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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#32: This Magic Moment

Last week, we challenged you to write stories about life's ordinary moments. This week, we're thinking along the same lines... but with a twist. And that twist is: magical realism.

Magical realism is a literary style that weaves threads of fantasy into depictions of everyday life. For instance, a story might be about someone sitting on their couch and channel-surfing — that's the "realism." Then they might walk up to their TV and step right through it like a portal into a fantasy land. That's the "magical."

An important distinction of magical realism is that it doesn't explain the fantastical elements or occurrences. The magic that's woven into the story just is: a character turning off the rain with the snap of a finger is as commonplace as another character opening an umbrella.We hope you enjoy the prompts — and if you're looking for a more in-depth explanation of magical realism, as well as some of the genres best reads, check out this blog post!

This week's prompts

Write about someone who works an average job — but incorporate elements of magic into it.

Fantasy – 76 stories

Write about a person who meets with the ghost of an old friend for tea every so often.

Fantasy – 111 stories

Write about two people in a relationship. One of them has special powers, the other does not.

Fantasy – 77 stories

Write a story that includes characters who are aware they are a work of fiction.

Fantasy – 74 stories

Write a story about someone who can pause time or re-live old memories at will.

High School – 65 stories

Stories

“Friends Forever” by Steve Cripwell

Submitted to Contest #32

Gordon wiped the top of the kitchen work surface and threw the cloth into the sink. He liked things to be clean and tidy before eating so, satisfied, he slid onto the dining chair. He ground some black pepper on his spaghetti and wrapped the pasta around his fork and put it in his mouth.‘Delicious,’ he spoke aloud, although there was nobody else in the room to hear him. It was a practice he’d come to use ever since Shelly, his wife, had died a year before. It helped him to combat the loneliness he felt every day when he came home to this emp...

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“Forever in our hearts” by Nitika Sood

Submitted to Contest #32

The sun rose, surrounded by a halo of crimson and gold, and its warm rays filtered through the heavy curtains. She was already awake though and fully dressed. Dark hair, floating down to her shoulders in loose curls. Long lashes framing glassy grey eyes. Glossy red lips. A crisp white shirt and a loose black skirt. Sheer black stockings and patent pumps. She checked the the silver watch adorning her slim wrist. It was 6 o'clock. She had to meet Ava at nine, but there was nothing to be gained from sitting idle as the minutes ticked by so, she...

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“Spilling the Tea” by Stephanie Jeannot

Submitted to Contest #32

It was always nice being in close contact with him. It seemed that all my pent-up frustration would somehow just go away whenever he was close. He had the calmest personality and made me laugh like a loon. He occupied my spirit through the sun and through the moon.I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him when I saw him. If our meetings were a game of baseball, it was like leveling the playing field just by sipping on our occasional cups of tea together. A circular flow of energy would just drench me like the Niagara Falls. I was brought to life...

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“Dying Breath” by Hadia Abbas

Submitted to Contest #32

Her granddaughter was looking at her with pitying eyes. Aurora hid a smile. "Don't worry, Addie. I'll be perfectly fine."Addison stifled a frown. "But Gram-" Aurora brought up her finger for a flat 'no'. "Go out and enjoy your time with friends. It's my day to have tea with Lorelei."Addie sighed. "Gram, you know she..." She hesitated. Aurora tilted her head slightly, the perfect picture of innocent confusion. "Yes?" Addison sighed. "Nothing Gram. Say... Hi to her for me?" Aurora smiled, the wrinkles on her forehead deepening despite. "...

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“Same Time Next Year” by Annie Mcpherson

Submitted to Contest #32

Jillian swept her overgrown bangs out of her peripheral vision and tucked them behind her ear. Her mousy brown hair was starting to unravel from the messy bun she had hastily thrown it in earlier that morning. Passing the larger dining room table, Jillian set the smaller table in her kitchen nook. Two of her great-grandmothers cups, slightly cracked but not broken; white bone with paisley flowers faintly caressing the cups. The sun would be shining through the bay window at 2:00. Just in time for tea. Jillian capered to the cu...

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“Peace Offering” by Lauren Ford

Submitted to Contest #32

Mao inhaled the citrusy scent of the lush tea plantations of Hangzhou as the steam from the old teapot began to rise. He was reminded of the time his father had taken him there as a child of only eight years. “You shall never need to work like them, son. Your hands will stay clean and your back will stay strong. But you must work to keep them there for as long as possible. Make sure they perform their duties. An inquisitive mind in a peasant is a great danger. Always remember that.” He remembered watching their wide-brimmed hat...

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“Stupid ghost” by C. Fallaci

Submitted to Contest #32

Warm.That was the only thing I could think about as the sun shined on my form. The sky changed colors again, from Blue to a Bluish Peach color."How's it hanging bro?" This damn idiot wants to give me a heart attack doesn't he? "Don't say stuff like that!" I say, guilt clear in my voice. He floats down looking confused. "Why?....oh wait" This idiot.I remember clearly when Mom told me she couldn't find my brother anywhere in the house and his room door was locked. I also remember feeling super guilty when I saw him again, but he wasn't complet...

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“Spring Blossoms” by Lauren Oertel

Submitted to Contest #32

The first day of every new season; that’s when I see her. The idea came to me easily because she was one of those rare gems of a human who took delight in the small things like that. Each weather change, wildflower, or falling leaf made her pause in admiration. She knew how to savor those moments and celebrate the beauty of the world around us at every chance. Last time, in December, I left my car and rushed to our spot in the blistering wind, scolding myself for leaving my hat and gloves behind. It was fine though, we made a fire and s...

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“The Shell” by J U L I A N N A 🥀

Submitted to Contest #32

There was once a man who stole a shell from the Sea. Enamored by its beauty, he took it from the sand and grasped it in his fingers. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Gold wrapped the long spiral and it was flecked with silver. How magnificent this shell was, the man thought. He ran back to his wife, waiting up on the sandy dunes. “My dear wife,” he said, “Look what I have found!” He displayed the shell, but did not hold it out too far, for fear she would touch it. “Oh, how breathtaking” she gasped. “Do you think th...

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“Marlo's Signs” by Blue Bird

Submitted to Contest #32

Dating Marlo is a bit like dating an impaired person. An emotionally impaired person. She has these signals. And I know what you're thinking: she's a homicide detective. You're her partner, so, of course you have signals. But these are different than when we wave at each other to hide, or be quiet.These signals are reserved for when we get called onto a really intense case and it's too much for her to handle. If it's too much for her, it's generally too much for me as well. Usually the cases have to do with kids. "... We...

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“Love of A Thousand Year's ” by Tammy Ivey Perry

Submitted to Contest #32

Wayne lay on the cold damp floor of the ship's wooden hull, staring up at the star's, as he had done the first night he prayed to God to send someone Special for him to love. As the loneliness that overtook him and assailed his heart tonight it was too much to bear. Thought's of the elusive phantom woman that danced across his dreams, she smelled of Lilacs and Rose's; her skin so soft that she brought him weak in the knee's as she softly caressed her finger tips across his cheek...alas a vision of Beauty with Silkin Raven Black Hair and Gree...

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“Dealing With Dude” by Tina Wagner Mattern

Submitted to Contest #32

Okay, I know what you’re thinkin. You’re lookin at me and sayin to yourself; “This guy’s some kinda weirded out crack-head, right? Well hey, you are like so wrong; I don’t do crack, it’s not good for you. I do pure, organic weed and that’s it. I care about my body. So you might be thinkin, “No way, is anything this dude’s gonna tell me anything but crap, but listen up anyway cause this story’s true! Here’s what happened, okay? I’m chowing down over in the Village at that sweet Chinese place; you know…that...

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“Taking a Chance” by Marisa Santos

Submitted to Contest #32

I’m a high school student. My friends tell me that I need to be more outgoing, but who wants that? Honestly, I'd rather just hang out with them. We’ve all been friends since we were really young since we grew up together. I don’t have time for other people, I already have my job, school work, friends, and family and I don’t need anyone else. At school, people fear me and I like it like that. People would never mess with me since I beat up the biggest guy in school. I’m content with the way I live.The class phone rang and Mrs. J answered it. ...

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“The Girl Who Knew” by Chloe Meyer

Submitted to Contest #32

My name is Gianna Shultz. I'm just your everyday average 23 year old woman...except for the fact that I'm not. I know when those around me are going to die, and I can't do anything to stop them from death. It started when I was about 7. I dreamt my mother was going to die the next day. The next day, she got in a car accident on her way home from work. Since then, I've tried to avoid getting close with anyone, especially if I knew they would die soon. Until I met Claude. I started that Saturday morning just ...

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“Rubbing out Secrets” by Jay Puranik

Submitted to Contest #32

In the eighteenth century, a genie gave a certain Sultan a magic ring which, when rubbed, would force a woman’s private parts to speak, and confess all their indiscretions. In the end, the Sultan’s misuse of the ring led the genie to take it back. Two hundred years later, in Mumbai – just the other day, in fact – the same genie gave the ring to a good woman named Paula, and told her that it worked just as well on men.Here’s how all the twisted fun unfolded.Paula elbowed her way out of the crowded train. Short and skinny, the thirty-six-year-...

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$50

Prize money

403

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0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 13, 2020 EST

Won by Thiago Loriggio 🏆

Title: The Tragedy of the Trainee

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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