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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!

This week's prompts

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

Fantasy – 240 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

“Three Wishes/One Jackpot” by Gip Roberts

Submitted to Contest #38

"I'm not in the mood for this kind of humor today, Chet!"It had to be around here somewhere. The projector. I looked at the top of the refrigerator, where months of laziness compounded by the distractions of daily life had led to an accumulation of assorted junk: cans, bottles, dishes, dusty dish towels, you name it. Perfect for stuffing a small projector amidst while I'm away.And he would do it, too! He's just the type who will go to any length to play a practical joke on a friend--up to and including sneaking off with a house key long enou...

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“Luck in a Lockdown” by Peter Ayeni

Submitted to Contest #38

“There would be a total lockdown” was the next sentence James heard from the television on Friday Afternoon. The painting were hung above His head, the air was filled with music coming from moving cars on the streets, hooting and horning, they sounded like the Mozart Concerto. James started hearing all of these at a very increasing rate, He could also hear His heartbeat. How would I go back to the Bay Area in California? James, an American had come for the branch meeting for His “Oil-Tech” Startup, He ran the Business with John, a Nige...

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“Voices” by Karen McDermott

Submitted to Contest #38

Jill narrowed her eyes at the clothes pinned on her neighbour’s balcony. A warm day with a gentle breeze meant wash day for Lauren. Which for Jill meant being treated to a display of Lauren’s 5-year-old daughter’s outfits strung up like bunting. You’d be forgiven for mistaking young Angelica for a royalist, given her predisposition for the ‘Princess’ and ‘Kween’ sequin embellishments on her napkin-sized t-shirts. The effect was so dazzling Jill was surprised the magpies she often spotted flashes of in the pine tree at the bottom of her garde...

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“Listening Ears” by Aubrey Maria ✌

Submitted to Contest #38

An unlikely friendship occurred between two rather odd neighbors. Freeda and Esme had a friendship that would have seemed impossible. Just by the looks of pursed lips, shaking of their heads, and raised wrinkled foreheads, one would have thought of a different scenario. In fact, they inspired each other to disagree on everything they ever talked about. Many thought one would have a heart attack from trying to convince the other. Being in early years of retirement should have meant peace and relaxation, but for these two, it meant the opposit...

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“Good Night” by Anisha Yagnik

Submitted to Contest #38

Sali’s neighbor is an insomniac. She lounges on her balcony every night—provided the sky is clear and the mosquitoes aren’t nipping—and she waits. Sleep will come, but sometimes it doesn’t, and Sali’s neighbor has the privilege and curse of watching the sun rise. Sali drives in circles all day—a university bus route—and her dreams have descended into analogous, sinister loops, so now Sali is frightened to sleep. She fears she’ll wake up mad, one morning. She lives alone, but you’re never really alone when there’s a human being on the other s...

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“Summer wings” by Roxie ...

Submitted to Contest #38

I see it, as the piano notes cascade down my ear canal leaving nothing but a vibration. A beautiful butterfly, golden like the fiery sun I fear the most, yellow like the silky hair of the boy in front of me and silver like the tears that fall from his jealous green eyes. Emerald like the drums he plays, slowly yet steadily keeping pace with my heartbeat. It flies freely. I watch and envy it as its elegant wings flutter in the distance, flying ever so high. My breaths are shallow as I lift my right hand up onto my guitar, the g...

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“It’s all real. ” by Hallie Blatz

Submitted to Contest #38

“1, 2, 3,...” my brother Ezra starts counting and I run to find a place to hide. The whole house is dark and it’s hard to see where I’m going. I’ve lived here for eight years though and I have this house pretty much memorized. He’s reached ten now but still has to count to fifty. I open the closet where the freezers are kept. This is my favourite hiding place, hopefully he won’t remember. I climb on top of the smallest freezer and then wedge myself behind the big one. There are cobwebs back here and now they’re in my hair, but...

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“Open Curtains” by ✰ Jessica ✰

Submitted to Contest #38

'26 days, 11 hours and 46 minutes is how long it's been since I've left the house.' I wrote in my diary.The pandemic kept us quarantined. I set my diary down and laid on my side in the cushioned space. The window nook was my favorite part of the house. It was the place where I had been inspired, sad, excited, and sleepy. It held memories and worth. Not only because it was comfortable, but I could look out my window and see my neighbor Elliot through his window. Sometimes I'd just gaze at his closed curtains, waiting for his to rip them open,...

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“Spite is the Best Motivator” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #38

I’ll never remember the day she walked through the door. I’d like to say it was because the car accident damaged my head in addition to my right arm, but the actual reason was because back then, I didn’t care. However, I’m told it went a little something like this… Her knuckles softly rapped on the cold metal door of my music room, but I didn’t even bother to look before I asked. “Who is it?” “Umm…? I’m Amelia. Your two o’clock.” She said as she peaked her head through the doorway. I obsessively wiped down the keys of my mahogany grand piano...

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“The Chosen Gift” by Sue M

Submitted to Contest #38

I always dream about being on Broadway, going to the moon, exploring the Alaskan wilderness, hiking the Appalachian trail, climbing to the top of Mount Everest and hundreds of other adventures. Of course, I don't venture too far from home, since getting around in my wheelchair limits my excursions. I was told I had an accident when I was seven, which paralyzed me from the waist down, but I don’t remember it. I also have no memory of life before I became tethered to this chair. Apparently, I loved running, playing tag with my sister...

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“Likes” by Amanda Kelly

Submitted to Contest #38

Ryan stepped out of his car, holding onto his backpack strap. His heart was beating wildly, and his stomach was full of butterflies. He barely heard his mom tell him to have a good day, and later, he wasn’t sure if he had responded or not. He walked up to the front doors of his new school, the butterflies migrating up to his throat. He pushed open the big black doors, taking in all that was around him. Groups of kids huddled around tables, laughing and talking. It was awfully overwhelming, so Rya...

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“Learning how to stand on my own two feet” by Ashley Patterson

Submitted to Contest #38

I remember it like it was yesterday I can still smell the Christmas cookies baking in the oven.My family was here for the holidays like every other year, the sweet sound of quietness echoed loudly as my father played silent night on his piano and just like that my life as I knew it would change forever. Here it is 4:30 am and my body is soaking wet like I just ran a marathon it's been a year and the past is still hunting my dreams. I close my eyes and take a deep breath the accident is fresh in my mind like it happened yesterday. December 23...

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“The Ding” by Gabrielle Gerstley

Submitted to Contest #38

I had just gotten off the phone with my manager. I was being laid off. It was my third job in less than a year. I dropped two ice cubes into a glass and poured myself chardonnay to the brim. I sipped until it was no longer on the brink of overflowing and took it outside onto my balcony. I dragged the second chair closer to the table and propped my feet on it. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back. It wasn’t very nice out; a leftover chill still clung to the air from the just passing winter. I’d lost three jobs and a boyfriend in the past ye...

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“clara and the clarinet” by Masha Kurbatova

Submitted to Contest #38

I was clinging on, I was okay, until I put my AirPods through the washing machine. One-hundred and eighty dollars in broken plastic because I couldn’t be bothered to check the pockets of my only pair of jeans. Of course I can play my music out loud, but you know it’s not the same; earbuds are like a hug, whereas out-loud music is a wave hello from far away. I need sounds vibrating in my ear canals at all times, words and synthesizers pouring constantly into my brain. Otherwise my mind begins to digest itself, the way stomachs do when left em...

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“Just A Window Away” by Artemisia Pearl

Submitted to Contest #38

My Stepmom hates when I leave the house. I never understood why. My dad is always on business trips and for the past three months, she hasn’t let me out on the weekends. Unless it is school related. Her daughter is allowed to leave and it isn’t fair. I never have time with my own mom, so I prefer not to go out when I’m with her. She is in the marines, so she is always overseas. My best friend lives right next door. We have been best friends since we were very young. Our moms are friends. Mrs. Ancil has told me many times that If I need...

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$50

Prize money

663

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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