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

“Easy Girls” by Adele D

Submitted to Contest #54

Jen had learnt a long time ago that regret doesn't absolve your actions. Still, as the silence filled the space between them, she felt hope. It might have been her own tendency to forgive; the desperate need to appease others. But she thought it was deeper than that. It was a belief that if everyone else was as messed up as she was, there was no need to feel guilt. After all, if she didn't cause the pain, it opened her up to being hurt herself. Still, heartbreak can't be soaked up like spilled milk. It isn't a bad day for your moth...

Read story

“Fall redemption ” by Chibi Manda

Submitted to Contest #54

A crawling sensation skittering across her skin as the breeze, drenched in the scents of autumn, moved the few remaining leaves. They whispered accusing words into the darkness that encircled her, pushing in on the fires' illuminated ring. The light gave a false sense of security in these woods haunted by the memories of those that she had wronged. Shelly pulled her coal-colored cardigan tighter; it was colder than it had any right to be. Her chill had little to do with temperature, she knew that it was mostly trepidation but t...

Read story

“Angela and Alice” by Marissa Ann

Submitted to Contest #54

Angela stood on the stoop, shifting her weight from left to right. Her new blue leather sandals dug into the big toe on the right, making the stoop standing even more… uncomfortable. “C’mon Alice, I know you’re in there. Can you please just answer the door?” Angela yelled at the front door, choosing to ignore the looks from the neighbors entirely. Shuffling in the thickening humid heat, Angela’s feet couldn’t bear the swelling and the digging ultimately prompting Angela to admit defeat and place the checkered black tin on the cement....

Read story

“Shout” by Rose Marie

Submitted to Contest #54

“I’m sorry,” Priscilla bit out, the words a tremendous weight being lifted off her shoulders.“You’re sorry?”She hesitated before giving a tense nod. The woman seated in front of her didn’t look impressed. O. sighed, pressing a hand to her temple as if this was a daily occurrence for her. Priscilla always thought she’d been a kind teacher, always patient and understanding, but then again, Priscilla had never been in this amount of trouble before. There was another moment of silence as the older woman collected her thoughts.“Is that...

Read story

“There's no going back.” by Michael Baker

Submitted to Contest #54

“They can rob you of everything but your achievements, lad. Those you’ll keep forever.”Those were the words my father had told me, sat beside me on my bed the day before my first boxing match. I was bearly sixteen. He wasn’t an acutely educated man; meek beginnings had instilled in him an appreciation of hard work bordering on idolatry. He was quick to speak his mind and quicker still to bow out to the more informed, a humble but strong-willed man. Having said that, there was one thing he would never surrender to anyone, a fact that he held ...

Read story

“Amend × 6” by Angela Britton

Submitted to Contest #54

Lexi was a young mother of six, motherhood began for her at 14. By the time she was 28 she had all six of her children. Many aspects of Lexi's life was hard due to her immaturity about certain matters. She was still in school when she had her first two children and she graduated at 18 pregnant with her third child. This made it hard to give all the children the attention they needed and deserved because of their ages, this also caused Lexi to not learn who she was. Lexi didn't have a clue on how to manage her to handle motherhood, being a co...

Read story

“Moral of The Story” by Veronica Coleman

Submitted to Contest #54

I could see her soul with just one glance. I could feel every ounce of regret, love, and hatred that she had inside of her. I didn't want to see it nor did I want to feel it. I didn't want to sympathize with her. Because even though she feels these things now, she didn't look back for even one second when she left. My mother staring at me was almost like I was looking into a mirror, except for the fact that she was twenty years my senior. I have the same grey eyes as her, the same tanned complexion, even the same slope of the nose. I hate...

Read story

“Past Life Karma” by Shannon Munnik

Submitted to Contest #54

"Past Life Karma" A Short Story by Shannon Munnik PART ONE “Farrah, I’ve grown tired of this life, and I’ve realized I’m not living it for me. I need to take responsibility for my own happiness, because I’m sick of pretending to be satisfied. I’m leaving to find it. If I don’t succeed, at least the change of scenery will be nice. Best, Crystal” I left her two years ago. My mind became so clu...

Read story

“Shotgun Letter” by Lexi Cummings

Submitted to Contest #54

Lexi Cummings, 8/13/20It was a long shot, hoping Sam would show up to the party. He knew that she wouldhave been there without a doubt had he not discarded her from his life just afew weeks prior. Still, he couldn’t believe she had given up on him; he hadn’taccepted that she refused to chase him out the door. He didn’t care if sheshowed up with a vengeance or just to get a glimpse of him, as long as shecame.It was the end of pledging season so people quickly flooded through the doors,some already drunk and high while others brought kegs and ...

Read story

“Merchant of hate” by Manu Naik

Submitted to Contest #54

"Don't worry we'll make it in time." Aavish tries to console his wife Veena while gently speeding up the car. "We would have if you weren't on your phone for such a long time." Veena sounds mad. She doesn't even tilt her face to look at Aavish who's sitting beside in the driving seat. She keeps on staring at the road ahead while Aavish keeps driving. " You don't need to accelerate now. We have to make to the program alive for God sake." Veena shouts after a moment of silence. " My God, can you please relax?. You sound ...

Read story

“Rainheart” by Lee Dohann

Submitted to Contest #54

She has been sitting in the overgrown tree for about two hours. No movement was detected inside or outside the house. There was no sign of an alarm. There was a big electric gate, and a side gate which flapped along in the wind. That would be her entry point. From there she would decide what to do. She was certain that there would be something in the garden or the back yard which has trading value. The wind has picked up. It was time to make her move. She was contemplating waiting for the rain, but was uncertain about the amount of time she ...

Read story

“Double bride” by Omolola Olayioye

Submitted to Contest #54

They sat around the fire in an erratic circle in the humid night breeze, the fire crackling heartily as the fat from the roasting spits dropped into it. Grace looked on into the fire, fascinated by its dance and wondered how it would feel to be burnt alive the agony as the caressing warmth of the flames became too much to bear, licking the flesh into something unrecognisable. Her mother had said countless times that she was obsessed with danger, and that it had fuelled her motivation to be a surgeon. She didn't think that true. She had...

Read story

“Palace of Second Chance” by Miss Kat Flores

Submitted to Contest #54

It’s here. It is in this place where we first met, where we celebrated our first Valentine’s Day. The lapping waves kissing my feet in melancholy, I pull my white cardigan tighter and hugged myself... “Where are we going?” I asked him as I stepped inside his red Camry car. He smiled at me and leaned forward, his face a few inches from my face. I could smell his rich signature scent that smells of intoxicating mix of forest, cedarwood, and mint, and I gasped as his fingers touched my body lightly. He withdrew and buckled my seatb...

Read story

“ MISTAKE OF A LIFETIME” by Salome Enofe

Submitted to Contest #54

It was the last days at Springfield High School, birds were chirping in the trees, the sun was smiling, the environment was festive. Students scattered all over the premises, the merriest of them all were the Seniors, it was few days before Prom and also graduation was around the corner. The seniors could be seen gallivanting around the School in all excitement. Rachael and her friend, Jane sat on the fields exchanging thoughts about the upcoming Prom. “Kelvin finally asked me to Prom,” Jane said sharply. “That's great” Rachael replied. “He ...

Read story

“The Choice of Chances ” by Cait Deaton

Submitted to Contest #54

Friday, August 14th, 2020 ‘Write a story about someone looking to make amends for a mistake.” “Do you want a second chance, a chance to make amends?” he asked. Like it was a simple question, the words floating off his tongue. The once weightless words now crushing my body and suffocating my soul. How can words carry weight? How can weightless words weigh me down? I whip my head away, casting down my eyes. I can’t let anyone see the pain, the pain of my life written in my eyes. I stare at the horizon...

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 ⭢