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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

“A change of season” by Mmabatho Motaung

Submitted to Contest #72

She was caught off guard. The waves of emotion rushed through her like an electric current. "This cannot be." she thought to herself. Perhaps she was feverish. Winter was, after all, clutching its ugly claws; ready to kick the autumn blues away. The change was imminent. Nature had always been changing. It perplexed her why human nature seemed to be afraid of change even though it was needed for survival. "If we don't change we die", she recalls reading in one of her psychology books. Perhaps it was the reason why she felt dead inside; he...

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“A Broken Heart Renewed” by Tereshia Jones

Submitted to Contest #72

Mariah why are you over there looking like you just lost your best friend? please get it together he wasn't all that any way i heard Kara say as i stood looking out of her bedroom window.Tell that to my seventeen year old heart. Ka he was supposed to love me like he said he would but because I wasn't ready to go all the way with him he dumped me and went to her. Out of all the people he could have ran to he picked her.Mariah I told you from jump that bucket head buck tooth girl couldn't be trusted but no you wanted to give her a chance. any...

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“First Snow” by Hana Alradai

Submitted to Contest #72

The winter came here. Dean looked outside of his big apartment in New York City. He stared at the first snow coming down from the sky to greet him before it landed to the cold asphalt ground. So cold but sweet to look and pleasant to heart. He looked up to the grey sky and sighted. Again, this year he would spend his time alone. His father died two years ago, the last person in his family. After his mother threw him in front of his father's apartment door 25 years ago, his father took good care of him. He was his hero. His father never mar...

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“Second Chance” by Amber Medina

Submitted to Contest #72

Second Chance “Man I couldn’t stand that guy,” Jessica said. “What was wrong with him,” Tiffany asked. “He was friends with Jarred and Jamie and was at the house all the flipping time. I always wanted to play outside with the boys, but he’d be like, “you’re too little,” or “you’re going to get hurt.” His favorite line was, “this is a ‘boys-only’ game.” “Maybe he was just being protective, you know? Like, maybe it was an over-protective-older-brother type of thing. How much older is he than you?” ...

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“Grant the Grammar Guy” by Kaci Rigney

Submitted to Contest #72

Grant the Grammar GuyI DON’T KNOW if you can call a man a wallflower, but there he stood against the wall. No one approached him or even waved in his direction. His suit fit a little big, and his hair looked unkempt. His beard went under his chin and down his neck. She hated that and grimaced.“What’s wrong with your drink, Lily?” “Nothing Louise, why?” Lily asked her sister. “Well, you just took a drink and wrinkled your nose.” “Oh, it’s ...

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“LOVE AND BEREAVEMENT.” by Frances Benjamin

Submitted to Contest #72

Red dresses filled her head as she stood at the gravesite on this cold, blue, wintry day. The covered heads of the staunch mourners were all bent in wholehearted grief for the once distinguished man lying at their feet in a solid, black mahogany coffin and not even the screeching mallards gliding across the icy atmosphere possessed the qualifications to distract them. Jessica hated temporary things and mentally picturing everyone in red dresses and cloaks and breeches, comingling with the stark white snow on this somber occasion was her head...

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“Anna Spasova’s Unexpected Adventure ” by Roxie Piatigorski

Submitted to Contest #72

Anna Spasova used to have a loving husband named Sergei and he was always there for her, even supporting her when she needed him most. He even brought her some flowers in addition to nice clothes and expensive jewelry every now and then. Until one day, when he, once an accomplished computer programmer, got unjustly fired with literally no hope of ever getting it back. Then shortly after, day by day, they lost everything else too, including their luxury apartment in Moscow, so after all was lost, they had to move into a small izba somewhere i...

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“Zemfira's Diary” by Ruth Major

Submitted to Contest #72

Dear Diary, Things are really different here then home. When I was there, I was surrounded by friends and guys that liked me. Here, it seems hard to find someone to talk to that isn't Youri. It seems I keep on running into him. He's not the type of guy you want to be around. He keeps telling the tale of his past, and from what I heard he didn't seem to be a good guy. He blames other people for his problems, and really doesn't treat people well. I really wish to meet someone else, who is nicer. The only other person I really see is Sora, and ...

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“The bad boy's girl” by Morning Tuhafeni

Submitted to Contest #72

Zhoey McKenzie is an ordinary high school teenager who is determined to finish her high school without complications. She plans to study hard and be admitted in one of the best colleges in Namibia. She does not have a boyfriend and plans to stay single until she is independent. She hates bad, popular boys who thinks they own everyone, especially Jaden Mcrae one of the bad boys at their school, but little did she know that the bad boy she envy so much would become so important to her. Since she started having literature class with Jaden, and ...

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“Inevitable” by Annie Ruhangakiza

Submitted to Contest #72

Anna added a touch of lipgloss before she rushed to open the door. As she glanced at the wallclock in her living room, she couldnt help but notice that her date was an hour and a half early. "Diana, Pepper, Simone what are you guys doing here?" "Isn't it obvious we are having a girl's night at your place." They replied in unison"I brought wine and popcorn" Simone said"Cookies and bread for tomorrow's breakfast" Diana said"Here are games, movies on my flash drive and myself. You know you guys would be bored without me" said Pepper....

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“Last one” by Floraine Thwin

Submitted to Contest #72

First day after summer holidays, every student came over to Seisho academy. Sakura are blooming and fallen petals all over the road. Some students ride bike and some walk alone and also chatting and walking together with group this is the beautiful scenery she ever wanted to see. She was back to school for her child first day as transfer student. She was watching over the students who were happily together and so fresh for a long time. The time past so fast and her memory went back in time. Her first ...

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“CAUGHT BETWEEN LOVE AND JUSTICE” by Claire Ngesah

Submitted to Contest #72

“Are you ready? “she asked. “Well… to be honest, I am not. I am little bit nervous. What if things don’t turn out well? “she replied as she placed her laptop on a desk. “God will prevail. We already prayed for this sweetheart. Let me get you a cup of coffee” “Thanks mom, “she sighed while she sat staring at the blank laptop. This was Susan Marshall, a young middle aged lady whose father was brutally murdered in front of their home one morning while he was leaving for work. It has been 2 years since the main suspect was arrested and today, wa...

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“The Fallen Cherry Blossom” by Jake From State Farm

Submitted to Contest #72

The Fallen Cherry Blossom Tree When somebody says to think of your happy place, most people think of a far off land, with beauty beyond belief. But I can only think of the rosy blossoms I'm blessed with. A place where anything is at peace. My vault of secrets sealed away from any unwanted feelings. “RING RING!!!” I want to sleep. But thanks to needing money, I can't do that. I know I have to get up, and I know I need to get ready… but I want to remain in my soft comfor...

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“Your Guitar Is the Tune to My Words” by Pen Holder

Submitted to Contest #72

Hello and Happy Holidays. I hope you are doing well. Just to let you know, this story was rushed. I hope you do find it somewhat enjoyable. God bless you. :) I watched the hands of the clock go tic...tic...tic. Anticipating when we were to be finally let out. It was Friday to my delight, and only 10 minutes away from freedom. Every single day from now, Mrs.Fritz always forgot to assign us to partners for a project. This was her first time giving us group work. Her reason behind it? The world may never know, but her. Tic...tic..tic. A...

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“Helplessly Homeless” by Cherry Dunagan

Submitted to Contest #72

Sitting at the table reading. She didn't want to think about where she was and how she got there. Something she will never understand is how either of her parents thought this was a solution for her. Kick her to the curb, homeless. Her three younger brothers never had to do this. They never had to worry if they asked for something if it would cost them a place to sleep that night. Turning the page of her book, she shook the thought from her mind. She didn't want to think about it right now. She was at a shelter. She would be ok. She could de...

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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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