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

“Flower Field” by Raine Lim

Submitted to Contest #54

The moon shone down, illuminating the field, giving it an ethereal glow. Stars decorated the sky, twinkling merrily. A gentle breeze blew past, whistling quietly, the grass dancing along with it, swaying rhythmically. I sighed as I leaned against the familiar oak tree, observing my surroundings. It was a cool and tranquil night, no sound to be heard except for the occasional chirping of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl. This was our special place, a beam of light in our lives. I remember all the memories we made here, ...

Read story

“The Broken Heart Pendant” by Jayde Trilo

Submitted to Contest #54

Tara started her final shift when Exodus landed on the new world. On the surface the thin atmosphere tried to cough up enough wind to move her light grey dreadlocks as she marched over the flat terrain. She led her team to their habitat, glancing back occasionally to see if their contingent of colonists were still following. She had no sympathy for the ones that had fallen behind, leaning against each other to catch their breath, or laying down to cry in the pathetic red ferns that covered the ground. They had been bought out of cryosleep tw...

Read story

“This could be true” by Keith Manos

Submitted to Contest #54

This could be true [a short story by Keith Manos] This is not a true story, but some parts really happened. Let’s say that I lived on a fifty-acre farm in Kansas, miles and miles away from any neighbors. My best friend was our dog Chestnut, a Labrador who licked my cheek when I petted him and barked whenever he heard a truck engine. But Chestnut went missing when I was elev...

Read story

“Weekend Getaway: Saturday Morning” by Sadie Black

Submitted to Contest #54

Riley walked into the gas station with low expectations. She was looking for silverware, but didn't expect to find it. The store sold little more than chewing tobacco, energy drinks, and condoms, but her shopping alternatives were few. Without forks, knives, and spoons, how would she serve - and more importantly eat - Mackayla and Mackenna's birthday cake? Her friends were likely starving back at the rental cottage while Riley ran the vital errand. In truth, she relished the moment of solitude after driving several hours to their vacation pr...

Read story

“China Girl” by Alison Westwood

Submitted to Contest #54

"It said 'Anti-murder juice' on the chalkboard," I say lightly as I place the cardboard carrier on the seat between us. "Although you probably wanted to kill me back there." I nod another apology at the dark stain on his shirt. "Well, it was pretty hot stuff, and I can't deny it hurt a bit, but I think I'll live." He laughs. He sounds relaxed, confident. Ever the gracious gentleman. I steal a look at the man beside me. Time has been kind to Peter. Two and a half decades have done nothing to detract from his breathtaking good looks. The teena...

Read story

“I'm Coming Home” by Jessica Mills

Submitted to Contest #54

“Mom, what is the name of that bird again?” my daughter Shannon asks me from the passenger seat to my right. “It’s an egret, sweetheart” I reply with a slight smile, thinking of how many times I have answered that exact same question while we made this familiar drive. “That’s right. I don’t know why I can’t ever remember that. They sure are beautiful” Majestic is the best description of the bird off to the right side of the car in the middle of the flooded rice field looking for it’s dinner, craning it’s long S-curved neck toward the w...

Read story

“True Love” by Sami Dodge

Submitted to Contest #54

May 24, 2007, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a cloudy, and rainy day as the sun gleamed. He was holding me in his arms, tightly. The time was around noon and tears flowed down our faces. I would never forget this day. The day he left me. “Do you really have to go?” I sobbed into his arms. He held me close, stroking my hair, shushing me trying to calm me down. Silence rang in our ears and the only thing you could hear were the tear drops falling down, dripping onto the floor. “Naomi, my love, it's for the best,” he qu...

Read story

“Heartbreak” by Samadhee Ismail

Submitted to Contest #54

You and I made a vow, long time ago. That we will be always together, no matter what. Nothing but death could break us apart. We belong together. We had future plans with each other. You and I are supposed to go to college together, then graduate, then get married and then start a family. You always talked about how you wanted to have four children. I thought you will always be with me and that you promised me that you will always be there for me. But you never did. *** I haven't seen you for almost twenty years. How time flies! When w...

Read story

“I'm still a loser” by Chris Callanan

Submitted to Contest #54

I am 27, working class, unemployed, single, and live with my parents. It is fair to say I've got fuck all going for me. I don't want her to see this version of me, I told myself next time I see Sarah she'll see a different person than the one I was when we finished school, someone with their shit together. But here I stand the same fuck up she dumped all those years ago. Why did she have to walk into this bar today? If I knew I would have got my hair cut, maybe hit the gym a bit more, I am nowhere near those Brad Pitt abs I've aiming for ove...

Read story

“Forgetting You” by Mello Timothy

Submitted to Contest #54

"Have you seen him? Oh he's absolutely gorg, I can't even. I literally can't". Sima wondered who Kendy was talking about. She was one of the most boy crazy people she knew. Every week she'd tell her about the hottest guy in school, as if they didn't go to the same school and generally did everything together. Arguably, Kendy was more popular that Sima, due to her general cheerful disposition and confidence. Sima loved that about her best friend. She could always make her feel better. They'd been inseparable since primary when Sima and her fa...

Read story

“Strangers. ” by Felix Bill

Submitted to Contest #54

“A great while ago the world begun, With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, But that’s all one, our play is done, And we’ll strive to please you every day.” The applause was thunderous, the globe theatre echoing with the words that had lasted for 400 years. Twelfth Night. Callum grinned, his hands aching as he continued to clap for the now bowing actors. Lila had been brilliant as Olivia tonight. He wolf whistled loudly, the sound cutting through the clapping, and Lila gave him a wink. Callum jerked his head towards th...

Read story

“Lucky” by Carly Pierce

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hey, Mikey,” Gaby said, walking up to the counter of the dance store to talk to the red-haired employee. “Gabs! How’d the last show go?” the teenager asked. “Well, considering I’m finally done, amazing. But you know how I came in with a hole in the bottom of my jazz shoe the other day? There’s a hole in the other one now, too.” “Good job, then,” Mikey muttered. “Size 8 and a half, right? Tan, I know…” He stepped around the counter and ran a hand over the shoeboxes on the wall. “Thanks for helping out again.” Mikey selected a box and han...

Read story

“Looking Back” by Deborah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #54

“Deborah, I want you to return to school and get your degree,” she heard the Lord whisper in her heart’s ear. “Lord, I’m thirty-six years old! I’m too old to go back to school!” she silently answered Him. “Besides, it is even more expensive today than it was years ago when I went to University on a scholarship. I never should have dropped out, but the truth is that I was homesick and immature. I have a good job now, even though they have red...

Read story

“No Regrets For Me” by Sylvia Luna

Submitted to Contest #54

The silence in the house was only broken by the frenzied and anguished sighs. Lauren was feeling defeated as she sat at her computer, wiping her tired eyes from staring at the screen too long. She took her $5 readers off and set them by the keyboard. I’m not sure why I started this, she thought. She thinks back, now I remember; it was that palm reader. Fifteen years ago, Lauren was sitting in a pub waiting for a friend when a woman came and began reading palms. She was obviously doing it to pay for her drinks, for this reason Lauren did no...

Read story

“Old Time Cafe ” by Jess Lyons

Submitted to Contest #54

I was lost in thought on my way to work one morning, when I bumped into someone talking on their cell phone. I looked up to see a face I had not seen in over five years; I felt my face grow hot when they looked down with surprise to see that it was me. Our eyes met and all the memories flooded back to me, like it was just yesterday. His grew a slight pinkish color as he then said he had to go and hung up the phone and just stared at me, staring at him. A gust of wind broke the silence, he stuttered as he spoke; asking if I’d like...

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 ⭢