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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

“THROUGH THE EYES OF A ZOMBIE ” by Candy Burrowbridge

Submitted to Contest #280

I'm John, just an ordinary guy from North Carolina. My life is about to change, I got into USC. That's right a scholarship to California! I'm so excited, but I'm also sad to leave my girlfriend, best friend, little brother, mom and dad behind. I know I will be back for Thanksgiving, but that just seems so far away. I have to let go of my life here and embrace my new life in California at USC, dorm life. I am looking forward to the freedom. Things have changed so much in the last year, my schedule is busy.I don't always go home for the holi...

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“Patagonia” by Stanley Stracciatella

Submitted to Contest #280

Content Note: grief, memory loss, and death. After Isabel, Carlos thought that he’d never love again, and that he would die of sadness. He lived to an old age and he loved many things, like the music of the Beatles and science fiction books. Of course, loving a person is not the same as loving a thing. A person, unlike a science fiction book, can love you back. After all the years, the music of the Beatles still reminded him of her. He sat alone in the bar they’d gone to on their first date. A cover of Eleanor Rigby was pla...

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“Oscar” by Lisa Spargo

Submitted to Contest #280

Oscar Sarah walked into the house to find Abraham glaring at Oscar. The poor dog cowered beside the couch with one paw on Abraham’s foot.Sarah could see a mess on the kitchen floor. “What happened here?”“This dog ate the roast I had thawing on the counter,” Abraham growled, “and when I caught him, he peed on the floor.”Sarah crossed her arms, “Why are you so impatient with him. He’s old. Look at him, he’s trying to make up to you. You know we are his last chance.”It was true. They had adopted Oscar from the local shelter. He had be...

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“GREETINGS (or GREEN GITS)” by John Lyden

Submitted to Contest #280

Please be informed that this story contains brief profanity and two uses of the N-word, in context and not gratuitous. This story also has physical violence and themes of racism.It was the Ridder’s first Christmas party for work friends and they were nervous. They tried their best to present a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their guests. Their house reflected the affluence they had earned through hard work and dedication to their respective jobs. The interior of their two-story Georgian house was both proud and simple at the same time. Me...

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“Fairy Tales” by Jessica Stradinger

Submitted to Contest #280

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sweetheart. There’s nothing there.” Gina was becoming exasperated, but her child was insistent.“I know I saw something, Mom! It looked like a dragonfly, but it was a tiny person. And it flew there, under the TV stand” Lila pointed and stomped her foot in frustration.“Don’t you dare speak to me like that, young lady.” Gina’s eyes narrowed at Lila, which caused the girl to shrink from her previously bold stance.“Sorry, Mommy.” Lila looked down at her red sneakers, using a toe to fidget with the untied l...

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“Listen to My Voice” by Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #280

Prompt: Write a story that includes someone (or something) saying, “No don’t.”Listen to My Voice I was standing on the edge of the cliff when I whispered to myself “Go ahead jump. No one cares.” Then from out of nowhere I heard a voice shouting, “No don’t.” I was shocked to hear a disembodied voice call out here in the middle of the wilderness. Why would anyone really care? My life has been a hodgepodge of shambled affairs. Why would it really matter if I jumped? My life has been filled with my own insecurities...

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“The Boxer” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #280

The signs were all there for the educated eye, starting with the footwork, the timing, the breathing. There was no snap to his jab, no crack in the right hook that his opponents had feared in the past. His gloves were increasingly used to shield and defend places not protected by headgear. The sparring partner danced around the aging boxer, effortlessly throwing punches at the shoulders, head, and midsection. Jake knew what he was watching as the two men continued working the ring. He had been a trainer for long enough to recognize the decli...

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“Pretty Pink Scissors ” by Ava Ashley

Submitted to Contest #280

*Trigger Warning* Physical Violence, Gore, Abuse, Mental Health, Self-harm, Weapons & Identity Crisis The compulsive urge to scratch, claw, and pull at your skin as the appearance in the mirror mocks your existence. You stand in front of your mirror, peering into the reflection, trying desperately to like what you see in the reflection. The constant nitpicking and degrading of the body that was made specifically for you was not something you thought you’d grow up and do. The killing of your body is the only thing that makes everything s...

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“Meeting Johnny Depp” by Eileen Brogan

Submitted to Contest #280

Meeting Johnny Depp Scene One “Good morning Matthew.” “Good morning Sarah, you’re looking tired this morning.” “Oh, flatter me while I’m down, Matthew. Yeah, I didn’t sleep very well last night. I just kept dreaming and dreaming. I thought I would stop by for one of your strong coffees. You know the one that dilates your pupils and makes you walk in circles?” “Very funny; I know just what you need, but one of my special expressos is not going to help you this morning. Settle down in one of my overstuffed chairs in the back by the bookca...

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“Interrogation in Joliet” by Steven Bari

Submitted to Contest #280

Content warning: Strong language and themes or references to violence, genocide, and death."You do know you're the clone, don't you?".....""Dr Malloy? did you hear wh--""I heard. and I know.""Oh. Well, that moves the conversation forward! With that settled, do you know where the real Malloy is?""No.""Sorry?""No. I don't know where he is.""...I don't think you understand what I am asking.""Then try asking the question you want to ask! Or untie me, and maybe induce some goodwill.""...It is my understanding that all of Dr Malloy's clones were ...

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“Therapy Session” by Jennifer Burrell

Submitted to Contest #280

So, how are we doing this week? Fine, the horrors persist, but so do I. OK, I see it will be one of those sessions. On a scale of 1 to not caring if our foot hangs out from under the blanket when we’re sleeping where a monster can get it, how depressed are we feeling? Hmm, two feet fully out and the monster can feast in peace. Oh dear … that doesn’t sound good. So, what are we doing to combat the feeling of willingly allowing open season on our feet? Besides our session today? Well, I have been exploring other therapy modaliti...

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“The Narrator” by Andrew Darrah

Submitted to Contest #280

Umm… is that a dead body? Whoa. Yeah, I think it is. Shit. Shit. Holy shit. Yeah… Is that….? Mm hmm. The narrator. Oh my god. The narrator’s dead? But how? Shit. Shit. Well, what should we do? I suppose we should call the cops… Thats what people do, right? Probably. There’s a lot of blood. I think I might… oh god. You alright?... Hey? Did you just… Ugh. Sorry. I just… wow, it never gets easier no matter how many times you see it. Sorry. No worries… so, the cops? Yeah. Do you mind? Sure… hi, 9-1-1? Yeah, we’re at the park on Walden St. ...

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“A Deal is a Deal” by Caroline Poplawski

Submitted to Contest #280

“You’re not supposed to be here.” Now, Angelo, that’s no way to respond when a woman invites you for tea. Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners? Even if she hadn’t, I would have expected you to pick up a thing or two from Domenica, or Chiara. Come, join me. The tea will get cold if you stand there much longer. “I may not know manners, but I do know math. You’re early. I still have sixty years left and it’s not even the anniversary yet. What are you doing here?” Is it so wrong to be curious about what you’re up to these days? Maybe I like...

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“A Short Dialogue Between a Student and a Professor, Inspired by Plato” by Anonymous V

Submitted to Contest #280

Note: Thank you to Anonymous H. and Anonymous M. Student: Professor, I come to you with an urgent matter. Professor: Pallans, what troubles you? You never come to me with any urgent matters. Student: Professor, I know You of all people have no doubt about my skills on the battlefield. I have fought many wars and have finished many with solely my fists. This is greatness in its pure form, is it not? That someone of noble descent who uses their strength to defeat their enemies for the greater good of all people residing in their nation is but ...

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“Final Interview” by Simon Ireson

Submitted to Contest #280

“Welcome, Mr. Thomas.”“Call me Henry.”“Of course. I’m Natalie Bishop, and this interview will be the final stage of your application with MI5. If all goes well, I will be able to offer you a position as an agent handler today. Please sit down.”“Thanks. Lovely to meet you. Sorry, I’m a little early.”“Not at all, better that way. Help yourself to water at any time. Did you come on the tube?”“No. Walked over. We’re not far from my flat.”“It’s Camden, isn’t it? Lived there long?”“Yes, and no. Yes, I live in Camden. No, only for the last three mo...

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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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