#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.
This week's prompts
Write a story about a someone who's in denial.
Character – 68 stories
Write a story about anger.
Angst – 64 stories
Center your story around a character bargaining for something that's important to them.
Dramatic – 43 stories
Start your story with a character in despair.
Dark – 91 stories
Write a story about someone finding acceptance.
Character – 99 stories
Stories
“Feathers” by Carol Stewart
Submitted to Contest #255
“At What Cost” by Lily Page
Submitted to Contest #255
“Stay” by Jennifer Luckett
Submitted to Contest #255
“A Love Letter to Humanity” by Austin Wright
Submitted to Contest #255
“Pearlescent Peril” by Togo F
Submitted to Contest #255
“23 missed calls” by Joey Madden
Submitted to Contest #255
“Excuse these Gentlemen” by Sophia Csulak
Submitted to Contest #255
“"Mourning into Morning"” by Hashini Rajbabu
Submitted to Contest #255
“The parable of the general and his daughter” by Josefin Björk
Submitted to Contest #255
“I'll only take a little” by Omar Scott
Submitted to Contest #255
“Defying Death” by Andrew K Langley
Submitted to Contest #255
“No Dumb Arguments.....” by Julie Grenness
Submitted to Contest #255
“Scorched Dreams” by Natalie Pearl
Submitted to Contest #255
“The Weight of Things” by Nick Denning
Submitted to Contest #255
“A WORN-OUT VIOLIN” by Alicia Uy
Submitted to Contest #255
$250
Prize money
365
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!