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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

“I Am There” by Naomi Lee

Submitted to Contest #32

As a little boy, I always hated stormy weather. It was grey and dull and dampened my spirit. Being an active child, I loved playing outside. Storms didn't allow me to do that. I never liked doing nothing. Back then boredom was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. In my very young, boyish mind storms became my deadly enemy.Today, 72 years later, another stormy day has made its presence known. I don't hate storms now the way my younger self used to. I'm seated comfortably in my favorite armchair by the fireplace in our cozy livin...

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“Journey to Find a Soulmate” by Ashlyn Leung

Submitted to Contest #32

Soulmates. Instead of growing up with prissy pink princess dreams, I grew up with soulmates. Everyone has a soulmate. No matter who you are, or what you've done. There are many ways you can meet them. Some have a birthmark with the first word their soulmate will say to them. Some have a timer counting down every day, every hour, every second until they can meet them. Some have a silky red string that only they can see. There are so many kinds of ways you can meet your soulmate, all wonderful and dramatic, dreamy and romantic. And then there'...

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“The Magical Solution” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #32

The Magical Solution "Late again," Kate Moore growled as Maria Connor, a 55 year-old single woman rushed to her desk. “You're late again, Maria." “There was a traffic accident and…" “No excuses. Leave earlier,” she demanded. "I was only a few minutes late," she said sounding as though she was on the verge of tears. "You're always late. Minutes add up. We don’t pay you to be late,” she said angrily. You're a liability. I don't know why management tolerates you. If I had my way, you'd be gone," she growled and rushed of...

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“Gravity” by Derek Hastings

Submitted to Contest #32

GravityBy Derek L. HastingsMy life changed the day I pulled myself into the Library. It was a place I never wanted to visit. Life was a daily grind of launching and landing. The struggle to keep the lack of gravity from dominating my life. Just like everyone else I knew. The struggle was very real. The day began with releasing the belts that held me in my bed so that I could sleep without worrying about floating to the ceiling or out the window and out into space. Then breakfast. Tubes of “Cap’n Crunch” squirted into my hungry mouth, tr...

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“Laney's Coffee” by Saylor Rains

Submitted to Contest #32

The people of Lorraine are quite used to the unusual happenings of Laney’s Coffee located in the small historic downtown area. Lorraine is such a small town, not even a speck on a map of the state, that everyone knows each other as well as what happens in their town. They never had to worry about explaining away Laney’s peculiar ways or even hiding them. The first traveler that passed through in what had possibly been a couple of years first stopped at the bed and breakfast run by an old widow on the outskirts of town. The people of th...

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“Door Number Two” by Tedi Carey

Submitted to Contest #32

My job can be extremely boring. I mean, there were days that I left the office with tears of boredom streaming down my metaphorical face by the time I left for lunch! Today was one of those days! It was only ten in the morning and I was planning my early escape! If I had to sit through another boring staff meeting, I felt like I was going to pull my hair out! None-the-less, I took my seat beside my supervisor for the anticipated tedious meeting that lay between me and my lunch escape plans. I was planning on developing some malady and...

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“Caffeinated Chemistry” by Jessica G

Submitted to Contest #32

Before today, there was not a person I’d ever known who was immune to my superpowers. Every day, hundreds of people walk into my cottage-style shop to order their elixirs from me and, no matter what they order, I give them what they need. They don’t seem able to function without my potions and are often rude before they get them, but I like the hiss of the steam seeping out of metal and the rich scent in the air, so I deal with their early-morning crankiness. After they get their potion, though, they are always, always pleased. I lift my mos...

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“Mercy” by Dharmi Patel

Submitted to Contest #32

I found the act of healing and caring someone as a sign of love and kindness.But it seemed strange that in a world full of lust and envy there was still a bit of love and kindness left.I find it kind of strange but then that’s the reason I’m here.As a kid everyone had a dream to be Barbie or Batman, but I, well me I was the girl with pigtails and glasses.I would sit at the back of the classroom cramped in the corner near the window.I loved daydreaming it the only thing that helped me escape reality.When I was 5, mum had taken me to the docto...

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“T.G.I.F.” by Hannah Trusty

Submitted to Contest #32

Monday, August 6th8:05 a.m.I sneak into the office from the back door, slide into my cubicle, clutching the coffee that made me late. There is no getting around the timeclock installed on my computer, though, and the screen turns red as I log in with my username and password. “Dammit,” I whisper to myself. This is going to bring the wrath of HR. My third Monday in a row being late. I take a sip of my latte. Worth it.“Uh oh. Sounds like someone is a grumpy-guss.”I look up to see Marlene hanging over the side of my cubicle. She’s peering down ...

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“The Celtic Knot Key” by Aaron Bayne

Submitted to Contest #32

“You must be the new hire.” a loud, coarse voice called out from behind the bar. “I’m Colin O’Balley.” he answered with a smile as he reached his small, well-moisturized hand out for a handshake. A robust man walks from around the bar and stretches out his arm to greet the handshake. His large hand grips Colin’s firmly. “I’m Jack! The boss told me you’d be coming in to learn the ropes today. I’m glad that mog fi...

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“Magic Meals” by Synia Sidhe

Submitted to Contest #32

I overheard their names as they quietly argued waiting to be seated. Sarah’s mood swirled stormily as she sat down at my table, that much was evident by the way her eyebrows furrowed and her lips drooped. When my pinkie finger graced Sarah’s elbow I saw her memory from an hour ago, when her boyfriend Robert had asked her out to eat at this swanky restaurant only two days after insisting he couldn’t afford to go on a state-hopping trip to attend her sister’s baby shower. I made a mental note to avoid mentioning trips or ...

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“The Net” by Joshua Potts

Submitted to Contest #32

Part 1: Salty Popcorn “Monday afternoons are a quiet affair here at the Flix. Except for school holidays I suppose. And kids do come in occasionally when they should be at school.” “Do we serve them?” “We’re not supposed to. It depends who’s on, I guess. More often than you’d expect, they’re with a parent.” “So, they’re skiving off school?” “Usually they’re off sick. I don’t know. Personally, my mum always said if you were too sick to go to school, you were too sick for anything else. But don’t bother ar...

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“Docent” by Gloria Salazar

Submitted to Contest #32

Susan stood before the entrance to the Hall of Paintings waiting for her first tour group of the day to arrive, they were due any minute. “Ms. Torson,” an annoyed voice whispered from behind her, she jumped the warm breath tracing itself sickly along her neckline. Turning around she stared into the chubby, frog-like cheeks of her boss, Mr. Eldenbar. He was, per usual, puffing on an unlit cigar that hung from his lip its ashen end resting easily on the top of his quadruple chin. “Yes, sir?” She managed without choking on the cigar stench that...

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“Monday Morning Monotony” by Leigh Victoria Fisher

Submitted to Contest #32

By nature, I was not a violent person. I believed in the value of kindness. Heck, I even left the office and hauled myself to yoga classes four or five times a week to get my zen on and burn off the extra calories I consumed due to my fancy coffee addiction. Despite those firmly-held beliefs, when it took an entire ten minutes for my desktop to power on, my patience was lacking. It took another five to log in, bring up the desktop, and I audibly groaned when I clicked to open the browser and the screen just turned completely white. It would ...

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“Yesterday When I was Young” by James Freeze

Submitted to Contest #32

Yesterday When I Was Young As a young entrepreneur, it was not unusual for Paul to work six days a week sometimes seven, ignoring anything else that may require his time and attention. As he moved into his 30s and then his 40s, his ambition only increased with each successful venture. People were well aware of his day – to – day demeanor. Everyone knew not to cross him or take another side unless they were willing to deal with his wrath. He was well known for his ruthless business tactics and everything he did was abou...

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$50

Prize money

403

Contest entries

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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