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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

“Golden Boy” by Emma Robinson

Submitted to Contest #280

A yell of anguish, anger, and fear rang through the empty clearing, as I frantically stumbled back, causing the knot in my stomach to shoot itself straight to my throat. The sickening crunch that followed was arguably far worse to hear. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. My legs were weighing me down into the slightly damp earth. I could feel every blade of long grass scratching at my ankles. Horror held me in a chokehold, not allowing my body to free itself from its grasp to make sure my brother was alright. Horror, or perhaps disbe...

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“Bear with it” by Ivana Pavićević

Submitted to Contest #280

Come on, get in. Drop the stuff; we’ll move it later. I’m wet— it’s either too hot or I’m old...You’re rushing, Emeth. Don’t push the river, and you won’t sweat.Oh, shut the fuck up, will you?Can we open the windows? Any other way out of here?What’s up, Bane? Scoping out escape routes?It’s so stuffy here. I can’t breathe.Did your mom smoke while she was pregnant with you?I don’t know. Why are you asking?She definitely did; that’s why you think you’re suffocating.It’s the sun— I’m afraid. It’s too damn strong today. You’re afraid of the sun?N...

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“Babies Cry” by Lucy Benson

Submitted to Contest #280

Content Warning: This story explores themes of mental health difficulties that may be triggering to some readers. Names have been changed for safety and privacy reasons “You are such a bad mum.”“No, I’m not.”“Yes, you are. Listen to him.”“He’s crying. Babies do that.”“They do that when they have needs that are not being met. You are not meeting his needs.”“I’m literally changing his nappy right now.”“But that’s not what he wants.”“I know. But he has pooped, and he needs his nappy changed.”“So you know it will upset him, but you are doing it ...

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“Ice Cream Boys” by Kerri Call

Submitted to Contest #280

Aloha! You got ice cream last night, right?Yeah, I did. How did you know that?I work at the ice cream shop. Butter pecan, right? Right— Well, what should we do today?I dunno, what do you want to do?I dunno.What do you want to do?I don’t know! I don't even know you two.So?You met me last night, remember! I’m Indy. This is my buddy, Finn.Yeah yeah yeah, what should we do?I just got here last night, and I have lots to do before school starts tomorrow. I think I’m just going to go home and unpack. Maybe we could hang out tomorrow?Tomor...

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“TED Talk - Being Silly” by Brian Adkins

Submitted to Contest #280

"Good evening! Let’s start with a question: when was the last time you truly, unabashedly acted silly? I’m not talking about a polite chuckle at a mediocre pun—I mean full-throttle, face-contorting, possibly-snorting silliness. If you can’t remember, my friend, we have a problem.""Here’s the thing: silliness is a health regimen masquerading as entertainment. It’s yoga for your sense of humor, cardio for your soul. And unlike actual cardio, it doesn’t involve Lycra or tears.""Think about it: why do kids laugh an average of 300 times a day, bu...

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“The Window” by Adeline Dunn

Submitted to Contest #280

“It needs… more.”“I can’t.”“Of course you can.”“I actually can’t this time.”“You say that every time.”“I’m empty. My soul’s empty.”“You say that every time.”“I’m spent.”“I haven’t heard that word in a while.”“Yeah, it’s a good one. I haven’t used it in a while.”“I don’t think I’ve ever used it in conversation before.” “You should try sometime.”“Stop stalling.”“I can’t do this!”“Your music has got to come from somewhere.”“Grief.”“Not every time.”“Well lately, yes.”“Maybe so, but I’ve heard you write about other things.”“Name some, then.”...

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“This Space For Rent” by Miles Stassis

Submitted to Contest #280

CW: LanguageReally?Yep.Really.Yep.Really?How many times do I have to tell you?Can’t believe it.Well.Well, what?Well, that’s the way it goes I guess.Just like that?I guess.27 years.If that’s what the calendar says.Just like that, we’re done? Throw it out the window?Your choice, not mine.Not my choice – you chose!We both chose. Get over it. C’est la vie, n’est-ce pas?Don’t give me say la me crap. What the hell is this?The end. It’s the end! How many times do I have to say it? The. End.We can do better t...

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“Conversations we should have had” by Isabella Rose

Submitted to Contest #280

Ok, so what have you done? Not a lot. What is 'not a lot'. Not much? What have you done? Everything. Everything? Well you know. Ok. Cool. Does that bother you? No. Why would it? Does my not having much experience bother you? No. I don’t think so. What is it? I don’t know I guess I’m just worried you'll get attached. I can assure you that won't happen. How do you know. I just do. You said you haven't done anything. Haven’t done much. And I know. How? I’ve never really related the emotional to the physical. What does that mean? Lets just say I...

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“A Hundred Years” by Nikki Diamantopoulos

Submitted to Contest #280

Don't you dare bring my Mother into this, Harold! Oh brother, here we go again. You know what, Janine? What's that, Harold? You're right, I could never stand your Mother. I knew it! I saw the glimmer in your eye the day they took away the credenza. Glimmer in my eye? Listen to yourself! Christ, you're mad. You know that, right? Harold, I don't want this to get nasty. Let's not get heated. Fine, Janine. There isn't any sense in getting into an argument now, is there? Agreed. I'd really rather just have this...

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“Penetrating Words” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #280

Prompt: Write a story that solely consists of dialogue. (No dialogue tags, actions, or descriptions. Just pure dialogue!) Penetrating WordsHere me out Violet. You live in my house; I expect you to live by my rules. Mother, stop trying to ruin my life. Just because you had an overbearing mother doesn’t mean you have to be that way with me. I need to be my own person. You can do that Violet by learning to be responsible by respecting my authority. I set a curfew to protect you, not to stifle your lifestyle...

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“A Conversation between Three Friends, but They’re in the Middle of a Heist” by Caya Van Der Mei

Submitted to Contest #280

Content warning: Strong language“Shut up!”“I can’t see anything!”“Don’t you think I know that? Just shut up. We need to be quiet. Come on, keep crawling. We’re almost there.”“Fine. But I don’t like this. There are still people in the building. Evan said they’d all be gone by now.”“Yeah, well, Evan’s a little bitch.”“I can hear you, you know.”“That’s the point. Why are there still people here?”“Beats me. Museum closed six hours ago. By all means, they shouldn’t be.”“Can you see them? What are they doing?”“Let me check… Seems like there’s some...

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“Witness for the Prosecution” by Harry Green

Submitted to Contest #280

“The prosecution calls Mr Pendergast to the stand.”“OBJECTION Milord.”“On what grounds Mr Smythe?”“On the grounds that the prosecution has not proven that this is actually ‘Mr Pendergast’.”“Objection sustained. Mr Thaw, can you provide any evidence in this matter?”“Yes Milord. As I hope my learned colleague is aware, DNA will not help us in the case, so may I please remind them that Dr Venkman’s work was used to prove to us that this is Mr Pendergast. If it please the court, please refer to Exhibit 36.”“Objection therefore overruled. Mr Pend...

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“Clash of Tongues: A Flyting Duel” by William Eckley

Submitted to Contest #280

"You stand here bold, yet your words are weak.""Weak as the wind that fells mighty peaks?""Peaks of your pride crumble under my voice.""A voice so shrill, the crows take flight by choice!""Choice? Nay, they flee the stench of your fear.""Fear? I’ve braved storms that would drown you, mere peer.""Peer? I stand high, a mountain, you a knoll.""Knoll, yet rooted, while your pride pays its toll.""Toll is my glory, a price worth the fame.""Fame for a fool who twists truth into shame!""Shame? I see none, my wit carves the air.""The air is foul with...

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“"What's wrong with you?"” by Lapanda Mason

Submitted to Contest #280

“How long were you standing outside?” “I just got here!” “Come on in, let me take your coat.” “No, I won’t be here long!” “Would you like to sit down?” “No! Can we get to the reason I’m here, please?” “You look beautiful today! Did you do something different with your hair?” “I dyed it red last week. You clearly was with your other family. Did you have a good time with the wife?” “She’s not my wife; she’s the mother of my children. I wish you two would just sit down and have an adult conversation. We h...

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“THE QUEST: A Search for the Impossible Dream” by Stephany Tullis

Submitted to Contest #280

“Hey Boss Lady, over here.” “Ange, it’s me, Nik. Hey girl!” “C’mon, ma’am. Watch where ya goin’. I’m in a hurry. I got a plane to catch. And that’s my cab.” “Forget that guy, Ange. Some people just don’t have any manners these days. Like you even wanted his cab. You drove your Lex down, right?” “Oh my gosh, Nik. What are you doing here? And yes, I drove the Lex. But more importantly, how did you get here? And JaRew what’s up? More importantly, how did the two of you hook up?” “Wow, Ange, Nik was right. You have been living in another ...

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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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