plante

Submitted to Contest #161

The farmer that picks me up notices immediately that I am a foreigner. Though my long, hooded cloak is nondescript, his careful eye lingers on the fine embroidery of my long-sleeved shirt, the glint of metal beneath it. He says nothing about what he sees or assumes; I see him eyeing the space beneath his legs and surmise that there is a weapon there. Nearly an hour passes without him speaking to me.“Is this your first time traveling through Avern lands, madam?” he asks, not turning around. The cart carries us over a large stone in the road. ...

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“Charmed, I'm sure.” by J Dee

Submitted to Contest #161

“Write about a character living a seemingly charmed life.”The birds are taking a while bringing me my shoes.Last time, Connor forgot what he was doing and brought my nicest slipper to his nest. I swear, if he didn’t have Theodosia around to set him straight, he’d fly into the sun with the morning milk. I sigh, and twirl my way down the stairs to the kitchen, where my sun streaked blue walls smile a “good morning” at me. I brush my red hair out of my face and sing a pleasant song as I prepare my morning porridge, and the rabbits carry th...

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“Raising Arlo” by Sarah Glass

Submitted to Contest #161

TW: Substance and physical abuse I'll never forget the sound of my little brother crying in the middle of the night. I groggily sit up, blinking against the dark until my eyes land on the night light across from my bed. Arlo's cries intensify, urging me to slide off my bed and hurry to the crib close by. Searching with my feet, I soon find the step stool and stand on it so I can lower the crib rail. Leaning over, I scoop him up as carefully as I can and hold his flailing body close to me. His hiccupped cries quiet for a moment, but I know ...

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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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