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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

“Presidential talk” by Vadim Albukh

Submitted to Contest #280

“Well, Bob it seems like we're all in a very awkward position.” “Yes, Kelly. I hope you're happy now that you're president the of United States.” “No, I am not because now you are also president the of United States. The election ended in a complete draw and now we were both sworn in as president. How does that even happen?” “I'm not really sure but nobody is bothering to question it so like it or not we have to share the job. Turns out Congress and the Senate is now completely split down the middle with this election.” “Well, I guess we nee...

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“Music Your Blues Away” by Judi Wallower

Submitted to Contest #280

“What are you listening to?” “Bruno Mars.” “Yeah, I like Bruno Mars too, but what’s your favorite type of music?” “My absolute favorite is seventies music.”“Classic Rock?” “Yes. But I really love disco.” “Disco?! Seriously?”“Yeah. Don’t make fun of me. It has excitement and exhilaration.”“I can say the same thing about classic rock. There’s nothing like it.”“Yeah, but you can’t dance to rock music. It has movement and power.”“You can play any instrument you want, and you don’t have to know how to play.”“I don’t get that.”“But how can you lik...

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“Nowhere to be Found” by K. Klein

Submitted to Contest #280

Content Warning: This story contains sensitive content including child abduction, violence, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is advised."She's gone missing…? When?""Last night. I woke up this morning, and she wasn't in her bed. I thought maybe she'd gone to the bathroom, but she wasn't there either. I checked everywhere.""Oh my god, Tori! Did you check the backyard? Maybe she went outside to play early?""Of course, I checked the backyard! I checked the whole house, top to bottom. She's not the type to just wander off, especially not...

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“The Puzzle” by Amy Nunnelly Kokeš

Submitted to Contest #280

What’ll it be today Doris, the edges or the insides? I think I’ll do the edges if that’s alright. Sure. So, what did you have for breakfast this morning? Oatmeal again. The cook is still out with the flu and I don’t like the eggs that the new guy makes. Too mushy. Cook’s been out sick for nearly two weeks now ain’t he? Yeah. And you should see his country fried steak. Horrible! So tough you can’t hardly eat it. He don’t know how to beat it and make it tender. Ain’t got the good sense God gave a goose.&nbsp...

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“A Secluded Sacrifice” by Lindsay Marshall

Submitted to Contest #280

“Do you forgive me?” “I can’t.” “I said I was sorry. I’ve done everything I could to make it right. What else can I do?” “You could go back in time and make better choices.” “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was young and foolish.” “‘I didn’t mean to’ and ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t make it better. It doesn’t change the past.” “So you’re going to hold this against me for the rest of our lives?” “I don’t know. I don’t know how to move on.” “I can’t change the past. I lived in ignorance, not knowing that what I did was ...

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“Violent Delights” by Aisha M

Submitted to Contest #280

Why is she looking at us like that? Whatever, just ignore her. She’s a loner. She just sits at the edge of the playground every day at recess. Um, she’s walking towards us fast. And she does not look happy. Huh? Wait! Watch out! Oh my god! Someone get the teacher! His nose is bleeding a lot!___________________________________________ Why would you do that, Jade? I don’t know. Apologize to him. I’m sorry. Good. Mrs. Booth, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend this meeting. I need to inform you that your daughter can’t...

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“Security Breach” by Nolan Pierce

Submitted to Contest #280

“Mark… I think he knows. He has been watching me more closely lately. I don’t think I can see you for a while… I know, I know. But it has to be this way… Who knows what he will do if he ever figured it out.”“Who the hell are you talking to?!?... Hello, Mark, this is Paul. How stupid do you think I am?”“…”“You have a lot of nerve. Never talk to my wife again or I will wring your neck. And you, Catherine, you are going to tell me everything. Right now!”“I… I can’t… I’m sorry Paul, I—”“Like hell you can’t! When did this start? What the fuck is ...

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“Lines (In-Between) Lines” by R. Leinad

Submitted to Contest #280

Contains: Strong/Explicit language“I am so sick of being the only one at work that’s broke.”“What do you mean? We have money. We can save, we just have to watch our spending.”“Sure we can or do you mean I have to save? I have to make the money. (I am so tired)”“Wait. What the heck does that mean? What are you trying to say?”“I am just saying, when are you going to pick up the slack? (This is your fault) You are always broke and always having to touch the savings. (I wish I had a better partner) It’s like I put money in there and it just disa...

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“Blood Moon” by R.H. Magdalena

Submitted to Contest #280

“Please, can you find our son?” The couple on the other side of Mel had been crying for days based on the red-rimmed eyes staring back at her. They weren’t wearing anything with designer labels like past clients who were desperate for anything they could use in the divorce. A nice, normal family. At least on the surface. Melanie Carmody, private investigator of fifteen years, wanted nothing more than to take her vape from its charger in her desk drawer and take a long intake of its customized contents. Sure, cigarettes had been in her rear...

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“Closing Season” by Joceline Telfer

Submitted to Contest #280

“Where are you going when the shop closes?” Arora beams, flipping hair that’s been dyed to be blonde, but closely resembles a shade half rotted seaweed instead. I don’t know. “I haven’t decided yet.” I respond. Moving to my next roll of silverware. Arora hasn’t started her side work yet, but I’ll be the one blamed in the morning if they come up short. I sigh, and my ribs hurt. Arora pouts, but leans in, “I heard Steph is leaving town. Something about a new boyfriend down South.” She’s fishing, but I don’t bite, “Good for her.” I ...

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“It's A Murder But Not A Mystery ” by Dina H

Submitted to Contest #280

Who is watching me? That is a question in the back of my head at all times of the day. It's like my life is an open book and someone is reading it right before me. It's an eerie feeling. But there isn't much I can do. Hopefully, it goes away. I was walking to the bus stop this morning for a ride to my office downtown when I got that feeling again. I turned around but saw nothing. Finally, the bus arrived and I stepped on feeling safer. Arriving at my office, I greeted my co-workers and grabbed a coffee, then sat in my little room with my clu...

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“Welcome to Paradise” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #280

“Don’t you deserve a vacation?” A beautiful woman strides toward the camera, the TV-perfect epitome of a successful businesswoman. Dark hair gleams under studio lights in a styled shoulder-length bob. Crimson lipstick frames a dazzling ivory smile. Her tailored dark skirt suit and crisp white blouse are cinched by a black belt which emphasises her hourglass figure. Her piercing blue eyes seem to look straight through the viewer. “I’m Karen Rinehart, CEO of the planet of Paradise,” she says, her voice a rich, melodic. “And I would like ...

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“Escape Measures” by Wayne Brandenburg

Submitted to Contest #280

“Will you keep me safe?” her tiny voice echoed from the past.He flinched back from the memory and stared through the portal at the stars. Somewhere out there was Earth and everything he was escaping. He activated the external window shield.The solar system’s largest planet loomed in the void, a massive sphere of swirling gases. Its colossal red spot churned, a storm larger than the entirety of Earth. Amidst this chaos, a tiny metallic glint flashed above the swirling tempest.SPACESHIP: GodwinCLASS: Ibis Class HeavyMISSION: Jupiter Exploratio...

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“TAKE ONE” by Gabriel Schmitz

Submitted to Contest #280

On the way to the drug store stands a woman and her table. She has pamphlets about God strewn about across the surface, held in place with various forms of paperweights - everything from rocks to glassware to hardcover books to decks of cards still in their packages. The table is a simple thing made of sturdy plastic with folding legs. She dresses it up nicely with a tablecloth, the front of which is embroidered in messy stitches to say: TAKE ONE. My apartment overlooks where she stands. Even through the constant, thick fog I can make ...

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“Mysterious Lights” by Kurt Sanders

Submitted to Contest #280

SCENE ONE The door of the Sheriff's office suddenly opens. Sheriff! There is a man down at the saloon asking questions about the town. You had better get over there. BUSTER! Have you ever heard of knocking first before you come running in? Um... Sheriff, I thought this office was always open to the public. I mean, there is no lock on the door. Yes, but Buster I may be busy doing something...and... well, never mind just knock next time. Okay sorry. Did I interrupt anything? I see you are just sitting at your desk and well... sorry, I will kno...

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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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