#166: Game, set, match
Lately, my sporting news feed has been taken over by the retirement of two legendary tennis players — Serena Williams and Roger Federer. Whenever sports stars end their careers, it leaves me wondering what it must feel like to start something new after dedicating so much time and effort into performing at top level.
Of course, retiring, quitting, or changing careers are life-changing events whether you’re a professional athlete or not, and the prompts this week are inspired by the bevy of emotions this can bring to the surface — from trepidation to excitement, to regret or even nostalgia.
This week's prompts
Start your story with someone saying “I quit!”
Adults – 55 stories
Write about a rivalry between two coworkers that has unforeseen consequences.
Adults – 26 stories
Set your story at a retirement or leaving party.
Adults – 19 stories
Stories
“The assistant County Treasurer” by Ed Lowry
Submitted to Contest #166
“Promotion” by Michael Maceira
Submitted to Contest #166
“I Quit” by Christine Reding
Submitted to Contest #166
“Game On” by Olivia Pomin
Submitted to Contest #166
“Digging Up The Past” by Isobel Tynan
Submitted to Contest #166
“Atonement” by P. T. Golden
Submitted to Contest #166
“The Cherry on Top” by Cassie Varney
Submitted to Contest #166
“Bowling Against the Damdykers” by Kathleen Papageorgio
Submitted to Contest #166
“A bottle of Amontillado ” by John White
Submitted to Contest #166
“Only Women Bleed. Part 2./Never Surrender.” by Jeannie Labelle -Potvin
Submitted to Contest #166
“Freedom from the Grind” by Robert Stjepanovic
Submitted to Contest #166
“The Greater Good” by Isaias Santamaria
Submitted to Contest #166
“Grieving Last Year” by Charline Desrosiers
Submitted to Contest #166
“Documentation Principles” by Lee Eustace
Submitted to Contest #166
$250
Prize money
180
Contest entries
73
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Oct 07, 2022 EST
Won by Rebecca Miles 🏆
Title: Letting go
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.
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