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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!

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

“Ander in Larttleight (Sequel to Ander's New Cable Knit Sweater!) ” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #44

Ander woke up with a start, his head still spinning from the trip down the portal to the underground planet Larttleleight. He still wasn’t wearing a shirt, and the ground was cold. He looked around the dark planet, but the whole place smelled like dirt; maybe a side effect from being an underground planet. Ander touched his hands to his nose. Warm blood seeped between his fingers and he yelped. Ander hated blood outside the body, especially when it was his own. “What is this place?” “The underground planet Larttleleight, boy!” A voice ...

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“Much Too Soon” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #44

Though we walk and stare at the moon,While the crickets and toads start to croon,I think it much to soon,To say something likeI love you. Though we’ve been here for ages,And of our story we’ve flipped the pages,I’d bet all my wages,That you’d say something likeI love you.We’ve walked and talked And giggled and smiledTalked of the names we could name a childIf the night went too longAnd we found ourselvesHigh, like High upon the shelvesOf the chapels called the mountainsOf the churches called the skyAnd the preacher that w...

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“They didn't need a bigger boat” by Miles Gatling

Submitted to Contest #44

"Sup bruh!" "Hey, hey what's up my fellow hedonist?"The men chest-bumped each other. "Look at you, wearing those sick priest robes… You off to the temple?" "Damn straight, brother! I'm gonna have me a good-old sacrifice." The other bit his fist, smiled, and slapped his thigh. "Hot damn! Boy, you on a roll! Didn't I see you sacrifice shit a few days back?""Hey, don't hate on me now! You know how I do. Gotta thank the Lord for all he bestowed upon me, know what I mean?" The man pinched his fancy robe with both han...

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“They're Still Human Beings” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #44

I walked past Mr. Abramsen's bakery to see the slurs on the two doors and four windows. I shook my head and walked on. I walked past three more shops that had gotten "painted". I kept on walking through the trash littered streets, looking at the Jews that were being abused. I took a right turn on one of the streets that I didn't know. I was on this walk to go for an adventure and explore, after all. Most of the houses seemed like rich people's houses. After walking a bit down the road, the houses started to change. First it was just smaller ...

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“The Rose Garden” by 𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚

Submitted to Contest #44

Even though it had been going on for such a long time, I still couldn’t help but marvel at what was happening before me. At who was standing before me. But somehow, even after all of this, I couldn’t bring myself to think that I would’ve wanted my life to be any different. He stared at me sadly, anguish clear in his crystal blue eyes. He gazed into my eyes for a while longer, until he softly raised his hand to my face, gently caressing my cheek. “Goodbye,” he whispered. Tears formed in my eyes, spilling over as I tried in vain to not br...

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“A Personal Twist On La Llorona” by 𝔸. Triangle

Submitted to Contest #44

“Goodbye”, I whisper, watching the color drain from her face. A small flurry of bubbles escapes her lips as if she was trying to wish me farewell too before she finally stops struggling. I happily remove my hands from where they were clasped around her neck.I step back from the river as I stare at my children’s faces, all of them float aimlessly in the looking clear-glass water, hair clouding glassy rolled back eyes. I smile as I take my youngest in my arms and stroke her long blond hair.“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,” I sing, my sm...

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“The Big Bad Bully” by Lynn Penny

Submitted to Contest #44

People love to throw around the concept that ‘one never knows when they say goodbye to someone for the last time’ and pretend that they are so philosophical.“Do you have your lunch packed? Did you get breakfast? Do you have your homework in your bag?”People say it, but do they really take it seriously? Do they treat every goodbye as if it were there last?“Yes, yes, and yes, Dad. I’ve got everything good to go.”No. They don’t.“And you’re sure you’re okay with taking the bus to school?”Goodbyes are just repetitive until they aren’t anymore. Th...

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“ “Saying goodbye – Sushant and Anika “” by Alkaa Sharma

Submitted to Contest #44

“Saying goodbye – Sushant and Anika ““Goodbye “ – is a very heartbreaking word. Its not easy to say Goodbye, but as they say “every cloud has a silver lining” same way Goodbyes also have something “good “ about them. Sushant and Anika were two such lovers. They had met at a coaching institute and it was a love at first sight for Sushant. Sushant greatly adored Anika. Though, she was...

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“Definitely NOT Love At First Sight” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #44

"Bye! Let the door hit you on the way out!"I yelled. "Bye, Vic,"Hunter stated. I watched from the living room as Hunter walked away and out the front door. "Mom! Why is that Hunter guy always here?"Cadence called. I walked upstairs and into Cadence's room. "I've told you, C. He wants to marry me, and he's been asking for years now. But every time I say no because no one can replace the wonderful man your father was,"I replied. Cadence nodded and put the book down that she had been reading. "Can you ask Bebe and Ariana to come in here please...

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“A Strange Tale” by Maggie Deese

Submitted to Contest #44

The rusted train screeched to a stop as it reached the end of the railroad tracks, causing everyone aboard to groan in annoyance. The train made a horrible sound as the conductor pressed on the break, an ear piercing sccccrrrEEECHHHH. All the passengers covered the ears, including one curious little boy. He covered his ears with both hands, pressing hard, and looked at the people around him with probing glances. He wore a scruffy shirt with dirt scattered amongst it and matching dirt covered trousers. His mousy brown hair was hidden inside h...

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“She's Gone” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #44

Ding-dong! I got up from the couch and walked to the front door. I looked out the little peep hole, but I didn't see anyone. I shrugged and opened the door. "I'm home!" It was Grace! She popped up from the right side of the door. She was finally home from The Bahamas! "Oh, my God! I missed you!"I yelled. I wrapped my arms around her and held tight. “I missed you, too,”Grace replied. She let go, and I helped her bring in her bags. “How was it?”I asked. Grace smiled as she sat her bags down on the counter. “It was a lot of fun. But at on...

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“GOODBYE ” by Agnes Ajadi

Submitted to Contest #44

Marissa turned to face him with teary eyeballs. She tried hard to prevent the tears from splitting but just couldn’t. She watched him keenly. He had turned misty-eyed also, but he was doing a greater job at stopping it from splitting than she was.“Goodbye”, she said at last, then turned to leave.With pains and deep sorrow, he whispered “Goodbye”. He watched her go, then turned away his head. He took out his handkerchief and rubbed something wet on his cheeks while he walked away faster, and faster. &nb...

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“Taken By A Virus” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #44

"Hello! This is ABC Local Wardrobe. My name is Lola, how can I help you today?"I asked. I balanced my phone in between my shoulder and my ear as I picked up my four year old, Gabby. "Hi, Lola. This is Joe from the Mount Sinai Hospital here in New York City. We are upset to inform you that your mother has passed away from COVID-19. We are so sorry. We did all that we could to save her,"Joe replied. I closed my eyes to hold back tears. I couldn't cry in front of Gabby. "Thank you. Umm...I know you did your best. I am forever grateful,"I stated...

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“Hello ” by Anna K Firth

Submitted to Contest #44

You wrap strands of hair through your fingers and pull as hard as you can. You do it in the bathroom and then come out, and she’s been doing it too, and you’re both crying. Crying because it’s the right thing to do when you’re saying goodbye. After three days together you’re tired of her and ready to go home and she feels the same and you both know it and don’t care, but still, you have to cry. “I’ll e-mail you,” she says, and you smile and don’t say anything because she doesn’t mean to lie. You never hear from her, and she...

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“Regrets, I've had a few” by E. Jude

Submitted to Contest #44

It's 1979.My mother’s brand-new Kodak camera clacks and flashes awkwardly, as the university's chancellor clasps my clammy hand to shake it. I see stars from the flash of the taken photo, but when I adjust my line of vision, she is the only one I see. Despite the audience in the auditorium, who are heftily cheering me on, and believe me, today it is brimming, overflowing with people. Small kids, who don't know what or why they have been dragged here, run around chasing each other into the corners, squealing in excitement, only...

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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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