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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#222: Show Me The Way

When navigating life’s challenges, we could all use a little guidance — someone who can show us the way, or give us the wisdom we need to follow the right path. In literature, much like in reality, coaches and mentors are often central to a protagonist’s development, offering training, advice, or tools to succeed in their Hero’s Journey.

What's fascinating about mentors is that they come in different shapes and forms. They might be a nurturing figure, who offers wisdom and support; a harsh and unyielding professor, who demands the impossible; an unconventional thinker who brings a unique perspective. Sometimes the guidance doesn’t even come in human form: perhaps it’s a dream, a spirit, a faith, or an item, like a totem, a book, or a map.

This week’s prompts are all about people (or things) that, in one way or another, have a pivotal role in someone’s journey.

This week's prompts

Start your story with a student on their first day of apprenticeship.

Teens – 18 stories

Write about a character who has a love/hate relationship with their mentor.

Character – 36 stories

Write about a mentor whose methods are controversial.

Character – 22 stories

Write a story about a character who finds guidance in an unlikely place.

Dramatic – 81 stories

Write a story that includes someone saying, “You’ve got this.”

Dialogue – 53 stories

Stories

“A Case of the Useless” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #222

Your blood test results have come back POSITIVE. This is something Devin has suspected for a long time. His first thought is to reject the diagnosis and prove that it is wrong. When Devin checks the notice on his iPhone it is 2:38 am. Devin turns back to his computer and continues playing the new fantasy game “Star of Remphan,” in which his avatar is a dark wizard of Druid origins whose spells require a sigil in the form of a pentagram or Star of David enclosed in a magical circle. His avatar is named Austin Osman Spare.&...

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“My One Day in Bermuda” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #222

“No, no, no,” I screamed helplessly holding onto the wire basket behind me where my carefully packed bag was placed. The street was coming up fast. Too fast. The crowd formed quickly. “Are you okay?” “You’re bleeding.” “Can you walk?”Someone pulled the motor scooter off of me. Why was it that you always see one shoe in the middle of the road after an accident? This time it was my husband’s shoe.“You need to get to a hospital,” a voice from somewhere floated to me.“No. I’m fine.”“Aww, don’t cry.”&n...

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“The Courage To Change” by Elouise Woodard

Submitted to Contest #222

The Freedom of knowing… I didn’t know I was me when I felt helpless and powerless. I became masked, trying to fill a void of not knowing who I became. I become someone I mirrored who I didn’t recognize, I lost me in the process of finding a new you. The singing of the ancestors crying out from the heaven above reminded me of who I am. I am the storm that carry the spirit of my ancestors who forcefully guided me through the doors that once hindered me. The voices of the past whispered eloquently to stand, never waiver and continue to strive. ...

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“Benny Freedom” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #222

Let me tell you why I’m running away. My old man ran off with another woman and refused to pay child support. That means my mother has to work two low-paying jobs to make ends meet. She hasn’t any time to cook or clean, and especially none for me. I have two twin brothers who are four years older than me and are supposed to help Ma by keeping the house clean and watching out for me, but instead, I have to do all the work while they sit around smoking dope. I saved up some money to buy a Fender Stratocaster k...

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“Fluttering Descent” by Von Armstead

Submitted to Contest #222

The two enthusiastic visionaries, myself included, had gathered to tell of the dreams we’d recently had. We sank deeply into our armchairs and appreciated how the eight yard lights around us – unlike the slowing degrees of blue and violet having an argument, each one whispering its preferences – cast faded ginger harmoniously. It was as though we were in a field of marigolds. The perfect place for a night full of fantastical stories. Without any warning, my master launched forth into his narrative: To prevent a mortal (he said) from tellin...

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“How to Become a Sociopath in 11 Easy Steps” by Audrey Knox

Submitted to Contest #222

The advertisement shining on the telephone pole sang to me. The bright, crisp pink paper had sharp, fresh edges, as if it had been placed there just for me. Other tattered, sad advertisements flittered around it, their slips with phone numbers waving impotently in the breeze. They didn’t seem fated, meant for her. The words Josephine didn’t realize she was seeking until they called out to her near her bus stop. Josephine called the number because she was tired. She had moved to Los Angeles with hopes of being a filmmaker. Everyone said you...

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“I Am Going To The Mountaintop With You” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #222

“Sitting at the lake I felt the peace settle in, the long awaited trip was here. Settling into the cushions with the view of the mountains directly across I searched my mind for the concept. My ad was due upon returning to the city and I was zapped, burnt out, overworked, and running on empty.”I looked at Nicole and smiled. “Thanks again for getting me this gig. She’s amazing.”“Yeah, right.” There was a tone in her voice I hadn’t expected. I darted a look at her. Did she look annoyed? It was hard to te...

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“clichering. ” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #222

“You gotta bite the bullet, Bridge, and tell us everything.” Kate ordered as she handed her menu back to the impatient waitress after ordering the chicken carbonara. The three forty-something women were gathered at their favorite table in the corner at their favorite place. Every waitress that worked the evening shift knew them even though they only managed to coordinate their schedules for dinner about six times a year which required a marathon of catching up on families, dating and work war stories. They always ordered the bread pudd...

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“The Turnabout” by Yousef Jeddi

Submitted to Contest #222

Jordan wasn’t sure why she’d humored Kevin for so long. She typically didn’t hesitate to fail a student no matter how tearful their entreaties. Once, she failed a girl who knocked over a traffic cone during a parallel parking attempt. The girl cried as if the world were ending, and when she told her father, he slapped her so hard she lost balance and nearly fell over — possibly concussed. Jordan felt nothing. Kevin was different. She knew she should’ve stopped the test much earlier, probably when he failed to locate the hazard lights in hi...

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“The Guide” by Nina H

Submitted to Contest #222

Gerald gripped the side rail in the entranceway of the museum, turning his knuckles white and palms red. His tie was too tight, his shoes too big, and his socks rather sweaty. They were probably gaining more strength in stench the longer he shuffled his awkward feet near the guest desk. It was opening hour on a Tuesday, so the crowd was rather light so far. He watched as an older couple entered, followed by a group of smartly dressed women who were holding arms with each other and chatting as if it’s been years since they’ve gone ou...

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“Can’t Go Back” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #222

Cassidy stands on the square blue carpet of the tumbling floor, trembling. Her muscled legs quake with anticipation, and her diaphragm contracts, bowling her belly out through the leotard to reveal a smothered, held breath. White chalk cakes her hands and bare thighs. The thighs emerge from her singlet, like pistons of white ivory. She raises her arms high into the fifth position. A cloud of chalk forms and particles of powder rain down over her head.She is beginning her floor exercise routine, which starts with a back-tumbling pass—one...

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“The Perfect Project” by Jeana Budnick

Submitted to Contest #222

"No, no, no! That's all wrong!" I look up from my work at my mentor who is shaking his head, long scraggly white beard swaying with the motion. His bushy white eyebrows are drawn into a frown, nearly covering his eyes. I use my forearm to wipe the sweat from my forehead, trying not to smear anything from my gloves onto my skin. "My boy," my mentor continues, "you are a bright and promising student. You have done this before, and done it well. What is the problem today?" I drop my head in shame. "I'm sorry, master. This project has taken much...

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“The Axe” by Jonathan Jordan

Submitted to Contest #222

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” grinned Duncan. I knew he meant it as a friendly gesture, but Duncan is one of those men whose best smile still registers as a grimace. Possibly because of the missing teeth and smell of onions. “Today is the day you begin the work you were born to do,” he went on with his gravelly, yet deep voice. With this remark, he reached out a meaty finger and pinched my left shoulder, feeling the muscles there. Even at sixteen, I was built like a burly lumberjack. My poor mother was constantly men...

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“A Humble Headshrinker Deviates” by John Healey

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #222

“Well, I subscribe to the Freudian school of thought.” His thick, veiny hand creaked slowly open and I pulled back the solderin’ iron. He judged my work with eyes that I reckon were prob’ly normal-sized, but were so deep-set that they looked positively tiny, peerin’ out from that overhang forehead of his. That forehead absolutely burstin’ with knowledge. “What this means,” he began, and I moved to the next connection, takin’ his silence as an affirmatory. “Is that our problems, in the end, stem from the impossible expectations thrust u...

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“Lessons On Becoming Invisible ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #222

Craig Sanders hated his biology class, because he had to cross R Hallway in Martin Luther King Jr. High School. When he did he would have to deal with Kensey Waldmeier and his cronies who hung out at the crossing where they would sit ready to pounce on anyone who dared to enter their turf and since the biology classroom was in the middle of this imaginary turf, there was no way he could get out of becoming a victim. Another fact was Rose Talmer was in his class. She was enchanting to the point he was unable to speak ...

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$250

Prize money

210

Contest entries

101

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 03, 2023 EST

Won by Audrey McKenna 🏆

Title: Just Like Him

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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