Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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

“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...

Read story

“Cat Got Your Tongue” by Ashley Thornton

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hey.” “Hey yourself.” “No, I got you something.” “Okay.. And why?” “Because I just think you’re pretty neat.” “No, I mean why.” “That is the reason.” “But I’m not ‘pretty neat’.” “That’s my opinion, and I’m entitled to it.” “Someone is in a bad mood.” “How am I in a bad mood?” “What, you want me to play nice just because you got me something that you refuse to even tell me about? It must not be so great since you seem so embarrassed about it.” “That isn’t why. I just don’t think that your mom would like it.” “What is that...

Read story

“Of Fire and Magnolias” by Faith Loewe

Submitted to Contest #76

He crossed one leg over the other, leaned back a little, and either deliberately or unconsciously raised a thoughtful hand to his chin. A cup of coffee sat in front of him like a theater prop; he’d barely taken a sip. She knew another analogy was coming; his preferred method of communication. She'd often wondered if he realized how demoralizing such opacity was for the listener, but had long since given up hope for better. She contemplated, also, pointing out how even Jesus spoke plainly to his inner circle, after telling his parable...

Read story

“Puberty Explained” by Monica Chaddick

Submitted to Contest #76

“Grandma, can you explain something to me, please?” “Certainly, Kelly, what is it you are needing explained?” “I want to know what it means when a girl reaches puberty. I have heard girls at school talking about periods and ‘Aunt Flo’, but I don’t understand what they are talking about. I know I am close to that age, and I want to be prepared.” “Well, Kelly, h...

Read story

“All Because of a Remote” by Rahma S

Submitted to Contest #76

Suzan paused her show and got up from the couch to go get a glass of water from the kitchen when she heard the front door open. “I’m home,” said her husband Jim’s voice. He had just come home from his trip to Venice for his job. “Hey welcome home” Suzan replied as she greeted him from the kitchen. Jim took off his shoes, hung his coat, and went to sit on the couch in the living room. “What are you watching?” he asked as he sat down. “Just a romance show sort of thing” Suzan answered. Jim picked up the remote and changed the channel. Suzan wa...

Read story

“The Mother/Daughter Conversation” by David Dicaire

Submitted to Contest #76

The Mother/Daughter Conversation “Are you sure you want to do this?” “Yes, I am absolutely one hundred percent absolutely sure.” “But what if it backfires?” “Then it backfires.” “But, if it backfires that is like opening a whole new can of worms that you aren’t ready to open.” “Look, this is my decision and if I want to this then I am going to do it whether you approve of it or not.” “I know you don’t need my approval; I understand that. But, don’t you think you should consider every angle before you take the plunge?” “I...

Read story

“Dead Position ” by H.K. Slade

Submitted to Contest #76

“He’s terrified. You at least understand why, right?”“No, James, I really can’t.”On the table beside them, Vincent the Prodigy checkmated his opponent. They shook hands, Vincent made a quip at the vanquished player’s expense, and a new challenger took the empty seat. The process was as ruthless as natural selection.James’s eyes never left his game. Focus. That was his watchword.“I find that hard to believe, Marty,” he said, and pulled his bishop back under the protection of his knight’s pawn.Marty took a long pull from his water bottle. Back...

Read story

“Welcome to the system of Altair” by Gary Belton

Submitted to Contest #76

“…tings from the…(static)… tergalactic…(static)… hold … adj… equency”“Ah… yes, so there you are ““Greetings voyagers, I am Diacosoleez Inektu. There is no cause for alarm, I understand that communication from a giant floating head is not a usual interstellar experience but I assure you, you are in no danger from us.”“What you are experiencing; the large, translucent cranium that is hovering outside of your vessel and speaking with you thusly, is the result of my own anomalous nature. You see I am one of The Gods of Mursi, and while the Entan...

Read story

“The 2020 Effect” by Angel Cross

Submitted to Contest #76

Dear Finn, Vanilla. Chocolate. Two different flavors. Both ice cream. They are great together. And apart. You're probably wondering what I’m talking about. I’ll let you figure it out yourself. Much Love, Becca ****** Dear Becca, What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t get it AT ALL. But whatever. Anyway, I chose black over red. And it was a stupid choice. I am never doing that again. I'm sorry and I really mean it. I love you so much. -Finn ****** Dear Finn, I don’t understand. Black over red? I...

Read story

“Thinking, Thinking, Thinking” by D. Alfonso

Submitted to Contest #76

Jamie stalked home, weaving in and out of the street crowd. They paid her no mind. She hadn’t hoped that they would. Still, she was too lost in my thoughts to care. Ooh, Oliver made her so mad, especially after everything he said about her. Called her an aloof rich kid in front of everyone, saying she had probably bribed the teachers, so she wouldn’t have to do anything. It was all a lie, of course. Jamie worked just as hard as any other student. The next time he said anything to her, she swore she was going to snap at him. Tell him that no ...

Read story

“The Legend of The White Woman” by A.L. Shilling

Submitted to Contest #76

“Did you hear that?!”“I clearly heard the sound of a woman screaming.”“I heard it, too!”“Where did you hear it? Was it behind you?”“I heard it over there. Let’s go see if we can find the source.”“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”“Why not? That’s what we came out here for.”“Yeah, but I’ve seen the horror movies. People die when they run toward the noise.”“Oh, don’t be such a girl, Grace, and keep up! Are you here to capture paranormal activity or are you here for a leisurely stroll through the woods?”“Stop being such a dude, Abe. I can’t go ...

Read story

“Good, good things.” by Helena Terra

Submitted to Contest #76

-Hey! -Hey. -What is going on? You seemed sad all night. Everyone else is partying. -*sigh -You were just there, in the corner, looking through people. Hearing, not listening. Looking, not seeing. -I'm just here now. -Are you really? Looks like your body is, not you... -Why do you care, anyway? -Well, I tend to see people. I am an observer. And it was interesting watching you. You caught my sight. -Wow, I’m flattered then. -Gosh, rather go back and just watch, no need to have this attitude. We’re all out here dancing and ...

Read story

“An Introverted Point Of View” by Penelope Rose

Submitted to Contest #76

"Class is dismissed!" The bell stopped ringing and I grabbed my bag, slowly put in my books and homework, then watched the other students rush for the door. I was new here, so no one was waiting on me to come over and hang out, or go to the park and just chat. I waited in the back of the classroom.I had some things I wanted to discuss with Mrs. Cran before I went home.While I waited, I studied the floor, letting random thoughts pass through my head. Why had they chosen this type of floor? When had they put it in? Had it alway...

Read story

“Speaking Out Loud” by Regina Morrison

Submitted to Contest #76

“You don’t say much, do you?” He sat on the edge of the hospital bed and smiled politely at the efficient looking nurse, who stood clipboard in hand at the foot of the bed. “Alright, Mr…” She flipped the pages back, “Mr Grey, the doctor will be along in a couple of minutes to go over some things with you.” He smiled again. The nurse clicked away and soon he heard her friendly voice buttering up another tremorous patient. Idiot! Where was all the nice polite and friendly chit-chat? Man alive. And she was pretty too and...

Read story

“New Haircut” by Eryn Humphrey

Submitted to Contest #76

The scissors felt heavier The scissors felt heavier and heavier the farther up I pulled them. I grabbed a chunk of my freshly-straightened hair, and then stopped moving. I forced my head up, using the mirror to look myself in the eyes. My eyes went from their own reflection to my hair. My dark brown locks looked odd without their natural curliness. Normally, my hair reached my lower back. Straightened, it reaches my knees. I took a deep breath. Not for long. The sharpened scissors, that had retreated back down due to limp arms and sha...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢