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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

“Escape” by Aashritha Sunki

Submitted to Contest #54

Trigger warning: violence It's been haunting me for months. In my eyes I should’ve gotten over trivial things much faster. If it was someone else I’m sure they would’ve forgotten it and became stronger. I’m at that tender and dangerous age where you're afraid to hurt people and not afraid enough to hurt yourself. 13. It’s supposedly an unlucky number but I think it’s just controversial because everyone wants something to blame when something horrid occurs in their unsatisfied lives. I used to be a weak ...

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“Grandma in the Classroom” by Ann Rapp

Submitted to Contest #54

“Welcome to Arkansas State University,” smiled the Dean, an attractive young blonde woman, giving new students at Orientation a short and inspiring speech. Everyone in the room clapped, even the Dean, but of course she was applauding us, the students. I looked around the large, crowded room and saw one or two who looked like me, at least they had grey hair. For all I knew I would be the only student over the age of sixty in the whole place, but I hoped not. I was so very nervous, but excited at the same time. This was my first day of c...

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“The Sun Also Sets” by Peter Doyle

Submitted to Contest #54

The last time he had stood in the hallowed hallways of academia, he was dressed in a dark suit, black shoes and a black gown with a fur collar. The university photographer at the time captured a young man smiling in the summer sun, his light brown hair curling over his ears holding a piece of parchment inscribed with the words Bachelor of Science with Honors. He was still only 20 years old. Now, years later and many miles away, he stood in front of a red brick building, in the late afternoon autumn sunlight watching students leave...

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“At 75 Sam Returns to School” by Bob Jasper

Submitted to Contest #54

As we stood around, my friend Sam opened his birthday cards and presents. Then he stood and thanked all of us for coming to celebrate his 75th birthday. “Now I have an announcement,” he said. “I’m going back to school to get my master’s in Theater Arts. If all goes according to plan, I’ll start in the fall [it was then March 2019].” No one knew quite what to say. We smiled and wished him good luck. I’m sure many felt as shocked as I did. Had I heard him right? At 75 he’s going back to school? To earn a master’s degree, no less. I’d alw...

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“AMELIORATING SITUATIONS IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTIES ...A practical exploration of Academic Struggle and Survival” by Esan Femi Williams

Submitted to Contest #54

INTRODUCTION Traceable to my humble background, I graduated from a public secondary school, of which I could tag local, with limited teachers and infrastructures. I could remember my set lately got a literature and a full-time Government/Christian religious studies teacher in SS2 third term, at the verge of commencing our O'level examinations. Neverthele...

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“The Biological Mistake” by Erin O'Donoghue

Submitted to Contest #54

“Breathe Sarah…just breathe.” Breathe? Is she kidding? The hospital’s dim fluorescent light reverberated against my head, giving me an instant headache. Giving birth here is like having to deliver a baby in a third world country. But heck this is Townsville! The mid wife was nice and all, but you could tell she didn’t understand the pain. “We can see the head, keep pushing!” The cries of a new life cracked across the room, making me smile, but I was mostly relieved. “It’s a girl congratulations!” Congratulations? I didn’t want this damn bab...

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“8:53” by Hel Knightly

Submitted to Contest #54

A slovenly, disheveled man was being assisted into the hospital waiting room by two uniformed police men. He had been a habitual occupant and was intoxicated as usual. The nurse was in no hurry as she clambered around the hospital floor. Stopping only briefly for a scant cup of coffee. Hours after waiting the man greeted the nurse jocosely. This had peeved her immensely. There was so much to do and people who actually needed help. She considered this man to be an inconvenience. His actions were his own undoing a...

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“Amendment” by Katharine Tierney

Submitted to Contest #54

It was the fifth day of the heatwave with no end in sight. 1955 was the hottest year since River City had been incorporated in 1891. Old timers shook their heads, religious types said it was a sign of the Apocalypse, the beatniks snapped their fingers and nodded out, ignoring the whole thing. The entire Black River valley lay under a steamy blanket of humidity and foul temper, and the sound of sirens pierced the sultry haze of the city non-stop as police and fire struggled to keep up with demand. Even in my fifth floor office the banshee wai...

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“Colin” by Becca Peyton

Submitted to Contest #54

A/N: This is a story that I'm dedicating to my ex boyfriend, and something based off of true events, maybe someday I'll have the courage to send this to him. I stood at the bathroom sink, brushing my hair for what seemed to be the twentieth time. My stomach felt uneasy, yet the urge to hurl was not my main priority. Today was the day I make things right. As much as I'd hate to admit it, I messed up, and this was my redemption. I am the type of person who would rather die than admit that I was in the wrong about something, but with him, I a...

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“An Apology for the Guinea Pig” by Fatima B

Submitted to Contest #54

“I’m sorry I killed your guinea pig, Claire.” When she opened the door in response to my hesitant knocks, I meant to say, “hey.” Not an apology for my old crime. As I stood on her front porch, not sure of what to do next, she started laughing hysterically. She was fit to burst with laughter, but she tried her best to cut it short and succeeded in repressing the remaining emotions into a warm smile. After all, we haven’t seen each other for six long years. Her cheerfulness eased my mind and I finally managed a nervous smile. “Come in, La...

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“To Get Hope Back” by Shoaib Akmal

Submitted to Contest #54

“ Azabe rafaqat dile illuminous dekhwa oculus,” the woman recited the incantation with complete focus. She kept reciting it over and over again. She did not know what should happen by reciting this or whether she would see something happen or feel it. But she kept repeating it, waiting for a sign. She had done all the book had said. Her preparations were complete—the room was full of candles large and small, the walls ornate by large symbols of the constellation of Delphinus, several clay pots full of rose water were placed at arbitrary lo...

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“The Traitor and his Turnips” by J. J. Crown

Submitted to Contest #54

I hadn't seen Mr. Thacksworth since the revolution began thirty years ago. I was there when it all started too. He didn't know it, but I was right there, sitting no more than a half dozen feet away when he committed his betrayal. I remember it well, despite being six beers deep. I didn't think much of him when he first walked into the pub. The only reason I took notice of him at all was because of his blue, metallic prosthetic arm. It nearly shook loose from him as he walked through the pub, taking a seat discretely in a booth at the back o...

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“Second Chance” by Twylla Johnson

Submitted to Contest #54

During my freshman year in college as a Computer Science major, I discovered that I could hack into any computer on campus. By the time I was a senior, I could hack into nearly any computer anywhere. I never meant to do anything malicious or dishonest. I just did it for the challenge. I would hack in, take a look around, and then leave. After graduation in 1990, I got a job at a telecommunications company. I installed and maintained their computer and telephony equipment. It was fun learning about how telephone calls navigated the switches i...

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“Huron” by Steve Raines

Submitted to Contest #54

The beach was a narrow path of silt and slate nestled between the lake and a rocky outcropping of stone blocks and rebar created when the Alpena Municipal Department had plowed the remnants of some old buildings down on to the shoreline to prevent erosion. The beach isn’t even really a beach, Marc thought. Not in the way people imagine beaches. It was quiet, too late in the season for tourists. Even tidal waves spoke softly. He thought of the ocean shore’s majestic roar. This was an admonishment for speaking too loudly in a library. D...

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“Ace of Spades” by Anika G

Submitted to Contest #54

I gazed over the landscape, my heart collapsing as the destruction all around me smothered it. Why was I the only survivor? The only spot of life amid this plain of smoke and ash and dying fires? I knew the answer to my question. I was a coward. It was as simple as that. I knelt to the ground and scooped a handful of pale gray ashes into my hand, the same ashes that blanketed the ground four inches deep. My knuckles scraped against rough earth beneath the dust. There was no sign that a flourishing city had been here, full of life and bu...

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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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