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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#44: Just the Beginning

Two weeks ago, our theme was story endings. This week, we're circling back to the starting line and focusing on story beginnings.

From Zora Neale Hurston's "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board." To Jane Austen's "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." And George Orwell's "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." Memorable lines stick with us because they're what propel us into the world of the story in the first place.

For more inspiration, check out our tips for crafting intriguing opening lines, and then dive into our beginning-themed prompts below!

🥇 Winner

“A Gamble” by D. Holmes

🏆 Winner of Contest #44

The chance of you breaking up with me right now is 19.67%.That’s lower than the chance of a long-distance relationship failing but higher than the chance of rolling doubles on two dice.We stand around awkwardly. This is the last time I’ll see you for an undetermined amount of time, as if you’re just another high school friend that I lost touch with after graduation. We spent the whole day together but now that you’re leaving, all I can think of are questions, not goodbyes. In some ways, this is like the end of our first date all over again, ...

187 comments 187

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“the end of the tour” by Masha Kurbatova

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #44

It’s no bestseller, but enough people bought the book for thirteen east-coast bookstores to host me for an evening. It shouldn’t have been a three-month affair, but independent book publishers and piss-poor planning are synonyms. My agent told them yes of course I’d be okay spending five empty days in a Holiday Inn in West Virginia between readings. Whatever, I’m lucky to get a book tour at all. It was thirty people in the audience on a good day, about thirteen most of the time. By the time I loop bac...

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“The Euripides Requiem” by 𝗢wen 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #44

[Note: This story touches heavily on issues of depression and suicide.] By the time we had returned from the beach, the Earth was gone — in its place was an expanding ring of debris like a rusting sickle. We knew, of course. We’d known for months. But we hadn’t been prepared to see it. To really see it. The captain had taken the Euripides into a solar orbit manually. The AI, after trying to find an orbital insertion point around a missing planet, had fallen into a hopeless loop. In time, the rotation engines fired up, preparing to bring...

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“Dragonfly Memories” by Iris Koga

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #44

Mei stood in the back of Ba's herbalist store, a tattered building with faded lettering along the exterior and older ladies behind the counter displaying dimly lit Ginseng and Donqua roots. She clutched a once crisply folded letter, an elegant letterhead on the corner above flourished print, Congratulations! On behalf of Boston University, I am pleased to announce your admission for Fall; the rest obscured by Mei's fist. Her shoulders were hunched, and her face cast in shadow under the bare lightbulb hanging from the ceiling by its electric ...

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“God be With You” by Alyssa Phipps

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #44

Nannette pinches out the candle next to the door. “God be with you, Ari.”The words come out of her mouth like juice squeezed from the rind of a lemon: sour and strained. And then she’s gone. I don’t have time even to croak a “Goodbye.” She slams the door, leaving rattling hinges and dying spires of smoke behind her. This is the way she always leaves. Her lips form the words “God be with you” habitually. This time, though, feels different. Final. Something about the palpable bitterness of her voice, or the stiffness of her narrow shoulde...

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This week's prompts

Write a story that starts with two characters saying goodbye.

Character – 248 stories

Write a story that starts with a life-changing event.

Novel – 175 stories

Write a story that starts with someone returning from a trip.

Character – 111 stories

Write a story that starts with a character-revealing something unusual about themselves.

Character – 142 stories

Write a story that starts by establishing its setting in a different time period — without explicitly stating what that period is.

Historical Fiction – 114 stories

Stories

“A Gamble” by D. Holmes

🏆 Winner of Contest #44

The chance of you breaking up with me right now is 19.67%.That’s lower than the chance of a long-distance relationship failing but higher than the chance of rolling doubles on two dice.We stand around awkwardly. This is the last time I’ll see you for an undetermined amount of time, as if you’re just another high school friend that I lost touch with after graduation. We spent the whole day together but now that you’re leaving, all I can think of are questions, not goodbyes. In some ways, this is like the end of our first date all over again, ...

187 comments 187

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“The Faint Of Heart” by Pragya Rathore

Submitted to Contest #44

Gupta was the ugliest member of the wedding band- not that it mattered; his face was always hidden by the massive flute he carried. Now, as Gupta set out to play the flute for a wedding, he wondered who would play it in his own. His father, who had been playing it in Gupta’s first wedding, had fainted of shock when the bride eloped before the wedding. During his second wedding, the bride saw something she wasn’t supposed to before the wedding (which was Gupta’s face). The bride screamed so shrilly that even the bats of the attic were surpris...

167 comments 167

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“A marriage of the heart, A marriage of the soul” by V.S. Nilanee

Submitted to Contest #44

“Names have great power, Sunny dear,” Grandmother’s voice echoes in my head. Grandmother, who had been christened Alexandrina at birth, but had donned the name Victoria on her coronation.It is only fitting, I think, that I take my first steps into my new life taking a name reminiscent of Grandmama and Nicky’s adored ancestor, too. Alexandra. I still struggle to think of myself with such a weighty, regal name, a name suited to authority, a Tsaritsa’s name, so used I am to being Alix.The silk of my gown clings to my skin, softly rustling with ...

157 comments 157

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“Final Word” by Emily Nghiem

Submitted to Contest #44

I. CluelessFor once in eternity, God didn't know what to do, although he was omniscient.And knew it. Or he thought so. Now he wasn't so sure.If he knew all things in heaven and hell, which was a hell of a lot more than heaven alone, he would instantly know in advance how to respond in the future.But he didn't. Nothing made sense anymore!The chances of human beings finding a way to outsmart God were lower than a snowball's chance in hell, or heaven and hell combined, whichever was worse. How could they set him up behind his back, in front of ...

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“5 Stages of Grief” by Daryl Gravesande

Submitted to Contest #44

“They’re inseparable, those two.” My mom would often say. She wasn’t wrong. Jess and I have been best friends since nursery school. We knew each other so well. So that’s how I know she’ll wake up. There I was, sitting at her hospital bed, clutching her hand, holding back tears. I rested my head on her stomach. C’mon, I’m better than this. Don’t cry. Don’t. Cry. I don’t remember what happened to Jess. All I know is that I’m here now, sitting at what might be her deathbed. “Don’t leave me... Please, I NEED you.” I softly whispered in...

162 comments 162

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“On the Battleground” by Zyönnah Isiguzo

Submitted to Contest #44

It seemed like the dry trees that quivered a mite in the harsh winds of the winter month were the only ones whom felt the sore cold as people walked about their daily activities exchanging a greeting or twain. Or haply they didst feel some few cold, as the women rubbed their gloved hands together, while gripping their shawls tightly around themselves and arranging their feathered hats. The men let their ego best them by ignoring their bodies plea to shiver a bit, but forgot they couldn't disguise their bright red noses that was apparent...

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“Shadows at Dawn ” by Mira Caplan

Submitted to Contest #44

The small, black stone that she held in her hand dropped to the ground, and the girl's eyes widened in horror."No..." she whispered, fear- filled eyes looking back into the shadows. A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, the black, mist- like substance burning her skin. As two more reached behind her into the small cradle, she screamed out loud. They froze where they were, inches away from whatever they were about to take to the darkness, whomever lay in the cradle still deeply asleep."Not my sister..." she whispered, looking at the child illumi...

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“Eric” by Vrishni Maharaj

Submitted to Contest #44

"It's becoming a serious problem, Eleanor." I looked straight at her where she stood, leaning against the bedroom door. It was indeed becoming a problem. Her constant nagging was a far bigger issue than any of my inherent peculiarities. "There are worse things in the world, mother,” I huffed. Brad did always say I was oddly coquettish. I suppose Mother must have thought the same. "Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady." Karen Drew was as fearsome as she was a fearless woman, with her hawk-like features and crisp office attire...

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“Poison of Humanity” by A. Y. R

Submitted to Contest #44

The last remaining human has been destroyed. The galaxy would once again be at peace “Zeltrex Mission Log 6Я5: Planet Tryzion year LX92, Day αMδ General, operation ‘Apocalypse’ is complete. I have destroyed the remaining civilisations on their home solar system, and I’ve taken no prisoners. As ordered, I’ve kept their terraformed planets in-tact to allow your survivors to seek refuge. The radiation left by the bombs on some planets and moons; including Mars, Triton and Europa may be too high for your people to safely settle. But co...

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“Luminaria” by Zilla Babbitt

Submitted to Contest #44

The island of Quadra was strung with lights and lanterns. Strings of popcorn lined the dirt streets, cranberry ropes adorned the necks of tall faceless candle-lit buildings downtown, and turkeys lined up innocently to the slaughtering block. The islanders were preparing for Thanksgiving. A thicket. Densely wooded with blackberry bushes and blackthorn trees scattered haphazardly, the sky was hidden by the knit of thorns and thin twigs. Miles from the coast and miles from the town. The thicket of Quadra was the middle of the island, and the co...

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“"The Last Time"” by BeInspiredAbstracts/Etsy SarahGreenwood

Submitted to Contest #44

He had called me that afternoon to let me know he’d be back in town for the night. His flight landed at Logan at 5:30 pm. But now, it was already time for the Late Late show. I checked the flight status online. ‘Arrived.’ I turned off the television and went to the bedroom. I had text him just once, no response. I slipped off the black silk robe that I ran out to buy right after he called me. I hadn’t worn it all night, though. I had started the evening in a navy blue Ralph Lau...

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“Reclaiming Ava ” by Yoomi Ari

Submitted to Contest #44

It was a Robin Hood sort of a wedding in a natural woodland setting. I wanted our love to honour what God has given rather than the world of money and bling. The room buzzed with excited chatter and children ran between the tables in a good natured game of tag. Then the groom and I entered, applause spread across the room. There was the scraping of chairs as folks got up for a standing ovation and the happy couple made their way to the head table, smiling and holding hands. They sat in front of a bouquet of baby pink roses and the groom lean...

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“Nowhere” by Amiable Sorceress

Submitted to Contest #44

Sometimes, I regret having to know Sydelle Mackoff. I'd even eat a rock to avoid the likeness of her. One of my strongest memories with Sydelle were her unexpected appearances at my doorstep, a blank expression on her face. Sydelle was an eccentric-well-something, but often showed up to ask for money or drag me on a quest for "hidden gold". My other sister, Amara, who was quite the opposite of Sydelle, complained about her ways to me a lot. Both sisters never got along, and being the middle sister came with its own downsides. But I guess it ...

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“Ander's Finals (Conclusion to Ander's New Cable Knit Sweater) ” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #44

Ander was enchanted by the way Princess Lambswool moved so easily, like the pounds of her layered sweater dress didn’t weigh her down in the slightest. The sweater dress was a light burgundy color and it looked very warm. Lambswool had very long fingers tucked into very nice gloves, but these things did not match the grip she had Ander in at all. She was very strong, and at least to Ander, this was unusual. She was pulling him along beside her while the alien boy Chucklehead bounced along and Banner Amzi’s pool on wheels rolled right a...

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“Love is in the air ❤❣” by Harshini Jivaratnam

Submitted to Contest #44

“Goodbye, Elise”“Goodbye, James”I saw her walked off with tears streaming down her cheeks. I also can’t bear the thought of leaving her and I just stood there watching her leaving the airport. The airport was filled with lots of passengers arriving from flights or going to catch a flight. Although the airport was crowded and noisy, my eyes was still on the blond-haired woman who had just shattered my heart and walked away.Then, to my surprise, Elise turned around.“I almost forgot”. She jogged back to me, handed me a letter and nodded.“Don’t ...

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$50

Prize money

790

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 05, 2020 EST

Won by D. Holmes 🏆

Title: A Gamble

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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