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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

“On one New Year's Eve” by Mt Shelly

Submitted to Contest #72

The quaint bedroom was beautifully adorned with lavish curtains and sandalwood furniture. The ornaments lined across the shelves looked down upon the Persian carpet that covered the floor. The ceiling too would have been a wonderful sight if it wasn’t for the body hanging from the chandelier. John Regium, the wealthy owner of the Regium mansion, was no more. According to Ms. Norris, the housekeeper, he had decided that he wanted nothing more of his life. The poor chap grabbed a silk scarf and did away with himself. However, the conundrum ar...

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“The Wrong Investigation Of Butterflies ” by Ujjal Mandal

Submitted to Contest #72

Once upon a time there was a tree full of blooming flowers and Pra, Jaa, Paa and Tii, the four butterflies made the flowers their homes. They lived there happily along with twenty other butterflies. They all collected honey from the flowers daily and preserved it for their future use. They thought themselves as the beauty of flowers and the honey is the jewellery of their beauty. It was a hot summer day, all butterflies fell asleep upon the flower beds after sipping ambrosia. But when they woke up they found nothing inside the flowers. ...

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“A Hound's Crime” by Jordan Harrell

Submitted to Contest #72

Cadet Mathews waved an evidence bag in their hands. “They’ve got a positive print.” He said as he jogged over to the detective. Detective Gibson stared at the silver goblet. Why anyone would try to steal something as tacky as that was beyond her. She noticed gauze wrapping on Mathews’ arm. “How bad is it?” she asked, motioning towards it. “Dog bite. But look, I got the Goblet!” He said enthusiastically, pulling his shirtsleeve down. “Lighter than I expected though.” “Doesn’t make it any less of a crime.” Gibson said. “Especially considering ...

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“Friends to Romance” by Michaela Tetteh

Submitted to Contest #72

Aly was running late for her potions examine. Her friends Caleb and Nancy helped with the studying; she'd really need to pass in order to get her magicks license. If she did, she'll be able to perform advanced magic and make high-level potions. Aly always wanted to work in the family's apothecary shop but in order to do so, she needed to take the magic examine...all of them: spells, incantations, and potions. She'd passed the others with flying colors but she needed to pass potions to work in the shop. "Please let them still be there," she...

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“Fallen Asa” by Christian Hinrichsen

Submitted to Contest #72

Chris Hinrichsen Reeds y Contest 221 jchinrichsen88a@gmail.com Fallen Asa christianhinrichsen4@gmail.com Princess Asuriel the eighth daughter of one of the daemons princes in hell was the eighth in line to become the next daemon lady of hell but fled the Nine Hell's because she very much began to oppose the unkind torture and pleasure fellow daemons inflicted on the tormented souls. Fleeing the fiery place, she managed to make it to the prime material world of Jordero but continues to be pursued by bounty hunters hired by her family...

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“hominum ex machina” by Adelaide Brenner

Submitted to Contest #72

Whoever decided androids needed to exist needs to be dropkicked into the ocean and I'll pay all thirteen dollars in my bank account to do the honors.Okay, that came out wrong. I'm not anti-android, I'm glad they have rights now and no longer live under the thumb of their bourgeoisie corporate overlords. I just really want them to-"STOP DUMPING OUT MY COFFEE!"AN550 looks up at me from where he has my mug upended over the sink with the dregs of undissolved coffee sludge dripping out, face passive save for his eyes glowing a smug green. He's no...

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“Dream lady” by Barkat Ali Solangi

Submitted to Contest #72

when I were hit my bike to a Beauty lady she wear a veil on her beauty face , I can't say anything that time but after a while I come back and say to carvans of ladies which lady is that I have hited bike after these words I start to find her and I find her I was seen in her eyes and said please forgive this is my Mistake she takes some time after that she said it's ok . I were so happy that day . Me: excuse me She: yes Me: Would you Remove your veil For what? I want to see your beauty Why? Only see that how Allah create you! Then see ...

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“Oz 2.0” by Lydia Brattin

Submitted to Contest #72

To be honest, I didn’t think that I could fall in love with someone that I was initially scared of, but that was before I met Winslow. My name is Lisa Windsor, and my journey to Oz began when a tornado picked up the treehouse that I was hiding in with my rescue dog Bella, during which I hoped that we would survive the flight. When we landed somewhere far away from our home in Michigan, I was startled to hear someone knocking on my door, so I opened it before gasping at the sight of a man half my height in noble attire. After the gentleman we...

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“Alone and Waiting” by E Shouse

Submitted to Contest #72

There were always many things that needed attention around an old house.She was a widow, and all this was new to her.She learned that things that had been replaced or repaired long ago needed ministering to again. Hot water heaters, garage door openers, and things of this sort all had finite life spans. These issues could be handled, at a price. One had to research appropriate repair or replacement experts, make contacts, and deal with the representatives that were sent out. Then the work itself, if it commenced, had to be paid for.And ...

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“Tracy” by Hope Mwaura

Submitted to Contest #72

She had just received the award and was about to take her seat when the noise began. Someone or something had decided that it was too much attention for her. It never stopped. They had chosen her as the best editor at Mr Jones’ publishing house and boy was she excited. She had been waiting and dreaming of that day. What she didn’t expect to hear was the irritating, all too familiar sound that rang throughout the hall. Before she could collect her thoughts, her red velvet dressed turned into her red Christmas pyjamas and the trophy, her pillo...

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“The beggar's choice” by Omoyeni Omolola

Submitted to Contest #72

"Papa, I'll be right back," Iwalewa said to his father. "But where are you going, Iwalewa, it's evening already and you know I can't walk home by myself," Iwaleso, Iwalewa's father, replied. "Of course Papa, I just want to get food in the market for our dinner" "Hurry up, my son, it's getting late" "Okay Papa." Iwalewa picks up his flute, his single heritage from his blind father. He lost his mother when he was six, and since then, he has been the one taking care of his blind father. He doesn't has t...

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“The World Vs. Us” by Halina Adams

Submitted to Contest #72

I walked into the youth group building, pulling my hair up into a high ponytail. Looking over at Johnny, one of our leaders, I asked, "What are we doing tonight?" "It's game night time, Kenosha!" I whooped and spun around as my fellow youth group students started to arrive. Darek high-fived me as I passed. When Nat, Jayne, and Hana walked in, I rushed over and we started talking about boys. "So who's your crush?" Nat asked. I felt my cheeks heat up as I said, "I don't have one, to tell you the truth." ...

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“Unexpected Love” by Eden Tallman

Submitted to Contest #72

The Begining It was one week before school was out, and everyone was ready to be done. The football team had one more game, and it was against the rivaling school. The football team plays this team every year and always lost. Ten years ago was the first time they ever won, and the coach that coached that team was back to coach this team. Their team name was the Aztecs, and they would be playing against Champions. The Aztecs started practicing every day for three hours after school and on the weekends. The Coach for the Aztecs was...

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“Devil Beside Me” by Andy Laryea

Submitted to Contest #72

“Oh no”, I mumbled, burying my face in my palms. How could I be paired with him, of all people? I looked over at him and he smirked at me. How annoying. “Ms. Harrison?”, I called our brunette Literature tutor. “Yes, Nelly. Got any problems?”, she asked me. “Can I have a change of partner, please?”. “Sure”, she said, making me feel a relief that waned when she added, “as long as it's mutual”. “James?”, Ms. Harrison called him, asking his opinion. “I'm okay with my partner, Miss Harrison”, I heard him say with his unfamiliar Korean accent. “Oh...

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“The Love Story” by Shalana Stephen

Submitted to Contest #72

THE LOVE STORY by Shalana Stephen In the meadows of Cle Elum, Washington, lived a beautiful cow. Every morning the sun would rise and the light would press against her carmel eyes. The sunlight fell upon her light brown fur and turned it into a golden brown. Being a highland cow, she was blessed with a long, thick coat of hair. Once a month she would get groomed with different oils and conditioners so that her fur appeared more fluffy and unique. Every month, a crowd of people came to look at her. She had a pink bow placed above her...

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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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