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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

“A Fish Tale ” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #260

“Now I know how a pinball feels.” Joel shot his hands out this way and that.“You do?”“Yeah, no personal autonomy. Always reacting to this flipper, that bumper… and don’t forget gravity.”“Gravity’s a bitch.” Keith laughed.Joel Fitzhugh was talking to his father.“And why do you feel this way, Joel?”“Everything in my life. You and Silvana always nudging me in opposite directions… Work is demanding…”“Work does that...” Amused, Keith had heard this before. “How is Silvana? Haven’t seen her.”“Oh, we broke up. She left.”“What! The wedding’s off? Wh...

14 comments 14
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“The Woolybugger” by Barry Starcher

Submitted to Contest #260

   You know the old expression, raining cats and dogs? Well, I saw neither cats nor dogs, but it was raining too hard for any living creature to be walking the streets of Cincinnati. I had taken the bus to the emergency room for ex rays on my fractured arm. My experience with emergency rooms is to anticipate a lengthy wait. Nothing happens there at the speed of light. It was late by the time I saw the doctor, and a heavy storm struck before I could start for home. I wasn't prepared for the rain. On a side street down from the ...

3 comments 3
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“Everything” by Page Jenkins

Submitted to Contest #260

In the distance sat an immense forest. A woman, beautiful as can be, walked by the old stone entrance to the path into the woods. Thick greenery covered the old stone entrance and beckoned the woman daily. Everyday she made the conscious decision to stay on track. She had materials to care for and felt there was no time to focus on her individually. In fact, that is utter nonsense and she is not important enough to think she could take any time for it. The only way to stay within societal expectations is to numb yourself to the what ifs. Act...

4 comments 4
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“The Farm” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #260

The CIA never confirmed it, but Daria Ahmadi knew her ability to speak fluent Farsi is what led to her recruitment. Six months out of Ohio State, having sent hundreds of unanswered job applications, she had been working at her parents' Subway sandwich shop in Minneapolis when the US government flew her to Washington DC for an interview.Three weeks later, she was at ‘The Farm’, deep in the Virginia woods, training on how to be an intelligence officer. She learned how to tail targets without being seen, how to collect dead drops, mastered all ...

11 comments 11
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“Fields of Red” by W. H. Goodwater

Submitted to Contest #260

Persephonus looked up at his mother. Her dark, curly hair was shining with a red ochre halo from the window’s light, framing her in glory. The light was sharp and illuminated only her, with all else cast into shadowy, unknowable darkness. His home was familiar, a soft feeling, but it felt fuzzier than usual. He longed for the sunlight ringing his mother’s hair to kiss his skin, and then he remembered the back garden, and all the flowers in bloom outside.  “Can I go out back and pick a bouquet? There’s someone special in my life that I ...

3 comments 3
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“These Hollow Bones” by Sophie Kouble

Submitted to Contest #260

Beads of sweat pool at the base of my neck in the curve between my collarbones. Even in the shade, the unrelenting sun and thick blanket of humidity seem to swell in the air. I move the hand-held battery operated fan back and forth in front of my face, its tiny motor letting out a whirring drone. Hot air blows against my cheeks, but I guess it’s better than nothing.Reaching for my glass, I recline in the patio chair and suck up the final sip of hard iced tea, the end of the straw gurgling at the bottom of an empty cup.“Time for a refill, Ste...

8 comments 8
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“Bath Time” by VJ Hamilton

Submitted to Contest #260

Change is in the air. Mr. Smith is back home, and he is singing his number one song, Amazing Grace. His warble falls flat in some places, and he mangles some words, but it’s recognizable by all. Mrs. Smith is sick of Amazing Grace. So sick of it. She hopes tonight they do not have the personal support worker named Grace, a plump young woman who wears too much jewelry, who is always snapping bracelets on and off. Although surely Grace is sick of that song by now, too. Isn’t she? Sometimes Mr. Smith sings Amazing Race instead. The first time h...

9 comments 9
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“Was it a Dream?” by Kendall Donohue

Submitted to Contest #260

“Come on! You have to take me! It sounds like so much fun!” My girlfriend exclaimed, handing me a flier that we just received in the mail. *ALL NEW EXPERIENCE*Join us in our Grand Opening THIS saturday!If you received this flier, you and one other person are VIP guests and will skip the line!Just show up this Saturday at“It was all a Dream” See you there!“But what is it? There are no details. I’m not sure how we know if it will be fun at all.” I knew I sounded like a pessimist, but today was already Friday night and I had big plans...

8 comments 8
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“Writer's Block” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #260

Lawrence Cummings, the author of the secret agent series, “Luke Manor,” as well as fifteen separate novels on the New York Times bestsellers list, is sitting in his den staring at the blank screen of his computer. For some time now, sales have almost stopped, and the monthly royalty is only a few dollars at best.  His best books now sell in second-hand bookstores, Goodwills, or flea markets for twenty-five cents each, five for a dollar. In the words of his publisher, the reason for his decline is, “Your books aren’t selli...

7 comments 7
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“Formosa: Past Trauma” by Pei Pei Lin

Submitted to Contest #260

(This story contains sensitive content of sexual violence, physical violence, and gore.) I woke up early in the morning, as usual. My mother was already awake when I went to her room, as usual; then, I made some congee for breakfast and proceeded to pull up the metal gate of our shop while she cleaned the dishes. It was a pleasant autumn morning. There are no drastic seasonal changes on this island, but we always know that fall arrives when cool breezes are in the mornings. I sat behind my register and looked around our humble shop. We se...

10 comments 10
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“A Grave Business” by Malcolm Twigg

Submitted to Contest #260

Reference to alcoholism, infidelity and homosexual intolerance.A crowd of us stood around the open grave. A motley crowd, it has to be said. Fred hadn’t yet arrived. “We always said he’d be late for his own funeral,” Albert said to a mumbled chorus of assent. “Too right,” Ron agreed. “Who thought he’d actually live up to it? Well, I say live ...” The vicar glared, glancing at his watch, “Against my better judgement I’ve already broken with tradition and agreed to conduct the entire ceremony out here,” he complained, fiddling w...

13 comments 13
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“To the Dreamer I Once Knew” by Rozmarin Ideas

Submitted to Contest #260

 I hope you’re happy.I still remember when we first met, you know. We were both so young back then. Do you remember? That house was tiny, really, but it felt so big, like a whole world. That first time, it was raining, raining in June. You’d just finished your first year of middle school. The Summer months stretched long and lazy ahead of us, the exciting mundanity of temporary freedom.The rain had put paid to talk of a picnic, a disappointment not easily recovered from. You were playing a telephone game with your sister, when I walked ...

10 comments 10
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“A killer you can't catch ” by Omar Scott

Submitted to Contest #260

Standing over a dead body was nothing new to Kyle. The blood, the odor, the pair of eyes devoid of life looking back at him, none of it fazed him. Usually. But something about this body, this scene, even the night air hit him differently. Kyle’s eyes focused under the bright lights that shined through the midnight sky. His feet crushed the blades of cold grass in the open field as he positioned himself to get a better look. A brown-skinned man lay naked on the ground, like he fell asleep there. His arms by his side, but the hands were choppe...

4 comments 4
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“Cold” by Deborah Lysaght

Submitted to Contest #260

COLD “Don’t worry! I’ll be there! I can’t wait to see you... I’ve missed you too...” Those words. That was my ‘loving husband’ talking. Well, not talking really; more of a hurried, excited whisper. On his phone. In our year-old baby’s bedroom. Did you know Baby Monitors pick up everything?  “Look, got to go now... Love you too... Yes, see you Friday... Yep! Bye... Bye.” I was so bloody angry. I was shaking. How could he? How? I went into the kitchen to calm down with a glass of something. Pouring myself a huge wine; my hands shook and ...

2 comments 2
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“Guardian of Death” by Christina Miller

Submitted to Contest #260

"Are you listening to me, Steele? I swear, sometimes you're the worst for-" I continue to tune my mother out. Yet another lecture on the proper way the prince should act was not high on my list of priorities. My mother puts her hand on my shoulder, finally drawing my attention.  "I know you have other things to worry about, son. But these guests are important. When the next Guardian is chosen, it'll signify an era of peace for Kalioss. You know that." I sigh as my mother sears into my soul with her cobalt blue eyes. Eyes she p...

4 comments 4
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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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