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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

“AN OPEN DOOR” by Victoria Laken

Submitted to Contest #54

She walked through the dawn on the quiet beach , observing the waves and marveling at the early wakening sounds of the new day. She absorbed the breeze and sounds of the waves, she pulled her shawl tighter then released it deciding instead to savor it. Was it not a wonder how the dawn broke into daytime?Each day was different with its unique surprises and potential. She turned to face the surf and looked out to the far horizon, she saw the horizon where earth and sky meet and wondered what type of day it ...

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“West Shores Academy” by Serena Jones

Submitted to Contest #54

“West Shores Academy” West Shores Academy sat on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. From the east wing’s windows, students could see steely gray waves bubbling and dashing themselves on the rocks. For the average passerby, the academy was gloomy and scary, always cast in clouds. For Joan Perez, it was practically home. She pulled up to the front doors in her blue 2011 Ford Focus. She stepped out, her heel crunching against ice. It was summer currently, but the sun never shone on this part of the countryside. She shivered in the cr...

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“Cannot let it happen again” by Chhaya Fulsunge

Submitted to Contest #54

I was running recklessly in the middle of the road, trying hard to control my tears. Still, it kept appearing. I was sweating profusely in the winter season as I ran. I questioned myself, why is this happening again? I have to stop it. I just cannot let it happen, once again. “I am Mohan and this is my story. You all must be wondering where am I heading to and most importantly, why? All this started six months back on one fine normal day in the life of a thirty-year-old guy. That's me!” *** “Mohan, don’t forget to take your lun...

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“Struggles of an Aging Coed” by Pam Eggebrecht

Submitted to Contest #54

Struggles of an Aging Coed I was perhaps not the oldest college student in the world, but I may have come close. When I could finally afford to matriculate, my two children were almost ready for higher education themselves. As I toiled down the lonely road of education with my fresh-cheeked, youthful fellow students, my age led to many well-intentioned but juvenile comments and instructors who were almost young enough to be my kids. These situations often led to ...

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“His Name Was Lou, But I Called Him Orneriness!” by Brenda Steigerwald

Submitted to Contest #54

I remember the first day I met Lou like it was yesterday. There he stood in front of my desk with his briefcase on his left arm, a large cup of Coke Coca from Hardee's in his left hand, and a cane in his right. Dressed in a new pair of creased jeans, just out of the plastic bag dress shirt, and a newsboy cap, it was his first day back to classes after a break. He looked down at me and said, "Y'all must be the new kid on the block. The new 'aminister' for this place." His name was Lou. I shook my head yes and introduced myself. That was ...

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“The Voices Within” by Kristie Nicole Diana

Submitted to Contest #54

First day of school again. This year I’m determined. I will get to campus and I will get out of the car and go into the classroom and take a seat and wait, wait for the students to come in, wait for the professor to start going over the syllabus. This is my year. It has to be. It is. I compel myself to believe nothing but the fact that this is my year. That’s what you think. Ha, what an idiot! I am not an idiot and I am quite frankly done listening to you. I’ve worked in therapy for too many years to deal with you. So what? ...

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“Glory Days” by Justice Semolina

Submitted to Contest #54

Popcorn ceiling. He closed his eyes and opened them again. Popcorn ceiling. “That’s strange.” Dave thought sleepily as he lay in bed looking up. He lay there staring at the ceiling as the faint glow of dawn pushed behind the blackout curtains. He shut his eyes quickly as the thought of the ceiling sunk in. “I don’t have a popcorn ceiling in my house. We didn’t when we moved in and we didn’t when we remodeled 4 years ago. I remember because there was an argument over that. Where the hell am I?” Dave said ...

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“This time would be different” by Harley Raine

Submitted to Contest #54

This time things would be different. I repeated the words to myself over and over again as I stood in front of the tall, intimidating building that would be the start of my new beginning. This time, there would be no bullies who would laugh at me for the colour of my ginger hair, for something I could not control. There would be no teachers who would look at me with the same sneer, their arms crossed and a look of disappointment in their eyes. They would be replaced with kinder, more sincere tutors instead. There would be no cliques ...

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“Dream Deferred” by Susan Hudson

Submitted to Contest #54

Dream Deferred Susan W. Hudson I performed my final duty of the day as a Customer Service Representative at a centrally located bank in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. At five o’clock sharp, one of the other CSR’s and I locked the two outside doors to the bank. We unlocked the doors to let lingering customers out, but nobody came in. It had been a long, busy day, and I was ready to go home. I drove to my apartment, checked on my younger son, and changed into comfortable clothes. I decided to walk down to the mailboxes to check my ma...

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“The Return of Angie Macabre” by Andrea Ohlms

Submitted to Contest #54

Thinking back to the type of person that I used to be I find myself cringing at the thought of the little girl that used to prance around with a bounce in her step and a song in her heart. The young oblivious girl that was not an outsider but whom you also didn’t find running the same crowds as the popular. She just was. I guess there’s nothing wrong with being that person. But boy, was I oblivious. Well who wouldn’t be. We are all supposed to be young oblivious and innocent at that age. The beautiful 15. Where you are kind of awkward a...

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“Never Too Late” by Sandy Buxton

Submitted to Contest #54

Mark reached into the mailbox with trembling hands. Same as every day for the last two weeks. There was only one article nestled beside the shiny flyer extolling the virtues of satellite TV. A full heavy envelope bearing the logo of a college. He carried the precious document into the kitchen and collapsed onto a chair. The object of his nightmares laying on the table. After several deep breaths, he knew he could not put off the inevitable. With his callused hands, he opened and unfolded the letter. ...

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“New Henry” by Stephanie Bianca

Submitted to Contest #54

The jacarandas were in full bloom, silky petals sprinkling the walkway like a violet blanket of snow. Henry watched his feet cut a path through the vibrant blossoms. His gait was unsteady and he walked slowly, savoring the moment. He looked up as a pair of squawking crows flew overhead and settled onto a nearby tree branch. He stopped and turned his face to the September sun, allowing the warm rays to penetrate his skin. He took a long, deep breath, filling up his lungs and marveling over the fact that he was actually standing here on campus...

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“Restarting” by Sankara Luna

Submitted to Contest #54

The time had been long past when people used to call her as Miss Tate, her father’s name. Gone also were the days of the gentleman who imparted his surname, Joseph, to her. She chuckled at the idea of an empty nest–as her church ladies community kept referring to–considering it irrelevant. There was a time, she couldn’t exactly recall, when the future looked bright and they as newlywed planned childbirth and career progression while life decided to throw a random die and all plan went straight into the rubbish bin. Eva was born, then Grego...

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“Tumbleweed Trials” by Brenda Bell

Submitted to Contest #54

SStanding at the airport, just people watching. A skill one must learn, to fit in to a society where rainbow strands of hair fly freely, cowboy hats are strange looking in big cities, and preppies wear their clothing in perfect geometrical shapes to match their curved bodies. Going back to school after twenty years of being away is more nerve racking than trying to find your flight gate with the alphabet going backwards. I stood there staring at my ticket A-35. Shouldn't be so hard. I was at G-10, but running back and forth between gates ...

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“When it rains it pours” by Ashtyn Simerl

Submitted to Contest #54

She was always like this. Anyone who knew her knew that she could blow at any moment. Her anger was as a tornado in Kansas. Her kids were Dorothy. The tornado would unexpectedly appear and the kids would be sent away. The destination was just as magically as Dorothy's, only they weren't greeted by a princess coming down in a bubble. A man, their father, come to bring them safety. While in the land of Oz, they had lots of fun. However, they missed their home no matter what wrath it brought. One kid got it worse than all the others. If s...

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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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