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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.

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

“The Pink Car Analogy” by Katherine Marley

Submitted to Contest #231

When I was in fourth grade, my class was shown a video in which an extremely animated young man discussed the importance of being open minded. He proudly explained his pink car analogy- Should one go about their lives as usual, it is unlikely that they will notice very many vehicles of such an unusual color as pink driving down the road. However, should one make an effort to look for them, they will be amazed by the number of unusually colored cars they will be able to point out. In this analogy, he meant to relate the pink cars to kind peop...

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“Hope is the Thing with Feathers” by Keelan LaForge

Submitted to Contest #231

I set the anthology down on the side table and thought about the words that still lingered in my mind. It was a beautiful piece of poetry and it made me think about hope in a new way. It was always there, whether I chose to acknowledge it or not. I always lost it a bit after Christmas, when the decorations were stripped away and I succumbed to the January blues. I knew I wasn’t the only person to do that. Whenever I walked through a day the colour of granite, I could sense others feelings of depression too. There was a heaviness in the air a...

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“New Year and New Lies” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #231

New Year and New Lies Every year, I list resolutions on New Year's Eve. Usually, I only try five, hoping to manage all, but I break at least one within a month. I know it's not just me. Living up to the resolutions we set is tricky. My list is always the same: 1. Save at least $1000 2. Lose at least 15 lbs. 3. Get organized 4. Call friends and family when they pop into my mind 5....

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“The Nacho Table” by Hilary Yelvington

Submitted to Contest #231

Margaret could smell fresh pizza dough, brushed with butter, covered in tomato sauce and mounds of cheese. Deep dish pizza, one of her favorite indulgences, sat on a table in front of her, steam rising off of the top of the gooey white mozzarella, the savory scent as real as the sound of the rain pattering against her office window. She kept her eyes squeezed shut and watched as the Margaret in her visions lifted a large slice from the pan, cropping off the stringy cheese that clung to the sides and plopping the pizza on her plate. She was a...

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“The Rotten Oak in My Mother’s House” by J. I. MumfoRD

Submitted to Contest #231

[Content warning, mild domestic violence, mental health topics]The acrid scent of gasoline hangs in the air, mingling with the earthy fragrance of the once-grand oak tree, now reduced to scattered remnants. Gnarled branches of what was once a steadfast presence, lies defeated. The severed trunk whispers of rot and dis-ease.The crackle of a downed power line, snagged by a branch, punctuated the quiet. James stood in the wreckage’s shadow, his weathered face illuminated by a flickering match. Shaking, he lit a stale cigarette. He took a long d...

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“NY Resolution: How to be Cool 2024” by Stevie Burges

Submitted to Contest #231

Hi Both,As the year draws to a close, it's that time again - time to jot down our resolutions. I'll be honest; I've never been too keen on this task. But this year, why not share my vision for a dazzling 2024 with you both?Resolution 1: Unleash the New MeReinvent me entirely. How hard could it be? Isn't that what resolutions are all about?Resolution 2: The Eternal Diet StruggleWhy is it that every New Year, I find myself chanting the same mantra - go on a diet? It's like my excess weight only becomes visible with the turning of the calendar....

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“Happy New Year?” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #231

I stare into the bottom of the glass and contemplate the last swallow. Absentmindedly, I swirl the wet tumbler in lazy circles over the bar. If I drain the glass, the question will be whether to order another or leave. And go where? Yes, unlike some, I do have a home with a roof, a bed, hot and cold running water.And echoes.Echoes of someone to come home to, of cold feet to warm, of comfort food to eat, of secrets, jokes, hugs and laughs shared. Of medication and nausea, of pain and helplessness, of fake smiles and false bravery, of promises...

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“The Cusp” by Dana Rodney

Submitted to Contest #231

The Cusp Meg lifted an eyebrow at the bottle of Pinot Noir standing innocently in her kitchen cabinet. She’d been saving it for a special occasion. When was that gonna happen? Ever? Tonight was New Year’s Eve and she was alone. Tonight would have to do. She stood on tiptoe and pulled it out. Just the weight of the bottle in her hand soothed her. Its cool, polished curve, its narrow, phallic neck. The perfect diameter to wrap her hand around, just enough weight to satisfy, to offer pardon. The...

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“LateNight with Victoria Hamilton” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #231

“People are fascinated by you and by your story. Do you want to share a little bit about it with me?” My eyes are wide as I look down at the table in front of me. I’m searching for the words to begin. Do I want to tell anyone about it? I feel strongly that I do. Why? Any time I’ve spoken about my life I’ve always said too much. I spend hours painstakingly going back over every word I said and replaying every glance and every expression I saw on someone’s face as I told my story to them.I take a deep breath in and let out the air in a te...

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“Ten Seconds” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #231

Ten seconds. That’s all she had. The million people packed into the small space created the perfect storm. She didn’t like crowds, the sea of people pressing up against her from all sides made her uncomfortable. Jeff had been obsessed the past few months, bragging to his business partners and clients that they were flying out to New York to see the ball drop. She was embarrassed every time he announced the staggering rate for their Times Square hotel stay as if somehow it was a good thing, an achievement of some sor...

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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 breathe out. 8 months, 8 days, since Mom passed. Day 1 of learning to live for Me. I look up at the stars. These past few months, I haven't been doing well. My apartment is littered with ...

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“Lion Eyes” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #231

In the heart of Texas stands an exclusive hunting club called The Gable, a two-story lodge of gigantic proportions. Made of cedar, it sprawls out over ten thousand square feet. Its front doors open onto a cobblestone deck the length of an average tree and an open-roofed cedar deck above it. This astonishing entrance is supported by six cedar logs going from ground to roof, each cut from a single tree. Everything about this lodge screams extravagant wealth: huge windows, log pillars, fountains with statues of elk, deer, and bears standing tal...

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“Cats and Other Important New Years Day Stuff” by Nina Swanson

Submitted to Contest #231

She awoke and eased into her new day on this New Year. She didn't have to be, do, or take care of anything. She was free to focus her attention on her New Year's resolution. Heaven knows She’s done it enough times that She should be an expert on thinking up New Year's resolutions. Since She was only three weeks old her first New Year She can safely say She doesn’t remember making (or breaking) any resolutions that year. Sure She’s made her share of resolutions to change this or that thing in her life. Things like lose weight, find...

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“The Real Illness” by Melford Maderazo

Submitted to Contest #231

He lay inside the pink mosquito net on a rickety bed near the window, pale and thin. He would turn over to the window to welcome the new day. He would do it slowly afraid that the legs of the bed might give in. He did it every morning when the sun came out on the horizon. At night before sleeping, he would face away from the window. It had a benefit to him because when he coughed and needed to spit phlegm, he would just reach the tin can under his bed. It was better than to spit through the window and somebody would spot him. But the coughin...

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“67 Resolutions To Follow After Your Funeral” by Jody S

Submitted to Contest #231

After your funeral, I hereby resolve to do (or not do) the following 67 things...one to commemorate every year of your miserable life:1. Attend fewer funerals, unless it is HERS, then wear that new red dress and matching heels I bought the day after your funeral.2. When no one is looking, dance on her grave.3. If she doesn’t die soon, occasionally leave bags of the Snoopster’s poop on ...

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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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