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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

“Everything I Left Unsaid ” by Noelle Bradley🌼

Submitted to Contest #76

Author’s Note: (Warning: this may hit home, or hit deep with some people.) Hey, there readers, this story is a little on the dark side, it brings light to depression, anxiety, and how what you do can really affect people. Just know that if you are suffering, you aren't suffering alone. If someone you know is suffering, don’t let them do it alone, help them. Whether you help them through it yourself or let someone know who can help, you are showing them that you care, and in many cases that can save lives. I did try my best to leave things no...

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“A Lie, a Truth, & 157 Allergies” by Qwynn Pan

Submitted to Contest #76

It sucks you into an inevitable loop, but it’s a personal choice for that loop to be finite or infinite. One that is powerful but deadly. Clashing like the opposing poles of a magnet. So painful, though even more agonizing to let go. Yet it draws me in with its mesmerizing aura, like a tide pool. It is beautiful, fun even. But deep down, I know that the waves can sweep me away at any given moment. That’s just part of my idiosyncratic syndrome. For this reason, doctors have given me many monikers. Though over the years, I became known as “a ...

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“Everything good” by Stephanie Xu

Submitted to Contest #76

The sky was red. Nothing good ever comes out on days when the sky is red. Kyle ran his fingers down the railing of the stairs as he flew down to the basement. Too many steps to take and not enough time to take those steps. Scrambling past all the people in the subway station, he zoomed his way into the train with seconds to spare. The chiming of doors closing rang in his ears. He had time. Of course he had time. The truth was that he didn’t, but he needed his self muttering to convince himself that he did. The train took its time, sto...

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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 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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“Why Crawl when you can Fly?” by Maheen Usmani

Submitted to Contest #76

A girl with short dark hair and a pale round face sits sprawled on a secluded park bench under the shade of ancient trees. She is wearing beige trousers and a white shirt. There are dark circles under her hazel eyes. Her clothes are crumpled. Far away there are sounds of children playing, ball bouncing. In her hand is her cell phone which she is constantly glancing at. Every time there is a message she straightens up, but then slumps back into the seat. She rolls her legs forward, sighs, calls a number on the phone. Her voice is anxious.GIRL...

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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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“Look Away” by Daryl Oliver

Submitted to Contest #76

“It’s impossible to tickle yourself.” “Billy, you know the weirdest crap.” “It’s a gift.” “If you say so. I’d say it’s more of an annoyance.” “Well, I’m sorry that you don’t appreciate my knowledge. One day, this information may help save your life. Then we’ll see what’s annoying.” “If knowing I can’t tickle myself is gonna save my life, then I’d deserve to be dead. And if you keep saying this kind ofcrap, then you might deserve to be dead too.” “Damn, Soph, that’s a little harsh, isn’t it?” “You might think so, but when someone chops your h...

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“Was It You?” by Marion Donnellier

Submitted to Contest #76

“You like doughnuts?” “Pardon?” “Donuts. Do you like doughnuts?” “Yes.” “What kind?” “Em...any.” “No, no, no, no, no. What kind? Chocolate? Sprinkles? No Sprinkles? Frosting? Pink Frosting? No Frosting? Cream? We both know the best ones are glazed but once in a while, we all need something a little different, don't we? So I'll ask one more time. What kind?” “Jam.” “Jelly?” “Yes.” “Alright. Now we're getting somewhere. Jelly heh? You like surprises don't you?” “If you say so.” “Nah there's no need for that. Yes or no?” “Yes.” “My doctor told ...

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“I am a human being, not a human doing"” by Elaine Martini

Submitted to Contest #76

“Wakey-wakey! It's late, it's time to get up! There is so much to do. You have to get started or the day will be gone and you won't do all the things in your list. ” “I know but it feels so comfortable here in bed, just another 10 minutes...” “ You are always talking about all the things you want to do and how there is never enough time. You know this is not helping you to get anything done. All this time could have been used in a much more efficient way. You know the longer you take the more difficult it will be. Come on, time to get up and...

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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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“Explain” by Gwyn Everett

Submitted to Contest #76

I’m late. I throw my tattered coat over the banister and walk into the dining room. I sit down and pick up my fork to dig into my dinner. I stop with my fork half-way to my mouth as I glance across the table. She holds her forehead in her hand, her eyes stare wide and angry at the full plate of untouched food. “What. Happened.” I huff a sigh. “It’s not what you’re thinking. It isn’t like that.” “What am I thinking? You came back like this, how could it be anything else?” “You’re being unfair.” She shifts i...

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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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“You Never Asked” by Evan Stone

Submitted to Contest #76

"Hi Mom.""Hi baby.” "What are you thinking about?""I was remembering my last night as a Penderton. It was a lot like this. Your grandmother was in the kitchen, recalling her last day as a Dumond. Our wedding, mine and your dad's, was a society event, too, mostly because of the Cabots.""Do you remember how many?""Gosh, three hundred, maybe four.""I overheard that they're expecting over seven hundred at the reception and dinner. There could've been a lot more, but apparently Barbara Fischer drew the line.""I remember t...

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“Love and Dear” by Cody Burrell

Submitted to Contest #76

Love: "I'm still mad at you. Flowers won't help." Dear: "Whatever happened to forgive and forget?" Love: "Fine, I will forgive you and then forget you." Dear: "Now, love, you know that's not what I meant." Love: "Don't touch my face when I am mad at you!" Dear: "How about you tell me what this is about? Woah, now, how many times have I told you that glare could kill a man?" Love: "Good thing you aren't a man, yet." Dear: "Ouch." Love: "Good! We're still not even." Dear: "I've only been gone a couple days, love." Love: "A ...

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$50

Prize money

787

Contest entries

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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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