Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#54: Second Chances

"Third time's the charm."

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

"Rome wasn't built in a day."

The English language is full of aphorisms that get at a universal truth: human beings aren't perfect, and oftentimes we need to keep trying (and trying again) in order to get something right.

This week's prompts all revolve around the theme of second chances. Whether your characters are circling back to something from their past, getting a start on something they put off for a long time, or simply in the process of learning after a swing and a miss, we're looking forward to the 'second acts' you come up with!

And speaking of layered characters, on August 12th, bestselling novelists Caroline Leavitt and Gina Sorell are hosting a free webinar on creating believable characters. RSVP here!

This week's prompts

Write a story about high school sweethearts coming across one another after many, many years apart.

Romance – 283 stories

Write a story about someone going back to school as a mature student.

High School – 88 stories

Write a story about someone looking to make amends for a mistake.

Adults – 223 stories

Write a story about someone struggling to learn a skill that in no way comes naturally to them.

Funny – 154 stories

Write a story about a TV show called "Second Chances."

Novel – 108 stories

Stories

“A Christmas Miracle” by Kasia Brie

Submitted to Contest #54

Josh, Faith, his wife of twelve years, and their two children, Grace and Luke, hiked with his parents, brothers and their families through the snow of the Christmas Star Farm in Owego, New York. They had driven up the day before from Chestnut Hill, a tony suburb of Philly to reconnect and make new memories. They were celebrating Christmas and his mother’s cancer remission. As was tradition, they went to the end of the field and spread out, searching fo...

Read story

“Recruitment Time.” by Len Mooring

Submitted to Contest #54

Recruitment Time. “Hi, God here. Actually, my name was Juan before the other moniker was stuck on me. Baldly, it’s going to be your turn now. I thought I’d give it to you straight with my special soothing app allowing you to take all of this in. Even with the app, it’s quite something, isn’t it? Here’s the lowdown. “We get this God job for 500 years. Even with all the perks of the job, one couldn’t ask any ordinary ‘elevated’ individual to stand more than a half a Millenium. The whining and snivelling eventually gets to you. Anyway, ...

Read story

“The Ride Back” by Silver Fish

Submitted to Contest #54

I live far away from home now. It's been decades since I've seen Jenny. I have a big corporate job now. Time to think is a rarity, something I cherish amidst the chaos of my life. The work often feels like too much, like it’s stacking up against my chest and threatening to strangle me. My days are often filled with people yelling, misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Sometimes I wonder if the corporate life, with its gray interiors and fluorescent lights, is meant me for me at all. When the work gets to be too much and I feel myself u...

Read story

“August Storms” by Paige Leppanen

Submitted to Contest #54

Every August, we get at least two days with rain. This, unfortunately, is one of those days. I’m grateful for the excuse to collect my thoughts in privacy, though. The radio is cranked up and I’m checking my bag for the fifth time today, ensuring I have the essentials: my laptop, folders, textbooks, notebooks, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, a stapler, staples, index cards...I love back-to-school shopping for my kids, but it was even more fun buying school supplies for myself. No minor breakdowns because I accidentally bought a pink glitte...

Read story

“Small Acts of Faith” by Vanessa Kilmer

Submitted to Contest #54

Bridget lit a candle in the church alcove, her 90-year-old knees aching in protest at kneeling before the Madonna. She ignored the unpleasantness, her lifelong response to things she couldn't control—no sense dwelling on spilled milk. She couldn't ignore the wrinkled hand with little liver spots dotted across the wrist that reached in front of her vision to light a candle of its own. The body landed on the hassock next to her and expelled a grunt and woof of air. The person came within inches of bumping into Bridget. She held up her right...

Read story

“LOVE REMAINS ” by Vickie Culbertson

Submitted to Contest #54

LOVE REMAINS Looking out the window of the Pottery House Café and Deli I see my high school sweetheart loading a van with carefully packed boxes of functional and decorative pottery art. He has maintained his handsome physique, dressed casually in a white golf shirt and khaki shorts. Wearing sandals and his skin is tanned an attra...

Read story

“Escape” by Blake Hogen

Submitted to Contest #54

“So I guess that was my mistake...leaving you alive!”“Boring! Everyone always says that. Can’t you think of something more original?” John’s face smiled; his mouth smiled, but his eyes glared with a coldness Michael hadn’t known since that one winter when he was a kid, when he had destroyed his ankle chasing Donny through the woods just off the lot, that root seeming to spring from the snow, grasping his foot and twisting it, mercilessly, way passed anywhere it should have gone.He had screamed, screamed forever, but Donny was gone, booking i...

Read story

“Auteur Filmmaking” by Mr Jingo

Submitted to Contest #54

When the solitary cloud moved past the sun, nothing obscured the piercing rays from firing down onto the Nevada desert, the merciless summer heat oppressing the film crew like ants under a magnifying glass. Perhaps if they had more common sense, one of them might have suggested rescheduling the shoot. However, “rational thought” and a “Rhapsa Pumpus film” weren’t phrases that went hand in hand.“No!” Rhapsa shouted in his bizarre, impossible-to-place accent, “Molly, come on! We’ve been over this!”She glared at him, something made much less th...

Read story

“Second Chances” by David Murphy

Submitted to Contest #54

I woke with a start, for a moment or two disoriented, my surroundings unfamiliar. The brakes of the diesel-electric squealed as the train drew into the station, bringing the latest crowd of commuters home from whatever their toils were in Aberdeen. I let most of them go in front of me – I was in no great hurry to leave the warmth of the carriage. As I descended on to the platform, a flash from over fifty years ago made me stop. The old pedestrian footbridge was still there, but now really showing its age and lack of maintenance, g...

Read story

“The Letter” by Madeline Riccardi

Submitted to Contest #54

When I got the letter in the mail last week, the contents were not quite what I had expected. It took me almost two months to open the letter. Even the thought of reading her words on paper made me want to cry. I never thought that I would still be controlled by her almost fifty years later. Then again, I also did not expect to live to sixty-eigh...

Read story

“Practice” by Illıllı ᴍᴀʜɪʀᴀ Ʀᴀʜᴍᴀɴ Illıllı

Submitted to Contest #54

Based on my writing struggles.Trust me, a lot of things come in life with no hard work, but a lot of things come with practice. At first I never thought I would be able to write. I've always thought my stories were trash, but I've realized, things come with practice, if you want to be good at something you have to practice. Here's how I struggled with being confident with myself, mostly being confident with my writing.“Clara!” Mom yelled“Coming mom” Clara responded angrily looking at the trash can filled with crumpled up paper balls. Clara r...

Read story

“Second Chances Are Overrated” by Trinity Womack

Submitted to Contest #54

"And see, just like that another couple finds themselves back in each other's arms. You too can have a second chance at love. For a chance to participate on the next episode of Love's Second Chance, call 1-800-Second. I'm your host, Don Novel, signing off. Until next time, and remember, when love comes knocking, all you have to do is answer." Mira turned the tv off and closed the bag of chips that now only contained crumbs. Another happy couple, just like always. It was probab...

Read story

“BRIAN'S BIG DAY” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hello Brian and Emily. Welcome to the show-Second Chances. Has everyone been kind to you in the green room?”Brian and Emily nodded in unison.“That’s great. Now I just want to introduce myself to you as your host for today’s show. I’m Peter Hammond and I’ll be asking all the questions today. I’m sure my staff have explained most of what it’s about to you already and I’m sure you’ve also been watching the show. It’s a great show and very high up in the rankings for audience views. Now Brian if you would like to stand over there on my left. Em...

Read story

“SWEETHEART” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #54

I was caught in a serious problem. My job, name, fame, character, integrity, social esteem… all under threat. An amount of Rs 500000/- kept under my custody was stolen. I was taken to task. My boss gave me left and right and held me solely responsible for the theft. Knowing me for the last so many years as an honest and straight forward hard worker, my boss spared me and gave seven days’ time. Otherwise, I being the culprit, would be handed over to Police. A tight jeopardy for a law abiding, ‘middle- class morality’ fellow. Grief stricken, k...

Read story

“Chip Off the Old Block” by Taryn Holmes

Submitted to Contest #54

“Again!” Aubrey paced back and forth beside me, her bright blond ponytail swinging and her arms crossed. I clenched the handlebars of the bike, glaring at my daughter. “I can’t do it Aubrey.” She glared back. “Yes you can Mom, you’re just not trying hard enough.” I shook my head, heavy in a thick helmet, even as I lifted my foot to the pedal. I pushed down hard, my left foot snapped to the other pedal and I started to move forward. The sidewalk before me swam before my eyes and my head spun a million rotations. I quivered for a foot, a rolli...

Read story

Load more stories

$50

Prize money

856

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 14, 2020 EST

Won by Mollie Rodgers 🏆

Title: Where the Water Meets the Sand

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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢