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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#205: Ritualistic

Since time immemorial, humans have developed rituals to deal with change, and all manner of life situations. From birthdays to funerals, to holidays and weddings, to personal habits and rites of passage, these ceremonies often help us find solace, meaning, and belonging in an otherwise chaotic existence.

Rituals exist across all ages and cultures, and take all kinds of shapes and forms 一 from dancing, to praying, to performing 一 and while some have existed for centuries, new ones are created every day. In this week’s prompts, we explore this universal aspect of human culture.

Plus, in case you missed it...📚

The second issue of PROMPTED, our literary magazine, is officially out now! You can download your free copy right here.

This week's prompts

Start your story during a full moon night.

Mystery – 81 stories

Make your protagonist go through a rite of passage.

Character – 54 stories

Write about a character who develops a special ritual to cope with something.

Angst – 89 stories

Make a character perform a ceremony to set something or someone free.

Dramatic – 55 stories

Write about a character who breaks free from a tradition to create a new one.

Character – 26 stories

Stories

“DEATH” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #205

DEATH Kate was nine years old when her great-grandfather, who had spent the last years of his life with them, died. Great-grandfather Orlando was ninety-two and he had been very strict. He had often reproached her for her disobedience and had often repeated to her that she was rude. And when he said it he made a disgusted face and said:” Ah, those! They allow you everything” referring to her parents. The great-grandfather had died after a few days of illness during which everyone knew he was going to die. Kate had never seen a dead before...

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“The Cave” by Kaelyn Style

Submitted to Contest #205

On the eve of her eleventh birthday, Fox Trep gave her family dog to the local kennel. Her father had never loved anyone more than he cherished that dog. He petted it every night on the couch. He walked it three times a day. He even gave it more fresh meat than he gave his own family. He spent so much money on that dog. And Fox gave it away. She snuck out past midnight and ran down the street. She remembered the dog squirming against her chest. At the shelter she claimed that her family was running out of money. Lie. They took Ku...

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“Bani's Tree” by Sandhya Ramachandran

Submitted to Contest #205

Code 278.43A. That’s where ‘Lady Grace’ was, right behind the stunted tree that hit the ceiling and hid an owl in its hollow. In a ladylike fashion, Bani hopped on the plastic rocks to cross the fake river in the middle of the library. So as to not catch a whiff of stubbed cigarettes hidden in pockets of grey-lipped men in the room, Bani held her breath as she performed the difficult crossing manoeuvre. Despite her greatest efforts, Bani never made it across to the other side. Later, on the flight, she reasoned that she was stopped so that...

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“Counting Steps” by Amber Davis

Submitted to Contest #205

Three steps off the school bus. One… two… three. Deep breaths. And then a half-hearted leap off the edge. My skirt sways just enough I can feel the air hit my thighs. It’s like the wind carries me. For just a split second, I’m weightless. I’m sailing through the sky and I’m free. In that moment I become jealous of the birds. I wish I could wrap myself in feathers and fly away. I’d never again feel the impact of the hard, cold ground under my feet. Not unless I wanted to. Not unless it was my choice to land. And I’d only land in a spot that f...

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“All Hail the Saint of Coffee Brewers” by Dave West

Submitted to Contest #205

All Hail the Saint of Coffee Brewers / David West Picture if you can his workspace. There is an L-shaped desk in a corner of the room. Starting from left there is a two-drawer filing cabinet, on top of which sits a stack of three wire-mesh filing trays, all overloaded. Beside them is a binocular case. The binoculars themselves are on top of a cabinet in the living room, near the front door, where he has a view of the harbour. On the left side of the desk there is a stack of four notebooks, different sizes for different purposes. Next to the...

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$250

Prize money

305

Contest entries

129

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 07, 2023 EST

Won by Lindsay Flo 🏆

Title: The Walk

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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