#171: Wanderlust, Wanderlost
If I can paraphrase In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust once said that “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” This idea of travel has always been popular in literature: most notably, as a way for authors to explore a character’s internal journey through their encounters with the external world. After all, our interactions with people and places are what shape our perspective on things.
Taking inspiration from the idea of the solo voyage — whether it be a big trip around the world, or simply a leisurely walk around an unfamiliar neighborhood — this week’s prompts invite you to hone in on drifting, wandering, and exploring on your own.
This week's prompts
Start your story with someone looking at a breathtaking view and getting emotional.
Dramatic – 64 stories
Write a story where someone decides to take the long way home.
Adventure – 37 stories
Stories
“The Land of Fairytales: The Tooth Fairy Gets Lost” by Melony Beard
Submitted to Contest #171
“A Lovers' Dance” by Mike Panasitti
Submitted to Contest #171
“Time And Again” by Sylvan Turley
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Habitual Shift” by Robert T
Submitted to Contest #171
“Footsteps in the Snow” by Murray Burns
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Long Way Home” by Katharine Widdows
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Cottage” by KarLynn Erickson
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Ash-Spreading of Jaz” by Lindsay Flo
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Sandwich Guy” by AnneMarie Miles
Submitted to Contest #171
“Going Forth” by Francois K
Submitted to Contest #171
“Torii” by Kendall Defoe
Submitted to Contest #171
“Law of Leary” by Drew Herron
Submitted to Contest #171
“The Black Dogs Among Us” by July St John
Submitted to Contest #171
“A Ballad for Buck Dumpster” by Lonnie Russo
Submitted to Contest #171
“Whatever You Do, Do Quickly” by 𝔊𝔲𝔞𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔲𝔭𝔢 𝔗𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯
Submitted to Contest #171
$250
Prize money
204
Contest entries
79
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Nov 11, 2022 EST
Won by Thom With An H 🏆
Title: Silence
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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