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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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 about two solo travelers who keep bumping into each other in the most unexpected of places.

Romance – 21 stories

Write about a character who is trying to leave something or someone behind — only to realize they carry it with them.

Sad – 72 stories

Write a story where someone decides to take the long way home.

Adventure – 37 stories

Your character is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. The story takes place during a long-haul flight, with an open return-date. What happens?

Adventure – 10 stories

Stories

“Would Carl Sagan Be Proud?” by Jenna Williams

Submitted to Contest #171

Dear Niamh,According to Guth’s Cosmic Inflation theory, “In an eternally inflating universe, anything that can happen will happen; in fact, it will happen an infinite number of times.” The pattern will repeat, is repeating, has repeated. We - earth, humanity, me, you - will exist countless other times in countless other ways.You and I will someday be a senseless pile of ash. All of our hardships, triumphs and memories condensed into nothing but dry Calcium Phosphates, plus water and some minerals. But billions and billions, more th...

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“To Know Your Enemy and How The Enemy Unravels: Ha, Ho” by Derek Barber

Submitted to Contest #171

The reader of this short-story should be aware that the story contains themes of drug use and the issue of sexual violence. It also is intended to contain elements of tragic-comedy. Please be advised. Thank you.It wasn't until I saw the splintered glass of the Celea pod casing did I acknowledge it. So, maybe this wasn't just a vice and creative tool. My hands were shaking. Maybe this was the last place I could hide. My nails were long. Maybe I’d become what they said I’d always turn into. My bliss within inches away. Finally, my great golden...

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“Many Happy Returns” by Jack Bell

Submitted to Contest #171

After my breakup with Sally Stukel, I swore off love, laughter, hope, fruit and veg, basic hygiene. Pretty much in that order. What really threw me was the shock of it. I thought we were fine. Came home from work one day and found a note. “Dear Nick…” It was almost poetic. Nick, it turns out, rhymes with prick, dick, sick, thick and even, in a purple penultimate paragraph, hick. Upshot: she’d been unhappy and I’d been “smothering” her. Have to admit, my breath caught at that. Me “smothering” her? I took unpaid leave from work to sink unenc...

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“Always take the long way ” by Tommy Thiriot

Submitted to Contest #171

Every time, every time I decide to go the long way, something insane happens. Whether it be a bank robbery, a terrorist attack, or a celebrity proposal, I always seemed to be stuck in the middle of something. I couldn’t believe it. A man was literally five feet away from me, aiming a gun at my face, and I was more bored than scared. That would shock some people, unless they’ve met me. I had an adrenaline disorder, where my body did not produce nearly any adrenaline. So, it made it really difficult to get excited or nervous about anything. D...

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“Open Your Eyes ” by Katy Brackett

Submitted to Contest #171

The breeze tickled an uncovered area of my neck, and I pulled my scarf tighter. The only sounds of the forest were the rustling of leaves and birds chirping happily away in the branches. The Smokey Mountains rose and fell before me, the bright array of autumn colors on full display. I inhaled deeply; the crisp fall air tainted with smoke from some far-off chimney. This was my favorite time of year, a time when things changed, and the mountains painted a landscape that summoned people from all corners of the nation. The crunch of gravel and ...

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“My Journey” by Liz Zare

Submitted to Contest #171

The warm, sandy wind is hurling around me, blowing my hair in my face and plucking my clothes. There’s no way of telling where the ground ends and the sky begins. The rock is supporting me, holding me up, the sky embracing me. The enormousness of the distance around me makes me feel like a speck of dust in the vast universe, small, insignificant and yet, bigger and taller than I have ever been before. We’re here in America for our honeymoon, Fred and I, but it hasn’t been a walk in the park, so to say. He managed to ruin every moment that ...

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“To Alma” by Ellen Kommel

Submitted to Contest #171

The remnant clouds of a storm cell diffused the light of a setting sun, dusting the world beneath them in a warm, orange glow. It illuminated the trees, revealing shades of green that had been muted by the harsh haze of changing seasons. Ava thought for a moment about taking a picture; there was no way she would ever be able to accurately recant the way the evening was being painted before her eyes. Instead, she bathed in the light as it wrapped its rays around her and she too was set aglow. She was just like the leaves and the grass and the...

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“Hello Werido” by Monica Kendrick

Submitted to Contest #171

The fresh cool air caressed my face as I opened the balcony door. It was almost dawn; why was I up? I stood at the door breathing in the crisp fall morning air, I imagined this cool crisp air going into my lungs and out in an even disbursement of invigorating life to all my limbs. It felt like the purest air I’d ever breathed...I felt invincible! I meditated for about 15 minutes enjoying every minute of it as I sat in the chair in front of the door enjoying this morning like no other. What was it about today? Why did I feel that t...

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“A view for recollection” by Dustin Heisley

Submitted to Contest #171

James gazed upon the miles long stream below him. It flowed down the cliffs, through the woods, past the pines and out into Lake Jochet. The pines blew in the soft breeze as the grayish clouds came in. The clouds began covering the vibrant orange of the fading evening sun. James was atop the stream on an oak bridge that created a path between two cliffs. The water that lay 100 yards below him was crystal clear, the air was pure, and it was here he began to think. He first began to think of his time wasted. The high school years spent pursu...

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“To Make Believe” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #171

Warning: violence, gore and racism Through the porthole Herman observed two dozen silvery-white flying fish skim the waves as the sun sunk into the horizon and the infinite sea turned a kaleidoscope of fantastic purples that glittered like gemstones. Though painfully beautiful, he sighed regardless. He blinked back more tears, wondering what it would feel like to dive into the hypnotic, churling, waves. He turned as the cabin’s door opened. His Aunt Danika came into the cabin. She had a pigeon nestled in her hand. “Hello...

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“L'Appel du Vide” by Lacey Hill

Submitted to Contest #171

One of the most stunning features of the exposed rock of The Grand Canyon are all of the colorful layers of millions upon millions of years of sediment. The reds and ochers, golds and tans show their colors brilliantly, illuminated by the sun which shines freely, unimbedded by clouds. But as Nina gazes on, she can't stop the tears. The scenery in front of her vanishes, blurred and then lost to the despair that fills her heart like the tears fill her eyes.***Out of all the times to up and take a trip, Nina has to concede to herself that she d...

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“Stray Predators” by Kyle Quande

Submitted to Contest #171

I couldn’t stop thinking about the looks on their faces, and I never forget a face. My body count is thirty-two. Thirty-two faces I’ll never forget. They don’t haunt me or torment me like some other poor souls. No, these faces only gently greet me as I drift away to sleep every night. I’ve heard some of my co-workers say they saw fear in the eyes of their targets, and that fear haunts them forever. Not me. I only remember the blankness in their gaze as the life leaves their bodies. That’s what I see every night, the hollow shell of a job...

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“Joy in the Mourning” by Mahogany Ree

Submitted to Contest #171

“Wake up Kezzi!” Maudie flew into Kezzi’s room like violent gust of wind. “I don’t wanna get up,” Kezzin growled. “Leave me alone Maudie.” “You wunt bone lone. It’us nineteen hunded and eighty. Sum oman bless her heart come long and left yuh on mah do’ step fo day in de moanin. Reckon she kudn’t ford ta keep ya and de gud lawd saw fit fer huh ta leave yuh wid me. Youse’a fresh gal, few ours ole. I swadda yuh in de woamst blanket I cud fine and youse been mines er’since. I been wid yuh all yuh life and ah ain’t leavin you lone til...

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“Memory March” by Mel Steinbrecher

Submitted to Contest #171

Contains: Minor explicit language. “You know you can’t take this with you to the dorms, right?” I was wondering how long it would take my mom to notice the box labeled him in the midst of the cardboard hell I had created over the last few weeks. I’m actually shocked it took her until the night of my departure to get her hands on it. She lifted the flaps and began sifting through old memories as she continued her advice. “Breakups are hard, I know. Especially your first one,” she said, “I held onto my first boyfriend’s jacket for ei...

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“The Ghost Of You and the Ghost of Me” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #171

Somewhere in this restaurant is a ghost of you. I can feel it the second I walk in- with my arm linked in his like we’re school children in love. We don’t wait at the host stand; instead, he waves to the girl with the bright red lips and bottle blonde curls. She blushes. I pretend not to notice her. Instead, I see the chairs neatly lined against one wall where the ghost of me curls up next to the ghost of you. I bit your ear playfully. You gave me a kiss on the nose. We felt like real adults. The hostess doesn’t show him to ...

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$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.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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