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 Tale of Two Faeries” by Yolanda Wu

Submitted to Contest #54

Once upon a time, in a forest by a river that always shone with the most promising of sparkles, there dwelled the faeries. Now, you cannot see them during the day, for they are secretive creatures; they hide amongst the leaves, disguising themselves as flowers. They are a quiet and graceful people who like to speak in riddles. The next time you are walking through a forest, close your eyes and listen carefully, you might just hear the light fluttering of a faerie’s wings… Fynn perched on the branch, eavesdropping upon the travellers’ conv...

Read story

“Same Time Tomorrow” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #54

Blaque stared up at the night sky and leaned on Akiro. Her eyes lit up in love, and Akiro’s body relaxed at Blaque’s touch. He howled, Blaque not too far behind him. Blaque nestled up even closer to him and closed her eyes.Akiro crouched low in the tall grass and resisted the urge to growl. His eyes narrowed in anger.“That’s all I have! I promise! Here. I can prove it. Take my bag.” Akiro shook, and his claws were digging into the ground. He watched as his daughter threw her bag at the feet of the large black-furred male. She was cowering in...

Read story

“This Movie Isn't Over Yet” by AISHWARYA MURALIDHAR

Submitted to Contest #54

The streets in Bangalore were noisy as usual. Groups of friends were loitering, hanging out in eateries. The road was bustling with vendors, horns, and loud laughs of the girls waiting at the bus stop. It was five in the evening and dark clouds had gathered, a typical day in Bangalore. Amidst all the noise, Nisha’s mind was silent. She was a woman in her forties with worried wrinkles on her forehead. She had left her thin straight hair open and had worn a black saree with a black bindi between her brows. These streets reminded her of th...

Read story

“Ups And Downs 2” by BRoOkE HAs A COwBoY HAt

Submitted to Contest #54

“Sissy?!” I looked at the woman in front of me with my eyes wide. After all of these years. There she was. “Hey, Sabrina. Long time no see, am I right?” She laughed and I stood up. Walking around the counter, I adjusted my mask before giving her a long hug. “How are you here? You’ve been gone for so long!” I released her and looked at her, up and down. “I know, I know. I didn’t want to be. But work kept me in California. I would’ve come back sooner, but I couldn’t catch a break. I’m so sorry.” Aleea wrapped me in another hug and I sighed....

Read story

“Everyone Deserves An Another Chance” by Hriday Saboo

Submitted to Contest #54

Those were the days of 13th century. Sumeru the samurai thought of leaving violence and turning into a knowledgeable priest. He walked down the lane and finally reached his destination-the head priests house. Head Priest was the most important personality in the village. He had many magical powers. Sumeru knocked on the door and it opened by itself. He walked in and found that the priest was in his meditation, floating in mid air. He sat there till when the priest’s meditation was over. It was an hour. The priest opened his eyes s...

Read story

“The Story” by Jonathan Blaauw

Submitted to Contest #54

As the sun crested the horizon on what looked set to be another glorious summer’s day, Peter stood on his balcony, steaming cup of coffee in hand, marveling at the sight of the world bathed in the new dawn light. He was ready to seize the day, no matter what obstreperous obstacles lay in his path. Peter yawned. He stretched. He cocked his head, listened intently and, after a moment, gazed upwards in puzzlement. Then, muttering to himself, he retreated indoors to get dressed. Urgent business await...

Read story

“The Little World” by A.Dot Ram

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #54

I The first thing she saw when she landed was the sun filtering through tall, still blades of grass. Eerily still, as if the wind had just stopped. Already this made her think she was in a dream. So it didn’t surprise her that the second thing she saw was his face. It had skittered through her dreams before. Roland, one antenna leaning roguishly askance, just as it had long, long ago before the two of them had even shed their last juvenile exoskeletons. She blinked her small, black eyes and drank in the warm, damp air. Roland’s mou...

Read story

“Not So Melodic” by Authoring Studio

Submitted to Contest #54

“Aaahhh…?” Melody wailed like a broken siren of an ambulance.Her best friend, Jay, mustered all the determination he could to not roar in annoyance and smack his hand on his forehead. However, he finally rubbed his palm on his face in pained frustration and inhaled deeply as if praying for patience.“Let’s go over this one more time,” he suggested. Melody chuckled sarcastically. “You don’t have to pretend to be understanding, Jay. I know you are not really happy with me right now.”Jay shook his head. “I know you can do this, Mel. I have compl...

Read story

“My Muse” by Gopika Ashokan

Submitted to Contest #54

I painted my Muse. Now I have to destroy it!I cannot fathom the unruly hour which made me do this hideous act. I should have been incapacitated the very second this unworthy thought struck my mind. But my capriciousness led me to it.Fifteen years ago, I left him intentionally at the Art Gallery. He was watching Van Gogh's Starry Night with an air of wistfulness. And I slowly traced my way outside the Gallery and into the cold street. When I had distanced myself from god knows what, I stopped and turned around. I saw him walking the street, e...

Read story

“The Secondary Likelihood.” by Lexi Robinson

Submitted to Contest #54

It's another boring day working at the supermarket. Ever since this pandemic, it's either an empty dull place or a place so packed with people that you can't even imagine. We have been low on staff since we cannot keep a lot of employees on grounds. Unlucky for me one of my co-worker caught the virus and is in the hospital, so I've gotta work for all 6 days instead of working for alternate days. "Thank the stars, my shift's finally done. I'm gonna spend all weekend on the couch binge-watching the shows I missed during the week", I tell Dar...

Read story

“Friendship Goals” by 🐬ᴬᴬᴹᴱᴺᴬ ᴷᴴᴬᴷᴵ🐬

Submitted to Contest #54

RINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! The bell rings, a shrill, sharp sound, yet it's that sound that grants our freedom. I hastily stuff my already crumpled book and papers into my bulging bag, and rush of, not even bothering to say bye to Mr. James, which I usually do daily. But today was different. Today was the day when the third most important thing of the year came out. It was the day when the extra classes came out. I was bursting with excitement, something that I don't feel that often. Five minutes after class, and I find Stacy. She...

Read story

“Unconditional Surrender” by Kristin Neubauer

Submitted to Contest #54

When Veritae was just seven years old, her mother placed ten coins in her hand. “Listen to me very carefully, Veri,” she said. “This is all we have. You need to go to Avanta. Do you remember where she is?” Veritae nodded. She had accompanied her mother to the home of the local healer before. A violent spasm of guttural coughing spewed from her mother and Veritae waited, knowing it would take time to pass. “Tell her I need the special medicine. She will know,” her mother gasped. “Do not tell her how much you have. Off...

Read story

“Most Likely To” by Natalie Strawbridge

Submitted to Contest #54

“Are you going?” “Huh?” he replies. “Are. You. Going.” “To what?” I can hear water running in the background. I imagine him with his phone tucked between his ear and shoulder as he waters the garden or does the dishes, anything to keep his hands moving. “Where?” “Reunion.” “Reunion for what?” I don’t hold back my sigh or eyeroll. If he could see me right now, he’d say I’m being ridiculous, and that he hopes I don’t make faces like this when I’m at work. (I do.) “Our high school reunion. I sent you an email invite last week.” “P...

Read story

“Glorious author ” by Miles Gatling

Submitted to Contest #54

"And that's how you write a novel. Ok guys, as always, I love you. Please click that bell and subscribe for more videos. I'm your host, Jailbait15, thanks for watching. XOXO…"He placed the half-eaten drumstick on the armrest and licked his fingers clean. The word "foreshadowing" was added to a list titled "novel things.""Hey guys, it's Nerdgasm, coming at you with another writing tutorial. Today I want to talk about social media presence."After a few minutes, he opened a new Facebook account, with the "author" tagline next to his name."Insta...

Read story

“The Boarding Pass” by Scout Tahoe

Submitted to Contest #54

Embedded under your fingernails and staining your fingertips was black ink. Carefully placing your hands behind your back, you plastered a smile on your face, and scanned the room full of people. A woman walked up. She looked about fifty, and she was holding out her copy of your book. You attempted to make your smile reach your eyes, but failed. Taking a Sharpie from one of the cups, you scribbled a signature. It was not your own. You wondered absentmindedly what made up a signature. Could someone’s whole life story and personality be...

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 ⭢