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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 Coward King” by Vyom Ashar

Submitted to Contest #54

The war room was in a state of total panic, disunity and overall chaos with insults and opinions being thrown around every second, the tension within the room was at its peak and factions had already begun forming everyone seemed to have already formed a resolution that only their opinion would be in the benefit of the kingdom and people going against this were nothing short of traitors. The council that originally consisted of twelve men of unparalleled status in the kingdom now just saw five they had been engaged in this session for over a...

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“Decision ” by Sossie CryShinee

Submitted to Contest #54

My name is Kalya and here is my story about me and my dad and of course chances... My mom and my dad got divorce when I was 13 because of my dad's bad habit. He drank a lot... Really and when I say a lot that's a lot just one night 4 whisky bottles but almost every second day. And let's not talk about the holidays... So there was no other choice to my mom than leave. I stayed with her because those times that was the right decision.But I missed my dad. He was such good guy except his habit. He was really nice and loving never thoug...

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“The Roberts” by Scott Courtney

Submitted to Contest #54

The sweat beaded down Bob McKowski’s back as he watched Robert’s head floating over the cubicle walls. Ten more feet to the intersection. Bob prayed he’d turn right. “Good morning, Robert!” Tracie called from behind her gray wall as he passed. Robert Chandler grunted in her direction and half raised his hand. He reached the intersection and turned left. Shit, Bob thought. He was heading down the row right past him. Maybe I just ignore him. I can pretend I’m in the middle of something, working too hard to lose focus. But Bob panicked, like...

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“Life's Story” by Lumbidzani Moyo

Submitted to Contest #54

The cursor blinked, once, twice, until I lost count. Daliah kept writing the same sentence over again and erasing it, “His eyes were like fire.” She couldn’t decide why she even wanted his eyes to be like fire; it could've been a metaphor for anger, it could've been an after effect for some kind of super power, or he could've even been in a dystopian world where everyone had eyes that matched a certain natural element. She sat staring at the screen, hoping that maybe, if she believed hard enough, the words would magically form and grow into ...

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“Tomorrow’s Hero” by Cain Adomnain

Submitted to Contest #54

“Miguel, I get that you can’t teach, but try, man! We’re running out of time!” “I’m Megl. That’s the name on both my plaques at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” “Yeah, but your birth certificate says Miguel, right?” “My legal name is Megl.” “Whatever. Look we don’t have time to argue about your name. I’m gonna be on The Ellen Show in two weeks and my spot has to be perfect. It’s got to be p-e-r-f-e-c-t. Do you understand?!” Megl Sanchez looked at the frustrated half-done man-child bellowing at him with the softest eyes that he coul...

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“The Silence of Our Fathers” by David Guile

Submitted to Contest #54

“Shut up! Oh my GOD! Stop crying before I put you through the wall!” His eyes, sweaty and wide, pinned the son to the spot on the floor. A clenched fist. Spittle flying from the father’s mouth with each verbal arrow shot. The son was sitting on his bed when the father had thrown the door open and fired his first salvo at the ten-year-old boy. The son then found himself on the cold tile floor, trying to squeeze into a corner and disappear. Head bowed as if it would protect him from words, he gazed at a spot on the well-worn floor. The...

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“It went "boom"” by Omar Follows

Submitted to Contest #54

When the “explosion” happened, Jeff had not been ready for it, but in his heart of hearts he knew it was a foregone conclusion… Jeff’s natural state is hunched over a computer, whether it’s for his job, or for his usual hobbies, which involve computer-generated worlds in which he blew the hell out of his fellow players or hunted demons with them. So his current location (pottery class) was a rather last minute and unexpected change of pace and place. He had actually been making his way through the community centre, out of his computer clu...

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“Beautiful Ghosts” by Erin Chen

Submitted to Contest #54

My steps on the wet sidewalk are heavy. The rain pours down, hitting my tightly pulled back hair and mingling with the tears on my cheeks. My heart feels like it’s a glass jar someone just threw onto the ground, pieces everywhere, sharp and jagged. My sobs are loud and audible. On any other day, I would be embarrassed, but today, I don’t care. Inside, I’m an empty, cold shell. The one person I loved, was gone. When they lowered my mother into the ground, I had felt numb. I had made myself feel numb. Now, I let my feelings flow freely, givi...

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“The Bible Basher” by Damien Roberts

Submitted to Contest #54

Being the Lead Psychologist on the chart-topping 'Second Chances' put my name and number in the address book of every journalist on this half of the globe. I liked it, really. I could nudge the narrative. The return of the death penalty really marked an all-time low in British empathy and I hoped my influence might go some way in reversing that. The producers didn't like what I was doing, of course. They wanted people to be detached from the reality of what was happening. While the viewers were entertained the broadcasters got their paycheck...

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“Teach A Man To Fish” by Joel Suarez

Submitted to Contest #54

The camera lens opens up on a busy city street with people commuting. Not slowing down for a second because time is money and there's not a lot of it to some people. There's loud chatter, cars honking, and loud jack hammers doing construction that drowns it all out. Then out from the side of the camera frame a man pops up. He shows off with his bright million dollar smile, clean-cut hair, athletic build blonde male with mic in his hand. He proceeds to speak.“Hey everybody and welcome to downtown Las Palmas, my name is Mike…and I’m holding a ...

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“Chip's Bad Interview” by Paul Richter

Submitted to Contest #54

Chip Murray sat in front of his mirror, looking at the lines on his reflection’s face, and sighed. He was not looking forward to this morning. What lay ahead of him was everything he hated about working in television. A tap, quiet but confident, on the other side of his dressing room door, wrenched his attention away from his aging face. “Yeah,” he said, turning away from his vanity. The door opened a crack and a head appeared behind it, wearing a headset. It was one of the studio P.A.s, and Chip scolded himself for not remembering their na...

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“Second Chances” by Fern Menezes

Submitted to Contest #54

Amanda Kinsworth grew up in Taft, California. A small town with not much to do except use your imagination. This is how she discovered her gift for creating stories. During her high school years an English teacher encouraged her to pursue her writing. The smash hit of a play written for the local drama club was all it took. Being a successful playwright became her goal. Her writing gave her notoriety at school and rewarded her with popularity, and this brought her face to face with Johnny Perez. &nbsp...

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“Good Samaritan” by Liv Wrightson

Submitted to Contest #54

‘And welcoming our fifth and final contestant of the night: Miss. Emily. Winters!’ A shove in the back from a faceless figure in black thrust Emily from the darkness onto the set, the huge lights from above temporarily blinding her as she squinted out at the studio audience. Their whoops of encouragement and applause deafened her, and she had to make her entrance feeling like a kitten taking its first unbalanced steps without the aid of sight or hearing. After a few seconds, her eyes adjusted to the brightness and she latched gratefully on...

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“Death row on air” by Jess S

Submitted to Contest #54

“Hi John, please have a seat”. John looked around nervously, not sure what to read into this situation. Men in black Suits were sitting around the table, Andrea the Advertising Director, was looking away, trying not to give up too much information. John sat down and folded his hands in his lap. The frown on Andreas forehead worried him. “John, I am not sure you know why you are here. As you might know the TV Show ‘Bridesmaids wanted’ was unsuccessful. It was absolutely boring. There was no involvement from you or the audience. I know...

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“One Hell of a Chance” by Ace Hearts

Submitted to Contest #54

The spotlight shines directly on you, and maybe that’s why your skin feels like it’s burning off.Burning. That was the perfect word to describe everything. When it was announced you’d be featured on Second Chances, it only took a few seconds for your no-longer-existent heart to start burning. When reality finally hit you, it took even less time for burning thoughts to set in. I don’t deserve this. I don’t.And yet, you still came.And now, the burning stares of the audience beat holes into you.You try to calm yourself, folding your arms agains...

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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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