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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

“Cupid ” by Abegail Ranaudo

Submitted to Contest #280

Oliver had a cupid tattooed on his arm. The overall design was not too embellished but it was enough to steal the hearts of those with cherubic sensibilities. He would grow to hide it under a long sleeve to cover the embarrassing marking he chose to get when he was eighteen. Now that he was in his mid-twenties, there were times when he would show it off like the time he went to a pub with a couple of his old friends. He thought the tattoo deserved to be out for its ethereal quality whenever he got the chance to display it. He had the idea th...

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“The infinite sandwich” by Daniela Tote

Submitted to Contest #280

**Chapter 1: The Dance of Flavors**Ted woke up at 6:35 a.m.Each morning he liked to drink his coffee, and prepare a sandwich for his first meal of the day. As always, he rolled out of bed with groggy determination and made his way to the kitchen. He reached into the cupboard and pulled out a polished black cutting board that gleamed with craftsmanship."Those child laborers in China are really stepping up their game." he thought darkly, shaking his head.From the breadbox, he retrieved a loaf, its crust speckled with sesame seeds. As his ...

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“Bedtime Routine” by Sharon Thatcher

Submitted to Contest #280

TW: Adoption/Birth Mother 6:45 – It is a Tuesday evening. Your bath time. But tonight, instead of running there and leaving your clothes strewn on the floor, you knock your glass off the table in haste, the glistening shards and pieces scattering, the milk running away. You carefully help with a quick clean up job before you ask if we can do this instead of your bath. 6:47 – As you go into the freshly renovated bathroom, you ask again if you can skip your bath tonight. You already know what the answer will be and eventually relent. Naked as ...

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“Broken” by Miller George

Submitted to Contest #280

TW: mentions/implications of sexual abuseBen decided today that he was going to commit murder. Last night, he could not fall asleep until he came to that conclusion. In his mind, there was no other way to get control of his life. Ben, a senior in high school, was only eighteen years old and full of impulses and hormones that he was still working on controlling, even after years of therapy. Ben went into the garage where his stepfather kept all his hiking gear and found a 15-inch Bowie knife, which he put in his school backpack. He went ...

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“The Manuscript” by Atan Solp

Submitted to Contest #280

“Disgusting!” A stack of paper, which until recently had been the most precious thing to me, flew into my face.“No, don’t! Don’t insult my manuscript!” I started to get angry, but I didn’t move; I just closed my eyes when the sheets crashed into me and scattered all over the office.“How could you?! I’m a serious literary agent, and your filth is impossible to read! I don’t even know what you were thinking when you came here. No one will take this, do you understand me?! If you can’t write, then give it up! Without talent, you’ll be no one an...

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“Talk, Talk, Talk” by Arlene Placer

Submitted to Contest #280

So glad you could come this year because the work he does is so different. And this is an unusual event. He always has a showing and then does a painting while we watch.Well, I am glad you invited me.Say, since we got here so early, we have plenty of time before he’s even started so how about a spot of something to eat?I have to agree that would be good. Coffee maybe?Come on, ya idiot. I’m up for more than that. I haven't had my breakfast, and my damn tummy is growling like a beast. There’s a great place that’s just down the street. Follow m...

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“Let's Talk About It Later” by Júlio Miranda

Submitted to Contest #280

“How long have you been sitting there? Didn’t you hear me knock? What, were you going to leave me outside until someone called the cops?”“...”“The forecast is for a storm, you know? Were you going to leave me out there in the rain?”“It’s a fuckin’ apartment building, Daniel, and out there it’s a fuckin’ corridor, you wouldn’t be in the rain.”“Look, so she talks! Thank God your mother gave me a copy of the key.”“Well, she shouldn’t have done that, she had no right...”“Well... At least tell me you remembered to eat something, since from the lo...

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“The Room Without Shadows” by Saoud Akram

Submitted to Contest #280

Trigger Warning: This story contains explicit depictions of violence, murder, psychological distress, and references to childhood trauma. It may be distressing to some readers. "Bonjour.""…Who said that?""Don’t you recognize this voice?""I—I don’t. I can’t see anyone. Where are you?""Right here.""And here.""And over here, as well.""Stop it. Stop talking in circles. Show yourselves.""There is no ‘showing.’ You know that.""Yes, you’ve always known.""I don’t know anything. I’ve never heard voices like this before.""Haven’t you?""No.""That...

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“Nips and Tucks” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #280

“Helen? Is that really you? I thought it was, but there’s something different about you. You look amazing.”“Oh, hi, Diana. Yes, it’s really me. Pull up a chair. Have you eaten already or would you like to join me?”“I just ate. I came here with some of the girls from the country club. We’d heard this restaurant was amazing.”“You were right. My meal was delicious. Let’s order dessert. My treat.”“Oh, I’d love to, but I shouldn’t. Larry notices immediately if I gain an ounce. I’ll just have a black coffee.”“I am going to have a large slice of th...

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“Inner Demon in Conversation ” by Nora Thompson

Submitted to Contest #280

“Legs, do I still have legs? Yes. Okay, two working legs, probably have all my toes too but not worth counting right now. Hands? I needed those to check for the legs. Head is still attached and sore but working as well as it can. Perfect! Now, am I going to die here?” “You’re speaking English?” “OH JESUS FUCKING CHRIST WHAT THE FUCK.” “Aren’t they teaching Latin in schools anymore?” “I DON'T KNOW! WHAT THE FUCK. WHO ARE YOU?”“I assume they’re not.” “I have a very big stick and all of my toes. And, um, I'm not afraid ...

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“The Great Mystery” by Catherine White

Submitted to Contest #280

The Great Mystery Squeaky’s dead.Dead? Why? Dunno – he was just dead. In his cage. He was lying on his side and he wouldn’t wake up.Did someone kill him? No – my Mom said he was old, so he died of that.My grandma's old but she's not dead.Well – Squeaky is. I bet a vampire got in and ate him. That would be so cool. Vampires sneak in at night and bite you to death. They probably like guinea pigs too.No way! And I don’t believe in vampires. He was whole in the morning. When I found him. He looked like he was sleeping. Only he wasn’t. I bet you ...

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“The DAM Duo” by Regina Hall

Submitted to Contest #280

“Hey! Have you ever heard the word dam?” “Um, I think so! What is it?” “I heard my dad say he forgot his dam keys!” “Dam keys? Why would he say that? That makes no sense!” “Yeah! Maybe he was talking about a big dam!” “A dam? Like the thing we build to hold water?” “Exactly! Like a wall for the river in the sand box!” “Maybe he was thinking about going to the dam!” “Yeah! Like we can go to the dam to get some of the dam water!” “Ooh! Let’s take the dam bucket and get some dam water from the dam!” “Great idea! We can splash that dam water eve...

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“An Exchange Of Hearts. ” by George Mexas

Submitted to Contest #280

“Hey, Jeff. Can we talk.”“Oh, that’s not great.”“What do you mean.”“You hate my name, babe. Only use it when something’s wrong. Jeff has become a word more frightening than taxes around here. What did I do.”“I don’t use your name like that, stop it.”“You’re right, I totally forgot. So, what did you wanna talk about, Veronica.”“Ah, I see. Yeah, its bad. Feels weird.”“I know, Veronica.”“Stop it.”“Don’t hit me while I’m washing the dishes.”“Can you just put the things down and come to the table.”“Why, is the dog planning on doing those. B...

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“Circles in the Dark” by Eve Phoenix

Submitted to Contest #280

"Are you sure this is the right way?""Yes, for the hundredth time. I memorized the map.""Memorized? Like, in your head?""Where else would I memorize it?""Fair point. Still, it feels... wrong.""It's a trail, not a science experiment. Trust me.""That's exactly what someone who doesn’t know would say.""Do you want to lead?""No! I mean... you seem confident.""Then stop doubting me every five minutes.""I’m just saying, it’s kind of creepy out here.""It’s a forest. It’s supposed to be.""Supposed to be creepy?""No, supposed to be quiet and... I don...

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“The Job Interview” by Kelly L

Submitted to Contest #280

“Good morning. Is it morning?”“I think it’s just past noon, sir.”“Yes, yes of course—it’s easy to lose track of time—no windows in this whole building. Can’t tell if its day or night.”“I understand, sir. And… before we get started let me say thank you for scheduling me for this interview.”“You are very welcome, Miss…Poor?? POOR?! Is that really your last name?”“Uh, yeah. It’s the name I was born with.”“Ha ha ha! How unfortunate. But I guess if you truly are ‘Poor’ you definitely need this job! Ha, ha!”“I, well as I said, thank you for t...

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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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