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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#280: Talk That Talk

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyTalk to share your stories (and potentially get featured on our social accounts)!

As an aspiring author, one story element I constantly struggle with is dialogue. Writing realistic, engaging dialogue is no easy feat — but when done well, it can help readers get to know your characters better, advance your plot, and improve the overall pace of your story.

This week, let’s challenge ourselves by composing stories focused on dialogue. Who knows? You might discover something new about your characters based on what they say (or don’t say)!

This week's prompts

Write a story that solely consists of dialogue. (No dialogue tags, actions, or descriptions. Just pure dialogue!)

Dialogue – 185 stories

Start or end your story with a character asking a question.

Dialogue – 78 stories

Write a story in which two or more people have a conversation — without using any quotation marks.

Dialogue – 36 stories

Center your story around a character who overhears others talking about them.

Dramatic – 37 stories

Write a story that includes someone (or something) saying, “No, don’t!”

Dramatic – 44 stories

Stories

“Their ship of souls. ” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #280

"Was it a good book?" Poppy was asked by her regular client. She replied, " Well, yes. It was great. I enjoyed reading about over sixty males and females sailing off on cruise ships." Poppy was finishing off the senior lady's manicure. "There, the receptionist will take the usual fee for your hair, eyelash tinting and hands done." The rather large lady smiled in thanks, satisfied with her stylist, who said, "You look fabulous, as usual."Poppy felt as is she was rapidly arriving at such an age, to retire from years of working for her boss, ma...

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“Behind The Door” by Savannah Hoover

Submitted to Contest #280

"What’s behind the door?" It was Elise’s first question as she toured the creaking house on Hollow Ridge. The realtor, a wiry man with darting eyes, a sweat mustache, and fingers that fidgeted with his tie, hesitated before answering.“That?” He forced a grin, but it came out brittle, like a shard of broken glass. His gaze lingered on the door: a crooked, time-warped plank at the end of the upstairs hall. “Just a crawlspace. Best leave it alone. There’s plenty of storage throughout the rest of the house, you won’t need that dusty old thi...

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“What Lies Beyond” by Bradley Forster

Submitted to Contest #280

‘Dad, where is Russell?’‘The real one or the stuffed one?’ said Jack.‘The stuffed one, the real one is sitting on me.’ shouted EthanOf course he is. Jack put down his book and walked out of his study to the bottom of the stairs. ‘Have you actually moved things and looked for him properly? I’ve told you, you don’t have x-ray vision.’‘Well yeah but not the basement because you said I’m not allowed in there without you.’‘That’s true, good lad. The real Russell probably hid stuffed Russell down there. I’ll bring him up.’ Jack went into the ...

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“The Tiger's Claws” by M B

Submitted to Contest #280

“Are you surprised to learn that the infamous ‘Tiger’ is a woman?” Mai asked. Her eyes glinted in the halflight of the dockside warehouse, draped in a formal silk dress while her henchmen stood nearby, looming over the young-looking pilot in front of her. Free of her disguise as the lowly cigarette girl in the Phoenix club, she now looked as elegant and as dangerous as the crime empress of Shanghai she was. Captain Sphinx shook his head. “No, I’ve learned over the years not to underestimate a woman. I’m more surprised you passed yourse...

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“Emily” by Katie Rickey

Submitted to Contest #280

Warning: This story contains a conflict over the bodily autonomy of a minor - soon to be adult. It also contains discussion of *divisive topic, Cochlear Implants.-For the most part, being deaf didn’t bother Emily Beckman. It bothered other people, but Em, herself? It was just… her. How she interacted with the world. She was Deaf. And she liked who she was.Sound? She didn't need it. It was just a bunch of vibrations that her brain couldn't translate, and you know what?I do not need it, Em curled and twisted her fingers slowly, enunciating her...

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“Love Among the Spoils” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #280

Caution***References to sexual behavior**** * * * *Chester! I am so sorry! How long have you been waiting!Hey, Becca! Relax, catch your breath. You’re well within limits.There was a major accident on I-91 that GPS failed to warn me about in time. I think it’s time to retire the bossy old windbag, typical government contraption. Anyway, so it would have been inadvertent and unforeseen, right, my being late?Breathe, Becca.I try but I can’t get used to how much of my life is determined by things utterly...

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“Breaking Point” by Laurie Jordan

Submitted to Contest #280

Jalen’s shoes are too tight. I can see his little toe pushing hard against the front of them as his legs dangle from the padded medical table. “Does that hurt?” I ask, pointing at the strained plastic. “Sometimes,” he whispers. “You know…sometimes we Mommies make our kids take our shoes off at the door and don’t see that your little piggies have grown. Does your Mommy know? I mean, have you told her?” I ask, as I put the Band-Aid on the cut on his arm. “Yeah. Momma said to ask Grandma for new ones, but I haven’t seen her in a while,” he s...

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“Until the Day We Meet Again” by Raymond Yang

Submitted to Contest #280

Kai knelt before the grave, his trembling hands clutching the hilt of his blade. The chill of the earth beneath him seeped into his bones, but it was dull compared to the hollow, consuming cold within. Kai stared at the inscription etched into the gravestone—Thea Valens—which was too sacred to speak aloud and carried the weight of every moment they had shared.A heartache wracked Kai’s body as he bowed his head. He had felt the searing sting of death before—the sharp agony of a blade driving through his heart—but even that anguish was a fleet...

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“The Glimpse” by David E. Gates

Submitted to Contest #280

"I was a cop. Technically, I still am. On garden leave." "Garden leave?" "Yeah. Once things escalated, it started affecting my work." "What happened?" "It was the little things at first. Just minor movements or sounds. Nothing specific. I'd be lying in bed and it would sound like someone was coming up the stairs. I'd get up to check and there'd be no-one there." "All houses creak. Probably the stairs returning to their original position after you climbed them." "That's what I thought. But then things started moving about the house. I tho...

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“Hugs. Kiss. Vera.” by Галина Вишнёвая

Submitted to Contest #280

This winter season, I'm reminiscing about the letters I've sent to men on behalf of my mom. One time, I even got rewarded with the title "African scammer". This warm on the feels yet cold in the shins season, I am bringing you along with me down the memory lane of someone pretending to be someone else for the sake of romantic or otherwise mutually beneficial matchmaking.Kind Regards,not the actual VeraCan't believe someone would step out and talk about such a looked down upon activity with this much romantic nostalgia in the post. I mean, th...

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“Where the Wind Goes” by Ryan Berkoski

Submitted to Contest #280

(Contains references to murder and self-harm) Start of tape; date, March 12. 1989; time, 2:32 PM; “This is Dr. Joel Carter, the date is March…12, 1989. I am here interviewing Mr. Samuel Hicks. Mr. Hicks, how are you?” *** “Mr. Hicks, do you know why I’m here today?” “To… ask me questions?” “Yes, precisely, I’m going to ask you some very simple questions, and you’re going to answer them. And then I will leave you be, does that sound like a deal?” “I- I guess so.” “Alright, Mr. Hicks, now can you tell me what you remem...

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“Taking Care” by Kirsten Schuder

Submitted to Contest #280

This story contains themes of death and dying. Reader discretion is advised. Tell me, John, once and for all. Did you refuse medical care because you wanted to die? The pain was overwhelming. It was sucking all the joy out of mylife. That is not the way I wanted to live. I wanted to enjoy my time with you and the kids, and after a while, I couldn’t even do that. Maybe a doctor could have helped you. I never would have given up the search. I would have hunted the rest of my life so we could bring you to a doctor who is successful with chronic...

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“Talk With A Magi” by Mahtan Runya

Submitted to Contest #280

“What’s it like?” “...You’re going to have to be a bit more specific, you know.” “Oh, sorry. I meant what’s it like to use magic?” “Ahhh... Yes, I suppose you’d be curious about that.” “...Well?” “Well what?” “You’re an ass, you know that?” “Yes. Yes I do.” “Laugh it up. What’s it like?” “It’s…hard to explain. I can certainly try, but I’m not sure how close my explanation will be. I can’t even guarantee that it will be accurate.” “Surely it can’t be that hard to explain.” “Have you ever tried to explain love? Or hunger? Or grief? You can get...

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“The Last Phone Call” by Charlie Christmann

Submitted to Contest #280

"Mom! Finally! I thought our weekly calls from the station were pre-scheduled. I was worried.""Hey sweetie. Sorry about that. Things have been... a bit chaotic up here. Solar radiation's been causing issues with communications.""You usually call on Sunday. It's Wednesday.""You know how space is. Unpredictable. The ionosphere is wreaking havoc on everything up here. It took me a while to get through with the available channels restricted.""I guess. I hadn't heard about a radiation storm. Any way, how's the research going?""Can't complain. How...

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“Final Transmission Jupiter 9 - 29.2.5” by John Whytock

Submitted to Contest #280

Houston, I’m experiencing a major anomaly with the oxygen system requesting guidance.I’m experiencing a major anomaly with the oxygen system… Dammit Dale, this transmission won’t reach you guys for twenty minutes… Houston, requesting guidance. I’m experiencing a major anomaly… Yeah, you could call it major—a major screwup. I’d call missing the Kirkwood a major screwup, wouldn’t you, NASA? I don’t mean to be critical but which one of you morons decided to send me through the asteroid belt without an umbrella? Hey Daniel! G...

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$250

Prize money

380

Contest entries

138

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 13, 2024 EST

Won by Jay Wayne 🏆

Title: 45 Seconds

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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