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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

“Underground Year” by Ally Bergman

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Breathtaking views of crimson waves rolled in front of me and crisp air filled my lungs with a deep inhale. The sky was dim and the sun was melting over the trees and in that moment everything stopped. I slowly turned behind me and faced the bunker I had just pulled myself out of. How long had I been here? The scene surrounding me didn’t match the snow covered hills I saw before...before...before what? What happened to me? Had I spent an entire year out here, or more? I peered inside th...

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“The Burning Leaves of Change” by Betsy Remington☕

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The trees were lit like the torches of the giants and cast a glow on the people below as they ran pell-mell. Some carried shopping bags and shoe boxes, dropping items and not looking back in their hurry. Others carried signs that were almost forgotten in their rush to leave the war-zone-like atmosphere. Their faces were distorted with the anger and fear they all felt. I did not want to be in this crowd where it seemed almost anything could happen, among this crow...

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“Fire” by Chelsea S D

Submitted to Contest #63

"By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire."Lucas looked at me in shock. "FIRE?!" he yelled, "She set the leaves on fire? She's three?! There's no way her laser powers have developed yet. Mallory's boys have laser powers and she told Samantha, who told my mother, who told me, that Asher and Blaze developed their laser abilities at four, and just how proud she was that they developed so early.""Well we can hardly gauge power development on the Flame family, now can we." I snorted at the memory of watching Mallory Carson spending ...

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“Fallen Memories” by Jim Snyder

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I braced myself in the open door frame on the side of my garage, looking out into the backyard, barely remembering I was about to ask my wife to come inspect the nearly finished spice rack she had been asking for over the past few weeks. It was only the scent of slightly burned oaken sawdust rising from the flecks covering my arms and t-shirt that reminded me, or perhaps it was the smell of the burning oak leaves she was walking away from, heading back to the patio table.&nbsp...

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“Why Me?” by Felicity Edwards

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. Not the smoke and ashes kind of fire but the seasonal one, I’m here on the deck in my rocking chair looking out over the forest. Summer melted away without my knowing and here we are in the Fall, which is so breathtakingly beautiful sitting here looking out over the surrounding forest. The leaves are all the colours of a fire from deep red to palest lemon mixed with a dash of bronze. “Dad, here is a blanket.” Sheena smiled and wrapped me up as if I was something precious. “Thank you, ...

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“MY LIFE SET ABLAZE” by Jahnavi Bandaru

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. My hands were trembling as I pulled my brother in to a tight embrace. My grip tightened when I felt my brother's tears soak my shirt. I grabbed him by the shoulders when we pulled apart. “ I want you to go to the Picket's house and call the fire station immediately. I'm going to go find mom, ok?” I tried to memorize his face just in case it was the last time I ever saw him. “ Promise me that mom is going to be ok,” He croaked as he looked at me with those big glassy doe eyes. “ I…...

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“The Fire of Miss Moffat” by Lizzie Brown

Submitted to Contest #63

The Fire of Miss MoffatBy the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. A steady stream of burnt oranges and fiery reds; just the ticket to brighten my mood.I reflected on my sleepy surroundings. It must have been where Sleepford got its name with endless rows of trees enclosing the town, only there was a clearing where the branches were thinner, showing the pale patterned bark of the branches.I paused to take a peek at my reflection in a puddle amongst the leaves. I am still sixteen year old Will Kahn. I still have deep olive skin, s...

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“Burning Leaves” by Lee Yoong Shin

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. From the once-green leaves hanging on the unnamed tree standing tall in front of my gates; to the small, budding leaves from the little chilli plants I gave my dad two weeks ago; and the fallen leaves scattered on the porch - all were crackling away villainously. I was thrilled. I was scared. I was relieved - It was such a blessing to live in a neighbourhood where no one comes out in the afternoon. Sure, the year I lost my favourite piggybank (full of coins, waiting to be broken) in a...

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“The Lady and the Lover” by Tracey Lalena Tabers

Submitted to Contest #63

The Lady and the Lover My Dear Sethian, By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire with brilliant color. Inspired, I came back in to write you this letter my love. My feelings for you are palpable and you need to know how genuine my sentiments run through my soul. I am enamored with the way your eyes sparkle when you see me or the way your hair tousles as the wind blows through it. My heart fills with deep desire when I’m near you. I am enthralled by your profound intensity. Why do you want me so? Yes, I am a woman of status,...

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“The Promise” by Adrian Solorio

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire.” Julie said to her daughter. "It was black, and that was all I could see." "Is that why daddy had to stay?" Julie hesitated for a moment. "Yes baby—daddy had to stay to—" she gripped the steering wheel and her vision clouded. She could see Peter’s face staring back at her and she shuddered at the thought. "He had to stay to help fight the fires, baby." They rode in silence except for the sound of the electric motor and the occasional thump of the tires over the highway re...

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“An Autumn Reunion” by Amy Shawley

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside the leaves were on fire, crimson and bright, as the sun burned my eyes. The beauty was breathtaking and I choked down my first gulps of freedom in weeks with thirsty lungs. Quarantine life. It certainly was not for me. I don't think I have ever been stuck inside, unable to leave my room before, for two whole weeks. Even thinking the notion seemed impossible just a year ago. But this is the norm that is everyday life post coronavirus lockdown. And knowing I'm not alone, that I'm not the only one suffering...

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“Trapped Love” by John Jenyo

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. It engulfed the dry tress on this little island. We both ran for safety and entered a fast flowing stream. The stream took us into the mountains. "I guess your question is how do we find ourselves in this situation - here it is"I am just a lonely chubby boy, lover of science, discovery. My few friends call me fatty and I live in England. I was going to my grandma's residence in Australia. I haven't seen her in about 7 years so I was very excited.During the flight, I ...

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“My dear uncle John” by Kaylin Rajah

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. A look of horror had swept over my face as I stood in awe to witness the dry neighboring cornfield being engulfed in flames. As the fire traveled towards the fence where I stood, fear had gripped my throat before I could call on my uncle John. The smoke slowly started to sting my eyes, nose and throat. It was only when I started to cough that I found the will to start moving.This was supposed to be my final year of school. I was instead homeschooled because of the global pandemic that h...

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“Tale Of The Pumpkin King” by Bella L

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. I hadn't seen the outside world in what Davis said was almost 9 months. Last time mother nature was wrapped under a thick blanket of white snow, wearing her finest trees with ice laced branches. Today, she was engulfed in bold color, not a monochrome shadow in sight. I turned towards the hills. My heart began pounding as if to escape from its prison behind my rib cage. I gasped at the sight of red, yellow, and orange licked trees- All of the hills a fiery mirage. I could feel my blood w...

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“Scorched” by K.M. Hotzel

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The spectacle was simultaneously beautiful and terrifying to watch. The orange glow in the sky and the flames dancing in the crowns of the trees. I tilted my head to the side and inhaled the hot air. Well, I tried. The ash and the heat made it difficult to breathe, and my lungs burned with every inhale.I knew I should hurry inside, return to safety, but I could not. The scenery was mesmerizing, and I could not avert my gaze. It was as if something compelled me to watch it, as if I had t...

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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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