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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

“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...

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“A Good Life” by Stephanie Kaye

Submitted to Contest #54

I arrive home from another twelve-hour shift at the restaurant, aching and exhausted, hunger burning a hole in my stomach. You are on the couch smoking a cigarette, reading a book. A fine rain is thrumming against the living-room window. Our little Christmas tree is in the corner of the room, glowing pink, yellow, and blue. It feels bright and dark all at once. I shut the door softly. I think you don’t notice me, but you do. You always do. Hey, you say, a smile lifting your voice. You meet me in the kitchen and cup my face with your hands. W...

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“Thirty-Year Proposal” by Michelle Williams

Submitted to Contest #54

It was the eve before Christmas eve. The store was packed with last-minute shoppers. Elle was standing by the door greeting customers. She was letting them know about the express gift card line. Customers commented on her festive spirit. Elle was dressed like an elf and was wearing a huge light-up Christmas tree hat. The hat had been a gag gift from her best friend Gina. Elle's birthday was exactly a month before Christmas. Elle acted like it was the worst gift ever but she secretly loved the ridiculous light-up hat. Th...

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“Accidents Happens” by Evan Rocker

Submitted to Contest #54

I love my much older sister. I really do. And believe me I wasn’t even angry at my sister Ann when I made that tiny error and burned her house down. To the ground. Completely. I really wasn’t. But sometimes these things just seem to happen. Be honest. Haven’t bad things accidentally happened to you? And weren’t you sometimes partially responsible? How about totally? Nevertheless, like that therapist said, I did what I did, and it was what it was, and that was why I got community service and……but I’m getting way ahead of mysel...

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“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...

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“MASALA RESTAURANT” by Sandhya R

Submitted to Contest #54

MASALA RESTAURANT One fine day, Ravi decides to go abroad to stay with his son in Switzerland. His son Aditya was a dentist there. He had invited his father several times and now the wavelengths met. One Sunday morning Ravi landed in his son’s place. The warm welcome by his son in the coolest place, the mesmerizing ambiance, and the strange kind of fusion of thoughts-altogether he was on cloud nine! Mind and environment both extremely cool and extremely blissful. Father and son exchanged their way of life. Both lived a single life cop...

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“An apple for the teacher” by Fraser Ramus

Submitted to Contest #54

I had been sat on the bench for the last ten minutes taking in the sites and sounds. I was a people watcher; I loved to look at someone, imagine who they were or was and give them a back story to go along with it. I had always found myself doing it. Sometimes I found myself staring a little too long and ended up getting some funny looks in return. Wouldn’t like to think what back story I was being given!I screwed the lid off my new shiny metal flask and poured myself another cup of Nescafe Gold Blend. I missed my usual long black coffee with...

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“The Question” by Hannah Carter

Submitted to Contest #54

Are there second chances at true love? I’ve carried that question with me for so long I’ve forgotten what it felt like to not question it. At every failed date, every time I texted: “Really, it’s not you, it’s me,” and every time I wondered: what would I do if I could go back? If I could stop myself from making that one mistake? I’d rationalized the scene a million times in my head. There was me, upset at my parents’ divorce—my father’s choice, because ...

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“Wave-Tossed” by Daisy Torres

Submitted to Contest #54

I stared out at a sea that seemed to stretch for an eternity, watching the waves toss and spray foam onto the sandy beach. The waves slowed to a thin, transparent caress over my feet. I curled my toes around the sand and eyed a wave that was beginning to form in the distance. I adjusted my grip on my surfboard and waded out before laying on the board and paddling deeper. Slowly, my board caught the wave, and I cautiously rose, keeping my weight forward on my goofy foot and my knees slightly bent.The action felt so natural, as if I were ...

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“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...

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“Conjugal Life” by UJJWAL DUTTA

Submitted to Contest #54

Conjugal Life Someone seemed to be calling from behind “Ayan”. Ayan turned back and, to his utter surprise and delight, found Ahana. He said, “Ahana, You are here! Am I seeing correctly?” “Your eye-sight is ok, Ayan. I’m here, in front of you! But I can also ask you the same question.” “Here is my office.” Ayan pointe...

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“The Perfect Gift” by Silvia Bartolini

Submitted to Contest #54

Mum is upset. I can tell by the way her hand shoots to her breast, eyes wide as if staring at one of my much bigger cousins. She tries hard to stretch the corners of her mouth in what is meant to be a congratulatory smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She squeals in high-pitched would-be delight and claps, but keeps her distance. I look at the gift I’ve brought her, but by the time my eyes come back up, she’s gone. I get up from my seating position and walk away, dejected. It’s going to be the dustpan again.I reach the end of my Patch and ...

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“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...

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“Shadow” by Elizabeth Burrows

Submitted to Contest #54

Tossing. Turning. A cold sweat broke out across the figure on the bed. A small whimper broke the tension in the air. Quiet words were mumbled out into the darkness. A sharp gasp and the figure was gripping her head. Blankets were tangled at the feet of the figure. The figure trembled and shook. A piercing scream ripped through the air followed by shouts and groans of pain. A hissing sound filled the room as the figure rolled once more. The sound of an explosion followed by a growl caused the figure to let out a whine. Tossing. Turning. Unabl...

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“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...

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$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!

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