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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

“Who You Are Made to Be” by Amanda Kelly

Submitted to Contest #76

Don’t be shy, Adelyn reminded herself. It’s a sleepover! You’ve done this hundreds of times with these girls. They’re nice, and they’re your friends for heaven’s sake! Stop being a baby! You’re gonna get in there and grin and be happy. Tell jokes and be funny! She reprimanded herself, gripping the strands of her backpack. Adelyn walked up the front steps of Charlotte’s house, her heart pounding. Adelyn’s older sister, Alexa, bounded up the steps radiating confidence and ...

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“I'm Always Almost There” by S. F. Brooke

Submitted to Contest #76

I have trouble with speaking. It’s not with a stutter, although I do trip over my words a lot. It’s more of a conscious anxiety. It’s not easy to explain because I know my mouth works after a good head slap or two but it’s like the words get stuck from my brain to my tongue. It’s not a conscious decision, the words just shoot out of my head like the way my blood pressure and pulse skyrocket when I try to speak. I’m not a “quiet” person, I just get quieter. I know I could ask for that ketchup from the waiter, but can I? is the issue. &nb...

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“Not Picture Perfect” by Odusola Sunmisola

Submitted to Contest #76

Kayla hugged herself as she read through her chats. Her relationship was only few days old but she felt like quitting already. She had sent Dylan a text five daysdays before but he was yet to answer. She kept loading and reloading, waiting for his text, but it didn't pop up."Didn't he see it?" She muttered, her thumb swiftly wiping sweat off her brows. All the messages she had sent were marked seen yet there was still no answer. She didn't want to dwell much on it but she just couldn't hold it in."080..." She reeled off under her breath...

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“Songs and Space ” by KENNEDY PLANT

Submitted to Contest #76

"I-uh- am just really happy here." What was that? The 14th lie of the week, and it's only Wednesday. I can't even talk straight to the guidance teacher. "That's good to hear, Henry." She replies, handing me a slip of paper. "As you can see here, your grades are really super, but your citizenship is quite low." I nod, knowing this is true, but not wanting to fix it. "A really good way to fix this is to participate in class more. Raising your hand, asking or answering questions. Can you do that for me?" Oh gosh. She looks like a helpless p...

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“TULASI” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #76

Tulasi was watching from her balcony. A lady was dragging her unwilling child to a nearby kindergarten school. The girl was crying and reluctantly followed her mother. It was a just a routine mundane sight. Tulasi felt disturbed. But it stirred her innate emotions. She was left with an empty feeling. Though no body in her family blamed her as a barren tree, she felt the pinch. Whenever she spotted a mother with a child she felt as though she was the only unlucky person on earth to be left barren. How she wished to be a woman carrying a baby ...

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“Words Left Unsaid” by Hannah B

Submitted to Contest #76

The dirt road curved through tall trees, over a hill and then down, opening out to reveal the small home made of stone, smoke curling out of the chimney, which jutted out of the red brick roof, striking against the gray sky. Sarah cut the engine when she pulled into the drive and exhaled. In doing so, she realized she had been holding her breath, and wondered why. Her heartbeat rose at the sight of the house, a mixture of excitement and dread pulsing through her veins. All throughout the night, Sarah contemplated how this day would go. She c...

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“Introverted Musings ” by Alex Arias

Submitted to Contest #76

11/04/20 If there ever were evidence of gods worming their way through the mortal world, he would be a compelling corroboration. Gold hair, wavy and long, tucked into a bun at the nape of his neck. I wanted to reach over, past the student sitting between us, and hold it in the palm of my hand. How long did it take you to grow? I imagined myself saying. Did you know that when I look at you everything and nothing rests at the tip of my tongue? Instead I sat in my seat, my fingers interlaced on my lap, and listened to him introduce himself. ...

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“POST-ITS” by Narain CM

Submitted to Contest #76

POST-ITS Narain CM naraincm4@gmail.com Fade IN: This is a story of a couple before and after marriage and all the adversities that come with it. The following scene takes place in a room where a couple sits opposite each other but never make eye contact. They have tables opposite them ,which have post-its. &nb...

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“Nate Fraser's Ordeal” by Rhonda Valentine Dixon

Submitted to Contest #76

“Five days, the old fool was out on the road begging all and sundry for a lift to Waverley,” Mrs Fraser declared to Mrs Muggeridge. “Good Lord,” Mrs Muggeridge tut-tutted as she stood over the back fence of the Frasers’ Manutahi Hotel. “He could’ve walked there and back in that time.” “Clearly nobody wanted a bar of him, or someone would’ve obliged,” Mrs Fraser concluded, then added, “Then he graced our threshold and insisted my Nate drive him down to pick up his money. Evidently, he had it stashed in a shoebox in the bedroom...

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“All's Fair” by D J

Submitted to Contest #76

“Aren’t you driving a little too fast, dear?”“I’m following the speed limit, Mother.”“Oh? Well. Seems a little fast to me. There’s no need to rush you know, we’ll make it there before dark.”“That’s because you made us leave before sunrise.”“What was that, dear?”“Nothing. What’s with all the envelopes?”“This? Oh it’s nothing. Just some thank you notes.”“Hmm.”“I thought I should write some thank you notes.”“Uh-huh.”“Since you got all those wedding gifts.”“Right.”“And even though the wedding didn’t end up happening- ”“We could always return the...

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“How the soldier murdered love” by IR Belletti

Submitted to Contest #76

Seven Scars: “Are you scared because your army left you all alone with me? And by the way, If you let your sword down like that, what do you think I’m going to do? Let you go back to the army like we’re done here? That would really be an easy win.” Belaru: “They should have called you Rubber Blade, not Seven Scars. It makes much more sense.” Seven Scars: “That’s too much talk for a soldier with an ugly face.” Belaru: “Then hurry up fighting, Rubber Blade. The sun’s already down.” Seven Scars: “Are you cold, Belaru?” Belaru: “Of course I’m no...

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“Speaking of Love and Loss” by CM Jewell

Submitted to Contest #76

“I need to show you something. I know this is going to be a lot for you to take in, but it’s time for you to see them. I have been… afraid, to show you some of the things in these videos. I don’t know why. I think I just know I have to get it right; I need to get it right… for you and for me. I’m going to do my best… I promise.” “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Michael. Happy birthday to you.” “Who’s that?” “…That’s your mom.” “Oh... I didn’t think I had a mom.” “Everyone has a mom, buddy.… You jus...

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“I Won’t Let Go Of You” by Carman Hall

Submitted to Contest #76

“Jack...What are you doing? Out here. With the likes of me? Ha, I’d think everybody back at the camp is probably worried sick about you. Should get back to em; otherwise, they’ll kill me for just lookin at ya.”“Relax, Clayton. They know I’m here.”“What....how did you-““Can I come in?”“You can...”“Not too shabby a place you got here: a fireplace, a kitchen, a bedroom, a living room. The wallpaper could be better, though, and the carpet’s pretty crap. Dead bugs? Come on, man, I know vacuum cleaners haven’t been a thing for a while now but have...

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“Exquisite Release” by Kelsea Paine

Submitted to Contest #76

"Don't scream, Katarina." "Of course I won't scream, Evelyn. At least not at the sight of your fangs. I've always known what you are." "You knew I was a vampire." "Yes." "And yet your never said anything." "I knew before I saw you on that metro platform in Paris. You thought you were stalking me. I was stalking you." "I should have known. The chase felt different with you. But then, I've always been the predator." "It took years to track you down, a real living vampire." "Living?" "Undead. The better part of a decade I spent searching. I alm...

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“I Told You I'd Remember!” by Colin Devonshire

Submitted to Contest #76

“Beautiful day,” said Dr Pinkly. “I’m so glad you decided not to keep us inside today,” answered Pauline. “Sun shining, fresh air, what could be better?” he said. “I could name a few things,” she answered. “Please don’t think of this as part of your treatment. Relax and enjoy,” he said. “What? How can I think of it any other way? It’s not as if we could be mates, is it?” “My job is to make you feel better within yourself.” “And my job is to make you work for your money,” she laughed. They strolled on, bees were explor...

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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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