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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:

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

“Funny Kid” by August Whitelock

Submitted to Contest #66

I was a funny kid. I think my mother hated how funny I was.  I almost had her once, her lips split open like a ripe watermelon, she almost laughed. Funny.  ⧫ Dead light in a dead room with dead people, a swarming fugue of blank eyes—they dart into small crevices of computer screens; hidden from sight. White shirts, white tiles, white between the eyes— reverberating in unison; our bodies filled with tepid water. Managers and employees, all consuming cheap, burnt, ancient coffee out of unwashed mugs. For the rest of the day, days, ...

1 comment 1
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“The Change” by John Meiners, Jr

Submitted to Contest #66

                             The Change                                  by                           Joh...

2 comments 2
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“The Good, The Bad, and Mr. Henderson👴👧” by Jovie Grant

Submitted to Contest #66

On a bright and sunny morning, Fredrick. P. Henderson was relaxing on his porch with a cup of coffee in his hand, thinking. He wasn't thinking about anything in particular though. Actually, he was thinking about nothingness. It was the type of feeling where if someone asked you if you were thinking, you would have answered, yes. But, if they asked you what you were thinking, you wouldn't be able to tell them. Suddenly, Mr. Henderson sort of "woke up" from his thoughts to find about five kids with worried expressions, hurrying past his lawn. ...

1 comment 1
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“A Dance of Swords” by Iris Carrico

Submitted to Contest #66

The air is hot and humid, just like it is every day in the Palace kitchen. The heat from the big stone oven on one of the corners of the kitchen only increases the temperature of a room crowded with people moving and chopping. The almost rhythmic thumps of vegetables being cut in wooden boards can be heard, accompanied by the singing voices of the people cutting them. Nina would be almost happy there, with her mother and sister and their singing, if she wasn’t so damn hot. Nina swipes her forehead with her arm to prevent the sweat from fall...

1 comment 1
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“Living for Me” by Bernadette Beauchamp

Submitted to Contest #66

Alison was smiling as she let her mind wander. “I guess this is all part of work and getting along with coworkers,” she thought. This was her first real job in an office and she just wanted to make a good impression. She was prepared to work hard and keep track of deadlines, but listening to such rambling during lunch was something she had not thought about. She was sitting with Gloria and Rachel at the lunch table in the staff lounge of Roth and Roman's annex offices. They were part of the accounts receivable department that Alison was a pa...

1 comment 1
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“Declaration of Independence” by Christopher Cayen-Cyr

Submitted to Contest #66

“I told you not to buy one!” “Sweetie, this is a good thing. We never have to work again.” “But I want to work! I don’t want to end up like her, you know that.” “This is insane. You’re the only person to ever complain about winning the lottery. Like, ever.” I virtually never argued with my husband. This was a very special case. For sure, he always acted like a bit of a gambler, overspending a little too much every time he went to the casino with his buddies; never enough for it to become problematic though. This time however, I speci...

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“The Dare” by Samina Suri

Submitted to Contest #66

Daisy was sitting in her bedroom reading a horror novel. It was nightime. She looked outside the window it was a full moon. It wss looking so lovely. A few dark clouds could also be seen. In front of it. It looked like it would raining anytime soon. Cold wind was blowing.Suddenly her mobile rang she picked up. It was her friend Betty. " Hey daisy the local club is sponsoring a dare event. In which u have to enter the abandoned supposedly haunted fort of river dale at midnight " Betty said. " Oh my God that's scary " said Daisy. " Come on don...

2 comments 2
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“Good for Nothing” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #66

           Good For Nothing “Come down from there you fool.” “I’m not a fool. I’m prognostic.” “Do you even know what prognostic means?” “Listen, I’ve been around a while and It doesn’t matter if I know what something means or not. Sometimes, most times, better if I don’t know. Making things up, has more upsides than down. Ever tell you about Harry Holden. He was quite the character. He believed the truth was the absence of a lie. I tried to talk him ...

1 comment 1
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“Death or Dollars” by Pen Walker

Submitted to Contest #66

“Hello and welcome to death or dollars!” The game show host booms and we all laugh.It’s kind of a weird name, but when your mom is working two shifts to try and support you it’s kind of your duty to help in any way you can.“Let’s meet our contestants!” The host continues and makes his way over to our tables. “Here we have,” He points to another contestant.“I’m Allison.”“Allison, welcome! What made you apply to be a contestant in death or dollars?”“Well, it’s always been my dream to compete on a show. And plus I could use the money.”“Wonderfu...

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“The Branching” by Azalea Young

Submitted to Contest #66

Underfoot the pavement sizzles, so hot it burns through Vivi’s thick soled boots. Today promises to burn, the sun and its rays thick with heat that feels as if it’s roasting Vivi from the inside out. It spills from the clouds illuminating the track, casting all the racers in a harsh light that makes Vivi grateful for her dark visor and helmet. The major disadvantage with that though is how the sun feels drawn to her. Not the best day to wear all black. And not the best day for her motorbike to be all black too. Still though, there’s no ch...

4 comments 4
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“3-2-1 Viper!” by Robyn Fox

Submitted to Contest #66

I woke up screaming in a stifling paralysis, chest heaving heavily and eyes wide open, staring into the dark.For as long as I could remember, I'd always had nightmares. They'd started out as the kind most people have from time to time; failing an exam, running from manevolent monsters, finding oneself nude in front of the class. Normal nightmares. But since the accident, mine had become grotesquely darker and more disturbing. On an almost nightly basis, I was presented with grisly live showreels of finding dead bodies, falling out of top flo...

6 comments 6
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“The Golden Light” by Cray Ola

Submitted to Contest #66

I can’t hide the smile plastered on my face, nor can I suppress the jittery feeling in my chest, which makes me want to jump up and down and scream at the top of my lungs with joy. I’m surprised that it was only Via, Asher and I got an invitation to The Golden Light, but it makes sense that they chose the best out of everyone in town that wanted to participate. The Golden Light is a new game show that just came out, we’re going to be the first contestants, and we’ve been preparing for months. The goal is to get a hundred points- easier said...

7 comments 7
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“Easy Contest” by Onye Okoro

Submitted to Contest #66

EZ stood in front of the mansion with his two best friends, Betsy and Tooly. They had on outfits that didn’t match their more stressed and uneasy demeanor. “Oh god, I don’t know about this, EZ!” Betsy proclaimed. “What if it doesn’t go how you plan?” “Trust me it will.” EZ assured her. EZ had been practicing all throughout the month for this crazy and life-threatening competition! Tooly was breathing heavily, knowing that what ever happened tonight would shape the rest of his life or break it instead! “Hey hey! Relax, guys!” EZ said. His voi...

9 comments 9
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“Race it out.” by Pen Holder

Submitted to Contest #66

Hello there, thank you for clicking on this. I'm just experimenting, I don't expect it to be written well(especially in the grammar and the pov parts), but if you have a chance to read it, I hope you like it :) God love and bless you. This is absurd. What was I thinking, joining this race when I don't have a license? Never have I been behind the wheel, but tonight will be the first. The hairs on my skin are on edge as I reach a small building, lit by dim lights. The crumpled paper in my hand read the exact address I was told to come to. La...

2 comments 2
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“Dreaming, Dreaming, Dark” by Sydney Jane

Submitted to Contest #66

It is a considerable privilege to be invited to the Carnival of Dreams, they say. The ticket is never postmarked, never granted with a return address. Those who ignore the ticket may find it in places where it is most visible: curled around a toothbrush, folded in a wallet, crushed within a sleeping fist. Disposing of the ticket is not possible, either; it always finds a way back home. For adventurers, the ticket is often heralded as a blessing and a challenge. There are prizes beyond compare, they say, riches and glory and whatever else y...

0 comments 0
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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!

Prompts | Many Hands | 2024-09

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Prompts | Many Hands | 2024-09

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