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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#75: New Year, New You

For many of us, the last year was like living through a low-budget disaster movie — but the good thing about the new year is that it gives us an excuse to start fresh. And even though flipping a calendar doesn’t necessarily fix all our problems, it’s still good to take a moment and think about everything you do have the power to change.

In that spirit, this week’s prompts are all about fresh starts. From small, personal achievements to huge goals that will change the world, everything starts with the decision to try. What sort of things will your characters achieve this year? What sort of things will you?

This week's prompts

Write about someone who has finally managed to succeed at a long-standing New Year’s resolution.

Winter – 98 stories

Write about someone whose job is to help people leave their old lives behind.

Adults – 246 stories

Start your story with one character making a vow that they never would have made the year before.

Holiday – 102 stories

Write about someone who doesn’t remember their past — and doesn’t want to.

Thriller and Suspense – 205 stories

Write about two characters who each want to change the same thing, but resolve to go about it in very different ways.

Teens – 84 stories

Stories

“Celena ” by 💛🤍 L U N A N A 🤍💛

Submitted to Contest #75

Seth stared at Conan standing in the corner of his office, mumbling to himself. Conan walked over to the desk Seth stood in front of and straightened out a stack of papers. “I’m sending you on this new project because I know that you are capable of completing it.” Conan started, his voice scratchy and intimidating as ever. “Your job is unique, yes. But crucial. And we both know that.” Seth nodded and sucked in a sharp breath, the nerves rising in his throat. Conan handed him the papers and Seth’s eyes jumped around th...

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“On Top of the World” by Writer Maniac

Submitted to Contest #75

I look at the list of new year resolutions again and groan. I hadn’t imagined it, it was there. It has been there for almost five years now, but I still don’t look forward to it. I add it every year in the hope that it will happen, only for it to not. Written in my neat handwriting which I use only for specific occasions, in black ink, with a little square next to it. Get over your fear of heights (go bungee jumping with family this year). I hate my past self. At that time, that idiot thought that future me would be able...

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“Speaking to Silence” by Amiable Sorceress

Submitted to Contest #75

new moon: new yearWords, words, words. The ones I think, the ones I am thinking, about her. She has been the only person I have spoken to, but not through these-forms of written language. Language is bordered and hesitant, probably a trickster if you hear it from me. Words and I, we go way back, before even the tiniest bacterium swam the seas. (You wouldn’t believe how talkative trees are) People, they are fairly new to us, but it is quite an achievement for her, being the only human I’ve ever spoken to. And my, did she have a lot to say“So,...

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“Too Close To Home” by Lemon Lime

Submitted to Contest #75

I was walking towards the low-roofed adult home, it was just to my left. The wind brushed past my face with a nonchalant whisk, as if questioning my presence in such a rough neighborhood. It was cold, but not bad enough to prevent a midnight excursion. The hour long walk had put my hands to sleep, but my curiosity was awake as ever. Like a high school reunion - terrifying but necessary - there was something about my childhood block that called for an overdue rendezvous. I glanced at the grass on the sidewalk's edge where ...

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“The Ultimate Chess Player's Guide to Happiness” by Kate Reynolds

Submitted to Contest #75

Disclaimer: I don't actually play chess, so sorry if I got some of the details wrong. With that being said, enjoy!Chess strategies lined up in my head as soon as I glanced at the chessboard, waiting for me to pick and apply one. The board was made up of exactly 64 squares, 32 white and 32 black. It was a perfect mixture, one that I loved. “Next up, Varsha Vimal playing white, and Zelene Gilbert playing black!” The announcer declared. This was the biggest chess tournament of my life, it was the state tournament and it was being broadcast...

226 comments 226

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“Pride and Joy” by Writer Maniac

Submitted to Contest #75

Trigger warning: description of sexual assault I press the buzzer, hoping that the light outside the door works. Thankfully, it appears that it does still work, as my next patient walks in, his eyes looking down. Wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, covering most of his face, he shuffles slowly towards me and stops awkwardly. “Hey,” I say, smiling at him kindly, although his eyes are focused on the tips of his sneakers.“I’m Dr Ellman. What’s your name, honey?"“Don’t ‘honey’ me. I know you don’t even give a crap about me, so don’t pretend...

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“Kites” by Ru .

Submitted to Contest #75

He steals things most people won’t notice. Wishes on pennies from fountains. A delicate second here, winks of sleep there. Small things, it’s how he lives. But he’s never needed to steal from you. Because you would gladly drop your unwanted memories into his cap and walk away feeling new. In fact, every time you leave his bench, you never look back.The weather is sticky, with a mild chill — not uncommon for January in Alabama — and you tie your hair into a knot to keep it from dipping into your shoulders. Johannes is where he always is: on h...

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“Eir (Collab)” by B. W.

Submitted to Contest #75

After that horrid day several years ago I had been...actually wait, no. That single day wasn't the only thing, I'd have to say all of those years before I left were like that as well. It's been four whole years since all of that had happened, I sometimes wonder what happened to Arcadia. She probably got what she wanted though, she's probably a mage. Though now I was finally going to become better than her and it was going to be great. I'm actually going to be great at something for once in my life, maybe people will actually know who I a...

167 comments 167

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“The Waiting” by Vanessa Marczan

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #75

(Trigger warning: Substance abuse, domestic violence)It reminded me of one of the times I went to rehab. She was an older woman. Her face was creased in places that indicated she had a low bullshit threshold. My dumb questions were answered in a hard, clear voice. She wore a navy blue kimono, her blonde and grey hair tied in a low bun. The gold engraved nametag on her chest read 'Maricourt'. We sat in a thoughtfully designed room. Scandinavian aesthetic. Minimal. Not unlike a hotel room. The walls were cream coloured. The soft...

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“Jean’s Vow ” by ✯𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫✯

Submitted to Contest #75

Jean's Vow“Monsieur, the all-time pianist, Madame Agustin is inviting you to do a show with you—that is if you want to." The assistant, Andre offered him. “Andre. What have I told you about my relationship with music? I said I don’t ever want to hear it again. That includes not playing it. I haven’t even touched my violin for 10 years. Go away and tell her that I refuse.” Jean Ander replied coldly. “But Monsieur—” Andre got interrupted by Jean. “Do you want to have no job? Do you want to go home with no money...

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“Surprising Recovery” by ✯𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫✯

Submitted to Contest #75

Surprising Recovery Esma laid down, flat. Not moving for many seconds. She was in a deep and quiet sleep. But this isn’t your normal kind of sleep. She was sleeping, for what felt like forever. Esma’s mind was blank. She never moved for several days. Everyone would just find her, in her deep and long slumber, and all assuming the worst — death. She didn’t even know she was surrounded by so many people. All day and every day she was quiet, her eyes tightly closed and slept. She had no breath, her hands, or any body...

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“Believer ” by TJ Squared

Submitted to Contest #75

I ran through the forest, enjoying the fresh mountain air. I felt the warm sun melt on me, on this summer day. I looked behind me, to see my dog running after me. He stopped where I did, his tongue lolling, asking for water, the source of life. We are almost there, boy, I tell him. We walked in silence, his tongue still bouncing as he went. We think about our life thus far, happy and full of good times. Nothing left to lose, except each other, and our past. We continue, down a beaten, worn path that most locals like us use to get to the rive...

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“Why do you love me?☠️” by Ari Berri

Submitted to Contest #75

A second part for my story Dead End. Ari's first mission. You should probably read the first part.ARI'S POV:Room 101, The paper reads. Jonathan Micheals.This is my first job.I scan the page. I’m wearing a white cloak, with the hood over my head. Luke said that white means you haven't been put into a color yet."You've got this." Celeste says. "Just help him move on."I nod. "Wish me luck.""You don't need it." Iris says.I don't know about that. I've only been training for a week. So this could go badly. Still, I walk into the hospital.When I’m ...

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“fℓσωєяѕ” by 𝔘𝔤𝔬𝔠𝔥𝔦 𝔑.

Submitted to Contest #75

‹16 |2020| 11:59› «❀28❀» “I just want to die.” Air condition fills the air… through my nose… A pointy needle pokes our arm as wires trail around our body. But you smile. Before the clock hits 12 you turn to me and ask slowly- “What flowers do you want at your grave?” You had never asked me that question before usually you told me to hope…to live like you wanted, like we all wanted at some point. But its been 16 teen years, that dream has come and gone. I’m still here. “I…don’t know.” I responded, I have never thought of that question before....

199 comments 199

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“A Resolution of Five Years” by Akshaya Sutrave

Submitted to Contest #75

Dear Diary, January 1, 2021My New Year Resolution since 2016: Keep a diaryI can’t believe I’m doing this again, hiding inside my room, the curtains drawn, and the door locked close.I’m writing and I don’t want anyone to know it.Yes, I, Alison Winters, am writing a diary right on New Year’s Day. (Happy New Year, by the way)Oh, Gods. This feels so weird. I’m scribbling down utter nonsense into something non-living, talking (well, writing) to it as if it were a person!What was I supposed to say to a diary? My thoughts? My fe...

162 comments 162

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$50

Prize money

735

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 08, 2021 EST

Won by R. A. 🏆

Title: The Violinist

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.

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