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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#190: Eras

To quote Brooklyn 99, Taylor Swift “makes all of us feel things.” With her honest and reflective accounts of growing up and searching for yourself and your place in the world, she’s managed to trace her remarkable coming-of-age arc in a way that millions of people can still relate to.

This week, let’s remember what growing up feels like, or take inspiration from Taylor Swift’s master storytelling to come up with a new story. But remember — using lyrics isn’t allowed!

This week's prompts

Start a story that begins with a character saying “Speak now.”

Dialogue – 86 stories

Write about someone who decides to make their own version of something old.

Character – 36 stories

Set your story in New York, where someone’s been waiting for your character.

Adventure – 39 stories

Write a story about a fandom

Funny – 27 stories

Start your story with someone vowing to take revenge.

Dark – 62 stories

Stories

“Murder Over Mimosas” by Morgan Loftis

Submitted to Contest #190

“On Sunday, when I go to get my things, I’ll have my revenge.” Melissa resolutely raised her bloody mary to her lips. Amy rolled her eyes at Melissa, taking another sip of her mimosa. “A desire as old as time itself. Listen Mel, I don’t want to be callous or jaded, but I think revenge is a bit dramatic. People cheat all the time. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. When we find ourselves on the receiving end, all we can do is grab our things from the medicine cabinet and move on. Or sue. You can always find something to sue over in a rel...

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“The Donut Problem” by Alex Kamczyc

Submitted to Contest #190

Ricardo did not fit in the harness. Like, he really didn’t fit in the harness. “I thought I told you to cut the donuts out of your morning routine,” Julian said, fighting to keep the anxiety and frustration from poking their ugly heads out. “I did Mr. Julian.” “Like hell you did. This whole ending doesn’t work if my Willy Loman can’t fit into the harness.” Julian could hear his voice echo on the large stage housed in Allen Theater, the main performance space located in Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Julian turned his back...

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“THE WAITING GAME” by Ray Doyle

Submitted to Contest #190

THE WAITING GAME There are places in the world that you may have never visited but feel as familiar as your hometown. New York had always figured high on my list of locations where I felt an emotional pull but no particular desire to experience in the flesh. My work with the Irish airline Aer Lingus saw me land and take off worldwide but only stay for a few hours. Over the years, my bucket list of return destinations grew longer, but the ‘Big Apple’ was not on it. Brother-in-law, Matt had migrated to the US ...

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“A Source of Comfort” by L.O. Baker

Submitted to Contest #190

“Did you know they filtered their water?” “Anna.” “Built the whole system themselves. They even had heated pools. And, to carve the Al-Khazneh-” “Anna-” “-they would start from the top and work their way down. The stairs they used are still there, and there’s even, like, imprinted ladders on the sides. It’s incredible.” “We’re here.” “What? Oh.” My rambling halted along with my feet. I stared at the storefront, the sidewalk broken and wobbly beneath my boots. The brick walls standing tall, if a bit dirtied, but what part of...

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“Bri's Child” by Wrenley Ashford

Submitted to Contest #190

Bri looked back down at her phone, opening it in a rush to reread the email he’d sent her. Her eyes scanned over each word, anxiously drinking them in, hoping they would read differently than last time. But the words on the screen weren't magic, meaning Peter either lied, got caught up somewhere, or was in deep trouble. Lost in thought and worry, Bri easily lost her balance when someone slammed into her as they speed walked past. The infant in Bri’s arms let loose a scream and started crying hysterically. Bri pushed herself off the wall she...

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“Rosalind King” by Ceara Klassen

Submitted to Contest #190

“You may be able to kill me but you’ll never stop me. Mark my words, I’ll come back and search for as long as I have to until I find you, and when I do, you’ll wish you never did this to me OR to my family.” Rosalind King is seen from the streets, dangling from the roof of the building like a picture hanging from a tattered string. The crowd below stares in fear as they watch her slowly slip, inch by inch until finally Roz lets go, barreling to the ground. There’s a scream. Everything goes black. Taryn Wheeler practically throws herself ...

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“Historians Delicacy” by Red Wood

Submitted to Contest #190

1849 - Dimitris Rogerson My freedom was revoked as quickly as it was given, by the same place that promised it to me just a few months earlier. The grimy white hands of this nation have snatched away my chances of refuge in the north. It is my right to seek revenge for what they failed to give me, the freedom to live. The time has come for us to take a stand, and not allow generations to pass without action. - I traveled only when the moon was high, leaving the unheated weathered barn, where blood dripped from the callused fing...

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“Green Lawn Vendetta” by Hope Linter

Submitted to Contest #190

Samantha waited to take revenge on her neighbor, Madison, for reporting her to the city, for watering her lawn on an alternating off day. Just because Madison’s husband, Tom, got elected onto the city council, didn’t make her the law on the street. She turned up the water volume on her garden hose, when Madison stepped out onto her porch, but Madison turned to yell back into the cavernous house, “Casey, Barry, and Jimmy, get out here now!” She turned to Samantha, her eyes scrunched up and her mouth twisted with distaste. “Kids!” Sama...

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“The Case of the Tree that Wasn’t and the Tree Surgeon” by Fred Aiken

Submitted to Contest #190

Timber! Tree ninja. Tree surgeon. The job title or description doesn’t matter. God gave me two hands and a heart to slaughter as many trees before I died. I stood beneath the towering oak tree, chainsaw in hand, and gazed up at its branches. Swaying in the morning breeze, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. But beneath their beauty lay a danger that cast a long shadow over time. It was no accident that I became a tree surgeon. A deep obligation I’ve known since childhood. When I was just three years old, my parents picnicked b...

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“Blinding Light” by Michael Nguyen

Submitted to Contest #190

“You work for me. I want everyone to know that”, shouted Mr. Pondscum. “You belong to me while your uncle isn’t here.” We were on the 50th floor of a New York business sales floor. I came from Canada to work for my uncle who owned this corporation. “Yes sir anything you say.” I replied.“Today will be your training day. You only get one. You have tables to wipe, floors to sweep and food to get. Now go down to 1st avenue and get me a Leo’s bagel.”He said that while eating a bagel but I didn’t question that.“But I came here to be a ma...

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$250

Prize money

250

Contest entries

114

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 24, 2023 EST

Won by Éan Bird 🏆

Title: Dear Coldplay, I Love You. Wait. Scratch That.

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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