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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#76: He Said, She Said

Is there anything more satisfying for a writer than that moment your characters suddenly come alive in your mind? For me, this often comes in the form of a conversation — I know I finally understand them when they start talking to each other without any effort on my part.

From witty banter to subtle conversations packed with unspoken threats, there’s so many ways dialogue can drive a story forward. As you craft your stories this week, really think about what your dialogue is saying about your characters. What are they willing to admit to each other, and what are they trying to keep hidden?

And in case you need a little help crafting the perfect retort, here’s a few resources to get your characters talking:

This week's prompts

Write a story told exclusively through dialogue.

Dialogue – 349 stories

Write about two people who just can’t seem to understand each other, no matter how clearly they think they’re speaking.

Sad – 79 stories

Write about a character who is incapable of telling even the smallest lie or half-truth.

Character – 80 stories

Write a conversation that takes place between two people who refuse to say what they mean.

Dialogue – 58 stories

Write about a character who’s always thinking of things they’ll say to people, but who ends up saying very little when they finally get the chance.

Character – 219 stories

Stories

“Soap Opera” by Tanja Cilia

Submitted to Contest #76

“There you are.I've been waiting for ages. But I knew that sooner or later you would come to do the MSN Solitaire Collection, because there’s just enough time for you to finish the five games before the episode begins... That is one of the good things about being able to watch television on your laptop, and having a smart television, so you can hop back and forth between the two, according to whether or not you are alone in the house.Am I not the clever one? I knew that you would notice the new icon, and that you’d click on it to s...

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“The untold truth” by Joane Unknown

Submitted to Contest #76

Every person has its own secrets, even if they are that kind of secrets that may be funny for the others, or those secrets that you wouldn't tell anybody even if your life would depend on them. I tried to hide my secrets for more than 12 years, because I didn’t want people to judge me for my past and for the things I did when I had no brain. I hate liars, that is why I always tell the truth to everybody. I can’t stand people that lie or even tell the smallest lie or half-truth, even if, in some point, I lied.... My name is Jacob Hats...

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“Liberty” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #76

In loving memory of Bubbles.Speak! Speak! Speak! I tell myself. Just move and speak, it shouldn’t be that hard. The thing is, it’s very hard. Humans don’t understand anything about anything, especially when it comes to listening. They just do, do, do and talk, talk, talk. Why can't I speak, or laugh, or walk? Why, why, why? I pause to listen to my family as they sit down at a table next to me. Listen! I shriek out furiously. I watch a little human child with short brown hair pick up a rod with buttons, or as I call it, the ...

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“So what time do you think this is, young man?” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #76

“So what time do you think this is young man?” “I strongly believe that it is one o’clock, old man. That’s what the clock on the wall tells me, although it doesn’t speak out loud. And I have found it to be pretty reliable in the past, so I will trust it now.” “So you come home late, and your mouth is filled with sarcasm, eh boy.” “No, I left a lot of my sarcasm at the party, old man. I didn’t know that I would be needing so much when I got home. Otherwise I would have kept quiet when I was there.” “I think that you have an in...

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“Popcorn Ceilings” by Scott Skinner

Submitted to Contest #76

Tate might have a weed problem. He might have a chemical imbalance. He might be completely normal, just like everyone else. He’s not sure. One thing he knows is that the days he can harness his ‘I don’t care’ attitude are easier. On those days he thinks screw it, it doesn’t matter. Instead of would that be stupid to say? Why did I say that? Are they looking at me? Tate listens to Dax Shepard’s podcast. Dax is rich and famous. Tate is a B average student and his mom pays his rent and his other expenses, even his weed. Dax is in touch wit...

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“The Words I Can't Say.💬” by Jade Orien🍀

Submitted to Contest #76

As we sit in a movie theater eating the snacks that we brought. My mind fills with words I can't fix my lips to say.It's Saturday night & I am on a date with a boy from school.He isn't just any boy.His name is Ethan Pollock. I've had a crush on Ethan since the 6th grade; we are now sophomores.During science class, he asked if I would like to go to the movies on Saturday.Without a doubt, I excitedly said yes!Now here we are.In a movie theater watching the movie "13 going on 30"I stare at him as he sips on his coca-cola drink.then his eyes...

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“That's What He Said (he thinks)” by Daryl Oliver

Submitted to Contest #76

Inside his mind, Gerald was a hero. He was the kind of man that everyone wanted to be. Everyone wanted to be his friend and to him they all were. Gerald had the ability to charm any woman and make priests blush. He was the guy that everyone else wanted to be. At least he was in his mind. Gerald Lemon stared aimlessly into the waste receptacle that was part of his cart. It wasn’t uncommon for him to be seen wasting time doing things which were not part of his job description. When washing windows, he would look out into the distance. At other...

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“ 'Move on': Who are we without our memories?” by An Echo

Submitted to Contest #76

Memories are our brains memory card. Most of us, don't know how information gets stored there. We have data on there that we wished we could erase. Few of us wake up one day and realize our data is gone. Who are we? that's the real question. Who are we without those memories?The door opened to a beautiful creature with bright eyes."Beix?" asked the creature with shabby brown curls. Beix smiled. "Doko."Doko moved aside to let the creature fly in. "I didn't think you were going to make it.""I didn't think so too. You know how work gets......

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“Chills of the Wind” by Sincerely Cezlie

Submitted to Contest #76

The wind chime clinked together outside on the balcony. The winter air gave a wispy chill by the looks of the goosebumps on her arms. She never wore a long sleeve tee, her arms needed no restriction. She wrapped herself with a tartan cotton blanket and immediately felt at ease as she sat crossed-legged on the brown coloured sofa. It was her favourite show on the tv, Bargain Boyz. The show revolved around buying and selling goods at a bargained price. The two bald men on screen, one short, one thin, holding a vintage record player. Th...

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“To Puerto Rico And Time” by Priscilla Taiwo

Submitted to Contest #76

The news displayed images of a deadly convict who escaped prison the night before. Anna threw clothes into her bag, one eye on the TV. Her phone buzzed and she ignored it, guilt gnawing at her soul. She had never felt so stupid in her 5 years career.In a jiffy, her bags were ready."I'm so sorry I'm late." Anna Stevens said over the phone, running out of her condo in her dove-gray slender gown, her black hair flapping in the air behind. "I'm on my way. Give me thirty minutes."Her face was white as she descended the elevator. She counted the n...

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“Opposites ” by Samaira S.

Submitted to Contest #76

The sound of the the chatter and laughter pounded through her ears and the music pulsed through her veins. Kaira squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again, trying and failing to paste a smile on her face. Thankfully, no one was looking at her. But then again, no one ever did. Gulping down another gulp of some unknown drink that had been shoved into her hand at some point during the night, Kaira turned around to go get something stronger, keeping her eyes trained to the cheaply tiled floors so as not to draw attention to herself. She h...

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“Ego season” by Ameni Rezgui

Submitted to Contest #76

(Alice): I knew that if I wanted to live normal after you were gone that I needed to get used to life, and there's no better way to do that than to have a fresh start, three days to new year's eve and I already know it is going to be the year I love myself. I honestly miss you, but I have no idea what to do about it, everything in my life seems so vague and blue, but I need to forget you. (Ivan): it has been two months now, I wonder if I ever cross your mind, what you think of when you wake up in the morning, I still can't believe you left ...

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“When the YouTube Haircut Video Radicalized Poor Phil” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #76

“The most important thing is not to be afraid. Are you afraid, Phil?" “A little.” “It's okay to be afraid. Cutting your own hair can be very intimidating.” “Yeah.” “But not nearly as intimidating as knowing that the government tries to oppress our liberties every single day, right?” “What?” “What?” “Did you say something about the government?” “Of course not! We’re just talking about hair. I was just giving you an example. I’m a YouTube video. I can’t even hear you right now. Did you ask me a question a second ago...

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“Faithful Father” by Daryl Oliver

Submitted to Contest #76

A priest walked into a bar. The bartender asked, “what can I get for ya?” The priest paused for a second and answered, “Unless you have an alter boy behind the counter, I’ll just have a whiskey, neat.” The bartender stared with puzzlement, shook her head, and grabbed the whiskey. She flipped the high ball glass onto the bar and poured a heavy single. The priest looked up at her and twitched his fingers in a circle, as if he wanted to tell her a secret. She poured to almost the rim. This had the priest place his hands together as he muttered...

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“36 Ways To Say "I Love You"” by Janie Cruz

Submitted to Contest #76

“Pull over. Let me drive for awhile.” “No, it’s fine-” “Riley. You keep rubbing your eyes like a tired baby.” Riley chuckled and pulled over. They swapped and Riley was out by the time they were five minutes down the road. Niall looked over at her and smiled. What a stubborn woman. ****** “It reminded me of you.” Riley shrugged as she gave Niall the bracelet. Niall put it on and grinned. “Thanks Ri. I love it.” They hugged each other again, but held on a little longer and a little tighter.&nbs...

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$50

Prize money

787

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 15, 2021 EST

Won by Rinnie Leigh 🏆

Title: Him

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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