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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 Waterfall” by Bon Bennett

Submitted to Contest #283

The last six months have been hell, no, worse. In hell the people suffering deserve to be there. They earned that fate. These six months have been endless death, hunger, suffering, and torture for those fighting in the name of their Lords. Nothing is deadlier to the men who work this soil than a feud between the men who own it. Yet here, today, we have peace. Three days of peace to be precise. The lords may spew bravado, greed pumping through the veins with every beat of their heart, but even they do not dare to disrespect the Gods. Esp...

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“The Sleigh of the Sea” by Andy Abbott

Submitted to Contest #283

Content Warning: Contains some sexually suggestive themes and language.The warmth of the fireplace she sat next to in the atrium and the mocha hot chocolate in her hand was almost enough to curl her pursed lips that had not cracked a smile since she sat foot on the festive cruise ship about an hour earlier. Embarkation was about to take place and all the other passengers were out on the deck bidding farewell to the shoreline already several drinks in, determined to make the most of their beverage packages. Not Lucy, she was sitting alone ret...

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“When a Tree Falls in the Woods” by Robin Zimmer

Submitted to Contest #283

When A Tree Falls In The Woods Once upon a time that no one can agree upon, there was a toy maker who made toys from debris he found. One day he happened to stumble across the remains of a downed tree. He found a few decent sized pieces and returned home, all the while keeping an eye out for other treasures. One of these pieces of wood has a story you probably know all too well. The toy that wants to be a boy. The trouble is, they got it WRONG. You can rationalize it all you like, but this is 1% closer to what real...

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“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Carrie R

Submitted to Contest #283

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Frank got a bit wild at the office holiday party. Of course the liquor was an easy blame, but it was more than that. He felt the stirrings of it as soon as he was led in an orderly fashion to his name card at the table. The festively decorated table was c...

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“Yes, Prime Minister” by W B

Submitted to Contest #283

“So, I assume Christmas is cancelled?” “Afraid so mate.” “I’ll text Rachel, the kids might as well open the presents without me.” Liam sighed. Craig had been his deputy for two years and already the cracks were beginning to show. Crow’s feet and grey hairs had come early to the young man opposite him and the guilty look in his eye suggested another early morning row with his wife. Liam recognised the look. He’d seen it in the mirror almost every week during his first year working in No. 10 Downing Street. Of course, Liam was now divorced. “T...

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“Stranger for a day” by Mark Madama

Submitted to Contest #283

This story contains profanity and minor sexual content. 1. Write a story about two characters who surprisingly end up spending a holiday or event together.Strangers No MoreThere was little I could do to avoid the big event of the next day, my birthday. I’m suddenly realizing that I have less years to live than I have already lived, and I may be destined to live those days alone. I needed something or someone to take my mind off this day. I didn’t want to leave my home, because I’ve already changed into my after-work worn-out sweats, but...

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“Polka Dot Sock” by Markus Byrd

Submitted to Contest #283

DECEMBER 24TH, 2004 “My name is Detective Sarah Nolan, can you state your name for the record?” I choked through the dryness in the air. Three-hundred and sixty-five days and it still wasn’t any easier. “My name is Jackson Price.” I said through shaking vocal cords. “Jackson, can you verify today’s date for me?” Her voice wasn’t robotic, but very procedural. It was subtle, but little ticks in her delivery told me it was nothing personal. “It is-“ DECEMBER 24TH, 2003 I moved through the dense crowds with careful precision, making sure to be ...

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“Always Grateful” by Ray Samber

Submitted to Contest #283

For Roxy, getting sober hadn’t been easy. It had taken about six months of relapsing, changing her number, and altering her entire lifestyle in order to get to a place where she could put together any time that really felt legit. Nearly six months was the longest she’d ever been sober since she started the journey a year ago in November, when her family found out the truth about how she was coping with life. It had been a blur when everything first came to light, but it all happened because of her brother. He had a surgery and she just could...

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“The Gift of Presence” by Molly Layne

Submitted to Contest #283

Christmas Eve 2024 The snow sifted down in large wet flakes, turning into water as soon as they hit the sidewalk. The wind was getting slightly more chilly as the night wore on and more people were coming out of hiding, creating a crowd that for the most part went unnoticed by one slender, dark-haired girl. Nadine lowered her gaze slightly against the chill of the wind and tears pooled in her eyes. She hadn’t realized it would hurt this much. It felt like a ball of pain in the middle...

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“This isn't Normal” by Vivi Omeke

Submitted to Contest #283

Contains: Past Child Abuse/NeglectRacismPhysical Violence (Past)Homelessness (Past)Emotional Distress/TraumaImplied Social IsolationLUCA ADRIAN (1916, December 25th)IT’S CHRISTMAS!!! These were my first thoughts as I woke up on December 25th.Mama and Papa, before he left, used to have this rule: we (my siblings and I) can’t get out of bed until 7:01 a.m. I had about 40 more minutes before I could bang on my siblings' doors.I looked around, hearing a sound…Eryx was awake and sitting in the corner of the large bed my friends and I were sharing...

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“The Christmas Tree Warrior” by Tika Bonda

Submitted to Contest #283

Now, Grandpa swung his legs out of the truck—his real leg first, followed by his prosthetic leg. He sighed deeply, his eyes fixed on the dimming sunlight. His hunched shoulders had weathered many storms in the past, well, until two months ago when they had finally met their match. Papa came around the truck, offering a steadying hand, his face filled with worry. Grandpa took it, leaning slightly as he climbed out of the truck. I bounded up from behind, flashlight in hand, hoping we wouldn’t actually need it. I wanted to be back in the cabin ...

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“Christmas All Alone ” by Joseph Seechack

Submitted to Contest #283

Reedsy Prompts Contest: “Christmas all alone” Christmas All Alone By Joseph Seechack, author of, “A Love To Die For” Christmas Day with family and friends is finally over. Everybody finally went home; all the pressure is over now. The dishes and all the cleanup can wait for New Years Eve. Now Grace Butler can finally lay down on her bed and relax ...

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“Persian Blues” by Nea Le

Submitted to Contest #283

Tehran, 1978To RoyaRemember December last year? While Golnaz and her cousins were busy bragging about their American cars, we didn’t know if we should take the shot or just stay put. It’s Christmas now, and I’ve gotten a bit closer to Zarrin. It’s just me and her now—all the others have been transferred to some other facility. There are still roaches and spiders every now and then, but no signs of rats yet. When night falls and the stone floor freezes up like ice, if we sit still on our bed, sometimes we can hear singing a few cells down. Th...

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“What should have been” by Linsen Loots

Submitted to Contest #283

Michael stared, unseeing, at the sparse living room. It should have been a whirlwind of colour and glitter and sparkle. There was the corner where the tree should be standing. The long couch should have been moved to the opposite wall weeks ago to make space, and the tree should have watched over a pile of meticulously wrapped gifts. There in the passage should have been a glittering ceiling of fairy lights hung with bright green and gold baubles, leading from a hand-crafted wreath on the front door through to the lounge that should have bee...

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“At the Lowest Hour: A Christmas Time Loop” by K. L. Renaud

Submitted to Contest #283

A gentle snow fell as twilight deepened across the quiet streets of Hazelwick. Fairy lights clung to every window, and tiny wreaths swayed on storefront doors. On the third floor of a modest brick building, Emily stood in her living room, trying to decide if the small strand of tinsel drooping from her potted fern constituted a festive touch or a feeble attempt at holiday cheer. A new job had brought her here only a few weeks earlier, leaving her hundreds of miles from the place she used to call home. Normally, Christmas with her large, rauc...

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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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