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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 – 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

“Mrs. Ellis” by Cameron Navarre

Submitted to Contest #280

HELLO! Hello, is this Mrs. Ellis? …HELLO? Hello, is this Mrs.— I CAN'T HEAR YOU! HOLD ON! …I've got my hearing aids in now. Who is this? Hello Mrs. Ellis, we’re calling on behalf of the Future Events Administration. …the WHAT? The Future Events Administration. We— Well then, what is your name? I like to know who I’m talking to, you know? Yes, of course Mrs. Ellis. Just so that you are aware, we are not a human representative. We are a virtual agent, reference number 33457-02, but you can refer to us as Aly if you would prefer. …Are you are a...

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“The Art of Digital Division” by Shuvayon Mukherjee

Submitted to Contest #280

8/10Do not eat that biscuit.Really? Why not? It looks pretty normal to me.Just don’t. Are you saying there’s something wrong with it? Yes. Fine. What about the tea? Can I have that? It’s chamomile. It smells so damn good and I’m really thirsty.No.ARE YOU ALRIGHT ANNA? YOU HAVEN’T TOUCHED YOUR TEA.I’m not allowed to have any.I PROMISE YOU, THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT’S JUST CHAMOMILE TEA. YOU WATCHED ME MAKE IT FOR YOU LIKE FIVE MINUTES AGO.Don’t drink it. Sorry, I can’t drink it. OKAY, WELL I’LL LEAVE IT HERE I...

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“Obits” by Oliver Gray

Submitted to Contest #280

(CONTENT WARNING: Death and Language)Obits“Nary a one?” My editor didn’t rise from his battered, faux-leather seat. He didn’t even bother taking his feet off his desk. Hell, he didn’t even raise his voice. Didn’t yell or scream the way my old Army sergeants would. He sat there, leaning back in his baby-shit green chair, his feet clad in a pair of knock-off penny loafers he’d obviously picked up at Wally World or T...

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“"Now, Will You Please Exit Stage Left?" #ReedsyTalk” by Tucker Sloan

Submitted to Contest #280

Trigger Warning: This short story contains some Language, and Crude Phrases. “Now, Will You Please Exit Stage Left?” She died right here. I swear to God. This is where I found her. She was in the fetal position on the cold concrete. She was practically frozen to it. I… I watched as they removed the body. Oh my, the smell! They talk about it in the pictures, but, oh God is it awful! I had to step back. Had to catch my breath. Do you know what happened to her? Nope. Not yet. Waiting to hear back from the county coroner. I mean, the poor thing ...

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“QE1012 and Knightly's Origin Story” by Raye McLaughlin

Submitted to Contest #280

THIRD WINTER MOON - ACMAJ KINGDOM - HIGHMOON Hello? Hello! Yes! ♪I stole a magic book! It writes what I say!♪ Hello! This is QE1012, slave of the Dragonborn Kingdom of Acmaj on Jasper Island, Zoso. My bros call me Twelve. Actually, I just have one bro, but if I had more, I’m sure they'd call me that, too. I stole this magic book from the High Mage for three reasons. Number one: I can’t write worth ____. It’s that dar...

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“Annoying ” by Feline Kögel

Submitted to Contest #280

They say every person you meet has a story to tell. So let me tell you one of these stories.I only met him thanks to my friend Emma, who was an exchange student like me. She was a shy girl, the mousy type, as some would say, with gorgeous brown eyes, a quiet voice and a thick french accent. He was her host brother, eighteen years old, so two years older than me at the time, about as Irish as they come and the most annoying person I had met in a while. Everything about him seemed crooked. His nose, his teeth, his neck, the way he smirked. Eve...

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“My Sweet Nothings” by Aidan Romo

Submitted to Contest #280

“Do not….go…to…the door…”“What’s out there?”“Eve…ry…thing……you cannot…have…”“Not that there’s much…”“You…do…not…need….that…never have….never wiiill…..”“You might be right…”“Have…..I….ev…er….led…you…..a…stray….”“I don’t know.”“Of course…you do not…..you know nothing….”“When have I last seen sunlight?”“There….is…no….sun……for you.”“Why just me?”“You….are….im..pure…..put..rid…”“It’s hard to see in here.”“Why…would…you…need to see…..a world….that you can’t…have…”“Am I unworthy of light?”“Yes…..most…un…worthy…”“Of the sun?”“Just….look….at…you…”“Wh...

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“"Turning Back Time for Christmas"” by Rene Grandon

Submitted to Contest #280

The golden light of a late Christmas Eve afternoon spilled through the frosted windows of Santa’s workshop. Inside, the air buzzed with the hum of machinery and the bustling movements of elves. Tiny hands-wrapped gifts, tested toys, and added the final magical touches. The scents of peppermint, freshly cut wood, and cinnamon mingled in the air, creating a symphony of holiday cheer. Santa Claus entered, his boots clicking softly on the polished wooden floor. His crimson coat sparkled faintly as his sharp blue eyes scanned the room. Everything...

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“Let’s Make A Deal” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #280

“There’s a fire in the woods, Matt.”“So, call the fire department.”“It’s not that kinda fire. It’s a bonfire. Disengage your lips from your can of beer for five seconds and come take a look. Someone’s trespassing on our property.” ***“This is cool, Bo.”“It’s gonna g...

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“The Levy” by Cathi Allen

Submitted to Contest #280

"This is bullshit, it doesn't take two of us to guard this levy, nothing's going to happen. Especially not this time of night in the pouring rain. Don't know why we HAVE to stand outside rather than sit in the cab. Could see just as bad from in than out." "You just drove in today; go ahead and get some sleep in the deuce. You look like shit." "You look like shit!" "Nah. Remember, I'm kinda local, I got to sleep in my old bed at my mom's place last night. Go." "'K. Thanks, man." "Yeah. Whatever."..."STOP! Who's there? This levy is under the s...

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“A musing connection” by Michael Mufasa

Submitted to Contest #280

"Are you busy?" "Matter of fact, yes, and you?" “Just waiting out the spin cycle so I can start the dryer." “Yep, these are exciting times here at the laundromat." “Hey, do you believe in angels?" "Excuse me?" "Angels." "What about angels?" "I saw one here, last week." "Really." "Yes, really. I came back today, but I doubt I'll see her again." "Oh, it was a her. Pretty good-looking, was she?" "That's not the half of it." "What’s the other half?" "I was sitting here, minding my own business. I'm here every week. I know everyone. T...

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“EMP Survival 2: Monterrey Monster” by KC Foster

Submitted to Contest #280

Masa flattened herself against the ruined wall and listened to the people surrounding the fire barrel, crouched and at the ready. She peered around the edge, hand resting on the handgun at her waist feeling the cold metal in her hands. It was an unfamiliar presence that weighed heavily at her side, along with the knowledge of what that presence meant. Tonight, she might have to kill someone.When she was younger, her father taught her how to shoot and while she wasn’t bad at aiming, it was not nearly the level she would need to defend herself...

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“Fire & Ice” by Rohini Sunderam

Submitted to Contest #280

Warning: Violence - Infanticide“Hello! Is this Josephine?”“Yes, who is this?”“Do you think of me at all? Do you miss me?”“Who is this?”“Come, Josephine, or should I say Mama?”“Who are you?”“The daughter you thought you’d gotten rid of. But did you really think you could get rid of ME?” “Go away! Go away! Moshe, Mosheeey, Mosheeeey! Who was that? It can’t be! Mosheey come here, come quickly, it’s not possible!” ….“What’s not possible, Josephine! What is it? What is the matter? Why are you crying. You look like you’ve seen a gh...

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“The Witch, The Auditor, and The $5 Crime” by Elda Orozco

Submitted to Contest #280

“Did you hear about the new guy at work?” “Yeah, everyone’s been talking about him. What’s his name again? Evan?” “No, it’s Emmet. Or Edgar. Something with an E. Anyway, I think he’s… odd.” “Odd, how?” “He doesn’t blink.” “Come on, everyone blinks.” “Not him. I’m serious. I sat beside him during the town hall yesterday, and he just stared. Eyes wide open the whole time.” “Maybe he’s focused? Or has a condition. You’re being judgmental.” “It’s not just the blinking thing. He doesn’t make any sound while typing.” “No sound? Okay, that’s a litt...

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“Skull Smashers” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #280

“What big mysteries will pop out of the woods in this sleepy burg this morning into my adventure-filled life? Police Chief Arley Socket asked sarcastically, as he slowly sipped his second cup of black coffee in Joe’s Cafe, ready for another eventless day in the tiny backwater of Jericho, Arkansas. “Will gas cans mysteriously disappear from Harley Johnsonian’s garage or can I expect a call from that crotchety Mrs. Mumford in a panic because her cat Paulie has climbed...

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$250

Prize money

382

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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