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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

“Make Today Different (and Other Lies I Tell Myself)” by Em Chapman

Submitted to Contest #76

Guys like us are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place.Of Mice and Men. Mandatory reading for English class. I may not work on a ranch and I may have two living parents, but I understand it. I don't belong anywhere. Where is the place for people with severe social anxiety, who shudder at the thought of ordering a coffee? It'd be a quiet place, and there are no quiet places for Angelo Green.Make today different. That's my motto, and I repeat it to myself every day in the mirror. And then I go to schoo...

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“Accusations” by Betsy Remington☕

Submitted to Contest #76

Shawn McHenry gazed into the mirror as he straightened his navy blue tie, the miniature white stars appeared to be small polka dots. He ran his tongue over his teeth and his fingers through his sandy hair. “Four-score and seven years ago,” he practiced in the mirror and shook his head. “My fellow Americans,” he started again. He nodded as he felt the importance of the tone. What had Bill Clinton said when he was in this situation twenty years ago? “I am in love with my wife Vanessa and would never do anything to cause...

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“The Desi Blog- #Night Life” by A T

Submitted to Contest #76

Yeah, hi. I am Tara Trivedi, hailing from the steel city of Bhilai, Chhattisgarh- a small town nestled in kind of middle of the country India.You guys probably know India as that country which has a lot of population and pollution and poverty- the three Ps that stress out everybody.Well, guess what? There’s more than that to India.It has a rich history what with Indus civilization, and it is proud to say that its inhabitants, unlike Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece’s inhabitants- have been able to conserve their traditions while also remaining ...

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“If Only They Would Listen” by CM Jewell

Submitted to Contest #76

Isabel was a quiet girl. It was not uncommon to find her sitting alone under a tree in the park, reading a good book, or watching people from afar. Watching people really was her favorite hobby. She could catch a glimpse of their lives without actually being a part of it, a silent observer. She had tried before to do the unthinkable, to talk to someone up close, but her words were always absorbed, lost in the words of others. Some said she didn’t talk loud enough, that it was her own fault. But if only they would listen, she could be heard.&...

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“The Words Left Unsaid” by Julia Julia.lawson0401@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #76

Content warning: suicide, rape "I was staring into the mirror. Looking at my long blonde hair. Looking at my hazel eyes. I looked like an innocent doe. My eyes looked so round and wondering. Then I looked down. I saw the cuts on my forearm. I looked back up into the mirror, and I saw my seemingly innocent eyes, and I began to yell, 'It wasn't your fault! You didn't deserve it!' Then I heard my mom banging on the locked door. She was yelling too, but I can't remember what she said. The next thing I do remember was my hand gushing blood, and g...

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“The Subtle Poet” by Michelle Andrews

Submitted to Contest #76

A fresh breeze of wind passes by and I observed all the children are celebrating. As for me, a bright pair of tennis shoes and summer wear, courtesy from my Grandmother. This was a rejoicing occasion for celebrating too. Happiness overwhelms me, but gloom overcomes me again. The day appears to be bright, but what is missing my parents.I sat on the porch lost in my thoughts and waiting for that special phone call, only to hear the sounds of music blasting from the neighbors down the street.I too desired a ”ghetto blaster” this is what the hug...

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“The Grocery Clerk” by Sandra Fergins

Submitted to Contest #76

I have arrived at work for another day of being a cashier. There are certain aspects of my job I truly enjoy but then again here comes Mrs. Highsmith to my checkout stand. She always lets her kids open the chips eat them and hide the bag before paying. Today I am going to tell her its company policy to pay for all goods before consumption. Hi Mrs. Highsmith. Hello Sandra. Steph sit down. Roger leave your sister alone. Margie get out from under the basket immediately. Did you hear me Margie? Don't make me call your name again. Mrs. Highsmith ...

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“The Self We Share” by Samia Bilal Muhammad Bilal

Submitted to Contest #76

“Why you always run from these types of cases “Ayesha said Malan. “No, I don’t.” facing towards the window he said.“You do, I always ignore, but this time.” she paused for a second, “your eyes are telling me the truth, and I am with the depth of……..” “For GOD sake…… please stop it”. He didn’t turn his face towards her, he couldn...

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“Silently Talking” by Katie Moyes

Submitted to Contest #76

Maribel listened intently to the radio as she finished washing the dishes, “As Superman races to stop the bomb, will he be in time to save Lois? Tune in next week to find out” she sighed, wishing her life was full of supermans and heroes in capes. In her preoccupied state, a dish slipped as she halfheartedly wiped it with a towel. The smash of the porcelain on linoleum brought her back to the present. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no'' She tutted to herself, fearful of what Jim would say about this when he got home. Gingerly, she cleaned up th...

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“Wednesday night.” by A M

Submitted to Contest #76

Content warning: abuse The steady flashing of the police lights are etched into her vision, burning like the after-glow of a sunset through her closed lids. Elena could still feel the bite of the paramedic’s ice pack on her raw skin, could still hear the doubt in the police officer’s question as he asked her if she was sure she felt comfortable sleeping at home. It had been hours since the cops had left. Elena lay in bed, listening to the rhythmic sound of her sons’ breathing as they slept in the makeshift cot on the floor. They...

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“Wordless thoughts” by Farah Naime

Submitted to Contest #76

I wake up with my heart beating fast, I look at my mobile, four am, of course it is. I turn my pillow for it to be colder, but no matter how many times I turn, I cannot fall asleep, I can’t stop thinking about what I have to say to Joanne, tomorrow-no, today I tell her how I feel, after years of being too much of a nervous coward, I’ve set my mind into it; and let’s not start with the dreaded conversation with my parents who have always found such comfort in our geographical closeness, but after the Paris Galler...

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“Smallest minds” by Naudia White (Student)

Submitted to Contest #76

Once, there was a girl named Madison. She was always scared to say how she felt. She always felt sad and frustrated because her mom never listened to her. Ever since her dad died Madison's mom wanted her daughter to live her dream, since she couldn't because her husband died from a gun shot. Madison's dad Bill, was walking from the store and was shot. She would try to tell her mom she didn't want to live her dream. She wanted to live ...

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“The Boy, The Bitch, and The Buzz” by Alisia Hassler

Submitted to Contest #76

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s over.” I feel the blood rush to my cheeks and my hands start to tremble. I’m not embarrassed or sad or whatever petty emotion I’m sure he expects me to feel. I am enraged. My fists curl to stop the shaking, and I start to calculate what I will say to this asshole. This must be your sad attempt at a joke. I think of responding. You are breaking up with me? You, who cheated on me not once, not twice, but nine times with...

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“Caramel” by Chris D

Submitted to Contest #76

All of this running is bad for her diet. It should be her feet running, not her thoughts, speeding through her head that she can only slow with caramels when she opens her mouth to say things that she shouldn't. Sure, she could be stuffing her face with other things, like yet another salad, or even an apple, but her pockets are practically non-existent, and it's not like she is going to start carrying around a purse full of Tupperware, just so she can crack open a dish of boiled potatoes and avoid the question. The clerk at the store frowns ...

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“Time” by Jennifer Hansley

Submitted to Contest #76

“I’m going to do it this time.” I said to myself. Being a writer led to a hermit lifestyle. When I realized I was withdrawing from society, I applied to the local newspaper. It’s a tiny thing, hardly a window in the building. When I was handed an application, I stared at the blank spaces, desiring to represent myself well but having nothing to say. Life was blowing by me while I huddled in a blanket and created worlds which did not exist. I could lie, but I did not do that sort of thing. I could phone in...

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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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