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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#248: From the Top

Often, one of the most difficult parts of writing a story is giving it a name. I've been known to agonize for days over finding the "perfect" title — because, like it or not, we do judge a story by its title. Those few words at the top of the page set the tone for what follows, and picking the right ones matters.

This week, I'm asking you to approach titles in a different way. Rather than writing your story and then choosing your title, we want you to start "from the top" with a just title and see where it takes you. I've selected some evocative titles from literature to inspire you — but don't worry, you don't need to have read the original works to respond to them.

This week's prompts

Write a story titled 'A Tale of Two Cities'.

Adventure – 33 stories

Write a story titled 'Paradise Lost'.

Angst – 70 stories

Write a story titled 'Desperate Remedies'.

Dark – 65 stories

Write a story titled 'The Wind in the Willows'.

Spring – 48 stories

Write a story titled 'Persuasion'.

Funny – 41 stories

Stories

“I Am Enough ” by Paula Badder

Submitted to Contest #248

I am just like you… I spend time with loved ones, I go to work to my full time office job where I have responsibilities and work with doctors, professors, psychiatrists, sociologists, social workers, law enforcement trainees and emergency services trainees, I do the weekly food shop, I cook dinner, I pack up the daily snap, I do chores, I shower, I watch videos, I watch films, and TV, I read, I listen to music and I sleep. I lie awake wondering what my future holds. Most people have their ducks in a row by 45. Mine, it would seem have yet ...

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“The Sunday Blues” by Adrian Pedraza

Submitted to Contest #248

So it was this time around three a.m. when the train rumble awoke me, and I saw the uncovered windows of second-story buildings through the creaks and cracks of my blinds. It was no secret what went along in that dingy backroom dwelling, though a sight to see: silhouetted figures so sleek and smooth against the silvery yellow of their own sorta dawn. But the men don't get lucky. And stopped getting lucky some years ago when having to pull out their wallets. It was no nuisance to me, except when dumb, bum, rum, dry outta cash.And tore through...

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“Desperate Remedies ” by Kelsey Fuentes

Submitted to Contest #248

Wendy, a very curious and precocious child with a brilliant mind, eagerly explored the world around her, soaking up knowledge like a sponge and leaving a trail of wonder in her wake. Once she began to recognize the beauty around her, the more she wanted to share it with others, her enthusiasm infectious and her passion palpable. Unfortunately, though, her mental health was often a struggle, casting shadows on her otherwise bright spirit. Each time she wanted to share her light and the beauty she discovered, the shadow wanted to bind her and ...

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“The Wind In The Willows” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #248

The Wind in the Willows “I do not care what you say Martha it is definitely not the wind in the trees made that sound. I will guarantee it was made by a something moving through the bushes. I think we have company.” “Absolute rubbish. Look out over the lake. See the white caps on the water? Well you do not get white caps under 12 knots. My Father taught me that. It takes quite a strong wind. Why are you so jumpy? It is purely the strong wind going through the foliage making that noise. Look aro...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Charlotte Swindell

Submitted to Contest #248

Another hand wrapped around hers, the timid old woman opened her eyes a final time. It was quiet, with just the slowing beep of the monitor in the background. She studied every part of her son’s grief-stricken face, as he parted his lips to speak.“Oh, ma.” His thick thumb, also worn with time, traced the back of her wrinkled hand as tears continued to drop from his wet cheeks. The lady smiled weakly, trying to hold on just for him. He let out a shaky, shuddered breath -“You can rest, ma. It’s alright” He finally breathed out, it taking a wor...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Jill Martin

Submitted to Contest #248

Em sat beneath the smaller of the two willows, as she always did. Sometimes she sat beneath her dad’s tree, to feel his presence. But that made her sad. Sitting under her tree made her happy. Today the conditions were good. It was spring, the temperature was lovely, the sky was blue, and there was a breeze. It only worked when there was at least a little wind. More wind was better, the way the long thin drooping branches would dance in unison, one direction then back, and swee...

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“The Embrace ” by Lisa Mac

Submitted to Contest #248

Mrs Woodvine rubbed her thin hands together Was it true ? Was what the Psychic told her true? She should not have gone But she had this terrible heavy feeling over her Ever since the death of Mrs CadwellShe felt a rush of fear What if her husband followed though with his plans She had begged him to find another piece of property but he was adamant He would not give up what he felt to be his She had found out that Mrs Cadwell the owner of the land was in a desperate situation since her had husband died and she had no choice but to sell but th...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Olivia DeWan

Submitted to Contest #248

The ancient branches of the weeping willow drag across the tops of the grass like the gentle glide of fingers over satin skin. Rebecka tilts her face toward the warm sunlight that pours between the leaves. From somewhere over the meadow, bluebirds sing with happy chirps. But they do not sit in the willow tree. They won’t even fly over it. Rebecka turns her attention to the rolling hills of little purple wildflowers. They stretch beyond the horizon, going on for miles, and miles. They abruptly carve a large circle around the willow. The...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Sarah Lyndaker

Submitted to Contest #248

The sun is just beginning to bleed as I open my mailbox. That’s how I’ve always thought of sunsets, even as a young girl. A bleeding sun that melts into the landscape of the bayou, streams of dying sun bouncing off the sluggish water and weaving cracks of light through the somber black willows. If Matt were here and I told him that, he would laugh and compliment me on my fanciful and wholly impractical writer’s brain. Well we can’t all be corporate robots, I would sling back at him. I laugh a little to myself and then frown. I wonder if I wi...

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“The Wind in the Willows ” by Kayleigh Harmon

Submitted to Contest #248

The Wind in the Willows5/2/24 at 11:22 pm “Just start writing. We will help you,” I hear. I have yet to fully come to terms with my gifts. Clairaudience, in short, is the ability to hear something inaudible. It is quite an experience. I still get startled when I hear someone who isn’t there. I have always been able to perceive upcoming pregnancies and deaths the easiest. I am now thirty-eight years old and have no idea how many people I have told them t...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Maria St

Submitted to Contest #248

The Wind In The Willowsby Maria McShane Detective Jax O'Riley huddled beneath the willow trees, protected from the mist and view when he saw her. The lone hooded figure approached the tombstone. She knelt before it and touched the granite-etched-name, tracing each letter, C A J U N V E L V E T. Something in how she held her right thumb, the same manner as the deceased used to after breaking hers long ago, jarred Jax into awareness. Cajun had returned from the dead to right the wrongs of the past. "Damn you, Cajun," Jax breathed....

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“Persuasion” by Naya Putryansyah

Submitted to Contest #248

I observed the happenings around me with my eyes closed, my breath steady. My hands lazily groped for the blanket, pulling it around me in the cold afternoon. It was nearing twelve o'clock, lunch time, but I still lay snoozing in my bed. I hugged my bolster tighter to my chest, as I unfolded the blinds of the human body whose name is eyelid. Two of them, of course. Sunshine burst into the room through the open window, the glare fiery bright. I rubbed my eyes free of the eye turd the night has caused. Once clear, my vision swam into view, my ...

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“Persuasion: Reimagined” by Coumba Soumare

Submitted to Contest #248

I'm checking a customer out, methodically scanning his items as I've done plenty of times before for the last year or so."The leader--Dorothy Black--who is presumed to have planned the attacks is currently being investigated for first-degree murder. Her two accomplices--nicknamed Jack Blue, and Tyler Red--are currently being investigated for second-degree murder." She continues.The customer--whose eyes are fixed on the screen behind me scoffs, then says, "Rotten. All of 'em. They deserve the death penalty if you ask me."I glance up at him, s...

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“"Persuasion"” by Domika Stewart

Submitted to Contest #248

I had an event coming up in two days. I was invited to the "Outrageous Ball". The Outrageous Ball was held every year at the American Legion. At this ball we would invent an outfit that had to be so outrageous that no one would dare wear. There was a thousand-dollar prize and an evening ride. The evening ride was on a boat through the town for an hour. I wanted to look great, so I went out and bought a purple wig. I also purchase a yellow bonnet to match. The wig was full of curls with an orange bang in the front. I had a silver dress with p...

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“Persuasion ” by Easton W. Kraston

Submitted to Contest #248

The red hand lurches forward, trekking across the face of the clock. He taps his finger on the rim of his coffee cup, precisely in time with the torturous beat. Despite the bustling cafe around him, he swears he can hear it.Tick, tick, tick. He wishes it would pause. If only to stop her from walking through the door behind him and sitting across from him.He glances at the small table before him, dark rings staining its wooden surface. Too small. It's too small to stop her from reaching across and slapping him or perhaps to move before she th...

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$250

Prize money

257

Contest entries

96

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 03, 2024 EST

Won by Honey Homecroft 🏆

Title: Paradise Lost

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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