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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#283: Seasonal Twists

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyTwist to share your stories (and potentially get featured on our social accounts)!

It’s Christmas week, and if you’re celebrating, I hope you’re surrounded by everything that brings about festive cheer: twinkling lights and decorations, catchy holiday pop songs, the aroma of family recipes passed down through generations…

The familiarity of tradition grounds us in a world that’s always on the move. But as every storyteller knows, change is what makes narratives interesting. This week, let’s shake up some cozy Christmas traditions and add a little surprise to them. What will your characters do when the unexpected takes center stage?

This week's prompts

Write a story that ends with a huge twist.

Dramatic – 84 stories

Write a story about two characters who surprisingly end up spending a holiday or event together.

Short Story – 53 stories

Write a story about someone’s first Christmas after a major life change.

Short Story – 54 stories

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — except your character can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.

Short Story – 37 stories

Write a story with the line “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Dramatic – 65 stories

Stories

“The Forsaken” by Kim Olson

Submitted to Contest #283

Sherrie sat in the employee cafeteria on a hard plastic chair, unwrapping a soggy tuna sandwich — one that she had no appetite for whatsoever. She gave a deep sigh, before admitting defeat and returning the sandwich to its cellophane wrapper. She couldn’t eat it. Her stomach was in knots. Her physical state mirrored her emotions. She was despondent and stuck in a funk. She hadn’t heard from her boyfriend all week. That was highly unusual. Not only did they work in the same building, but they also ate lunch together everyday in this very...

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“On the Island of Yesterday” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #283

I never in my wildest dreams ever thought my final moments in this life, I would be sitting behind the steering wheel of my Kia waiting for the police to corner me before opening fire with a barrage of deadly force. Let’s just say I provoked this while being chased by a patrol unit. I opened fire with my own weapon. The weapon I used after robbing the First and National Bank on Main. Sitting in my car, I hear every siren in this sinkhole city all responding to 10-22 and 10-31. I am surrounded. My final moments of my l...

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“A Profound Effect” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #283

He was 91 and healthy as a horse. Despite his advanced age, his mind and body were in excellent condition. He lived with his wife of 35 years, whom he could no longer stand or tolerate. His great-granddaughter, her friend, and their two children lived with him. They were supposed to make his meals and take care of whatever he needed while they were at home from work. Nobody understood the stress that Frances lived under daily. His wife told him that if he truly loved her, he would stay home and help her get out of bed to go to the washroom a...

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“Operation: Snowball 2” by Keith Menendez

Submitted to Contest #283

“Agent Bass, come in. Bass, can you hear me?” Special Agent Hinkle barked at me.“Loud and clear, boss. I can also smell your tuna sub.” I reply with bitterness. This is the third wild goose chase in three weeks. Stakeouts, no sleep, smelly hotels, fast food, and being stuck in a 2008 Caprice Classic with Agent Tuna, is pushing me to the limit. This operation is a joke.“Keep the comments for the comedy club, Bass. Eyes on the prize.” Hinkle said“Yes, ma’am.” I attempt a respectful answer as I walk through Cleveland’s industrial district in th...

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“The Karma of Idiots” by Lily Renga

Submitted to Contest #283

Dr. Carmela Ronson had a thing for eating grapes with Greek yogurt. Her morning routine consisted of doing a Peloton class, showering, driving to work, getting in a fit of road rage at least once, parking in the St. Peter’s University Hospital lot, and then finally indulging in her breakfast. While self-driving cars had become the norm, she liked the thrill of driving herself and accelerating on the highway. Even the road rage was a slight comfort in her morning ritual. Today on Easton Avenue, an old man had decided the cross the street just...

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“A Cup of Kindness” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #283

Lucy Winston hadn’t planned to spend this night alone. The others assured her that it was the quietest night, with most families out at midnight Mass before they returned home for small gatherings. It was better than being on-duty Thanksgiving Day, when old family feuds spilled over and led to calls to the station. That was last month, and Lucy was now a full-fledged deputy in her hometown. She loved the holidays on the farm with her grandparents and aunt, but only tolerated the cold. When the old heater kicked to life with a groan, a s...

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“The Experiment” by Atan Solp

Submitted to Contest #283

“How was your day today, Mr. Jenkins?” Evelyn asked and looked expectantly at Hugh. “Today, I was remembering how I met my beloved Clara,” he answered and continued his story. *** It was a hot summer day. I was wandering around the city. I was alone. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances, but sometimes you want to be alone and think about why we exist... The sun began to bake, so it was about noon. I walked with my head down. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t know why. I turned around the corner of a house with a high fence surroundi...

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“The seventh setting” by Penelope Stansfield

Submitted to Contest #283

For a moment, Hannah stood by her car at the end of the driveway, cold white flakes falling silently around her, reminding her of childhood, when Christmas had felt soft and light, frosted with the essence of secrets and mystery. At the top of the drive, an expensive looking Range Rover belonging to Peter, her brother-in-law, looked down at Hannah’s battered old Renault, which sat meekly close to the roadside, an appropriate distance away from the house.Hannah curled her cold fingers around the handles of the bag of gifts, took a deep b...

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“Mike and Lucy” by M. Darrow

Submitted to Contest #283

"You've got to be shitting me.""Language, little sister," the man at the bar laughed. He took a long sip of his already nearly empty glass, then lifted it in a toast toward the doorway and the smartly dressed young woman in it who had gone icy still at the sight of him. “I’d hate for you to receive some sort of official reprimand for improper conduct.”The woman growled under her breath as she stalked forward to claim an empty stool at the opposite corner of the bar. “Get fucked, Lucy,” she spat. “I’m really not in the mood.”“Ooooo, Little Mi...

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“A Pet Shop Parable” by Kenneth Goldman

Submitted to Contest #283

“How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail . . .?” -- Hit Song by Patti Page (1953)A Madison Avenue executive might have called it a Kodak Moment. Maybe a song lyricist would have chronicled the instant with ‘These Are The Times of Your Life.’ The boy-and-his-dog event was pure Americana, and his interaction with the coal black te...

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“Aloha” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #283

Most wonderful time of the year, my ass, Jimmy thought. I detest the chaos caused by everyone's fake smiles and insincere gift-giving simply because it's the festive season.This place will never be the same since Rocko and I were stuck together at Christmas many years ago. This year, he unexpectedly appeared in my thoughts, which caused me to feel as though something was amiss.Whenever I purchase a gift for someone, I feel like I'm being watched closely or that Rocko will suddenly appear and greet me with, "Aloha, friend."Considering that we...

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“Emma's Dinner” by Catalina Felix

Submitted to Contest #283

In small towns, secrets are as rare as glowing stars; everyone knows everything because they see everything. Everyone said that in Ivyblue Creek, a small town perched on a chilly mountaintop, offering breathtaking views of the mysterious lands below. Every other night, after the sunset and the day's labor faded, the warm glow of Emma's Diner became the light for the townsfolk. Inside, the air was filled with the aroma of home-cooked meals and the laughter that mingled with heartfelt conversations. It was a cozy haven where dreams were...

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“Little Nephew” by Perseus Patroclus

Submitted to Contest #283

As Michael walked cautiously into the room, he felt heads swivel towards him in awkward shock. Like a record scratching in a movie, conversation halted and all eyes fell on him. His cheeks reddened, but he tilted his head high in defiance. The silence was deafening, continuing on and on for what felt like years before his brother came over to greet him. Jeremiah was visibly uncomfortable, but Michael ignored it and made a beeline towards the bar. His family slowly continued their talking, but the air still held tension. He cracked open a Cor...

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“Operation M. U. T. E.” by Isabella White

Submitted to Contest #283

I left the house and met up with my best friend Megan. We always walk to school together, but today just felt… different. “Ellie!” Megan yelled as she ran down the street. “Hey, Megan” They hugged and then started walking “Does today feel weird to you in any way?” I asked Megan “No… does anything seem off to you? “I have no idea. There just something up like-” I stopped abruptly w...

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“Days of Chocolate and Hope” by Natalia Nava

Submitted to Contest #283

Have you ever wished to live someone else’s life? I have. Sometimes, I wanted to be someone else, even if just for a day. I wanted my life to feel different—less lonely. Maybe I longed for the things money could never buy.I was fourteen during that cold winter, a Christmas I will never forget. That winter break, my mom made me go with her to the mansion where she worked. She spent her days cleaning the homes of wealthy families, while my father stayed at home with a hangover. I didn’t want to go to my mom’s job, but staying home with my fath...

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$250

Prize money

293

Contest entries

123

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 03, 2025 EST

Won by Maisie Sutton 🏆

Title: Can You See Me Now?

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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