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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

“Write a Story told exclusively through dialogue- He said ; She Said” by Priyanka Jaiswal

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hey! Waiting for somebody?“ he said. Looking up a little shocked, she ran her eyes here and there in the empty coffee shop. In a state of confusion, she said” Talking to me?” “Yes Gorgeous,” he said “Of course, I am waiting for somebody, so if you could please excuse me “, she said a little irritated. “If you don’t mind, can I accompany you till that somebody arrives?” he said smiling widely. “No, I like waiting alone?” she said with finality in her tone trying to dismiss him. “That’s rude, such a beautiful face deserves a...

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“I'm not him.” by Jackie McKenzie

Submitted to Contest #76

"I know it's only our third date, but I have a good feeling about this," you said. "I do too," I said. "But it's still early days." "I like you," you said. "I like you too," I said. "I really like you," you said. "I really like you too," I said. "I suppose it's too soon to ask if you want to come back to mine tonight," you said. "It is," I said. "I'm not quite ready for that. We have time." "Of course we have, and I know you're going to be worth waiting for," you said. "Thank you. I appreciate that. No need to rush things," I said. "You're r...

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“To Un-Sandpaper the Universe” by Maximillian Driks

Submitted to Contest #76

"This world is full of imperfection; like a block of wood that has been sanded too much. If only I could rid the world of its faults and create a perfect world in its stead. That is what this dimension needs: someone to un-sandpaper the universe." "Uh, what?" "What?" "Oh, sorry. It's just-" "Just what?" "That's kind of a weird way to start a conversation, you know?" "Right, right. I suppose you are right." "Like, normally on a date, you're supposed to ask questions to get to know each other better. And then, you talk a little about yourself....

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“The Events in Lab B” by Timothy Lawver

Submitted to Contest #76

“And thus we see…Hang on. Is the, um, the thingy recording?” “Yeah, for like the fourth time, if the red light is on, it’s recording.” “So, sue me. I’m a little nervous. There is a fair amount of precedent to be set and scientific foundation to be built in such an auspicious moment.” “Right. Cause the town drunk said this giant cocoon came from a pulsating rock that fell from the sky, and totally isn’t a prop from a bad B movie.” “Great. Just great. Now that’s on record. Barbara, if you can’t take this seri...

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“Mad Love” by وداد أكرم

Submitted to Contest #76

Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault Mad Love Chapitre 1 " Is it reasonable to leave her on the wedding platform and in front of the priest without any justification " Mary . " That degenerate, I'll find him and kill him. he made my family a laughing stock among the people in the community " Locas. " That's really awful, I can't stop crying" Mary . "I really hope Amanda Wakes up from her coma, she was very shocked" Lucas . " Look, it's Rosa and Jeffrey . they ca...

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“Chatroom To Hanging” by Marian Reiley

Submitted to Contest #76

Deez_guns21: What up party people?! Lolz14: Yeet! Lets get this New Year started off right! Marzipan_F13nd: Woot! FoxyLuv18: Only one way to celebrate! I wanna get some hot lip action and maybe something else! If you know what I mean! ; ) Deez_guns21: Aww yeah! Wait, I'm only into chicks. FoxyLuv18, you a chick? FoxyLuv18: Hellz yeah! Marzipan_F13nd: Bro! This chat just got real! Please nobody start sending dick pics! If my mom walks in here and sees that shiz I'ma gonna be grounded for life! Lolz14: For realzy Foxy and Guns ke...

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“Ex Machina” by Pedro Henrique Barros

Submitted to Contest #76

"Hey, who are you?" -It’s someone there? "Hi, sorry to barge in." -No problem, I’ve stayed in here for so long that I can’t even recall how it is to have someone to talk to. Are you real? "I am, at least I think I am. I can create thoughts, if that’s what you are wondering. Any other definition I’m afraid it’s beyond my knowledge." -How can you communicate with me? "I simply feel the things I want to convey to you, and sense back the things you are thinking." -I see, so it’s kind of like a— "A flow, yeah." -… “So, what ar...

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“What's On My Mind” by Sprite Akuma

Submitted to Contest #76

“So, what’s on your mind today?” “I don’t know. My brain is a mixture of thoughts, feelings, and worries that constantly tries to cripple me. My mind is filled with anxiety and it doesn’t go away. Distraction only works for a short while. Otherwise, I am plagued with intrusive thoughts and feelings every single day. My brain takes advantage of my emetophobia and makes me nauseous every time I try to do something it doesn’t want me to do. I hate feeling that way and I get scared when that happens. It forces me to retreat and wait for the f...

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“Harried Hearts” by Seyna Elizabeth

Submitted to Contest #76

Eden Bellegarde: We can’t just leave them here. Celeste Levesque: Of course, we can’t! But what are we supposed to do? Eden: Uh… Celeste: Exactly! You’re supposed to be the shining star and you’re just as fucking clueless—ugh whatever. Just— Eden: No! What the fuck were you going to say? Is this about— Celeste: I said to fucking forget it, okay? We have bigger issues right now. Eden: Right… the bunnies. Any ideas? Celeste: Only one, really. Eden: Wanna share with the rest of us? Celeste: You can be really annoying, you know that? Eden: Yea...

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“Tree” by Jordan Javier

Submitted to Contest #76

“We are so dead.” “Oh lighten up will you. We had fun right?” “My Dad is so going to kill me.” “Oh please, the damage will buff right out.” “I don’t think the whole front of the truck being smashed against a tree is something that will buff right out Hester.” “You just aren’t trying hard enough. The crash was pretty fun huh?” “You trashed my Dad’s truck.” “Well I had fun.” “How can you even think about doing your makeup at a time like this?” “Would you lighten up Sammy? Town is not too far from here.” “Okay I’m going to i...

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“Eli Dies Twice” by Maya V

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hey, check this out.”“That’s definitely not edible.”“Oh, Eli. What do you even know,” I scoffed.“I know not to eat random things in the forest, especially when there’s weird growths on it.”“I never even said I was planning on eating it. Besides, those weird growths could just be more food?”“No. And I know you were thinking about eating it.”“Okay, whatever.”“I know you’re running low on food, but there has to be something else to eat around here.”“I don’t know, Eli. If you’re right about the weird growths on those mushrooms—”“I’m always righ...

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“Indigo ” by Daniel Kamwi

Submitted to Contest #76

“A dream?”“Nightmare.”“But if you can’t remember it then how do you know that it’s a nightmare?”“Because when I wake, the memory fades but the terror stays. It lingers with me. Clawing at my chest. An inescapable quiet torment that leaves my body shivering and drenched in sweat. Leaving no memory of my tormentor. Leaving nothing but a single word.”“What word?”“Indigo!”“As in the color?”“I don’t know. That’s why I’m here.”“I get the feeling you aren’t telling me everything. I think you know or at least have some idea what must be causing thes...

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“Skeleton crew” by Nikolai Nikolov

Submitted to Contest #76

“You’ve got something on your collarbone.” “Where?" “Just there, on your collarbone.” “Well, help me get it then, you know I can’t feel anything with these fingers.” “I’m drivin’ right now, so I’ll get it when we stop.” “Now, I feel dirty. How much longer?” “What’d you mean dirty? You're in a simulation, wearing a bone-suit to boot.” “Heh, to boot. Why does no one say that more often? To boot.” “Probably cause no one remembers they can. I think I’ve only heard it in movies or TV shows.” “Well, someone needs to bring it back. It sounds really...

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“r&j” by YMK -

Submitted to Contest #76

After a long silence. “What’s your favourite memory of us together?” “That’s an easy one. When you brought me home with you to Montevideo.” Genuinely surprised. “Oh yeah?” Brightly. “Definitely. I got to meet your grandma, who despite all your descriptions turned out to be the sweetest woman I’ve ever spoken to. I discovered all the places you grew up loving. I saw so many things that perfectly explained why you are the way you are. I’d never seen you so happy. I haven't seen so happy since, either. It felt like you were in your rightf...

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“Just A House” by Katie Brady

Submitted to Contest #76

“I don’t know why you see such an appeal in this place. I mean, it’s just a bunch of old paintings and furniture. I don’t even think there’s electricity, I just see a bunch of candles everywhere.” “Are you kidding me? This is like, a chance of a lifetime!” “Exploring a dusty manor in the dead of night, with only flashlights and decade-old candles to light our way, what a joyful experience.” “Not just a dusty manor. It’s one of the most well known haunted locations in the entire state, maybe even the country!” “Is that supposed to mak...

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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.

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