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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

“Never Bright (Epilogue)” by Joseph Robinson

Submitted to Contest #76

Epilogue “You just died!” I roared at Rick who smiled at me carelessly. “If it wasn’t for a miracle, you’d still be dead!” Rick’s room threw me off with how normal it was for a prince. The walls were painted blue and the carpet was eggshell white. He had posters of rock bands and movie stars plaster on every wall. “I’m alright, Naveen. I told you already, I’m not throwing in the towel until you and I tie the knot,” Rick chuckled his hair matted on his forehead and his checks flushed red. “Damn it, Rick!” I grabbed the collar of his black...

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“thief” by Arathi Raghuveer

Submitted to Contest #76

“Paul, it’s so scary, do you really think he will turn up again,” Sheena fumbled with a faint voice.”Don’t worry dear he will not do any harm to us “. “He is just a stray who barges into the household to steal food”. “I hope you are right” Sheena murmured. “I am feeling so sleepy, but I cannot close my eyelids because of this stray thief”. “What on earth are we doing, he has escaped in stealth in other household, but today we won’t let him escape”. “Hmm, it’s would be a real relief for everyone around” exclaimed Sheena. “Do you remember th...

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“Forgive & forget” by Lynne Buttercase

Submitted to Contest #76

“What?” Evelyn’s question was abrupt. Her eyes snapped to Michelle’s face momentarily before drifting back to study her hands. “What did he do?” said Michelle. “… Mum? What did he do?.” Her tone was patient and calm but her eyes belied weariness. Evelyn concentrated on the button on her cardigan. “Mum… ?” “I told you.” Michelle sighed. “I told you what he did.” said Evelyn. “He… but he was a good man… a handsome man.” Her eyes twinkled as she imagined his face. Her trembling lips straightened into a warm smile. “Yes! He was handsome. Oh I re...

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“THE WITNESS BY CHANCE” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #76

THE WITNESS BY CHANCE Charlie, holding his cap, which he has taken off his head, in one hand, was smoothing with the other the hood of the yellow Maserati with a black roof, and in the meantime he was keeping an eye on the door of the bar , at some meters from him, waiting for that man coming out. “ Oh, sooner or later he will have to go out “ Charlie was saying to himself. He had been waiting for more than an hour, when that man____Oh, his man, Charlie believed hopeful___came out of the...

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“letting the truths go” by Majestic Writes

Submitted to Contest #76

"Hey, Crystal. Do you like the cake that I gave you?" my sweet best friend asked. I smiled and I was about to answer when my mouth automatically says.. "Actually, it's not even delicious. Baking is simple but you're really bad at it, Lina." I bit my lower lip, I was about to say that it's 'not that great but I really appreciate it' Lina smiled but I can still see the disappointment in her eyes because of my remarks. Lina is a sweet type of girl and also vulnerable so as much as I want to filter my word, I really can't. "Crystal! ...

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“Being Lisa” by Scarlet Scribe

Submitted to Contest #76

Lisa sat behind her desk as she did every day. Her desk chair was set to a higher setting so her feet do not reach the floor because if the chair was any lower it would be impossible for her to use the computer keyboard for her data entry tasks. Her arms would be too low to comfortably rest on the desk while she typed. Even now her arms carried indentations from the edge of the desktop and it caused her forearms to ache., As she lowered her arms to her sides for a much needed rest, her thoughts were on things she would say to her boss the ne...

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“What a time to be alive” by Sara Blanch

Submitted to Contest #76

I hated my job, I hated my abilities yet most of all I hated the people that exploited my heritage. Yes, I was one of the last living members of the Tridont tribe with enough pure DNA to have the ability that my ancestors were so famous for...we could not lie, we could not deceive, even if it was for the best. Over the last 5000 years or so , the original founding Elvish Tribes had become diluted and mixed as Elves married into other tribes or even ran off with humans, Fae or dwarfs. For an Elf such as myself to have enough pureblood left in...

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“Weird thoughts are driving me crazy” by Phil Manders

Submitted to Contest #76

“I sometimes get weird thoughts.” Shannon forced the gear box into fourth making it scream in pain. She glanced at her passenger, who fixed his gaze straight ahead without moving a muscle. “I can’t hide it and I’m not going to lie to you. I sometimes get weird thoughts when I’m driving . . . It doesn’t happen all the time, but when I get them they are really strong. I have to fight hard not to give in to them.” Colin stared straight ahead. He opened the glove box and rummaged around for his bag of humbugs. “I get weird thoughts too. It doesn...

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“The Whole Truth” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #76

“Do you, Andrew Q. Jones, promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”“I do so swear. It is important to me.”Andrew Q. Jones is a key witness for the prosecution in a trial concerning a murder that took place late on a Saturday night, in a back alley behind a local bar, where he, the accused, and the victim had all been drinking quite a bit. It was a small town, so all three were well-known to many, and the murder was the talk of the town. It had been a long time since such an exampl...

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“ Cat got your Tongue? ” by Dennis Sigler

Submitted to Contest #76

Pierre and Monique were quite renowned in Paris when eet came to their secret nighttime activities. They were cat-burglars and did quite well at their trade. Monique loved diamonds, and Pierre could not steel enough for her. He adored mon Cheri. And he was her diamond-in-ze-rough. Pierre was built like a weasel and zhust as cunning. There was no building that was Pierre-proof, no matter how high. Nor was there a fire...

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“Bird Brained” by Sᴇᴀ Ғᴇʟɪᴢ

Submitted to Contest #76

“Did you know–”‘Why do all his sentences have to start with ‘did you know’?’ Mrs. Miller wondered.“Did you know there’s a part of your brain that means you can lie?”Mrs. Miller had just been passing through her lounge room when her son had stopped her to ask this. She had a pile of folded washing in her arms and she looked down at him, sitting in her armchair in front of the television, looking up at her with marked eagerness. The TV was playing some sort of scientific documentary; no surprise to her. She sighed. Jeff was only six. Her other...

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“Between the limes.” by Correen Robinson

Submitted to Contest #76

It was a dropped paper, malfunctioning printer, chicken soup coloured day. The light shining through the windows wasn't trying very hard at all to illuminate anything and the patrons of Lime n Wine bar didn't seem to be at all bothered by this. They enjoyed the cosiness of the lamps dotted around the place which hid their finer features. The small bar had a limited clientele at the best of times, this wasn't among them. Over in the far-right corner was Rob with a face mask around the wrist of his left arm, a pint of lager in his right hand...

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“Just a Massive Dog” by Claudio Murgia

Submitted to Contest #76

I know what she wants, but she will not get it that easily. ‘I have met this guy, but I don’t know. I can see he likes me, but I don’t know,’ she says as nonchalantly as possible. But I know she wants me to envy her, because boys only seem to fuck me and I have just split up with my boyfriend (A twat, not a great loss, but you know). She is so easy to read. ‘Good for you,’ I say, barely holding my sarcasm. Just to hide my thoughts better, I throw in a smile. I suddenly hope I have some food between my teeth. ‘Thank you,’ she says, bea...

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“Coffee and Karma” by Dan Willmot

Submitted to Contest #76

Whinstons coffee shop had seen a great many schemes hatched under its roof. Quaint and unsuspecting, the single-floor building had provided the perfect place to talk over delicate matters without suspicion. In the faint glow of the shop's retro lighting, everything from arson to assassination had been discussed, planned, and dealt with under the guise of a friendly chat over a cuppa. Sitting tensely in the high-backed chair hunched over an empty mug, the young man, more like a boy really, mulled this over. Where he sat this very second, a h...

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“The Heart's Prophecy” by Andrea An

Submitted to Contest #76

“Your Majesty,” In the periphery of her vision, Ilyana saw a man bow. She didn’t look at him. “Isn’t the moon beautiful?” She mused. The man stood straight in his spot. “Please, have a seat,” she said, indicating on the empty seat across from her. The man did not move, “You called for me, Your Majesty?” She turned in her seat to see the man dressed in a black crisp suit. She smiled at him, “Damien, please, let’s drop the formality. It’s a nice evening, after all.” She turned and leaned back to her chair, “Things have finally calmed dow...

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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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