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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

“Magic?” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #54

“Abracadabra. Tada!” It felt amazing to pull off the magic trick he had been practicing for days. The flower was now successfully up George’s right sleeve, allegedly having disappeared. He smiled at his audience - his children, Damon and Karla. Damon was Karla’s older brother at 11 years old, but Karla responded first. She giggled. “I saw you, daddy. You put the rose up your sleeve.” George tried to salvage the trick. He pushed up his left sleeve. “What do you mean, you saw me? Do you see a rose here?” Karla giggled some more. ...

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“Grandad's New Toy” by Barbara Burgess

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hello, is that you Adam?” “Yes Granddad. What’s up?” “Nothing my boy. Nothing at all. It’s just that I’ve, um, gone and bought myself a computer.” “Hey, Granddad, well done. So, you’ve caught up with the times at last?” “Now don’t be cheeky lad?” “Just joking Granddad. How’s it going?” “It’s not. That’s what I’m phoning you about. I need some help here.” “What do you mean it’s not going Granddad?” “I mean the screen, if that’s what you call it, is completely blank. I’ve plugged it in at the mains, but nothing’s happening. Ju...

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“Costs An Arm And A Leg” by Grey Oberst

Submitted to Contest #54

“Are you sure about this, My Lord?” Prince Wyon looked up at his knight, clearly frustrated. “For the last time, yes, I am sure. You and I both know that if I continue to sit idly, the situation will only cascade into full on rebellion. We must nip this in the bud if we wish to stop such a thing, correct?” Sir Edelin stared down at the prince for a moment longer, her concern unhidden. However, with a sigh and a nod, she signaled for the castle gates to be opened. Tightened chains and creaking wood struggled and surged in order ...

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“Spinning Apples Into Gold” by Tyler Runde

Submitted to Contest #54

The witch-to-be, Brinley Sparhawk, woke in the full-dark hours of the morning and left her bed like a cat on the prowl. Appearing as a ghost in just her slip and woolen socks (and other unmentionables, which will not be mentioned), she moved through the room of sleeping girls, also witches-to-be, to the shared wardrobe in order to collect her black dress and accompanying black boots before exiting not just from the room, but the whole of the witches’ school that the room was a part of. She dressed herself on the back steps of the wood-and-ea...

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“I do(n't) hate you” by Elizabeth Burrows

Submitted to Contest #54

Striding swiftly back into the center of the training circle Jones ripped the staff out of Amanda’s hand. Shoving it back into her hands and readjusting her hands to grip it properly sent her a chilling glare, “You need to hold the staff right otherwise it's pointless against a skilled opponent!” Amanda took a deep breath before taking up a fighting stance. Jones turned to walk back towards the wall he had been leaning on. The instructor in front of her shifted back to her original starting position. Jones watched as...

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“Second Chances..... really?” by Sambulo Kunene

Submitted to Contest #54

I was at my peak when I decided to try my luck at a Dating show because I had become lonely and lazy to want a man I dressed in my best outfit for the shooting of the show. When I arrived at the studio, everyone was looking forward to hearing how my date went. That is how I met Hope, my current husband who is boisterous and patient. It was sheer luck that he picked me. I was his second try because his original did not take. Anyway, it worked out fine because we are currently married and very much happy in our marriage.He asked me the other d...

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“Gin and tonic” by Ankita Chaurasia

Submitted to Contest #54

She re-read the letter in front of her, not that she didn't already know its contents by heart by now. It wasn't after all everyday that you received a proposal for a rebirth. Well, of sorts, anyway. She fixed herself a drink--More gin, less tonic--and read it out aloud, to her cat this time... Hello Andrea, We won't ask you how you are doing because we know the answer. We have been monitoring your life since the past few years and know that you would rather be dead than live a life of fading popularity. So, we are offering to ki...

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“Let's Get Twisted” by Cal Carson

Submitted to Contest #54

The night was dark and starless. The wind screamed and pounded against the doors of the pub. Great grey clouds filled the sky and snow whirled about in thick sheets. Yet the Golden Goose was crowded and raucous laughter echoed across the walls. Despite the storm tearing apart the front of the shop, the chattering din never ceased. It was February the sixteenth, a time of year where people were just getting over Valentine’s Day craze and falling back into the grasp of banality. But nothing about the s...

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“Misshapen Chaos” by Joel Samberg

Submitted to Contest #54

Did you see me on the Tony Awards last year? Of course not. I wasn’t there. Actually, there was a time, back in my wannabe actor days, when I thought I might actually be on that show one day. But the curtain drew on those wannabe days many years ago. In my defense, it had nothing to do with failing to make my mark as a starving actor; I had decided halfway through college to become a starving writer instead. The fact is that in terms of real interest and true passion, writing always won out. But that's not meant to discount the value th...

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“Half Song” by Sandhya Acharya

Submitted to Contest #54

The crowd is just gathering as I enter the music hall. It’s my six-year-old, Sameer’s, first choir performance. I had to take a half-day off to make it on time. Ravi has already picked up Sameer and is on his way. I check my phone for messages. “We will be there in five minutes,” Ravi’s message says. “I will send Sameer in and park.” The podium is on one end of the room all the way to the back. I have entered from a door in the front. Next to me is a table full of snacks. I walk towards the sugary treats. I am waffling between a cookie and...

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“One Tradition Leads to Another” by Jessica Lyon

Submitted to Contest #54

“Quiet down!” I yelled at my oldest daughter Anne, who is nine, as we got into the car. “But Tommy won’t leave me alone.” She whined as her six year old brother poked her. “Tommy, leave Anne alone. Anne quit whining.” I tell both of them and turn the music up as I pull out of the driveway. The last Sunday of every month, we have a family tradition. We always go to our local grocery store, get the groceries that we need, and then go get ice cream from the ice cream sh...

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“Alexander Summers Doesn’t Exist” by Dunya Zatde

Submitted to Contest #54

Alice worries her lips as she twirls in front of her wardrobe mirror, beads of perspiration forming upon her forehead. The skirt doesn’t sit well on her hips. And her hair is all over the place. And her lipstick shade is really unflattering. And nothing is going as planned! She’s anxious. She’s angry. She’s hungry. OMG! I’ll go crazy before the night ends! And frankly, she’s nervous. Alice looks at herself in the mirror again and can no longer see the confident thirty year old woman she’d been when the morning began. She’s back to bein...

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“👫MADE FOR EACH OTHER👫💑” by Jesudamilola Abiola

Submitted to Contest #54

👫MADE FOR EACH OTHER👫💏Genre; Trilling romance, suspenseWritten by; Favour AbiolaChapter 1Clara Rosy, a high school girl walked into the school compound feeling excited to see her friends and most especially her boyfriend.She entered the school building and walked directly to her classBaby; her boyfriend, Mike called when she got into the classHow are you doing? She questioned smilingNot fine; he said and stared awayShe squeezed her face and held his cheeks What’s wrong with my sweetheart this early morning? She asked still holding ...

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“Reunited Souls” by Egypt Belle

Submitted to Contest #54

Reunited Souls Prompt: High school sweethearts coming across one another after many years apart. “Jayce, Jayce Thomas, is that you?” “Trina, Trina Stewart.” “Oh my god, it is you. How have you been?” “I have been great!” “It must be at least 20 years now that we have last seen each other.” “Yes, it has been that long.” “Come here, give me a hug.” The wonderful scent of Versace Eros filled Trina’s nose as she still embraced Jayce. “Damn, he smells good.” Trina was in heaven. It felt so good to be back in his muscular arms. Jay...

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“I’m (not) wild about Harry and Harry’s wild about me…” by Judith Veder

Submitted to Contest #54

I’m (not) wild about Harry and Harry’s wild about me… It was the early 1960’s and I was still in my teens. I was cute, red curly hair, orange freckles, green eyes. Not fat, about 5”4’. I had a zest for life and a good sense of humor. I was a good student. I was a virgin and alas would remain in that state until marriage. Otherwise I would have been dead! Ask my father! My family and I were summering...

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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.

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