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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#261: Gratitude

Unfortunately, it's true what they say — all good things must come to an end! Today marks my last Friday at Reedsy, and my last week as the host of Prompts.

Before I get into this week's contest, I'd like to take a moment to thank this wonderful community, for sharing your creativity and enthusiasm with me over the past few years. I have been truly moved and inspired by your entries, and am consistently amazed by the talented, prolific writers who make up Prompts. It doesn't escape me how lucky I am to have read and enjoyed thousands of your stories, and to have been given a glimpse into the worlds of so many authors. It's been a great privilege.

With that in mind, this week's contest is all about gratitude. Whether your characters are thankful for a gift, a person, or a change in circumstance, I hope they find a way to express it.

You'll meet your wonderful new Prompts host Isabella next Friday; but for now, all that's left to say is — thank you!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Character – 62 stories

Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Nonfiction – 69 stories

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Funny – 55 stories

Write a story about an unsung hero.

Character – 53 stories

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Narrative – 64 stories

Stories

“Gratitude: Or 9 lies and a truth” by Sarah Cunningham

Submitted to Contest #261

Her fingers rattled against the desk, tap, tap, tapping, along with her frustration. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the assignment. Or even the purpose of acknowledging the things that you were grateful for. It made sense. Especially in the context of an anger management group. But her place in the group wasn’t exactly the right fit. She didn’t have anger issues. So sitting in a room with a bunch of mouthbreathers who busted up their partners because they didn’t have dinner on the table at the right time. That wasn’t exactl...

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“The Cynic's Guide to Gratitude” by Helen Curran

Submitted to Contest #261

-Please note this story covers topics of death and hospitalization-01/01/24I’m thankful to the guy in the math textbooks who buys 37 watermelons, 80 chimneys, and 15 multicolored clown-vomit rubber band balls. He keeps the world’s economy going. God bless that guy. I know what stocks I’m investing in this year. 01/02/24I’m thankful to the guy who hangs out in front of the local Walmart and sells pocket watches and expired candy bars from the fanciful world of his inconspicuous trench coat. Sometimes, he gives me one of those Velvee...

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“Dear Nora Blake” by K. T. Dillon

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Nora Blake, I’m not sure how to write this. Or why I even have to. When Professor Reed announced the assignment, followed by assuring us that he wouldn’t read them, I was confused. And annoyed. After all, isn’t the point of writing to share it with other people? And isn’t the point of a college professor to actually teach us? But for 40% of my grade, I’ll try.Today, I walked to class and the weather was nice. I guess I’m grateful for that. August 21st, 2024Dear Nora Blake, I have a psychology exam tomorrow so this whole w...

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“A hero From The Grave” by Conrad M

Submitted to Contest #261

Copyright 2022Self- published by C.E. MetcalfISBN 978-1-387-76220-0 A Hero From The Grave Everyone needs a hero. There is no strength stronger than love. Even from the ones that are no longer with us. Some stories say that hero’s never truly die that their souls remain amongst the living to protect the ones they love. Whether that is fact or fiction know one truly knows. But in this case……. Chapter 1 The last thing I remember I had just returned home after a tour in Afghanistan. I came home to a loving welcome home from both my son and my...

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“ESPECHERLY HARD TIMES” by David Pearce

Submitted to Contest #261

There are, according to Mrs. D. very very infrequent good times and very very often bad times. That very morning she reported to Charlie that the rats had eaten the last of their children. There were reasons to be cheerful, of course, reasons to be cheerful included one less mouth to feed and one less or should that be fewer she could never remember not that it mattered now on account of the child being dead children to send to school wrapped only in toilet paper, not that Mrs. D. has any objection to toilet paper in principle, in fact she t...

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“Thanks, Dad” by Ron Conte

Submitted to Contest #261

The grayish tinge of the sky, the chill in the air, along with a sliver of sun behind naked trees, always signals a lingering winter. As I walk the wooded path near my home, the south wind has announced its presence. It creeps past me, transporting brown, wounded leaves of the White Willows down the path. The helpless leaves pass in bunches, lithesome slaves to the wind. Down the path the leaves scurry. I lose sight of them as if they are banished into oblivion. I continue to walk past a few stragglers caught in the grasp of a fallen tree br...

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“The Anonymous Donor” by McKenna Harris

Submitted to Contest #261

One day, my child fell very ill and needed a heart transplant because she had a heart condition called CHD or Congenital Heart Disease. The doctors said it would never get to the point where she would need a transplant but, I guess they were wrong. My husband and I have been worried sick since she has been on the transplant list for 3 months, and no donors have come to light. That’s when we got the call we had been waiting for from the hospital; it was a bittersweet call given we knew our daughter would have a fighting chance to have the lif...

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“Survivor” by Hooria Adil

Submitted to Contest #261

“Do you feel guilty that you continue without him?”“I… we’ve been through a lot, I mean… I know Thomas a hundred percent. I always have. He’s the best man I ever met. I speak to him about, like, everything. We’ve been through more than you think. Millions of people follow me; no one knows me like Tommy does. He’s always there for me, telling me he’s proud of me. Honestly, I feel, that’s… what fuels me… to play. Sorry, I’m sorry. All of this it’s a mess – it makes me sad because everything I ha… Thomas. I never wanted him to retire, and he ne...

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“Tallia's Thanks” by Andrea Krist

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear World, Today my mother gave me an assignment. She says I need to take some time to stop and think. She wants me to write down all that I am thankful for. I told her that would take too long and was not worth starting. She said to try anyway. So, here I am trying. To the Sun, Thank you for your warmth. Thank you for the light you give each morning that springs above the hills and begins a new day. Thank you for the colors you bring to the sky in the evening and for knowing how long each day should last so that the world can take the rest...

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“Love, Loss and Letters” by Nikko DeGoya

Submitted to Contest #261

Mom,Thanks for all the help in the operating room today. I know my husband can be a bit of a lightweight when it comes to blood and other assorted bodily fluids. Thank you for keeping me calm in the utmost vulnerability, and not taking advantage of or using that time against me. Today was a day I won’t ever forget and I'm sure I won’t let my husband forget or live this situation down either. He’s sad he missed the birth, but I'm sure he’s somewhat secretly glad at the same time. Either way, both of us are ecstatic to welcome our daught...

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“Thank You” by Laura Shell

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Jacob, Remember the very first time I got sarcastic with you, and you gave me that look like you would kill me if I ever said anything like it again? Your eyebrows met in the middle and that vein in your forehead, the one on the right side of your head, the one that looks like a tuning fork, it started to throb... I want to thank you for that moment because it told me that you have something dark within you that I needed to pay attention to. I didn't pay attention at the time, but looking back now... So I thank you for showing me a hint...

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“Loving Clam” by Olivia Schmidt

Submitted to Contest #261

This stream of conversation, written by the same person each time, is loosely based on the dynamic of two women in their 50s who are very close to my heart. Both refer to each other as different variations of the word "Clam" and occasionally something worse, which is very true to life. These letters provide multiple examples of their relationship's wacky and somewhat inappropriate humor while also referencing very dark themes such as grief, depression, and isolation. It's not your traditional kind of love or set of thank-you's per se, but ea...

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“Dear Bird.” by Claudia Frankfort

Submitted to Contest #261

November 13th, 2001Dear Christine,It's Jordan, sorry, I think I got the right address. I just wanted to say thanks for always making my drink how I like it, your work doesn't go unnoticed!Sincerely,Jordan Michaels December 16th, 2001Dear Christine,Hi. I just wanted to write to you to tell you that I like your new hair color. The blue suits you. Thank you for the heart you put in my drink. It's nice. Anyways, I'm going on a business trip for the next week, so you're off the hook for my lattes.Sincerely,Jordan Michaels December 26th, 2001Dear ...

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“The Gift” by Ed Regenye

Submitted to Contest #261

Charleston HouseMorningsideSurrey SU10 9SBMy Dearest JasonThank you ever so much for your novel anniversary gift. And the gold ribbon was such a clever touch for our Fiftieth. Everyone at the party had a comment. Even your father who said it was so typical of you. He and I are debating where to keep it. I want the drawing room, but your father is insisting on the garage. Watch this space!Sorry you could not make the party but totally understandable. It was good to hear that the doctor in Zurich was so posit...

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“Teenage Love” by Tatum James

Submitted to Contest #261

Hey! Thank You for picking up my books in the hallway when I fell! SOOOO embarrassing! Forget you ever saw me like that! Best,Tatum2/4/2024 To the World’s Greatest Friend Thank YOU for picking me up from soccer practice since it was raining so I didn’t have to walk home!! I'm so glad I found a friend like you! See you next week at school, BESTIE!!! Best,Tatum3/1/2024 Grub Buddy, Thank you for sitting with me at lunch today! I love being close to you and hearing you laugh! I always feel like I can truly be myself when I’m around you! XOXO,...

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$250

Prize money

303

Contest entries

97

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 02, 2024 EST

Won by Sandrine Hu 🏆

Title: Dear Aunt Beth

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!

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