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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#63: Autumnal

It’s finally fall in the Northern Hemisphere. While the leaves are being slow to change out my window this year, the air is crisp and the pumpkin spice products are out in full force. Time to break out the sweaters!

Beyond all the colorful trappings, though, fall is by definition a season of change. So as you craft your stories this week, try to think about how the events you’re writing will change your characters' lives, whether fundamentally or just a little. After all, even a seemingly mundane afternoon can be the turning point of your entire life…

And if you want to drink some apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte while you write, more power to you!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a coffee shop that’s just introduced a new line of autumnal drinks.

Fall – 161 stories

Start your story with the line, “By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” (Whether this is a literal fire is up to you.)

Teens – 324 stories

Write about a character making fall decorations out of construction paper.

Kids – 45 stories

Write a story from the perspective of a bird migrating for the winter.

Winter – 128 stories

Write about two characters going apple picking.

Fall – 249 stories

Stories

“Senior Awakening ” by LaShawn Baker

Submitted to Contest #63

Senior Awakening By La Shawn Baker By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire bursting with a sea of colors that only resided in a crayon box. The funny thing is my mind distinctively remembers going to sleep in the richness of Spring blossoms. The scents of jasmine, lavender, and roses acts as an ambrosia, their sweet aroma lulling me into the calming embrace of spring. I faintly remember with each breath I would inhale life and exhale a memory of time long forgotten, buried in the recess of my mind. T...

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“Rights of a Dragonborn pt. 2” by Serendipity May

Submitted to Contest #63

"By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire." I could hear the loud roars that were accompanied by the fire and destruction. When I had at first walked into the small tavern there was nothing of a sort, but now... Tops of towers were toppled over, people and buildings alike smashed underneath the weight. Men, women, and children, nobody was safe from this dragon that was attacking the small village. The sad thing is, I don't even know if my father is okay. Not thinking about it, my feet moved on their own running to the house in ...

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“Dragon” by Shaun Calvert

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The buildings were quick to follow and the screams that would never truly end for me were indicative that things far more valuable than mere possessions were fuelling those flames as well. I suppose I was lucky that my parents had already died peaceful deaths, and that my sister had moved away to live with her fancy man two towns over. I had nothing to lose but the bakery. I was lucky further still that I knew it wasn’t worth saving. As I ran through the streets, I saw many more u...

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“The Bonfire” by Elizabeth Corbitt

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. It was pitch black save for the bonfire, and it was only a moment ago I had stepped into the nearby house for a bathroom break, but as the one in charge of the flame, I suppose I shouldn’t have left the work to others. There was something serene in the dry leaves, dancing with their newfound flames, but I knew I couldn’t let them continue to dance. We were too close to the farm and already I could hear the animals protesting. Grabbing one of the prepared buckets, I threw the water onto ...

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“Her Steps ” by Ellie C

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. A gust of warm autumn wind blew past me and carried my hair with it. A leaf came to rest on my temple, wedged between my brow and glass, but I could not be bothered. The leaves were on fire. Never before had I seen such a gracious sight. It was more beautiful than the explosion of a supernova, warmer than my grandmother's cooking, and yet icyer than the driest ice in Antarctica. The leaves moved in the breeze and crinkled in my ear. It was not the leaves that moved me, but they added so...

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“Poor baby” by Adebiyi Adedoyin

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire, various hues of red and orange scattered all around my front yard and it then hit me. I in my grief had wallowed an entire month away. How was that possible? Autumn was here and my mood now perfectly matched the weather. The dull, cold, drab weather with the scent of death that signified autumn, like walking into the attic and holding your breath before taking a tentative sniff so you won't faint. I didn't go out much on account of I was a freelance designer, and didn't really spend ...

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“The Lord is Pruning” by Shannon Odonnell

Submitted to Contest #63

As I stepped outside I could see the leaves on fire in colors. Red, orange, yellow and brown all twirling on the ground . I thought to myself Lord I feel laughter with you . The twirling leave that dance in a ballet of joy surly remind me of how you cheer me up in this season. A season of giving of joy from the heart. Gifts reflecting laughter to the receiver and most surly joy from the giver. I use to cry because I had no money, now I rejoice because you will guide my ways. An embrace with a kiss on the cheek and a pasta salad as a side dis...

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“Mama Deer” by Dan Peyton

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The world was ablaze with brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows. The hushed whisper of dried paper fell upon my ears while the crisp, blue skies sang the beginning of autumn.I wrapped myself in a thick coat, tucked the freshly knitted new scarf under the collar, and jammed my gloved hands deep in my pockets. Another gentle breeze swept by, turning my cheeks rosy and rustling those leaves again.How I miss the summer, with its long warm days and deep dark nights. There is a magic to ...

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“Color envy” by Marcie Van Cleave

Submitted to Contest #63

Color EnvyWritten by Marcie Van Cleave “By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire.” They were brilliant colors of red, yellow, orange,with tinges of green. The sights were impressive, and the familiar smells brought a new definition to Autumn in my mind. I gazed upon the sunset as a tear ran down my cheek, a flood of emotions found their way to my insides as my stomach flipped and my heart raced. The sky was a beautiful assortment of blues to grey with brushstrokes of pinks smeared into orange that set so brilliantly. How could I...

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“Dragon Village” by H.L Whitlock

Submitted to Contest #63

Dragon VillageBy the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.Now, thinking about it ‘leaves on fire’ doesn’t exactly sound too bad. Could be that someone had swept a bunch of leaves off their front lawn and set them on fire. Not too risky and perfectly legal.‘Leaves on fire’ could also be some kids mucking around with a lighter, definite potential for trouble there. But nothing some piss pot do-gooder couldn’t sort out with a pair of boots and a good stomp. Again, not so bad. Not legal, but not too bad either.Stepping outside to the ...

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“Finding My Center” by Amy Sutch

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire with colors of orange, red and gold. The beauty stopped me in my tracks. Where had I been this last month while this transformation was taking place? Autumn was my favorite time of year, yet I was missing out. I had taken no long walks along the C & O canal to take in these beautiful changes. Normally I planned for such things. I hadn’t even bought my first pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon teas or any of the other varieties of snacks that now touted those flav...

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“New Beginnings” by Raymond Kelly

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The evening light caused them to glow deep shades of orange, brown and yellow that danced like auburn embers stirred by a refreshing breeze. The small college town of Autumn was just starting to be busy as the new school year's students flocked to the dorms. A hustle and bustle of new beginnings could be seen in the eyes and excited footsteps of fancy new outfits soon to be forgotten as the winter chill would set in. I pulled my meager belongings out of my little old car, and wal...

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“Wings of Change” by Tiersa Remisha

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I’m enraptured briefly by the crimson and burgundy hues before me. My tiny frame trembles until I burst, throwing my hands in the air in glee. “Momma!” I yell, rushing back in the acorn house and into her arms. Excitedly, I withdraw from her hug to beam at her. “They’re changing!” I shout, pulling the taller woman to the door. “I can see that,” she chuckles softly, running fingers through my raven hair. “But don’t forget the rules. You must wait.” I moan but start laughing when Wind...

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“Scarlet Leaves” by Claire Clayton

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves where on fire. “How long?” I asked, dreading the answer. “Five months,” Rob responded. I took a deep breath, words failing to form as a thousand chaotic thoughts raced through my brain. Scarlet and orange leaves coated the ground making it look like the buried grass was covered in flames. In my last memory, the sky was clear and the grass was dewy and lush. Now, there was a thick layer of frost on the ground and a chilly nip in the air. I spun around the vast field not knowing what to ...

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“Autumn” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #63

I picked up the blunt black crayon and started drawing shapes on the yellow construction paper. “Remember when you showed me how to do this, dad? I was four years old, and you told me I could make anything I wanted to make.” We were sitting in the common room of Home Life, an assisted living facility. It wasn’t home, and it wasn’t filled with family. But Home Life was a lovely place, only three miles from our home. “All I could make that day was unrecognizable geometric shapes. And you told me they were beautiful, imaginative shapes all m...

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$50

Prize money

907

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 16, 2020 EST

Won by Masha Kurbatova 🏆

Title: come to atlanta!

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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