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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

“The Tussle with Russel” by Brandon Kubena

Submitted to Contest #54

“Next time you got a problem with me, why don’t you say it to my face?” Is what I hear before my head gets dunked back into the water. I’m not close to drowning or anything but I sure wished I was. Just so Russel would finally get what he deserved: a prison sentence. But unfortunately, I didn’t drown. And Russel didn’t have anything happen to him, because I was the only one who could do anything. He pulled me back up and I studied his face. I swore I would remember what he looked like so I could find him one day if I ever manned up. ...

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“Art: An Alien Concept” by Natalya Drake

Submitted to Contest #54

Rain. Jay didn’t really know what a storm was. On his planet, they didn’t have rainstorms, just rockslides, and earthquakes. The sight of the rain served as a stark reminder of how different things were here on Earth. For example, his planet didn’t have this absurdly strange book that sat on the table in front of him. Ask him to construct a four platform living habitation for an extended population? That he could do. Or repairing a fusion transport vehicle? Easy. He turned to his best (and perhaps only) friend, Melody. “What do I do ...

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“Second Life” by Shanna Adams

Submitted to Contest #54

He slammed his fists on the keyboard. Why he thought he would learn this was beyond him. Frustration welled up in his chest. Bookkeeping baffled him, but he wanted to learn it. John recently lost his job due to downsizing. He worked in the same place for almost twenty years now, but his company felt money needed their loyalty more than the older workers needed it. Years ago, money became the corporation’s patron saint. John noticed the budget cuts for equipment. It got to the point where they could barely do everyday tasks efficiently. T...

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“The Holiday” by Mysha Amirah

Submitted to Contest #54

He was already drowning in work when his boss walked up to him to give him more work to finish by the end of the week. He absolutely loathed his boss, but tried not to express his feelings towards him. “Richard Boucher”, his boss said in a stern voice, “I need these reports finished by day-after tomorrow. Do you understand?” “Y-y-yes boss”, he stammered. “Good”, he said and walked away. It was getting late and it seemed as though he was the last one to leave the office. As he walked home with his briefcase in one hand and his coat in ...

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“My Mamba skills” by Jane Gachambi

Submitted to Contest #54

I arrived in the Netherlands in February 2020, in the middle of winter. Cold and rainy weather tormented me. What made it even worse was that most people here rely on public transport which thankfully is quite efficient, well heated and immaculately clean, but the inconveniences brought by this weather when walking or cycling to these public transportation platforms can be annoying. I noticed that everybody cycles including the queen whose photo had appeared on one of the newspapers on her way to a public library. Her appearance opened my mi...

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“The Can Opener” by Rebecca Mg

Submitted to Contest #54

Who would’ve thought this would be my downfall? Today is the day! I had hoped so this morning. And yet how wrong I was. I was a fool to believe that this time would be any different from the rest. It’s just that everyone makes it look so easy. They don’t tell you how hard it really is. It’s practically impossible, well, for me at least. I’m screwed. That’s it. This is how I die. By the hands of a can of peaches. That’s right, a can of peaches! Are you kidding me? I bet I’m the only person in history whose ...

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“Aphantasia” by Lyss V.

Submitted to Contest #54

The best way to end a gifted artist perhaps not by amputation, but is taking away their imagination. Kyle was once an artist. However, note that it was just 'once'. As god plays the director role on everyone's life, a car accident could either just be trifling or deadly, but fate choose to make it a tricky one. Kyle was fortunate to survive from that, and recovered with full health. But for every gain, there must be a lost. At first he even did not recognize it, just sometime he could just gasps that there is something so called 'emptiness'....

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“Like Riding a Bike” by Kieri Zink

Submitted to Contest #54

Falling terrified me. In my mind a warped reel played over and over featuring bloodied scrapes, broken bones, chipped teeth. I was afraid of the control I would need over the vehicle and the inevitable result if I lost control. There’s a reason why an enduring idiom is, “it’s like riding a bike!” It is a skill that returns to you quickly and one for which the basics become second nature once learned. I did not think I would ever be able to learn it. The bike was purchased especially for me. The handlebars sp...

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“Second Chances: The Series” by Theno Velisté

Submitted to Contest #54

The days are numbered. The world feels like it's always against you. This was what life was like for the young adult male, David Vaileton, who was stuck in a world where no matter how hard he tried, nothing ever seemed to go his way. It was like his family name was cursed. For the days to go by numerously and his luck just keeps him from getting on with life, he learns that not everything should be as it seems and decided to become dulled by the atrocious abuse and bullying he is put through. It only takes him a few weeks to start slowl...

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“Pantofolaio” by Mayuri Kakeria

Submitted to Contest #54

The wailing winds made the leaves outside tremble. There was a thud and he remembered how everyday he planned to fix the fence. He would do it tomorrow. The strew cigarettes like buried logs in snow on the dusty table in front of him ; he’d have to clean it too. He turned his head aside and found himself distorted in a black, glossy lens staring at him - wondering if that is what the eye of God looked like too. He stopped Pink Floyd before the chorus. He got up and went to bed, pretending to lay asleep, to give that miserable lens nothing mo...

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“She let herself go” by Lindsey Hunt

Submitted to Contest #54

After two years of dating, talking about marriage,hoping for kids, and planning a life together, Lindsey was finally going to meet her boyfriend’s family. Before leaving for the trip, her boyfriend said ,”We can go ring shopping if you want to.” In Lindsey’s mind, wedding bells were ringing, and she was both nervous and excited to meet his family. There was nothing to worry about! Lindsey hit it off instantly with her boyfriend’s mother and grandmother.They loved that she was an artist because they were a family of artists! Ev...

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“Finding Stella ” by Birgit Itse

Submitted to Contest #54

„What have I done? Am I really happy now? Happier than was?“ Too many questions and not even a single answer in her head. Within a year Stella had changed her life so dramatically that sometimes she had troubles believing that it was the same person. The weight of responsibility on her shoulders was sometimes overwhelming. Often overwhelming, to be honest. She had just finished washing her face. It was pale. Not a good night. She looked at the bathroom mirror and these 90 minutes in her life were in front of her eyes. Again. „All of because ...

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“The Window Of Opportunity” by Mercy Wealthy

Submitted to Contest #54

It was Monday morning and I was still sleeping when I heard a beep, beep, beep sound in my head. I hit the stop button of the alarm, which kept making so much noise; then, stood up sluggishly and went straight to my music player. I turned on one of my favorite songs and increased the volume. I stepped into the bathroom to brush my teeth and have a shower while moving my body to the rhythm of the music. After a shower, I got dressed and went to the kitchen to make toast bread and hot coffee. I took it to my dining table and started eating whi...

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“Even Powers Won't Help You Now” by Abby Shazivari

Submitted to Contest #54

Mina Montac has never known anything short of pleasure. She's got virtually anything a girl could want- caring and loving friends, an amazing family, and a boyfriend who's wrapped around her finger. She's obedient, sweet, even a bit of a teacher's pet. Some go far enough to say that she's perfect. A little self-obsessed, actually, but for the most part, perfect. And as a cherry on top, she has powers. No, I'm not kidding. She has genuine, time reversing powers. After falling off the monkey bars and breaking her arm at age 5, she discovered...

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“The (Second) Chance of a Lifetime” by Nicole Cox

Submitted to Contest #54

It’s almost time. I can tell without even looking at the clock because Dad, settled in his recliner, for the first time since he sat down he reaches for the remote, flipping away from the ever-present old westerns that are on our television. But it’s to be expected, it’s Friday after all, and by the sound of it, it’s almost 9 o’clock. The summer breeze is ruffling the curtains, and with it I can hear the sound it carries. Our neighbors are also turning their TVs, the beginning music can be heard from every house down the street....

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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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