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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

“Happy New Year, Hazel” by Mariah Silver

Submitted to Contest #75

Lena had strong feelings on the topic of New Year’s resolutions. In her dim, near-sighted eyes, resolutions were nothing but fodder for those useless members of society who felt the sudden urge to turn their lives around for all of two weeks. Of course, she always had to remember with some reluctance as she fiddled the piece of worn paper in her pocket, that she herself had made her fair share of New Year’s resolutions. From the years of ten to somewhere around twenty-four, Lena created goals glowing with grandeur with the best of them. Losi...

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“Gladiolus” by Afsara Anjum

Submitted to Contest #75

Gladiolus Chapter 1 30 December, 4:44 PM. Finally. Sarah stared at the card in her hand. She thought of a thing or two about how she felt at that moment. Excitement, nervousness or was it fear? She couldn’t tell. Nor did she want to. After looking at the card one more time, she started preparing for that special day. A whole year had again passed away in the blink of an eye. Yet here she was, uncertain for the third time in 3 years. But she would do it this time, wouldn’t she? At least the determination shining in her eyes said so...

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“With a Little Help From a Friend” by Joseph Savage

Submitted to Contest #75

My New Year’s Resolution? It’s the same one I’ve had for the past decade: to change things with Harold. We’ve been married for 13 years now. This year I finally found a way. It’s funny, because I found out how from the second resolution New Year’s resolution I had along with it – to lose weight. If you came to my house, you wouldn’t think I cared anything at all about it, with all the cookies we have in the pantry. But those are Harold’s. Like most people, I started with diets. Atkins was big when I first started out, but it was so expensi...

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“You Were My Queen All Along. ” by Lexi Nelson

Submitted to Contest #75

“Hey guys! Today we’re going to be doi-” Marie gave a long pause as she looked to the figure that was standing in her doorway. This was her everyday life. She would try to make her daily vlog for her YouTube channel and at that second, her stepsister, Ivy would be standing there trying to mess her up. Now you might be wondering, why is she making YouTube vlogs? Well, Marie wasn’t really normal, she was only 16 years old and excessively wealthy with about 1.3 million watchers on her daily basis, well that was if she got to make her daily vlog...

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“Try ” by Alex Payero

Submitted to Contest #75

Try, what does that word mean? To some, it may mean quickly looking over a set of history themed flashcards, or attempting to reach that shiny rock out of the depths of the lake you visit each summer. But to others it may have a deeper meaning, pulling all nighters only to get a fifty percent on a final and get yelled at for not trying hard enough. This generation some adults may question your definition of "I'm trying". You may try your hardest, blood sweat and tears, only to fall into the pits of failure, and you may not want to crawl out ...

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“just in time” by Johan Jansen Van Rensburg

Submitted to Contest #75

Just in time Word count: 2410 Written by Johan van Rensburg The rusty wheels scrape the pavement as the old man parks his wheelchair right next to the door of the small town pharmacy. A cautious eye peeks at the door of the pharmacy from under a bushy grey fringe. He is just in time. It is nine o’clock, and the door swings open in a warm welcome. Not only the pharmacy’s, but also the doors of the supermarket next to the pharmacy, and the bank next to the supermarket, and the furniture store across the road. The...

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“Two Decembers Later” by Destiny T

Submitted to Contest #75

Tw: anxietySitting beside her I contemplated , the crisp air was palpable enough to tousle the hair but dwindled promptly and just waved through her hair instead, flaunting her striking highlights style she had tried that was trending during quarantine, I snickered under my mask because of the stark similarities that moment had with the excerpts from novels I always read. She turned to me squinting her eyes and laughed back knowingly at the thoughts simmering in my mind . Turning back at the skulking waves of the sea in front of us she liter...

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“Wish” by Seemless Pen

Submitted to Contest #75

As she was cleaning her desk, she found a faded paper that she has written last year. She always had a list of new year resolution- her mother said that to be successful she needs goals in lives to strive for and otherwise she would get lost, she always goals to strive for, as she is a strong, independent career woman. The first on her list was that she should find a rich, handsome boyfriend. She found one. A nice boyfriend with a good career and nice teeth, despite not liking him. Her parents like him, and that was enough for her. Never...

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“CHANGING ALTITUDES” by Sheila Payne

Submitted to Contest #75

The new year was approaching fast, and Shiloh could already feel her anticipation and anxiety rising. Why does it always feel like it takes 12 months to get used to the current year, then BAM! it changes to the next? I feel like I'm on a treadmill always trying to catch up, and get nowhere. Every year it's the same. SAME job, SAME friends, SAME car. SAME ME! I'm so tired of all that, and every year I make the same resolution, to change and start out with a clean house, clean car, get new clothes, and by February, it's all down hill. My house...

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“Leap of faith” by Cat Madsen

Submitted to Contest #75

Leap of faith made by Cat Madsen As I walked down the busy road near my old school, I could feel the cold wind on my forehead, in the distance, was the school that was once filled with laughter and cheer, now it was filled with empty promises to be near your friends and teachers. To be near those who hold your dear, to those who you hold dear. many thoughts kept running in my mind as I made my way past the old school grounds and down the road. As I got closer to my destination it was like something in me pulled me to turn around and walk t...

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“Who's your Resolution?” by Grammar Police

Submitted to Contest #75

A woman peeks through the opening of the door. Her amber eyes widen in alarm. She quickly closes the door. I sigh. Maybe I should just leave,I think, turning on my heel, No. It would've all been for nothing. I turn to face the door again. I bang on the door until the lady opens it. I gesture for her to open the door and she capitulates. She beckons inside, and I follow her into the dusty apartment. I sit on a lint-covered couch as she tip-toes into the kitchen. I shift from side to side on the red, velvety couch. It must of been pretty once...

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“A successful New Year” by Pamela Berglund

Submitted to Contest #75

I did it. I finally resolved my new years resolution from last year. I didn’t think it was at all possible, but when I put my mind to something, I usually succeed. I remember making my resolution at midnight. My husband John and I had just opened up a bottle of chilled champagne. “So have you decided what your new year's resolution is going to be, asked John?” “Oh please, I never make new year's resolutions. It’s a waste of time. They last for a week and then they are quickly forgotten. Besides which...

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“Killing Treasure” by Mystic CatDragon

Submitted to Contest #75

Hunger pulls me from my pleasant slumber. I open my eyes and stretch. I look up to see that the bed is empty and the bedroom door is open. It looks like Penelope is already awake. I walk out of the bedroom and enter the hallway to see a sight that makes my hair stand on end. The entire second floor is a mess! Confetti, noisemakers, and wrapping papers litter every corner of the floor. A large green banner that reads “Happy New Year!” hangs over the banister like a wet towel. I look down to see a single slice of pie on a plate, with a red an...

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“The Legend of Ada” by Jason Osajima

Submitted to Contest #75

Jacob walked at a relaxed pace outside of the Blu Jam Cafe in Los Angeles. The plan was to have Sunday brunch with his sister Ada. Jacob arrived early to put their names in, which proved to be an effective strategy considering that six or seven names were added to the list since he wrote his. Jacob made it a habit to always arrive early to meetings, appointments, and especially brunches. He wasn't concerned about being late- arriving early gave him time to read. "Fitzgerald again? You were reading this same book earlier this year," Ada exc...

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“Mary Alice of the Rockies” by Pat Sheehan

Submitted to Contest #75

Mary Alice of the Rockies It was a beautiful Saturday morning in July when Amy pulled her rental car into the parking lot of a place named Alice, Colorado. Once a teeming community known for gold mining, the burg was now virtually a ghost town with such a sparse population that the U.S. Census Bureau didn’t even consider it a separate entity. You would never have known that today, however, because the lot was packed. Luckily, there was one space left in the very back, so she parked there, grabbed her backpa...

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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.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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