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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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 – 26 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 – 15 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

“Julia Goes Down the Rabbit Hole with ChatGPT” by 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...

13 comments 13
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“Dad's Different” by Danielle Savage Hobbs

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #183

It didn’t matter that their down payments were non-refundable or that their parents were splitting a VRBO; Chelsea had to call it off before she exploded. Her wedding had been planned with the best of intentions, but she watched Eddy with a more critical eye than before. What had been harmless jokes, a comfortably laid-back attitude, and a deference to her opinion while they dated had been painted crimson in their engagement. He teased her endlessly for how obsessed she was with planning their future life, all while refusing to help or have...

6 comments 6
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“My Shadow” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #183

My Shadow left me today. I will miss him, but I know I will be better off. He was holding me back, pulling me down. We’re just too different, my Shadow and I. He wants to standstill, stay comfortable. I need to push myself, embrace the unknown and turn toward the future. My Shadow has been with me as long as I can remember, following me everywhere, his dark shape lurking behind me. Most of the time I forget he is even there. The first time I noticed the pull of my Shadow, felt his strength, was in high school. I...

7 comments 7
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“I HATE YOU - PLEASE DON'T GO” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #183

* * *Warning: Profanity where appropriate * * *How much you wanna bet?Well, let's see, Brandy. How about a hundred dollars and one weekend of catering, without question, to the winner’s every wish and desire. Define “weekend.”Friday midnight to Sunday midnight. Whoever breaks first, loses.  And we have witnesses. Just look around.Maybe, but nobody sober. Should that even count?Why not? I’m certainly not sober; you’re definitely not. You grin like a pirate when you drink; everybody knows that.Arrgh, that'd b...

10 comments 10
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“Danae's Curse” by Keri Dyck

Submitted to Contest #183

Once there was a queer little village where curses went backward—well, some of the time. Occasionally they went sideways or upside down. The point is, a few turned out to be blessings. Some were twists of fate. Others were just plain curses. None were the same.  Take Tyson, for example. He was the first of six brothers. They descended from a purebred line of blacksmiths and were exceptionally strong. It was a sight to go to the smithy with, say, a horse that needed shoeing. They would all drop their work and come running. Tyson woul...

5 comments 5
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“Jupiter's Golden Stain” by Niki Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #183

Jupiter's Golden StainDoesn’t look special to me…The words haunted him as he lay down to rest. Usually as soon as his head hit the pillow he found himself in a deep sleep.But not today. Not tonight.Dave couldn’t help but focus on his least favourite spot on the ceiling. It wasn’t a wet patch, but it looked like one.It looked like a yellow stain. Like a cat had urinated on polystyrene. Like the cat had done it several times. Like it was the cat’s favourite place to take a slash. Like the urine was starting to eat through the ceiling after yea...

10 comments 10
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“Is television the perfect plan for Friday nights?” by Natalia Nava

Submitted to Contest #183

It was Friday again, and after a long week of work, the only thing on my mind was sitting on the couch with a big pot of popcorn while watching some tv show. I was a twenty-seven-year-old woman who had never experienced a real social life, and it wasn't like I wanted to try it. My best friend called me when I was about to turn on the TV."Guess what!" She expressed, very excited."What's up?" I asked.  "I met someone through a dating app, and we have a date tonight!""A date! Isn't that risky since you don't know him?" I question...

1 comment 1
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“Flaws” by Jack Kimball

Submitted to Contest #183

We'd been dating for about six months when Linda looked at me with a final decision in her eyes, resolute firmness in her voice, and said, "I can't see you anymore." She was standing in the foyer of her tiny single mom house, her five-year-old son, Blake, sleeping in the other room. I was getting ready to leave and putting on my cool single man's p-coat, collar turned up. I was thirty-seven and never married. Linda was thirty-nine, recently divorced, and married twice. I say resolute firmness because she was firm and resolute every ti...

8 comments 8
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“Tea Time” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #183

CW-swear words Later that evening, they sat alone in their apartment, wondering if they had made the right decision. Sylvie couldn’t stand the silence. She stood and walked the five feet from her dining room table into the kitchen where she filled the tea kettle before turning her front burner on high. The sound of the metal kettle hitting the metal coils echoed into the night. Her husband, Gerald, sat, shoulders slumped, in his wooden chair. His eyes were closed. When she looked at him, her heart broke. The kettle began to whistle and she...

3 comments 3
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“January 5, 2021” by Valerie Shand

Submitted to Contest #183

            “JANUARY 5, 2021” Thank goodness she'd bundled up so tightly, snugged into her black balaclava with a bright red, fluffy scarf and a pom-pom beanie hat pulled over her head, which she thought might make her appear a little silly, but she never really cared about standing out in a crowd. She sported matching red, texting-capable winter gloves, and calf-high, black, furry boots covered her tucked-in blue jeans. The red cowl neck of a cashmere sweater peeked out fr...

13 comments 13
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“Klingons Have Feelings Too” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #183

“Ah, Mr Chekhov, I was just admiring your gun.” As a chat up line, it isn’t great, but we’re at a Star Trek party (the original 1960s TV series, not any of the spin-offs or the much cooler, recently reimagined films), organised by my friend Jake, who just happens to be Nick (aka Chekhov)’s housemate. “It’s not a gun…” – his words are laced with flirtation – “…I’m just really pleased to see you.” He’s lying, of course – no one, no matter how well-endowed, has a detachable member that he can conveniently tuck into a holster at his side. But...

10 comments 10
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“I Drink My Tea With Sarcasm, Thank You.” by Emanuel Diaz

Submitted to Contest #183

It was a normal day in London, or as normal as it could be in a world where Snowflake Soul-Reaping Ghosts roamed free. The cloudy skies and the prospect of rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the people of London, for they were always smiling. But these were not happy smiles. No, these were smiles meant to fool the ghosts, for in this world, the only way to avoid having your soul reaped was to use sarcasm as a defense mechanism. The Snowflake Soul-Reaping Ghosts were the stuff of nightmares. They were ethereal entities, transparent a...

4 comments 4
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“Zen Sam” by Theresa Fox Turner

Submitted to Contest #183

Sam sat on a plush suede couch, her legs folded beneath her and a laptop balanced on her lap. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as rain pelted against the windows of the little cabin. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and not even the loud cracks of thunder could distract her from her task. In the fireplace, only red-hot embers remained; the only light in the cabin was the laptop screen which illuminated a small circle around her.When she opened her eyes and noticed the dwindling fire, goosebumps prickled her skin, making her shiver. She consi...

9 comments 9
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“Sour Hopes and Expectations” by Vania Mason

Submitted to Contest #183

"We're just too different." These four words were on repeat in my head. I wish I could understand what's so different about us. Love makes us all the same. Or am I wrong? I couldn't sleep that night, words overcrowding my mind. Blurring every thought I had. How could I let go? You're as cold as your touch. Stale voice that echoes every time you're not charged enough. Charged enough with the thrill that awakens every bit of you. But you don't want to share those with me. You'd rather stay alone. There, standing in a shadowy corner w...

4 comments 4
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“The Mark of David” by Chris Campbell

Submitted to Contest #183

“Excuse me,” the restless old man asked. “I seem to have misplaced my suitcase. Can you see it?” The obvious concern in the tone of his voice, solicited an instant response from the young man standing beside him. “I see many suitcases,” replied the young man. “What colour is it?” “You have me at a disadvantage, the old man curiously responded. “What colour do suitcases usually come in?” The peculiarity of the question immediately brought to light that the old man was blind. Without drawing unwanted attention upon him, the young man reached ...

15 comments 15
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$250

Prize money

249

Contest entries

125

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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