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#183 Opposite Day

January 25th was National Opposite Day — the day when topsy-turviness rules, and nothing is as it seems. On Opposite Day, you’re supposed to say the exact opposite of what you mean. And while this holiday is probably just one for kids, it’s a fun excuse to think about the ways we communicate, and about the concept of “opposites” more generally.

Opposites are a frequent source of inspiration for writing; whether your opposing forces provide balance, or are at odds with one another. With that in mind, this week’s prompts are all about obfuscation, contrast, and swapping between extremes.

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who is cursed to always say the opposite of what they mean.

Dialogue – 25 stories

Write a story about two opposites finding themselves surprisingly attracted to one another.

Romance – 48 stories

Write about a character who uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism.

Character – 14 stories

Write a story that includes the line “We’re just too different.”

Angst – 67 stories

Write a story about two characters whose paths briefly cross, but are actually going in opposite directions — whether literally or figuratively.

Dramatic – 93 stories

Stories

When Tomorrow Finally Comes

Sarah Martyn

Submitted to Contest #183

TW: involves terminal illness You’d think with how little stuff I’m bringing in my duffle bag, I wasn’t going off to college after living with my parents for 18 years. Maybe part of the lack of stuff is that my parents’ place has become my storage unit for all I won’t be taking with me. My mom actually seemed pleased I left so much, probably because, as she said, “you’ll visit often,” which I know she meant to say with confidence; it sounded more like a question choked back with tears. She added “I’ll pray for you every night.” And dad add...

24 likes

The Tango of the Sun

Story Time

Submitted to Contest #183

The light entered the room before I did. A cavernous elegance to a spot unclaimed by dream’s worst reckoning. I hear the sound of my shoes as they touch the marble beneath them. Marble flooring and shiny blue shoes. I have a tuxedo fitted for me by Venus herself. She made me promise not to stain it with burgundy wine. The lapels were soft cerulean demigod dust that she’d gathered from her favorite myths. Venus was the only entity I knew who could dance through narratives at will. She was the one who told me about the ballroom. She was t...

24 likes

Julia Wakes Up With ChatGPT

Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #183

(Julia)I hate my boyfriend. (ChatGPT)It's normal to have ups and downs in a relationship, but if your feelings of dislike towards your boyfriend are persistent and affecting your happiness, it may be a good idea to talk to him about your concerns and try to work through the issues together. If the situation does not improve, it may be worth considering ending the relationship for your own well-being.(Julia)Yes!(ChatGPT) If you have decided to end the relationship, it's important to communicate with your boyfriend in a clear and res...

23 likes

The Dungeon of Deus ex Sapiens

Submitted to Contest #183

Secret ingredients(don't tell anyone): Guns, swearing, gore.Bullets pounded the wall where Arthas had been. He blind fired from what little cover the lift offered as the doors threatened to close.“Is it too late to surrender?” Detective Jacques asked. He was a long way from Mars. Of all the ways the Martian had imagined dying, being turned into Swiss cheese by assault rifles had to be one of the worst.“Far too late, Mister Jacques,” said the taunting voice of Lord Banks. The aristocratic puppet master spoke through the public address system....

23 likes

The Taunting Tongue

Russell Mickler

Submitted to Contest #183

Crisis. Negotiations. Revelations. Compromise. Guards swung the double doors open to allow Joliver Barleywood, a learned Halfling Bard of the Aevalorn Parishes, entry into the private apartments of Ser Roham Baz, the esteemed emissary to the King of Nodderton. Baz’s attaché, Balem Dask, received Joliver in the sitting room. “Balem! Merry evening. I came as soon as I received the summons,” Joliver said, removing his cloak and tossing it onto the furniture. “Is he alright?” Balem gestured for Joliver to follow. “Ser Roham is in his study. His ...

23 likes

In Too Deep

Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #183

*Note: The following events are true, as remembered by me, aged 11.*Albany, on the southern end of Western Australia, is cold, windy and wild for most of the year. Yes, there is an exception of a few months where it is comfortable and rather warm, but there is very little time in the year where swimming, for a normal red-blooded mammal, is advisable.It was one of those times of the year where swimmers (the people who swim, possibly called ‘bathers’ in other parts of the country) had not yet begun to venture forth, even though the days were b...

22 likes

A MIRACLE

BRUCE MARTIN

Submitted to Contest #183

Many people would agree that to raise and love a child is the only thing in life that has any real meaning. Wealth, fame, athletics, even intellectual pursuits, all amount to empty achievements in comparison to the profound importance of creating and nurturing life. One might even say that accomplishments such as winning a race, composing a symphony, or painting a beautiful portrait represent two-dimensional creativity, since, once completed, are set in stone, so to speak. They no longer have the opportunity to change, grow or transform. Whe...

22 likes

Aerelian

C.B. Chribby

Submitted to Contest #183

Aerelian felt the fangs of the pijavica snag on his left shoulder, perforating his Imperial-issue tunic. Blood began to drip, if only for a moment before it was all licked away. He thrashed and kicked, rolling in the dirt. The monster’s silhouette in the torchlight was truer to its form than the image of a girl before him. Her hair was lilac, her skin was dark and healthy. Pillowy lips clasped around his wound. Though he thrashed and wriggled, her movements were nothing but graceful, mesmerizing. The only trait betraying her nature w...

22 likes

Quija

Submitted to Contest #183

For as long as I can remember, I lived a cautious life, strictly on the straight and narrow. “Never trust something you don’t understand, Sharon,” my grandmother’s words echoed in my head. We, the Braverman women, weren’t the kind of people who lived on the wild side. We never took chances; no risks for us - ever. It is fair to say that we didn’t embrace the name Braverman as we should have, but we weren’t men after all. Maybe it was best to leave the bravery of life to the men. That is what I thought until I met Jonah. Whenever I saw him, t...

21 likes

Sunny and Stormy, we're just too different.

Submitted to Contest #183

Sunny and Stormy, we’re just too different…It was the last thing I ever said to Sunny. It was said in anger, with snake-like venom. Enough venom to kill whatever remaining love and kinship remained. I spat out "we're just too different". I said it in the split second before I slammed the door behind me and stormed off to the bar in the Hotel Monte Carlo. No not the one in the Mediterranean, the one on the shores of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. The hotel was more of a motel and the lake was just the world's biggest swamp. I was over all this ...

20 likes

Not A Nice Girl

Rissa Bee

Shortlisted for Contest #183 ⭐️

****Triggers: Mental HealthSubstance AbuseSuicideThe boardwalk was moving. Side to side as if it was timed with the ocean. At least that’s what my brain was telling me, as it went through motions of a very outdated tab of acid that I was pretty sure didn’t fully dissolve on my tongue. It was a cool night for June, but I was starting to sweat bullets, while trying to tell my mind not to panic. I don’t know how enjoyable it could have been, considering what I was doing in the first place. Drugs weren’t the right choice, but they were the best ...

20 likes

You’re Using Too Much Water

David Ader

Submitted to Contest #183

“You’re using too much water.” “What?” “I said, you’re using too much water!” “I can’t hear you. I’m in the shower!” “You’ve been in there for ages! You’re wasting water!!” Jack turned off the spigot, grabbed a towel, and said, “Woman, I can’t hear a word you’re saying. That shower is simply amazing. What’s up?” “You spend too much time in there. What are you doing? It’s just a waste of water.” Jack stared at her, not so much in amazement—though he felt that—but in recognition. He wanted to say, “Jenna, you do realize we’re on vacatio...

20 likes

The Gladstone Bags

Shortlisted for Contest #183 ⭐️

First to notice that their bags were identical was the velvet-clad bundle of menopausal flush, all feathered turban, red lipstick and suede winkle-pickers. In no other way were the two adjacent passengers similar. Is it even possible that this iPhone-clutching, business-suit-wearing wunderkind by her side would choose the exact same artfully- battered brown Gladstone bag as herself? You know, the type who probably prefaces every adjective with ‘super’ and interjects every third word with ‘like’. Most likely called Biba. Or Florence. Someth...

19 likes

Golden Thread

John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #183

Harry didn’t wait for his first art class to begin painting. He completed his first canvas before the instructor, Mr. Ambrose arrived. Several blanks leaned against the back of his chair. Mr. Ambrose described his expectations. He required but one complete canvas by semester’s end. But he would decide what ‘complete’ meant. “Paint what you like. Put your heart into it. Fill the canvas. This is Painting 101. Not cartooning. Not sketching. Explore the limits of the canvas. Use it. Whether a flower, a portrait, or a landscape, create a new uni...

19 likes

Julia Goes Down the Rabbit Hole with ChatGPT

Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #183

(Julia) I hate my boyfriend. (ChatGPT) It's understandable to feel this way sometimes in a relationship, but it's important to communicate your feelings and try to work through any issues before making any decisions. If your relationship is causing you unhappiness and it cannot be resolved, it may be best to consider ending the relationship. (Julia) Yes! (ChatGPT) If you have made the decision to end the relationship, it's important to do so in a respectful and considerate manner. Communication is key, and having an open and hone...

19 likes

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Contest #184

This contest has ended. Thank you for your submissions.

$250

Prize money

247

Entries

124

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 03, 2023 EST

Won by Laurel Hanson 🏆

Title: Of Harpers and Heroes

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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