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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

“The Red Lady” by Koi KOAH

Submitted to Contest #44

I was no longer the lady I used to see in the mirror as she was dressed by countless maids with only a quill and paper on her mind. "Hurry up Omelia." A whisper from one of the girls hurried me in an even whisper away from my reflection in the mirror to get ready and gather with the rest while I took the last glance at myself who looked as weary as the maids I once myself tormented with countless requests: My long braided hair hidden away by a day cap, the pale almost sickly complexion making my hazel eyes stormy and dull from what they...

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“Family” by Diana Caskey

Submitted to Contest #44

She heard the neighbor’s cock crowing a long crescendo, rolling over her dreaming consciousness. Unlike many of the village cocks he reliably woke and announced the day just at the right time. Time to get up, dress, feed the fire and make bread. Her husband felt her stirring and wrapped his arm around her, snuggling closer. It was tempting to close her eyes again and sleep warmly just a little longer. Pictures in her head rise unbidden, blocking out the remnant of her dream. All the things she needs to do today. Wash day, oh the work of it. ...

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“In Search of James” by Bubba McClure

Submitted to Contest #44

CW: Due to its historical setting, this story refers to people of Romani descent using a term now recognized as a slur The gypsies surrounded the fire. A woman with thick, long black hair was dancing. A man was playing the violin for her to dance to. None of them saw the man hiding in the shadows of the woods. He had a knife in his hand, and his narrowed eyes scanned the scene, trying to find the one light head he knew must be there in the sea of dark ones. He saw nothing. The man cursed inwardly, and was about to turn to ...

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“Pandemic ” by Kathleen Whalen

Submitted to Contest #44

“Will, please get up. It’s time for school.”He barely heard his mother’s voice in the doorway. He ignored her and continued attempting to sleep.“I am not going to ask you again. You can stay home and sit with your grandfather instead if you’d like.”That would be a worse alternative. Since his “recovery” from the flu virus, his grandfather did little but sit in his chair all day staring at nothing. He barely ate anything and rarely spoke.“Fine. I’ll be down for breakfast in a minute.”He dressed quickly, washed his face in the basin and ran a ...

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“Breaking the Rules in a Forbidden World” by Bridget Sam

Submitted to Contest #44

The path seems to be paved for me as I walk down the street. Taking in the crisp San Francisco air, everything smelt fresh and green. The flowers were blooming and the leaves were emitting a scent of spring. However, no one was paying attention to the beauty around them. Instead, they were looking at me. As a new person takes fond of me I can tell they had a look mixed with disgust and sheer wonderment, mostly the former though. You might be wondering, “Well, why are people looking at you?” Well, that’s a question I’m trying to answer ...

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“Hard times, hard work.” by Fern Theobaldo

Submitted to Contest #44

The clouds were covering up the sky, the vineyard, and the cornfield my neighbor owned was covered in snow, so was everyone else’s house. I got up excited and woke my younger sister Luisa up, we both put our jackets on and left the house to play, it was the best moment I got throughout the day because later on, I would have to take care of the house. You see, I am only a twelve years old girl, but my mom is a hard worker she was the one who put food in the table and blankets on our beds. We didn’t have a lot of money, and to be more specific...

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“After Midnight in Mexico” by Jonathan Piscitelli

Submitted to Contest #44

I was lucky to make it back from Mexico alive.It all started out innocent enough. It was just a little two-week foreign exchange program between my high school, and a local high school in Torreon, a small mining town in Central Mexico.Richard and I were going along with twelve other Seniors, chaperoned and led by our Spanish teacher Mr. Fitzgerald.We left nearly two weeks before Halloween and Richard and I had thought about getting mushrooms to trip on our trip down south, making it that much more of an epic adventure, but it turns out we wo...

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“Silent Goodbyes” by Jordan Nelson

Submitted to Contest #44

The porch looked darker then usual; there was less life about the peeling grey boards and the thin swing that shifted slightly back and forth in the breeze. My eyes were trained on the maroon door with its lime green trim that today remained unconcealed by the screen door which was decorated with large holes in the lining. I tried to look at anything besides the little girl sitting on the steps in front of me who clutched her faded teddy bear now stained with fresh tears. In the silence of the morning I did my best to ignore her small whines...

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“The Beginning of an End” by Raphi Mendoza

Submitted to Contest #44

The light pitter patter of rain against the steel roof of the bus stop played a lullaby as the flickering street light illuminated her tearstained porcelain cheeks. With unsure hands he reached out at her heaving shoulders, slowly pulling her into a lukewarm embrace. Her dainty arms circled around his waist as tears soaked through. “…” Pushing her, holding her at arm’s length. Bloodshot sanguine brown eyes gazed into electric callous orbs wishing, hoping, praying for something. For anything but this.“Jem, I-“ A sob slipped through ...

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“I'll always love you...” by Isabely Fujii

Submitted to Contest #44

Two pure kind souls, Carol and Alice, were hugging each other, they pressed their bodies together for the last time while tears slowly rolled down their eyes until they touched each other's skin. They didn’t want to say goodbye but it was needed, the world didn’t understand their innocent and genuine love for each other and they knew that if they stayed together at that moment it would be bad for both. That was the sad reality of many "non-traditional couples" from the 18th century.-I love you so much- Said Carol between tears- And I will al...

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“Wishing you a badbye” by Muttaki Kamal

Submitted to Contest #44

"I WISH YOU WERE DEAD!""YEAH, MAN! FUCK YOU TOO!"Those were the last words exchanged between us. On a bright sunny morning. I was sitting on my porch, worried, stressed, and irritated by the system I live with. And he was just passing by, to the mart. To the mart, in front of which, someone, just like us, was horizontally lynched by the police.I too shop from that mart. I too was chased by the police several times, in this very disappointed neighborhood. One does not have to do much to be chased by them. Apparently, one does not have to do m...

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“Another world ” by Winston Ashe

Submitted to Contest #44

Ring Ring!! Hey babe what is up? Not much just handling business, like always, any plans for the weekend? Wow Jamal you have time to hang out with me for once in your life? I am sorry no need to get rude, you know I can not have you around when I am getting into business, please you know if I was a female I would be there with you and your boyz, don't lie, I am getting tried, of being a second thought. We have been together for 7 years, and I have no clue how your boyz, do not know this. Babe I keep telling you even if yo...

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“Sticky Sweet Meet Cute” by Jaydan Taylor

Submitted to Contest #44

“To put words to paper has been a struggle for me. Adeline I couldn’t even begin to find the words to portray my love for you. I wish I could find those words so that you could truly understand how much I need you by my side. You weren’t just the pretty face I rolled over to admire every day for the last fifty years but the soul at which mine had entwined itself with ever since you broke that vanilla ice cream cone on my head at the summer carnival in ‘82. Heaven is one lucky bastard to get you, my love. For every second that passe...

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“Half Stone” by Fjona Prendi

Submitted to Contest #44

I remember feeling cold on a warm spring day. The hesitance I felt to look at your glass; innocent, pure eyes beyond the window, while I tasted the saltiness of my tears. Windows had never felt more evil to me- I hated them and I still do. You’re tough… you’ve always been tough.... but that day broke you; like it broke me. I turned my head back for a split second and stared at your slow movements, carefully recording every bit of you in the golden pocket of my memory; every hand gesture, every little wrinkle in your face, every frequency of ...

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“It Takes Two” by AJ Preclaro

Submitted to Contest #44

The car idles in the parking lot for a moment. Hearts are racing and tears are being held back as the Carter-Chen family prepares to face a life altering day. “Are you ready for this?” Nate Carter asks his wife, Penelope Chen as they simultaneously unbuckle their seatbelts. Nate checks his dirty blonde hair in the rear view mirror and neatly combs it to the side with a free hand. “I don’t think it’s me you should be worried about” Penelope answers as she tucks a strand of dark hair back behind her ear and prepares to wake the...

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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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