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 Mother's Kiss” by Patty Crowe

Submitted to Contest #54

Michelle waited patiently outside the family restroom in Target. She was almost done with the holiday shopping and looking forward to a small Christmas party with friends that evening. There was a commotion inside the restroom. “He did what? What?!? He put it where? Davy, why? Let me see … oh for … No, I think it’s stuck. Don’t push it in any more! OK, we’re leaving. Just leave it alone until …” The door opened, and an obviously harried woman began to exit with a small boy in her arms and girl in tow. As Michelle reached around them to hold ...

Read story

“Triforce ” by Chris Westberg

Submitted to Contest #54

Her hair was different. I remember the day she dyed it hot pink after we watched Scott Pilgrim in my basement. Now, staring at me from across the glass jewelry cabinet, I hardly recognized her. A natural brunette, she looked beautiful. More mature, but in a good way. The look of disbelief smeared across her face tells me she didn't recognize me, either. If she had recognized me, I'm willing to bet she wouldn't have asked for my help. Flagging me down from the other end of the store, I realized it was her as I caught a glance of her...

Read story

“Unwelcomed Reunion” by Kat Gruszka

Submitted to Contest #54

"I'd like to speak to your manager." He hated resorting to this; it made him feel pompous and self rigorous. Yet, sometimes it was just necessary to ask for more assistance than a young associate could offer. Besides, all he wanted was a discount he saw online to be honored in the store. It wasn't even a high discount, just 20% off, but he liked getting a deal. Sure, past lovers had called him cheap because he enjoyed eating at home instead of crowded, unnecessarily noisy restaurants. He enjoyed cooking and hated wasting food. Why buy someth...

Read story

“Cafe Crushed” by Jenee Frazier

Submitted to Contest #54

First Monday morning in the new city. Excited to be amongst the hustle & bustle after being out of work much longer than anticipated. Completely heartbroken from being laid off from my dream job I packed up and headed clear across the country, nothing better than a total clean slate. After being rejected by everything I applied for in my hometown I decided to broaden the search. There truly wasn’t much reason to stay in the town I’d grown up in and even my super attached mom welcomed the thought of me moving away to “see the world” ...

Read story

“Love Never Dies” by Will Russell

Submitted to Contest #54

TIMING’S A BITCH‘So this is it, huh?’ Daphne looked exhausted, hell- bent that her happiness could still align with his. &...

Read story

“To Kiss The Lips Of A Past Lover ” by Duckie Carson

Submitted to Contest #54

The storm outside had only gained more aggression as the day went on. What was supposed to be a quiet summers day turned into a thunder storm with lightning stabbing soil. Amber had spent the morning grooming the horses at the stable to prepare them for an evening trot over the stream. She had arrived back at the farm a week ago, surprising herself by finding time amid her busy London schedule. Amber hadn’t visited home since the day she left school, her internship stealing her from the family house. To say her parents were happy to have her...

Read story

“Waiting for my first love” by Ayesha Begum

Submitted to Contest #54

Everyone in their life have always dream of high school romance and want a handsome boy to fall in love with them. But here I am high school girl name Arfa had dream about becoming a successful woman rather then falling in love and wasting time. It not like I have an issue with love but seeing my friends in falling love in first sight and changing guys when they get bore so I kept my things to myself and keep studying hard. when I thought my life was going well I met him my first love. Teacher have gave us a group assignment and he...

Read story

“Reconnection” by Nishtha Katariya

Submitted to Contest #54

Simmi and Jacob were school sweethearts.They have been together since sixth grade and were inseparable.Jacob was a basketball player in the school team and had this amazing muscular body and charming face.Simmi was not very fond of sports but she was good in academics. She was sweet and cuteat the same time, kind to everyone.They didn’t know each other till grade five maybe because of their different interests.Then one day when the teacher saw Jacob not paying attention to lectures. She made himsit near Simmi , Jacob was not letting Simmi co...

Read story

“Paper Hearts ” by Layla Donovan

Submitted to Contest #54

Sandy’s thoughts were nearly louder than the hip hop music she was blasting on her speakers. It was doing a poor job of distracting her, regardless of the volume, and it was making the drivers beside her glare into her side window. She flicked it off. The silence was worse, though. On came her favorite podcast. Then the weather forecast, the traffic update, and the news- but nothing was working. Thoughts of Liam flooded her on every bump of the interstate, every glimpse of periwinkle ocean dotted with cargo ships, every exit sign and every s...

Read story

“The One That Got Away” by Mek R

Submitted to Contest #54

Alice Charles “Give me one second!” Helen was already out of the camera’s range. She reappeared on the video feed, now at the back of the room where an excited toddler was discovering gravity by throwing things onto the floor. Alice held back a smile watching her friend try to reason with an obstinate two-year-old. The amusement gave way to a prick of familiar sadness when she saw Helen's husband intervene to take their child outside. She pushed it away, to unpack later, and smiled as Helen slumped with relief in front of the camera. ...

Read story

“It's Never Too Late” by Ana Maria

Submitted to Contest #54

I love my family beyond anything else in the whole world, but I’ve always wondered why my grandma never got married. She was pregnant with my mother while she was dating my grandpa a few decades ago, and he had proposed to her many times since then, but she always said no. He loved her very much so he decided to stay with her and help with the baby anyway. My mom got older, and my grandpa decided to marry someone else. He moved near our house with his beautiful bride, Elise, but he never abandoned my grandma. Elise knew how much he loved my ...

Read story

“Confess” by Sahil Islam

Submitted to Contest #54

What a pleasant weather! Spring has casted it's spell to the nature. Everything is looking so joyful. The slight breeze is giving a pleasant vibe. And the fragrance of flowers is soothing the heart. This season is like a healer to every wounded. Suddenly Chris's heart beats increased. He started to feel uneasy. He hasn't feel something like this in this 5 years. But he knows the cause of this feeling. It's Miley. She just crossed him. It all started 7 years ago. Chris was in school then. On that year a cute girl joined the...

Read story

“What We Needed (Not At All)” by Pomegranate Seeds

Submitted to Contest #54

“You’re practically inhaling. Slow down. Are you trying to drown yourself in beer?” I raise my eyebrows. Rather unsuccessfully, it seems, because he’s looking at me like I’ve licked a streetlight. Also, I can’t feel my eyebrows. “For your information, I have no intention of plummeting to a foamy death. This is nothing. I’m not even drunk, you know? I’m just getting a little tipsy so I can get it on.” I wiggle my eyebrows, this time hopefully with greater success. “Get it on?” He’s struggling to keep a straight face. M...

Read story

“Alex” by Ashlyn Leung

Submitted to Contest #54

You know that expression, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me? Yeah, how about fool me five times? I'm just a sorry little girl who doesn't learn from their mistakes. I suppose you want me to tell you what those mistakes were. Mind you, like any other regular human, I've made so many more mistakes within my short lifespan. Actually, I think I've made more than usual. We're getting off topic here. I suppose I should just get into the story.Alex. I suppose you probably know at least one person called Alex huh? Such a popular...

Read story

“The Jock” by Bea Nicole

Submitted to Contest #54

I held my head up and walked through the hallways filled with lockers. Many eyes staring at me, examining the new me. I was once scared of change, of being the person I truly am. And now here am I, being true to myself in all aspects. A few months ago, I’m a jock, a bully, a guy who only knows to mess around. I go out drinking all-night, partying like a drunken old man. I am the beast that everyone thought I am. The worse guy you could ever encounter in our area. But behind all of those, is a person who only wished to fit in the society....

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 ⭢