Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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

“The One That Got Away...Maybe?” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #76

The One That Got Away...Maybe? By Heather Ann Martinez “Well, hello.” “Oh, wow! I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you?” “I’m good, really good. How are you?” “I’m OK. Hey, how was your trip?” “You mean...?” “You know, back in college, you always said you wanted to go to Spain or Morocco.” “You mean Tibet. I always wanted to go to Tibet. Yeah, I did go to Tibet. I did see the Great Wall in China, and I did publish several photographs of the people I met there.” “Was it all that you hoped it would be? I remember you di...

Read story

“Misdial ” by Rin Smit

Submitted to Contest #76

“911. What is your emergency?” “Hey Mom, how’s the back treating you today? “Are you aware that you have called 911 for emergency services? “Yeah, Mom of course. You know you always told me that I was going to go through everything you did, so sometimes I just have a feeling you’re not doing okay.” “I see… Miss, I’m going to ask you series of yes or no questions so I may help you. are you in immediate danger?” “I’m not sure. You know me I’ve always loved dessert and I thought oh a slice here and there will be fine. But um... you kn...

Read story

“He said She said - The Unexpected Hour” by Yogendra Singh Rathore

Submitted to Contest #76

“Flowers check, Chocolates check, Wine check, Protection check check,” I checked myself before ringing the doorbell. “Hey, come in”, she said. She was wearing a knee-length emerald green voile dress along with the golden round earring that perfectly matched with her dimple on the left cheek and her long black hair. “Hi my Pumpkin”, I Said gifting flowers and chocolates and extending my arms to hug her but my wide-opened arm ended up hugging the air in her room, as she ran to the kitchen in a hurry on the sound of a cooker whistle. “I am maki...

Read story

“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...

Read story

“The Difference In Apple Pie” by Lizzy Stevens

Submitted to Contest #76

The Difference In Apple Pie Written by Lizzy Stevens and Steve Miller Dan and Mark were sitting in Dan’s living room drinking a couple beers. Dan glanced at Mark as he downed his can in one drink. “I can’t believe you are back in town. How long has it been?” Mark popped the top on his third one. “Too long, man. I moved away after we graduated and time has flown by since then.” Dan jumps up and starts putting his shoes on. “We have to celebrate you moving home and the fact you are starting your business tomorrow. Let’s go over to old ma...

Read story

“Deception” by Trixie Pereira

Submitted to Contest #76

“I’m done with you,” Samuel’s face was red from screaming. “Either we get couples counselling or we divorce.” “You will divorce me?” Gina threw back as tears streamed down her face. “After almost a decade together, you’re willing to throw it all away?” “Don’t turn this on me,” Samuel stepped closer to Gina, glaring down at her. “You knew I wanted kids. I always made it clear. And now what, you’re telling me you never wanted kids?” “I thought you’d change your mind,” Gina said, softer this time. She broke into sobs and covered her face. “You ...

Read story

“A Chronicle of Chroniker Confusion” by James Johnson

Submitted to Contest #76

“…and a whole lot of raisins!” I licked my lips in anticipation of the baked goods I had just ordered. Loved by few and hated by most, raisin cookies were one of my favorite snacks to devour on a cold winter day. I thanked the baker, Mr. Moreno, and began to walk home, careful not to slip on the ice since my ankle had been recently broken. There was very little snow on the ground, but the morning frost was lain thick; each ice crystal catching a ray of light and glinting off the one beside it. Breathing in the crisp air, I stopped and examin...

Read story

“The Journey of a Lifetime” by Jameela Van Der Schyff

Submitted to Contest #76

“Why don't you just read the instruction manual?” Clara insisted. “Perhaps if you won't be too busy with signal hunting, maybe we can find a way to pitch up this tent!” James and Clara had been in a relationship for almost 3 years and the arguments continued to occur over small disagreements.It had been on Clara's 23rd birthday that her loving boyfriend, James, planned to take her out camping for the weekend as he numerously mentioned that she needed to take a holiday. Although, she insisted that she was not in the mood for a holiday, she co...

Read story

“Connection Problems” by Alex Bornemann

Submitted to Contest #76

Tim signed on to Zoom and joined the chat turning first his audio on and then his video. He waited for his brother to sign on with sweating expectation. He had big news. Within a few seconds Tom signed on and was waving through a slightly pixelated frame. Tim figured he’d start with the traditional introduction. “Hey man!” He saw Tom wordlessly mouthing something. Oh god, it’s going to be one of those Zoom calls. “Your mic isn’t on. You’re on mute!” He saw motion too pixilated that he couldn’t make it out. His brother was only two years olde...

Read story

“I can’t say this!!” by Maria Batool

Submitted to Contest #76

Standing by the side of the pillar, spotting the lady standing by the bench, she was looking at her watch and then moving her eyes in all directions and trying to find the reason she was here for.Seeing that I thought “what would I say to her, why am I late??”. Well she is my best friend. I will tell her the truth that convincing my parents to allow me to come here took a bit of time. Walking through the crisp type air similar to the feelings that I was having, I reached to her , stood behind her like a statue for two to three minutes and th...

Read story

“the truth teller.” by Syeda Saaliha

Submitted to Contest #76

Giving up was never an option. The bright fluorescent lights glared back to life as the portable hospital bed was wheeled into the room. A petite brunette girl squinted as she looked up. Tears streamed down her bloody face and the mask that covered her face fogged up as she breathed. She kept sobbing which stopped her from breathing momentarily while the doctor told her to calm down. After a few minutes the doctors had hooked her up to an IV cord and the tube snaked under her blanket. That’s when she lost consciousness. This proba...

Read story

“Never a Liar” by Shelby Redmon

Submitted to Contest #76

“Remember, it's always better to tell the truth than to lie about anything, okay Jack.” My mom would always tell me anytime I would even think about lying, it's like she could read my mind.I would always give her the same dreadful answer. “Yes ma’am.”Yes, I have lost friends over that rule of my moms, but she would always tell me “A friend that is not honest is always a fake friend.” That also stuck with me, and ever since she died, I couldn’t, well… wouldn’t, tell a lie.Sure, people have taken advantage of me for it, but I’ve learned how to...

Read story

“Coffee Shop” by Ken Coomes

Submitted to Contest #76

“One venti caramel macchiato for Carol.” The barista called out as he sat A paper cup on the counter. A tall, stately woman stepped up to get her coffee, red ringlets framing her photogenic face, swinging to and fro with her stride. “Thank you.” Her contralto voice caressed the barista’s ear as she reached for her macchiato. A tall gentleman in a cashmere sport coat reached for the same cup. Their fingers touched, sending a tingle up his arm and a faint rosy color to her cheeks. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I thought that was mine.” He m...

Read story

“Bullet Proof” by HBR Patel

Submitted to Contest #76

'Are you sure?' James asked Rick. 'Yes, I won't speak even an alphabet. Just let me in,' saying this Rick, stood up from the chair in the meeting room. James was sitting on the opposite side of the mammoth oval table that was there for a purpose. James placed that table for a specific purpose: to intimidate the people on the other side of the table for better negotiation. Rick poured some water from the jug and gulped it in one go. Rick was cursed, in the modern era, with speaking the truth. However hard he tried to lie, his voice will...

Read story

“She's Hiding Horns” by Simona Erminaite

Submitted to Contest #76

“Tell me who you are!” demanded a tall man flashing a light straight into my eyes in this dark room. He was standing in the shadows at a safe distance from me. “Oh, but you see, you wouldn’t believe me even if I did,” I purred innocently. “Well, try me. You never know, people might surprise you sometimes,” assured the man in his deep voice. “Yet, why do I still have a feeling that you won’t be one of those people? Riiight, it’s the fifth time I’m here in this exact situation,” I mocked the man. I was staring right into his shadowy figure and...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢