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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

“Bogsey Upstream” by Matthew Eubanks

Submitted to Contest #76

Bogsey had the accident when he was twelve. His dad, Donnie, was teaching him to drive which sounds like a terrible idea, for a twelve year old. But in deep red Oklahoma farm country, sometimes normal people did do that. They sat their kids on their lap and let them turn the steering wheel on country roads. Hill Valley was full of roads like that where you might not see anybody else for an hour and even then they were likely to recognize your car and wave and move out of the way in a big cloud of gravel dust.He was an ugly kid. Nobody ...

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“THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH...” by Jack Horne

Submitted to Contest #76

Shaun stood on tiptoe and peered through the window. Through the grime, he could see The Three Lions was quiet that night. Quieter than it had been a month ago, when prices went up the first time. And quieter than it had been a week ago, when prices went up again. Ah, there was Roger at the bar. Shaun wiped the window and saw more of the scene. Roger took his change, nodded to the ghoul-like landlord and carried the drinks back to the table by the door. He walked slowly, very slowly, careful not to spill any – no, he wouldn’t want to wa...

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“Precious” by Brooke G

Submitted to Contest #76

"Are they the ones who killed my brother?"When Daisy didn't get an answer, she glanced to her left. Her companion, an android named Clyde, stood in the shadow of the trees. His frown couldn't have gotten any deeper. It was the same expression her brother sometimes gave her. Daisy twisted her hands around the metal bat she was carrying. "If you don't answer, I'll assume it's a yes. And if you're wrong, whatever I do to them will be your fault.""Yes, it's them," Clyde said."All four of them?"He clenched his jaw. Eventually he settled for a nod...

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“At last !!!” by S Afrose

Submitted to Contest #76

Lara--- I'm tired .I can't hold this bitter lie anymore. Can you plz help me to say all? Wait! Lara, you can't speak this. It can make a drastic change. This is not a golden time to say all. Lara is silent and shed tears of hidden pains. Lara walks at sea shorelines. Wow! Sun says goodbye. "I accept all by core of heart. Not a single word of sadness is expressed. I'm searching serenity and this sunset with collaboration of sea shorelines gives me that." Her life started as a transition. She was a service holde...

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“blurry lines” by Claudia Anne

Submitted to Contest #76

whats the line between friendship or something more?She felt so radiant, so happy and head over heels but the fear, fear of losing this, losing him, made her choke. Choke on her words, on moving further forward, on defining what this was.This. This weird friendship, that seemed to blur into something more. Drunken kisses, showing up to her lectures, wrapping her tight in his hoodies, commenting on what music she was listening to, inviting her over in the middle of the night to play wii and curl up together on the couch. To bring her cups of ...

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“Unspoken words” by Eli Smith

Submitted to Contest #76

Beth dragged the bulging bag outside enraged. You would think after 20 years of marriage her husband would get the hint about his responsibilities around the home. You would think that friendly reminders would do the trick. You would think that circling the days of garbage pick up on the fridge calendar would jog his memory. Well, think again. “He’s just so dense.” Beth muttered to herself when all the recycling and garbage was neatly put to the curb. She slammed the front door behind her and stalked into the brightly lit ki...

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“Beguiled” by Floraine Thwin

Submitted to Contest #76

Beguiled There was a son named Richard in Baron Family in New Jersey, US. He was the only child for his parents. That’s the reason why his mother and father was give all they have to him for raising him up all those years. His father was the governor at there and everyone who lived there was trust and faithful over his father because he was an honest person. He did lie and cheat the money and steal the family’s one for his own ...

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“A Clandestine Meeting” by Lucy Suarez

Submitted to Contest #76

In the warm glow of the afternoon sun, a lean, hooded figure stood silhouetted in the doorway of Café d'Emilio, the classy hideaway for the wealthier denizens of the city. The lunch hour had passed already, so the place was fairly empty, save for a handful of patrons, lost in their own vices. A half-hidden face briefly scanned the room before locking onto a middle-aged woman clad in deep blue and gold, seated in the farthest corner of the room. The figure strode confidently over to the table and took a seat. The woman seemed indifferent to t...

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“Loved By You” by Sarah Rose

Submitted to Contest #76

She’s not here. He didn’t know what he was meant to feel at that revelation. He’d been stoically standing at the edge of the sparkling ballroom for what felt like an interminable time, searching for a glimpse of her face. Keeping a firm hold on his polite mask of indifference he fought the urge to leave as the ton continued to pour in all decked out in their bejeweled, glittering glory. James Masters, Marquess of Stonebrook hated each and every one of them in that moment. For, none of them was Sophia. Sophia Wellington’s head begin to pou...

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“So, What? Despite Both Of Us Being Anime Fans I Will (Not) Be Able To Confess To Her!” by Florian Wolf

Submitted to Contest #76

Breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out. "I have no relation to doubts". He tries to motivate himself and slaps his cheeks to focus on what he is going to. He pulls his sleeves up to complete his look of how a man looks like who can do what he actually doesn't want to do.Straight like a Sam Spade line he moves towards her classroom. He clears his throat to get the necessary attention for his entry. With one big hand movement the classroom door opens - no! - it crashes against the door frame."Yo, hello", he sa...

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“When I saw them on that first of January” by Sun Phatsakon Santamaria Torres

Submitted to Contest #76

“When I saw them smiling like that on that first of January, our first New Year together, with their face all painted and the most amazing laugh I have ever heard, just made my heart understand something stupidly obvious, that I am now unable to deny.” I read his paper without permission, his fault for leaving it all wide in the open, he’ll still get mad though. . . So, who is he talking about? On New Year’s Eve, we all went to the beach together. . . and last year he went with his friends so they are out, then there was me and Mayson with o...

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“Emerald Crow” by Charlotte Bedford

Submitted to Contest #76

Trigger warning: stalking, murder I had to say something. It was the politest thing to do. I needed to at least give them words of kindness and sympathy. I had been thinking about them all day. What would I say? How would they react? I wanted to have it all rehearsed before it was executed. I was going into the supermarket when I first thought of an idea, I was leaning down to pick up a corkscrew when it popped into my brilliant mind. The corkscrew had a dazzling emerald encrusted on the gold top. This was a fitting gift. I would present her...

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“WHEN WORDS FAIL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #76

Shortening his name resulted in his being commonly known as Nero. He was about 45, was dark, but had a smiling face. He was a businessman and was quite prosperous. He had set apart a portion of his profits to be given to charity. Unlike others of his ilk, he did not live a cloistered life. He was available to all. He was concerned about welfare of people. Take for instance the case of his milk delivery man. He had met with an accident while on his way doing his job and was injured. Hearing about it Nero visited his home and helped his wife a...

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“till the day I say” by Ashir Butt

Submitted to Contest #76

“Maybe I should say that you are the only thing that matters” Andrew thought as he brushed his teeth “Or maybe I should say that you are the sunshine of my life and I will go to an eternal darkness without you” As always he was in the deep sea of his seemingly never ending thoughts that always arise with the question what should I say?He was done brushing his teeth so he started walking towards his bed. He feared that this time would be like the time when he had to tell Caroline (his 10th grade girlfriend) that he is gay. He thought that he ...

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“These Lips Will Never Tell” by Leigh Elasc

Submitted to Contest #76

“You have beautiful hair, Cece.” For once, the words felt like prisoners desperate to come out of my mouth. I can feel my lips moving slightly as I tried to repeat and repeat and repeat everything there is to say in my mind. “Cece, why are you so tardy?” Perhaps, that isn’t a nice thing to say but she needs to know somehow, doesn’t she? Somebody needs to tell her one more late time and she’s out, don’t they? “Cece, you’re tardy and I hate tardy people but damn, you are one piece of special gem.” Awkward but necessary. I can feel t...

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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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