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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

“The Kept Man” by Karl Arrowood

Submitted to Contest #66

John packed his suitcase carefully, quietly, conscious of every small noise he made.His wife of eighteen years and his two sons sat downstairs. He could hear the TV babbling loudly. Sweat gathered on his brow as he eased around their small bedroom, only packing those clothes that he knew would not be missed.He wanted to give no sign that he was leaving for the last time tonight. He felt pleased at the idea of his wife’s tears at his departure. He was sorry he wouldn’t be around to see that.The past month had blurred in his mind. Things happe...

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“The Tragedy of Sophia's Heart” by Iris Cordova

Submitted to Contest #66

Can a heart still ache after its stopped beating? For years—I couldn’t tell you how many, for all the beginnings bled into the endings—my creator drew plans for his secret project. Every year, he presented some new creature for the Council to gawk and pick at like crabs. They picked and picked, probing with their sharp fingers and sharper tongues, prying, finding every single flaw. One year, Evit presented a creature with clawed appendages framing its mouth of rowed, jagged teeth. They copied its design and placed a few prototypes on a d...

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“This New World Has No Place For Old Gods” by Emma Cox

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Eros would probably find himself scattered across the cosmos before he could blink if he ever dared to mention to anyone outside this room that Azrael – the Archangel of Death himself – was whining. Although, that said, his death would prove his point, and leave Az feeling particularly disgruntled—which was always an amusing thing to witness. Not that Eros would be there to see it, of course; or at least, he wouldn’t for the first eight days or so. “Even a God would be a fool to chal...

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“Someday.” by Jennifer Benedict

Submitted to Contest #66

”It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Benny locked the zipper of his guitar bag, hung the strap over his shoulders and gave Anita one last look of disappointment before walking out of the house. Anita slumped on the floor and sobbed uncontrollably. The end of the year singing contest is in two days. She practiced for this all through the year with Benny. She’d sing and he’d play the guitar. Whenever they practiced at her place or his. The neighbors would always come out to give nice compliments. It had given her so mu...

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“A Defeat of the Heart” by Caroline L

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." Harry started, staring at her lips as he said this. He was unreasonably drawn to them. Did she get them done or were they always that appealing? He hoped they were natural-- not that it would really matter-- but natural was better. They were natural, he was sure. He only met her briefly, but knew enough to know she was not fake, which he liked. That was rare in his world these days. He also was staring at her lips because her eyes were uncomfortably looking down at her feet. Why was...

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“Lost Child” by Yel Hipolito

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." The girl in front of me says, her silhouette becoming blurier as the sun sets through the blinds behind her. Or is it really the darkness that makes her blurry? "But what if I lose? Then nothing is left of me." I look down at my lap as my fingers catch the tears cascading from my eyes. So it was not the darkness then. It was my tears starting to blur my vision. I wonder if my future is as blurred as the girl in front of me right now. "You will keep losing if you keep ...

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“Bu's Battle” by Bu Mbugua

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat." The words stung, not because they were dishonest, but because they were a reminder of my past failure, a reminder of promises I only knew how to shatter, of the times I was my own worst enemy. I looked at my sister and remained silent as words meant nothing more than symbols strung together and carried by hopeless sound. She was right. The past few weeks had been tough on my mental health - I isolated myself from family and my friends who only wanted to offer me support. It wa...

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“Games We Play” by Laura Boynton

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,” I explained to the very pretty yet fretting woman standing in line behind me. She rocked on her slim legs in her trendy sandals, she let out a deep sigh, her long slim fingers raking through beautiful curls. “You can ruin this whole experience if you don’t set yourself up for the win.” I add. “Oh. Uh...I—I know. But, right now I’m second guessing why I signed up for this in the first place,” She said quietly with a giggle, leaning forward so o...

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“I WILL GO TO HELL NOT HEAVEN” by Peter Jok Lual Marach

Submitted to Contest #66

I think the way my faithful behave will make God to felt bad about me. I felt their sinful nature will make me to Miss God blessing. I felt sister that I am going to hell not heaven as my veins tell. Oh I miss God grace. I hear Angel and Satan are wrestling over my deed. I miss heaven as I see the gate of the hell is open I can tell you sister. Be strong in your faith and preach love and peace. For me my faithful had failed me as they turn their deaf ears to God’s word. Oh, no, father ...

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“Have Your Cake & Eat It” by Ruth Hunter

Submitted to Contest #66

‘It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,’ said Michael. He was methodically eating all the chips on his plate, one by one, pausing between chewing to speak. As a result, his words came out a bit muffled. Gavin sighed. ‘But, the way I see it, if you plan for defeat then you won’t be disappointed if you lose,’ said Gavin. He’d finished his meal several minutes earlier and was watching Michael’s chips with envy. ‘And if you win, it will be a nic...

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“It doesn’t count” by LuAnn Williamson

Submitted to Contest #66

It doesn’t count By LuAnn Williamson “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” These words were spoken by Jake, my friend and sometimes lover. I almost scratched. He should know better than to talk to me when I was lining up a shot. “It’s not a defeat,” I nodded my head without even looking towa...

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“Trust you” by Raghad Nur

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you are already planning your defeat’’‘’It’s not easy mum!! Why don’t you guys understand that’’ I shouted at the beautiful, petite, small-framed innocent women standing there with tears rolling down her beautiful emerald green eyes. My mother.‘’I know it’s not! But it will be if you try’’ she sighed sitting on the chair beside her.‘’try?’’ I let out a humorous laugh, ‘’try? You mean try saving my dad’s life and what happens if I fail? Huh! I lose him forever’’ I spat as tears were continuously rolling down from my eyes....

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“The Funeral” by Donovan Bramham

Submitted to Contest #66

Scene One Two brothers are playing a game of chess in their room. One side you have Daniel the younger brother and also Derrick the older brother. Daniel: It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat! Derrick: There is nowhere I can go, you beat me. Daniel: (flustered) You and I know both that you let me win. Derrick: Well your always nagging me on how I never let you win. Daniel: Not true, (sighs) well thanks anyway. Derrick: Of course. Mom: Get ready. Derrick & Daniel: Yes Mom! Scene Two Both brothers put on there su...

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“Blobfish Forever” by A.G Lesley

Submitted to Contest #66

Author's request: If you've never seen what a blobfish looks like in the water and out of the water, please take a moment to look up a picture of both. It will help you understand one of the story's metaphors. Thank you!“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Nathaniel Graben’s sister told him that a very long time ago, back when he was twelve. She’d been leaning against his doorframe, like a dad, brownish hair falling out of her ponytail. Her hair was always in her face. He hadn’t quite understood what she meant...

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“A Glimmer of Death” by Spout 🦌

Submitted to Contest #66

The torrential rain furiously hit the tiles of the roof, causing an echo throughout the barn. An ominous mist seeped through the cracks of the wall, adding to the already frigid atmosphere. The only source of warmth and comfort was the small campfire in the middle of the room. Two shadows were cast by its flames, one of which seemed significantly more subdued than the other. The middle aged man was laying on his back, both hands shielding his face from the ill intentioned individual who stood before him. “Please… please don’t do this! ...

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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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