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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#260: A Twist in the Tale

Has a friend ever recommended a book or a movie with the line, "The twist is amazing"? I usually hate when they do that. Even if they don't spill the beans on what the plot twist is, just knowing there is one can spoil the fun. I won't be able to resist trying to pre-empt the plot, and guess what that it might be — but a truly great twist is always rewarding, whether you expect it or not.


Here's a twist I'm sure you saw coming: this week's contest is all about them. Your readers will know there's one on the horizon. Can you still manage to surprise us?

This week's prompts

Write a story with a big twist.

Dramatic – 189 stories

Write a story in which a character learns something unexpected about someone they thought they knew well.

Mystery – 63 stories

Write a story about someone who realises the story of their life has been pre-determined — until they decide to divert from the expected path.

Character – 31 stories

Write a story that includes the line, "I didn't see that one coming."

Dialogue – 41 stories

Write a story using the most clichéd twist of all; it was all a dream.

Narrative – 105 stories

Stories

“The Garden Gnome” by Megan Flanagan

Submitted to Contest #260

Robin’s elderly mother, Carol, became very sick, so she packed up her life and moved back home to take care of her. Robin tried to get her brother David and sister Maddie to come and help her, but they refused. They felt their lives and family were too important to give up to help their mother. Since her father passed away from Cancer three years ago and she and her siblings moved away and started their own families, Carol was all alone in a great big house she refused to give up.  Robin arrived at the house two days after the phone cal...

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“The Reckoning” by David Newcombe

Submitted to Contest #260

Patrick picked up his tool case before walking out to his work van, leaving behind a silent, brooding house that seemed to emanate the dour mood of its occupants.There was no farewell, probably because of the early morning start. At least, that’s what he told himself. If he were honest, he would prefer not to work today, but, being self-employed his boss knew he couldn’t afford to turn down this job. It would probably pay well, the old lady who had hired him seemed to have more money than sense so he knew there was a good profit to be made; ...

4 comments 4
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“John's Coat” by Francisca Bullock

Submitted to Contest #260

Chapter 1John’s coat hangs on a hook, in the parlor, next to the front door. He loved that coat; but when he had to check the car engine, after it broke down on the autoroute, on that cold January day, the black thick oil stained the pristine cream color sleeves. It went from his favorite dress coat, to his favorite work coat. He’d wear it to rake the leaves, shovel the snow, or chop logs in the woods. The woods. He didn’t wear it that day. I should put it away. It’s time. It’s been over a year. I’ve been through every stage of grief...

4 comments 4
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“In the end...” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #260

…there is no end. That is the difference between life and a book. Not a story. Stories are merely parts of a book or a life. Stories that are the constituent parts of a book, shoehorned into a finite space to please the reader. Some writers may protest at this assessment. The pomposity of their convenient disregard of themselves as the original reader is a big lie. That lie distorts and corrupts. It is a fiction that detracts from fiction as an artform. But then the artist is as selfish as they come. Whereas art is not. Art is a gift that ke...

4 comments 4
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“The Girl” by Blair Law

Submitted to Contest #260

CW: This story contains implied pedophilia but nothing explicit is shown The kitchen lights are beginning to hurt my eyes from how long I’ve been staring at them, trying not to look my wife in the eyes. The fluorescent glow of the white-hot bulbs is searing itself into my retinas as she speaks. I’m trying not to look her in the eyes. I don’t want to see all of the anger inside of her. The flour on her shirt. The strands of gray streaked the inky black hair that used to look so beautiful on her. The way she’s clutching a dirty dish rag in on...

1 comment 1
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“Hero?” by James Crofts

Submitted to Contest #260

 “Hold.” Maximus' voice rang out and echoed down the cave. “Bring up the rangers.”Two burly, black bearded men moved forward. They cautiously approached the wide stairs and examined them for traps. Mary Anesh accompanied them, one step behind, providing her mage light.Ewol peered down the dark expanse, watching as the men disarmed an explosive series of traps. They'd traveled treacherous mountain terrain for two months to find this place.It was amazing to watch them work. Ewol wanted to be like them. To protect Prince Maximus, the Hero,...

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“The Winning Numbers” by Ben Wrixon

Submitted to Contest #260

1,500 words The Winning NumbersA Short Story 33, 17, 45. I’ll always remember playing my numbers for the first time on my nineteenth birthday; waiting fifteen minutes in line with anticipation coursing through my veins; the rush of sliding my freshly engraved lottery card across the kiosk counter; feeling special when the clerk wished me a happy birthday before scanning my digits.  “Please play again.” Those words at that moment had stung like a slap to the face. The machine had delivered them in an animatronic tone devoid of any sym...

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“The truth about Judith ” by Sarah Cope

Submitted to Contest #260

'Last night, in the shed, he was working late again”I stuttered to the officer as the tears cascaded down my face creating pools in my cuffed hands which lay open helplessly on my lap. DS Turner spoke softly bowing his head so our eyes met before muttering the words,“Mrs, Sheffield, I know this is hard and you’re going through a traumatic experience, but I need you to tell me what happened earlier this evening between you and your husband, I have to read you your rights when I start the tape, the date is 31/10/2000 and the time is 0200 hundr...

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“Ugly Casual Tees” by Terrie Stevens

Submitted to Contest #260

Slipping the shirt over her head, a chill shot up Jessica’s spine as if the fabric carried the weight of someone else’s unfinished story. Found in the depths of a Last Chance bin at the thrift store, this monstrosity would, without a doubt, win her sorority’s ugly shirt contest. Chartreuse and lilac stripes ran from the neck down to an antique lace trim along the hemline. Its looseness in the shoulders and tightness around the waist reminded her of an unwanted hug from a distant relative.She twirled around, checking her reflection in th...

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“A Paper For My Richard” by Lee Farrington

Submitted to Contest #260

WEDNESDAY:"Why can't I use it again dear?"Martha masked her mild annoyance behind a smile, as she repeated herself for the third time, "This coupon expired yesterday, see" she replied, pointing to the unmissable date in large, red, font, "14th July""And what date is it today my love?""16th July""Oh well, never mind dear, next time.”“Next time Mrs. Cranston” Martha repeated empathetically, widening her smile by way of an apology as she scanned the full priced washing detergent and gently slid it across the smooth, chrome surfac...

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“Question and Answer” by Shawn Valor

Submitted to Contest #260

Warning contains Violence and Heavy Language “You sure this is the place?” I ask my wife, Jennifer, as we pull up on a rather conspicuous suburban house. One of those ones your uncle lives in down the road from you, never having anyone over. “Yep,” Short, quick, and to the point. She leaves the car unprompted, power walking to the front door. I sit in the passenger seat of my own car confounded. What happened to the plans, going through the questions, at least letting me look at the documents? She’s been like this all day, and it’s gettin...

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“Let's Do the Twist” by J. Rain Sherwin

Submitted to Contest #260

Sam jumped in his seat, as his phone blared at him, “Danger, tornado warning. Take shelter.” Really? He got up and went to the window and pulled the heavy curtain back and peered outside. It was pretty dark for only 3PM. It did look very blustery out there: rain was pelting down and the wind was whipping the trees around. But a tornado? Hmmm. He wasn’t particularly worried. I mean, what were the odds, right?He went upstairs and looked out the window in the guest bedroom. He turned out the overhead light to reduce the reflection on the window...

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“Haunted Justice” by Felipe Barreda

Submitted to Contest #260

I thought I knew Jerry well. He owned a country inn with a pub attached to it somewhere in the New England countryside. He loved people, or so I thought because he was always at the bar or the dining room smiling, laughing and joking. He loved his inn and he loved the pub and it seems that he was happiest here, for who would not be happy coming into a warm and cozy inn where you were treated as a long-lost friend who had to come out from the cold. I thought I knew Jerry well.           J...

1 comment 1
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“Nobody Loves Babs” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #260

                               NOBODY LOVES BABS.         Bab’s worked in a cake shop, her hair hung lank and greasy over her shoulders, the overall she wore was two sizes too small. Her black plimsolls had flour on them from the day before. Bab’s preferred to work in the bakery behind the shop where no one could see her.   &...

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“Confession of a Vampire” by Angela Wicke

Submitted to Contest #260

Content warning: Strong Language and Sexual Themes           “I have a confession to make.”           “Okay?”           Francine grimaced. “You know how I never eat my lunch?”           I eyed the sandwich that sat untouched on her plate as I choked down a bite of my own. “I can’t really blame you, to be honest. The food here’s nasty....

2 comments 2
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$250

Prize money

429

Contest entries

131

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 26, 2024 EST

Won by Elizabeth Hoban 🏆

Title: You

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!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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