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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

“Louder Than Words” by Elena Rouse

Submitted to Contest #76

If life was a dance, then Hazel was off beat. Everything was throwing off her rhythm. Lately, it was as if she moved like one of those blow up tube dancers in front of car dealerships; painfully uncoordinated but something people couldn’t seem to stop looking at. The looks she got as her 70s platforms clomped down the hallway burned the back of her neck, and the whispers that filled her ears distracted her from her usual steady beat. These constant missteps, though, were not caused solely by the whispers or the looks. In fact, Hazel liked it...

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“Talking Between Toilet Stalls ” by Mandy Fernandez

Submitted to Contest #76

“Mommy, I don’t have to go to the bathroom,” Oliver, a rambunctious, four-year-old red-haired boy, said loudly. “I know Ollie, but I do,” his mom replied patiently as she opened the door to the ladies’ room and pulled Oliver by the arm inside the restroom with her. “Why do I have to go in here when this is only for girls?” Oliver asked while stomping his feet. “Because this store doesn’t have a family restroom,” Annie, Ollie’s mom replied. “Can I take out my truck?” Ollie asked, tugging at her backpack. “If you can hold it and not...

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“The Secret” by Lily Ana

Submitted to Contest #76

Claire felt like a fifty pound dumbbell was placed on her chest every time someone told her a secret. She didn’t like secrets; it had been weighing painfully on her chest, growing stronger by the minute. She spent all week avoiding Jessica. She knew that if she came face to face with her the words would all spill out before she had the chance to stop herself. She even had her phone turned off so she wouldn't impulsively text her. Two more days, she thought. Just two more days. She sat at the back of the cafeteria alone, trying to...

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“We Could Get Away With It ” by Michael Adekanle

Submitted to Contest #76

The moment Mitch Connor came into the room and saw Della's face, he knew something was wrong. " Hey, what's the problem? You don’t look so hot. " He said, dropping the food supplies in his hands to the floor. " Nothing! Nothing at all, " Della said in a small voice. She was tall and broad-shouldered with blue piercing eyes, blonde hair, big breasts, solid hips, and long straight legs. She was very beautiful and was aware of what her beauty could do to men. He regarded her suspiciously. Aged twenty-six, Mitch was of averag...

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“Half the Truth” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #76

Trigger warning: mentions of alcohol abuse I’m ready to throw my cell phone against the wall. After a week of bad reception, I returned to the store where I bought it. “What can I help you with?” asked the clerk. “I’ve had this cell phone thirty-one days, and the person I’m calling ...

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“IF MY HEART COULD SPEAK” by Tazmin Shaikh

Submitted to Contest #76

Cherry had always an extraordinary imagination. No other homo sapiens could have a vision like him, his friends believed. He could have talked with his cat JoJo. It was like he could sense and comprehend, the enunciation and intimate convictions of all incarnate things. What a miracle child!A generous, introverted, clever, young man was born to a middle-class south Korean family and got a name, ‘Kim Choi-Joon’. The lengthy name had to adjust in the city of dream, and he momentarily rendered it cherry.Cherry’s father had the ambition to make ...

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“Two Year Old” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #76

THOONK! The horn yanked my gaze from the window to the windshield, now almost full of a semi-truck and trailer. The sight compelled my lungs to suck in deeply. The driver barely missed us by swerving around us. Mother swerved to the right and slammed to a stop. My mother had driven halfway into his lane. “Didn’t you see him coming?” I fumed. “It’s incredible we didn’t have an accident.” While Mother’s hands were still glued to the steering wheel, I lunged toward t...

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“Can't Elope (...or Can We?)” by Kate Heesemann

Submitted to Contest #76

“You never listen to me.” “I listen to you.” “No, see. You’re tinkering what that device again.” “I have work to do.” “Please.” “I’m sorry.” “Finally looking at me and not your computer screen?” “What do you want to say?” “I want to tell you — Oh, great — now your phone’s ringing.” “I won’t answer.” “Okay, listen — I don’t think our relationship is working out.” “Why not?” “Because you never listen!” “I’m listening now.” “Yeah — after 3 months, you can stop what you’re doing to look at me. It’s about time.” ...

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“Monolingual” by Jude E.

Submitted to Contest #76

Author’s Note: Due to the story being published on an English website, there will be no foreign languages spoken in this story, however, because of its nature, please take in consideration that the character’s thoughts are meant to be in another language, hence the title. Judgment was my weakness point. It is my weakness point. It’ll always be my weakness point. Forever. No one likes it, yet everyone seems so ready to give it for free, as if it’s an ugly weight they carry around and want to get rid of. And in educational facilities, perh...

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“The Awkward Cadence” by Holly Fister

Submitted to Contest #76

I wasn’t eager to leave my Honda haven, where Evan guessed what I was thinking before I said it and the Accord surrounded me with preventative safety features.“If I could whip up masterpieces on the laptop like you do in one sitting on the couch, we wouldn’t have to go to these get togethers. But networking is key for my job, babe.”I nodded and looked out the window at the house where his co-workers and clients had already begun “networking.” Music and laughter escaped as another couple slipped into the party. Their exuberance repelled me li...

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“Memory Boy” by Tiffany 🌻

Submitted to Contest #76

Usually, your classmates wouldn't assume you have dementia or can't speak. But for someone with a memory loss problem, I hear them whispering about me every day. I have no interest in friends, and I have never thought of myself as a people person. My mother used to tell me to try and make friends, but all they do is talk and talk when I can't even remember what I wanted to say or why I wanted to say it.I'm in ninth grade and entering a new high school. What can be worse? Oh yeah, I'm apparently a "troubled student." I was expelled from my ot...

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“The Red Sweater” by Daniel Brown

Submitted to Contest #76

“Are you a girl, Shaheed? Answer me.” “No, Dad.” “Then why the hell are you wearing a girl's sweater, huh?” “Clothes don't have genders.” “Hmm alright, smart ass. Where did you get that sweater?” “From the women's-” “I rest my case. Take that off before I tear it off your back.” “Dad, some of my coworkers wear clothes like this. It's normal.” “Do any of them live here?” “No.” “Exactly and there ain't nothing normal about wearing women's clothes. Now, give me your sweater, and I won't repeat it.” “Here.” “Good. B...

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“It's Not About The Money.” by Estelle Westley

Submitted to Contest #76

"Marcus! Marcus! Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as that walking through this work place of ours." "Where? What am I not seeing that is so beautiful?" "Sit down. Don't make it that obvious, now slowly look towards your left. The tall brunette with the sexy black dress making her way to Mr. Wilsons office. She strides through us minions as if she owns the place." "Well, Dale, if she owns the place she can come and give me instructions any time. I will even work overtime with a smile." ------------------- "Good morning Mr ...

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“PROCRASTINATION;A THIEF OF LIFE” by Agbesanwa Ayomide

Submitted to Contest #76

Hi. Hey yourself. How are you doing? Great. You? I’m doing fine if you don’t count the fact that I almost got myself fired today. Wow. I didn’t know that the owner of a company could fire herself. I didn’t myself until it happened. _________________________________ Why are you staring at me that way? Come on, don’t keep me in the dark. What happened today? Have you heard this phrase before,” procrastination is a thief of time”? Sure. Who hasn’t? When did you hear it? Babe, this one you are asking me weird questions, is all well? Wrong reply....

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“Shallow minded approach” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #76

“See, we swallowed our pride as a nation to even sit down facing each other in the name of negotiation. I don’t know how many organized nations that will agree to stoop so low like we did just for peace to reign. We want an end to this conflicts and release of all the school girls and they held hostage since two years now. The demand of one billion naira and release of all your members without conditions cannot work, one billion for what?", he querried. "From the look of things, we are not sure that they have peace in mind. These guys are t...

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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.

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

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