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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

“Into the Mind” by Dakota Jacobson

Submitted to Contest #32

The job was simple. Approve or deny entry into the government’s underground base. That’s what they had said. It was mostly people who were of high officials, so my co-worker, Harriet, would look over their stuff and let them in. She was basically my superior as she was supposed to show me the ropes, but she took most control anyway. I knew how to do the job from what she told me, but I would have never expected this. We get people who are Elite rankings, people who are in charge. It was only a fe...

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“Ghosts In The Attic” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #32

I can see dead people. I know. Kinda disturbing concept, right? What an introduction. But while this may seem like a shocking revelation for you, it’s something I’ve been dealing with my whole life. I guess I’ve always known I was a little … different, but it never really clicked until I was six. It’s a bit difficult to ignore the fact that you’ve got a sixth sense or a third eye or whatever when your grandmother—who’s grave is still fresh from her funeral service the day prior—wakes you up at the buttcrack of dawn and demands you get your t...

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“Withdrawal Pending” by Domonique Kendrix

Submitted to Contest #32

"Next, right here please," Cora called to the next customer in line. A very tall man came forward and she wondered what he was. She could tell he wasn’t human. "Bank card and ID, please," she said, and he passed her what she asked for through the slot in the spell-proof glass. She asked, "And what will I be helping you with today?" "I would like to withdraw some of my gold," he said, and Cora's heart sank. The teller next to her almost dropped the ID she had just been handed by her customer. The man continued, "Fifty pounds worth. All in coi...

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“Tea With Missy” by Amelia Coulon

Submitted to Contest #32

Caroline anxiously rushed into the restaurant and saw Missy already seated at their regular table. She skirted the other patrons with practiced ease and slid into her empty seat across from her closest friend.“Tell me you're not mad,” she pleaded as she noticed the look of displeasure on Missy's usually smiling face. “I am so sorry I made you wait.”“Why didn't you call?” Missy responded a bit snippily. “It's been over twenty minutes.”“Missy,” Caroline said in a reasonable tone, looking patiently at her friend. She noted when Missy recalled e...

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“In the Spring” by Katelyn Ericson

Submitted to Contest #32

The teacups rattled on the silver tray as Maggie Dandridge shuffled across the dining room from her china cabinet towards the small table by her front room windows. She rarely wore heels anymore – age now dictating fashion rather than taste – but on this day she had made an exception. Today she wore heels, her best dress, and gloves. No one wore gloves anymore, Maggie knew. But somehow gloves made a day feel special, unique, apart from every other day. And today, April 21, was special and must never feel ordinary.&nb...

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“Visits with Barbara” by Wren Voeltz

Submitted to Contest #32

When I introduced my friend, Barbara, to my newborn baby, both were bundled in blankets.Barbara’s sullen tired face contrasted with my baby’s pink chubby cheeks.Two souls - One arriving and the other One- departing this world.Barbara had held on- for this moment–For the chance to say hello.Just the once. She held my baby in her bony arms, embraced her for seconds, before the light of her artic blue eyes flickered, and her eyes closed. The morphine pulled her away from reality, and lulled her into a deep sleep where I hoped she coul...

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“Purgatory” by Moni Hasnone

Submitted to Contest #32

The sky was dimly lit, as if the sun hid behind the sheath of gray fog that casted a dull finish over the otherwise brilliant autumn leaves. The muted oranges, yellows and reds seemed to blend into a beautiful subtle water-color painting. A lonely house hid behind the majestic oak trees, the leaves of which framed the dull ivory brick walls. It seemed as if the house was built on the entire spectrum of grays, a light hint of gold tinging the corners of the mural. The house truly looked ordinary. Enticingly so. It was at the porch...

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“Guardian Angel from Hell” by Destiny Wooldridge

Submitted to Contest #32

I woke up in my college dorm room bed. As I lay here staring at the cold grey ceiling, I think about what Tyler-James was telling me. “I have a surprise for you! You have to wait till, first period before I give you your surprise.” Tyler-James had told me before he disappeared a week ago. I wonder if he managed to get the coronavirus early on. Now all of our schools are shutting down and a bunch of businesses are being forced to shut down due to world wide panic shopping. Stores are out of stock of everything, toilet paper...

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“Her Sunshine” by Jennifer Uyemura

Submitted to Contest #32

Kimberly West was a woman of rituals. One of these rituals was a weekly meeting with a friend. Part of this ritual was making sure she had the essential materials. Kimberly went into the pastel pink flower shop. When she opened the door, a tiny bell tinkled sweetly. The kind old lady smiled at her, and asked softly, “The usual?” Kimberly simply nodded somberly. Mrs. Flora patted Kimberly’s hand, consoling her. Tiny pink flowers with bright green stems curled around Kimberly’s arm as if trying to make her feel better, too. Mrs. Flora, with on...

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“My Best Friend's A Ghost” by Giorgie Jones

Submitted to Contest #32

Jed awoke from a restless night sleep. You see five years ago Jed found himself in a position no young adult should have to be in. His best friend Tom was in a hit and run incident, the driver who was now behind bars was apparently on his way home from the pub, and presumably drunk, when poor Tom became road kill. For Jed this point of his life became a bit darker. It was also speculated that if the driver had stopped or at least called for an ambulance, Tom may still be alive today. In what condition? That was unknown, but for Jed he would ...

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“The arrangement ” by Federica Ragonese

Submitted to Contest #32

What should I bake today? Elsy loves chocolate chip cookies with a nutella heart, but she loves a well-done apple pie with a side of vanilla ice-cream just as much. It has been a month since we last saw each other and it will be another month until we meet next time, always for a 5,33 PM tea. I am still not sure if the time is so specific for any particular reason or if she just likes to mess with me. She has always loved jokes and pranks, Elsie. Like that time, just a couple of years ago, she pretended her cat had run away and we spent the ...

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“"Death Is Easy, Fiction Is Hard."” by David Sigler

Submitted to Contest #32

"So, when is he arriving?" So asked the skeptical voice of the woman on the phone. He knew the tone all too well, "He generally arrives around nine, always nine on a Thursday." "He died on a Thursday I take it?" John indulged in the skepticism of the caller, "Yes, about five years ago but he still comes for our nightly chess game. He always liked chess and we discussed all sorts of topics when he was alive." "And now? What could he possibly want to discuss?" Amused by the question, "We seem to talk as if nothing has changed ...

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“Her Second Purpose” by Taylor Pike

Submitted to Contest #32

The air was thick with Amy’s irritation that morning, a suffocating anger that rolled through the room like smoke. She dropped a cup of coffee on the kitchen table in front of her husband, ignoring the clatter it made against the wood. He smiled, seemingly oblivious to her exasperation, and thanked her as she walked away. But she found his words tainted with insincerity and refused to meet his eyes when she gave a mumbled “you’re welcome” in reply. As she stood by the sink cleaning the dishes, she tried to quench the fire burning inside her....

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“Chamomile Ghost” by Nazlı Kırçiçek

Submitted to Contest #32

Adam sits on the red couch right next to the window. He pours the chamomile tea he had prepared into two ceramic mugs on the coffee table in front of him. He adjusts the mugs so they form a straight line. After adding two teaspoons of sugar the mug away from him, he puts the spoon in the middle of the table. On both ends of the spoon he places one of the mugs. *ring*Adam takes his phone from his pocket to check who's disturbing his ritual: Sarah."I'm busy. Is it urgent?""Yes.""I'm all ears."Sarah lets out a heavy sigh."Are you cheating on m...

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“Sunday Tea” by Cherise G

Submitted to Contest #32

Drawing the curtains, she surveyed the mood of this Sunday morning. She was met with a pale April sky and a soft breeze dancing through the trees – they were young and stood proudly, having survived another harsh and venomous winter. Days like this were veiled by a rose-tinted haze, and would be tucked away forever – like dried flowers, pressed between the pages of her memory.She slipped into a white sundress – his favorite one. It was the one she had been wearing the day he had proposed, that day on the beach when the sky had been endless, ...

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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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