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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#225: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

From Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection to the speaking mirror in Snow White, mirror images have always been a popular motif in literature, commonly used to introduce questions of identity or self-consciousness. But they can also be used to create a split between reality and illusion: is what we see really the truth, or are our eyes — or indeed minds — playing tricks on us? Taken one step further, one might even argue that texts themselves are a reflection of their author and the world they inhabit.


This week’s prompts invite you to reflect (pardon the pun) on topics of self-image, twisted realities, and outer appearance that may or may not capture what’s going on beneath the surface.

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone buying a cursed — or perhaps blessed —mirror from an antiques store.

Fantasy – 74 stories

Write a story about someone trying to paint (or otherwise create) a self-portrait.

Character – 66 stories

Write a story about someone coming across their doppelganger.

Mystery – 48 stories

Write a story about a character who one day notices that their reflection has taken on a life of its own.

Fantasy – 50 stories

Set your story in a house of mirrors and make the atmosphere increasingly eerie.

Horror – 42 stories

Stories

“My Reflection” by Carlos Arce

Submitted to Contest #225

My Reflection By: Carlos A. Arce My eyes pop open, and the sunrays of another God-forsaken day shine down on me. “Great, just great, another day.” I throw the sheet over myself, searching for the dark and isolation that have become my close friends. The sounds of the outside world start to creep in and scare away the last vestiges of sleep I have. I sit up and curse my chance at life again. “When will you allow me to come home?” My arms reach up, pointing towards heaven, begging for mercy from my own existence. “Luz, I miss you.”...

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“It Wasn't Me” by Joan Evans

Submitted to Contest #225

As Tara swung her silver Mercedes sports car into the entrance to her driveway, she thought she saw someone sitting on her front steps.With a frown puckering her dark forehead, she began to search her mind to recall who she may have made an appointment to see. No one came to mind who she would be meeting at her house.Then she grew cross."It had better not be another reporter looking for a story," she grumbled out loud.Tara tried to get a good look at her visitor as she drew closer, deliberately driving slowly to give her time to complete her...

6 comments 6
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“A FAMILY AFFAIR” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #225

A FAMILY AFFAIR What the hell are you doing back here, James, old chap? I ask myself this for the umpteenth time. I’d sworn never to set foot in this house again after the debacle of the will but, maybe, just maybe, she is now looking to make things right. I smoke another spliff. At the thought of my mother, my bete- noire, I feel the sudden craving for a real fix possess my body.Surely to God, logic dictates that, as the eldest, I should be named as the rightful heir to Blandford. It’s what father would have wanted, would have ensured, if t...

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“The Shadow” by Matthew Madsen

Submitted to Contest #225

A modern retelling of the fairy-tale The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen. I knew a guy who died from choking on birthday cake at someone else’s party.  ‘Knew’ is a strong word. We weren’t much more than acquaintances. I heard the news, felt a little bit sad, and then got on with my life. Sometimes, though, I can’t help thinking about how many tragedies are wrapped up in that one little point in time. Family and friends mourned, of course, grieving the unexpected loss, but whenever I think about the guy who choked on birthday c...

4 comments 4
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“Dinner With My Better Self” by Dylan Martin

Submitted to Contest #225

Who the fuck owns a home in Brooklyn? And in Greenpoint? What a slap in the face. Here I am, slaving away at this meaningless sales job, just trying to find a studio in my budget—a single room!—and this asshole owns an entire address doing God knows what. Can you imagine placing a delivery order and not giving them an apartment number? No way this guy is leaving the house for takeout. His address stands in stark contrast to the rest of the block, which is lined with rows of beige and brown houses most assuredly built during a world war. T...

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“Mirror, Mirror who Am I ?” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #225

Is it me or the light, changing , What can be done? I seem to be going through mid life crisis? The mirror does not lie. About Sarah Jane Hacket. Poor woman, with crows feet under her eyes, hair that need attention. Always been a good christion, missed out on marriage stakes to look after elderly grumpy mother. I see those looks, oh, poor Sarah what can one expect.? Well I maybe fifty five with Arthritis. Now it is my time to live, a little, spend some cash. Sarah fetched the milk in from the step of Rose Vale Cottage. Would she really go th...

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“The Other Her” by Kellie Fluegge

Submitted to Contest #225

Jenna sighed as she printed out another set of documents. When she was a full-time treating physical therapist, her day was rarely tedious. Every patient she got to treat was different and the fast pace prevented her from being bored in any way. To her manner of thinking, there was nothing better than being able to help transform a head-injured victim back into a more normal reflection of themselves. She adored making them stronger, training better balance, and having them learn to walk again. Together with her team of other disciplines incl...

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“Mirror, Mirror?” by Christina Fanelli

Submitted to Contest #225

Kathy walks into the tools section of Walmart to find her husband standing in the center of the aisle with one hand rubbing his bald head and the other holding something, “Jeff, come here, I have to show you this,” she motions her husband towards her.  “Can it wait?” Jeff asks as he reads the labels on the sanding pads in his large rough hands, “I want to see which of these I need for the sander at the house.” “Just grab them both and we’ll come back in a couple of minutes,” Kathy replies as she tugs his flannel shirt and motions fo...

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“The Alluring Reflection” by 3i Writer

Submitted to Contest #225

Julie was not just an average girl. She was fat and was considered ugly in the eyes of her classmates. The school she was studying in was a little bit out of the ordinary. The interior of the school was full of mirrors. All the corridors had mirrors. Every room had at least one big mirror. There were mirrors that also operated as digital billboards that displayed announcements, school events, and even club activities. There were also hi-tech mirrors that offered touchscreens. Every student were already accu...

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“House of Mirrors and Wonder” by S.M. Sykes

Submitted to Contest #225

Steven loved going to the Delaware State Fair every year. His parents had brought him here since he was a kid, back when all he wanted to do was ride the rides and get cotton candy. Nowadays he is way more mature than that. I mean he was 13 years old and had to act like it. Instead of running straight to the rides and cotton candy, Steven led his parents to the horse stalls and walked through checking out all of the animals.  His parents looked at each other and laughed, they knew this was new but in the end, he would end up with cotto...

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“Four Sticks” by Erin Muñoz

Submitted to Contest #225

Lonnie needed a fix, and he needed it fast. As he drove down the quiet streets of a neighborhood full of houses far beyond his tax bracket, the radio hummed in the background. In the early hours of the morning, the radio played less ads and more music. Something by Led Zeppelin came through the weak speakers of the decades old clunker Lonnie drove. Had the man been of sober mind, he would likely remember the song. Lonnie only had one thing on his mind, and it was money. How to get the most of it and how quickly to get it to his dealer on the...

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“The House of Blood and Mirrors” by Emily Watson

Submitted to Contest #225

The house rose before me, its red brick and white paint faded and covered in molds and mildews and overgrown vines. No one in their right mind would have thought of entering. No one from Gatesville anyways. Not after what happened last year. But desperation had driven me near to madness, like that little rhyme from The Magician’s Nephew echoing in the back of my head: “wonder till it drives you mad what would have followed if you had”. Witches aren’t real, they say, laughing as they dress their children in costumes, sending them out to do...

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“Room of Mirrors” by A.B Julian

Submitted to Contest #225

Room of Mirrors By A.B Julian I stepped out of the cab and stood there admiring the Victorian exterior of the Blackwell mansion. I had some pleasant memories of this house from the time when I visited this place during summer.  "Welcome, you must be Vance Blackwell. I am Jenna Spencer, the caretaker." "Vance Hanshaw. Marie Blackwell was my great aunt." "Oh yes. The lawyer mentioned. I forget easily. I am getting old. Please come in." Carrying my bags, I stepped into the house. The floorboard creaked under my feet. "Have you be...

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“Reflections in a Hall of Mirrors” by Lilla Odinson

Submitted to Contest #225

     I’ll admit, I really had been excited to see my nephew. But when my sister left him with me so that she and her husband could have some alone time, it sparked worries in me. You see, my husband and I had been married for almost two years. We had always assumed that we’d have children by now, but one thing or another had always gotten in the way. Seeing my nephew would usually bring me so much joy, but today it only brought me anxiety.       I was summoned back into the moment by an ...

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“Imbalance: The Price of Vanity” by Denese Wright

Submitted to Contest #225

Caroline suggests the unthinkable, knowing O’Carey would rather sell a kidney. Regrettably there is a foreclosure notice on the bedside table, and they have nowhere else to go except out into the desert to reminisce on former days of financial glory living high off the hog in Phoenix. O’Carey rubs his face remembering the promise he made to himself to never sell his valuable coins, but Caroline doesn’t appreciate any coin unless it is one she can spend. He sighs, “It won’t change anything…then what?” he asks. Caroline rubs his back. It’s a h...

1 comment 1
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$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

106

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 24, 2023 EST

Won by Olivier Breuleux 🏆

Title: The Day Alfred Googled Himself

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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