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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#38: Close to Home

A few weeks ago, our 'Staying Inside'-themed contest received quite a big response from the Reedsy Prompts community. Because this is clearly a relatable theme for so many these days, we've decided to run a second edition of prompts that all revolve around being at home.

But that's not the only popular writing activity we're bringing back: today, we're hosting another LIVE Write-In on YouTube at 3pm Eastern Time! Once again, our guides Shaelin and Jenn will guide you through a series of 20-minute writing sprints. During the breaks, you can share your progress and ask our hosts any questions you may have.

To join, tune in to our YouTube channel at 3pm EST. We hope to see you there!

🥇 Winner

“The Paper Airplane” by Clyde Roan

🏆 Winner of Contest #38

“Yeah, Mom. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you out." “There isn’t much, hon. Not anymore.” “Does he still ask for me?” A pause. “No.” I swallowed thickly. “Well, tell him I love him.” “Okay, hon, I will. How is the writing going? Have you found any clients yet?” I closed my eyes. “I’ve gotta go, Mom.” I put the phone down, running a hand through my sticky, unwashed hair. These calls were becoming more frequent with every passing day. And there was nothing I could do. I wished she would just stop calling. Picking ...

121 comments 121

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Our Time of Life” by Heather Laaman

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #38

“That woman better not start with me,” Maureen grumbled as she made her way onto her balcony, glass in hand. Today was her seventy-third birthday, and she was going to celebrate with an Old fashioned. She anticipated some sniffs of disapproval from her neighbor’s balcony, but baiting Peggy was part of the fun. A week ago Maureen had had a beer with her lunch at her little patio table and Peggy had asked if it wasn’t a little early for that sort of thing. She had looked so far down her nose, Maureen wondered if ...

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“Working to Death” by Marina Mainardi

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #38

Tapping my bony fingers on the table top, I take a deep breath - so to speak. Honestly. This pandemic is such an inconvenience. They convinced me to work from home, can you believe it? Me! Because I’m the boss, I had to stay home and delegate. Yet I suppose it’s the right call, someone has to organize this clusterfuck and give the orders. Can’t do that on the field. I watch as the graphs and charts edit themselves on the screen, showing the progression of the virus. Without warning, it’s all blocked out by white fur. “What are you you doing ...

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“The Time We Had” by Lucy Nesbitt

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #38

It's the walls that I notice the most, out of it all. They're a different shade. Or maybe a different texture. Everything felt perfumed when he stood in a room. It was like a soft stroke from a pastel in hand, just blurring the edges, smothering the home in a softer, muted, warm color. It's those walls that show the lack of him, more than anything. The echo of my feet off the tiles clamors back and forth, echoing through the emptiness that is my home now. I glance once more around, just to notice. That's what they say to do, you know. Notice...

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“Monet in the Window” by Miranda Serrano

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #38

Monet: I want to go outside I nodded in agreement. Monet was the girl in the building next door, living in an apartment on the ninth floor. After classes got canceled, my parents panic bought me a ticket to come back home and self-quarantine with them. It seemed like a good idea at the time when I believed that the situation would get better sooner rather than later, but after being indoors for five weeks, I was pretty over it. Being back home has never felt lonelier. Maybe at around 3 weeks, I’d already seen and discovered all there is to ...

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This week's prompts

Write a story about someone who finds a magical portal in their home.

Fantasy – 239 stories

Write a story about someone who is working from home and constantly getting distracted by their pet.

Nonfiction – 98 stories

Write a story about two neighbors talking from their yards, windows, balconies, etc.

Dialogue – 196 stories

Write a story about someone learning how to play an instrument.

Nonfiction – 75 stories

Write a story about someone posting a video on social media that goes viral.

Teens – 54 stories

Stories

“The Paper Airplane” by Clyde Roan

🏆 Winner of Contest #38

“Yeah, Mom. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you out." “There isn’t much, hon. Not anymore.” “Does he still ask for me?” A pause. “No.” I swallowed thickly. “Well, tell him I love him.” “Okay, hon, I will. How is the writing going? Have you found any clients yet?” I closed my eyes. “I’ve gotta go, Mom.” I put the phone down, running a hand through my sticky, unwashed hair. These calls were becoming more frequent with every passing day. And there was nothing I could do. I wished she would just stop calling. Picking ...

121 comments 121

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“THE FALL OF A FACADE” by Balogun Ifedayo

Submitted to Contest #38

Casey felt like she would black out as her heart kept hammering against her chest. Where did things go wrong? How did this happen? She thought as she curled up on her bed with tears streaming down her face. There she stayed unaware of the time passing until the familiar sound of her phone ringing jolted her, she ignored the call, her mind not was not in the right state to receive it, she felt numb. Trying to block out the persistent ring of her phone, she held her pillow to her ears, but it seemed whoever was ringing was not about to give up...

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“Escaping the Story” by Lee Mar

Submitted to Contest #38

“Well, I’ll be gobsmacked!” a blonde girl whispered to herself just after rousing from the floor. Her sparkling brown eyes were fixated on the red-headed boy strapped to a chair. He disorientedly opened his eyes and observed the small, cozy living room. The boy looked about fourteen. The two girls and chinchilla on the floor beside the blonde girl quickly roused as well.The blonde girl was wearing long overalls with a white shirt underneath. The brunette girl was wearing denim skinny jeans and a bright yellow sweater. The last girl, who was ...

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“Hideout Door” by Charlie Writens

Submitted to Contest #38

Grandfather didn't really talk much. He would always speak in riddles loving to quote his stories. He bought the manor naming the forest after himself, Alistar Wood. After he died, my mother decided to have his funeral there. So after the service, we went to the manor, greeted by “friends” and relatives. The whole thing seemed like a formality, fans even snuck in taking pictures. Wandering around my own family’s home, I came across his office. I saw the door was turned so out of curiosity, I tried it. Now wide open, the room looked as i...

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“She’s back up again” by Yoomi Ari

Submitted to Contest #38

Disclaimer of liability- By now, you know I’m not a doctor, therapist or professional on depression, self-harm and other related topics. That being said, please review my disclaimer below:I am not a licensed medical doctor, therapist or expert. The purpose of my story is to send a message and address a topic, and to offer a little entertainment along the way. If you are seeking a professional opinion on how you should proceed to achieve your personal goal. PLEASE CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL. She hasn’t laughed in a long...

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“The Broken Strings” by Riddhi Shedge

Submitted to Contest #38

She lived in an orphanage. Sad. Isolated. There was never any exciting news. Outside, the weather was tragic. The thunder boomed against the windows and the rain poured heavily. There was barely enough food for all the hungry stomachs.She wandered into the playroom. Tattered chairs and broken toys were spread out across the chilly floor. She dug deep into the blue toy box, hoping to find something. She stuck her hand farther into the box and rummaged around. Then she felt it. Her hand ran over something smooth and round. She carefully lifted...

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“The Art of the Contrivances” by Cam Croz

Submitted to Contest #38

Ezar It had started as a mere statement, I would have never thought it’d go this far. At first I’d just wanted something to prove my worth to the others. I could tell by the way they treated me that all I was to them was in the way. That’s why I had to show them that I was not just some stupid kid they were forced to cradle, to waste their time around. I was capable of anything! I just had to want it bad enough right? They would finally notice me for my real self, and then- Well- “Look here!” I would say. And everythin...

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“Perseverance” by Niveeidha Palani

Submitted to Contest #38

I had practically nothing to do. I watched the rain pour down dreamily and heavily down the roads and the pavements. It was gloomy and tiring. Besides watching all the movies (plus episodes) on Netflix, reading all the books off my bookshelf, spying on my boring neigbours, watching my brother play boring video games and observing my mum sort out files and documents for her office the next day, I was looking for something else to do. I scrolled through all the Netflix movies, hoping to find a new I dragged my feet up to the last floor, hoping...

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“The magic portal” by Miles Gatling

Submitted to Contest #38

"A what now?" "Yes sir, a portal. A doorway if you will; from my house to this place. I stepped through it and ended up here.""You will pay a fine of 500 euros and be processed at the station for leaving your home during martial law without the proper papers or motives.""No please wait I know how this looks but I swear it's the truth.""Sir you're only digging a deeper hole for yourself. Lying to an officer of the law will land you-""No no, please. Listen...I was home watching a rerun of Ferris Bueller Gets Off when I got the munchies an...

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“Once Upon a Viola” by Amiable Sorceress

Submitted to Contest #38

I played the violin since I was 5 and coloring all over the walls. It was always there in my life, but I hardly noticed. As I grew older, there was a book club, swimming practice, and dance. My parents often reminded me to practice, and my teacher pushed me to memorize songs, rhythms, and practice bow holds, with me often getting bored out of my mind. All these years after (7 years), I wondered why I didn't quit a long time ago. Mostly, as I was looking back, I figured it was the feeling of dread in my stomach building up that quitting violi...

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“Opinions of a Trending Supernova” by Izzie Q.

Submitted to Contest #38

Aggie Hicks stood in front of the worn building, holding a sign tightly in her hands. She gripped it so tightly that the edges crumpled slightly, and the corners tore. She had been up all night, using the rays from the moon as a guiding light, working on the sign. Tears of exhaustion and anger shimmered in the corners of her eyes as she stood in front of the school, wordlessly protesting, holding the large piece of extravagantly decorated paper in her hands. The sign plainly stated it a...

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“A Spoonful of Gossip” by Izzie Q.

Submitted to Contest #38

“Darling?” The voice echoed loudly, and I felt my eyes roll hard in their sockets. The velvety sound had shifted through the weeds and found its way to my ear. I stood on tiptoe and tilt my chin to the sky before calling back. “Yes?” A hand that has nails that are painted the color of electric blue raises from over the shrubs, bushes, and twigs before giving a quick wave. The conversation erupts from there and flows like a stream, we cradle it like a baby, we laugh like drunks, we croon like birds. Its’ always like this and even if I could, ...

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“The Room of Circles” by Izzie Q.

Submitted to Contest #38

The groans emitted from the old chair as though I was destroying it rather than just sitting. It would be time soon, but not necessarily yet and all these uncertainties weighed my head down like it was filled with water. The sea was striped with moonlight and a sweet smell was rising in the air, yet it made me feel sick. The tangerine tree sat primly on top of its flowered thrown, shadowing the hillside with its large leaves. I gripped the chair harder,&nbs...

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“Systems” by A. Y. R

Submitted to Contest #38

Humans – forever questioning the existence of your reality, your sentience, your purpose in your universe. On a typical ordinary day, you find yourself stationary, at rest. You jolt up at the sight of a familiar being at the end of your bed. Eight legs and eight eyes. Despite your relative size compared to its - the being appears larger than anything you’ve encountered before. So you deem it hostile and a danger to you. You take a shoe to defend yourself and trace its movements across the room. You come to a halt again at the sight of t...

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“A day with Jesus Christ.” by Julie Wagner

Submitted to Contest #38

Tap. Tap. Tap. The sounds of my fingers typing away on my most recent project are quite soothing, almost rhythmic in its song. This, the song of my childhood twirling around my head like ethereal notes from a piano. Happy. My head unbeknownst to me slightly tilts to the left as usual when my creative juices are flowing.Shit.Those creative juices were actually the remaining few swallows of my breakfast Pepsi, which I absolutely remembered to move out of harm's way. Why is it now racing its way toward my laptop?That bag of bones cat I've calle...

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$50

Prize money

662

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 24, 2020 EST

Won by Clyde Roan 🏆

Title: The Paper Airplane

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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