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#231: A New Leaf

The year is almost over, and a new one begins in just a few days. With that comes the traditional time of reflection, and of projection. As well as looking back over the year that's just passed, we're looking ahead to a next — and even the most cynical among us have to admit there's something pretty exciting about that.

A new year is an opportunity for self-improvement, exploration, and even complete reinvention. This week's prompts are all in that vein; characters who are all looking for a fresh start, in one way or another.

🥇 Winner

“No Junior League” by Mary Lynne Schuster

🏆 Winner of Contest #231

You are sure you want to do this? Running away. Starting over. It’s not as easy as people think. You have to give up everything. Oh, that part’s easy. Everyone thinks we are all traceable, that you can’t really hide. But, see, everything is tied to your identity. Your papers. If you change those, you are a different person. Fingerprints? If they’re in the system, if yo...

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Koi Under Ice” by Derrick M Domican

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

Inasaki primary was no more than ten minutes’ walk from my father-in-law's place, small, cramped quarters that were only meant to be our temporary home, but I still had the kids dressed and fed and out of the house by ten past seven. There was a tension in the air that morning, and for everyone’s sake, it was best we were gone before she woke. The kids didn’t need to witness another scene like the one the night before, and I didn’t need to be a part of one.“Do you have to go online and play that stupid game the second you get h...

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“New Year, Same Me” by Martin Harp

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

New Year’s Resolutions 2023 2024I, Ryan, am writing this list of 2023 2024 New Year’s Resolutions to get my ass in gear. If I put it on paper, I guess I might be able to manifest them a little bit better? You know, speak them into existence or whatever Lynda tried to tell me. I am reusing my list from last year, with some modifications, because let’s face it, I didn’t accomplish a goddamn thing in 2023. Not with everything that happened. Althou...

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“The Final List” by Nancy Dalle

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

I yawn, trying not to close my eyes. It’s three thirty in the morning, I’m tired, I’m sick, this job was a bad one, this one did not go as planned. Now here I am, driving down this obscure, dark, bleak road, in the middle of nowhere USA, trying to find a place where I can clean up. As I turn the curve, I see this old, dilapidated building a little way down on the right. Pulling into the gravel lot, I look around and of c...

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“Shakespearean New Year's Resolutions” by Kristin Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

HAMLET1. Finally answer the question of "to be or not to be."2. Kill Claudius, forsooth.3. Finally go to Wittenberg for art school.4. Convince Ophelia to run away with me to art school.5. Whatever I do, do not fight a duel with Laertes.6. Avoid getting involved in pointless wars.7. If I see my father's ghost, seek a grief...

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“One More Week” by David Cantwell

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

One More WeekAfter three long years in prison, sleeping on that thin, pathetic mattress, a real bed has never felt so good. That being said, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be to get up this morning to an alarm. It's the first day of the new year, and my first day at a new job, I’ve never really had a job before; I can’t really call selling drugs a job.It’s hard to believe it’s been just over a week since I got out. December 24th, what a crazy and amazing day to be released. My wife c...

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“Redemption Time” by Gregg Voss

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

I wasn’t praying. The thought had crossed my mind, but with some people, prayer just doesn’t work. “You’re destined to be one of the greats, glory to God.” Pops. Him and the same garbage he had poured into my head since I was old enough to pick up a basketball. “You will thank me later for all this. Just remember Proverbs.” Com...

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“New Year for Me” by Cassie Chapman

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

I take in a cold breath to steady myself as the crowd around me quietly chants. "10...9...8...7" "8 months, 7 days" I whisper under my breath. My private count this last year. "6... 5... 4...3..." "251 days altogether" The metal of my necklace feels like ice. "2... 1! Happy New Year!" The 20 or so with me on this cold rock cheer. "252...." I finally bre...

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This week's prompts

Write a story in the form of a list of New Year's resolutions.

Adults – 54 stories

Write about a character who has reinvented themselves, but realizes it's not always easy to outrun your past.

Character – 63 stories

Write a story about hope.

Short Story – 78 stories

Write about someone trying something completely new.

Character – 35 stories

Set your story on New Year's Day.

Holiday – 50 stories

Stories

“No Junior League” by Mary Lynne Schuster

🏆 Winner of Contest #231

You are sure you want to do this? Running away. Starting over. It’s not as easy as people think. You have to give up everything. Oh, that part’s easy. Everyone thinks we are all traceable, that you can’t really hide. But, see, everything is tied to your identity. Your papers. If you change those, you are a different person. Fingerprints? If they’re in the system, if yo...

Read story

“Justice Will Be Served” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #231

Sunrise painted the rain swept rocks of the castle gold as she poured poison into her husband’s morning whiskey. The fire of the spirit would mask the ice of the paralytic which had been crippling Lord Blackstone for months.Lady Gemma Blackstone had everything arranged for the death of her husband would be slow, deservedly so. Revenge was a dish best served cold and Algernon Blackstone liked ice in his whiskey.Gemma watched the chest of her hated husband rise and fall. His crackling breaths came in stutters. The poison had s...

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“Koi Under Ice” by Derrick M Domican

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

Inasaki primary was no more than ten minutes’ walk from my father-in-law's place, small, cramped quarters that were only meant to be our temporary home, but I still had the kids dressed and fed and out of the house by ten past seven. There was a tension in the air that morning, and for everyone’s sake, it was best we were gone before she woke. The kids didn’t need to witness another scene like the one the night before, and I didn’t need to be a part of one.“Do you have to go online and play that stupid game the second you get h...

Read story

“Monster Goals” by AnneMarie Miles

Submitted to Contest #231

To the human living above me, I'd like to propose some changes.It’s been a year since you issued me your set of rules, and in that year, I’ve complied. You’re still alive, aren’t you? Your dog is still alive, yes? And if you’d bothered to check under your bed once in awhile, you’d know that it’s the cleanest it’s ever been (turns out dust bunnies and ants and snack crumbs make a delicious meal, thanks for that suggestion, by the way). Overall, I think I’ve made a really great monster-under-the-bed, and I do hope you'd ag...

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“Hopeless Aid Station” by Jonathan Page

Submitted to Contest #231

The thing about going the distance is that it is non-negotiable; you must take every miserable, unrelenting step on your own steam—like it or not. David had his hands on his knees, dry heaving, at the foot of the highest mountain pass in the Colorado Rockies. Dry heaving was nothing new. He could handle dry heaving all day long. David’s Garmin Sportswatch displayed the elevation: 9,983 ft. 2,617 feet to the top. The saddle was 12,600 feet. Should take about an hour and a half, he thought. If he didn’t collapse first.As h...

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“This Year. . .” by Katharine Widdows

Submitted to Contest #231

1997This year will be a spectacular success to be celebrated in decades to come - it will form the solid, reliable bedrock of my wholesome future. I resolve to achieve a first-class average grade, to set me up for a first-class honours degree in three years time. I don't think I did too well last semester so I will aim for 80% this semester to improve my marks. To achieve this, I will not drink any alcohol for the next six months. I will attend 100% of my lectures and get up at 5am to prepare for them. I...

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“The Robber Year” by Rebecca Miles

Submitted to Contest #231

All rituals are doorways. Jeanette WintersonVivien wipes her hands on the damp tea towel, watching the water spill from the tap, filling the saucepan. The pan is overfull but she places it on the hob and ignites the gas, the blue flame casting an icy warmth like the last shudder of December sun on the kitchen’s window pane. In the growing dark, she picks up the peeler and makes short work of the eyes and sprouting growths, gorging them out of the potatoes like so many black pupils and litt...

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“A Resolution to be More Honest” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #231

A hush fell over the Ecoburger Diner when old Smiley Rawlinson came out of the kitchen, glanced at the menu board, and then with one determined swipe of the blackboard eraser, removed the infamous “Mushroom Burger Surprise.” They would have started whispering about it if he didn’t also immediately start writing something new, and so instead the silence stretched as everyone craned their necks to see. Smiley stepped back ...

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“Too-Cute Match-Up” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #231

Too-Cute Match-UpFor the second night Chrissy tucked in the visiting five-year-old, Carlson. He should sleep happier now that the Barbie dream room had been transformed into a space odyssey. The fifth-grade teacher went downstairs in the large Victorian home she shared with her Nana.“Any success locating his parents?” Chrissy asked Nana as she joined her in front of the fireplace.Upon a chance meeting with Carlson and his Grandfather two evenings ago at a local restaurant the grandfather suffered a fatal he...

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“New Year, Same Me” by Martin Harp

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

New Year’s Resolutions 2023 2024I, Ryan, am writing this list of 2023 2024 New Year’s Resolutions to get my ass in gear. If I put it on paper, I guess I might be able to manifest them a little bit better? You know, speak them into existence or whatever Lynda tried to tell me. I am reusing my list from last year, with some modifications, because let’s face it, I didn’t accomplish a goddamn thing in 2023. Not with everything that happened. Althou...

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“Instructive Behaviour” by Chris Campbell

Submitted to Contest #231

“What do I do now, Tommo?” “Breathe in, Granddad. Then, slowly breathe out – as you release your grip.” “Why’s it shaking?” “Coz, you’re pulling too hard. Just relax a bit. There! Now, breathe in… Good. Now, slowly breathe out; then, let it go.” “Nothing’s ‘appened.” “You’re still gripping it tightly, Granddad.” “It’s me fuckin’ arthritis in me index finger, innit? I can’t straighten it quick enough.” “Look down, Granddad. Can you see what you’re doing wrong?” “I’m extending it too ...

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“Soulless” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #231

A soul was a weighty thing to carry. Florien had never realised how heavy it was until this moment. Sarah Jane looked at him with luminous eyes that were sunken into her pale face, her soul shining through the shadows of pain and exhaustion. An uncomfortable shame churned in his gut. He’d nearly killed her. He’d gone feral, giving in to his primal instinct to hunt, and he’d hunted her.It had taken years, centuries even, to reach the level of clarity that he had today. He could almost pass for human… almost. He d...

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“We're Okay.” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #231

(Grunt) Coffee... Drip faster ... Ah! ... More ...Must have been that last glass...What time is it? Noon? Half the year is gone, already.More coffee....Alright, I promised myself. Let's do this. Paper. Pen. Here goes.Jan. 1, '24. New Year's Resolutions.... (Chew on pen)... (Make more coffee)... (Blank stare)I'll be a better person.Suzie, baby cakes, define 'I'.Huh? Who are you?

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“The Final List” by Nancy Dalle

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

I yawn, trying not to close my eyes. It’s three thirty in the morning, I’m tired, I’m sick, this job was a bad one, this one did not go as planned. Now here I am, driving down this obscure, dark, bleak road, in the middle of nowhere USA, trying to find a place where I can clean up. As I turn the curve, I see this old, dilapidated building a little way down on the right. Pulling into the gravel lot, I look around and of c...

Read story

“Shakespearean New Year's Resolutions” by Kristin Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

HAMLET1. Finally answer the question of "to be or not to be."2. Kill Claudius, forsooth.3. Finally go to Wittenberg for art school.4. Convince Ophelia to run away with me to art school.5. Whatever I do, do not fight a duel with Laertes.6. Avoid getting involved in pointless wars.7. If I see my father's ghost, seek a grief...

Read story

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$250

Prize money

280

Contest entries

112

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 05, 2024 EST

Won by Mary Lynne Schuster 🏆

Title: No Junior League

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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