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#34 Staying Inside

These days, we’re all being urged to stay home as much as possible... which means you might find yourself with more time to write. So in the spirit of art imitating life, this week’s prompts all revolve around the notion of staying in!

 

On that note, we wanted to make a special announcement: today, Reedsy is hosting a live writing sprint on YouTube. Bite-sized writing bursts are a proven way to make progress on a project, and we figured there’s no time like the present to virtually connect and support one another.

 

The writing sprint will take place today at 1pm EST. You can register for the event using this link, or subscribe to our YouTube channel and simply join us at 1pm EST. We hope to see you there!

 

Most of all, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

🥇 Winner

Who Speaks to Death

Winner of Contest #34 🏆

HeyHello, who is this?an old friend.I’m sorry, I’m still not sure who you are.I’m afraid I’ve lost touch with rather a lot of old friends.Do you have the right number?This is George McGregor.i knowAnd you are?dont worry, youll remember me.Could I get a hint, by any chance?sureu never saw me in personI’m sorry, I’m very confused. Are you quite surethat you don’t have the wrong number?yesi dont make that kind if mistakes*ofIn that case, would you mind giving mea bit more to go on?For instance, what’s your name?i have a lot of nameswhich o...

177 likes 102 comments 102
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⭐️ Shortlisted

Sweet Sophie

Shortlisted for Contest #34 ⭐️

Paul tugs the duvet up and burrows closer to his wife, tucks his nose into the curtain of fiery hair resting against her neck. He breathes in deep and lets the soft patchouli scent soothe him back into a half-sleep. He stirs again when she does, when thunder cracks loud and rattles the window panes of their small cottage. The sky outside is dark, overcast and grey. Paul aches for days like this; when the storm traps them in, not the rainfall but the flooded drive leading down to the main road. Some days they'll shove their feet into pai...

12 likes 3 comments 3
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You'll Get There

Shortlisted for Contest #34 ⭐️

Katrina: Jake left this morning to move in with the spin instructor. He took everything. I have no idea how I’ll make it through this. But I guess I’ll start by changing my tear-drenched, snot-encrusted pillowcase. Then headed back to bed. Please text back when you can.   Solomon: I got your message for someone else. Clean pillowcase is a good place to start though.   Katrina: OMG. I’m sorry! My best friend just got a new phone. I thought I had put the right number in my contacts, but apparently not.  I am mortified. Please ju...

6 likes 1 comment 1
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Too Small

Shortlisted for Contest #34 ⭐️

I am small.Too small.I am so small, I do not think my human notices me.There are several reasons why I believe this to be true. Perhaps you can tell me if you agree.The first, I understand the least. My human carries around a strange machine that lights up. It is also small, even smaller than I, but somehow, it’s always in his hand, where I want to be.This machine makes him smile, like I used to, but sometimes it makes him cry, too. I do not know what to do when this happens. I don’t like this machine – my human likes it better than me now, ...

5 likes 1 comment 1
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Christmas Closure

Shortlisted for Contest #34 ⭐️

From: Stacey Kline [reception@stevenandsonscompany.com.au]Sent: Monday, 16 December 2019, 10:07amTo: All Employees mailing list [list.employees@stevenandsonscompany.com.au]Subject: Housekeeping before Christmas ClosureHi All,Prior to our office Christmas closure this Friday 20th, please ensure you attend to any housekeeping as necessary, listed below:Automatic replies: please ensure you have turned automatic replies on informing clients we will be opening our office again on Monday 6th January in the new year. If you have a company-issued ph...

4 likes 0 comments 0
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Frederick

Shortlisted for Contest #34 ⭐️

 Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!Fredrick’s home! It’s my favorite time of the day!‘Alright, boy,’ he says as soon as he walks through the door. His skin looks shinier than usual but it’s definitely him. He has big eyes and lots of lines on his face and I’d know his smell anywhere.I lather him with kisses as he crouches down to scratch behind my ears. And because he is mine and I am his, I know something’s wrong, so I don’t leave until he falls asleep on the sofa. I pull the blanket from inside my bed and pull it around Frederick’s legs with my ...

4 likes 0 comments 0
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This week's prompts

Write a story about a family game night.

Fiction – 70 stories

Write a story from the perspective of a dog, thrilled to find their owner has been spending so much time at home.

Fluff – 73 stories

Write a story told entirely through text messages or emails.

Dialogue – 102 stories

Write a story about a rainy day spent indoors.

Spring – 146 stories

Write a story about someone who finds a secret passageway in their house.

Short Story – 147 stories

Stories

Who Speaks to Death

Winner of Contest #34 🏆

HeyHello, who is this?an old friend.I’m sorry, I’m still not sure who you are.I’m afraid I’ve lost touch with rather a lot of old friends.Do you have the right number?This is George McGregor.i knowAnd you are?dont worry, youll remember me.Could I get a hint, by any chance?sureu never saw me in personI’m sorry, I’m very confused. Are you quite surethat you don’t have the wrong number?yesi dont make that kind if mistakes*ofIn that case, would you mind giving mea bit more to go on?For instance, what’s your name?i have a lot of nameswhich o...

177 likes 102 comments 102
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Betrayals and Unexpected Surprises

Submitted to Contest #34

I kicked the pebbles on the road, walking towards an ancient-looking house. I swung open the door and dumped my soft, pink woolly coat over Grandma Olivia's rusty house peg. I sprinted into my grandmother's ancient house. I was staying at her house for the weekend, and her house was an old Victorian turn-out that never ceased to impress. I loved exploring her house for I found many secrets that I never knew. For instance: the house had a basement whom nobody knew until I realized it. The house was simple, however. Photographs were neatly arr...

45 likes 7 comments 7
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A Grandmother's Tale Via Gmail

Submitted to Contest #34

To: grannynanny@gmail.comFrom: lbeanf@gmail.comSubject: new gmail accounthey nan its beanstill figuring gmail outi wanted to know if you wanted to talk ya know since we gotta stay inside and all that.,,././.,?<</./,/,/,/??oops sorrybyeTo: lbeanf@gmail.comFrom: grannynanny@gmail.comSubject: Hi. What’s up Beanie-boo? I can’t believe your father actually caved in and gave you a gmail account even though I’ve been telling him for the last five years that you absolutely need one. I would love to chat. Apart from the Young Ladies’ ...

36 likes 29 comments 29
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An echo of the past

Submitted to Contest #34

It was a warm sunny afternoon. I was waiting for my parents to return from their travels. I was done with all my exams. In a week my parents were going to host a get-together party for our family, scattered around the country. I was eager to meet my cousins. We had decided to host the party in our old family home. This place held a certain place in my heart. Unlike other stately homes, ours was built amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. But that never posed any hindrance to our family time. Our patio was built in such a way that it gave...

36 likes 53 comments 53
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Kind Of Blue

Submitted to Contest #34

In the late afternoon we lay on her bed and looked at the ceiling. The ceiling was white and boring but I tried to see beasts in the paint cracks, the way I used to do with the clouds; in the meantime the rain drowned the city and the Malecón faded into the sea as water crashed over the wall, onto the street, onto the occasional car. The air was sweet and cool and it reminded me of something far away. “Are you thinking about him?” “No.” “Are you?” Salma sat up on the matress and leaned against the wall and took another sip of the c...

33 likes 4 comments 4
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Best Friends in Quarantine

Submitted to Contest #34

“Ugh, quarantine sucks the worst of anything I’ve ever experienced.”“I know.  At least we have technology to occupy us.”“Technology has become my worst enemy these past twenty days.”“We’ve only been in quarantine for seven days, Catie.”“I know that. Just feels like it’s been longer.” Jessica smiled to herself.  Catie always had a flair for the dramatic side of things.  She served as the true personification of comedic relief when it came to bleak situations.  She really adored Catie, more than words could ever t...

30 likes 2 comments 2
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A Rainy-Day Visitor

Submitted to Contest #34

“I’m bored,” said Nicki, which was always a bad sign. I looked up from the book I’d buried my head in hours ago. My feet were tucked beneath me in Father’s easy chair, which I’d claimed while he worked in his office. Mother hadn’t made us get dressed, so I was still in my polka-dot pajamas and a pair of fuzzy socks, though it was three in the afternoon; Nicki wore a clashing ensemble of striped pajama pants, a flowery t-shirt, and an oversized flannel. Her white-blonde hair was pulled back into four or five messy pigtails, and she was s...

27 likes 12 comments 12
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On a Roll

Submitted to Contest #34

"I'll see your three and raise you five," Uncle Max said past the cigarette that seemed permanently affixed to the corner of his mouth. Smoke wisped through his teeth as he spoke, shrouding further his already inscrutable features."Too rich for my blood," said cousin Pete, discarding his hand."Me too, I'm out," Pete's little brother Vince agreed."Call," Steve said, tossing his chips into the pile.Auntie Lewella toothlessly mumbled something to the affirmative, setting down her knitting needles long enough to add her chips to the pot.Jackson ...

26 likes 22 comments 22
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A Clouds Job

Submitted to Contest #34

“Why are the clouds crying?” Curious eyes watched the raindrops run down the windowsill. Tiny raindrops connected as they ran down and formed a giant drop. Petite fingers traced the path of the drops while the Babysitter kneeled down next to her. “Are the clouds sad?”“Oh, no! It’s the clouds job to bring the water down.” She ruffled his hair as he gave off a bewildered look. “The clouds have jobs? Who pays them?” She chuckled and lifted him up to see out the top half of the window.“Not that kind of job. It’s a job that you do to help ot...

26 likes 9 comments 9
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On A Brighter Day

Submitted to Contest #34

The body must have tumbled and rolled at least six times in the yard of the house across the street. The SUV hit the brick mailbox tossing bricks in the air,  into the street, and into my front yard. The mailbox and the bricks that remained attached landed five to seven feet from the edge of my neighbor’s driveway⎯in the middle of their yard⎯headed in the direction the blue or black truck was moving away.The body must have been that of the driver trying to hang on, trying to keep their truck from being stolen. Or maybe the person drivin...

23 likes 0 comments 0
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Aliens

Submitted to Contest #34

*****I.Two am this morning, a raid on a Texas home found six – TV in the lving room“He is a normal kid, Janet – for fuck sakes!”“Really? You can’t keep your voice down, Daren? He’s in the living room.“Well, I am being told that my kid needs to be evaluated, of course I’m going to raise my voice. What the fuck do they know at that damn school, anyways!”“Daren! Stop it. I can’t talk to you when you’re like this. Just forget about it… We will talk later.” Turns towards living room.“No! I want to talk about it, now! Don’t start walking away, Jan...

22 likes 8 comments 8
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A Storm of Words.

Submitted to Contest #34

The heavens let down their tears, almost as if in foretelling of what is to come.From where she sits on her side of the couch, watching water-droplets race each other to the bottom of the window, it has a calming effect - almost like therapy. Somehow she looks at the rain and feels less alone, so sure that there must be another soul somewhere else in the world looking out at the rain too. The weather is a shared experience just like this global lock-down. She ponders if the heavens weep for the world or for her specifically. No matter the re...

21 likes 19 comments 19
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Sparking something

Submitted to Contest #34

To: hermes@olympians.comFrom: hephaestus@olympians.comSubject: Your order is ready [nr: 45031]Hey Hermes,I finished the work. Pick-up details below.Best,Hephaestus---We have completed the work on your item, nr 45031. You may pick up your order from Monday 10 am. Please visit our website for information about opening times.***Hephaestus:HeyDid you take anything from my workshop earlier?Hermes:Just my sandals. Why?Nice work on the wings btw.Hephaestus:See anyone else while you were there?Hermes:No. Why??***To: MailingOlympusFrom: hephaestus@ol...

21 likes 10 comments 10
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Writers on the Storm

Submitted to Contest #34

Writers on the storm….writers on the storm…into this world we’re born….into this world we’re thrown…You used to love listening to the Doors on a rainy day while working on your freelance articles, always appropriating the lyrics to writers on the storm….how romantic!For three decades you commentated on every kind of natural disaster, epidemic and moment in time that shook the world, including the outbreak of AIDS, September 11, the Boxing Day Tsunami and the passing of Princess Diana. You always wrote from the comfort of your own home or a n...

21 likes 9 comments 9
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Out With The 'Unknown'

Submitted to Contest #34

Unknown NumberTuesday, January 7・ 7:33 p.m.UN - When did you say that you were available? I need to know ASAP!ME - Who is this? UN - What!? Come on, Kate. It’s me! Stop pretending that you don’t know me.ME - I’m not Kate. My name doesn’t even have a ‘K’ in it.UN - I’m serious, Kate. We Have a missionto complete! If we don’t, we’ll be EXTERMINATED. Exterminated, Kate. UN - If you don’t comply, I will come and get you tomorrow.  ME - Um… Sorry, but you have the wrong number. I AM NOT KATE!!UN - Yeah, real fun...

20 likes 3 comments 3
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Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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