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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#72: Shocking Developments

Have you ever heard that there are only so many types of stories in the world? Some people say seven, some say three, some six… Regardless of the number, the idea is that you can boil down any narrative into universal templates.

While it’s true that many stories do follow familiar structures (and understanding them can help you learn how to craft a compelling narrative), there’s so much variety in how those structures unfold that the best stories still feel fresh and original.

One of the ways writers manage this is by filling their stories with unexpected details — so this week, our prompts are all about characters finding themselves in situations they’d never have imagined. But to really get something unique, don’t stop there: ask yourself what would happen if your characters made each of the possible choices before them, then write the one that surprised you the most!

This week's prompts

Write a mystery where the detective realizes at the last moment that they have the wrong suspect.

Mystery – 117 stories

Write a romance where your character falls in love with the last person they expected to.

Romance – 193 stories

Write about someone getting a job offer they never would have thought to apply for.

Adults – 94 stories

Write about someone who gets an inheritance from a relative they’ve never heard of, but they’ll need to do something completely outside their comfort zone in order to collect it.

Teens – 144 stories

Write a science fiction story where all human behavior can be predicted — until your character does something the algorithm did not expect.

Science Fiction – 139 stories

Stories

“Stay” by Threese Belivett

Submitted to Contest #72

One gloomy night while we're lying on a sofa. Curious of why my half sister keep this young woman. I questioned Din. "Why do you love me? Is it because of my money?" She pursed her lips but eyes were smiling and crinkled her forehead, "is it because I’m beautiful?" "Yeah." Answering me with a tease, she burst a giggle. I became serious and she saw that as half of my body is on top of her, facing each other. "Are you mad?" her eyebrows creased seeing my facial reaction. "No." I change the direction of my eyes. I lied and my doubt on ...

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“Marcy’s Matchmakers” by Tavia Lawrence

Submitted to Contest #72

Marcy’s small desk lamp, mixed with the pink neon sign, “Marcy’s Matchmakers” was just enough light to make the corners of the small room visible. She sunk back in her tall black leather chair, her email inbox open on the laptop in front of her. “I couldn’t be more grateful for your services, Marcy!-” Her hand snapped down the lid of the laptop and pushed herself away from her desk. The rain leaked in from the window sill. “I’ll have to fix this before spring.” She mumbled to herself. Winter was finally over and soon the Valentine’s ...

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“The cat's out of the back. ” by Dede Dee

Submitted to Contest #72

I sitting on my bed replaying the whole night over in my head, I was pretty sure Lola had suspected she was a very observant person and it was one of the things I loved about her but right now this quality I admired so much in her might have finally gotten me in trouble, I thought maybe I should call her and if she noticed anything she would say something and if she didn’t I had nothing to worry about but before I could make a decision about it I got a text from Lola asking me if I could go shopping with her tomorrow, I thought about declini...

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“Redeeming Rescue” by Annie Rae

Submitted to Contest #72

Stretched on this cushioned beach lounger is my idea of heaven. A blanket of peace wrapping around me as I listen to the gentle waves lapping the shore, my skin soaking up the salt air. I’ve had three days of running interference between that jackass of a best man and the open bars tucked in every nook and cranny of this all-inclusive resort. Three days of running my maid-of-honor duties like a pro with no help at all from he-who-shall-not-be-named. Thank God I’m finally done and can enjoy some peace. I doubt the newlyweds will be out...

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“The Pixie Queen” by Jmen Seso

Submitted to Contest #72

In a world where creatures of all sizes lived, four kingdoms emerged from the grueling war that lasted seven endless years. To the East lived the werewolves and to the West bred notorious vampires. A peace treaty made by the strongest known to all, Ruler of the Dragons, who separated the two hating sides kinds. And far away, a vast kingdom housed the tiniest of us all, the Pixies. According to my late father, the Pixie King, Jeronious, we sided with the Dragons to protect our land from the vicious werewolves. One attack after another, my p...

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“Dunce” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #72

Dunce “We have been through the entire gamut of possibilities, and have narrowed our search down, too, you.” “Which job did I apply for, could you refresh my memory as I don’t recall wishing to change my position here. I am totally happy working where I am, doing what I do. I am comfortable and would have no reason to apply for another position, given that my position is not only satisfying, but my work is satisfactory; it is isn’t it?” “The reason I bring this to your attention, is that I like you. We all like you.&nbsp...

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“Unexpected role” by Emma Harris

Submitted to Contest #72

Taeyeon had just finished redecorating the Christmas tree with Jungguk. They were now sitting on the couch. "Who's gonna go buy more candy canes?" Taeyeon asked. "How about we don't? I'd rather eat the fudge that Artemis gave us. Taeyeon sighed. "Whatever." Jungguk and Taeyeon had only eaten a few pieces of fudge when Taeyeon's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID. It was Korean. (Translations are italicized) "Yeoboseyo?" Taeyeon said. "Hello?" "Annyeonghaseyo, gimtaeyeon-ibnikka?" The voice on the other side asked. "He...

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“You Are A Warrior” by Bella Miller

Submitted to Contest #72

Diary Entry #1 The beginning of everything I was looking into the distance and wondering what was going to happen. The Dream felt like a vapor, it went by so quick maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. I was going to lose the very thing I wanted. College was a drain and continuing into running the pattern was circling in my head. The greatest of these struggles is fear. Fear to lose the dream that was always in my heart. If I go and fail, If i go and become discouraged, If i go and I lose everything. So what's going to happen? It’s a battle to k...

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“ Caffeinated Karma ” by Jessica Morgan

Submitted to Contest #72

I ripped off my apron and slammed it on the greasy counter, someone’s coffee caught the brunt of it as one of the ties splashed right into the cup. Oops. I was sick and tired of waiting on customers who had only two things on their mind, their stomachs and their wallets. I guess that’s true for most of us but when you make less than three dollars an hour on a waitress wage, you expect the tips to make up for it. And the thing is, we get awesome reviews on all the foodie website platforms, from the meatloaf to the service a...

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“Sudden Triumph” by Thompson Emate

Submitted to Contest #72

“Hello! Am I on to Mr Timothy Howard?” “Yes, sure you are.” “How are you?” “Am fine. Thank you. And you?” “Am doing great.” “Am Mr Franklin Dumen. Can you come to No. 64 Ocean Drive, Off Taylor Road by 9 a.m. tomorrow? I'll be glad to have you around.” “Please, is anything the matter? Hope am not in any trouble...?” Timothy asked with a frantic tone. He had been in a situation like that before where he was directed to a particular location into the hands of police officers. The complainant claimed he was threatening him with his incessant ca...

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“LUCRATIVE JOB” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #72

Chinnappa alighted from the train and was waiting for his friend Kittappa. As he was totally new to the place, Chinnappa had specifically told Kittappa to come to Railway Station to take him along. In not finding him, he called Kittappa on phone and wanted to know if he was anywhere nearby. Kittappa picked up the phone and replied. As the train was late, he could not come to station as promised. His presence at worksite was more important. So, he guided him to come on his own by engaging an autorickshaw. As the autorickshaw winded through r...

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“Bright Days” by Brennan Bilberry

Submitted to Contest #72

Eleanor, What my mother and father call me. Ellie, what my siblings call me. Lastly, Elle what everyone that is not related to me calls me. What have I been doing lately? A lot. I'll start at the beginning. When I was five I played LuLu the ladybug in our school's production of "Splat!" From then on drama and music were just my thing. From classes to camps. Performing is my life. So I decided I would get myself a little acting gig. People pay well enough around here. I started looking when I turned sixteen around four months ago. At this poi...

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“Poor to be Rich” by Timothy Walser

Submitted to Contest #72

It was just another day in the life of Michael Andrews, when he heard a knock on his front door. He was expecting anyone so he was quite curious as to whom it could be. As he approached, he could feel a change in the Universe. Not knowing who could be here he knew nothing would ever be the same. Michael pens the door, only to find a simple woman standing there in a suit and carrying a suit case. “Hi, my name is Alexandria Delevine; I am a lawyer with Delevine & Dramose. I just have a couple of things to go over with you, Would it be ok ...

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“Weathersby's Honor” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #72

Weathersby's Honor These roads ain’t what they used to be. Remember when it took half a day to get out here. Usually having to fix a couple of flat tires, wench yourself out of the mud, and hope no one took you for a government man. Good things time have changed. Now you can break the law in plain sight and people don’t even look twice. Not like it was back when I was a kid. People knew what sticking together meant. And if you didn’t, well, you didn’t need worry about it for long. “You Jerome Weathersby...

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“Ooh, What A Cliff Hanger!” by M D

Submitted to Contest #72

As I woke up... BANG! BANG! BANG! "AAAAHHHH, I AM GOING TO DIE TODAY!!!!!" I said. Oops, I did not properly introduce myself. My name is Victoryia Anne Wing. I know my name is spelled differently but that does not mean I am an Alien. ` When I woke up, I saw a letter getting shoved under my door by a hand I did not recognize. After I got out of my bed I grabbed the letter, it said, Hello Victoryia I have always wanted to meet you but your parents never let me. I have a gift for you at the Grand Canyon. But you will need to go through a small ...

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$50

Prize money

687

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 18, 2020 EST

Won by Julie Ward 🏆

Title: Currents

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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