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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#36: Dear Diary

"April 4th, 1984." So begins Winston Smith's first diary entry in the George Orwell novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Of course, this dystopian tale isn't the only one to involve diary entries. Bridget Jones's Diary, Gilead, The Yellow Wallpaper, Dracula, and I Capture the Castle are among a long list of other books told at least in part through diaries or journals.

This week's writing prompts challenge you to write a short story in the epistolary format.

P.S — On April 3rd we're hosting another LIVE Write-In on YouTube at 4pm EST! We'll guide you through a series of 20-minute writing sprints to give you the boost you need to stay productive. During the breaks, you can share your progress, talk about your struggles, and ask our hosts any questions you may have.

Join us on YouTube HERE at 4pm EST. We hope to see you there!

This week's prompts

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just decided to take up journaling.

Adults – 117 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone on a long-awaited trip.

Holiday – 56 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just experienced a big "first."

High School – 94 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's up late at night because they're having trouble sleeping.

High School – 237 stories

In the form of diary/ journal entries, write a story that provides glimpses into a person's life at different ages.

Character – 135 stories

Stories

“A New Life” by Preeth Ganapathy

Submitted to Contest #36

9.4.2020Dear diary,It has been a long time since we met last. It was probably sometime in the middle of my pregnancy. The last time we got talking was when dear sleep eluded me. Today again, I am unable to sleep.The last time, remember, I told you about my increasing discomfort with the growing belly, rising temperatures, sweat dripping from all parts of the body and settling along uncomfortable crevices. A lot of water, almost a river swelling over to the banks, has flown under the bridge thereafter, buddy.An emergency necessitated my visit...

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“Cherry Blossoms” by Alana H

Submitted to Contest #36

Dear Sakai, Hi. It’s me, Miki. I’ve decided to start a journal. I need somewhere to organize my thoughts. Somewhere I can control. Because it feels like my world is collapsing around me. Okāsan is sad today. I want to make it better, but I don’t know how. You’re always so good at those things. You would be able to sit with her, and talk to her, and make her smile. I wish I knew how. I wish I had asked you to teach me, before you left. Why couldn’t you have chosen to go to a college in California, where you would be near me? I would come and ...

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“Darkness.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #36

Darkness.21 st October.Here I am again, 2.32am, I have been lying restless in my hated bed since 11.30pm. This happens every night, night after night, I cannot find the words to describe how tired and drained I am. My eyes burn from within, my head throbs continually and my body aches all over. I toss and I turn, fidgeting and agitated yet sleep alludes me night after night. I am struggling for coherent thoughts, starting to become confused about what is real and what is not. Yet sleep eludes me, it will not come. The minute I close my eyes ...

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“The Consequence of Love” by Alexandra Ramsey

Submitted to Contest #36

June 22, 2006 It has been four weeks since he left for the war… If I’m being honest though, it feels like an entire lifetime has passed. I can picture him, marching in his neatly ironed uniform with a hard face of seriousness and determination; one man in a huge line of many dedicated men and women. The last time that I got to see him, when his safety was still promised, was a sunny Wednesday morning in May. One last “I love you”. One last time to squeeze his hand and look into his warm eyes. One last kiss. The final moments of love and pass...

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“Cyrilla of the Nephyr” by Neha Dubhashi

Submitted to Contest #36

This sea coral journal belongs to: Cyrilla Species: Nephyr Blue Dragon Dynasty, Year 201 I’ve never been to the world above. The sweet, frothy bubbles of the ocean surface are as close as I’ve gotten. But something beautiful and deep and siren-like always seems to be pulling my mind there.I have dreams of brilliantly cerise-golden sunrises filled with tranquil, drifting swaths of clouds and mist. I have nightmares of fierce brown creatures snapping their bloodied teeth and hungry maws at me. All images conjured by my hours spent in the Great...

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“A Letter to Hannah” by Anastasia Ifinedo

Submitted to Contest #36

Sar Hannah, Today’s entry immortalizes you. I’m 99% sure these words wouldn’t see the light of your day, but I apologize if the name “Hannah” offends you. I want to address you like you aren’t some figment of my imagination, hence, my naming you. Needless to write, after a mental debate between Sarah and Hannah, names I happen to have chosen on a whim, I decided to go with Hannah. My hands are eerily still as I write todae this. Okay, maybe thinking about composure isn’t the best way to keep it. But, today came as a real shock...

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“As They Watch” by Cory Pines

Submitted to Contest #36

Dear Journal, I couldn't sleep again last night. I know that they are still there, watching me. I don't know why they are here, to protect, to harm? I tied to tell Jason about them, but he wouldn't listen. I don't understand, we sleep in the same room and yet, he can't see them. I hope Mr. Galifar doesn't yell at me again for sleeping in his class. It's the only place that I'm able to get rest. I hope they can't find me at school, I don't know what I would do then. Maybe I could go sleep in Mom's room, or even my sisters, would they follow m...

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“Animal Hunt” by Lauren Ford

Submitted to Contest #36

December 25th 2019 Dear diary, It’s Christmas today but Santa didn’t arrive. Mummy gave you to me so that I could write down my sad thoughts. She said that it helps. I asked her if she had one to write in too and she just smiled and wiped a tear from her eye. I don’t know where she found you. Ben said she nicked you from another family who are staying in this horrible place too. I don’t think she did though. Mummy wouldn’t do that. I’m sad because our house is gone. The big fire burnt it down. That’s why we’re here...

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“Love, X” by Jessica C

Submitted to Contest #36

Jan 28 1986Dear Diary, Mommy and Daddy gived me this diary for my birthday yesterday! I am 7 now! I had my birthday party and everyone came but Sammy L. Mommy said that he was sick but I don’t care because he called me the B word at gym class and that’s a bad word so I don’t like him anyway. Dana gived me a Get In Shape Girl ribbon and a book just like hers. It’s my favorite present because I want to be a ballet dancer when I grow up. Today at school we watched TV! I didn’t know they let us watch TV at school! Mrs. B...

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“The Most Dangerous Curse of the Crimson Jewel” by Tim Law

Submitted to Contest #36

Monday, April 7th 1851A surprise letter arrived today from a past comrade, Professor Peter McDonald. I had mixed feelings upon receiving the letter as this man had been a fellow student at Oxford University around a decade ago. We had been friends of sorts while at school but seemed to have little in common. He had followed the path of archaeology and I that of psychology. We had kept in touch for a year or two after graduation but once I set up my practice in London and he had begun adventuring around the globe we just lost touch. To paraph...

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“I am Janie Quinn” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #36

Dear Ada Lovelace,I know you’re wondering why I’m even writing you. You’ve been dead for over a century, after all. Well, Counselor Watkins says she thinks it’s best if I write a journal to deal with my thoughts as I adjust to this new place. And if I’m going to divulge such confidential information, it might as well be to the Mother of Modern Day Programming.We have a lot in common. Like your mother, mine has been embittered by my father not being around. Dinner always turns into these odd sermons about the devil, sin, boys, and booze. Most...

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“Night Terrors” by Gracie Jean

Submitted to Contest #36

April 1God. God, oh God. I don't think I will forget, ever. Right now, it is 12:23 in the morning. And I am awake! What the heck, I'm so tired I can barely move. But I can't sleep! For the past two nights, I have been having terrible dreams. Oh, god! Never in my life have ever experienced such terrifying things. I didn't write about my dream yesterday because I thought it was nothing. But now? I am so tired, but I can't close my eyes. Every time my eyes feel as though they can stay open no longer, the ghastly images flood back into my vision...

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“'KEEPERS OF THE DIARY"” by Vickie Culbertson

Submitted to Contest #36

Cindi CassidyDiary: My stolen identity changed me forever. It resulted in a new perspective, to live in the present. Speaking to my first grade class, I share my dream of owning my own home. A blue house with a red door. I ask the class to draw a picture of their favorite thing. After school, I meet my boyfriend at the house on Elm St. At the viewing I see possibilities, my boyfriend Seth sees lots of work. We go to the local diner and I call Blue Ridge Realty to set up an appointment for tomorrow. I call to schedule a substitute teacher s...

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“Authur and his fear of scary movie.” by Tyra Johnson

Submitted to Contest #36

17 June 2001Dear DiaryRoger, Roger, Roger Authur the soldier is reporting to you dairy during the war with my enemy called zombies. I am locked in my bedroom with the lights turn off; it is now 12 am.In my bedroom naked with my skinny legs, little penis and my bony chest outside and my white socks on my feet because the bottom feels cold. I lay in my bed with Mr Robin bedside me, he is my best friend and a teddy bear for years. I love and care him throughout the years with all the fun, loving and joyful memories we shared.Tick Tock I been sh...

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“Diary of a Battered Woman” by Brandy Orrell

Submitted to Contest #36

January 1, 2017Happy New Year, Self! Can you believe we made it through the last year? Me either, if I’m being honest. It definitely left some marks. Probably going to need some retail therapy! Thank goodness I managed to get a decent job last year. Chalk that up as our main achievement.My big To-Do for 2017 is to keep a journal. Don't expect long entries, I just want something simple. After Dad died last year, I realized that his journal was the most important thing he left behind – besides me and Mama, of course. I want to make sure that n...

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$50

Prize money

639

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 10, 2020 EST

Won by Zilla Babbitt 🏆

Title: Kiss of the Snake

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.

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