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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

“A Gauntlet from the Aegis” by Michael Williams

Submitted to Contest #66

The landscape fills with travelers far and wide down the longest gravel path the Welsh lands have to travel. Bearded men on horseback pulling carts of treasures from countries unknown. Women in colorful tunics in hoods, scarfs, no hoods, and fancy hair fashioned in odd shapes carry baskets of fruits the Welsh soils do not bear naturally. Children in odd hats disobeying parents traveling to new homes. All this and more the two silent knights clad in spectacular armaments. Cloaks bearing the sigil of the Arthurian Court of Pendragon woven in ...

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“Wooden Overcoat” by Marcia H.

Submitted to Contest #66

“Are you going to jump?” Pierce asked his friend Connor. “Seriously, look how high up we are?” “If you want to win then we have to jump, Connor.” “How badly do you want to win?” “I want to win very much, especially against him.” “Yeah, Connor, I know I want to win against him too. He is so arrogant. I can’t stand him. He thinks that he is invincible. I can’t stand him or his attitude.” “Well, he’s won every time since 2000.” Pierce replied. “He thinks he is unbeatable. But, not today.” “So, Pierce, are you r...

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“BLOOD AND SWEAT; THE HEART'S FUEL” by Emmanuella Enekhai

Submitted to Contest #66

The little African island of Samore stretched into the distance; thirty thousand square miles of lush green vegetation interspersed with sparkling brooks glinting like diamonds in the morning sun. Just another beautiful day on the island but Joshua Vaughan was stewing with rage. Poachers. Those bastards were trespassing on the forest enclosure. Tala'a Hanau, his right hand man had discovered the traps placed all over and quickly put a call to him. It was clear they were after the island's pride; the Samorean albino Jaguars. Alighting from th...

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“Phoenix Rising” by Aubrey Spencer

Submitted to Contest #66

I almost died on a dare. It was stupid, but I have a temper and I probably would have done it anyway because of the money I could have gotten, the new life. I'm dirt poor- poorer than poor and hated because of it.It was called The Trials- the contest that almost killed me.The origin of The Trials was told to us from a young age as terrifying horrors or action-packed heroics. Either way, the details were pretty blurry. No one really knew the exact story because all we can do is tell secrets.Those with knowledge don't share it and lie about it...

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“Missing Clues” by Vanessa Kilmer

Submitted to Contest #66

Raymond was dead. So are Becky, Josh, and Melissa. Sylvie may or may not be. I only have a few heartbeats left. We decided to have a Friday Fun Night after being cooped up for the last seven months. Six friends at a puzzle room, masked for our own protection and in compliance with the pandemic rules of life. Three boys and three girls together since kindergarten. A clique, a company, a troop, a gang. Friends without benefits. At least, that’s what I always thought, but apparently, we have been lying to one another. We arrived at six. Since...

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“Mere Instinct” by Eliza Post

Submitted to Contest #66

One moment she was sleeping. The next, she was falling past bright lights with hot air scraping over her. Sam hit the ground hard, muscle memory keeping her from shattering her knees on the rocks. She stumbled only slightly as she pushed herself to her feet. Where was she? A sound like an airhorn shot through the air, burrowing into her brain and triggering some deep-implanted instinct. Her body lowered into a crouch and she found herself looking over her shoulders, surveying the terrain, without consciously deciding to do so. She was o...

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“High Jump” by Clarys J.C.B.

Submitted to Contest #66

The crowd outside was loud, deafeningly loud. I've just been there. I know. In contrast the room I'm in right now is quiet, maddeningly quiet. All I hear is my labored breathing and the rapid thumping of my heart. I wipe the sweat from my brow. I don't like it here. No one would like it here.Not for the last time I hope for something better, something far far away from here. I pull from distant memories of soft beds, warm blankets, earnest hugs and comfort filling foods. I try to think of good things.The door opens and man stands in the door...

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“Blind Boldness” by Lydi B

Submitted to Contest #66

The message on Marten’s phone marked the point of no return. “Sure. Come by around 1.”A single obstacle with an indeterminate expiration date was the only hindrance to Marten’s success. He was well aware most people dreamed of fancy things or fame. For him, a dream with two parts was in reach, and he planned to embrace both. After that? Well, he doubted he would care. He couldn’t see over this hill, but after twenty-four years of life, the top was in sight. The thrill of it brought beads of sweat to his brow. Marten emerged from hi...

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“The peace that comes with freedom” by Vameerah Darren

Submitted to Contest #66

Tonight, it would finally happen. Ever since I was ten years old, I have only ever wanted one thing. Freedom. My soul ached for it more than anything. Today, was my 18th birthday. I heard mom calling for me from downstairs, the sound was muffled, and warped. Like something was stuck inside my ears. I lumbered down the stairs, barely feeling the wood against my bare feet. Mom handed me something, an envelope, and smiled at me, “Happy birthday Evelynn.” I took it carefully and headed back to my room. Back to my cage where I harbored my...

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“The star and Sara's dream” by Hawraa Hamed

Submitted to Contest #66

Today, there's no one without dreams, there's little, big or even long or short dreams, we all have dreams. The difference is that someone left their dream and someone was trying to make it real. On a night of cold December night in America. Sara sat on the balcony. She lost her father, who was beaten by cancer and died. She was feeling a little upset and disappointed. It's like a message for a year coming up, sad and difficult for her without her father. Sara had a dream since childhood. She wants to be a good doctor no more. But she had a ...

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“Murder At The Circus ” by Omani Saleem

Submitted to Contest #66

Day one at the circus.There’s been a murder, at the circus.The circus looks faded and slightly deflated in the morning light as if the night stole some of its glamour.The tents are striped black and red, a few chickens run around in mad circles looking for food, in the distance a women is hanging up washing on a washing line. I cannot see any body else but I can hear lots of voices coming from the biggest tent at the far side of the field. It must be the dining tent; I can smell chicken and oil from that direction.The tent I’m supposed to ap...

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“The Path to Villainy in Ten Easy Steps (You Won't Believe #9!)” by Steve Stigler

Submitted to Contest #66

Promise to play nice? That’s a funny question to ask someone behind bars, isn’t it? What on earth ever gave you the idea that I am capable of playing nice?Come on, Mike, you know I’m kidding. I’m kidding! Yes, I promise, now shoo. Good old Mike - such a card. I hope he and the others were accommodating on your way in. Yes? That’s good to hear. Sometimes, they can be a little surly, but I’ve discovered they respond well to correction.Does that surprise you? Hmm.Right, let’s get to it. Test one two three. Test one two three. “She thrusts her f...

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“Breathe” by Natalie Vicari

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,” he mutters under his breath sarcastically. Rolling her eyes, Matilda doesn’t bother lifting her head from the papers she is pursuing. “You need to quit watching soap operas, Theo. You’re getting too melodramatic for my tastes of late.” She pauses and closes her eyes for a moment, feeling the tell-tale tightness in her neck indicative of an incoming migraine. She can’t tell if it’s Theo’s nagging, or the topic of conver...

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“Plan on Forgiveness"” by Jennifer Gallo

Submitted to Contest #66

Trigger warning: domestic violence "It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat," Tommy told Jenny as she was finishing up her motivational speech she planned to share with the Domestic Violence shelter in their hometown. "What if they don't like my topic?" Jenny asked with worry in her voice. "You've got to trust in yourself, the pain that you have endured, all of the hurt, suffering, and unhappiness you have somehow overcome that is a story worth sharing." After praying and meditation to clear her anxiety she was finally...

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“The Ocean is Alive” by Margin 🌈

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat, Indra,” Thalassa was completely drenched, her hair matted clumsily to her neck. She did not look like the picture of triumph, but a foolish grin was plastered over her face. “It’s not worth it. We both know that,” Indra stood and stretched, emotionless. She seemed utterly apathetic about the idea of becoming Crown Princess of Icilus. Thalassa heaved a deep sigh. This was not the first time she’d dealt with her sister’s insolence, she told herself, and it wouldn’t be the last. A ...

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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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