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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

“Concluded isolation.” by S. Asad

Submitted to Contest #54

The sun was obscured behind the myriad of delicate and mushy clouds and it appeared as though this day is also going to be like all other freezing days I spent in december. I squeezed my mug of torrid scorching coffee, securely enough to compress all its heat inside me. I blew once and sipped my coffee only to burn my tongue. Before getting up to make my coffee, I had plugged in my phone because it was only 5% and luckily I got pitiful about it and evacuated my room to make coffee downstairs. Drinking coffee and using instagram are lat...

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“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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“Superheroine, Pt. 2: Second Chances” by Kimberley S Klein

Submitted to Contest #54

“Darwin, I don’t know about this. You keep telling me to hit distant things with the boomerang and I keep missing the shit I’m aiming for. What makes you think I can hit a moving target like that pigeon and, for fuck sake, why exactly a pigeon? It’s a harmless animal, it didn’t hurt me!” She complains quite thoroughly into her phone though no one is on the other end. This is her new normal, ever since she had stuck a needle of liquid artificial intelligence into her arm thinking it was heroin at a high school party. Now she has a snarky, mal...

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“Squirrels Don't Fly South” by Kate Wells

Submitted to Contest #54

Rod considered himself an artist first and a squirrel second, and his true disdain for the owl tearing through his front door was the bird’s lack of appreciation for the intricately carved doorway. He had spent a whole autumn crafting it. The nerve! A giant yellow foot exploded through the door as if it was nothing more than a dead leaf. Talons dark and polished curled like iron crescent moons, twisting and snapping around the hollow as the owl tried to get a grip on its prey. In a brazen but successful move, Rod grabbed one of the t...

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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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“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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“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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“A Glimpse” by Isabella Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #54

Third time's the charm, or at least thats what I was told. Moving to a different state for the third time this year- nothing to brag about.I woke up in a hospital bed. As I slowly opened my eyes and tried to focus in, I saw him by my side. The boy from yesterday. Why am I here in this room with a stranger? I wasn’t even sure what exactly happened or why I was in a hospital room, let alone why I was here alone with this boy. I opened my mouth to speak but couldn't get any words out. My mouth was so dry and I...

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“Second Chance At A First Kiss ” by Kyra Walker

Submitted to Contest #54

Have you ever had that one person you can’t get over? No matter how many people you date. No matter how many times they break your heart. You still can’t get over them That’s what it’s been like for me for eleven years. In my third year of high school, I dated Newbury High’s golden boy Cole Matthews. We had broken up two weeks later because we felt as if we rushed things. But in our defense, people were in our business saying we should date. After the breakup, we only talked when it was necessary. We kept up with each other on Instagram and ...

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“Forbidden Fruit” by Toretha Wright

Submitted to Contest #54

Last night’s pounding rain finally ended as the sun peeped over the horizon. It cast an auburn tint on the ocean’s surface that reminded Will Collins of an Arizona sunrise. As he walked leisurely down the beach, close to the water’s edge, he took deep breaths, inhaling the gentle breeze, retrieving broken seashells from the pathway of the children playing in wet sand. The flight back to Phoenix was a few hours away. He had pondered staying for one more night. In the meantime, Lara DeVere relaxed on the balcony of their Surfside Bea...

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“You Can't Go Home Again” by Fiona Dunn

Submitted to Contest #54

Small towns never change. Sunnyvale certainly had not. That’s not a fair assessment, thought Lily, pulling into her designated parking spot. The grocery store was now a full-fledged supermarket, complete with an in-store pharmacy, and the coffee shop-slash-bookshop that replaced Minkert’s Dry Goods and Variety store was a definite improvement. She could even get a pizza delivered, if she wanted. Even the highway had been widened in spots, to prevent miles-long backups during planting and harvesting seasons. Sunnyvale was a farmi...

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“Be Happy” by Carissa Nash

Submitted to Contest #54

I always thought love was a spark igniting then exploding into the night sky in dazzling colors, but although it's cliché enough when I met you that thought changed. It was back in junior year that I transferred to your school, scared of leaving my home in Ohio and starting new. It was like any coming-of-age movie, girl move schools and meets a guy, falls in love oh so suddenly. I felt special when I was with you as if the drama of high school was beneath us. Six months into our relationship we said "I love you" under the oak tree in front...

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“long lost love.” by Betty Wilson

Submitted to Contest #54

DianneWhen I wake up, it takes me a moment to remember where I am. Like everything these days, my memory is starting to slip away and the blank white walls that surround me are no help. It’s the smell that eventually jogs my memory, that lingering scent of sanitiser and grief that used to make me feel sick but now I barely notice it.I look around the ward. Bessie has gone. So has Jack. I can’t remember if they’ve gone backwards or forwards, to home or somewhere new. I’m still here though. Just with a new accessory attached to my heart, remin...

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“Last words said” by Lourdes Michener

Submitted to Contest #54

“Brandon!!!” I find myself yelling as I run across the street to his house. Narrating: ~Brandon is my best friend and neighbor, across the road. Him and I had a connection. A love connection you could say. Even though we were in 7th grade, I knew I loved him. He’s the guy I wrote about in my diary. He’s the guy I loved and wanted to marry.~ Brandon quickly turns around, right before he opens his door. “Hey, what’s the rush princess!?” I smiled at his nickname for me. I finally caught up to Brandon and gave him a huge hug. W...

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“The Leak ” by Hel Knightly

Submitted to Contest #54

Returning to her hometown after a decade of absence was peculiar. She'd been estranged from her parents for quite some time. Only recently had her mother fallen ill and requested to make amends. With no intentions vaguely familiar but some how more solemn. Many of the buildings were dilapidated and had paint flaking from every corner. The streets were riddled with potholes and cracks as far as the eye could see. The towns people didn't seem to fare any better. There were multiple disheveled families who hadn't eaten. Others were overwr...

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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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