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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#217: Tropes

Last week, we revisited the old “show, don’t tell” rule. This week, let’s throw out the rulebook and have some fun.

In your reading, you’ve probably come across some recurring tropes. In romance, we’ve got star-crossed lovers, fake relationships, enemies-to-lovers, and happily-ever-afters. In fantasy, we’ve got Chosen One protagonists, reluctant heroes, and wise mentors. In mystery, we have unreliable narrators, jaded investigators, locked rooms, and remote settings. It goes on.

Subverting these tropes can be fun, but the tricky thing is that you need to do it for a reason, and in a way that enriches your story. Can you do it?

This week's prompts

Write a story about two characters who like each other but don’t get a happily-ever-after.

Romance – 91 stories

Set your story in a creepy mansion — except nothing horrifying takes place in it.

Horror – 64 stories

Write about a person who's been called to mentor someone in a special skill, but doesn't really want to.

Adventure – 27 stories

Write about a sleuth who’s a little too keen, but not because they have a traumatic past they won’t talk about.

Mystery – 10 stories

Write a story about a warrior who doesn’t want to kill the dragon.

Fantasy – 91 stories

Stories

“2 Disappearces One Sleuth!” by Randy Ramos

Submitted to Contest #217

HER name is Daisey Shes about 30 years of age She loves watching true crime 24/7 such as Investigation Discovery Netflix and true crime docs Shes what you might call a true crime junky. One-night Shes watching the news and they report an unsolved case of a missing woman about 25 years of age her name is Abagil Wood the news reports where she was last seen at a park named Shady Hills, on the other side of town of Liberty Idaho where both Daisy and Abagil are from Liberty is a small town with a population of 50,000 give or take where...

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“How I Learned To Love The Dragon” by Roberto Naili

Submitted to Contest #217

Upon the fiery mountain of Basgul, lay a blue-scaled dragon, that presented his teeth the size of a house, his breath that wielded fire and could wipe out a city with one huff and puff to anyone who dared cross his path. But these tales were told only of men from the city, Valanti. This city had been planning for many months now how to take down the dangerous dragon, in charge of the operation is Sander Morronis. The head of the guards that defended Valanti. Sander believed that this dragon posed a great threat to the city and he told the ci...

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“Thulani and The Drogon” by Mxolisi Ngongoma

Submitted to Contest #217

Thulani, the Lion of dearth, was a warrior who was known for his bravery and strength. He had killed a leopard, a lion, and even a black mamba, the most feared snake in the community. But despite his reputation as a killer, Thulani had a kind heart. He loved animals, and he especially loved dragons.One day, Thulani was hunting in the forest when he came across a dragon. The dragon was huge and terrifying, with scales as black as night and eyes that glowed like embers. Thulani knew that he could easily kill the dragon, but he didn't want to. ...

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“A Cup of Solitude and Company Shall Rarely Meet” by Myranda Wren

Submitted to Contest #217

Sir Foggerstone heard the knock at the cottage door. Its rapid and repeated tenor suggested the matter was urgent. He heard his name called several times but instead of rising, he raised a delicately painted teacup to his mouth and, after inhaling the fragrant aroma that held a mixture of lavender and licorice, he took a sip of the warm liquid. He starred at his freshly baked cookies knowing they would all too quickly turn cold before he could enjoy them. Perhaps that was for the best as his baking attempts had been mediocre at best. H...

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“Grimbold the Great” by Susan Hawthorne

Submitted to Contest #217

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a powerful warrior named Grimbold Ironfist. He was tall and strong and he never lost a battle. Known throughout the land as a fierce and skilled fighter, many kingdoms had sought Grimbold's services in their battles with the dreaded fearful dragon, Scorch. But Grimbold had a secret: he didn’t want to kill the dragon. It wasn’t that he was a coward, or that he was afraid of the dragon or of the battle. No, Grimbold was simply a peaceful soul, who didn’t believe in killing unless absolutel...

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“Dragon’s Appetite ” by Terri Sanders

Submitted to Contest #217

Paw leaned on the closed door and sighed.Sami fought back tears as she watched her father. “Why won’t he help us?”“I need to raise more money.” He shook his head. “The town’s people have already given from what little they have. Too much to ask for more…”“But they are losing more and more livestock. Someone has to do something.” Sami placed a plate of food in front of her little brother and gazed at him. Small, innocent, helpless. “What if the…you know…gets Henry?”“What’s a u-no?” Henry pushed his carrots off his plate.“Henry Alan! You are g...

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“Reluctant Knight” by Reena B

Submitted to Contest #217

“Presenting, Bartholomew Butterbrusher,” the announcer called.A boy with a javelin-length spine walked up to the platform, chewing on a piece of sugarcane. He spat out a string of fibre through his helmet, and it landed right between the hooves of the brown horse in front of him. “You called?”“This is your mount, good sir. Climb right up and be on your way.”“To where?”“Well, the dragon’s cave I expect, since that’s what the condition is. If you win the joust, then you will be chosen to slay the dragon.”“Yes, but I’m knackered. And I nee...

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“The Fight is Won” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #217

Ser Grahame was as big as they came. He was bold. He was valiant. He was noble. He was chivalrous. He was all the things that a knight should be. Most importantly, he was focused, courageous, disciplined, wise, and just. Thinking of a proper and good knight would be to think of Ser Grahame. Ser Grahame was the first born son of Ser Johne, the mightiest and most revered of the knights of his age. Sir Johne was the first born son of Ser Normane, the best of knights and winner of the Tourney in the Jungle, back in an age when the forests were...

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“Dragon Power” by Malcolm Twigg

Submitted to Contest #217

DRAGON POWER The interior of the ‘Bucket and Firkin’ was a pleasant fug of woodsmoke, ale fumes and smoking weed, and also abuzz with incredulous conversation. “Dragon? No such thing! Last dragon was yonks ago and that was a fart-arse affair. Not enough breath to light a fag with.” The speaker quaffed his tankard and banked it down on the bar by way of emphasis, looking hopefully into the dregs. “I’m only tellin’ you what I heard,” the other speaker said. “Carried off Fred the Forester’s little girl, Amelia. Fred said...

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“The daughter of the North Dragon.” by Cirrus M.A.D

Submitted to Contest #217

The daughter of the North Dragon. I looked out over the burned shell of a town that the North Dragon had destroyed. I hoped most of the people had evacuated but the reports had told me otherwise. I heard stories of bodies lining the streets, children, women, livestock all murdered by the unrelenting claw of the North Dragon. The trek up the mountain had been long and hard, much more than I had ever trained for. I had been told the dragon resided in a cave at the summit of the mountain; why a town would be made under the shadow of a dragon'...

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“Killer Instinct” by Matthew Higgs

Submitted to Contest #217

“Briggs, get ready to go in,” Coach Brunson shouted. I could feel my adrenaline flowing overtime. Finally, my chance. Tom Howe had been unable to stop Collins, the opposing wide receiver, all game. “Briggs, get over here,” coach called out. I came running over. “You see what’s happening out there, right?”, he asked. I nodded my head. We were up by one touchdown because our offense was good, but we were having trouble stopping the other team’s offense. Collins had gotten a step on Tom and caught the ball for...

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“Another Way Around” by Anna Komora

Submitted to Contest #217

The grit of the ground underneath him cut unto the skin of his exposed hand like a thousand little shards, but his side where he had landed felt much, much worse. The burn on his lower leg surpassed both. His helmet had long since gone, and a few of his other pieces of armor were hanging on barely from the leather being singed from the heat of the metal or even the flames themselves that had been thrown his way. It had been a miracle that the sword and shield had stayed in his hands thus far, having been thrown around so much. That l...

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“Relinquishing Revenge” by Brian Fitzroy Kelly

Submitted to Contest #217

It’d been three weeks after Alex killed him. That was out of revenge. “What you did,” said Jaya as she walked beside him on the path, “was good. The king gave a long-standing order. With your skill, there was little competition.” The red hue on her cloak faded with each week, and was as faded as the blue dress he’d bought her. Her hand patted off dust. The smell was at least better than his clothes, she thought. &nbsp...

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“The Pure At Heart” by Kathleen Spencer

Submitted to Contest #217

Others’ stories might start with the night being dark and deary, but if you think this is where this story is heading then you are dead wrong. The night was bright and sunny. Yes, the main character, the brave warrior, I will call him, Cameron, was anything but tall and handsome. Cameron was short, and cute, skinny, wore glasses, and stuttered when he spoke. He lived in Alaska, where everything that could eat him lived. One day, Cameron went for a hike among the pines. The trail was long, curvy, uphill, and treacherous. He stopped to catch ...

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“TragicHearts” by Daniel Ybarra

Submitted to Contest #217

In the coolness of the night two tragic hearts intertwine trying to be entangled for all time. So many wounds to heal and mend, but there's no one close not even a friend. Trying to understand the atrocities of loveless pleasure infecting all of society. Tears fall some seen and unseen two tragic hearts living in this nightmare hoping it's just a dream. Hugs and kisses and embracing the warmth of another fractured soul comforts enough to Hope. Oh it would cost we have all paid, enduring the loss of mistakes made. To tragic hearts afraid to l...

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$250

Prize money

283

Contest entries

130

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 29, 2023 EST

Won by Paul Crehan 🏆

Title: Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus?

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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