#255: The Five Stages
It's a commonly held belief that, when we grieve a loss, we go through five emotional phases: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. Science tends to disagree; there's no actual evidence that we go through these stages, or at least not in a neat, linear fashion. But despite this, the model remains a part of our popular consciousness, and is frequently referenced in art, literature, and day-to-day conversation — perhaps because the idea of having a map to our grief, a way to organize and compartmentalize our most complicated feelings, is so alluring.
This week's contest is inspired by the model, and by the feelings described within it. Your characters don't have to be grieving a loss of some kind; they may simply be navigating the challenges of life in general. Whichever route you choose, begin with one of the five stages.
🥇 Winner
“Some Peace and Quiet” by Phoebe Barr
🏆 Winner of Contest #255
⭐️ Shortlisted
“Cheers, Mom.” by Trudy Jas
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“The red tie” by Sally Atl
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“A Guide to Surviving Your Corporate Execution” by AR R
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“The Silence and The Noise” by Carol Stewart
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“The Gravity of Being Upright” by Akhilesh Mehra
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“Mandy Could Shoot” by Frances Gaudiano
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“Wardrobe Space” by Sharon Williams
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
This week's prompts
Write a story about a someone who's in denial.
Character – 68 stories
Write a story about anger.
Angst – 65 stories
Center your story around a character bargaining for something that's important to them.
Dramatic – 44 stories
Start your story with a character in despair.
Dark – 92 stories
Write a story about someone finding acceptance.
Character – 101 stories
Stories
“Some Peace and Quiet” by Phoebe Barr
🏆 Winner of Contest #255
“Grieving Yourself” by Harry Stuart
Submitted to Contest #255
“Gorephans” by Derrick M Domican
Submitted to Contest #255
“Cheers, Mom.” by Trudy Jas
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255
“She's okay, she loves me” by Julia Buzdygan
Submitted to Contest #255
“Rain Moon Dreamer Writes About Visitors from the Afterlife ” by Kristi Gott
Submitted to Contest #255
“My Father's Words” by Daniel R. Hayes
Submitted to Contest #255
“Marlie In The Darkness” by Myranda Schustz
Submitted to Contest #255
“After Amy” by Helen A Smith
Submitted to Contest #255
“Fair Lady II” by Mary Bendickson
Submitted to Contest #255
“Curtis and The Critical Cog” by Martin Ross
Submitted to Contest #255
“Well, You See, We Sorta Like Outside” by Daniel Rogers
Submitted to Contest #255
“You Need Me” by Brian Haddad
Submitted to Contest #255
“The Pi Day Pie Baking Contest” by Marty B
Submitted to Contest #255
$250
Prize money
370
Contest entries
142
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Jun 21, 2024 EST
Won by Phoebe Barr 🏆
Title: Some Peace and Quiet
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!