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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

“Take This Job and Shove It” by Ben To

Submitted to Contest #76

"If he tells me I can't drink coffee at work again, you know what I'm gonna tell him?""No, what?""I'm gonna tell him to take this job and shove it! That's what!""Mmm... sure you will."Dylan scratched at his long, fiery beard in irritation. "Just give me a five-sixteenths already." Dylan snatched the nut-driver from the shop assistant and stormed out of the garage. It was ridiculous! He put in seventy hours a week at this trash job and now they wouldn't even give him a ten minute coffee break. It was cold, and starting to snow when ...

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“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...

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“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...

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“Battle To The Border” by L.A. Nolan

Submitted to Contest #76

*Authors Note: This story is based on true events. Its factual retelling can be found on my website, thewanderinghippy.com, under its release title Privy To Pakistan. At the time, most of the conversation was in Hindi and recounted to/translated for me later. Some of the dialogue here has been embellished or added to meet this week's prompt requirements and some artistic licence has been taken.“We shouldn't be out here,” Vineet mumbled.“Why not?” I asked.“Because he’s a coward,” Sandeep chuckled.“No, I’m not a coward. We don’t have permits.”...

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“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...

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“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...

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“Alone Behind the Glass” by CM Jewell

Submitted to Contest #76

Lucas rolled to his side, hurling bloody vomit as he did. He had never remembered being hit so hard before; the entirety of his body ached as if he had been dragged across the earth for hundreds of miles. He painfully lifted himself to his knees and opened his eyes. The room he was in was filled with harsh, white light, all around him, engulfing him. The floor beneath him was coarse like sandpaper, grey and cold. A large metal door stood in the wall in front of him, locking him in, Lucas slowly got to his feet, his joints cracking beneath hi...

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“Aftermath of Overthinking” by Leilani Lindley

Submitted to Contest #76

‘You can suffocate a thought by expressing it with too many words,’ a quote by Frank A Clark. Even the most complex thoughts and emotions could never be matched by simple words. Metaphors and similes can only go so far in this world of literature. I wish I could be mysterious with every sentence of mine to contain hidden meaning, or would that be too much? Too intimidating? Or not enough, and not reach the expectations of others? Or perhaps, I’ve over thought about this once again. My thoughts o...

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“Wordless Psyche” by Diana Reyes

Submitted to Contest #76

"You better put this earrings! This really suit your almond eyes!" she exclaimed as she handed me the long sparkling diamond earring. I did not even got a chance to speak for she immediately turned her back and fixed herself in the mirror, which left me nodding furtively half-heartred. I was currently choosing between an orange or nude lipstick that will suit my simple yet elegant dress. I do not really put heavy make ups, it was really not my thing. I can even go a day without it, a powder and my mannerism of biting my lips will sometimes d...

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“The Chicano girl” by Zoltan Bartok

Submitted to Contest #76

I thought everything was going very well… until Camila had another surprise for me in the second half of January. “Can I talk to you about something?” she said one evening after we sat down to eat the burritos she made the previous night. “Of course,” I replied but then I started having a bad feeling when I saw her staring down into her plate too long without saying anything. “We won’t be able to make love for a while,” she said finally, still not looking at me. I could see that she was struggling to find the right words to continue. “Do you...

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“Villain in love” by Tia Jackson

Submitted to Contest #76

“ You let her go again, didn’t you?” “What makes you think that?” “You’re smiling.” “So? I always smile.””Oh you never smile, so, it means you let her go. You let go the only person you have left to kill in order to get everything you’ve worked so hard for and I want to know why.”“She got away, there was nothing I could do about it.” “Oh, come on. You don’t really expect me to believe that, do you? You’re the world’s greatest assassin, the guy every hitman dreams of being and the mastermind behind the most effic...

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“The Last Conversation on Earth” by A.R. Zohra Khan

Submitted to Contest #76

“I don’t think it can be repaired.” “What a shame.” “It is.” “It used to be rather glorious. Even without any rings or multiple moons.” “Indeed it was. It had a sort of humble, serene kind of beauty.” “Probably the best one we ever worked on.” “Agreed.” “You would think they would have learned to care for it once the glaciers melted away.” “Hmph.” “What?” “Come now, Gabriel. They didn’t care for it when they dirtied all this air. All they did was convince themselves the sky was always brown, and that breathing...

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“Tongue Tied ” by Sarah El Dhaibi

Submitted to Contest #76

My heart raced as I stood, my back resting against the chipped wall, watching my mother stand over the poor rigid creature who had been paralysed for the last few horrific days. The room was ice cold as my mother began pacing around the room, her eyes still glued to the thing that lay underneath her defeatedly. I began shivering uncontrollably as my lungs began to burn from the cold.Mother had warned me not to utter a word in front of the creature disguised as a girl. She referred to her as a beast, but I knew better. As a young girl, I’d al...

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“Consequential Trivia” by PK Spice

Submitted to Contest #76

“How much longer do we have to do this?”“You know I need to practice as much as possible. I don’t want to make a fool of myself on national television!”“Fine. I said I’d help you, but I didn’t think you’d be this relentless – this focused. We’ve spent at least eight hours a day, every day for the last two weeks on it.”“Please Danny. This is my only chance to win a lot of money. It could change our lives. I need you to keep helping me. I’m on the show in less than a month.”“Noreen . . .”“Just another hour today. Think about it. We could move ...

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“1847, 1914, 1940, 1982” by Megan Faith

Submitted to Contest #76

“Good morning Mr?” “Call me Malcolm, everyone does.” “Alright Malcolm, my name is William Gladwell. Please have a seat just right over there. Can I offer you anything? Coffee, tea, water?” “Some coffee if you please….do you mind if I light my cigarette?” “No, not at all.” “I swore to my momma I’d stop smoking after I got out of the army, she’d whoop me if- Oops...God damn.” “Oh let me, I have a lighter here. I don’t smoke but it’s always good to have one handy. My father always carried a book of matches himself, before he upgraded to a...

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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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