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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

“Shoot Straight” by 𝒸𝒶𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒽

Submitted to Contest #54

October chill crawls through my jacket as I stand shivering in front of the school, waiting for my mother’s familiar blue van. Tears spike my eyes, snaking back every time I wipe them away. Footsteps sound behind me and I try to block out the jeering voices teasing me and making fun of my bland outfit. You would think that someday this “new girl” routine would go away, but it never has. Turns out the prissy attendees of Caverly Junior High are worse than usual. I let out the air I’ve been holding when I spot an old and weatherbeaten blue v...

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“Destiny” by November Writes

Submitted to Contest #54

Laurie Collins took another sip of the cold, stale coffee. Staring frantically at the half-finished script which was due in a few hours, the words were jumbled in some places and the sentences felt too scripted in others. “ Not enough coffee,” Laurie thought, “ Besides, I need a break ”. She grabbed her stained cheap cup which she had bought at Walmart right after the divorce. What had happened anyways? Laurie couldn’t remember most of the marriage, of course, she remembered her and John’s fairytale wedding, and she remembered their be...

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“Arsonist chance tv show second chances” by Alexandria Pierce

Submitted to Contest #54

I was 5 so I found so strange liquid in the shed gasoline and mom said not a lot of water on the floor for the bath but I liked the liquid So I poured it all over the house and this was the second time his brain is remembering up to today then forgets He wears a camera everywhere besides the bathroom so he will have the memories recorded. To prevent fire next time she basically told him no water on the floor her mistake was basically. Will the family's rich amount of money run out? They already lost a lot of money on the machine so lucky the...

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“A Different Type of Second Chance” by Czarina Jucutan

Submitted to Contest #54

If you were to ask me what a Friday night looks like for a 29 year old this is what I would say. “It depends.” It depends if you’re single, married without children, married with children or if you’re a single parent. If you’re single, you might already have plans to meet up with a friend or a group of friends. If you’re married without children, sometimes you might have a date-in or a date-out with your significant other. If you’re married with children, you probably have some plans for the family - a movie or a dinner together. If you’...

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“Love gave me the right” by Anna Pinheiro

Submitted to Contest #54

♪ Second chances, second chances, why don’t you give me a seeeecond chaaaaaance? ♫ “Hello, America!”, exclaimed Tom Robinson, while performing his signature dance moves well known by the captive audience of his night show, Second Chances. “Today is January 10th and this is the first Second Chances of 2047!”, the host said and the whole auditorium cheered. “To celebrate the new year, we have a very peculiar first participant. I guess my old man was right: times are changing”, the host choked on a laugh and turned to his covered-in-very-co...

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“Cast your vote now! ” by E. K. Rebeles

Submitted to Contest #54

Trigger warning: suicide The song “Lean on Me” starts playing on Deirdre’s phone. She stretches back in her deceased father’s worn-down red fabric recliner and sighs. She slowly reaches over to find her iPhone lying face down on her discolored black Ikea side table under two layers of magazines and confirms it’s her best friend, Daksh. Dierdre knows she should answer so he doesn’t worry and it’s been several days since she talked to him. She pauses the reality show on her TV and answers. “Hey. What’s up?” She asks with a flat v...

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“For Men Like You” by OB Jato

Submitted to Contest #54

Life does not give most a second chance; the industry was no different. The well-meaning could say that there had been enough instances of personalities experiencing late-blooming careers, or even a resurrection of their lost reputation. But the director knew these were the exceptions, and painted a false impression for outsiders. The rarity had thus become a norm in the eyes of the unacquainted, which was why none of his friends belonging to less glamorous sectors of the economy could not understand his troubles. “Why, jus...

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“Life's second chances.” by Ashwaq Alnazzal

Submitted to Contest #54

I came after work to set in front of my Tv to watch my favorite show " Second Chances ". This show is just amazing, I come happy from work just to chill and watch it. Although the idea is a bit different then the shows we usually watch. The main character of the show name is Johna she just retired ,She is 55 or so from the looks . So Johna stoped and looked at her life , she thought this life was never for me , I really wanted something different , something that felt like me. She was sad that most of her life has passed but she never did mo...

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“SECOND CHANCES” by Tonnye Fletcher

Submitted to Contest #54

“Love is always better the second time around!” announced the talk show host. “ Welcome to SECOND CHANCES --where we put marriages back together again. This week, we’ll introduce you to three couples who would like to put their marriage back on track. Stay tuned to meet them!” As the announcer’s voice trailed off, Jessica thought it was a bizarre premise for a show. Why wouldn’t people who wanted to put their marriages back together just go to counseling? Why would anyone appear on a TV show airing all their dir...

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“The Illusion” by Caitlin Meyer

Submitted to Contest #54

“It’s not up to us to give second chances. It’s not our right. We shouldn’t get a shot at playing God just because we have the technology and the money to, especially profiting off of it in front of an audience.” Larry leaned over his beer and peered around to make sure no one was listening in the crowded brew pub that was clearly filled with too many hipsters entranced in their own problems to care about what was going on at our booth. “Sean, if you had a problem with all of this, shouldn’t you have said something from the get go? I mea...

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“Piano Man” by J.C. Freeword

Submitted to Contest #54

"Ok, just to recap, come on out when you hear me call your name," Chad explained. To Chad Holding, the host of 'Second Chances,' tonight is just another Thursday night prime-time. But to the contestant, this is life-changing. "Going live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ACTION!" The set erupts with cheers as the theme music begins to play as Chad steps out from stage left. "Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! I hope you're all doing well tonight," he says, lights reflecting off his dark gelled hair. Taking a seat in one of the two blue armchairs in the ...

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“Pivoting ” by Gavin Croghan

Submitted to Contest #54

I still didn’t know why I had come to the hotel. There was little I needed. Married women weren’t meant to sit in hotel lobbies flicking through out-of-date magazines. Waiting on men they weren’t married to. However, the stories in those magazines reminded me of my youth. And of my predicament. They too were stories out of their time. Stale and left aside. Told once and then never do we find what came of them. I used to read my mother’s old issues. I’d sit in the kitchen under the table. She’d cook and talk with my aunts. Conver...

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“And Then I Found You” by Jaime Hidalgo

Submitted to Contest #54

Just like every morning, I woke up 5 minutes before my alarm is set. Why can’t I just sleep in for 5 more minutes..?? As I got up, like every other morning, I saw the sun rising from the Santa Cruz Mountain range, just out my window.. I did the usual, brushed my teeth, freshened up, checked my girlfriend’s message reminding me of our dinner reservation, had my coffee. Also, like usual, I reminded my friend Charlie of our dinner reservation. This is how the cycle goes: I make the reservation for 4 at the same restaurant every Thursday at 8 pm...

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“Finders keepers” by JULIET EJEZIE

Submitted to Contest #54

‘Took you long enough’ an angry parent said immediately she walked into the class ‘I’m sorry’ she muttered bowing her head and taking the chair nearest to the door, ‘Bailey?’ Nate said quietly turning on hearing the familiar voice he squinted, trying to get a closer look at her but her dark red hair covered his view of her face ‘Mrs Bailey Simms?, now that you are here we can finally commence with the meeting, where is your husband?, you do know both parents are required’ the principal said briefly removing her glasses ‘Uhm... it’s Ms. and n...

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“Together at last” by Irene Nikolaou

Submitted to Contest #54

It was a bright day in the suburbs. Tom was not working at the newspaper that day and Alice was already making breakfast. He woke up to the sound of French coffee being made. He got out of bed, even though he didn't want to and put on his clothes. The classic routine would follow. He would drink his orange juice, wear his sportswear and go for a run. Today, however, he would have to return early to pack his bags. The plane to Paris would leave early in the afternoon. They celebrated 3 years of dating with Alice and thought of celebrating it ...

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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.

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