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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#66: Ready, Set, Go!

It’s almost November, and for many writers around the world that means the start of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. This wild challenge dares you to commit to writing a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days!

It’s an impressive feat, but it’s hardly the only way to exercise your writing muscles. If you like your writing in smaller doses but still want to build up the habit, today I’m going to challenge you to commit to writing a story from one prompt every week in November! (If you already do that, try for two, three, or even all five.)

To get you started, this week we’ll be focusing on stories all about challenging yourself. Whether it’s running a marathon, finally writing that novel, or just making it through a tough personal situation, challenge is what consistently pushes us to grow into our best selves.

And if you are giving novel writing a try, here are a few resources to help you along:

What Is NaNoWriMo? And How to Win in 2020
Join Reedsy’s NaNo Squad (with weekly live write-ins!)
Crafting a Novel Opening (workshop replay)
How to Write a Novel

This week's prompts

Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Novel – 132 stories

Halfway through a fierce competition, your character is given the opportunity to cheat their way to victory: do they take it?

Short Story – 52 stories

Write about a character who makes a dramatic life change to pursue a goal they’ve secretly always wanted.

Novel – 120 stories

Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Adventure – 145 stories

Write about a character who’s finally on the verge of achieving their lifelong dream.

Dramatic – 135 stories

Stories

“Do I Do it?” by Tameka Wilson

Submitted to Contest #66

We walk out of the bus and line up in front of a grand, dramatic house. There are 10 of us, all waiting to meet our bachelorette. My palms are sweaty and my forehead is shiny. I quickly wipe my hands on my shirt and dry my forehead. The other guys looked equally nervous except for HIM. The obvious winner of this competition, Dylan. He's tall, handsome, and a charmer. I am not bad looking myself, just a very nervous wreck. "Do you think you'll win?" one of the guys beside me asks. I give him a shrug. "I don't stand a chance." he whispers. All...

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“The Chalice Trials” by Katelyn Burdo

Submitted to Contest #66

In my culture there is an object said to hold immense power, and object that can cure the most deadly diseases, cure the incurable, and even bring the dead back to life without consequences. This object is known only as the Chalice. Every 12 years there is a series of trials a handful of the townspeople participate in, but only one is ever bestowed the gifts of the Chalice. No one knows what takes the trials will hold since they change every time, but it is rumored that only those who are pure of heart will be able to make it through. This ...

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“The Challenge Of Being Depressed ” by Lydia Sarrou

Submitted to Contest #66

Trigger warning: suicide, mental illness “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Ms. Miller said to me. “Well, what else am I supposed to do? You have seen the world out there, you have seen the horrors, the cruelties, and violence that have been happening since the beginning of mankind. It’s not actually a defeat when there’s no winner at the end of the day. How am I supposed to keep on living in this world where everything is so sickening and people are never going to change?” I asked her “It’s...

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“Sweet Little Billy-Jo” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #66

“Where is my angel?” “Here I am daddy.” “Now, what are these police officers doing to you?” “Nothing, they are just asking me questions.” “Where is your mum?” “She is in there,” Billie-Jo points across the corridor. “She won’t be long, sir,” a policewoman said. “What happened?” “There was a nasty accident. Your daughter, uh, witnessed it. We need to ask her a few questions.” “Are you okay, princess?” Jack asked his smiling daughter. His darling daughter was thinking back, she was replaying the scene in her mind. “How can I dance with a boy i...

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“What remains” by Alina Starling

Submitted to Contest #66

She blinked at the man sitting across from her, watching him with nothing akin to pity. She recognised that look in his eyes, saw it a million times before on men just like him – something bordering on desperation, but not nearly as visceral. There was anxiety there, of course, and fear, yes, plenty of fear, but it was somehow… sadder than that. Defeat, maybe, she thought to herself, pursing her lips as to suppress yet another untimely smile. Blackjack was easy, his kind always hit until they bust, but she was, admittedly, rubbish at chess,...

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“The way of the Scar” by Sam Kelly

Submitted to Contest #66

The steel barricades grated open, rust tearing from the chains and sand blowing into the chamber from the new breeze that appeared with the light, cutting into the darkness of the chamber. Torin glanced to his side, and seeing Frentor’s nervous smile, he grasped his blade and rose. The light reflected weirdly off the bronze blade, weak by usual standards, but made unbreakable by the combination of the diamond in its hilt and the magic of his heritage. The handle stretched the length of his arm, half spear, half sword. A deadly weapon and a p...

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“Lost in Space” by Emilie Stokes

Submitted to Contest #66

The moon sits in the sky and watches all the little ants fail at living their lives. She sits by herself, beautiful and strong. But, does she crave the attention of others. Does she yearn and scream for someone to talk to her? Does the moon ever get lonely orbiting in space? --- What do you do when your heart is too big for your hands? Do you desperately take on the impossible? Or, do you give up and realize that you could never accomplish everything? What do you do when your dreams are higher than the Empire State building? "W...

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“Najwa's Unread Letters” by Marina Y.

Submitted to Contest #66

My beautiful notebook, you’re the dream I worked so hard to pursue. Welcome to your new home, I’m Najwa, your owner, and today, the 1st of November 1997, is my birthday. You’re the gift I bought myself to celebrate my ability to write.Writing is such a blessing; imagine having your complex thoughts made visible in front of your eyes on clear paper. A few years ago, all forms of paper in my life were used in cleaning or making simple origami to entertain the kids. Now, I am able to hold my pencil and pour all the words I have inside into you,...

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“The Journal” by Shruti Dutta Gupta

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you are already planning your defeat,” said Tysha keeping her hands on Ash’s shoulder. “You know it doesn’t sound that bad If I count my death.” Said Ash running a hand through his hair. “Would you stop? All you have to do is take that book and come back.” “And what if I get caught?” “You won’t, and if you do, don’t worry, we will figure it out.” “Ok if you say so,” Ash said and took the book which was right in front of him. Ash was unsure to open it, how he wishes he could ask Tysha to open it for him but sadly he ...

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“Where life just isn't fair” by Sidney B.

Submitted to Contest #66

Welcome to Tinpen Harbour, or Tinpen, as everyone calls it, where everyone will follow the same path in life; first, you get born. Then, you go to Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School and eventually, High School. At the end of High School, everyone takes the SCDT’s, the Standardised Class Division Tests. This is where it gets exciting. This is the point in life where you can go two ways; either you pass the SCDT’s, or you don’t. If you pass, you’re one of the lucky ones, your life will matter. You will get to go to a good college, ...

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“Cheater's doesn't win.” by Adi Peter

Submitted to Contest #66

CHEATER’S DOESN’T WIN. Jamie Scot was a young boy, he was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Scot Anderson, his parent were very poor living in a ghetto area was unbearable for Jamie. Jamie was so intelligent and hard working, he does his assignment without the help of his parent because they were illiterate, he performed well enough in all his subject in the school an...

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“The cow on the adventure” by Noah Morrow

Submitted to Contest #66

Early in 2017, I was touring Mexico enjoying everything a person could enjoy on a trip, having fun snorkeling and swimming. I had just finished going to the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary and was heading back to my hotel. On the way there, I passed by a barbed wire fence with a lot of land and 1 single cow off in the distance. I didn't think much about it but as I came closer, I heard someone say “Excuse me, I wonder if I might ask a favor”. I looked at the cow and screamed and thought how is this ugly yet floppy eared cow talking to me? ...

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“Desperation” by A K

Submitted to Contest #66

Hayley didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t understand why she was even considering such an awful option, but she was starting to get desperate. And that scared her more than anything. If only there was another way that she could guarantee that she’d win. Use the skills that got you all the way to the finals! One part of her was screaming. Yes her skills had gotten her all the way to where she was now, but she needed something more assuring that she’d win. She had to win. No. Matter. What. Her own thoughts were embarrassing her. She wa...

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“Dreaming in Blueberries” by Noel Thomas

Submitted to Contest #66

Dreaming in Blueberries What is a dream? Maybe it is something wrapped up and tied around something you can recite like a piece of poetry or a song. Maybe it is writing a book that changes the world. Or maybe it is becoming a famous movie star and seeing your name at the top of the opening credits. Maybe it is having your pretty face shining with a smile and gazing down on everyone from a billboard. Maybe it is finally holding a soft baby in your arms. Maybe it walking across the stage to claim a degree. Maybe it doesn’t sound all th...

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“The Lilies Have Come” by Grace Tofte

Submitted to Contest #66

The Lilies Have Come By Grace Christine Tofte Naomi Landreth awoke as the sun's shy rays crept through her window curtains. Although the day had dawned bright, darkness loomed. Today, Naomi would move from the only place she had ever called home. Her father had served as the king’s gardener, and she had grown up on the vast countryside near the castle. However, after her father’s death, the king did not think that a young girl would be able to maintain it. He had decided to reclaim the land. The stage coach was set to arrive at the te...

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$50

Prize money

584

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 22:59 - Nov 06, 2020 EST

Won by David G. 🏆

Title: Mahalo King Cod Filet

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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