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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#20: Quite the Character

Between 1887 and 1927, Sherlock Holmes appeared in a total of four novels and 56 short stories penned by Arthur Conan Doyle. Since then, the stories have been adapted countless times, earning Holmes a Guinness World Record for "most portrayed movie character." And while Doyle's mysteries were widely lauded, it was the character of Holmes that had readers coming back time and again.

This week, your challenge is to write a story that highlights a single character. The premise is up to you — just give us some small understanding of this character by the end of the story.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character who starts out as a pessimist and ends as an optimist. (Or vice versa.)

Character – 46 stories

Write a story about a character experiencing anxiety.

Character – 83 stories

Write a story about a character who would be described above all else as "logical."

Character – 31 stories

Write a story about a day in the life of a mother.

Narrative – 55 stories

Write a story about a character experiencing independence for the first time.

Teens – 59 stories

Stories

“Darlin'” by Emily Bellas

Submitted to Contest #20

You forgot to lock to door. You’ve come downstairs to my room three times a day for 5,475 days but this time...you forgot to lock the door. I wonder what must have been going through your mind. I’ll bet you were stressed from work, distracted by the events of your busy life. The sound of your boots stomping up to the main level gradually decreased in volume as I pressed my ear to the door to listen. There was a distant sound of keys dangling. I know you hook your keys onto your belt when you’re leaving for the day. I knew these sounds ...

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“A Leap” by Shannon Meyers

Submitted to Contest #20

Ophelia tightened her satchel to her body. She had just reached the outskirts of Brunhild. She took one last look at the town and inhaled. “GOODBYE!” she screeched before heading off with a pep in her step. She was old enough to become an apprentice, and she wanted to become a blacksmith more than anything. So her sights were set on Eldar City, in search of one Master Delmon. By midday, Ophelia had run out of the snacks her father had packed for her. She sat by the road in quiet despair. She thought they would last much longer and she c...

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“Escape of Traz” by Lindsey Starrberri

Submitted to Contest #20

NcKayla ducked down in the dark bushes, her dark hair swinging behind her. She moved swiftly off the palace grounds, disregarding pearls and other jewelry along the way. She only kept on a gold bracelet encrusted in diamonds and a beautiful ring from her mother.NcKayla hid behind the tall stone wall, her tan skin barely blending in with the dark of night. A trio of guards passed her, talking. NcKayla remained still until they turned the hedge and disappeared.She ran toward the golden gates, and opened them. NcKayla slowly closed them behind ...

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“Away.” by Ufot Goodness Goodness

Submitted to Contest #20

My older sister called the last time asking how the house was after she left after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. She told me of the new project she was working on because school had started lessons. She said a few things about school being a whole new level of stress. I tried to imagine it but just couldn't get the image in my head. How could being away from family give one stress especially when you're around your peers. Then after that call I saw everything that was done back here at home as nonsense. Mom ...

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“Like Mother, Like Daughter ” by Rachael Wu

Submitted to Contest #20

Sibley's wispy hair is already escaping her ponytail, straying away from the commanding soccer-mom vibe that marshalls her dolls. Her countenance never changes, authority glittering in her grey eyes to dispel any notion that a crumpled dress means she is slumping into a frowsy mother at the end of her rope. She frowns at Baby Ann, the cloth doll who is slowly sliding to the floor and watches her faceplant. At best, Henson the bear is only a mediocre support; this is the third time Baby Ann has disgraced herself.Sibley crosses her arms, a sha...

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“Change In Address” by Rachel Clark

Submitted to Contest #20

He leaned up against the cement wall, allowing the bricks to fully support his weight. The city and him merged together in that moment, body and soul. One week ago he would have grimaced at the stains on the concrete and the dirty smell of the streets, discarded food and rats. But now he felt a sense of comradery with them. The rodents and him were two species in the same ecosystem, both wondering where they would get their next meal. In his near memory, he replayed the night before his departure. Once his suit...

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“Never Say Never” by Nora Barth

Submitted to Contest #20

Never say never, that's my motto."All right, girl, since you've been so eager to leave, just go already!"A hand grabbed the back of my coat and shoved me through the open door. The weak January sun was making the snow outside turn into a disgusting gray slush.I gulped, fingering the strap of my battered leather satchel. Was it too late to go back?But just as I turned around, the door slammed shut. I stood shivering for a second, my breath visible in the chilly air. Then I pivoted slowly around to look at the wilderness beyond. Buggies cloppe...

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“The Uprising” by Randi W

Submitted to Contest #20

Year: 2079 Province of Zoran Kelyn swung her legs over her bed and stretched her arms over her head. Today was the day, her eighteenth birthday had finally arrived. She would finally get to have a thimble full of freedom. After eleven years of living under constant scrutiny, of being groomed into the perfect bride, wife and queen; she would get to choose one relic that would gift her with more power. Though she only had one gift in mind, the only gift she would ever want: being...

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“Someone You Know” by Janie Cruz

Submitted to Contest #20

"Stupid. That's all it is. I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal out of it." I growled. "Oh come on Kalley, it's gonna be fun. Please come with us!" "No thanks. You guys go have fun." "Kalley, just because you got stood up last year-" "Stop. Okay? Just stop. Just accept the fact I'm done with high school boys and dances and leave it at that." I stood and left. I got out to my car and saw a note on the windshield. I opened it. Dear Kalley, I would be honored if you would go to prom with me on Saturday. Now, I know you don't want to...

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“The soul has a timeline all its own” by Chitra Gopalakrishnan

Submitted to Contest #20

The soul has a timeline all its ownBy Chitra Gopalakrishnan2998 wordsOn a brisk Tuesday afternoon, on November 13, 2015, on an uncommonly smog-less and blindingly bright day for New Delhi’s moody weather this time of the year, I sit with two other journalists, Riya Mathur and Nitin Khanna across the table of an elite food court in New Delhi with an air of fretful preoccupation. While we keep up the ambient noise in this area with our animated talk of terrorism and the clatter of our cutlery, the base hum comes from the diners all around us. ...

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“If The World was An Orange” by Dane Pangilinan

Submitted to Contest #20

[Look around you and you'll see, how beautiful the world is...]I tried my best to finish my assignment but I simply can't. How can I even portray the beauty of this world if I can't find any?"Having trouble writing, Ace?" my roommate asked as he entered our room. He just came back from buying fruits from the supermarket.I solemnly nodded at him."Ms. Oberon just had to make us do a poem about the Earth's grandness, eh?" He mockingly said as he chuckled. I gave him a small smile before going back to my poem.Earth, beautiful - I never even asso...

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“The battle” by Aminatta Kamara

Submitted to Contest #20

Shall we be forever dancing to the marching of the beatShall we forever be chasing for something else to eat?In the beginning she had thought that everyone was out to get her. The anger in her bones would seep into her skin making her too hot to touch. She was in competition with herself.The sweetness of her sorrow only seemed to make her worse. Had she forgotten where she came from? Who were her friends. Who were her enemies? She had been through the mill and left in pieces. That was not an excuse though her mother had told her. Her father,...

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“Forlorn Blithe” by Cari Morgan

Submitted to Contest #20

Optimist:A person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of somethingA word that I have heard thrown around a few times; whether it be in a conversation or a ‘motivational’ book claiming that ‘to live your best life you must have an optimistic outlook’. To be quite honest, I do not get it - how is one supposed to be optimistic in the world we live in. I watch the news every-so-often and when I do, I feel anything but optimistic.“We are here live at the scene in which many gunshots were fired last night, k...

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“Your Whole World Will Be Infected ” by Simon Stuthers

Submitted to Contest #20

In times like these, I’m surprised I still hold onto the happiness you left in me. Apparently, you changed me more than I like to give you credit for. That short amount of time was enough. I don’t know how, or what you did. I get another blow to the face, almost like I deserve it. Of course, I probably do. These people don’t understand why I stopped fighting, so they continue on like I’m their punching bag. “Stop smiling. This is disgusting.” One of them spits in my face before the group decides they have had enough. I pull mysel...

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“The Union” by Gary Angle

Submitted to Contest #20

1. Upon walking in the conference room Ellen was swallowed by darkness. There were no windows in any of the university’s basement offices. Ellen blindly felt for a light switch rubbing her hand along the wall next to the door where she thought it would be. Fear suddenly gripped her and seized her hand ironically coming to rest on the wall just two inches above the light switch. Someone was in the room. She squinted into the black...

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$50

Prize money

274

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 20, 2019 EST

Won by Amy St. Pierre 🏆

Title: At Home

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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