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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

“Justice Rises, Heaven Falls” by David Walkins

Submitted to Contest #280

“No funny business, mate. Put your hands up, and walk away from the control panel.” “You finally made it, Jonathan. I was beginning to wonder if you’d even show up at all.” “So you’ve heard of me, huh? Jonathan’s a little formal, but I’ll allow it- long as you step away from the button. If you know who I am, you oughta know just what I’ll do if you don’t hurry and do as I say.” “You don’t recognize me, do you? Not even a little.” “‘Fraid not. And even if I did, it wouldn’t change what I gotta do. You’re the last person stopping me from shutt...

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“The duality of innocence” by Jackie J

Submitted to Contest #280

"What are you, 5 years old or something?"I couldn't lift my eyes from the ground. It's like they were glued to the dirty planks. Gosh, I never realized how dark the grooves between the boards had become. When's the last time I cleaned them; a month ago? I should probably call someone to clea-"HELLO?! You're doing that thing again where you just space out. HELLO, EARTH TO ROBERT!!"Her voice pryed my gaze to meet hers. I swear it's like she's made of fire."I hear you. I was just thinking." I reply, the words barely strong enough to pry my lips...

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“Genesis of Nirvana” by Tiny Benjamin

Submitted to Contest #280

“Well, what are we supposed to do now?” I muttered, still in shock at the massive portal glowing in front of me. Poppa and I stood at the precipice of a celestial realm, a place where time and space intertwined in a delicate ballet of light and shadow. This was the Genesis of Nirvana, a mystical juncture where destinies are forged and universes birthed. With my luminescent wings folded gracefully against my back, I gazed into the abyss before us. The Genesis pulsed with an ancient energy, its pathways branching out like channels of pure li...

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“THE DEBT” by Glenna Agnew

Submitted to Contest #280

The Debt. Kat was drenched in sweat. Not the sweet sweat that followed a fast-paced jog around the local high school track or the sweat that accompanied a mattress marathon; but that sweat that came with intense terror. Kat could smell the stench of her sweat and feel droplets forming on her brow. She had heard about hematohidrosis, the condition where people in a major crisis actually sweat blood due to intense stress; she didn’t know if this was an accurate summation or just hearsay, but if ever there was a time to sweat blood,...

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“Who was it then?” by Ashmeet Kaur

Submitted to Contest #280

Friday night, Marry a 24 year old girl tired from job was going to her childhood bestie Julia. “Julia and I studied in the same class” ,murmured Marry sitting in metropolitan. “God!God! I can’t believe this is happening. I am going to meet my best friend after 9 years. I am full of tears”, said Marry with eyes full of tears in her eyes. Actually these tears were symbolising her happiness and grief at the same time. She was remembering the moments spent with her Julia. “Hey miss! Can we talk if you don’t mind?” questioned Marry from a young l...

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“What if I never met you?” by S T

Submitted to Contest #280

“Authorities are still searching for the man responsible for the shooting of a healthcare CEO,” an anchorwoman with shoulder-length blonde hair announced from the screen. A picture of a young, hooded man smiling flashed on the television in the hospital room. It was small, uncurtained, and a large window poured light over a man sleeping on the upright bed. His wristband read: SAM REEVE, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, ANTI-REJECT MEDS, (626) 481-2123. As Sam, a twenty-two year old with unkempt hair and freckles, sat in the hospital bed, he turned on...

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“Where the Wind Sings ” by Paulina Smal

Submitted to Contest #280

“Where in all the thrice-cursed frozen hells am I?” Kazia DeWin asked the wind, because gods knew there was no one else around for miles to hear him. Kazia stood in the middle of the frozen barrens with nothing but the clothes on his back and a sinking feeling in his chest. As he spun slowly, he couldn’t see anything but flat planes of ice, the horizon blocked by flurries of snow – not even the sun was visible through the ominous clouds that had rolled in sometime while he’d been wrestling free of his ropes. His pale lashes were caked with ...

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“A War Criminal's Toast” by Helen Jack

Submitted to Contest #280

9:15 pm. “Should we serve dinner now, sir?” Dr. Franz Metzger ignored his butler, losing himself instead in the Argentinian tango that wove like silk through the crowded banquet hall. Quivering guitar notes dipped alongside mellow accordion song, the two instruments weaving in and out in a seductive dance. Franz Metzger’s gnarled hands tapped against his wheelchair’s polished armrests. For a moment, the black and gold ballroom vanished, and he was transported back to the days of his youth – when he’d floated across the dance floor as a bl...

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“Divine Blood” by Acorn Gaffer

Submitted to Contest #280

Hues of dark green, brown, and blue were all she had seen for miles, dark and agonizingly dull. And black, of course. An unsettling inky black that strained her eyes, bringing with it a chill that seeped into her bones. She knows it’s here. It has to be. This is where her sister was last seen, still in her nightgown, walking barefoot into the dense forest. Just like so many others from town… Something is out here, and Macy knows it. Something the town had whispered of. Their words were always filled with awe, yet all she felt was dread...

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“Meeting of the Minds” by Riley Noel

Submitted to Contest #280

The card was heavy. I turned it over and back again, the iridescent coating hypnotic. The image of freshly made malt balls rolling down a conveyer came solidly into form. I’m hungry.I turned the card over again. A zebra, a mother, slows her pace so that the lion would take her instead of her foal, her baby. The lion sinks his fangs into the back of her neck and she buckles into the dirt. Gruesome.I turned the card one last time. It's an old man, not too old. Early seventies? He's in a warm-lit room facing away. Now I see, he's painting. It's...

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“Lost in Translation ” by Sar Smait

Submitted to Contest #280

Maria had always been discerning about her friendships. At 5'10", with a slender frame and quiet Scorpio intensity, she was an enigma to most. Trusting someone enough to let them in was rare for her, but once she did, she gave her all. That’s why her friendship with Isabella, a bubbly, emotional Pisces, had meant so much. The two had bonded quickly, their differences complementing each other. Maria was the steady anchor to Isabella’s unpredictable tides, offering clarity and calm during Isabella’s emotional storms. Isabella had been in a 14 ...

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“a tear for Mr, pesbody” by Steven Sommer

Submitted to Contest #280

. Evelyn was a woman in her mid-thirties who seemed to have it all, a successful career, and a beautiful home. But despite her outward appearance of happiness and contentment. Evelyn was constantly battling demons within herself From a young age, Evelyn had always been a perfectionist. She excelled in school, graduated top of her class, and landed a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. But as the years went by, the pressure to maintain her flawless image became overwhelming. She was constantly striving for perfection ...

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“Tears of Tomorrow ” by John Garcia

Submitted to Contest #280

On a warm summer's evening, our power went out here in our little house out in the countryside. Since mom and dad were out in the city for the weekend, grandpa was watching us, but he just sat on the porch, watching the fields of grass. My brother Luke and I had nothing to do so we decided to play a game of hide and seek in our dark house. Luke and I drew straws to decide who was counting first. He lost so we went down to the basement and chose that as the counting spot. I closed the door and left him in the basement. I ran trying to find a ...

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“ROOM 132” by Fabayo Watkins

Submitted to Contest #280

Content warning: Physical intimacy, emotional manipulationHere we were, on a Friday night in the middle of time square arguing. My lover has been placing an enormous amount of pressure on me to leave my boyfriend of five years. As much as I would love to be with him, it’s Christmas time for heaven's sake. The fact that he is my boyfriend's best friend doesn't make this any better. I feel horrible but have gone too far down the road to turn back. Part of me feels like I have always wanted to be with Micah, but somehow Nairobi is the one who p...

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“Birthday, Fear and Marriage” by Rena Almaguer

Submitted to Contest #280

“A toast!” she exclaimed, holding up her shot, waiting for the others to follow suit. The two men held up their drinks, clinking and laughing.“Happy Birthday! she yelled unusually loud; I’m sure the whole bar heard her.The birthday man had the biggest smile, looking happy, appreciative, nostalgic if nostalgic had a look. He had his head cocked to one side, his whole face lit up but his eyes. His eyes were deep and distant.The small bistro table reached up to their chests. Even though the bar was dimly lit, displaying the usual neon beer sign...

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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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