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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 – 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

“The Troll” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #183

Annette pulled up outside Doug’s place and beeped her horn. He hurried out, pulling on his jacket and folded his lanky frame into her little car. Beaming, he leaned over for a kiss. Annette reciprocated eagerly, then pushed him away.“No more for now. You’re going to have to decide if you still want to be engaged to me after you’ve met the troll.”“What are you talking about?” Doug said, puzzled. “You said you need my help on a mission? All very mysterious and intriguing.”Annette laughed as she merged into traffic.“We are going to visit my gra...

2 comments 2
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“Spotty Joins A Gang” by Estee’ Lauren Verdery

Submitted to Contest #183

Spotty Joins A Gang Written by Estee Lauren Verdery Scene 1: (Mia, a ten year old student rider, enters the arena for her horseback riding lesson from her instructor, Mr. Gerald.) Mr. Gerald: Good morning Mia, are you ready for your lesson today? Mia (excitedly) Oh yes! I’m super excited for my jumping lesson today—Yippee! Mr. Gerald: Okay Mia, just go over the pole jumps as we practiced. (Spotty, Mia’s little Shetland pony, struggles over the jumps and, try as she might, can’t complete the course.) Mia (concerned) Spotty!—what’s ...

1 comment 1
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“We're just too different” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #183

           From the time the two of them were old enough to pick out their own clothes to wear on a given day, and didn’t have to wear the clothes their mother laid out for them, they would make a point of dressing as differently as they could. That even included wearing different colour socks and underwear.  Both Rob and Roy did not want people to think of them as twins, but as the two distinct individuals they truly believed they were, even though they were identical twins that so...

2 comments 2
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“An Unforgettable Goodbye” by Justin Williams

Submitted to Contest #183

Better is a strong word. I was in the middle of brewing my second pot of coffee when my mother had decided to stop by – unannounced, I might add – to ask me if I was feeling better. “Tremendous, actually.” “I could have guessed as much. You should have listened to me all those years ago,” she said. “You know what they say, live and learn.” “They also say to listen to your elders, but it’s here nor there. What matters is that y’all are happy now.” It had been three weeks since I last saw Sarah. We had gone to my favorite Tex-Mex locale tha...

3 comments 3
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“Cross of Hope” by Leah Brewer

Submitted to Contest #183

How does one get past killing their husband? Is it even possible? Tears nipped at Terri Blake’s eyes as she stared at the frozen grave. The ache in her chest seemed to want to consume her. A piece of ash brown hair slipped onto her forehead, and she pushed it away with short, pudgy fingers. Angry clouds that matched Terri's heart shifted across the sky as she knelt on the moist ground in front of the tombstone. Icy winter wind cut into her skin, and she pulled her scarf close. December in Montana had to be the worst possible time to visit...

5 comments 5
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“War and Peace 1920” by Valerie Church

Submitted to Contest #183

WAR AND PEACE, 1920 William awoke to the sharp clatter of breaking glass. Second time this week, he thought as he surveyed the window opposite his bed, visible as a grey square against the blackness of his room, as February inched reluctantly towards the equinox. Light enough now for him to put a match to the small candle that was his only source of illumination. But he would wait, he was not in a hurry. Another few minutes and there would be enough daylight to locate a dustpan and brush, sweep up the debris scattered over the floor of the ...

2 comments 2
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“The Path” by Paige Barrera

Submitted to Contest #183

The room was cold. I stared down at my own face, seeing the y-shaped incision that the coroner had left across my chest. I’m not sure why I was worried about the coroner’s cut on my body, it wasn’t worse than the gunshot wound to my head that had ended my life. I vaguely thought that they both would leave horrible scars, but then I remembered: I'm dead. And the room I was standing in was a morgue. And none of that mattered to me anymore. I tried to remember my last moments before I was unceremoniously shuffled from the mortal coil, but all ...

1 comment 1
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“House of the Moon” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #183

I woke up with a vicious hangover. Vulane’s ‘Nightlife’ district was not a place for casual tourists... or detectives. Bleary-eyed, I looked around my temporary lodgings. I grabbed my tail: yup, still there. I must’ve barely made it through the door last night. It was still raining as I looked through the misty window. The street below was filled with performers, families, pickpockets, and - somewhere - a heinous villain. I could hear the sound of drums, fiddles, and laughter from what seemed like every direction: including from within m...

6 comments 6
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“Sonic Boom” by Arvin Tavakkoli

Submitted to Contest #183

The first time I saw her was also my last time. It was at a vinyl store, the Sonic Boom, in downtown Toronto by Chinatown. She looked at me, I looked away, she was still looking, and that’s about it.  When I entered the store I knew what I was looking for. I came all the way from North York for a white square with a match stick at the centre. When I left the store I had lost something, something I never knew I had before.  I arrived at the store, the weather was brisk cold and the warm decoration on the showcase was inviting. Whe...

3 comments 3
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“Two Paths That Briefly Cross” by Darene Staniszewski

Submitted to Contest #183

Once upon a time, in a bustling city, there lived two people named Sarah and Jack. Sarah was a successful businesswoman who worked long hours at a high-end marketing firm. She was driven, determined, and always striving to be the best. On the other hand, Jack was a struggling musician who played his guitar on street corners for spare change. He was carefree, creative, and lived life on his own terms. One day, their paths briefly crossed on a crowded sidewalk. Sarah was rushing to an important meeting, her eyes glued to her phone as she deftl...

1 comment 1
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“SAND IN THE WIND” by David, Ray Israel

Submitted to Contest #183

      “I am an old man who has seen his years I have lived well. I have a beautiful family of five kids and a wonderful wife. I have been walking around with a set of memories that only my wife knows about. I feel, I need to let out what happened to me. I no longer can stay silent about this. I have not told anyone due to the fact I was once a political leader of this wonderful state. One cannot tell people about such things that I am about to discuss. This would have been a definite carrier ender in politics. I...

4 comments 4
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“One Night” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #183

Amidst the cold night Laurel travels with only the stars in the sky as company. She can't wait to reach the next city. All around is just barren land with a few struggling vegetation.  Due to unforeseen circumstances Laurel travels by horse but only two types of persons would do so. Primitives, i.e. those who can't adhere to modern society or someone who's confident in their ability. Laurel breathes a sigh of relief as she sees the next town, Old’s Ville. Now she can have a drink, a shower and a good night’s sleep. The town has the ...

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“Never Have I Ever” by Jeanne Kiesinger

Submitted to Contest #183

Never have I ever. Not yet, anyway. My last twenty years have been lived inside a cloak of matronly invisibility. This is a common complaint among women nearing our seventies. We have become see-through. We are no longer considered women. No one thinks of us as desirable or attractive, except our dear husbands. That should be enough to satisfy our self-confidence, right?One would think so. However, I recently returned to a local fitness center that I had previously signed up to just before the pandemic swept us all home to gain weight and be...

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“In the Shadow of the Beast” by Shannon Broughton

Submitted to Contest #183

This story contains references to domestic abuse and violence though not in graphic detail as well as symptoms of PTSD. Please be mindful if these subjects are a trigger for you.Thunder clapped overhead as though Zeus himself was preparing to wage war upon the land. The rain beat against the apartment window which already shook in its place from the raging winds. Lightening flashed blinding her for a moment then leaving little blobs of color floating in her eyes when she could see again. The lights flickered again, taunting or promising wors...

3 comments 3
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“Simulation: CHOICE. ” by Jaye Hunter

Submitted to Contest #183

Content Warning: This work contains direct mentions and depictions of suicidal ideation and detailed suicide planning. Simulation: CHOICE. You are playing as: |________ Mode: [_] Simple .............[X] Average .............[_] Difficult You are equipped: [X] Well Your circumstances are: [X] Stable Your emotions are: [X] Manageable .....................................[X] Predictable .....................................[X] Rational Objective: [_] Sloth  ....................[_]...

1 comment 1
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$250

Prize money

248

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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