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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#25: Resolutions

Did you know that the ancient Babylonians are reported to have been the first people to make New Year's resolutions? In March, when the crops were planted, a 12-day festival known as Akitu took place. During the festival, the Babylonians made promises to their gods, and believed that if they kept to their word, they would be bestowed good favor in the coming year.

This would have been about 4,000 years ago, and while the format may be different, New Year's resolutions are still going strong!

This week's prompts all revolve around resolutions. Oh, and for that last prompt, check out this blog post for some of the most popular self-help books to inspire you.

This week's prompts

Write a short story about someone writing Valentine's Day wishes.

Valentine's Day – 49 stories

Write a short story about someone reflecting on their previous year's resolutions.

Holiday – 33 stories

Write a short story about someone who refuses to write New Year's resolutions.

Winter – 37 stories

Write a short story about someone accomplishing one of their resolutions.

Holiday – 54 stories

Write a short story about someone in the self-help aisle of a bookstore. What book do they pick up?

Short Story – 90 stories

Stories

“This Book Will Save Your Life” by Karen McDermott

Submitted to Contest #25

I felt conspicuous about the Tesco carrier bag I was holding. Not so much for the logo or material. Everyone was broke and my eco anxiety had taken a backseat lately. But I was aware of the contents as though I were wearing them. The bookshop’s staff and the customers browsing the January sales…I was sure they all had x-ray vision and were judging me for the chocolate fudge cake (serves: 10), litre bottle of vod...

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“Forced Resolutions” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #25

Anna was the first to arrive at the restaurant, which of course had been her plan. It meant she could take her seat and gather herself, without having to worry about being late and flustered. She’d hope that by being there, the same place they always met, she’d be able to absorb the atmosphere. She’d hoped she could find the person that she once was, if only for an evening of normality. It wasn’t going well- not drinking made it particularly hard- until Lucy turned up and started yammering away. Listening was easy. All Anna needed to do was ...

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“Continuum” by Arthur Tiberio

Submitted to Contest #25

At exactly noon on a pleasant April day, Oliver Boon spilled a medium caramel mocha down the front of his best green shirt. He had a best blue shirt, too, and a jacket, but this was his best green one, and the fact was rather upsetting. He also owns a washing machine, but ensuing circumstances will sideline this particular consideration to a level of undeserved inconsequence. Twenty minutes before, a silhouette leaves the shadow of a duplex in the downtown district, and disappears beneath the eaves of a bakery, 15 miles away . . ."God above!...

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“Anomalies of Recollection” by Arthur Tiberio

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #25

On the first year of his travels with the notable Montery June, it had never occurred to the boy that he should keep a journal. His master kept the habit, and he perceived it to be a very popular pastime in certain circles, but he never quite made the connection between the grand slopes of the mountains and golden fields before him, and the groggy feeling, in the back of his mind, that someone ought to be getting this down somewhere, so that it would not be forgotten. He came to regret this very much, later, but that was then.And this is now...

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“The Art of Conversation” by Lynne Fellows

Submitted to Contest #25

Laura left the library, her shoulders drooped, and set off towards the book store. The book she’d wanted had been checked out only the day before. That’s what comes of leaving it to the last minute! Muttering to herself, she dawdled down the High Street, past the animated faces in the coffee shop and the moochers in the clothing store. Much as she loved the bookshop, it would be packed with the lunchtime crowd, and Laura Walker didn’t do crowds. In fact, to Laura three was more than a crowd, it was an ambush. She arrived at the entrance and ...

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“Here's to Me” by Sue Marsh

Submitted to Contest #25

Here Is to Me Suzanne MarshO'Neera Simons tapped her pen against her knuckles as she stared blankly at the first page of her 2020 diary. She began with the date, January 1, 2020. Once again she stared at the paper confronting her. The days seemed to stretch into years, with the exact repetitious New Years resolutions. O'Neera, rose from her chair, thinking she needed to take a good look at herself and her resolutions. Before she strode into her bedroom, she picked up her diary from last year turning it to January 1. She quickly scanned it:1)...

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“Tis the Season” by Dana Schellings

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #25

On January first, at eleven fifty-three in the morning, Becky sat down to write her New Year’s resolutions. She’d vowed to have them sorted out before the year began, figuring the best strategy was to hit the ground running. Of course, she’d also vowed not to wake up with a hangover on New Year’s Day, so the year was already off to a bad start. She decided right then and there that she was not going to move from that chair until she came up with at least three – no, five – resolutions. Tossing back a couple of aspirin with a coffee chaser, s...

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“Political Posturing ” by Pauline Breatnach

Submitted to Contest #25

Peter Pig stood outside the wooden door of his sty. His brand new letterbox for his sty door glinted in the pallid January sunlight.''Chilly,' he grunted to himself,' even for a January morn. What a lucky fellow, I am, Master of Weevil Wood. Soon I shall be officially elected as Mayor.'He scrolled down furiously with his right hoof on his new tablet. Sometimes his rather large, right hoof got in the way and obscured his vision.'New Year,' he said,' New Resolution, not goin' to loll about in the muck anymore. No siree,' and he ...

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“Not Even the Back to Front Ones” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #25

Ellen Bairstow was determined not to make an issue of it, and she never mentioned it first, but she was also determined that she wasn’t going to be a hypocrite – not only, or perhaps not primarily, because she had an aversion to hypocrisy, but because, as her mother had once (more than once, come to think of it) said, lies have legs and she had no wish to embroider or elaborate on a throwaway remark made for the sake of it and to fit in. “And what are YOUR New Year’s Resolutions, Ellen?” asked Priscilla Carp...

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“Self-Help” by Allie Pittman

Submitted to Contest #25

Mary watched the woman from the moment she walked into the store. She headed straight for the Self-Help section. Mary smiled. “ I knew it!” Having been a bookseller for 20 years and a people watcher all her life she had a knack for knowing what section a potential customer would walk to upon entering her store. This particular lady, had a look of melancholy about her. The way she carried herself, the sad droop at the corners of her mouth. “Now to see which book she picks!” Another game Mary played in her mind. After 20 minutes, and...

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“Crickets, An Ugly Rug and Impulsivity” by Brittany Gillen

Submitted to Contest #25

Frank’s New Year’s Resolutions parties were the worst. Every year he invited us over to his house on the first Saturday in January for brunch and resolution planning, and every year Cassie, Judy and I had no choice but to schlep over to his apartment to “start the year off right.” Frank had been my best friend since childhood, so I knew how much of a thrill he derived from a goal accomplished, but seriously, he did enough resolution planning with his life-coaching clients. I don’t know why he had to do it wit...

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“Get Hard!” by Ryan Govender

Submitted to Contest #25

Henry browsed through the titles lined up on the shelf in front of him. He furrowed his brow as he read each title of the books on the shelf, wondering which one would serve his purpose. It was the beginning of January, just after the new year, and Henry Greenford had decided that he wanted to make a massive change in his life. Twenty-nine-year-old Henry Greenford was an unemployed, single, and overweight man who lived with his parents. Whilst the above mentioned caused him great depression, Henry’s biggest concern was his anxiety. You see, ...

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“Opportunity” by Genevieve Dickinson

Submitted to Contest #25

Rose walked through the aisles of the bookstore, her eyes wandering the shelves. Twenty minutes until she had to go back to work. At least she could go back with a book to keep her occupied.The mall was practically deserted. The only crowd was for a "modeling school" holding tryouts for kids. Unfortunately, the kiosk where Rose worked selling cell phone accessories was far from the stage. It meant she didn't have to deal with the crazy mothers and their bratty kids, but it also meant no entertainment. Fortunately, the bookstore was only a fi...

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“The Realisation” by Idzy Jay

Submitted to Contest #25

Another year. Same old story. That was what Rizal had been saying to himself as the clock struck midnight. His only resolution from when he turned eighteen was to get a girlfriend. Now at twenty-three, he still didn’t have one. Rizal would often ask if there was something wrong with him.His mind would tell him that he was doing fine. Society, on the other hand, would imply otherwise. His friends were all married. And some already have kids, even. He would decline almost all outing invitations from his friends because he was embarrassed to co...

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“The Old Ennui: Or, The Refusal to Enjoy Anything” by Leanne Mara

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #25

Cole is pleased to admit that he’s never before found himself in the self-help section. Never needed it. Would hate to stoop so low, he thinks, dragging a superior eye over those brushing their fingers over all those bright-coloured titles. He’s not here for self-help. He’s here for help. Because just being in a bookstore will help. The culture of it all. The majesty of the written word, finely curated. He’s lucky he reads. Unlike all those sheeple out there who’ve forgotten how. Poetry, Cole thinks. Surely. This is his regula...

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$50

Prize money

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0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 24, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Sperber 🏆

Title: 10 Things To Do Instead of Writing New Year's Resolutions

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.

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