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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

“"Starlight" Fandom Joy” by Felicia Alexander-Branch

Submitted to Contest #190

Emily had been a fan of the "Starlight" book series since she was a teenager. She had grown up with the characters, eagerly awaiting each new installment, attending book signings and conventions, and even cosplaying as her favorite character, Nova. As an adult, Emily had a demanding job that left her little time for hobbies, but she always made time for "Starlight." So, when she heard that the author, Samantha Rose, was going to be attending a local convention, she knew she had to go. Emily arrived at the convention center early, wai...

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“Imaginary Boyfriend” by Kathryn Kahn

Submitted to Contest #190

My first boyfriend was George Harrison. It was 1963. He was 20, handsome, talented, smart, and perfect for me in every way. I was only 11, and we lived on different continents, so he was an Imaginary Boyfriend, but I had a great imagination. I loved George for three years before the boys my age stopped being dorks and losers and I began to consider the benefits of getting a Real Boyfriend. But at 11, George was perfect for me. He loved me for who I really was, and he always asked me how I was feeling and really listened to my answers. When...

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“The hope and love of the island ” by PAYTON FEIZO-GAS

Submitted to Contest #190

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. I stared at my feet waiting for the command. The command to start the engine of my plane. My heart started pounding as I heard his voice saying, " This is Commander 1, please start your engine Jane." "Yes Commander 1." I said. "Now remember to fly over the island." He started. " And don't land until you know it's all safe." I murmured along with him. "I know what I'm doing Commander." "Jane, I just want you to be safe." He told me. "Mark, please." I begged. "We can't let our ...

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“Nothing” by Wanda Bush

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now or forever hold your peace.” Those were the last words I heard before my mind became a jumbled mess.I was the groom who had nothing to lose because I was nothing. I had no friends, enemies, family, or pets. I was pathetic. A brilliant scientist, yet an appalling human species. How in the world did I get into this situation? This marriage situation?I know how. It began when I went to a diner to grab a late-night meal. I’d worked sixteen hours straight, and my body begged for food. Three people sat beside me at the bar, and their lo...

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“Marry Him” by Calliope Ross

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now,” said the priest. “Or forever hold your peace.” Winter watched the play intently while Asta sat next to him, trying to remember how long it was supposed to be. “This is the best part,” whispered Winter, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the stage or the actors once, not for anything. Asta liked seeing him happy, but he couldn’t stand sitting still long enough to watch the play with him. He could not wait for this to be over so he could grab Winter and go see the Halloween lights around town. “I object!” An actor shouted onstage. ...

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“A Deadly Honeymoon” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #190

When the minister finally said, “Speak now, or forever hold your peace,” the lingering seconds that followed were the most terrifying but thrilling in my life. The thought of someone from my dark past having crashed my wedding was overwhelming. If the truth should be revealed, the wedding would explode in a flash, and I would be fleeing from the police, if not for my life, since I was trapped standing at the altar with no means of escape. Silently, two seconds passed, then three. Then the minister continued. “Now, by the powers invested in m...

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“Metamorphic” by Cay Macres

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak now!” Betrayed by the silence that followed, Beril turned to leave. Haphazard mirrors leaned against the ledges of the purple-veined pit, reflecting just enough light to see the carved footholes. The unresponsive abyss below apparently didn’t care that she could have died getting here. Then came a late echo, reverberating with a deeper sound and jumbled words. “Now speak!” … When the orange tents were scattered in the cave, separated by stalagmites with worm-like precipitations hanging from them, Beril began to notice the odd loo...

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“WARNING FLAGS” by Peter Merz

Submitted to Contest #190

“Speak.”There was a faint buzzing sound, followed by absolute silence. A youngish man, perhaps not much more than twenty-six or twenty-seven, stared with abject consternation at his creation—though perhaps a work in progress would be more à propos. He threw his hands up in sudden frustration.“What the blazes do I have to do to make you show me you have even the faintest spark of life?”Laurie Keir was a younger man who all-in-all came across as average in most respects. Average height, average weight, average to better-than-average looks. He ...

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“The Farewell Dress” by Lisa Christman

Submitted to Contest #190

The Farewell Dress Lisa Christman Carla was a seamstress at heart from the time she was 10 years old. She loved sewing with a passion, and she was not afraid to admit it to anyone. Some artists used paint or clay, even paper or wood as a medium, but her medium of choice was fabric. She adored the look and feel of the different fabrics and all the possibilities that could come from them. When she created a new piece of clothing it was not just something to wear, but a unique piece of art. She never had to worry about what her next project wou...

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“Frederick's Wristwatch” by Emily Burley

Submitted to Contest #190

Frederick stood rooted to the spot in front of The Persistence of Memory. A group of students stood idly at the next painting over. An old man sat on the bench behind him. Frederick guessed they were all waiting for him to move out of the way of the painting so they could have a turn. Alas, Frederick could not. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the painting. It ignited a fire in him. He could feel it from the tips of his fingers to the pit of his stomach. Frederick was intent on mastering time. He looked at his watch, then back at the p...

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“VIRUS 2057” by K Arlington Andrews

Submitted to Contest #190

Jefferson City, Missouri Outlander Territories UNDERGROUND BUNKER December 9, 2055 5:11 am Cassie pushed through the pain, her brow damp, her face fixed in a look of grim determination. She willed herself to stay quiet, but her contractions were fast and furious now. The dimly lit room was a depraved space to give birth to a baby. But the little family of three, soon to be four, had few options at this point. The doula kneeled in the tight spa...

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“It Happened in New York” by Anita M Shaw

Submitted to Contest #190

It was a crisp autumn day in New York City, and I’d just arrived at Penn Station after a long train ride from upstate Whitehall. I’d been eagerly anticipating this trip to the city for weeks. For I was meeting up with my best friend, Rachel Wallace, who’d left Whitehall some years ago. We hadn't seen each other in a year or so, but we kept in touch by the usual social media sites and text messages. Rachel promised to take me to some of her favorite spots in the city and show me a good time.As I made my way out of the station, I scanned the b...

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“The Man in the Mask” by Melanie Raskin

Submitted to Contest #190

Benny and I like to crush out the cigarette butts. We trudge round and round, alternately smashing cigs and kicking up the sugary sand that seeps out from under the squared circle that's been brought in special for tonight and situated smack on top of the Oakville Leafs pitcher's box. I am eleven and he is nine and we are waiting for Dad to come down from the announcer's booth on the flat roof of the ball stadium. Elvis croons "It’s Now or Never" over the louds...

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“Fallen Angel” by Taylor Greny

Submitted to Contest #190

I see her and my entire world falls out from underneath me. I’m going to kill them. I know that it’s her. I’ve spent hours with my fingers in her long honey curls. I’ve memorized the coordinates of the freckles on her collarbone and the dimples on her cheeks. I’ve tripped and sailed straight into those gray eyes more times than I can count. I’ve commited myself to the softness and fullness of her stomach and the way it moves when she laughs. I know that it’s her. But at the same time, it’s not. She’s sprawled across the ground, hair an...

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“Peaceful Revenge” by Amy B

Submitted to Contest #190

Peaceful RevengeTrigger Warning: This story discusses violence and sexual assault.The room was dark. A safe space. Unicorn eyes watching what is about to happen. She watches her dream catcher sway from the breeze of her fan. She tries to scream. Push him off of her. His sweaty palm wraps around her mouth. She vomits from the smell, and has to swallow it back down. The taste is repulsive. She is sobbing, large tears dripping down her cheeks. He pushes her down on the bed, taking her innocence in seconds. He withdraws his hand, throws her on 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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