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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 – 186 stories

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

Dialogue – 80 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

“Don't Think About White Elephants” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #280

****Some language and a sensitive topic****“What a great restaurant! We can have a nice dinner and not think about it. We’ve made a decision and that’s it. Everything will be fine once it's over.”"There's a saying about white elephants, if someone tells you not to think about white elephants, then you can't help but think about them, right?""I don't think it's white elephants, no isn’t it white doves? ‘Don’t think about white doves- and then you can’t get ‘em out of your head. That’s what you mean?""I can’t stop thinking ...

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“There's Always Another Agenda” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #280

“I’m getting so excited about the marvelous Anniversary Party I’m organizing for my dear sister Kate and her Fred. You’ll come too, won’t you, Selina? You are my best friend. We’ve invited all her friends and our entire family, minus kids. It's an adult party with alcohol being served. Of course! Fred’s parents, Andy and Ally, will be there as well. It’ll be grand. It’s at the new Crown Plaza. We’ve booked a suite on the top floor. Fantastic view. The lounge is massive and has its own bar. We’ve reserved a gorgeous bedroom and ensuite for th...

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“The Staff” by Keba Ghardt

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #280

There you are. Hello, sir. Busy day, soldier? Not especially, sir. Awful lot of people here. That’s not unusual, sir. That’s true, that’s true. Lots of people come here, feels like every day, to gather out past that balcony, just to get a look at his excellency the pope, and receive his blessing. That they do, sir. Incredibly powerful spiritual experience that people travel miles for, to actually behold God’s avatar on Earth, and you and I are tasked with the protection of his holiness, to preserve the authority of the Catholic church. I tak...

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“Muse-R-Us ” by Viking Princess

Submitted to Contest #280

Trigger warning: stuffed animal abuse :p“Hhh, what am I doing here?” Timmy sat in his truck, contemplating leaving. He had run out of ideas, and desperate Tims do call for desperate measures and all, but he was embarrassed to be seen here. It was so cliche, so beneath him. Even the word muse made him cringe. Yet there he was, staring at the store front with big red letters, ‘Muse-R-Us.’Pulling up his jacket collar, pulling down the bill of his hat until it almost covered the sunglasses he was wearing, he exited his truck and swallowed his pr...

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“Can I Offer You a Lift? ” by Rebecca Hurst

Submitted to Contest #280

After you.Thanks. Where are you going?The ground floor. I always end up on the ground floor, like Jacob’s Ladder in reverse. I do wish they’d fire me at the beginning of the day instead of the end. That sucks. What did you do?Nothing at all, really. Rolling my eyes is what they said. For the last three years, I haven’t managed to get through my probationary period. That must make life precarious. What about a job in a call centre? They won't see your rolling eyes.Oh, but they will. It’s not the customers I have a problem with....

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“TALK FOR TWO” by Viga Boland

Submitted to Contest #280

<The Banters are back! We hope you’ve missed their silly bantering. They’ve been gone a long while but they couldn’t resist a dialogue-only prompt…their favorite writing style! Enjoy!>Matthew, do you think I’m frumpy?Do I think you’re grumpy, Martha? Sure, sometimes…No, Matthew. I asked if you think I’m frumpy. FR not GR! Geez, I swear that new hearing aid we got you is no better than the previous one, and this one cost a fortune.I can’t help it Martha if they don’t make hearing aids that are perfect for my ears! You speak so fast and ...

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“THE HORIZON IS FLAT, AND SO ARE MY HOPES” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #280

Hello, Steve, it's me.Ralph, why are you calling me at - hold on, let me check the time - two in the morning?Because I was up thinking, and I realized something important. This can't wait.This had better not be another one of your flat Earth rants.It's not a rant, Steve. It's a logical discussion about the truth.The truth is that you think the Earth is flat.Not think. Know. The Earth is flat, Steve; deep down, you know it too.Here we go.Answer me this. If the Earth is spinning at a thousand miles per hour, why don't we feel it?Because we're ...

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“Delta 928” by Thomas Wetzel

Submitted to Contest #280

CW: This story contains themes of physical violence and suicide.The following is the transcript of the cockpit conversation captured by the onboard black box recorder, which was recovered following the crash of Delta 928 in Denver, Colorado on June 16, 2025. The National Transportation Safety Board will include this as a key exhibit in the incident file and it will very likely have a significant bearing on issues related to causation and legal liability. We caution you in advance that this transcript is highly disturbing in nature.Captain Da...

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“Playtime” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #280

“No, don’t!” Shocked, Jeremy looked at Pricilla. He said, “Why?”He’d just told her he planned to propose marriage to Adele, his girlfriend.Pricilla hadn’t thought before speaking. Now she didn’t have time to think.’You’re too young… Her first name would sound funny with your last… I don’t have a present… What about college? She has plans for the summer… She’s already married. Oh… I love you… No…’There had been joggers on the path. Ducks paddled about the lake. It felt eerily quiet now. ‘Where is everyone when I need them?’Pricilla trie...

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“Minor Chords” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #280

Paranoid Schizophrenic. That’s what I heard them say. I wasn’t supposed to hear them talking about me, but sometimes, even when they are careful, around the clinic, privacy can be problematic. What else can I tell you? I sit in my small apartment that is in shambles. Most of the lightbulbs are burnt out so I live in the dark. There is an odor that hangs over my place like a cloud, but I’ve gotten used to it over time. But there are some things I will never get used to. Come closer a...

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“Talk of The Devil” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #280

Got to say, Cass, it beggars belief. Here’s me, sixty-two years of age, sacrificed everything, devoted my entire life to my family and now my kids won’t speak to me.I know, that’s awful, Moll… Milk and two?Yeah, like I’m the She Devil herself… Remember that’s how the sequel started? My children will not speak to me…?I remember Book Club, and when your Bernice came down from the bedroom having drawn you with horns and forked tail… Here, careful, think it’s a bit on the hot side…I blame their father, of course. Did his worst once I’d left. Poi...

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“The Airport Connection” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #280

(This story has an inadvertent racial slur that gets corrected.)I hope he doesn't want the lemon one.I'll have the lemon old-fashioned and a coffee, please.Rats! Oh…Oh, you wanted it, too?It's the only vegetarian donut…unless…do you have more in the back?Sorry ma'am. It's the last one.I'll change my order. I'll have the chocolate cruller and the lemon one for the lady. That's so kind, thank you, but—I insist. I'm excited about my trip and feeling generous. Can I get you a coffee, too?It's easier to just agree—there are so many people be...

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“Elvis is Coming” by Tommy Goround

Submitted to Contest #280

Master Combat Sargeant Elvis Kneel was discharged from his third tour of active duty so he could go to the multi-person funeral of his wife and daughters. The Army asked that he leave his duty guns in a secured check with a padlock and a combination given to his squadron commander. The newspapers knew that a scarred and tenacious freak was coming home but they simply reported that the women were survived by their husband and father.The Mayor thought it was a good time to appoint a Vice Mayor if anyone would like the fringe benefit of unlimit...

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“Reflections” by Jim LaFleur

Submitted to Contest #280

A single bulb flickered above, casting sharp, shifting shadows across the cold, gray walls of the interrogation room. Detective Callahan leaned forward, his hands planted on the scarred metal table. His voice sliced through the thick, oppressive air. “You’re lying! One of you killed her—tell us who!” Eleanor sobbed, her chest heaving as tears carved paths down her pale cheeks. Her hands trembled, gripping the edges of her chair as if it might anchor her to reality. “No, don’t!” she cried, her voice cracking. “She’s trying to pin it on me, bu...

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“Never Let You Go” by Cameron Navarre

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #280

Mom? Can you hear me? 01110111 01101000 01100001 00111111 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100111 01110100 00101110 00101110 00101110 Mom, this is Chris…your son Chris, can you hear me?01100011 01101000 01110010 01101001 01110011 0111100…Chrisy? 01001001 00100000 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100…I feel…so tired… They said you might feel…er…have a simulated feeling of grogginess. That’s the digital anesthetics tapering off. Chrisy…where am I? It sounds…I can hear your voice all around me… It’s okay Mom, I know you ar...

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$250

Prize money

383

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.

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