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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#47: Second Person

Writers are often cautioned away from using second person point of view. And that's because it can be tricky to get right. But as writers like Junot Diaz, Lorrie Moore, and our contest's very own Hayley Igarashis proves, second person POV can also provide for an incredibly immersive reading experience.

This week, our prompts challenge you to write a story using second person POV. In other words, the story should address readers as "you," pulling them right into the narrative. You don't need to use the prompts verbatim in your stories — as always, they are meant to get your wheels of creative interpretation turning! (And for additional tips on this unique point of view, you can check out our guide to second person POV!)

This week's prompts

As you check your mail, you notice a letter that makes you stop in your tracks.

Thriller and Suspense – 212 stories

"Just say it," you silently reminded yourself. You knew you'd regret it if you didn't.

Nonfiction – 217 stories

You looked out the window and, not for the first time, thought about how wrong the weather forecast had been.

Nonfiction – 146 stories

Suitcase in hand, you head to the station.

Adventure – 187 stories

You check the time. Perfect. As intended, you've arrived fashionably late.

Funny – 115 stories

Stories

“Scrabble” by Amiable Sorceress

Submitted to Contest #47

You never gave much thought to those afternoons in Mexico, you and your aunt sitting opposite one another, a game board set on a table between yourselves. It was always scorching hot outside, but without fail every morning, Tia Elena would set up the game for a quick round of scrabble. You always took a fancy to the word game though you got beaten each time by family members-even today. This morning, you were up earlier than usual, breathing in and out, in and out. Soon, your kids would be tugging on your new green dress, waiting...

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“Splinters of Shame” by Elle Clark

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #47

Your sodden clothing offers you no protection from the razor edge of the wind as you watch your home splinter and shatter. It floats in pieces for a minute before being swallowed by the uncaring mouth of the ocean. Parts of your ship, now relegated to driftwood, spread like litter. Some innocuously bump your little lifeboat but others are larger and pose more of a threat. You see a remnant of the main mast, tangled with rigging, fast approaching and there is movement around you to avoid the snagging tendrils. There is shouting - sensele...

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“Love Letters to Myself” by Anoushka Jain

Submitted to Contest #47

I know you feel a dark nothingness sometimes Like a drop of black ink unfurling across the paperlike a vine blossoming taking over with its dark uglinessand then it swallows you you stumble around in the darkfeeling numb inside like icicles are stabbing youstabbing you in the heart repeatedlybut your lungs are scorchedyou need a sip of waterbut it's too far awayyou try to reach it but you can'tand then you fall there's nothing you can doso you silently scream, writhing in agonyhoping someone sees your painsees the dark empty pit inside youan...

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“Two Found, One to Go” by Orenda .

Submitted to Contest #47

“Hey, see you tomorrow. Bye!” Your best friend, Leah says as you guys leave the class to go home. As you leave the college building and exit the gate, you notice a group of students standing outside and talking about something in enthusiasm. “Yeah, you know, I never trusted that site until my friend told me she found her brother.”“Really? That’s great.”After eavesdropping on them, you decide to leave, lest you break into an endless flow of tears. Not until a few months ago, you had discovered a popular website called Find Your Love...

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“Save Me.....” by Imane Sah.

Submitted to Contest #47

It began as a whispering in the air. The day had been beautiful and the sky was like a dome of plasma-blue. The clouds had looked like airy anvils drifting under the gleaming disc of sun. I looked out the window. The sky was tar-black and the large clouds were moving towards me. I heard a tapping on the window and then it became a pitter-patter. The beautiful cocktail-blue shade was beginning to darken into gravel-grey. Large pillows of cloud were forming, blotting out the old-gold colour of the sun. I was too tired and so sad, her voice ech...

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“Hospital Visits” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #47

My footsteps slow as I reach the end of the hall. I know you’re there. I can hear you breathing every so softly. I stop in front of your door and reach for the knob, but I don’t pull it open quite yet. I’m waiting for you to sense me and say, “Come in, I’ve been waiting for you.” I’m waiting to hear your wonderful voice, clear as a bell and also wavering in and out of existence. When I’ve waited for over five minutes and still haven’t heard you say anything, I push the door open and walk in. You’re sleeping. I sit down by the bed and watch y...

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“Suitcase Full of Poems; Everything and Nothing at All” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #47

Kincade looks at your homework from across the desk, trying to see what you have scribbled down this time; what manic poetry psycho babble you managed to catch on paper today. You are wearing your deeply velvet blazer and you smell like a bonfire. There are still ashes on your pants and your lips are tinted with cold night air. Here you are sitting across the table from each other and looking over the English homework. Except you’re not really looking at the homework. You are still writing your poem. You set your hand to the pen again and ke...

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“Some Secrets can't be Known. Not Even by YOU.” by Cam Croz

Submitted to Contest #47

Verum, Fun Facts, and Terror Tortillas: Verum was finally - after years of waiting - going to try to go to school again. She, unlike many kids of her age, was excited for school, looking forward to it. She was turning 14 this next month and she still and never attended as so much of a single day of school. She for one knew not why she could not attend school, obtain an education. I do though. I do. Who am I? I bet you, among others, would like to know the answer to that simple question. However, by giving you that ans...

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“Hospital Visits Two!” by Jubilee Forbess

Submitted to Contest #47

I don’t want you to say goodbye, and yet here I am again, sitting crossed legged on the floor of this hospital, waiting to see if this waking moment will be the last of this life, on this earth. Dramatic? I think not. You’re dying, obviously, and even in death you can’t seem to realize that I’m the one that’s always been here, and not Satchel the class A jerk who didn’t bother to come to your deathbed because he’s at a party. With other girls. What kind of guy goes to a party without his girlfriend when she’s dying? Scratch that, why would h...

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“Power trip” by Miles Gatling

Submitted to Contest #47

You looked out the window and, not for the first time, thought about how wrong the weather forecast had been. It said sunny but it's fucking raining blood, boy! You cleave the gargoyle in half with the help of a mighty blade. Look at that thing; it's fucking huge! It hums in your hands, delighted by the life you keep feeding it. As you slit the throat of an imp, its head rolls beneath your muscular feet. A motherfucking champion, that's what you are! Kicking that stupid face sends it flying in the arms of its youngest. Oh man, you've done it...

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“Nebula 13” by Laurentz Baker

Submitted to Contest #47

In past times when the council of planets attempted to organize a summit, Onyx with many others, who were against the collaboration with the governments he was led to believe murdered his father fought against these attempted summits. But now that there is a new and more dangerous element at play he no longer has a choice but to support a summit addressing this more dangerous foe. Like many others, if he doesn’t what little he has left and loves will be destroyed. The date is 8.12.5590. A commercial passenger transport overhears a ...

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“Falling up” by Syeda Fatima

Submitted to Contest #47

"Just say it," you silently reminded yourself. You knew you'd regret it if you didn't. You sighed and prepared yourself to speak up as you stood in front of the mirror that reflected a wealthy but distraught lady. Sunlight poured on beside the king-sized pearl bed right on your face. You glanced at the highlighter brightening up your face, the mascara covering up the burning eyes and the loose pale blue-lavender blouse with white slender jeans looking odd on your exquisite body. Ahh… such a life! Ups and downs, ups and downs…..‘Mom!’, she ut...

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“Your First And Last Warning” by Lata B

Submitted to Contest #47

I'm telling you the truth and only the truth. If you choose to read this maybe you can avoid what's about to happen. If you don’t, I'm afraid you're in great danger, and worse if you think I'm lying the likelihood of you dying is much higher. I'm not your enemy, neither am I your friend. You don’t know me, but I know your next. Some people don’t remember their dreams, but you will surely remember the dream you will have tonight. I want you to listen closely if you want to live. We don’t have much time, so I'll save you some by telling y...

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“Moonflower” by <inactive> .

Submitted to Contest #47

You looked out the window and, not for the first time, thought about how wrong the weather forecast had been. Helen at Times Today said it would be sunny out, and she was usually correct. Right now, however, dark clouds were gathering. Exactly like your mood.It wasn’t fair. Your twin sister didn’t deserve what had happened to her. Even if there were no do-overs and today would have always have been her last day, couldn’t the world have at least made it happier?The first few drops pitter-platter against your lawn. The earth smelled fresh. May...

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“One Of Us” by Deborah Angevin

Submitted to Contest #47

Hey, you!Have you ever thought about your ability to sight colour?To be able to see the yellow line marking on the train station.To be able to see the green signage that shows the track and the departure time.To be able to see the silver vehicle that will bring you to your wished destination.To be able to see the brown from the leather where you will be seated for the next three hours.To be able to see the bright blue sky out of the window.To be able to see the black sleeveless dress that the lady beside you are wearing.To be able to see the...

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$50

Prize money

877

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 26, 2020 EST

Won by Miranda Carter 🏆

Title: My Mother's Sky

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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