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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

“Canvas of Unity: Harmony Cove's Awakening” by Nikks Micheal

Submitted to Contest #231

Dawning Visions in Harmony Cove In the quaint coastal hometown of Harmony Cove, as the first light of the New Year peered over the horizon, a quiet resolve awoke within me, Isabella, a local artist known more for my reclusiveness than my communal spirit. The town, once bright and bustling, had felt the weight of passing years and changing tides, its soul diminishing like the fading paint on the old lighthouse that peered over the bay. It was in this location, a blend of natural beauty and nostalgic decay, that I decided to venture out of t...

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“Better Off Dead” by Megan Atkins

Submitted to Contest #231

Last YearIt was a new year. Outside my window, a group of children were engaged in a snowball fight. As I watched them, I imagined what I would say to him.I knew you, once. Now, it’s all business. Every communication starts with “hello” and never “hi.” Every word, chosen carefully, deliberately. Only a quick ask, signed with a “best,” and never a “love.” It happened so swiftly… “we” can never be “us” because “us” lives in the past now, the direction opposite from our path of travel.Even though you aren’t here, I will never be without you. “Y...

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“HOPE'S NEW YEAR” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #231

NEW YEAR'S DAY Happy New Year to me. 2023 was a roller coaster ride for me. It has been four years since I last saw my love Jaxon. Recently I received a letter about Jaxon. In the letter it says Jaxon is alive. I spent Christmas trying to wrap my head around this. I spent New Years Eve alone. I watched the ball drop. It was beautiful. I was a bit jealous watching the couples kissing. I wish I was kissing Jaxon. I cried because I want Jaxon here with me. Today is New Year's Day, the beginning of a new year. The beginning of new choices. N...

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“ "A New Year's Transformation"” by Brian Hastie

Submitted to Contest #231

The sun crept lazily over the horizon on New Year's Day, casting a golden glow on the cityscape. In the heart of downtown, a group of friends emerged from their slumber, nursing headaches from the wild New Year's Eve party they'd attended the night before. Margaret, Jake, and Aleesha stumbled into the cosy living room of Jake's apartment, which was strewn with confetti and remnants of a lively celebration. Despite the remnants of the revelry, there was an air of unease. Two of their friends, Max and Lily, were noticeably absent. “Ugh...

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“There's a First Time for Everything ” by Vesta Bartholomew

Submitted to Contest #231

Jan regained consciousness-eyes closed- with the horrible sensation of his head spinning and the room rotating at the same time. It was as if he was riding the most evil and ingenious tilt-a whirl ever invented . He didn't dare open his eyes as he puked the vile contents of his stomach that held such appeal as amber ale and cheesy nachos only hours earlier. Even in his pitiful state, he attempted to keep the vile smelling vomit as far away as possible from himself and his favorite outfit as he lay on the cold hard flo...

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“A Stupid New Year's Love Story” by Emily Hostetter

Submitted to Contest #231

Ten. So this is how it ends? Nine. At the stroke of midnight, the illusion will shatter, and I’ll be turned back into a pumpkin. Eight. That’s fine. Go ahead and laugh. Seven. Just keep on dancing and drinking and having a grand old time. Six. Oh, another glass of champagne? Sure, why not. Five. None of this will matter in about five more seconds, anyway. Four. Go on, find your partners. Wouldn’t want you to miss out on your midnight kiss. Three. No need to worry about me. Two. I have my drink t...

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“New year, new mistake” by Bes Ceyssens

Submitted to Contest #231

When Isobel opened her eyes, she had no idea where she was. The dark room around here wasn’t very revealing either. Isobel gave her eyes some time to adjust to the looming black around here and tried to sum up the things she did know.One, today was January the first. Two, when she felt under the covers, she discovered that – thank God - she was still wearing the same, tiny black dress she had worn the night before. Three, she was lying in a bed but had no idea who the owner was. And finally, four, her head was pounding like a little, tiny go...

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“Cleaning Up Bottles With You on New Year's Day” by Krista Tritt

Submitted to Contest #231

Callie made her way on quiet feet through the living room, picking up stray bottles and stepping over friends and strangers who’d found odd places to sleep. One hung halfway off the arm of the couch, feet on the ground and head on a pillow on the sofa seat. Two were leaned against each other in the middle of the room, somehow sleeping sitting back to back. And there, just before the doorway to the kitchen, was Graham. Back on the ground, feet on the wall, hands behind his head. Except he wasn’t asleep, his eyes were on her. She stopped and ...

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“Last Champagne Toast” by Kate Kenneth

Submitted to Contest #231

There is an elephant tap dancing on my head. That is the only plausible explanation for the pounding happening inside my skull. I risk opening my right eye. It is immediately assaulted by the sliver of sunlight that sneaks in through the gap in the hotel room’s drapes. My lid closes quickly, which only makes the pain worse. Someone has managed to stuff an entire package of cotton balls in my mouth. That is also the only plausible explanation for why my mouth is so dry. Every drop of saliva has disappeared. The only evidence that my salivary...

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“Cabbage Cooked With Sage” by RebaAnne Buckner

Submitted to Contest #231

He seldom called me by my given name. He claimed Mama named me Grace as an aspirational goal, a name I’d probably never really deserve. He’d introduce me to his friends as his niece Grace, and called me Gracie in front of them, but when they weren’t around, he called me some version of Loose Lips, I guess because I was the one who reported his various infractions when we were younger, like his smoking (not just cigarettes), his collection of dirty magazines, and his calls to several 1-900 numbers. “Loose lips sink ships!” he’...

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“A New Year Party” by Alexandria Moore

Submitted to Contest #231

Being surrounded by famous people looked different than what she had always imagined. She’d have preferred just the handful of people she’d admired sitting comfortably, having a chat with a hot beverage. Instead, she was in a room of people she’d never heard of, others she wasn’t particularly a fan of and others she knew their names and faces but not their work. Bringing her glass to her lips, she took a sip of her champagne as her gaze scanned the room, feeling some regret for agreeing to come to this New Year’s Day gathering. Home underne...

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“The List” by Tricia Shulist

Submitted to Contest #231

THE LIST Shred. Shred. File. Recycle. Shred. Shred. File. Recycle. File. I was up to my eyeballs in paper clutter. I really needed to get a better system than “I’ll deal with that later.” Because by the time later came, I had one hella big mess to deal with. Recycle. Recycle. Shred. Recycle. Shred. It was that magical week between Christmas and New Year’s. I was off work, had burned through Netflix, Disney+, and Prime, and really couldn’t bear to see another person until...

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“(Don't) Cross These Out” by Adam Ray

Submitted to Contest #231

Here we go, the new year. New Year. It's not gonna be easy to change, but I've got to try. Okay. I'll write my new year's New Year's resolutions right here. Is this what people do? I guess it must be, and there's a lot I want to change. Did I need to write all that? Should have just started writing the list. I'll leave it though, but not this for some reason. Drink less Smile more Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for Go to bed the same time every night. Like 11 or something healthy like that Get up at the same time...

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“Mauerbauertraurigkeit” by Pumpkin Head

Submitted to Contest #231

Chia’s New Years Resolutions for 2012! Attempt to use positive affirmations Find out what exactly positive affirmations are and why everyone thinks you need them Find a job— preferably full time Try out volunteer work (shelter by our old house?) De-clutter your room (spring cleaning? Mom would appreciate that) New Years Resolutions for 2013 Get that raise! (You deserve more than $9 an hour working in customer service) Learn a new language Stick to a budget Try to make new friends Maybe pick up a hobby (something stress relieving? Painting...

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“Not a Drop” by Bennett Varga

Submitted to Contest #231

If someone asked you what the devil looked like, what would you say? A big, scary monster? Red horns and covered in flames? Or does he look like what you want him to look like? Money? A certain website late at night? Or . . . a bottle of beer? A bottle of beer . . . that was how the devil appeared to Richard Carter. Having been sober for 17 years, the fear of his past addiction returning had faded; it had ebbed so much, in fact, that when Richard's recently made friend, Zackary Smith, invited him and his wife to the club, he joyfully accept...

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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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