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

“Questions” by Brandon Goodman

Submitted to Contest #54

I smoothed the wrinkles in my shirt before scooping my coffee from the counter. I dropped the few spare coins from my change into the donation jar—a meagerly collection of singles and dimes marked “Save the Rain Forest!”—before making my way to an open table. I nervously shifted my coffee in front of me as I walked.Was she here yet? Would I find her at the back table sifting through the pages of Brontë or Chopin?I thought back to that orchard all those years ago. The orange-gold light filtering through the greens of the trees, and her sittin...

Read story

“HS BFFs” by Matthew Turner

Submitted to Contest #54

“Why are there three quarts of sour cream on your mother’s list?” Heather asked “We’re a big dip bunch!” Rosalyn said with a wide grin “I could have gone my life without hearing that phrase.” They both shared a laugh as Rosalyn pushed the cart and Heather monitored everything that was going into the cart. To minimize time and save money the only things going into the cart were things on the list that Rosalyn’s mother, Donna, had given them. They made their way slowly down the aisles looking lost. The idle wander of someone trying to navi...

Read story

“Don't Bring an Ex to a Double Date” by OB Jato

Submitted to Contest #54

Rahul did not know who his first love was. Like most of his friends he dated a girl for the first time while in high school. Archana was a sweetheart. Moreover, she was a vegetarian – a prerequisite his family would have sought for in his partner. He did not know this when he first started talking to her, of course. She was the only other Gujarati in his class. They bonded over local food, and jokes about their questionable taste. It was too sweet to satisfy either person’s palette. But soon, khakras had been replace...

Read story

“First Day Jitters” by Janelle Hammonds

Submitted to Contest #54

Students shuffled into the class, some with confidence, taking a seat without any seemingly difficult decision making. Elizabeth is far from it. She hovers near the doorway, stepping aside to allow others into the room. Her eyes scan the room, starting at the back row, crossing it off her list of potential seats as it quickly fills up. She’s left to choose between the middle two, she doesn’t dare to choose the front, she’s already going to stand out enough as the oldest student, she doesn’t desire to be seen as a kiss up. A light tap on her ...

Read story

“TO FIND HAPPINESS ” by Affiong Effiong Okon

Submitted to Contest #54

“I cannot accept the pregnancy,” Eyo said, my parents would not hear of it, he told Hauwa harshly under the mango tree. Ten years ago; She was fifteen years old and was in the penultimate class to end her high school. She remembered how her mother cried the day she found out, but refused her to abort the baby because of their religious stance. This was after Hauwa had tried a particular drug, which made her wince in pain all through the night and spot blood, but the baby was not affected. A boy was born seven months later after the fai...

Read story

“Kismet!?” by C Alexis McGregor

Submitted to Contest #54

The sky dawned with drama, periwinkle, purple, gold and tangerine traipsing across the horizon, as Deann carried her blue travel mug, brimming with freshly brewed coffee, down the steps of her truck camper to sit on her crimson camp chair. Savouring her first sip, she surveyed the view from her site in BC’s t Liard River Hot Springs Provincial. Today was a short solitary jaunt, a mere 210 km to Watson Lake, Yukon, unlike the last time Deann had made this trip; that time in the company of her husband, now dead two years. With the volu...

Read story

“DESTINY. ” by Sukhbir Pathak

Submitted to Contest #54

It was late evening; the weather was cloudy and seemed like it was about to rain. I was coming back from the office and saw an accident; the traffic lights were not working properly. An SUV had collided with a Sedan and both of them were damaged. People started running towards the cars and the whole traffic came to a standstill. For a few minutes it was a complete silence. No sound of honking nor people yelling. I ran toward the Sedan and found two girls inside, unconscious and with blood oozing from their heads. I along with few people trie...

Read story

“Remember me?” by Cindy M

Submitted to Contest #54

I regret wearing this dress tonight. There is so much cold, it chills you straight to the bone. Yet here I am, on a Thursday night - work night, might I add-on the rooftop of The Golden Tulip with nothing but a sleeveless short back dress on. No - scratch that - I regret coming here in the first place. I look at the two empty chairs across the table, food on the table barely touched. I blink away and that is when I realise that I have this wetness in my eyes. Damn this cold weather! I am on my feet as soon as I make the discovery, fishing...

Read story

“The Game” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #54

“You’re gonna love it, mom, I’m sure of it.” “I’m glad you’re sure, Mark. I’m having my doubts right now.” Martha had a death grip on Mark’s arm, her head on a swivel as she looked around at the throng of people. “It’s what dad would want, mom. It’s the right thing to do.” “I know, son, I know. And thank you for inviting me, instead of one of your friends.” “Of course, mom.” Mark gave his mother’s white-knuckled hand a pat. “Dad loved his Portland Trail Blazers, and we made great use of these season tickets.” The crowds seemed just...

Read story

“A successful shopping trip” by Emma Taylor

Submitted to Contest #54

I wander down an aisle, staring aimlessly at the dairy free milk. Soy, almond, rice, so much choice it is confusing to know which to buy. They are in rectangular cartons and offer the promise of a healthy alternative. They are different to the milk I remember, the plastic bottle with a handle, fitting perfectly into the shelf attached to the fridge door. And its creamy taste, filling you up on a morning and sending you to sleep at night. According to the list in between my fingers, I am intolerant. It happens as you get older and must choose...

Read story

“The Viewing” by Jessica Tomaselli

Submitted to Contest #54

The sweet scent of flowers was oppressive. Jasmine stared at the line of friends and family who had come to the viewing. It was getting monotonous. Everyone was sorry for her loss, but she had processed it already as much as she processed any emotion. That was one of her failings, she knew, she tended to bottle things up, keep them compartmentalized. But she had had time to adjust to the idea of life without Mike. The doctors had warned them there was no hope and together they had gotten his affairs and her emotions in order. She stared at t...

Read story

“Jazz Club Hideaway” by Anaya Dennis

Submitted to Contest #54

Graham had looked down to check the time on his watch. 8 p.m. exactly. He had never known Billie to be late, but before another second could pass he spotted Billie at the front entrance, bypassing the long line of people waiting to be seated, and speaking to the waiter in front. He recognized her honey brown skin and those shiny luscious curls had always been specific to Billie alone. She wore a red pantsuit that complimented every curve of her body and opened up to reveal her smooth and flawless back. Graham had gazed upon her a million tim...

Read story

“Reunion” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #54

Ruby approached the book shop nervously. She had never attended an event like this. Her favorite author Marybelle Mortimer was here today to sign copies of her newly released romantic novel, “Passion and Power”. The line already stretched around the corner. Ruby fished her copy out of her handbag. Marybelle’s immaculately made up face smiled at her in soft focus from the back cover, her chin propped on her perfectly manicured hand. The heroine stared defiantly from the front cover, emerald green eyes sparkling under a sweep of blond tresses....

Read story

“THE PORCUPINE PARTY” by Andrew Grell

Submitted to Contest #54

“There’s a reason they call it the Badlands, you know, Ace. The land is bad. That’s the reason. You coulda have swum if you wanted to, instead. But by now, we’ve passed the point of no return. It’s easier to keep going. The next zone is Castle Hill Avenue. Before you ask about castles in The Bronx, there ain’t no castle. It was a hut. And not much of a hill, either. A big pile of rocks jutting out into Pugsley Creek. And, again, before ya ask, no, there’s no Wednesday Creek to go with to...

Read story

“The Queen Of Seldon College” by Duckie Carson

Submitted to Contest #54

Maggie failed to be startled at the news of her redundancy, the premonition had kept her awake many nights, but the call for a change of lifestyle had her feeling utterly lost. Searching the web night and day for a new career path seemed useless with her lack of work experience. From the age of fourteen she had worked in the same local coffee shop, even meeting her wife at one of the many tables she religiously tidied, keeping her bills paid until a couple weeks after her thirty third birthday. Maggie’s wife, Penelope, supported her during h...

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 ⭢