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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

“Chasing Moonbeams” by A H

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,” the persistent voice faintly echoed. It sounded like a foreign language. Could be Yiddish or Gibberish, hell if I knew. I only knew that I felt wet. I tried to wipe the dripping liquid from my brow, but my left arm was.. numb. I couldn’t lift my arm. I concentrated with all my might. I still could not move my arm. I grunted in frustration as my eyes remained closed. I finally managed to decipher the relentless voice, “Ma’am, can you hear me? You’ve been in an accident.” I moan...

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“Tally's” by Britney Supernault

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." He said with a pout as he dropped down to sit on the edge of the cliff, kicking down rocks off the edge as he did so. He was close enough for me to feel the heat coming off his body. I didn't know that someone so cold hearted could give off warmth. "So what if I want to die? Wouldn't it make your life easier? Stop this chasing one another, constantly trying to outdo the other. The good versus the bad. Evil versus, well, me. A story that's existed longer than time itself. Don't you ev...

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“Life on the Edge” by Anastazia Rudolph

Submitted to Contest #66

“You know, it doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. From a stranger, no less. “What are you talking about?” I asked. “What ‘doesn’t count’?” A man stood beside me on the bridge. I hadn’t heard him approach; he sort of just appeared. He was handsome, I have to admit that. His three-piece suit looked as though it had been freshly ironed and tailored to perfectly fit his body. He was young and clean-shaven, with dark hair slicked back behind his ears. He looked like some sort of busi...

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“Flame Haired Woman” by Sara Blanch

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat...you might as well go back home and accept your future now Charlie." Her unruly amber curls began to smack her roughly in the face as the infamous winds of the mountain region started up once again. The season was ending and if she didn't take this opportunity now...the young woman knew that by the time the next Autumn rolled around she would be married off to some other young man from the farming region, it was just how things were done and had been for hundreds of years. Sighing in ...

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“Escape With Me” by Cassie Poormokhtar

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Anders laughed and picked up his d20. “You shouldn’t metagame anyway. You’re confused, but maybe Nuvo isn’t.” I groaned. “Fine. What are my options then?” Meeting Haley’s friends had turned out to be a real adventure all right. I chewed on my lip, trying to ignore the feeling of eyes on me. He smiled. “All right, so Nuvo is outside of the gat...

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“Head held high ” by Seeker C

Submitted to Contest #66

Head held high “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat”, Donald grunted. I stayed silent. I couldn’t agree with him or disagree with him. We had 24 hours to get this done and I needed him. “I suppose you could be right”, I said. “Could be?” “Is it that hard for you to admit when you’re done for?”, Donald said. I laughed. “Dragged into the arena against my will. Definitely sounds like defeat to me. Should we get a move on - it's half past ten already.” Donald had spent his whole life running circles around ev...

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“Breaking Limit” by Joseph Godwin

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat, Mike!.” Jody expresses his opinion with so much curiosity. He marvels about Mike’s litigation attempting to quit his career building. Mike, age 30, the firstborn of the family. His Mum and Dad have grown old enough. With 3 siblings under his cater. And the situation isn’t good with them. Life has been more difficult. They are far below the middle man class. Luckily for Mike, he’s able to derive the instincts of breaking through. So that he can stand for his family and give them t...

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“PRISONER OF TIME” by Emmeline Bisiikwa

Submitted to Contest #66

Just before Athena got imprisoned by the pantheon, Michael said to her, 'It doesn't count if you are already planning your defeat. You promised to fight for us. Don't give up now.' She still remembered his words on these lonely days and nights, which bled into each other. She never knew what loneliness was until then; these walls trapped her more than steel and stones. Powerless, prisoner to her wants, needs, and desires. Cursed with the knowledge of what she wanted, but unable to do anything to get it or free herself. Her existence was red...

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“The Vet's heart” by Alisa Burdick

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." My grandfather would tell me this every time I thought I couldn't do something. He was my major influence in life. My grandparents lived next door to my mom and I. My father, Staff sergeant Kyle Lowry, died defending the country. My mom worked nights so she would be home when I got home from school. "This is stupid, Papa Bear. I can't ride this bike! I'm too small." "Kylie, remember what I tell you? Don't plan your defeat. You've got this." I mastered not only riding a bike, but dr...

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“Helping People” by Kelly Brackett

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” She listened to the words of her best friend with her head down. Elizabeth had just attended yet another interview for yet another job. In this day and age, it was hard to find work, hard to find someone that would accept her with her lack of experience. There seemed to be nothing else she could do but move back home with her parents and give up on trying to live on her own. With a degree in health information, what li...

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“Ready...Set...Go!” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,” Stella said. She leaned over to peer around the tall guy in the torn t-shirt in line ahead of her and sighed. She hated waiting for anything, and this line was longer than she would have liked. Stella opened her shoulder bag and began searching for the coffee flavored lip balm she purchased the day before. She pulled the tube from her bag and twisted the top off. “You sign on for these things and immediately check out,” she said, poi...

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“The Baker And The Child” by Simply Me

Submitted to Contest #66

There was a child and there was a baker, one day at the bakery. And one told the other, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Now, of course, this isn’t the start of the story, in fact, that was the end. So I would like to start from the beginning, saying that it was a cold winter’s day. My mother took a call outside the cafe, while I sat inside enjoying one of the most generic drinks of all time. Hot cocoa. “Why are you so quiet all the time?” I asked, swinging my legs as I sat at the counter. ...

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“Best Laid Plans” by Anell Douglas

Submitted to Contest #66

I flinched as the man grabbed my hand and pressed the tiny vial into my hand. I grimaced as he stepped closer to me. “We cannot afford a lost at this point,” he said. I tried to step back but he grabbed my arm and squeezed. We stared at each other, only parting when the back door swung open. He smiled and let me go. “We expect perfection, Elliot. The gym needs some good publicity.” “That’s all I’ve been giving you,” I snarled. “I don’t need this crap to win.” The man chuckled. “Well, ...

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“Between the Choices” by Sofi Sugito

Submitted to Contest #66

Andy tapped the tip of his pen against the paper on the front table where he was sitting. His eyes were still staring at the something written on the white sheet. However, his thoughts were erratic. The letter arrived in the morning, where he had just called his beloved wife. His daughter entered junior high school starting last week, and it made Andy who works far across the island return to longing for his little family to be together. "Ah," Andy put down his pen and massaged his temples while leaning his head against the back of his s...

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“Zugzwang” by Megan Faith

Submitted to Contest #66

‘First pawn. Queen moved….what is she going to do?’ “Would you tell me something dearest?” said Death, eyes studying him. She smiled as she watched her opponent sweat and scan the board. She moved a knight, clicking the timer. Her hands had rings on every other finger, glittering every now and again. When she smiled she smiled sincerely. “What is your favorite piece?” “What do you mean?” murmured the opponent. They moved another pawn, avoiding capture, and clicked the timer. “You’ve played this game before?” “Yes. With my mother.” ...

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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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