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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#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.

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 – 62 stories

Write a story about hope.

Short Story – 78 stories

Write about someone trying something completely new.

Character – 34 stories

Set your story on New Year's Day.

Holiday – 50 stories

Stories

“NYNM” by Jayda Miller

Submitted to Contest #231

NYNM " New year, new me," sighed Meghan. She always heard people say it every year, yet nothing changes. She wants to make it her dream to show everyone that the meaning could be true. This past year has been tiring and eye opening for her. When the year twenty-twenty two started; she had a dream of changing her life completely, but God had other plans. Meghan was a twenty twenty one graduate, and working at McDonald's since she was sixteen. It was tiring working a full time job, and trying to find a decent college to attend. Most children h...

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“Vulnerable Complexities” by Ashley Ranger

Submitted to Contest #231

“Happy New Year!” My best friend screams into the karaoke mic while the two of us lay on her bed in her one-bedroom studio apartment. “Happy New Year, Lana…” I say gently in my red solo up full of chilled rose, eyes tracing the yellowing trim of the front door. Another year, another red solo cup, and another soft gaze through the tiny window. Lana’s apartment was on the top floor, and it met the gaze of each firework that dared to brighten the darkened room. Darkened because Lana and I agreed that to successfully move into the new year we mu...

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“New Year's Nightmare” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #231

Katie lurched awake in a gasp. She clinched at her throat, sitting straight up in bed, looking around the dark room. The red numbers on the cable box clock read 6:03. She put her icy fingers to her forehead. Her head was pounding and her throat was dry as sand. She squinted her eyes and glanced at the nearest bedside table. Did she remember to put water next to her bed? Even in a drunken stupor, she knows that after a night of drinking she needs water for when she wakes up. Why ...

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“When Dreams Align” by Mara Rouge

Submitted to Contest #231

Dear Diary, It has been a while since I shared something here. Well…guess what? I dreamt that I had the best New Year’s Day lunch with my closest relatives. Everyone showed up and was on their best behavior. We shared our New Years resolutions (all the things we wanted), buried the hatchet with those who hurt our feelings throughout the year, forgave one another, and reflected about those things we couldn’t or didn’t do in the previous year, while pretending that we all liked each other. It was simply extraordinary, and this is...

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“What’s in the Freezer? ” by Jessica Smithgall

Submitted to Contest #231

January 1, 2018 It was New Year’s Day but I had to work. I didn’t mind it, I liked staying busy and feeling productive about my day. I always worked the night shift at a local pizzeria. Usually there were two people who close the store but the others conveniently called out so it would just be me. 30 minutes till close I eagerly started cleaning up all that I could without taking everything down. I’d wipe the counters of the lasting food and sweep the floor as well as I could. I’d scramble to wash the dishes while swiping glances at the do...

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“New Year Low” by Hilary Lyons

Submitted to Contest #231

Content Warnings: Mental health, substance abuse “Have you ever considered you might be depressed?” “No,” I said, rolling my eyes, hoping it would help beat the allegation. Of course, I had considered it. I looked around my studio apartment. There was a small pile of untouched Christmas gifts covered in a layer of fallen pine needles, the sink was stacked high with dishes, and a mound of coats, gloves, and scarves littered the entryway bench. My sweatpants had certainly been worn for at least a part of every day i...

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“FIRST DAY OF A NEW LIFE.” by M.R. Simon

Submitted to Contest #231

DAY ONE. A young man in a military uniform is standing in front of a tall metal door. A siren and flashing lights tell every guard the door will open. Aiming snipers standing in towers just in case someone tries to escape. Private Logan used to be his name, but now it’s only Mike Logan. That’s what a five-year plus one-day sentence in a military prison does to you. It takes from you everything you had, even your dignity; your name is the only thing you have left after. There’s a big unlocking sound heard way back of the prison court. Mike ...

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“#4 - Floss Daily” by Heather Burkett

Submitted to Contest #231

December 31st, 2023 Happy New Year’s Eve! What a wonderful time for fresh starts and new beginnings! I am really looking forward to starting over in 2024 – THIS IS MY YEAR! I know if I want to achieve my dreams, I have to go big or go home, but I can do this! 1. Cut all complex carbohydrates and refined sugars. 2. Exercise for an hour daily. 3. Use my new 5-step skincare routine nightly. 4. Floss every m...

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“Ian, my robot, my friend…” by Perla Horn

Submitted to Contest #231

Ian, do you think I am a nice person? Always to me, he looked surprised as why I am asking him these questions. Have you ever hear me swearing? Absolutely no. Did I say something wrong and you need to…well yell at me, Mia? Ian, you are the sweetest, caring …I paused because I watched Ian opening his mouth to say something. Did you meant …man? Ian, you know you are a robot…but I would love to say you are way beyong that. You are the most respectful, affectionate,&...

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“New Years Resolutions” by Leah Dewey

Submitted to Contest #231

One. I knew this was going to be it. I wouldn’t have any more opportunities after this. I built up my willpower and forced the door open. It smelt like ink and men’s cologne, the faint sound of buzzing made me shiver. “How can I help you?” asked a woman behind the counter. She was chewing gum like it was some sort of punishment. Her blue eyes glittered behind the thick, black liner and piercings through her upper nose area. She reminded me a little of the Klingons with the divides up their forehead. “I’m looking to get a tatt...

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“The Diary of Lady Isobel Crane - January 1, 1885” by Kat H

Submitted to Contest #231

Resolution 1 – No more murder. It can be said of the last year, when I solved no less than five murders amongst the ton, that the entire business—while invigorating—was quite exhausting. Not to my mental faculties, but to my wardrobe. Subsequently, poor Evans’s constant devotion to washing and mending far exceeded usual duties and has rendered my lady’s maid into a constant state of polite agitation. No. For the sake of poor Evans I must resolve to put this thoroughly sordid business behind me. For example, the Case of the Tiresome Steward...

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“Brand New Hannah” by Shinga Shinga

Submitted to Contest #231

Warning: Strong LanguageEntry Number: 365Of: December 31, 2023Time: 22:45On: Chatbot Diary, Version 3.1.2 ©2023Hey Diary.Hey girl.You ready to know what I been thinking about all day today?Dick?No.No? You sure about that?I mean, besides that.Umm, I don't know then. Please enlighten.That there's years you completely forget about, ain't there? Years that even the likes of poor Diary can't help you reminisce. That's what.Oh, come on now girl. You don't know me well enough. We just met.The lady doth protest too much, me thinks. I've kept you bet...

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“Life Beyond the Kids” by T. B. Spruiells

Submitted to Contest #231

Have you ever listened to parents with kids? For almost twenty years, they talk about everything they will do once the kiddos graduate—travel the world, become an exotic photographer, learn Mandarin Chinese, go to college—then, crickets. They find themselves settled in a recliner, waiting for grandkids, moving towards retirement, and, finally, death. Some stave off the inevitable by popping out a few more bambinos who end up the same age as their aunts and uncles. Still, eventually, a dimpled bottom and weekend trips to Costco are at the end...

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“Six Resolutions” by Emily M. Reiser

Submitted to Contest #231

Mia’s calves were burning as she approached her third mile on the treadmill. She had always told herself she needed to put her gym membership to use but it wasn’t until the past few months that she felt motivated enough to go. She spent too long behind a desk and it was starting to get the better of her. Now she had a purpose. The rest of the 24/7 workout center was empty. Mia had her pick of treadmills and she chose the one positioned right in front of the clock on the wall. 11:59 Mia forgot about the pain building in her muscles as she ...

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“Mrs. Robinson's List” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #231

Attorney Robert Wainright began opening his mail on a Sunday morning, after church. The office was quiet then and he used the time to catch up on paperwork. He picked up a letter from Mrs. Herb Robinson, who'd died only a few days earlier. He'd go to her funeral. It was sad, she was ninety-two, so her death wasn't shocking. To be opened after my death. The cover letter merely stated: To Whom It May Concern: November 20, 1982 After my release from the Mental Health Facility, in the 1980's my therapist suggested that I make plans a...

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$250

Prize money

278

Contest entries

109

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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