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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

“Introverts Therapy” by Richard E. Gower

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now.”Well, why not? I thought. The truth can now be told.The statute of limitations has long since expired (I’ve checked), and anyway, society tends to go easy on youthful offenders these days.I was thinking about how to start when, Cyrus – he’s the resident counselor here – gave me the verbal nudge – “Speak now” – and asked me to lead off the session. Actually he didn’t ask, he instructed. There’s a difference, but he’s a good fellow with his heart in the right place, and he said it with an encouraging smile and a gentle nod of his h...

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“Color” by James Freeh

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #190

I had just bid goodbye to the exterminator when Egge called. “You’ve got to come over, right now if you can.” In that whiney voice he used when distressed, he continued, “I’ve done it, I’ve created a new color. It will change your world, it will change my world, it will change the world! Get over here right away.” I hadn’t seen Egge for a month or two, so I was willing to amuse his sudden request. “On my way, I ju...

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“High Note” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now…” “What?” “It’s just something I say when I go to the shows. ‘Speak now or forever just hold your…’” She was just staring at me after that, but I knew that I got to her. We had just had dinner at Alfreddy’s when I told her about the show, so it was a good meal…for a littl...

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“Working On It” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #190

Working on It(Meant to offend no one, or, at least, all equally:)Narrator: Once upon a time...Director: Hold up there! I believe I have heard that line before. Who first said that? We can't just plagiarize someone's work.Narrator: It is a common start to many stories. So well used the statute of limitations has certainly expired. It enjoys common-use status by now. No danger of being sued.Director: Well, I still don't like it. Above all else we must be original. Who wrote this line of crap, anyway?Narrator: Says here the play came from B.S.W...

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“The Bitter, Bitter End” by Eden H

Submitted to Contest #190

Paul’s teeth gritted against the cold as he tried forcing himself to stop shivering. I can’t show weakness, he thought, his hands trembling as he clutched them to his chest. The wind blew brisk over the battlefield, Death coming to count the souls he would take with him to Hades.The blood on the small scrap of fabric soaked through and coated his fingers. It had done nothing to staunch the flow of blood. The body before him had died an hour ago. His lips were turning white, the same pale as all the other bodies around him.Paul tried to ...

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“Not Out of the Woods Yet” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #190

[Trigger warning: illness] ‘This is dope. I’m going to meet Jim Jackson next week’ I tweet and watch the replies: “pass on my hopes for his recovery.” “UR soooo lucky.” “jim is an inspiration.” Jim hasn’t replied to me at all, despite me being his greatest fan. I’ve been with him since the beginning. I know, he’s grown his follower base, maybe sometimes he’s too sick to type replies, but he could at least have sent an emoji once in a while. My Mom, on the other hand, is too much information. She worries the trip to New York might affec...

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“Justice Takes the Piss” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #190

TW: swearing, duh “Speak now or forever hold your pee,” said a judge made of flame and the burning feeling that you have when you’ve just vomited samples of every meal for the last week. “Don’t you mean speak now or forever hold your peace?” asked the defendant. He was the memory of a middle aged Caucasian man wrapped in a body of smoke and forgetfulness. “No, Saint, I do not. Every punishment is fitted to the psyche of the defendant. Apparently you have a mortal fear of wetting yourself. Hence, if found guilty, you will be forever suspend...

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“Friendship is Magic” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #190

Sonam knew the rainbow sparkle glitter would be important, he just didn't know how.He put the small jar in his bag to add to his costume later. He looked at himself critically in the mirror. For a man dressed up like a cartoon pegasus, he thought he looked good. To the light-blue pajama onesie he had added a rainbow-colored mohawk, a rainbow tail and gossamer wings, slightly off center. He spun slightly to look at the cutie mark, the rainbow colored lighting bolt. The costume was tight across his wide chest, and bagged around ...

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“ON THE VERGE OF SPEECH” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now, Bock. Speak, and you can have this treat.”Oooh . . .why, human, why tease and torture me? I wiggle my butt, isn’t that good enough for a cookie? See my tail? I’ve been wagging forever! Please, please, please! Give me the damn treat!“Speak! Come on, Knickerbocker. You can do it!”Of course I can, but it’s humiliating, human mom! I’m not a circus dog!“Speak? Speak! Well, if you really don’t want it . . .”*BARK*“Good boy! Here you . . . OW! Knickerbocker, not so rough!”...

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“The Churl With the Flagon Tattoo” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #190

Brace yourself for: Swearing(lots of it), churlishness(it's in the title), violence. “I’ll have my revenge,” said Donny as he was carried from the inn by the ankle. “You haven’t heard the last of me.” “I bet,” said George. The burly man with tattoos of foxy ladies, lady foxes, and a chicken laying a dragon, tossed the drunk out onto the filthy cobbles of the road. “See you again tomorrow, Donny. Go home.” “I don’t have a home,” grumbled the man, slurring his words. “Have you tried not being a dick?” George asked. “Works just fine for ev...

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“The Lady In Red” by Rory McKenzie

Submitted to Contest #190

“You’re mad, I can tell.” I shake my head but I can’t shake off the petulance – lips pursed, jaw slung lazily into my palm. Because truth is I am mad. It’s our anniversary and he’s miles away, again. I can tell he hates this as much me, even through the video call I spot the guilt etched between his eyebrows. Doesn’t make it any less shitty. “Erica…” “I’m not mad at you, Michael. Just upset. And I know it’s not your fault,” I add when a response plays on his lips. “Important client, big opportunity.” “And just one more year...

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“Henry Serves It Up Cold” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #190

Henry Serves It Up Cold(Perhaps a tad bit crude in places.) Courthouse clerks, robotic beings by instinct and training, are not necessarily known for their sense of humor.“Did you hear the one about the guy who wanted to change his name?”“I hear that all the time, sir. That’s what we do here.”“Yeah, but you gotta hear this one.”“Fine, but make it snappy.”“So, the judge asks the guy what his name is now. He says his name is Joe Shits. The judge says he can certainly understand why he wants his name changed, and then asks him what he wants it ...

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“The Gifting Tree” by Russell Mickler

Submitted to Contest #190

The Library. Tenrali’s Grievances. Tender Mercies.An explosion sent fire, sparks, and embers racing across the cobblestone floor of the library.Stepping through the portal with the use of a sturdy cane, the aged Tenrali Bubruco, Lower Magistrate of the City State of Caerleon, glowered. Pausing briefly to lift a lantern and adjust his eyes to the darkness, Tenrali sneered, “And now, my old friend, I’ve come to exact my revenge.”Behind him followed Godwick Emberfoot, a halfling warlock enslaved by the Arch Fae Aurusel the Gardner, and upon his...

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“Speak to Me” by Frances Gaudiano

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #190

Speak to Me “Speak now,” Virginia said to the photograph of her sister. She waited patiently. She had always been patient with her sister, an emotional woman who had been married five times, always to assholes. Virginia has sat through many midnight phone calls with her sister, Elizabeth, sobbing on the other end of the line. Virginia had waited till the sobs subsided and then said, “Speak now.” She said it again to the photograph but it remained silent. Fine, there were other people to talk to. Virginia drifted over to the grand piano. N...

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“"Me Too"” by Jessica Lunn

Submitted to Contest #190

This story mentions different types of abuse, self-harm, and speaks about mental health. “Speak now,” I thought to myself. I took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, then opened my eyes. I was standing on a small stage with stage lights pointing down on me, encircling my being. My sweaty palms held a microphone. I looked around me, noticing “TEDx Talks” written on the wall to my side, and an audience glaring at me, waiting for me to get it together and start. “Umm hello everybody, welcome to my TED Talk. I appreciate you for coming in t...

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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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