#188: But There's a Catch
In life, there’s almost always a catch. The beautiful new shoes cause blisters. The exciting promotion at work leaves you feeling out of your depth. The free upgrade to first class comes with a screaming kid for a neighbor. If something seems too good to be true, maybe it is!
We might call these drawbacks ‘the fly in the ointment’; the little things that spoil what would otherwise be wonderful. With this week’s prompts, we’re encouraging you to lean into those frustrations, big and small. Will your characters be able to find a workaround, or is this as good as it gets?
This week's prompts
Write a story that starts with the line “So, what’s the catch?”
Dialogue – 98 stories
Write about a character who would have complete happiness, if it weren’t for that one thing.
Character – 64 stories
Stories
“Tea and Biscuits” by Anja Barker
Submitted to Contest #188
“Dick’s” by Deborah Allion
Submitted to Contest #188
“The Bench ” by Trevor Caswell
Submitted to Contest #188
“ Catcher in the. . . Sigh. ” by Andrew Fruchtman
Submitted to Contest #188
“Between the Neck and the Knees” by Susan Grant-Suttie
Submitted to Contest #188
“THAT FACE” by Mara Masolini
Submitted to Contest #188
“Wonder” by Mehkyla Gibson
Submitted to Contest #188
“La Terrible Madre” by Marty B
Submitted to Contest #188
“But I don't like making speeches” by John Steckley
Submitted to Contest #188
“Pete's Big Speech” by Sharon Farnsworth
Submitted to Contest #188
“It wasn't a birthday gathering.” by Red Wood
Submitted to Contest #188
“The Sandman Versus The Insomniac ” by Jill S.
Submitted to Contest #188
“The Catch ” by Aubrey Tabor
Submitted to Contest #188
“My Money's Worth In Teeth” by Tracy Alele
Submitted to Contest #188
“In Her Honor” by Maya Thornell-Sandifor
Submitted to Contest #188
$250
Prize money
262
Contest entries
134
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Mar 10, 2023 EST
Won by Tom Bombadil 🏆
Title: The First Idol
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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