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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

“Promises and Priorities” by Paula Burke

Submitted to Contest #76

“I get it. You don’t want me to sing in the choir,” he said. “No, you don’t get it. I don’t mind that you joined the choir. If you recall, I’m the one who suggested it,” she replied. “Then tell me what you’re complaining about—please.” She took a deep breath and continued, “You just...

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“Glitch” by Chris D

Submitted to Contest #76

He's gotten to this point in his life, slumped over on a park bench, wishing he could stop sticking his feet in his mouth as if they were candy. Tact is an art he wishes he could perfect, instead of sending girlfriends, well, ex-girlfriends, into a tizzy. It's not his fault when they ask if their dress makes them look fat. It made her look like someone had gotten a bit too excited filling the sausage casing at the factory. He hadn't meant to admit that out loud. He never did. It had plagued him all of his life, since he could form coherent t...

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“Background Character” by Ina Ma

Submitted to Contest #76

It was another cliche morning out of a book, the despondent gray clouds hung over the city like a cloak, like straight out of a true-crime novel, which was odd since it wasn’t my genre. I rushed down the street, my heavy woolen coat feeling five times heavier than usual as it absorbed the moisture that invaded the air, hand clasped around my plain brown briefcase, standard issue. My first stop was the coffee shop, and I gave my order to the man who was there, every day, every time. As I stood in the line I was knocked off balance when som...

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“Take it or Leave it” by Judy Kanyoko

Submitted to Contest #76

"Sir, Mr. Yami is ready for you," said the receptionist amidst the loud slurping sounds of chewing gum as she led him towards a narrow corridor to the left. She opened a blue wooden door to the right of the corridor and held it until he walked in, then slowly closed the door behind him."Mr. Yami, nice to meet you. My name is Robin Shama," he said extending his hand to greet the short, pot bellied man. Mr. Yami was just biting off the last grains of maize from the cob before he opened the window behind him to throw the cob outside. Shama had ...

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“Cassandra, Princess of Troy” by Jamila M

Submitted to Contest #76

Cacophonous sounds of terror pierced the air. An orchestra of chaos wreaked havoc all around. Curdling screams, obscene battle cries intertwined with the shrill clanging of swords and the striking of arrows as they hit their targets. Horses pained brays’ go unnoticed as champions force their chariots to ride through the fray. Blood soaked the earth, the blood of enemies, the blood of allies and the blood of innocents. Bodies littered the floor, the preponderance of them lay in the most perturbing positions and disgusting places. The fight ha...

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“Honest Dave” by Caleb Goehring

Submitted to Contest #76

Dave felt like a giddy kid trying out a new toy. And also like someone coming out of the dressing room to ask “does this fit?” At the same time, he felt like he had found the lost key to a locked room. He wiped layers of dust off of his latest find. Geez, this was from eight years ago, when I first started out. No wonder it didn’t work, he thought. He lugged the contraption out of the storage closet and dumped it on the table. He held back a sneeze. “HD-7, scan,” Dave said. “SCANNING,” answered the little robotic being on the tab...

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“The Pinocchio Syndrome and Me” by Zaynah Chummun

Submitted to Contest #76

Have you ever heard of the ‘Pinocchio syndrome’? Because somehow, I feel like it has made my life a living hell. My name is Dino Gorden, a final year student in Journalism, aspiring to become one of the most successful and famous reporters in the world– a dream I have been harbouring since childhood. Since you are expected to communicate only truthful information in this field, I have always despised anything related to lies and with that being said, I’m also unable to tell even the smallest lie possible. What comes from my mouth should be t...

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“A One Shot” by A Mehendale

Submitted to Contest #76

Her knuckles are white against the dark rubber handlebars. It’s an effort just to relax her grip as she brings the bike to a stop. She’s hunched over, gun holstered at her waist. It’s grip digs into her side; she straightens to ease the pressure. Leg up, kickstand down. She tilts the bike sideways until it stands stable, plants her left foot on the ground, and swings her other leg over the seat, dismounting.Hands come up to her face. She pulls off the helmet - a lingering remnant of a time now gone. Her hair is lying flat against her skull -...

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“The Price of Truth” by Troy Lane

Submitted to Contest #76

Eleven-year-old James sat outside the principal’s office, eyes down and fiddling with his fingers. He could hear the muffled conversation behind the door but couldn’t make out the words, surely that was for the best. But his mind was imagining the worse. What was taking Dad so long? The office door clicked open, James didn’t want to look but he had to, Mark was his best friend. Their eyes met briefly, James saw it. The hurt, disappointment, anger and betrayal in Mark’s eyes. Mark glared at James as he rushed by to the seat farthest away. Fin...

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“Absolution” by George Davis

Submitted to Contest #76

Absolution—George Davis It seems to me, Charlie Bascomb could take a few lessons on listening to someone else for a change. He always has to get his opinion into every conversation. It is my considered opinion. Charlie is in love with Charlie. I’m forever forced to listen to Charlie spout off. He is a staunch Democrat. In his own words, he is a free-thinker. I’m not opposed to listening to him run off at the mouth about everything. However, I am opposed to the fact he doesn’t let me, or anyone else, have a co...

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“You Would Need Ogre Milk” by Jarrel Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #76

Stephanie heard the distant sound of angry voices gradually growing. Worried, she walked into the kitchen to check on her husband. “So…” she began with a hint of precaution in her tone, “you seem to be really fond of that baby ogre, huh? I didn’t know you had time to buy it little baby clothes.” &nb...

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“Farewell” by Joy Andersen

Submitted to Contest #76

Sunlight filled the air around them, flowing smooth and soft like a song. All the greens and browns of the tree they were in were tinged with gold, as if, at least to their view, the whole world was bathed in warmth. The leaves around them bobbed happily at the mild whims of the wind, barely being nudged out of place before returning with a little swoop. It was that time in the early evening when the insects had come out, when the air was that perfect temperature, sliding smoothly between day and night. That time when inspiration come...

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“Ready? Set! Okay. ” by Breanna Barber

Submitted to Contest #76

“Just say it!” Leanna exclaims as she slams the refrigerator door shut. “Say what!?” Jake yells back as he runs down the stairs, still buttoning his short sleeved black cotton shirt. “Say it.” He finds her in the kitchen and folds his arms across his chest. He leans against the doorway to the kitchen, watching her hold on tightly to a carton of eggs. “What are you doing with those?” He asks as he stares more at the eggs than he does at her, which infuriates her even more. Leanna puts down the carton on the table, open...

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“The Game We Play” by K Lewis

Submitted to Contest #76

“So.” “So.” “This is the end then.” “Apparently so.” His fists clench and unclench as we look over the castle balcony at the armies preparing to fight. “Not sure I see the fuss, myself,” I say lightly. “Seems like a silly thing to get excited over.” Orvyn looks at me. His lips quirk at the familiar game; his hands freeze on unclench. “Yeah,” he says. “It’s not like red moons are rare or anything. What’s this one? Third in recorded history? It’s basically mundane now.” I smirk. “We could tell the diviners if we get a chance. Perhaps someone ...

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“Complications” by Kaitlyn Demetro

Submitted to Contest #76

The words of the doctor lingered in the space between the booths, dusting the air around them and settling amongst the cooling coffee mug and bread plate in Phil’s Diner. Johnny Cash sang through the jukebox in the far corner. The lexis of Ring of Fire played out of tune with the doctor’s. “Your uterus is expanding and causing your cramps. There is no reason to worry. The baby is fine.” No reason to worry, no reason to worry. Annie repeated the lines in her head, letting them spin in rhythm with the straw she was twirling in her milksha...

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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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