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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

“The Moment of Truth” by Aubrey Maria ✌

Submitted to Contest #38

I never thought my video would go viral. In fact, I always thought I was just an ordinary girl from Wichita. Maybe it was the mere fact that becoming someone famous seemed impossible, but from the fact I have always been shy. How could someone like me become someone remotely video-viral? No one would notice an introverted girl who talked far less than anyone else in her family. As a sister of five, and the second to last, being ignored or tolerated because of my shy, less talkative side nature seemed like the more obvious choice. The truth w...

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“The Bad Day” by Lauren Moorcroft

Submitted to Contest #38

It was raining. She only lived five minutes away, but that was more than enough time to become soaked through. It had been a terrible day that just kept getting worse. Little did she know that the rain was the least of her worries.She walked in through the kitchen at the back of the house, her tabby cat, Sebastian, purring around her legs. “hi, you, aren’t you handsome.” She exclaimed as she picked him up for a cuddle.” I love you; I love you” she sang as she popped him back on the floor. As she took her coat and bag off, she crossed over th...

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“Quarantine Goes Viral” by Isis Isismoonvortigern@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #38

“Hey everyone!” I hear from the other room. I roll my eyes. Listening to my teen sister live broadcast all day long is getting old. Who wants to watch Samantha eat Rice Chex?“It’s Sammy here!”Another annoying thing about Samantha’s live broadcasting is that she calls herself “Sammy”. No one, not even her followers, or her best friends, or even me, has ever called her Sammy.“It’s Day 32 of COVID-19 Quarantine Live Broadcasting Posts, and I’m back today with another morning routine! Ooh, I see some of the live comments popping up already! Oh m...

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“Come On, Tigerlily” by Mrs. Moroz

Submitted to Contest #38

In the heart of downtown resided a single woman. She was successful in just about every way society measured it at the time. She had a well-intentioned heart, but it was engaged in perpetual battle with, and occasionally lost out to, the mass of logical frustration that was her mind. A smooth olive-medium complexion and an unfussed-over, flowing head of long, dark hair served as the veil obscuring the battles within her. This was the rough sketch of Ramona Swanson at age 36. She lived alone, and spent...

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“Respite Up Above” by Shiella Chapa

Submitted to Contest #38

Why do cigarettes feel different after a pity party? A quite long one at that. It’s been days since I’ve last talked with Jaime, and it’s been even longer since we’ve broken up. It’s 2:43 AM. It’s amazing how a few words can change what you do at a certain time. I wouldn’t have been crying my eyes out a few weeks ago at this time. On the contrary, I would have been texting Jaime until the sun peeked its rays over the cityscape. I would be spending hours sending texts that poured my heart out to him, and I would have been reading texts that m...

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“Family Obligations” by Carille Durbin

Submitted to Contest #38

Pride and satisfaction flowed through my veins as I drove up to the old house. It was built sometime in the eighteenth century and the historical building fit my personality perfectly. Great Aunt Ulna left me the house when she died. The lawyers gave me the deed and the keys yesterday. I couldn't wait to move in. Why did Aunt Ulna leave the house to me? I have no idea. Our family is large. I have three brothers and thre...

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“You Don't Know Pain” by Emili Silvi

Submitted to Contest #38

I am perched on the edge of the thin, metal monkey bars. I am waiting for him. The forest around me seems dark and alive. Why anyone would put a playground in the middle of these woods, I have no idea. But it's been our hangout for forever. For those two wonderful years of happiness and then that one year of toleration. I still remember when we first came here. Whoa!" I say, looking around at this hidden paradise. "Why's this here?" "Who knows," Nolan says, flashing me one of his crooked grins. "But me and my brothers love...

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“Office Plants” by Kaysie Davis

Submitted to Contest #38

I jerked awake as my alarm started its everyday obnoxious squealing. “Ugh, Why. Why is it morning.” I groaned to my phone, reaching out to swat it so it would shut up. Once there was peace and quiet in my room again, I closed my eyes. I really didn’t want to start my day. In the silence, I could hear my coffee machine gurgling and sputtering from the kitchen. At least if I got up, I could get some caffeine in my system. That might at least make me feel a little bit more human. As I pulled myself out of bed, my cat, Kazi, glared at me fo...

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“RamWeb” by Varsha Kuchibotla

Submitted to Contest #38

It was a normal day. The normal hassle around my house, the normal cries from my sister, and the everyday online school. It hadn’t always been like this. Once upon a time, I walked to school, I played tag with the kids next door, and I played fetch with my dog. Now, news had shown a virus being spread and the world changed. School was canceled, no one was allowed to go near each other and the outdoors were restricted. If only I could go back to my life before. My mother was cleaning the living room that morning. I was sitting at my com...

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“Mirror Mirror” by Megan DeRouin

Submitted to Contest #38

Mirror Mirror I should have listened to my sister when she said not to try to transference spell, but she was always right and I hated it.I was frantically tearing apart the house looking for the portal. It had to be around here somewhere. After all the spell couldn’t have gone that wrong. I couldn’t have ended up that far off target. I pulled open a closet door and a sad looking inflatable duck pool toy flew at me.I wished I had my bow. My hand instinctively reached up, but it...

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“Over the Fence.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #38

“Right Becky, you are going to get on with that Maths homework for an hour or two and I am going to do the garden then we can make a start on dinner”. Kathy shouted to her daughter while putting on her gardening shoes. “Aww mum, you know I hate maths, I am so useless at it” Becky moaned. “All the more reason for you to practice then, see you in a bit”. Kathy encouraged.Kathy opened the door to her garden and instantly felt the warmth of the mid afternoon sun on her skin. She stepped outside and breathed deeply, the fresh fragrant air filling...

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“Part of the learning process” by Nicole Leah

Submitted to Contest #38

I am waiting for you. The paper, imprinted with little black songbirds, all in a row, singing on the power lines, calls out to me: “Listen to my language.” But I am past listening; my heart sings along. My fingers glide upwa...

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“I, Great Cat, Rule My Human” by Patti McQuillen

Submitted to Contest #38

She’s ignoring me. My human. Look at me, I plead in silence. Perhaps if I’m cute. Nope, not even being part of the Ragdoll breed works. Time for a new plan.“Lucy! I’m typing an email to my boss. Hold on,” Emily, my human says.Her voice is not as sweet as I like. She stares at the bright shape in front of her. I don’t like its light. Too bright for me. Only the sun can be bright because it’s warm. I like to lie down in the coziness. Not this box she pecks at. What are those squares with lines and curves on them? Does she need them? Am I not e...

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“A Curious Visitor ” by Georgia Perlah

Submitted to Contest #38

The sunflower-laden table cloth began to glow a brighter shade of yellow as the early-morning sunlight streamed in. The shiny, hardwood floors glistened as the beams of light bounced through the windows and coated Charlotte's apartment in a shimmery, iridescent glow. Charlotte stumbled down the hallway, steaming cup of coffee in hand and squinted her blue/gray eyes as those pesky light beams speared her irises like tiny, glowing swords. Despite the sunny appearance of her fifteenth-floor apartment, Charlotte felt quite the opposite. Dr...

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“Little Sadie Perdita ” by Carlie Beth

Submitted to Contest #38

“He’s probably dead!” Auntie Greta shouted up the stairs. Little Sadie was curled up in a ball in her tiny bed, her long whitish blonde hair stuck to her crying face. Auntie Greta has been taunting her more than usual ever since Leo ran away. Sadie missed Leo, her beloved orange tabby cat. He’s been missing for days and Sadie couldn’t stand another second without him. Especially another second ridiculed by Auntie Greta without his comfort. Leo made everything feel better, Sadie really felt like he listened to her. She looked up at the c...

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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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